“North Africa?” Talleyrand seemed slightly taken aback by the Crown Prince’s sudden mention of the topic, pausing for a moment, “I do know a bit about the situation. Your Highness, what would you like to hear?”
“Anything, the more detailed the better.”
Limping, Talleyrand followed alongside Joseph, musing, “North Africa, broadly speaking, is located on the southern coast of the Mediterranean. From west to east, there are several countries, including Morocco, Algiers, Tunisia, Tripoli, Egypt.
“Ah, how should I put this? Aside from Morocco, the others might not really be considered countries. Depending on the needs of different situations, they can change at any time between Ottoman provinces and states…”
He suddenly realized that the Crown Prince probably didn’t want him to talk about these basic geographical concepts, and hurriedly shifted to discussing the political system, “Currently, Morocco is under the rule of the Alawites Dynasty.
However, in recent decades, rebellions have frequently erupted there, and the court struggles are very intense, their Sultan often having just taken the throne for a few years, would meet an untimely death. In short, Morocco is now very weak and relies on dispatching Pirates to plunder merchant ships in the Mediterranean to maintain its finances…”
Talleyrand quickly glanced at the Crown Prince, saw that he was very interested, and then continued, “To the east of Morocco is Algiers—an establishment built by Pirates, oh, they could also be called the Ottoman Navy, it’s all about the same—two hundred years ago.
“Those Pirates took control of the Berbers, who originally lived in Algiers, but faced immense pressure from the Spanish Navy and thus voluntarily became an Ottoman province, seeking Ottoman support.
“Later on, the Ottoman sent an elite Imperial Guard there. After a hundred years, the Ottoman had lost control of the distant Algiers. The stationed Imperial Guard became the rulers. At present, Algiers’ Imperial Guard, Pirates, and the locals have formed a Congress, which elects the Governor of Algiers.
“Oh, by the way, their navy, or what we consider Pirates, holds great power in Algiers. There have been several Governors who were originally Pirates.”
Joseph smiled and nodded, “You’re providing great detail, please continue.”
“Oh, certainly, Your Highness. Adjacent to the east side of Algiers is Tunisia, an area that is not large but very rich. Almost the entire country is good farmland, abundantly productive.
“However, Tunisia ended its nearly half a century of repeated coups just twenty years ago. Now their Pasha, oh, similar to a Governor, is Hammuda Bey.
“Due to the previous wars, Tunisia no longer has the prosperity of the past, and additionally, as Algiers participated in the earlier coup in Tunisia, the relationship between the two is extremely poor. Algiers often even raids Tunisia’s border.
“However, our textiles, glass, wines, and other goods are very popular in Tunisia. It is our largest market in North Africa.
“Of course, Tunisia is also one of the old strongholds of the Barbary Pirates. Our merchant ships are looted from time to time. The Navy needs to go there for clean-up operations frequently.
“Actually, we’re relatively lucky. After all, a powerful fleet is stationed at Toulon. Merchant ships from Denmark, Sardinia, and the Americans are robbed even more. Oh, did you know, to avoid Pirate raids, the Americans have to pay the Pirates millions of livres in tribute every year?”
Joseph furrowed his brow, “Why do I always hear you mention Pirates?”
“Oh, yes, Your Highness.” Talleyrand nodded, “The Mediterranean has always been a paradise for Barbary Pirates.
“They were originally a part of the Ottoman Navy, responsible for attacking the merchant ships of Catholic countries. However, as the Ottoman Empire weakened, it gradually lost control of the navy, which then turned to piracy. They established bases throughout North Africa and even ruled as Governors—like in Algiers.”
“The Barbary pirates had received formal naval training, so they were far more formidable than ordinary pirates. They roamed the Mediterranean, attacking all merchant ships, unless those ships’ countries had already paid them tribute. Each year, European countries had to spend a significant amount of money to ransom hostages captured by the pirates.”
“Moreover, the Barbary pirates would raid the northern Mediterranean coasts of Europe, enslaving the inhabitants and selling them into slavery in North Africa, the Ottoman Empire, or Arab regions.”
“The Spanish Navy had repeatedly struck against the Barbary pirates for over a century, but the pirates were firmly rooted in the states of North Africa—Tripoli being one of their bases—making them impossible to eradicate.”
As Principal Talleyrand repeatedly mentioned the “Barbary pirates,” Joseph suddenly remembered that in a little over a decade, the famous Barbary Wars would break out—the Americans, fed up with being plundered by Barbary pirates, would deploy nearly their entire naval force to the Mediterranean to fight against the pirates.
However, it wouldn’t be until several decades later, with the help of France, that the Barbary pirates were completely subdued. And during that time, the United States once spent 20% of their national fiscal income on ransom payments to the pirates!
Suddenly, Joseph’s eyes lit up and he excitedly patted Talleyrand on the shoulder, “Thank you for the reminder, Principal Talleyrand! I think it’s time we resolved to eliminate this Mediterranean menace.”
Previously, he had been fixated on following the historical route that Napoleon took in the North African campaign, starting from Egypt. But at the moment, France was not powerful enough to reach for Egypt, and the Ottoman Empire was still strong and would surely reinforce Egypt—Egypt was nominally an Ottoman province.
But the Barbary pirates had given Joseph a new train of thought.
He could start with the Barbary pirates, striking at the pirate strongholds in North Africa, and then turn their territories into war spoils.
Moreover, eradicating the pirates was a popular cause, especially with the Americans, who had been severely affected and would surely offer robust support. The Spaniards were likely to contribute as well. Continue reading stories on m|v-l’-NovelFull.net
With that in mind, if the British wished to interfere, firstly, they would have no excuse. They couldn’t very well say, “I oppose the eradication of the Barbary pirates,” could they? Secondly, they would alienate the United States and Spain. Taking into account the factor of a Franco-Russian alliance against the Ottoman Empire, Russia would also definitely support French actions in the Mediterranean.
If Britain were to stubbornly go it alone, perhaps France could even form an “Anti-English Alliance” of sorts. That would be a significant gain.
Thus, France’s North African strategy began to take shape along the rural paths outside the Petit Trianon Palace.
However, Talleyrand expressed his doubts, “Your Highness, the Barbary pirates have a vast influence. Eradicating them requires a substantial investment of funds. With France’s current fiscal condition, I fear…”
Joseph smiled and shook his head, “No, Principal Talleyrand, this campaign against the pirates will only make money, without requiring too much funding.”
He stopped walking and looked at Talleyrand, “Perhaps you would like to take on a diplomatic position.”