Chapter 377: Negotiations
While Josephid out conditions for Pauline, Sultan Selim III of Turkey summoned the French envoy, Saint-Mérand, once again.
This time, Sultan Selim III didn''t receive Saint-Mérand in the opulent Topkapi Pce. Instead, he invited him to a royal estate on the outskirts for a hunting excursion.
Sultan Selim III rode a snow-white Arabian horse, followed by Saint-Mérand on a chestnut Arabian horse.
"Mr. Saint-Mérand, I trust your stay in my country has been pleasant," Sultan Selim III halted on a hillside dotted with shrubs, smiling at Saint-Mérand.
"Your Majesty''s hospitality has been most gracious," Saint-Mérand replied, cing his right hand over his chest and slightly bowing on his horse.
"Ah, excellent." Sultan Selim III dismounted and handed the reins to a nearby guard.
Saint-Mérand followed suit, dismounting as another guard led his horse away.
"Shall we take a stroll over there, Mr. Saint-Mérand?" Sultan Selim III pointed to a grassy area with a few t stones.
"Certainly, Your Majesty, if it pleases you," Saint-Mérand agreed.Sultan Selim III headed towards the spot, Saint-Mérand and another Turkish officer trailing behind.
At arge bluestone, Sultan Selim III paused, tapping the stone lightly with his riding crop before turning to Saint-Mérand. "Mr. Saint-Mérand, let me introduce you to my most loyal general, my Grand Vizier, ndar Mustafa Pasha. Regarding matters you mentioned previously, he seeks rification."
"I''m more than willing to provide any information, Your Excellency and Your Majesty," Saint-Mérand responded.
"We''ve heard rumors that your country is to be an empire after these Olympics," ndar Mustafa Pasha inquired.
"That rumor is inurate. Our nation shall remain a republic, without a doubt. However, I''ve heard of the Vatican''s intention to entrust the crown of Western Rome to our Prime Minister. Yet, this crown is Roman, not French. France remains a republic, and its leader remains the Prime Minister," Saint-Mérand exined.
"But is it true that the Prime Minister will also assume the role of the Roman Emperor?" ndar Mustafa Pasha asked.
"Your Excellency, specting on events yet to ur would be inappropriate," Saint-Mérand replied.
Sultan Selim III and ndar Mustafa Pasha exchanged a nce, sensing some credibility in the spection.
"How many troops does your Prime Minister intend to deploy to aid our territorial remation?" ndar Mustafa Pasha inquired.
"As for military deployment, our country intends primarily to use naval forces. The quantity depends on your needs. Maintaining a fleet entails expenses, and reducing our involvement means saving costs..." Saint-Mérand hinted at negotiation, implying a share of benefits based on contributions.
The three then engaged in discussions revolving around profit-sharing principles. Eventually, they reached agreements on crucial matters.
"Firstly, our French military''s intervention in North Africa aims to dismantle tyranny, promoting freedom and peace. Therefore, the ve systems in the Barbary States must be abolished, granting freedom to all ves, irrespective of race or religion."
"That is eptable," ndar Mustafa Pasha nodded. Despite the value of these ves, considering French efforts, this request wasn''t overly demanding. Moreover, many ves in the Barbary States were captured during piracy activities.
"Will these freed ves be taken to France?" Sultan Selim III inquired.
"Once freed, they are free individuals. However, they require French passports for migration. Some will be sent to the Americas, while others, mainly adherents of Im, would be better cared for by your authorities," Saint-Mérand responded.
The arrangement stipted that non-Muslims would be favored for departure, much to the satisfaction of the Turks. Retaining a freed person, even if free, meant an additional taxpayer. Unfortunately, most remaining were Muslims; having Christians would''ve yielded more tax revenue.
"Furthermore, regarding port leases, railway construction, and mining development..."
The North African region was rich in mineral resources: abundant oil, natural gas, shale oil (currently irrelevant), ample phosphate ore for fertilizer production, copper, and iron. Though the iron mines here weren''t extensive, the ore quality surpassed that of the maind, though still notparable to those in Northern Europe.
As Saint-Mérand negotiated with the Turks, Pauline engaged in her own negotiations with her newpanion, Belldon. Due to the time difference, Istanbul basked in the bright morning sun while Paris had just begun its dawn.
Pauline yfully woke Belldon by teasing him with her hair, engaging in some activities together. Then, reclining against the headboard, she lit a pipe and began contemting life, while the now slightly tired Belldony beside her, dozing off.
"Hey, wake up," Pauline lightly nudged Belldon.
"Huh? What''s the matter?"
"I have something important to inform you about," Pauline blew a smoke ring and then spoke.