Talleyrand saw a look of confusion on the Grand Vizier's face and explained with a smile, "The Crown Prince instructed the General Staff to recruit local residents in Tunisia for the Royal Legion, to serve as the main defensive force in North Africa. Currently, there are 2,500 soldiers, most of whom share your faith."
The image of Tunisian soldiers immediately came to Mekka Mohammed's mind, and he hesitated, "His Majesty the Sultan needs troops capable of defeating the northern enemies."
The Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire had only one great enemy in the north, and that was Russia.
Talleyrand dabbed the coffee stains from his lips with a handkerchief, looking very pleased, "Rest assured, Major Moro is an exceptionally outstanding Commander. The Tunisian Legion under his command is also considered elite in our country."
Of course, this Tunisian standing army was only somewhat stronger than the old French military units, yet that didn't prevent him from boasting. For the Ottoman Empire, the French Tunisian Legion was indeed like setting the ceiling.
Mekka Mohammed was immediately overjoyed, "Wonderful, could you bring twenty Tunisian instructors to Topis? I assure you there will be ample compensation for your country."
However, Talleyrand shook his head with a smile, "That would be inappropriate."
The Grand Vizier was somewhat disappointed, "Then, ten instructors maybe?"
The cripple still shook his head.
"Mr. Talleyrand, you know that too few instructors will hardly guarantee the training level..."
"You misunderstand," Talleyrand interrupted, waving his hand, "My point is, if the new troops train in Constantinople, they will inevitably be influenced by their previous environment. If they train in Tunisia, alongside our soldiers, it will yield the best outcome."
He blinked mysteriously, "Moreover, separated by much of the Mediterranean Sea, the Imperial Guard would be completely oblivious to the actual number of troops in Topis."
"Also, the soldiers' salaries could initially be paid to our country as 'consulting fees,' and then transferred by our nation to the officers in Topis. This way, the Imperial Guard would not be able to estimate the size of the new forces by auditing."
Mekka Mohammed's eyes lit up.
This was indeed an excellent method to circumvent the constraints of the Imperial Guard. If they could indeed train 10,000 troops in Topis behind their backs, no, even just 5,000, once these new troops returned to Constantinople, they could completely suppress the power of the Imperial Guard.
He was very clear about the combat capability of his own "Yericheni" Imperial Guard; with the current level of troops in Topis, 1,000 soldiers could defeat 5,000 Imperial Guards. Not to mention the troops trained by the French Army; 5,000 would be enough to firmly control the entire capital.
Moreover, since Tunisia was an Islamic environment, there was essentially no worry about the new troops being influenced by Europe's "negative impacts."
If the Empire's finances could endure it, training 50,000 troops in Tunisia to defeat Russia and recapture Crimea was not impossible!
Of course, that was just wishful thinking.
Joseph would certainly not allow the Ottoman Empire to cultivate such a robust army, maybe creating a new force of about 4,000 or 5,000 troops would be plausible.
After all, he had plans to excavate the Suez Canal. It wouldn't do for the Ottoman's new army to annihilate the Mamluks before he even started and then reclaim the entirety of Egypt. That would indeed be quite the spectacle.
Mekka Mohammed's smile suddenly stiffened. As the "Store Manager" of the Empire, after a brief joy, he immediately realized that if they followed Talleyrand's suggestion, it would imply the Empire's recognition of Tunisia as belonging to France.
He sighed with a touch of bitterness, "Regarding this matter, Sultan's decision is still required."
Talleyrand did not have to wait long; by noon the next day, he received a summons from the Ottoman Sultan.
In the spacious domed hall of Topkapi Palace, Salem III reclined on a soft couch, gesturing to the eunuch nearby.
Immediately, a scantily clad beautiful female slave placed a cup of aromatic coffee in front of the French Foreign Minister.
The latter smiled and nodded at the Sultan, "Thank you very much, Your Majesty."
"I hear you are very fond of our coffee," Salem III gestured towards the coffee cup, "This has just been brought from Mocha, and I hope you enjoy it."
Talleyrand picked up the coffee, blew on it, sipped lightly, and exaggeratedly praised, "This is absolutely the best drink I have ever had, and it makes me even more enchanted with Constantinople!"
Salem III raised his index finger and waved to the eunuch, "Send a ship full of royal coffee to Port of Marseille for my friend."
"As you command, my greatest master."
Talleyrand's face brightened with a smile, and he was about to thank him when he saw Salem III look at him and say, "My friend, I have already learned of your sincere intentions from the Grand Vizier.
"Now, I wish to hear you tell me the real purpose of your visit to Constantinople."
Talleyrand immediately responded with enthusiasm, "It is certainly to promote a more prosperous Franco-Tunisian trade."
The young Sultan simply smiled at him.
Talleyrand thought to himself that the Crown Prince was right; the current occupant of Topkapi Palace was much more difficult to handle than his predecessor.
He pushed away his coffee cup, stood up, and bowed, "Your eyes can see through everything, Your Majesty."
"England, my target is England."
"Please, sit down and continue."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Talleyrand bowed slightly, "As you know, my country is engaged in intense competition with England. The Crown Prince hopes to exchange some items you need for Syrian cotton and Egyptian sugarcane. Oh, and Franco-Tunisian trade is definitely also very important."
Salem III nodded slightly.
He was naturally aware of the fierce competition between France and England in the textile industry. Though the cotton production he controlled wasn't large, it had enough impact to tip the scales.
And he had just received news from the Caribbean Sea last week: a full-scale revolt by the Africans there meant this year's sugar supply would be severely short. Egyptian sugarcane would become a strategic resource.
He pondered for a few seconds, twirling the "Tasbih" beads in his hand, then said,' "My country must control no fewer than 40% of the steamships entering the port, a foundry capable of making 32-pound cannons, and provide 2,000 sets of French Army-standard equipment for those being trained in Tunis by Topis.
"And you, my friend, will have the right of first refusal to 70% of the goods produced in Syria and Egypt."
Talleyrand felt relieved inside, it seemed he had bluffed his way through. To be honest, he only knew that the Crown Prince intended to link the situations in Egypt and Poland, but he was not very clear about the deeper strategic goals.
Then he smiled again.
Salem's recent remarks had made it clear, the Ottoman Empire was planning to recognize France's claims over Tunisia.