Half a month later.
The warm winds of early winter in the Eastern Mediterranean gush in from outside the window, messing up the hair of Talleyrand's assistant, Delate, who can't help but think of the 3,000 franc bill in his pocket.
It was an "Egyptian Special Allowance" issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday.
After hesitating for a long time, he picked up the draft of the "Cairo Investment and Technology Agreement" on the table, turned to Talleyrand who was enjoying tea, and said seriously: "Sir, I still feel that these terms seem... somewhat inappropriate. Are you really sure this is the intention of the Crown Prince?"
It's not that he's being paranoid; the agreement's clauses are indeed shocking. For example, the clause "ensuring Egypt can establish an arsenal capable of producing 15 pieces of artillery over 8 pounds monthly within a year, with the capability to independently cast 18-pound cannons."
