Chapter 430: War Reparations
Levefre looked at the fleur-de-lis flag fluttering over the coastal fortress of Annaba Port not far away, and happily tugged at his reins.
He had never imagined the campaign would be so smooth. It took only two and a half days to capture all of Annaba. Considering the Tunisian Legion's marching speed, covering the entire territory of Annaba would normally take almost two days alone.
This meant he could return to Europe in a few days, definitely in time to participate in the major campaign in Silesia.
A company commander rode over, saluted Levefre by tipping his hat, and announced:
"Colonel, we've found a large number of heavy cannons in the Algerians' fortress!"
"Oh?" Levefre waved a dismissive hand. "The Algerians' cannons aren't worth much."
Given the casting quality in North Africa, a 32-pounder coastal defense cannon wouldn't even be as powerful as an 18-pounder cannon from Europe.
The company commander immediately responded:
"Sir, those cannons are British-made. There are three 32-pounders, eight 24-pounders, and the lighter ones haven't been counted yet."
It was indeed a significant gain. At the time, the Duke of Leeds had spent tens of thousands of pounds sterling building Annaba's coastal defense fortress, only for it to fall into the hands of the Guards Corps without a single shot being fired. Some of the cannons even still had their factory grease seals.
Just as they were speaking, more cavalry arrived with a report, stating that large quantities of flintlock muskets had been found in the port's warehouses, including Prussian Potsdam 1740s, Dutch AI rifles, and some British Brown Bess muskets. The total number hadn't been tallied yet, but it was estimated to be at least over 7,000.
These weapons were part of Britain's second batch of aid to the Algerian Janissaries, but due to the Algerians' excessive delays, they hadn't been delivered to the troops even months later. Now, all of them had become a windfall for Levefre.
Levefre suddenly felt that not going to Silesia might be acceptable after all. Just capturing this much matériel should earn him commendation from the General Staff Headquarters.
He turned to a nearby staff officer and said:
"Arrange to get some of these fortress cannons to Constantine—the city in Algiers, the one of Roman origin, not the Ottoman Constantinople—then we can head back."
Constantine was an Algerian city south of Annaba. Holding it meant controlling a vital passage from Algiers into Tunisia. With the aid of 24-pounder cannons, the Tunisian Legion would later be able to fulfill its mission of defending Annaba.
......
Tunis City.
Qashir Palace.
The Dey of Algiers' envoy, Çandarlı, paced anxiously back and forth in the corridor.
He had originally prepared to sail to Paris if he couldn't meet the French negotiation representative before tomorrow.
Fortunately, the important figure from Paris had arrived. He only hoped General Kehler could hold out for a few more days, giving him enough time to use concessions to appease the French army.
Soon, footsteps echoed from down the corridor. Count Segur, the French Special Envoy for negotiations, approached with several officers from the General Staff Headquarters.
Çandarlı hurried to meet them, respectfully saluting with his hand over his chest and offering a greeting in Arabic.
Segur seemed completely unconcerned with what the translator was saying. He walked directly into the grand hall before them and took a seat at the head of the long table. Currently, French customs were popular in Tunisia, and people of status no longer wished to sit on carpets for discussions.
Çandarlı awkwardly followed him in. It took a while before he found a gap in the Frenchmen's casual conversation and quickly interjected:
"Esteemed Special Envoy, I am the Agha of the Algiers Divan, and the plenipotentiary representative appointed by the Dey..."
The Divan was Algiers' council. He held a position similar to a speaker.
Segur glanced up at him, then slowly drawled:
"Oh, and what do you intend to discuss with me?"
Çandarlı immediately replied, "Special Envoy, we should discuss a truce regarding the Annaba region..."
Segur listened to the translator, then smiled and raised a hand to cut him off:
"That won't be necessary. The fighting in Annaba concluded the day before yesterday."
He turned his head to a military officer beside him:
"Lieutenant Colonel Adrian, our legion should already be en route to Constantine, shouldn't it?"
Of course, under the current international circumstances, France had no plans to attack Constantine, but that didn't prevent him from using it to intimidate the Algerians. With Algiers' remaining forces, the French army could even push all the way to their capital, Mitidja.
Çandarlı's pupils constricted instantly. He knew that, even though he hadn't received news himself, the French were unlikely to lie about the war situation.
Panic-stricken, he stammered, "Truly, there should be no war between Algiers and France. It benefits neither side..."
Segur coldly cut him short:
"No, the war already began when the Algerian Janissaries last invaded Tunisia."
Çandarlı cursed the British a thousand times in his mind. 'They promised full support for Algiers' invasion of Tunisia, yet the moment the French army appeared, they vanished without a trace.'
"That... that was merely a certain obligation towards the Tunisian Janissaries from before," he said, resigned. "We realize it was a mistake and are willing to do whatever it takes to salvage peace between our two nations."
Segur stated flatly, "My country incurred expenses exceeding 200,000 riyals in responding to Algiers' invasion. These losses must be borne by Algiers."
200,000 riyals was roughly 4.4 million livres. It wasn't that Joseph was being lenient; rather, for Algiers, with a population of just over two million, this sum already represented their absolute limit.
Segur continued, "Furthermore, Annaba, being a crucial passage for invading Tunisia, will henceforth be administered by my country. And Constantine, which borders our nation, must become a buffer zone where no troops may be stationed."
"This..." Çandarlı exclaimed, agitated. "These demands are perhaps a bit too much..."
"This is His Majesty the King's decision," Segur retorted, glaring at him. "You may refuse, and then we will resume negotiations in Mitidja."
"No, no! These can all be discussed..." Çandarlı hastily waved his hands.
Tunisia.
Sousse Province.
Sfec was staring blankly at the low hills behind his tribe, the booming of cannons still echoing in his mind from time to time.
Suddenly, a group of tribesmen, armed with knives and spears, hurried cursing towards the main road beside the tribe.
Someone grabbed him and said, "Sfec, let's go teach that security officer a lesson!"
"That bastard let ten whole carts of olive oil go free. We didn't collect a single sou in security fees."
"And last time, he allowed the fur merchants from the city to enter the tribe..."
"How much money have we lost recently? I'm going to kill that scoundrel!"
"Yes, kill him!"
"Security officer?" Sfec was startled, then suddenly remembered the officer's white uniform—a uniform strikingly similar to those of the French soldiers he'd seen in Annaba—and immediately cried out in terror, "Are you mad? You absolutely mustn't attack the security officer!"
Seeing he couldn't stop his tribesmen, he rushed to the chief's dwelling, bursting straight into the house:
"Uncle, stop them quickly! Harming the security officer will bring the army down on us!"
"The army?" The chief scoffed. "What's there to fear? The tribe's warriors will drive them away."
"No, it won't work..." Sfec's eyes were filled with terror. "By the way, have you ever seen the Algerian Janissaries?"
"Hmm? No."
"They are devils! Devils that can tear a man apart in an instant!"
"Why are you talking about this?"
"And those soldiers..." Sfec swallowed, his face ashen, "They are gods of war who can tear those devils apart! No one can stand against them. If we don't stop everyone now, our tribe will be finished!"
On the main road next to the tribe, over twenty people who had been to the Annaba battlefield were frantically pushing back the troublesome tribesmen, terrified they might harm the security officer in any way.
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