Franco-Ottoman Trade Agreement

Constantinople was deserted, its streets emptied of people. Every resident had followed the order, taken a candle in hand, and gone out into the streets to join the celebrations.

Just a week earlier, the Ottoman Army had defeated the Mamluks' Eastern Legion at Tours in Egypt, winning a great victory.

The Mamluks' two supreme rulers, Murad and Ibrahim, hurriedly dispatched envoys to beg Selim III's forgiveness.

Selim III's lavish carriage rolled out of Topkapi Palace, surrounded by more than a dozen magnificently dressed phalanxes of Imperial Guards, and headed for the Blue Mosque to conduct a series of celebratory rites.

Inside the carriage, Styler, General Manager of France's Eastern Mediterranean Trading Company, accepted a handful of dates brought from Medina from the Sultan. He bowed and said in Arabic:

"Thank you for Your Majesty's reward!"

This was produce from the Holy Land, an exceptionally lofty reward.

Styler had received this honor entirely because the Topjis New Army had played an extremely important role in this battle.

And Styler had arranged all the transport for the New Army's previous training.

Cheerful drums and bagpipes sounded outside the carriage, punctuated now and then by the bang-pop of exploding fireworks.

Styler continued, "Your Majesty, when will Mustafa Pasha launch his next offensive? Oh, you know, I need to prepare the necessary supplies for the army in advance."

More than a third of the Ottoman Army's logistical supplies in this campaign had been handled by the Eastern Mediterranean Trading Company. Their prices were thirty percent lower than what the Imperial Guards had procured themselves.

"You are very conscientious, but the war is over." Selim III shook his head calmly, then glanced at the Grand Vizier beside him.

Melek Mehmed hurriedly said, "Mr. Styler, Murad Bey has already escorted Karamanli and the other officers who