Chapter 664: From Egypt to Poland
Of course, French control over Tunisia was an established fact, but recognition from the Ottoman Empire eliminated the last lingering doubt.
From now on, Tunisia would be France's undisputed territory.
Archbishop Talleyrand haggled further, eventually raising the priority purchase ratio to 70% and settling on a series of preferential trade clauses.
With this, the Ottoman Empire's tendency to completely align with Britain was officially reversed.
Salem III then invited Archbishop Talleyrand to a banquet.
As the two, surrounded by officials, walked past the enormous swimming pool in the palace, Archbishop Talleyrand suddenly expressed his concern:
"Your Majesty, I am somewhat worried about whether Egypt can fully execute your will."
After a long series of preliminaries, this was the real purpose of his visit.
Salem III frowned slightly. Though lacking confidence, he still waved his hand proudly:
"That reassures me greatly," Archbishop Talleyrand exclaimed with an exaggerated sigh. Then, as if an idea struck him, he leaned closer to the Sultan and whispered, "Your Majesty, in fact, now is an excellent opportunity for you to subdue those disobedient subjects."
"I don't understand what you mean."
"The conflict between Murad, Ibrahim, and the local Beys of Egypt is escalating, and even within the 'Bey faction,' they are hostile towards each other. Even the people in Paris are discussing it, saying that if a large army were sent now to eliminate the disloyal elements, it would surely revive the glory of Hassan Pasha of old!"
Nominally, Egypt was still an Ottoman province, and the Sultan would send a Governor, or Pasha, there. However, for centuries, Egypt had been effectively ruled by the Mamluk Group.
Especially in recent years, with the death of the formidable Ottoman general Hassan—who had once led his army to victory against the Mamluk Group in a skirmish and reclaimed taxes owed to the empire—the Mamluks had completely taken control of Egypt, even declaring themselves Pashas. The Pashas sent by the Ottoman Empire were restricted to their residences, entering and exiting only under the "personal protection" of Mamluk guards.
However, the Mamluk Group, having reached its peak, began to suffer internal strife. Central and local military leaders vied with each other, and conflicts between the clerical elite and the Mamluks were constant. Historically, it was amidst this Mamluk infighting that Napoleon led his army to decisively defeat them and seize control of Egypt.
Salem III glanced at the Frenchman, saying meaningfully:
"The northern beast is eyeing the Empire closely. As soon as our army marches to Egypt, they will immediately howl and charge south, tearing a piece from the Empire's flesh."
What he didn't mention was that Austria was also coveting Ottoman territory from Wallachia to Bulgaria.
This was also why the Ottoman Empire had never dared to resolve the Egyptian problem.
Historically, it was only after Napoleon crushed the Mamluks and then withdrew to France under pressure from the British Navy that the Ottoman Empire seized the opportunity to reclaim the weakened Egypt.
Joseph naturally wouldn't follow Napoleon's old path of doing all the work for others. Instead, he intended to incite the Ottoman Empire to wear down the Mamluks first, then pick the ripe fruit himself at an opportune moment.
Archbishop Talleyrand deliberately quickened his pace, putting some distance between himself and the Ottoman officials beside him, and whispered to the Sultan:
"I have a crucial piece of intelligence for you. Russia will be unable to focus on the south for a considerable period, at least a year."
A flicker of surprise crossed Salem III's eyes, but he quickly returned to his usual composure:
"How do you know what Russia will do?"
Archbishop Talleyrand didn't know how the intelligence department acquired such vital information, but His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, was absolutely certain that Russia would attack Poland, so it had to be correct.
He spoke with great confidence: "Your Majesty, this is reliable intelligence our agents obtained from the Winter Palace.
Within six months to a year, Russia will launch a full-scale invasion of Poland.
But I can assure you, they will be bogged down in a bitter struggle."
Salem III immediately turned his head, staring intently at Archbishop Talleyrand.
The latter continued: "If you don't believe me, you can send people to investigate Russia's troop movements around Poland and their logistical reserves."
Salem III turned, and a fair-skinned middle-aged eunuch quickly trotted over, exchanging a few quiet words with him.
The Sultan looked at Archbishop Talleyrand again, nodding to confirm his intelligence, yet still said calmly:
"Even if your prophecy comes true, the Empire's rash attack on Egypt would still be too risky."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Archbishop Talleyrand nodded. "Indeed, there's risk in campaigning against the Mamluks with the current Imperial army, but what if we add two thousand Topiris New Army soldiers?"
Salem III involuntarily paused his steps.
Archbishop Talleyrand added: "Fully equipped with French military gear."
A barely concealed excitement flashed in Salem III's eyes, and he said in a deep voice:
"What if Poland is defeated by the Russians before the Empire reclaims Egypt?"
Archbishop Talleyrand secretly rejoiced, surprised that the Sultan had voiced his own thoughts.
He immediately said gravely: "Your Majesty, that is why you must provide as much assistance as possible to Poland to resist the Russian offensive."
"That is impossible," Salem III said without hesitation. "I cannot declare war on Russia for Poland."
'Indeed, it's already a favor if Russia doesn't attack the Ottoman Empire; how could the Ottoman Empire provoke them?'
Archbishop Talleyrand smiled and shook his head:
"Your Majesty, you misunderstand. You know, Poland is a poor country. You only need to provide them with some logistical supplies to greatly enhance their combat effectiveness."
The Sultan frowned, speaking with some difficulty:
"The Empire no longer borders Poland. How are the supplies to be delivered?"
Originally, the Ottoman Empire and Poland were contiguous, but the Treaty of Jassy ceded Crimea to Russia. Since then, Ochakov had separated the two nations.
Archbishop Talleyrand said: "You can send people to transport supplies via the Black Sea to the mouth of the Dnieper River, and then members of the Crimean resistance organization can follow the Dnieper north into Poland."
To be honest, he himself found the plan a bit strange, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had insisted that he persuade the Sultan.
After a while, Salem III finally said:
"After the banquet, please explain the details to me thoroughly."
...
South bank of the Seine River.
A peculiar vessel, painted entirely white, with two slender masts installed only at the bow and stern, yet a thick funnel towering amidships on its deck, floated quietly on the water.
On a wooden platform beside the dock, Joseph, under the gaze of hundreds of nobles and journalists, hurled a bottle of wine tied to a long rope at the Steamship behind him.
With a "smash," the wine splattered, and cheerful music and enthusiastic applause immediately erupted around them.
Joseph turned back, announcing loudly:
"The Pyroscaphe officially sets sail! May its coal supply always be abundant!"
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