Chapter 218: Operational Meeting
Inside a closed-off room on the second floor of the Palais-Royal, Madame de Semberant huddled in terror.
Just over ten minutes ago, she had been immersed in the excitement of receiving an invitation from the Duke of Orleans. Now, she stammered fearfully, "D-Duke, I didn't... It was the Duke of Chartres who approached me first... And, I truly didn't know I had that illness."
Her skin was smooth, showing no discomfort; she had indeed not yet entered the secondary stage of syphilis. Many people with good constitutions might not show obvious symptoms until two years after contracting the disease.
The Duke of Chartres tried to console his father from the side: "Father, the 'love disease' is nothing. Even the great Francis I suffered from it..."
"Silence!"
The Duke of Orleans cut him off with a roar, then glared fiercely at Madame de Semberant: "Tell me exactly what happened."
"Yes... yes, it was the day you asked me to seduce... to find His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. You know, I failed; he ignored me. Then, the Duke of Chartres suddenly burst in..."
Half an hour later, the Duke of Orleans slammed his fist onto the table in a fit of rage. Fragments of teacups, incense burners, and other items were scattered across the study floor.
"It's all that damned Louis Joseph!" His eyes were bloodshot as he muttered through gritted teeth, 'He must have known in advance that Madame de Semberant was ill, and deliberately led Philippe to that room!'
From that day on, the Duke of Orleans' legitimate heir was left with at most 20 years of life, perhaps even just 10.
Syphilis, in that era, was a terrifying, incurable disease.
He snatched the pen holder and flung it to the ground, a beast-like growl rumbling in his throat: "I swear, I'll never let you go. I'll tear all of you to shreds! Shreds! Even if I have to risk everything!"
...
North Africa.
Algiers, Mitidja.
Hollis, the British consul in Tunisia, signed the handover documents with a frustrated expression, then gave a perfunctory nod to Stuart, the consul in Algiers: "North Africa will be in your hands from now on. Farewell, Sir Stuart."
News of the dramatic changes in Tunisia reached London, and subsequently, a special envoy from the Duke of Leeds, the Foreign Secretary, arrived in Algiers, announcing that Stuart would take over all affairs in Tunisia.
Hollis could only lament his terrible luck. He had done everything he could. Who knew why those natives suddenly rebelled and showed such strong pro-French sentiment.
At dusk, Hollis packed his luggage alone in the hotel. He was scheduled to board a ship back to Britain the next morning.
"Retiring like this isn't bad either," he shook his head, laughing self-deprecatingly. "I can go back to my old home in Worcester and enjoy fishing for the rest of my life."
The sound of a door opening came from behind him. He assumed it was the servant and turned, saying, "Jamie, how many times have I told you not to keep asking me about the carriage..."
He suddenly froze. It wasn't Jamie who had entered, but a tall man in black.
"And you are?"
"Mr. Hollis, you've handled your assignment quite poorly," the man in black said softly, closing the door.
Hollis was alarmed: "You, what are you doing?"
The man in black rubbed his wrist and slowly approached: "Your unauthorized incitement of Tunisian nobles to attack the French will put the government in a very difficult position."
"No, that was at the Duke of Leeds' instruction..." Hollis paused mid-sentence. "Did he send you?"
The man in black did not reply, simply pressed him down with practiced ease and looped a rope around his neck.
The next morning, the hotel owner repeatedly reminded the Englishman that it was time to board his ship. When he received no response, he reluctantly opened the door, only to find the man hanging from the window frame.
...
Stuart had no idea that his former colleague had met his untimely end. He had to do his utmost to prevent France from gaining Tunisia.
He was about to visit the Dey of Algiers, the ruler of the region, when a special envoy from the Ottoman Sultan, Mr. Said, arrived at his consulate ahead of him.
In the reception room, the stout middle-aged man with a handlebar mustache and standard Ottoman attire nodded to Stuart: "Esteemed Consul, I believe you are already aware of that terrible rebellion in Tunisia."
Stuart immediately understood. He quickly ordered his servant to bring coffee and invited the Ottoman envoy to sit: "Yes, alas, it was truly a tragedy. I heard that the Tunisians are openly advocating secession from the Ottoman Empire."
Said nodded: "I believe that our two nations share common interests regarding the situation in Tunisia.
