Chapter 663: Sacrifice and Reward
Talleyrand noticed the puzzled expression on the Ottoman Grand Vizier's face and smiled as he explained:
"His Highness, the Crown Prince, instructed the General Staff to recruit local residents in Tunisia and form them into the Royal Corps, which now serves as the main defense force in North Africa. There are currently 2,500 soldiers in this corps, the majority of whom share your faith."
The image of Tunisian soldiers immediately came to Melek Mehmed Pasha's mind, but he hesitated.
"His Majesty the Sultan requires elite forces capable of defeating our northern enemies."
The only significant northern threat to the Ottomans was Russia.
Talleyrand dabbed the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief, looking quite pleased.
"Rest assured, Lieutenant Colonel Moreau is an excellent commander. The Tunisian Corps under his leadership is considered elite even by our standards."
Of course, the Tunisian regular army was only slightly better than France's outdated units, but that didn't stop Talleyrand from embellishing its reputation. For the Ottomans, such a force would indeed be seen as top-tier.
Melek Mehmed Pasha brightened immediately.
"That's wonderful! Can you arrange for twenty Tunisian instructors to train the Topçu troops? I assure you, the Empire will pay handsomely for their services."
Talleyrand smiled and shook his head.
"This wouldn't be suitable."
The Grand Vizier's enthusiasm waned.
"Perhaps ten instructors then?"
Talleyrand still shook his head.
Melek Mehmed's disappointment grew.
"Talleyrand, you must understand—too few instructors will make it difficult to ensure high-quality training..."
"You've misunderstood," Talleyrand interrupted with a wave of his hand.
"My suggestion is not to train the new army in Constantinople, where they would inevitably be influenced by the existing environment. Instead, they should train in Tunisia, alongside our soldiers. That would yield the best results."
He leaned forward conspiratorially and added with a sly wink:
"Additionally, being halfway across the Mediterranean, the Janissaries would have no way of knowing the exact number of Topçu troops.
"As for their salaries, they could be listed as 'consultation fees,' paid to France, and then discreetly transferred to the officers of the Topçu. This way, even an audit of the Empire's finances wouldn't reveal the size of the new army."
Melek Mehmed Pasha's eyes lit up.
This was indeed an excellent way to evade the Janissaries' interference. If he could quietly train an army of 10,000 Topçu troops—no, even just 5,000—their return to Constantinople would decisively suppress the Janissaries' influence.
He was well aware of the poor combat effectiveness of the Janissaries. Even at their current level, 1,000 Topçu soldiers could defeat 5,000 Janissaries. Troops trained under French supervision would be even more formidable—5,000 Topçu could easily seize full control of the capital.
Furthermore, Tunisia's Islamic environment meant there was little risk of the new army being exposed to "undesirable" European influences.
The plan seemed perfect.
In his imagination, if the Empire's finances could support the effort, training 50,000 Topçu troops in Tunisia might even enable the Ottomans to defeat Russia and reclaim Crimea!
Of course, this was nothing more than wishful thinking. Joseph would never allow the Ottomans to build such a powerful army. At most, four to five thousand troops would be allowed.
Joseph also had long-term plans to dig the Suez Canal, and the last thing he wanted was for the Ottomans to consolidate control over Egypt before France could act.
Suddenly, Melek Mehmed Pasha's enthusiasm cooled. As the Empire's "chief steward," he quickly realized that Talleyrand's proposal essentially acknowledged France's dominion over Tunisia.
He sighed bitterly.
"I'll need to present this matter to His Majesty the Sultan for a final decision."
Meeting with the Sultan
The next day at noon, Talleyrand was granted an audience with the Ottoman Sultan.
In the grand vaulted hall of Topkapi Palace, Sultan Selim III reclined on a luxurious divan and gestured to a nearby eunuch.
A stunning woman, partially draped in silks, stepped forward and placed a cup of fragrant coffee before Talleyrand.
The French Foreign Minister nodded respectfully to the Sultan.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I hear you enjoy our coffee," Selim III remarked, motioning toward the cup.
"This batch has just arrived from Mocha. I hope it pleases you."
Talleyrand took a sip, blowing gently on the steaming liquid, before offering an exaggerated compliment.
"This is undoubtedly the finest beverage I have ever tasted! You've deepened my affection for Constantinople."
Selim III raised a finger, summoning the eunuch again.
"Send a shipment of royal coffee to Marseille for our esteemed guest."
"As you command, my most gracious master."
Talleyrand beamed with delight and was about to offer thanks when the Sultan fixed him with a penetrating gaze.
"My friend, I've heard of your genuine intentions from the Grand Vizier. Now, I wish to hear from you directly—what is the true purpose of your visit to Constantinople?"
Talleyrand leaned forward with apparent enthusiasm.
"Of course, it is to ensure that Franco-Ottoman trade flourishes ever more brightly."
But Selim III merely smiled, waiting in silence.
Talleyrand thought to himself that the Crown Prince had been right—this Sultan was far shrewder than his predecessors.
Pushing aside his coffee cup, he stood, placed a hand on his chest, and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty's insight is truly remarkable."
"I'm listening."
"The British. My target is Britain."
"Sit and explain, my friend."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Talleyrand resumed his seat.
"As you know, France is locked in fierce competition with Britain. His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to exchange goods that Your Majesty needs—such as weapons, steamships, and industrial products—for Syrian cotton and Egyptian sugarcane. Of course, strengthening our bilateral trade is also paramount."
Selim III nodded slightly.
He was well aware of the intense rivalry between Britain and France in the textile industry. Although Ottoman cotton production wasn't vast, it was enough to tip the scales.
Recent reports from the Caribbean indicated widespread uprisings among enslaved populations, which would likely cause severe shortages of sugar. Egyptian sugarcane, therefore, was poised to become a strategic commodity.
The Sultan contemplated for a moment, beads of his prayer chain sliding through his fingers. Finally, he spoke:
"My steamships must account for no less than 40% of all arrivals at our ports.
"Additionally, I require the construction of a foundry capable of producing 32-pound cannons, as well as 2,000 sets of French-standard equipment for the Topçu troops training in Tunisia.
"In exchange, my friend, you will be granted priority purchasing rights for 60% of Syria and Egypt's output."
Talleyrand felt a wave of relief. It seemed he had succeeded in his mission. Though he knew the Crown Prince's ultimate strategy was tied to both Egypt and Poland, the specifics remained unclear even to him.
Still, he allowed himself a smile. The Sultan's terms effectively signaled Ottoman recognition of French control over Tunisia.
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