I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 945 Using Other People’s Money to Do Your Own Business
Huh? Wait. Joseph suddenly thought of something.

Under previous circumstances, it would have been impossible for Prussia to slow down.

But now there is a new variable -

The Ottomans are about to send troops to attack Wallachia.

As Russia has great ambitions for the Balkan Peninsula, how could it sit idly by and watch the Ottomans retake it?
Next to it is Russia's Moldavia and their important stronghold on the north bank of the Danube - Iasi.

If the Ottomans were allowed to gain a foothold in Wallachia, Moldavia would be the next to be threatened.

The trauma that Poland had previously inflicted on Russia was too severe, and the latter is still recovering from its injuries. It absolutely does not want to engage in a war with the Ottomans in the Danube area at the moment.

Therefore, the most favorable situation for Russia is that Austria keeps the Ottoman army out of Wallachia.

A smile appeared on Joseph's lips.

Then Russia must do something.

For example, help Austria gain a few months of buffer period.

This is not a difficult task for Russia.

It would be enough to deploy tens of thousands of troops on the border of East Prussia.

There was no need for a real fight, or even threats, just letting the soldiers quietly watch Königsberg would ensure that Prussia would not dare to easily open up a battlefield in Silesia.

Given the nature of the Russians, it is not surprising that they swallowed up East Prussia while you were busy fighting with Austria.

William II sent people to St. Petersburg for repeated diplomatic communications to ensure that the Russians would not take advantage of the situation, which could easily take several months.

By then, Archduke Karl would have somehow defeated the Ottoman army, and then led the victorious army north to start a bloody battle with Prussia.

Well, the situation in Austria has been revitalized.

Germany continued to be torn apart.

Good.

Joseph looked at the Sultan's envoy again. It seemed that Osman was the one who was hurt the most...

But I haven't done anything to offend them.

If the Ottoman army was really good at fighting and really defeated Archduke Karl, then I would definitely have nothing to say. It was God who made Austria lose.

But now your Sudanese army is not strong enough in combat, and you are still thinking about competing with the European army all day long. You are just asking for trouble, so you can't blame others.

And for France, it has always hoped that the Ottoman Empire would focus its attention on Egypt.

It is actually better to let the Ottomans suffer a little in the north, so that they can only think about Egypt in the future.

It will also become more dependent on France militarily.

Seeing the French crown prince looking over, Zagaros hurriedly continued:

“Your Highness, His Majesty the Sultan hopes to obtain the necessary weapons and ammunition from our French allies.

“For example, 1 flintlock rifles and 5 cannons.

“Best of all, we can help the Empire train another 2,000 new Topizians.

"As a token of gratitude, His Majesty has decided to grant France a trade concession in the Levant, exempting all merchant ships from inspection and all taxes except the most basic customs duties.

“And, the right of first refusal for Egyptian sugar cane and Syrian cotton.”

Joseph was quite satisfied with Osman's compensation.

The Levant is the easternmost region of the Mediterranean Sea, including the wealthy Syria, Aleppo and other places, and the goods shipped here can also radiate eastward to Jazira and Iraq, which has great commercial significance. With the style of Ottoman officials, they would exploit merchant ships under various excuses.

Now that Selim III has granted French merchant ships exemption from inspection, these guys can no longer make things difficult for them.

This may not seem like a big deal, but it can save French ship owners a lot of gold coins and time every year.

As for tax exemption, it goes without saying that it directly saves money.

The various "port taxes" and "security taxes" of Ottoman ports added up to a considerable amount.

The right of first refusal for cotton and sugar actually allowed France to monopolize the export of these two commodities from the Ottoman Empire.

Of course, this is based on bidding - France gets it first if the same bid is made.

Previously, France received 70% of Ottoman sugar, and now it has made up the remaining %.

This will further consolidate the position of the "sugar franc".

Well, with the right of first refusal, Joseph even planned to transport grain from other regions to Egypt so that sugar cane could be planted on the fertile land along the Nile River. But this was after defeating the Mamluks.

He pretended to think for a while, then nodded to Zagaros:

“The generosity of His Majesty the Sultan made it impossible for me to refuse his request.

“而且，我认为1万5千支燧发枪是不够的，我可以为您提供2万5千支。奥地利生产的M1722式燧发枪。”

The Sudanese envoy was about to say "I want French goods" when he heard Joseph continue:

"This gun will be more suitable for your war against Austria. Your soldiers will be able to easily obtain ammunition and gun parts from the defeated Austrian army.

"And this gun is just as good as the Charleville. It's what the Austrian Imperial Guards use."

Well, Napoleon had seized a huge amount of weapons from the Austrian army before, and they were taking up space in the warehouse, so it would be better to use them for economic purposes.

"The same applies to the cannon, forty Austrian six-pounders and twelve-pounders, including the corresponding shells.

“But as for the training of the new Topizian army, I think it may be too late.

"You may have heard that the rebellion in Austria is coming to an end. Training new troops will delay your chance to fight. I can send some instructors to train the soldiers on the way to Wallachia."

Zagaros was overjoyed. He didn't expect that the French prince would almost double the number of weapons he had.

After I return this time, the Sultan will definitely reward me greatly.

"Thank you so much, Your Highness." He bowed excitedly, "Our two countries will always be the most solid allies!"

Joseph smiled and nodded: "You are right. Oh, I have one more small matter, and I hope my closest ally can help me."

"Your Highness, please speak."

Joseph said: "Currently Denmark is leading an organization for an international maritime convention.

"This is an organization that aims to regulate the maritime rights and interests of various countries, advocating that 'the ocean is a common property of the world and does not belong to any country. No one should interfere with other countries' merchant ships conducting maritime trade.'

“Our country has decided to join the Maritime Convention Organization, and I sincerely hope that Ottoman Empire can also become a member.”

Zagaros thought quickly and realized that the Ottoman navy was now seriously weakened and had long since given up its maritime hegemony. It would actually be more beneficial for it to join this organization.

He nodded immediately and said, "I will convey your invitation to His Majesty the Sultan. I personally think that His Majesty is very likely to agree."

Joseph smiled more sincerely: "If Your Majesty can encourage other countries, such as Georgia, to join the Maritime Convention Organization, I am willing to give Your Majesty another 3 flintlock rifles."

(End of this chapter)