"Clearly, if France acquires the ports of Tunisia, British trade in the Mediterranean will immediately fall behind."
Stuart stirred his coffee with a silver spoon, his expression unreadable: "So, what is your view?"
"We can together suggest that Algiers dispatch troops to suppress the Tunisian rebellion, which might set everything back on the right path."
Said leaned forward: "I heard that Britain has hired a force of Albanian mercenaries to help Algiers resist the French.
"If the Algiers Janissaries also send an army, they could quickly defeat the French forces in Tunisia. There should only be 3,000 Frenchmen there."
Stuart's expression remained unchanged: "Firstly, your intelligence is outdated. There are 6,000 French soldiers in Tunisia.
"Secondly, what can you and your Empire offer for this pacification campaign?"
Said immediately smiled:
"I can, in the Sultan's name, demand that the Dey of Algiers send troops. You know, this will greatly reduce the opposition from those in the Algiers Divan."
Unlike Tunisia, where the Janissaries held centralized power, Algiers had three political forces: the natives, the navy, and the Janissaries. All of them sought Ottoman support, so they were very mindful of the Sultan's attitude.
Said continued: "Once order is restored in Tunisia, I believe the great Sultan will surely consider granting Britain the trade monopoly there."
The British consul's eyes lit up: "Actually, I am very interested in your proposal."
Said rotated his wrist, drawing an arc, and showed a troubled expression: "It's just that this pacification campaign might require some funding..."
Stuart immediately said:
"I can offer some assistance in that regard. 300,000 Pounds Sterling should be enough to fight this war."
Said was overjoyed, bowing slightly: "I trust our two nations can become the guardians of order in Tunisia."
The two men discussed the details further, then went hand-in-hand to the Dey of Algiers' residence.
Three days later, the Algiers Divan, or parliament, convened a full meeting.
The Algiers Janissaries deeply sympathized with the plight of their Tunisian "compatriots" during the native rebellion, so they immediately clamored to send troops to Tunisia to suppress the rebellion and save the Janissaries.
In fact, ever since Hussein led the Janissaries to gain control of Tunisia, they had actively participated in every political upheaval there, reaping enormous benefits.
The navy immediately expressed agreement.
Previously, the combined fleet had sunk their ships and captured their sailors, and they had been plotting revenge ever since.
Now, France had acquired ports in Tunisia, which would pose an even greater threat to them in the future. They naturally hoped to attack Tunisia as soon as possible.
Only the native factions of Algiers were reluctant to get involved in this war.
However, they were already the weakest force in the Divan. After receiving instructions from the Ottoman Sultan's special envoy and Britain's promise of hundreds of thousands of Pounds Sterling in military aid, they fell silent.
Ultimately, after the Dey of Algiers, Sukurli Ali Turs, secured command of the Albanian mercenaries from the British and tacit permission to loot Tunisia, he announced that the Janissaries would dispatch 11,000 troops, along with 12,000 mercenaries, to Tunisia to suppress the rebellion and restore Janissary rule there.
...
Paris.
Versailles Palace, Petit Trianon.
Queen Marie anxiously asked her maid, "Has Baron Veaumorel departed?"
The Countess of Debeninac bowed: "Yes, Your Majesty. He set off before dawn and should be nearing Provins by now."
"Good, that's good."
The Queen lightly touched her chest, her heart still pounding rapidly.
Last week, good news arrived from Tunisia, stating that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had overthrown the anti-French Tunisian Janissaries, and Tunisia had once again become a paradise for France.
Overjoyed, she had even agreed to her son's request to land in Tunisia and see its unique scenery.
However, last night, a warning came from Algiers: the Algiers Divan had decided to dispatch a 23,000-strong army to intervene in the Tunisian situation.
The thought of her beloved son potentially being caught in the conflict led her to write a personal letter overnight, sending her captain of the guard to Tunisia immediately to bring the Crown Prince back.
The door opened, and the Minister of War, the Minister of the Navy, and Chief Minister Brienne quickly entered one after another.
Without waiting for them to bow, the Queen anxiously declared: "You've heard about the situation in Tunisia, haven't you? I need to ensure the Crown Prince's safety right now!"
She then murmured softly, "I really shouldn't have let him go there. God, it's full of savages..."
