In the brief interval after the dinner ended and before the ball began, Rahman and the tribal chiefs signaled for the servants to carry chest after chest of gifts into the Crown Prince's reception room.
Joseph looked at the room full of glittering jewels and precious finery, then smiled at Rahman. "Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness, Count of Boussada."
Yes, just that afternoon, Louis XVI had been coaxed into tremendous good humor by Rahman's silver tongue, and after consulting his son's opinion, had granted him a noble title.
Rahman had rendered service in the process of integrating Algiers, and deserved to be rewarded. At the same time, this also set an example for the other Berber aristocrats—as long as they served the King diligently, benefits would certainly not be lacking.
Rahman hurriedly bowed with respect. "That you are willing to accept these insignificant things is our greatest honor, Your Highness." He paused, then continued, "In fact, I have another special gift to present to you."
"Oh? And what is it?"
Rahman gestured to the tribal chiefs behind him. "You see, when they set out from Port of Mitija, they had never learned French before." Joseph was instantly surprised. At the banquet just now, he had heard these Berber aristocrats speaking French. Although their accents were odd and their grammar somewhat awkward, they could all say several long passages.
One had to know that the entire journey from Algiers to Paris only took half a month. These semi-literate tribal chiefs had actually memorized so many sentences. "How did you do it?"
Rahman did not answer directly. "Your Highness, I believe that if the Governor's Mansion wishes to manage Algiers efficiently and help every region develop quickly, it must teach people to speak French as soon as possible."
Joseph studied