Pursuing the Pirates

On the sea, the combined fleet has taken the risk to complete the task of fire containment. 💙♞ . cOpaw 🐙☟ In order to avoid unnecessary damage, the fleet commander Rear Admiral Cisneros ordered to retreat beyond the effective range of the port turret.

Just as the sails of several Warship were adjusted to their angles, he heard the gun emplacements suddenly fall silent.

Cisneros, somewhat puzzled, went to the bow deck of the "Forward," pulled out his Telescope, and immediately saw that blue-purple Fleur-de-lis Flag were already flying above the gun emplacements.

"These guys are too fast!" he exclaimed, glancing at his adjutant beside him. "Did they land an hour ago?"

The adjutant glanced at his watch and shook his head, saying:

"Not yet, Your Excellency. Just 48 minutes have passed."

Cisneros's eye twitched. Even marching non-stop from the shore to that fort would probably take more than half an hour. Had Berthier led his soldiers straight into the pirates' fort?!

He had assumed that this rookie squad, formed only half a year ago and accompanied by a group of Police, would be lucky to capture the fort before nightfall. He never expected the battle to be over before noon!

This is probably not a simple rookie unit...

If someone were to tell him at this moment that it was those Police who had stormed the fort, he would probably question his very existence even more.

On the side of the Royal Guard Legion, the medic directed his men to carry the wounded into tents, while Berthier looked at the battle statistics report that his adjutant had just brought and walked towards the gun emplacement on the slope.

Eight Police Academy cadets were killed and ten wounded. Berthier Legion suffered three killed and five wounded. This was because the Police Academy cadets were on the battlefield for the first time and were too excited, charging too fast. Otherwise, the casualties could have been lower.

In terms of results, 282 pirates were captured alive, and approximately 90 were killed. The fortifications of the Port of Bizerte were captured. The seized cannons, Musket, and other supplies have not yet been inventoried.

Due to the nature of the port, once the coastal fortress is captured, the docks and towns behind it offer almost no resistance.

In other words, the Barbary Pirates have captured Port of Bizerte, one of their two major bases in Tunisia.

He instructed his adjutant to do everything in his power to treat the wounded, and that the troops that had just landed should rest where they were, while the two newly landed battalions would enter the town to search for pirates.

By nightfall, the Royal Guard Legion had completely taken control of the entire Port of Bizerte, capturing more than 40 of the pirates on the list, while many more had escaped from the port.

The legionary adjutant looked at the still somewhat bright sky and said to Berthier:

"Commander, should we send cavalry to chase after those fleeing fellows? They shouldn't have gone too far."

Berthier shook his head. "Order the entire army to rest for a day and a half in Bizerte, and replenish their food and Wine."

"Huh? You've been resting for so long?"

The adjutant asked with some doubt, "Sir, in that case, the pirates will probably have gone far away."

"It's alright, we just need to give them time to run," Berthier said with a smile, recalling Joseph's plan. "We'll set off south again the day after tomorrow at noon."

Bizerte, and to the south, there are only two places to go: Kairouan and Tunisia City. Now that the Kairouan Fortress is embroiled in fierce fighting, these pirates can only flee to Tunisia City, which is Joseph's real target.

Two days later.

Tunisia City.

Kashir Palace, dozens of disheveled naval officers lay prostrate on the ground, pleading with tearful voices.

"Great Bey, those European suddenly attacked the port, we can't let this go!"

"They even openly wanted to kill us! This is an insult to you!"

"Great Bey, you must protect us! The navy has contributed a great deal of tax revenue to you over the years..."

"Please mobilize the army and cut off the heads of those heretics!"

Hamud Ali frowned in frustration; lately, he had been facing a series of troubles.

If it weren't for Younis's sudden Rebellion, which forced him to mobilize the Tunisia Guard Corps from all over the country to quell it, leaving fewer than 500 soldiers stationed in the port, the European wouldn't have been able to breach the Port of Bizerte so easily.

He waved his hand to silence the naval officers who had just fled from Bizerte, then turned and gestured for the middle-aged official beside him to follow him into the inner hall. He frowned and asked:

"Sinanidin, the European army is on its way here. What do you think we should do?"

The middle-aged official was a "Qadi" in Tunisia, a position similar to a prime minister. He pondered for a moment, then bowed his head and said:

"Great Bey, the European have come to wipe out the pirates... because the navy has plundered their merchant ships and is demanding exorbitant Ransom."

"So, what you mean is?"

Sinanidin whispered:

"Bey, the navy is not entirely under your control. If sacrificing them can avoid European criticism, it's not something that can't be considered."

"Qadi" Hamud Ali nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this.

"You make a good point. Then have the Guard Corps lock up those people outside. Go tell the European they can hand them over to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hafsa was fiddling with her harp not far away, suddenly stood up, walked quickly over, bowed to him, and said anxiously:

"Bey, Qadi Kadi, we absolutely cannot hand over the Navy!"

"Oh? Tell me your reasons." Ali turned to look at her.

"You are the protector of all Tunisia. If you cannot protect the navy at this time, it will cause the entire Tunisia to doubt you."

Sinanidin hurriedly said, "But what about the European..."

"You don't need to worry," Hafsa said dismissively. "I heard they only sent two or three thousand men, while we have the Guard Corps and naval soldiers. We have nothing to fear from them!"

Before Sinanidin could retort, she immediately continued:

"Furthermore, Bey's army is currently fighting the rebels. If you show the slightest weakness, it will cause those who are still observing to defect to Younis!"

Upon hearing this, Hamud Ali immediately showed hesitation.

Since Younis launched the Rebellion, Hafsa has made very accurate judgments about the situation, demonstrating her exceptional strategic acumen.

And indeed, as she said, she had to show a tough side in order to subdue the various forces in Tunisia.

As for the European, the navy did rob their merchant ships, but as long as they are compensated enough, their anger should be appeased.

Thinking of this, he looked at Sinanidin: "Qadi, take 30,000 Riyal to negotiate with the European. You must save the navy."

"Furthermore, summon the Guard Corps to reinforce the defenses of Tunisia City."

"But..." Sinanidin wanted to persuade him further, but seeing his resolute attitude, he could only pat his chest, accept the order, and leave.

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Hafsa's eyes. Although she didn't know why Haji had asked her to persuade Ali to protect the navy, she had clearly succeeded.

Port of Bizerte is only 70 kilometers from Tunisia City. The Royal Guard Legion arrived Tunisia City after three days of marching.

In coordination with their actions, the Combined Fleet also sailed south to the Port of Tunisia, leaving only a frigate and a few small boats to blockade the Port of Bizerte – a small number of Warship would be sufficient to complete the blockade after capturing the port's fortifications.

(End of this chapter)