Marquis Saint-Priest and the Minister of the Navy exchanged glances, then stepped forward: "Your Majesty, if the troops in Tunisia immediately cover His Highness's retreat, there should be no danger.
"However, the 6,000 men sent there are mostly newly formed legions. In the unlikely event, and I mean unlikely, that they act slowly and are trapped in Tunisia by the Algiers army, I'm afraid..."
Queen Marie quickly interrupted: "Then what should be done? Oh, dispatch troops immediately to Tunisia to rendezvous with the Crown Prince!"
"As Your Majesty wishes," Marquis Saint-Priest bowed, then tentatively added, "Your Majesty, regarding the funding?"
"No matter the cost, have Archbishop Brienne allocate the funds to you. I want you to dispatch troops immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
...
Tunisia.
Joseph sat in a tent on the beach, eating freshly grilled seafood, and discussing documents with Joanne: "Do you know how many white slaves the Tunisian natives own?"
"Specific figures haven't been compiled yet, Your Highness, but Tunisia's wealth is largely in the hands of the Janissaries. Few Berbers and Arabs can afford white slaves. I estimate, at most, only a few hundred."
"That's good," Joseph nodded. "In that case, the Tunisian government will pay to redeem them. And the white slaves who previously belonged to the Janissaries will directly gain their freedom."
According to previous statistics, Tunisia had tens of thousands of white slaves, meaning Europeans captured by pirates. These individuals were mostly Christians, and after many years away from home, they were unlikely to return to Europe. They naturally became the backbone of French immigration in Tunisia.
Joanne quickly noted this on the last page of the "White Slave Emancipation Act": "This might require hundreds of thousands of livres, Your Highness."
"It doesn't matter, it's worth it," Joseph said, then asked, "By the way, how are the civil service examinations progressing?"
"Preparations are proceeding systematically. Mr. Hilada says the exams can begin by early next month at the latest."
Joseph nodded. Currently, the Tunisian Janissary bureaucratic system had been completely dismantled, and Tunisia needed a new governing system.
Joseph intended to use this opportunity to test the model of bureaucratic assessment and recruitment here. It was somewhat similar to later civil service examinations.
Of course, in addition to testing subjects like humanities, management, and science, nearly half of the content was dedicated to general knowledge about France and concepts of "Roman identity."
The examination syllabus had been announced; next came the principle of 'excel in studies, enter officialdom.'
Once enough experience was accumulated with the civil service examinations here, it would serve as an important reference for his bureaucratic reforms in France.
As Joseph and Joanne were speaking, Ishaq hurried in with an agent from the Police Intelligence Bureau.
Several Swiss Guard soldiers immediately stopped them and began a thorough body search.
Joseph smiled and waved to the Swiss guards: "It's alright, let them come through."
Ishaq stepped forward and bowed, urgently saying, "Your Highness, this is Willy, who just arrived from Algiers. He brought intelligence that the Dey of Algiers, Turs, has mobilized a 23,000-strong army, planning to invade Bizerte from Annaba."
"Oh?!" Joseph shot to his feet, frowning as he asked, "When did this happen?"
"About six days ago, Your Highness."
Given the communication speed of that era, intelligence from Mitidja reaching Tunis City in less than a week was already highly efficient.
"Notify the senior officers of the Guards Corps and the Moulins Legion. Convene an operational meeting immediately. Oh, and have them bring a few Tunisian Janissary officers as well."
Joseph was about to leave when Ishaq added: "Your Highness, speaking of the Tunisian Janissaries, based on the confessions obtained from interrogated Janissary officers over the past few days, it was the British who instigated them behind the scenes to attack the French. Britain even provided a large sum of money as payment for the attacks."
Joseph's eyes narrowed slightly. He had always strongly suspected the British meddlers, and now it was confirmed.
He instructed Ishaq: "Write a detailed report on this matter and have it sent back to Versailles Palace."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Two hours later, in a villa not far from Kashir Palace, Berthier, Andre, and over a dozen other officers stood respectfully around a large conference table, saluting His Royal Highness the Crown Prince by removing their hats and bowing.
Joseph returned the salute with his hat, then looked at the conference table—which was clearly newly built, as Tunisians didn't use such tables—and instructed Eman: "Please have this table removed and replaced with one large enough to accommodate a sand table."
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