Perrot added, "Defterdar, aside from the benefits mentioned above, there is one most important point.
"That is, with Gaza and the Holy City threatened at the same time, there is a strong possibility that the Ottoman Sultan will choose to compromise with the Persians and recall the troops from Transcaucasia to deal with you."
Muhammad Ali was a very intelligent man. He immediately pondered this and nodded.
To the Ottoman Empire, Transcaucasia could only be considered an extra gain, while Gaza concerned the wealthy northern Levant, and there was no need even to mention the Holy City—Selim III would never abandon it.
So even if he moved quickly enough to occupy Gaza in a short time, he would soon face nearly 200,000 Ottoman troops. Egypt currently had only fifty or sixty thousand soldiers, and fewer than 13,000 of them were Albanian Army troops absolutely loyal to him.
Even if he was lucky enough to hold Gaza, his strength would surely be greatly depleted.
How could the Mamluks and Governor Husru possibly let slip such a perfect opportunity to stir up unrest within Egypt?
But if he followed the French Regent's suggestion and sent troops to retake Mecca, although Mecca belonged to the Sultan, the tribes in its vicinity could be recruited into his army.
Muhammad Ali no longer hesitated. He said to the French Envoy, "Please convey my most sincere gratitude to His Highness the Regent. More than once, he has saved my life.
"I will immediately send someone to Constantinople to request permission to go to Mecca and suppress the Rebellion."
"I will."
Perrot then headed for the banquet hall in the company of the "King of Egypt." On the way, he reminded him again, "Oh, and Defterdar, His Highness the Regent also asked me to tell you that