The Fox of France

While Joseph laid 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 Palace. 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, placing 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 flat stones.

"Certainly, Your Majesty, if it pleases you," Saint-Mérand agreed.

At a large 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, Alandar Mustafa Pasha. Regarding matters you mentioned previously, he seeks clarification."

"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 become an empire after these Olympics," Alandar Mustafa Pasha inquired.

"That rumor is inaccurate. 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 explained.

"But is it true that the Prime Minister will also assume the role of the Roman Emperor?" Alandar Mustafa Pasha asked.

"Your Excellency, speculating on events yet to occur would be inappropriate," Saint-Mérand replied.

Sultan Selim III and Alandar Mustafa Pasha exchanged a glance, sensing some credibility in the speculation.

"How many troops does your Prime Minister intend to deploy to aid our territorial reclamation?" Alandar 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 slave systems in the Barbary States must be abolished, granting freedom to all slaves, irrespective of race or religion."

"That is acceptable," Alandar Mustafa Pasha nodded. Despite the value of these slaves, considering French efforts, this request wasn't overly demanding. Moreover, many slaves in the Barbary States were captured during piracy activities.

"Will these freed slaves 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 Islam, would be better cared for by your authorities," Saint-Mérand responded.

The arrangement stipulated 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 mainland, though still not comparable to those in Northern Europe.

As Saint-Mérand negotiated with the Turks, Pauline engaged in her own negotiations with her new companion, Belldon. Due to the time difference, Istanbul basked in the bright morning sun while Paris had just begun its dawn.

Pauline playfully woke Belldon by teasing him with her hair, engaging in some activities together. Then, reclining against the headboard, she lit a pipe and began contemplating life, while the now slightly tired Belldon lay 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.

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