Chapter 662: Gains and Losses
Talleyrand, noticing the Ottoman Grand Vizier's look of confusion, smiled and explained:
"His Royal Highness Joseph instructed the General Staff Headquarters to recruit local residents in Tunisia, forming them into a Royal Legion to serve as North Africa's primary defense force. Currently, it comprises 2,500 soldiers, most of whom share your faith."
An image of Tunisian soldiers immediately formed in Meleka Mohammed's mind, and he said hesitantly:
"His Majesty the Sultan requires elites capable of defeating our northern enemies."
The Ottoman Empire had only one major enemy to the north: Tsarist Russia.
Talleyrand dabbed a coffee stain from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, appearing quite satisfied:
"Rest assured, Lieutenant Colonel Moreau is an exceptional commander. The Tunisian Legion under his command is considered elite even in our nation."
Of course, this standing Tunisian army was only slightly stronger than France's old forces, but that didn't stop him from boasting. And for the Ottoman Empire, France's Tunisian Legion would undoubtedly be considered top-tier.
Meleka Mohammed was overjoyed. "Excellent! Could you arrange for twenty Tunisian instructors for the Topçus? I guarantee ample compensation to your nation."
The Grand Vizier seemed a little disappointed. "Then, surely ten instructors would be acceptable?"
The lame man still shook his head.
"Monsieur Talleyrand, you know it's difficult to guarantee training standards with too few instructors..."
"You misunderstand," Talleyrand said, waving his hand. "My meaning is that if the new army trains in Constantinople, they will inevitably be influenced by their old environment. Sending them to Tunisia, to train alongside our soldiers, will achieve the best results."
He then winked conspiratorially. "Furthermore, separated by half the Mediterranean Sea, those in the Janissaries will have no way of knowing the precise number of Topçus.
"Also, the soldiers' salaries can be paid to our nation first, under the guise of 'consulting fees,' and then transferred by us to the Topçus officers. This way, the Janissaries won't even be able to estimate the new army's size by auditing the accounts."
Meleka Mohammed's eyes immediately lit up.
This was indeed an excellent way to escape the Janissaries' constraints. If they could secretly train 10,000 Topçus—no, even just 5,000—when this new army returned to Constantinople, they would be able to completely suppress the Janissary faction.
He was keenly aware of his own Janissaries' combat capabilities. At their current level, 1,000 Topçus soldiers could defeat 5,000 Janissaries. Not to mention Topçus trained by the French army—5,000 of them would be enough to firmly control the entire capital.
At the same time, Tunisia was an Islamic environment, so there was little need to worry about the new army being exposed to "undesirable European influences" there.
It was a truly perfect plan.
If the Empire's finances could sustain it, training 50,000 Topçus in Tunisia, defeating Russia, and retaking Crimea would not be impossible!
Of course, this was merely wishful thinking on his part.
Joseph certainly wouldn't permit such a formidable army to be trained for the Ottomans; four or five thousand new soldiers would be more than enough.
'After all, he planned to dig the Suez Canal himself eventually. It would be quite the predicament if the Ottoman new army eliminated the Mamluks and recaptured all of Egypt before he could even get there.'
Meleka Mohammed's smile suddenly froze. As the Empire's "chief steward," after a brief moment of joy, he immediately realized that if they proceeded as Talleyrand suggested, it would amount to the Empire acknowledging Tunisia as French territory.
He sighed somewhat bitterly. "Regarding this matter, His Majesty the Sultan will need to make a decision."
Talleyrand didn't have to wait long; by noon the next day, he received an audience with the Ottoman Sultan.
In the exceedingly spacious, vaulted hall of Topkapi Palace, Salem III reclined on a soft divan and gestured to an attending eunuch.
Immediately, a beautiful, bare-chested female slave placed a cup of fragrant, rich coffee before the French Foreign Minister.
The latter smiled and nodded to the Sultan. "Thank you very much, Your Majesty."
"I hear you are quite fond of our coffee," Salem III indicated the coffee cup. "This has just arrived from Mocha. I hope you enjoy it."
Talleyrand picked up the cup, blew lightly on the coffee, took a small sip, and praised it with exaggerated delight:
"This is absolutely the finest beverage I have ever tasted! You have made me even more enamored with Constantinople!"
Salem III raised his index finger and waved it at the eunuch:
"Send a ship full of imperial coffee to the Port of Marseille for my friend."
"As you command, my most exalted master."
Talleyrand beamed, about to offer his thanks, when Salem III looked at him and said:
"My friend, I have already learned of your sincere intentions from the Grand Vizier.
"Now, I wish to hear from you about the true purpose of your visit to Constantinople."
Talleyrand immediately replied with fervent enthusiasm, "Why, to foster greater prosperity in trade between France and the Ottoman Empire, of course."
The young Sultan, however, merely smiled and watched him.
'His Royal Highness Joseph was right,' Talleyrand mused. 'This current occupant of Topkapi Palace is far more difficult to deal with than his predecessor.'
He pushed away the coffee cup, rose, and bowed with a hand over his chest. "Your eyes, Your Majesty, seem capable of discerning all."
"I am listening."
"Britain. My objective is Britain."
"Please, be seated and speak."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Talleyrand inclined his head. "As you know, our nation is engaged in fierce competition with Britain. His Royal Highness Joseph hopes to exchange some things you need for Syrian cotton and Egyptian sugarcane. Oh, and trade between France and the Ottoman Empire is certainly of utmost importance as well."
Salem III nodded slightly.
He was naturally aware of the fierce rivalry between Britain and France in the textile industry. Although the cotton production he controlled was not extensive, it was enough to tip the scales.
Just last week, he had received news from the Caribbean that there were widespread slave revolts, meaning this year's sugar cane supply would face severe shortages. Egyptian sugarcane would become a strategic resource.
He pondered for a few seconds, idly twisting the "Tasbih" prayer beads in his hand, then spoke:
"Steamships controlled by our nation must not be less than 40% of the incoming vessels. We require a cannon foundry capable of manufacturing 32-pounder cannons, and 2,000 sets of standard French military equipment for the Topçus training in Tunisia.
"And you, my friend, shall receive priority purchasing rights for 60% of the goods produced in Syria and Egypt."
A wave of relief washed over Talleyrand; it seemed he had managed to gloss over things. To be honest, he only knew that His Royal Highness Joseph intended to connect the situations in Egypt and Poland, but the deeper strategic objectives remained somewhat unclear to him.
He then smiled again.
The Sultan's words had just indicated that the Ottoman Empire intended to acknowledge France's claim over Tunisia.
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