The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1148 Old Ali's Transaction (Part )

Vienna, Hofburg Palace.

Franz, sitting on the throne, really couldn't let a 79-year-old foreign envoy stand and express his sincerity to him.

You have to know that the audience process takes more than an hour just for routine matters, and the other party obviously has something to discuss.

Franz had no doubt that the old man in front of him, who was overly addicted to alcohol and sex, might die suddenly on the spot.

"Please bring a chair for old Ali Pasha."

"No, Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Austrian Empire, I don't need it. Please let me fulfill the duties of an envoy."

Franz was a little helpless, but nodded.

In the eyes of officials of the Austrian Empire, Muhammad Ali's behavior was obviously unreasonable, arrogant, and ungrateful.

They never had a good impression of people wearing white turbans, and now they were even more disgusted.

However, Baron Bordeaux knew what to do. After all, he had followed Franz for so long. He immediately ordered people to invite the best medical team in Vienna. He absolutely could not let the old man in front of him die in the Hofburg Palace.

After the ceremonial ceremony, Franz directly invited Muhammad Ali to attend a small dinner at the Hofburg Palace.

It was actually a private meeting, because Muhammad Ali had almost run out of energy while reading the long letter of credence.

This time the stubborn Albanian finally agreed to Franz's suggestion.
A quarter of an hour later, in the small banquet hall.

Muhammad Ali, sitting on the chair, was obviously in much better condition than before. At least he did not show symptoms of breathing difficulties such as palpitations and shortness of breath.

“Your Majesty, Franz, I have always envied you. Your country is so beautiful and rich, and the people are obedient and wise.

Unlike the Egyptians, who are only good at fighting and flattering, there are ignorant people who farm the land everywhere. I have been trying to make them civilized.

Franz had seen too many people singing praises of Muhammad Ali after he ascended the throne, and the former's status as a tyrant immediately made the latter alert.

There must be something wrong when things are abnormal. There must be a huge conspiracy and ulterior ambition behind making such a tyrant condescend to him.

Frankly speaking, Franz didn't want to waste time at all, but in this kind of situation, whoever speaks first will be passive. Franz pretended not to care and continued to eat, but he really had no appetite.

After ascending the throne, Franz had too many things to consider, especially the ceremonial receptions in recent times, which were very energy-consuming. It seemed that he should find a queen.

Muhammad Ali was still old, and he soon ran out of strength and had to give up first.

In fact, we just want to ask your country to uphold justice and take back our former land.

As shown
Franz's eyelids twitched and he thought to himself, "He really has a big appetite, but old Pasha Ali may not be able to eat it with his physique."

Seeing that Franz remained calm, Ali offered his price.

"If the great Austrian Empire is willing to support us, we are willing to develop these lands with your country and hand over the holy city of Jerusalem to you."

Franz almost choked after hearing this. He didn't want the hot potato of Jerusalem. Although Austria was the protector of Catholicism, Franz was not a religious fanatic.

He would never touch that hot potato even if he had nothing better to do.

Looking at the other party's expression, Muhammad Ali knew that this price was not enough, so he gritted his teeth and said.

"We are also willing to open up Sudan to develop with your country."

"Sudan?"

At that time, Sudan was a remote and barbaric country with frequent rebellions by barbaric tribes. If we really invested, we would not even be able to recover our investment. "We found gold and silver, and I only told my most trusted friends."

Ali smiled and said that he believed that gold and silver had endless magic for Europeans.

Franz looked up at Muhammad Ali, who looked very confident.

However, in Franz's memory, the gold and silver in the Sudan region seemed to have been discovered by the British during World War I or World War II, but there was no large-scale predatory mining, which led to the gold mining industry in Sudan today.

The gold and silver mining industry is a business that can quickly pay back, but in South Sudan, transportation is likely to take the Nile River, and it is even a question whether the gold and silver can be transported out of Egypt.

Moreover, Franz could not tell whether the so-called gold and silver mines were real or fake. The hero in front of him was best at getting something for nothing, so Franz had to be on guard.

Even if we take a step back and say that the greedy British did not directly engage in predatory exploitation, there is a high probability that there are some special problems involved.

However, southern Sudan is close to the Austrian Empire's Central African colonies, so it is not impossible to take this opportunity to infiltrate.

Africa is still in the stage of land grabbing. Those indigenous countries that block the way are not a problem as long as we can reach a consensus with other powers.

Franz shook his head, and it was obvious that Ali did not have enough chips.

“I ask for your support because I feel that the Austrian Empire needs us, and we are willing to be the best friend of the Austrian Empire.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t make friends with the French, the British, and the Russians!”

As expected of a great hero, he actually dared to threaten Franz in person. However, Franz knew very well that there were not many countries Egypt could turn to for help, and there was no difference between asking Russia for help and asking Austria for help at this time.

Franz sneered, clearly disdaining what Muhammad Ali said.

The latter had already clenched the knife and fork in his hand, but the two were nearly thirty meters apart, and with the room full of guards and waiters, he would not be able to hurt the former in the slightest even if he were to regain his youth.

Mohammed Ali quickly regained his composure and spoke as if nothing had happened.

"I am sorry for being so presumptuous. I am confused when I get old. I toast to you with this glass of wine."

After saying this, he picked up the wine glass and drank it all, completely disregarding the so-called doctrine.

He really has some skills and he started acting crazy and stupid.

Franz picked up the glass and saluted from a distance, then drank it all in one gulp. In fact, nobles usually have to observe etiquette and should not drink wine all in one gulp.

But these so-called rules could not restrain the king at all. Besides, drinking it all in one gulp would make him appear more heroic. How could he really allow someone to suppress him?

And if you take a sip at this time, there is a high probability that you will be regarded as a sissy or look down on the other person.

"Old Pasha, do you speak for yourself, the Ottoman Empire, or both?"

Ali naturally understood the meaning and answered immediately.

"I also represent my entire family!"

Franz nodded, and continued as if he had made up his mind.

“I feel like Transjordan is as far as you can expand at this point.”

"Why!" Ali asked unwillingly. In fact, he already knew in his heart that what he said before was just for bargaining.

Both sides are smart people, but Franz still has to speak out.

“Your country is not strong enough.”