Chapter 661 Cooperation

Chapter 662 Cooperation

Talleyrand nodded with deep understanding: "Yes, Your Majesty the Grand Vizier, there are always some shameless people who try to disrupt the normal trade between us through war or intimidation."

He removed Melka Mohammed's hand and smiled: "However, in my experience, evildoers will be plagued by bad luck. Maybe their fleet will be swept away by the storm as soon as it sails through the Strait of Gibraltar." Devour.”

"Storm? In the Mediterranean?"

Talleyrand waved his hand: "Perhaps he encountered a sea monster, who knows, but I believe that normal commercial exchanges in the Mediterranean will never be interfered with by the British."

Melka Mohammed stared closely at the cripple who was "talking nonsense", but she saw full confidence in his big face.

"With all due respect, your fleet is not a match for the British yet."

"You will see." Talleyrand always smiled, "the arrogant British navy will also abide by the rules of the Mediterranean."

Melka Mohammed still shook his head slightly: "Even if what you said comes true, our country will fall into a very unfavorable trade situation. This is not what our country wants..."

His concerns are well-founded. Once Mediterranean shipping is monopolized by France, they can control the arrival price of goods at will, which is equivalent to controlling the lifeline of Ottoman maritime trade.

Talleyrand immediately said: "My dearest friend, you should not despise the friendship between our two countries.

"This brand new steamship is not operated by our country alone, but can be sold to you at any time."

Meleka Mohammed suddenly felt her breathing quicken: "Are you serious?"

"Of course, our two countries have broad space for cooperation in the future." Talleyrand said with a smile, "A 32-meter steamship only costs 300,000 Achek. This is a very big discount."

Usually, 1 franc can be exchanged for 10 aceks, but due to the high impurities in Ottoman silver coins, it can be exchanged for up to 12 aceks.

In other words, the price of a steam paddle steamer is about 25,000 francs. The cost is about 14,000 francs.

For such a high-tech product, this is definitely a huge discount.

Joseph knew that if steamships were used to monopolize Mediterranean shipping, it would only offend the Ottomans to death. The ultimate gain was nothing more than a trade ban and unprecedented unity between Britain and Turkey.

Selling the steamship to the Ottomans would firmly bring them to their side.

First of all, you, Ottoman, have benefited so much from me, why should you give me something in return in the trade agreement? Not to mention significantly lowering tariffs, at least France will be given priority in the export of important raw materials.

Secondly, the Ottomans themselves would definitely not be able to repair high-tech gadgets like steamships. Later maintenance fees can easily earn back the preferential selling price.

As for technology leaks, paddle steamers basically cannot be used in the military, so leaks are just leaks. By the time other countries can imitate it, France will have already made back its money and invested in the research and development of a new generation of products.

Moreover, it is difficult to keep such large civilian items strictly confidential.

Melka Mohammed immediately stood up and gestured to Talleyrand, "This matter is of great importance. I need to report it to His Majesty the Sultan."

"Of course." Talleyrand looked at the coffee cup and shook his head regretfully, "To be honest, I haven't had enough."

The Grand Vizier was slightly startled, then slowly sat down again.

"You see," Talleyrand continued, "there are many areas where we can cooperate if we forget about our petty differences in North Africa."

Melaka Mohammed nodded: "I am listening to your opinion."

Talleyrand picked up his refilled coffee cup with contentment: “We need to better meet each other’s needs.

"For example, we will increase the shipment of silk, iron products, chemical products, and weapons to Constantiniya and the Levant. Oh, I almost forgot, there are also steam ships."

The Grand Vizier immediately noticed the keyword: "What weapon do you mean?"

"Flintlock muskets, cannons, military uniforms, surveying and mapping tools. It depends on what you want. Even blueprints can be traded."

France is popularizing flintlock guns. As an outdated product, flintlock guns are best suited to be sold at a good price. The same goes for cannons using old mounts.

The core of Ottoman's military weakness lies in the corrupt Janissary system, so weapons and equipment can be sold to him at will without worrying that he will become a military power.

Moreover, the Ottomans would soon be needed to contain Russia in order to relieve the pressure on Poland. It is also necessary to give them some sophisticated weapons at this time.

Melaka Mohammed felt ecstatic in her heart. Before she could say anything, she heard Talleyrand continue: "And I need more cotton and sugar cane. You should be able to satisfy my little wish. ?”

Although the Ottoman Empire was late in its life, it still had a lot of foundation for its great business.

For example, Syria and Greece are important cotton producing areas, and nearly 20% of the cotton needed by the UK is imported from here.

Although Egypt's sugarcane output is far less than that of the Caribbean, it is the closest producer to Europe.

Melka Mohammed nodded: "I will definitely suggest it to His Majesty the Sultan."

Talleyrand, however, was still unfinished and said: "Oh, I heard that His Majesty the Sultan is training the new Topiz army."

"Yes, there are currently 600 soldiers, all trained according to Russian drills."

He doesn't have to hide it, because this is an important reform content of Selim III, and it is impossible for the intelligence agencies of big countries not to know about this.

Talleyrand looked very regretful: "As we all know, a good teacher is even more important than the talent of the student.

"To be honest, His Majesty the Sultan's new army chose the worst teacher. Please forgive me for being so blunt."

"This is what General Omar Agha advised His Majesty."

Talleyrand lowered his voice: "General Omar Agha regarded the other party as a strong man just because he was captured by the Russian army."

"Ah, maybe it's like this..."

"In fact, the training level of the Russian army is relatively low among major countries."

The Grand Vizier heard the meaning behind his words: "You mean, French officers can be sent to help train Topizh?"

Talleyrand shook his head: "No, I don't think any European country's army is suitable for training them.

"I know that your country's imperial guards have always been strongly opposed to training new troops, and their biggest reason is that they cannot accept pagans as instructors.

"This also results in Topizhs being able to maintain a very small scale, otherwise it will anger all the Praetorian Guards."

"But in the Islamic world, there are no instructors who can train them."

"No, there is."

"What do you mean?"

"Royal Tunisian Regiment."