"Really? That's wonderful."
The moment the words left D'Arson's mouth, he realized something was wrong and hurriedly coughed dryly. "Ahem, you're helping the Guard Corps build its prestige. How can you say you're helping me?" Muhammad Ali stroked his Coffee Cup and smiled. "I heard that if Austria defeated the Prussians, they would soon grow strong enough to pose a grave threat to France.
"And the latest news from the war shows that the Prussians are having trouble holding out on the battlefield.
"If someone launched an attack on southern Austria at this time, it would tie down a large number of troops Austria could otherwise commit to the northern front."
D'Arson froze. Just as he was about to deny it, Muhammad Ali waved a hand again.
"To be honest, I do not understand these matters very well either. But Baron of Memac is my best friend, and he is your friend as well, so I wish to offer whatever help I can."
"On behalf of Baron of Memac, I thank you." D'Arson hesitated before adding, "But do you have enough troops? I mean, an army sufficient to affect Vienna."
From Muhammad Ali's attire, he had judged him to be merely a mid-ranking officer in the Guard Corps, likely without much command authority.
"There is a rebellion in Greece," Muhammad Ali said. "And I am the commander suppressing it. The Grand Vizier has placed eight thousand soldiers under my command."
Just as D'Arson was about to say that was far from enough, the young officer continued, "However, I lived in Albania for a very long time. That was also an important reason I was sent to Greece to quell the rebellion."
Albania lay north of Greece, less than a hundred kilometers away.
"I have ties with many tribes in Albania.