A diplomat's professional standards

The Minister of the Navy paused for a moment before realizing that the naval bases the Crown Prince was referring to were in Algiers and Tunisia, areas heavily infiltrated by Barbary Pirates. ღ(¯`◕‿◕´¯) ♫ ♪ ♫ ♫ ♪ ♫ (¯`◕‿◕´¯)ღ

"However, the influence they could exert on the Ottoman in the Barbary Coast region was limited; the Gulf of Sidra was far more..."

Seeing that he was still going to persist, Joseph subtly gave Brienne a look. The latter immediately coughed lightly and said, "Marquis de Castries, as you know, our Finance are very tight, so there is no additional funding for this operation."

No funding? Upon hearing this, the Minister of the Navy immediately fell silent, muttering, "But even demonstrating force near the Barbary Coast requires funding."

Joseph laughed and said, "So, we need to get the United States and Spain involved in this joint operation."

Queen Mary looked at her son with interest. "Joseph, why do you want United States and Spain?"

"Because the United States can pay," Joseph said. "Their merchant ships in the Mediterranean Sea are frequently attacked by the Ottoman navy. They can provide Livre livres to help us protect their merchant ships."

"Oh, right, since we're going to operate jointly, the United States will need some decent Warship. I believe they'd be willing to buy a couple of frigates or something from us."

The United States today is not the world Police it later became. They are a relatively new nation, incredibly poor, and their navy is practically nonexistent. Selling them two old France frigates would make them their absolute capital ships.

The Queen nodded and asked, "And what about the Spain?"

"They can send Warship. Spain has significant interests in the Barbary Coast, and they are more eager than we are to expel the Ottoman forces there."

Brienne chimed in without missing a beat. "Your Majesty, I believe the Crown Prince's proposal is highly feasible."

Queen Mary nodded with delight. The United States provided the money, the Spain provided the labor, and France gained benefits from Russia. Could there be a better deal?

She turned to Brienne: "Archbishop Brienne, please develop a detailed plan for uniting with Russia against the Ottoman and for our operations in the Mediterranean Sea, and submit it to me as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty. In fact, the corresponding plan has already been completed." Brienne placed a thick stack of documents in front of the Queen.

"Oh, your efficiency is truly amazing."

"Thank you for your compliment." Brienne smiled and continued, "I intend to send Viscount Leonidas as King Majesty's representative to Russia. If the Russia Empress offers suitable conditions, we might even agree to declare war on the Ottoman."

Queen Mary was about to nod when Minister of Foreign Affairs Vergennes frowned and said, "Archbishop Brienne, I was the one who brought back Empress Catherine's letter last time. Why send Viscount Leonidas this time?"

Brienne, "Of course, it's to prevent this diplomatic credit from falling into your hands."

However, he maintained a serious demeanor and said, "Count Vergennes, there are other more important matters to entrust to you."

"Oh? What could be more important right now than going on a diplomatic mission to Russia?"

"You will be traveling to Constantinople on behalf of His Majesty the King of France."

Constantinople was the Ottoman capital of Kostantiniyye, which later became Istanbul. However, "Kostantiniyye" was the name given to the city by the Turk after they occupied it; people in Catholicism countries still preferred to use the name given by the Romans — Constantinople.

Vergennes was taken aback. "What are we going to Constantinople for?"

"This is very important," Brienne said seriously. "We must minimize the possibility that the Ottoman will turn their attention to the Mediterranean Sea."

"Therefore, you must go and show Hamid I that we are fighting the Barbary Pirates in order to safeguard free trade in the Mediterranean Sea."

Several Cabinet Minister chuckled inwardly upon hearing this; just moments ago they had been so confident in their ability to strike at the "Ottoman Navy," and now they were being called "Barbary Pirates."

Vergennes immediately realized he was digging his own grave. At this point, the Ottoman had no time to "turn their attention to the Mediterranean Sea," weren't Russia already putting enough pressure on him from the north?

But what else could he say? "I'm not going"? That would just be giving Brienne an excuse to dismiss him.

At that moment, the Duke of Orléans, who had been silent until now, suddenly said, "Archbishop Brienne, if we were to ally with Russia, it would certainly anger the Ottoman. Sending Count Vergennes to Constantinople now might not be safe."

The Ottoman Empire had detained or even killed envoys from Catholicism countries for various reasons on more than one occasion. Of course, the latter were often rude to Ottoman envoys as well.

Joseph immediately looked at Vergennes and said earnestly, "Count Vergennes, it's time to demonstrate your professionalism as a Diplomat!"

Vergennes furious, and could only nod with a sullen face. "I will complete the mission."

Brienne then recounted some details of the operation in the Barbary Coast. After Queen Mary signed the action plan, he smiled and took out another document, "Next, we need to discuss His Crown Prince's proposal to establish Grain Reserve in major cities."

Joseph suddenly remembered something and said to Vergennes, "Count Vergennes, once you arrive in Constantinople, you must immediately inform the ambassador to the Ottoman and instruct him and the embassy staff to return home as soon as possible."

"Ah?"

"We might declare war on the Ottoman, which would put them in great danger."

Vergennes's face turned green—after all that talk, you know that place isn't safe! Why don't you talk about the need for "diplomatic professionalism" for the ambassador to the Ottoman? Am I the only one who needs professionalism?!

He gritted his teeth and spat out a few words: "Okay, I'll remind them."

The group then began discussing proposals related to food. Since everyone's interests were largely aligned on this issue, all proposals were successfully passed.

Joseph also secured a special grant of 3 Livre to purchase grain. This was all the funds the France Finance could currently provide.

After the Cabinet Meeting ended, all the ministers left satisfied, except for Vergennes and the Duke of Orléans, whose faces were gloomy.

As Joseph stepped out of the Golden Gate, he remembered the message Flesselles had sent that morning, saying that preparations for Paris Fashion Week were complete, and decided to go to the Tuileries Palace to check on things.

He had just turned the corner of the corridor when he suddenly felt as if a resentful gaze was fixed on him.

He quickly turned his head and saw the Two Sicilies Princess bowing their heads and kneeling, silently paying their respects to each other.

What's wrong with this little girl?

Joseph suddenly slapped his forehead. Right, he'd promised to show her around Paris, but he'd been so busy lately he'd completely forgotten...

He quickly stepped forward, placed his hand on his chest, and bowed, smiling slightly. "Your Highness, may I have the honor of to tour Paris with you?"

Princess Maria's resentment vanished instantly, replaced by a radiant smile as she nodded repeatedly, "Thank you for your invitation, Your Highness, I would be delighted!"

(End of this chapter)