"But your country is powerful. We witnessed with our own eyes how the Austrian Empire's invincible fleet defeated the British twice.
We also know how those British ships disappeared at sea."
Muhammad Ali was clever and bold, but Franz didn't like being threatened one bit.
"So what?"
Franz's tone was cool, but Old Ali continued as if nothing had happened.
"If Austria is willing to support my country, then our two nations need fear nothing when we join forces. I have faith in your country's naval strength."
To be shameless enough to say something like that—he truly was a monarch who had risen from nothing.
"Let's discuss the terms of cooperation first. If we're going to work together, we can't limit it to the Sudan region. Egypt itself should be open to us too. That would make it easier for us to cooperate and prosper together."
After being pressured for so long, it was time for Franz to strike back.
Old Ali's heart gave a thump. He had no problem offering someone else's flowers, but he still found it hard to accept the Great Powers entering Egypt in earnest.
But the old fellow quickly thought it through. With so many lice, one more wouldn't make a difference. He could even use the Austrians to keep the British and French in check.
But tobacco was his bottom line, and Franz knew it. After all, Muhammad Ali had started out as a tobacco trader. Touching tobacco would be like killing him.
In truth, the tobacco monopoly was Muhammad Ali's last trump card. Historically, it was only after losing it that he had withered away and died.
Franz didn't care whether the man lived or died, but Egypt's attitude would have a major impact on Austria's future strategy.
Besides, it was easier to