Cost and Gain

Chapter 663: Cost and Gain

Seeing the Ottoman Grand Vizier's puzzled expression, Talleyrand smiled and explained:

"His Highness the Crown Prince has had the General Staff Headquarters recruit local residents in Tunis and organize them into the Royal Legion, which will serve as North Africa's primary defensive force. There are currently 2,500 soldiers, most of whom share your faith."

The image of the Tunisian Soldiers immediately surfaced in Melek Mehmed's mind, and he hesitated before saying:

"What His Majesty the Sultan needs is an elite force capable of defeating the enemy to the north."

The Ottoman Empire had only one great enemy to its north: Tsarist Russia.

Talleyrand dabbed the coffee stain from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, looking extremely pleased.

"Please rest assured. Lieutenant Colonel Moreau is an exceptionally capable commander. The Tunis Legion under his command can be considered elite even in our country."

Of course, this Tunisian standing army was only somewhat better than France's old forces, but that did not stop him from boasting a little. Besides, to the Ottomans, France's Tunis Legion was absolutely a ceiling they could never reach.

Melek Mehmed was immediately overjoyed. "Wonderful! Could you invite twenty Tunisian instructors for the Topjis? I guarantee that we will pay your country ample compensation."

But Talleyrand merely smiled and shook his head. "That would not be suitable."

The Grand Vizier was somewhat disappointed. "Then ten instructors should be possible, surely?"

The lame man still shook his head.

"Mr. Talleyrand, you know that if there are too few instructors, it will be difficult to ensure the quality of training..."

"You misunderstand," Talleyrand said, waving a hand. "What I mean is that if the New Army trains in Constantinople, it will inevitably be influenced by its former environment. Let them go to Tunis