"Selim III feared that we would station troops in Egypt." Joseph smiled. "Very well, then I'll have to trouble you to make another trip to Constantinople."
Talleyrand bowed. "As you command, Your Highness. I shall depart tomorrow."
The palace guards ahead had already pushed open the doors to the Hall of Mirrors. Joseph turned his head and added, "Oh, and you should also meet that officer named Muhammad Ali and have him make preparations in advance."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Joseph entered the ballroom. The Song of the King played by the Court Orchestra filled his ears, yet his mind was occupied with how to stabilize the situation around Suez—and how to raise the astronomical funds needed in the future to dig that canal capable of prying all Europe loose.
Ottoman.
Constantinople.
In the luxurious main hall of Topkapi Palace, the United Kingdom's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fox, was filled with confusion and astonishment.
He glanced at the interpreter beside him, then looked at Izzet, the Ottoman empire's newly appointed Grand Vizier. "Are you certain you understand what I mean? I'm talking about eight thousand Flintlock Guns, thirty cannons, ample Instructors, and..."
Izzet replied directly in English, "Yes, I understand, my lord. It is simply that our country has no plans to expand the army for the time being, nor do we wish to come into conflict with France or Russia."
"Why?" Fox was already growing impatient. He had crossed the entire Mediterranean Sea to get here and spent half the day talking, only for the Ottomans to refuse the Empire's military aid without the slightest hesitation.
"Will you simply sit by and watch the French occupy Algiers? I guarantee that if you wish to reclaim your own interests, my country will support you with all its strength. This is a