I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1084 A Calm and Tranquil Europe

Lazarz immediately contacted more than a dozen of the most influential tribal leaders and together they went to Mittja to discuss the matter with Rahman, the provincial trade official. After dealing with the Imperial Guard and the naval forces, Rahman, who had contributed significantly, was granted the position of trade official, making him the fourth most powerful official in Algiers.

In the lounge on the second floor of the Mitja City Hall, Lazarz said with dissatisfaction, "Sir, people leave the tribe every day. They are men now, but soon their families will go with them."

Another tribal chief chimed in, "Our tribe only has about 800 able-bodied men left. Are we going to have the women and the elderly participate in the spring planting next year?"

“I originally wanted to buy several hundred acres of land, but right now, the clan doesn’t even have enough people to cultivate the land we already have…”

Rahman raised his hand, interrupting them: "So, what do you want to do?"

Lazarz immediately said, "Please advise His Excellency the Governor to stop applying for 'new farmland'!"

"Or amend the law to require people to buy land."

Rahman simply shook his head slightly: "If the governor really does that, you will be in danger."

Just kidding, all the Berbers at the bottom of society are now eyeing the free land with bated breath. If anyone dares to say they can't get it now, they'll definitely scatter that person's whole family.

Rahman didn't explain much, but simply looked around at everyone and said, "This is no longer the time for Day and Diffan. You need to use your brains more, and you'll definitely be better off than before."

"By the way, I'm going to Paris next week to report on the trade situation to His Highness the Crown Prince. Who would like to come with me?"

As he spoke, he stood up, clearly intending to end the meeting: "If you're going, prepare a gift worth at least 3 rials."

……

News from North Africa quickly spread throughout Europe.

Berlin, the capital of Prussia.

City Palace.

William III slammed the report on the table and said to Prince Heinrich and the others, "Tell those conservatives that if they don't want to give up their serfs, then give up their heads!"

The latter cautiously replied, "Your Majesty, I am concerned that if we are too harsh, it will affect the morale of the army."

The core of the Prussian army was the Junker aristocracy. While the serf reform was very important, it was also important not to offend them too much.

At present, at least 70% of the Prussian nobility are openly or covertly resisting the abolition of serfdom.

William III frowned: "Then what do you think we should do?"

"Perhaps the time for serfs to redeem their land can be extended for a few more years. In addition, they should continue to perform labor for the lord for the first 5 years."

Historically, many Prussian serfs had not yet paid off the costs of redeeming their lands by the time of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.

William III angrily exclaimed, "Our reforms are already progressing slowly enough, and now we have to back down!"

As he was speaking, an official tiptoed in and whispered a few words in the ear of Prime Minister Baron Stein.

William III glanced at him and asked, "What's wrong?"

Stein quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, France took control of the entire territory of Algiers last month."

“Ha, the French have gained another wheat-producing region.” William III nodded dismissively, then looked at Prince Heinrich. “Extending the redemption period can be considered, but the peasants cannot continue to perform forced labor. That would affect my ability to conscript soldiers from among them…”

……

Vienna, Austria.

Schönbrunn Palace. As the Foreign Secretary recounted the situation in Algiers, Franz II casually remarked, "Without Britain to restrain us, North Africa is simply a snack that France can devour at any time."

Kobutzl chimed in, "But they've moved way too fast this time. I originally thought it would take them at least a year or two to completely quell the resistance there."

His brother, Ludwig von Kobtzl, said with approval: "Unfortunately, there was almost no resistance. The French cleverly exploited the internal contradictions in Algiers."

Kobtzel nodded: "They are indeed very clever. However, this will also anger the Ottomans, which is good news for us."

Algiers was nominally still an Ottoman territory. After the Day were selected, they had to be reported to the Ottoman Sultan, who would then bestow titles upon them.

Franz II's eyes lit up: "If the Ottomans turn against France because of this, it will be very beneficial for us to consolidate the situation in Wallachia."

Kobbutzl bowed and said, “Indeed, Your Majesty. And our trade with North Africa will also benefit from this.”

Previously, Austria and the Ottomans were hostile to each other over the control of Wallachia, and Algiers, to save face for the Ottomans, barely traded with Austria. Now, this problem no longer exists.

Franz II turned to the clerk standing at the door and gestured: "Draft a letter in my name to congratulate Paris on its glorious victory in North Africa."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

……

London.

10 Downing Street.

Lord Grenville frowned at Foreign Secretary Fox: "You said before that as long as the Algiers tribes are given weapons and funds, they can give the French a headache. And now, French immigrants have already started cultivating the land in Mittja."

“This…” Fox said, bowing his head, “Your Excellency, no one expected that the French would eliminate all Ottoman influence in just four or five months…”

Little Pete, standing nearby, coughed lightly and said, "Actually, this might be our opportunity."

Grenville had clearly already thought of that: "You mean, win over the Ottomans?"

“Yes, Your Excellency the Prime Minister,” Little Pyth nodded. “While the Ottomans certainly won’t become enemies with France over this, they will undoubtedly be extremely dissatisfied.”

"We can at least try to persuade Selim III to sell us Egyptian sugar."

"It could even help the Ottomans strengthen their military, which would not only threaten France's sphere of influence in North Africa, but also make the Russians nervous."

Currently, Britain is vying for power with Persia and Russia. If the Ottomans increase their military strength along the Black Sea coast, Russia will inevitably have to mobilize troops to respond.

This would reduce the pressure on Britain in the Persian direction.

“Your suggestion is excellent.” Grenville nodded slightly, then turned to Fox and said, “Please submit a detailed plan for this matter to me.”

After Petty Jr. proposed the "print money" strategy, the British government's financial situation has improved – yes, Petty subsequently applied for an additional £40 to increase control over Afghanistan.

Of course, there was still a considerable surplus of this money, enough to supply the Ottomans with flintlock muskets and cannons, as well as to train their army.

……

Paris.

Palace of Versailles.

There was no grand welcoming ceremony; Rahman and more than thirty others received His Majesty the King in a very low-key manner. However, they represented all the nobles of Algiers.

(End of this chapter)