Chapter 661: Monopoly Over Mediterranean Trade
"I understand your noble aspirations," said Melek Mehmed Pasha, the Ottoman Grand Vizier, adjusting his large white turban and straightening his posture. "However, our great Sultan has decided that our trade relations will align closely with Britain."
Talleyrand chuckled and shook his head.
"The lady you are so enchanted by may still be smiling sweetly at you. But you might not realize that she turns away to meet your enemy in secret."
"Ah, I am, of course, referring to the one who stole the northern peninsula from your home," he added, clearly referencing Russia and its annexation of Crimea.
Melek Mehmed narrowed his eyes.
"Trade between Britain and Russia has always been significant, but this does not diminish the growing number of British merchant ships arriving in Constantinople.
"Moreover, Britain's extensive commercial influence in Russia could, at times, help us counterbalance Russian power."
Talleyrand laughed heartily.
"You would pin your hopes on a faithless woman?
"Oh, speaking of merchant ships," he continued with an amused tone, "I nearly forgot. My primary purpose in meeting you today is to discuss those very ships."
A flash of irritation crossed the Grand Vizier's face.
"Though your nation has, through questionable means, gained control of the ports in Tunis and Tripoli, British merchant ships can simply bypass those areas. They can refuel at Mitidja before heading straight to Constantinople."
Talleyrand responded with righteous indignation:
"We were merely clearing out pirates, many of whom came from Anatolia. The Duke of Tunis was so grateful for our noble efforts that he decided to pledge allegiance to our King.
"But back to merchant ships," Talleyrand said, shifting into a businesslike tone. "You surely know that oarsmen boarding ships at Mitidja barely have enough strength to reach Egypt. Once there, ships must either rest at Alexandria for days or recruit new oarsmen.
"Either option significantly increases transport costs."
Melek Mehmed, visibly losing patience, said:
"These costs are acceptable, Talleyrand. If you intend to use this as leverage for negotiation, I'm afraid..."
Talleyrand took a long sip of his coffee, savoring the aroma with a smile.
"This coffee is so exquisite, we don't even get this quality at Versailles.
"Oh, if this cup of coffee could reach France in six days, I daresay it would sell for one franc."
"Six days?" The Grand Vizier shook his head. "Even in urgent voyages, that speed is unattainable. And such trips would make this coffee cost over eight francs per cup."
Coffee and Control Over Trade
Though coffee is closely associated with European culture, the Ottoman Empire was the true coffee powerhouse of the era. From Yemen to Ethiopia, the Ottomans produced over a third of Europe's coffee supply, making it one of their most significant exports.
A century prior, the Ottomans controlled 90% of the coffee trade until large-scale cultivation in Indonesia and the Americas disrupted their monopoly. Despite this, Yemeni coffee remained unmatched in quality and price.
The "urgent voyages" Mehmed referred to involved forcing oarsmen to row at maximum speed, typically reserved for emergencies. In commercial contexts, this was prohibitively expensive.
Talleyrand swirled his coffee cup and smiled.
"What if my merchant ships could maintain a speed of eight knots without oarsmen?"
"That's impossible," Mehmed dismissed. "Sailing alone cannot achieve such speed."
"You're right. But coal can." Talleyrand's tone brimmed with confidence. "Steamships built in Brittany are already entering production. These vessels can reach Constantinople from France in just six days."
"And the cost?" Mehmed asked warily.
"Only slightly higher than conventional oar-powered ships. In fact, if British ships stop at Algiers for refueling, their costs would surpass those of steamships."
The Promise of Steamships
Talleyrand was describing paddle steamships, which were revolutionizing river transport but could also navigate the relatively calm Mediterranean.
While the lack of coal deposits along the Mediterranean coast posed logistical challenges—forcing steamships to carry substantial coal reserves and reducing cargo capacity—Talleyrand strategically presented the technology's future potential to entice Ottoman cooperation.
Upon hearing about this breakthrough, Mehmed's eyes widened in astonishment.
"You're serious?"
"Of course. I'm nothing if not honest," Talleyrand said, gesturing westward. "In three days, a steamship will arrive at the port. You can see it for yourself.
"Oh, that ship left Nantes after I departed Marseille. It crossed much of France but will only arrive three days after me."
Revolutionizing Mediterranean Trade
The Grand Vizier's mind raced. If steamships required no oarsmen and maintained high speeds, they would soon dominate Mediterranean shipping.
The biggest limitation of oar-powered ships wasn't even cost—it was the availability of oarsmen.
Ports like Alexandria and Levantine harbors were crowded with ships waiting to hire oarsmen. Wealthier merchants sometimes resorted to purchasing slaves, but this was astronomically expensive and required resting the slaves frequently to prevent exhaustion.
Under such constraints, any merchant given the option of steam-powered vessels—unrestricted by labor shortages—would immediately choose them. Furthermore, steamships' speed alone offered a clear competitive edge.
For example, a conventional oar-powered ship took 12–15 days to travel from Constantinople to Marseille. Steamships could cut this time in half.
No wonder the Frenchman exuded such confidence when he claimed France would become the Ottomans' largest trading partner.
Mehmed began to understand that while the French might not dominate all Mediterranean trade immediately, their steamships would disrupt existing systems.
Even if Ottoman merchants attempted to restrict access to steamships, they would quickly realize that competitors using French vessels had a significant cost and efficiency advantage.
The Grand Vizier suddenly pressed his hand over Talleyrand's coffee cup, asking pointedly:
"The British won't sit idly by while you monopolize Mediterranean shipping. Their navy will take control of the Aegean and extend its reach to the Gulf of Sirte."
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