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

Chapter 1684: The country is in danger and a good general is thought of

Chief Ulimadiram also said.

“Great Sultan, you cannot allow a group of infidels to defend our holy land. They are the greatest blasphemy against our holy war!”
What a disgrace it would be if our Muslim brothers, who sacrifice themselves for their faith, knew that we had to rely on the swords of infidels to protect our land!

Murad V, however, didn't seem to care and asked in return.

“Honorable Sheikh Islam, are you unaware that we have been relying on funds from infidels? Have you ever refused donations from infidels?”

Without the money from those heretics, we wouldn't even be able to gather enough uniforms and weapons for our soldiers.

The Prophet also allied with pagan tribes during times of hardship; our aim is to protect God's world, and God will forgive us.

Chief Ulmako would never dare to deny what the prophet had done.

(Sheikh Islam is an honorific title for the chief Ulama, a very special position similar to the Pope in the Ottoman Empire, but with more judicial, administrative and political power.)
Murad V then turned to Sadiq Pasha and said.

"Does our Ottoman Empire currently have any troops that can be considered elite? A well-trained and well-equipped force is far superior to our hastily recruited new soldiers."

"Elite talents are forged through rigorous training; just give us time."

Sadiq Pasha was interrupted by Murad V before he could finish speaking.

"Do we even have time now? The Russians could attack at any moment! How can we possibly have time to train new recruits?"
We're trading money for time, do you understand?

Sadiq Pasha and Chief Uli Madi Rum were both speechless.

Grand Vizier Olma did not object to this, after all, he was a foreigner in a sense.

“The Sultan is right. Utilizing foreign legions is the best way to quickly enhance our army’s combat effectiveness, and as long as they convert to Allah in the future, they will no longer be infidels.”

Hiring foreigners to protect one's country may sound absurd to modern people, but it was a very common practice in Europe's long Middle Ages.

This was not entirely unacceptable to European civilization and the Ottoman Empire, which was geographically closer to it.

Murad V was delighted that someone recognized his ideas, he said excitedly.

"Go and plaster our recruitment posters all over the docks and taverns of Europe. I want the Russians to know that I am about to call on all the outlaws in Europe to fight them!"

This can actually be considered a psychological tactic, although professional officers rarely take so-called desperados seriously and may even look down on them.

However, it is very intimidating to ordinary people who respond to the call, but it is hard to say whether ordinary Russian soldiers will know this information.

To form a foreign legion, the Ottoman Empire had a ready-made commander, Joseph Behm, a Polish veteran who had a lifelong deep hatred for Russia and was the perfect candidate at the moment.

Historically, Bem died in December 1850 after refusing medical treatment for a fever. However, due to the butterfly effect of history, Bem did not die at this time. He joined Islam as in history and was appointed as an Amurat Pasha, becoming an officer in the Ottoman Empire.

However, due to the Hungarian rebellion, Bém was also implicated and sent to the Aleppo region of Syria as a garrison commander.

Joseph Behm hated both Russia and Austria, and as an officer of Polish noble birth, he was very knowledgeable about Western tactics and soldiers, and even had experience commanding mercenaries, making him the perfect candidate to command the Foreign Legion.

Murad V soon met Joseph Bem.

"General Bem, thank you for accepting my invitation. My country is currently under threat from the Holy Alliance, and I hope you can lend a helping hand."

Murad V's words came from the heart; he had a special respect for those who were anti-Austrian and anti-Russian, let alone someone like Joseph Bem who was anti-Austrian and anti-Russian.

"Your Excellency Sultan, my Ottoman name is Amurat. The Ottoman Empire is my fifth homeland, and I am willing to fight to the very end to protect it."

For years I have been studying the war tactics of Russia and Austria. In fact, I once petitioned the Empress Dowager to go to war, but she refused, saying that I had just converted and should be protected. This time, I will prove to you that your judgment was correct. I will shed my last drop of blood for the Ottoman Empire!

And Your Excellency, as someone who has been through this, I urge you never to give up the struggle, otherwise the Russians will treat the Ottoman Empire the same way they treated the Polish Federation.”

Murad V took Joseph Bem's warning to heart, after all, he also thought that the Russians were a group of incorrigible and greedy villains.

"General Bem, please rest assured, I, Murad V, swear to God that the Ottoman Empire will never submit to the Russians."

As long as I have a single soldier left, I will fight the Russians to the very end.

Murad V also expressed his determination, and Joseph Bem immediately bowed and spoke.

“Great Sultan, I have one more request.”

"Speak!" Murad V declared magnanimously, "Whether it's money, beautiful women, land, or official positions, I'll grant you whatever I can!"

However, Joseph Behm shook his head.

"Great Sultan, I have only one request. That is, after defeating the Holy Alliance, please support the Polish independence movement!"

Joseph Behm's request may have sounded absurd, but Murad V soon realized that supporting the Polish independence movement would be entirely beneficial to the Ottoman Empire, since he had no intention of repairing relations with Russia and Austria.

"Okay! I promise you!"

"Great Sultan, thank you for your kindness!"

Joseph Behm said excitedly.

News of Murad V's plan to form a foreign legion quickly spread throughout Europe.

Want to get rich? Want exciting battles?
Tired of a poor, monotonous life?

The Great Ottoman Empire will satisfy you!
We don't ask about background, beliefs, or past.

If you come, you are a hero! If you die, you are a saint! Let us unite to fight against the evil invaders!
We can offer you a generous salary, a brand new identity, and a brand new life.

Note: Salaries will be paid in silver and gold.

It must be said that the Ottoman Empire's recruitment advertisement was quite attractive, but Franz just smiled at it.

Could the Ottomans really come up with that much money?

Count Latour finally asked the question that had been on everyone's mind.

Baron Brooke shook his head and said.

"The Ottoman Empire was struggling to pay off its debts, so where would they get the money to build a foreign legion?"

"Don't the Ottomans know how to lend money?"

Prince Schwarzenberg asked with some doubt.

Baron Brooke's reply was...

Would you lend money to the Ottomans?