Chapter 944: Doing One's Own Business with Other People's Money
Hmm? Wait. Joseph suddenly thought of something.
In the past, it was indeed impossible for Prussia to delay its plans.
But now, there was a new variable—
The Ottomans were about to deploy troops, and their target was Wallachia.
As a nation with immense ambitions for the Balkan Peninsula, how could Russia sit by and watch the Ottomans retake it?
Nearby was Russian-controlled Moldavia and their key stronghold on the northern bank of the Danube—Iasi.
If the Ottomans gained a foothold in Wallachia, Moldavia would be the next territory under threat.
The wounds Poland had previously inflicted on Russia were too deep; the empire was still in the middle of a slow recovery and had absolutely no desire for a war of attrition with the Ottomans along the Danube.
Therefore, the most favorable outcome for Russia was for Austria to block the Ottoman army outside Wallachia.
Russia would feel compelled to take action.
For example, by buying Austria a few months of breathing room.
This wouldn't be particularly difficult for the Russians to orchestrate.
They only needed to deploy a few tens of thousands of troops along the border of East Prussia.
They wouldn't even need to fight or issue formal threats; simply having soldiers quietly watch Königsberg would ensure that Prussia wouldn't dare open a battlefield in Silesia so easily.
Given the typical Russian temperament, it wouldn't be surprising if they swallowed East Prussia whole while the Prussians were busy fighting Austria.
William II would have to send envoys to Saint Petersburg for repeated diplomatic negotiations to ensure Russia wouldn't take advantage of the chaos, easily consuming several months in the process.
By then, Archduke Charles would have dealt with the Ottoman forces and led his victorious army north to clash with Prussia.
'Yes, Austria's situation would be revitalized.'
'Internal strife within Germany would continue.'
'Perfect.'
Joseph looked at the Ottoman envoy again. It seemed the party most disadvantaged by this arrangement would be the Ottomans themselves...
But then again, he hadn't done anything to wrong them.
If the Ottoman army was capable and truly defeated Archduke Charles, Joseph would have nothing to say. It would simply be God’s will for Austria to fall.
But if the Sultan's army lacked combat power yet still insisted on arm-wrestling European forces, they were simply asking for trouble. They couldn't blame anyone else for the consequences.
Furthermore, France had always hoped the Ottomans would focus their attention on Egypt.
It might actually be beneficial for the Ottomans to suffer a setback in the north; it would force them to focus their energy on Egypt later on.
They would also become far more militarily dependent on France.
Seeing the French Crown Prince look over, Zagallo quickly continued:
"Your Highness, His Majesty the Sultan hopes to obtain the necessary arms and ammunition from our French allies."
"For instance, fifteen thousand flintlock muskets and twenty cannons."
"Ideally, we would also appreciate assistance in training two thousand men for the Topçus New Army."
"In gratitude, His Majesty has decided to grant France trade concessions in the Levant. All merchant ships will be exempt from inspections, and all taxes except for basic tariffs will be waived."
"Additionally, France will have the right of first refusal for Egyptian sugarcane and Syrian cotton."
Joseph was quite satisfied with the Ottoman compensation.
The Levant was the easternmost region of the Mediterranean, including wealthy hubs like Syria and Aleppo. Goods shipped there could also reach Jezira and Iraq to the east, making it of immense commercial significance.
Given the typical conduct of Ottoman officials, they would usually seize any excuse to fleece merchant ships.
Now that Selim III had granted French ships immunity from inspection, those officials could no longer make things difficult for French traders.
It might seem minor, but it would save French shipowners a massive amount of gold and time every year.
As for the tax exemptions, that went without saying—it was direct savings for the treasury.
The various "port taxes" and "security taxes" in Ottoman harbors added up to no small sum.
And the right of first refusal for cotton and sugar essentially allowed France to monopolize the export of these two commodities from the Ottoman Empire.
Of course, this was based on competitive bidding—at the same price, France would always get priority.
France had previously secured seventy percent of Ottoman sugar; now, they were securing the remaining thirty percent.
This would further solidify the status of the "Sugar Franc."
'With the right of first refusal, I might even arrange to ship grain from other regions to Egypt so the fertile lands along the Nile can be planted exclusively with sugarcane.' But that would have to wait until after the Mamluks were defeated.
He feigned deep thought for a moment before nodding to Zagallo.
"His Majesty the Sultan’s generosity makes it impossible for me to refuse his request."
"Furthermore, I believe fifteen thousand muskets are insufficient. I can provide you with twenty-five thousand. Specifically, the Model 1722 flintlock muskets produced by Austria."
The envoy was about to say he wanted French-made goods when Joseph continued:
"Since you are fighting the Austrians, these rifles are actually more suitable. Your soldiers will be able to easily scavenge ammunition and spare parts from the defeated Austrian armies."
"Besides, these rifles are just as effective as the Charlevilles. Even the Austrian Imperial Guard uses them."
'Napoleon captured a massive quantity of weapons from the Austrians. They are only taking up space in the warehouses; better to trade them for something useful.'
"The same goes for the cannons. Forty Austrian-made 6-pounders and 12-pounders, including their corresponding ammunition."
"Regarding the training of the Topçus New Army, however, I am afraid there is simply not enough time."
"You have likely heard that the rebellion within Austria is nearing its end. Spending time training a new army now might cause you to miss your window of opportunity. I can send some instructors to train your soldiers while the Imperial army is en route to Wallachia."
Zagallo was overjoyed. He hadn't expected the French Crown Prince to nearly double the quantity of weapons offered.
Upon his return, the Sultan would surely reward him handsomely for such a successful negotiation.
"Thank you so much, Your Highness," he said, bowing deeply with excitement. "Our two nations shall forever be the firmest of allies!"
Joseph nodded with a smile. "You are quite right. Oh, there is one more small matter I hope our closest ally can help with."
"Please, go on, Your Highness."
Joseph said, "Currently, Denmark is leading an organization for an international maritime convention."
"This organization aims to regulate maritime rights and interests, advocating that the sea is common property, belonging to no nation, and no one shall interfere with the maritime trade of other nations' merchant ships."
"France has already decided to join this Maritime Convention, and I sincerely hope the Ottoman Empire will also become a member."
Zagallo thought quickly. The Ottoman navy had weakened significantly and had long since abandoned its maritime hegemony. Joining such an organization would actually be quite beneficial for their merchant fleet.
He immediately nodded. "I will convey your invitation to His Majesty the Sultan. Personally, I believe it is highly likely His Majesty will agree."
Joseph’s smile grew even more sincere. "If His Majesty can persuade other nations—Georgia, for instance—to join the Maritime Convention, I would be willing to gift him an additional three thousand muskets."
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