Chapter 1177: 1083: Calm and Unruffled Europe

Chapter 1177: Chapter 1083: Calm and Unruffled Europe

Lazaz immediately contacted a dozen of the most influential tribal leaders to go together to Mitidja and consult with Rahman, the provincial trade official on this matter—after handling the Imperial Guard and Navy forces, Rahman, who had contributed a lot, was awarded the position of trade official, making him the fourth-ranking real power official in Algiers.

In the lounge on the second floor of the Mitidja City Hall, Lazaz said discontentedly, “Sir, people are leaving the tribe every day. Right now, it’s the men, but soon their families will follow.”

Another tribal leader chimed in, “Our tribe only has over 800 able-bodied young men left. Are we supposed to have women and the elderly participate in spring planting next year?”

“I originally wanted to buy several hundred hectares of land, but now our tribe doesn’t even have enough people to farm the existing land…”

Rahman raised his hand to interrupt them, “So, what do you propose to do?”

Lazaz immediately replied, “Please suggest to the Governor to stop applying for ‘new farmland’!”

“Or amend the decree so that one must pay to purchase the land.”

Rahman merely shook his head slightly, “If the Governor really does that, you would be in danger.”

Kidding, right now, all the lower Berbers are eagerly eyeing the free land. If anyone dares to say they won’t let them claim it, they would definitely raze that person’s entire family.

Rahman did not explain further, but instead looked around at everyone and said, “This is no longer the time of the Dey and Divan; you need to use your brains more, and you will definitely live better than before.”

“By the way, I am going to Paris next week to report on trade matters to the Crown Prince. Who among you would like to come with me?”

He said this and stood up, clearly wanting to conclude this meeting, “If you’re going, then prepare a gift worth at least 3,000 riyals.”

…

The news from North Africa quickly spread throughout Europe.

The capital of Prussia, Berlin.

City Palace.

William III slammed the report in his hand on the table and said to Prince Henry and others, “Tell those conservative guys, if they don’t want to give up their serfs, then they should give up their heads!”

But the latter replied cautiously, “Your Majesty, I am worried that if we are too harsh, it might affect the morale of the army.”

The core of the Prussian Army is the Junker Nobility. Although the reform of serfdom is very important, this cannot be too offensive to them.

Currently, at least seventy percent of the nobles in Prussia are openly or secretly resisting the abolition of serfdom.

William III frowned, “So, what do you suggest?”

“Perhaps, we can extend the time for serfs to purchase land by a few more years. Besides, they should continue to fulfill their lords’ labor services for the first five years.”

Yes, in history, many Prussian serfs had not finished paying off the cost of buying their land until the Franco-Prussian War, in 1870.

William III said angrily, “Our reform progress is already slow enough, and now we still need to retreat!”

He was speaking when an official quietly walked in and whispered a few words in the ear of the Prime Minister, Baron Stein.

William III glanced at him and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Stein immediately bowed and said, “Your Majesty, France has already controlled the entire territory of Algiers last month.”

“The French people have gained another wheat production area.” William III nodded indifferently, then looked at Prince Henry, “Extending the buyout time can be considered, but the peasants should not continue to render labor services. That will affect my recruitment of soldiers from among them…”

…

Austria, Vienna.

Schonbrunn Palace.

As the Foreign Minister spoke about the situation in Algiers, Franz II casually said, “Without England’s checks, North Africa is something that France can eat up at any time.”

Kobutsel, standing by, followed up, “It’s just that their speed indeed is a bit too fast this time. I originally thought that it would take them at least one or two years to completely suppress the resistance there.”

His brother, Ludwig von Kobutsel, said in a tone with admiration, “It’s a pity there was almost no resistance. The French cleverly exploited the internal contradictions of Algiers.”

Kobutsel nodded, “They are indeed very smart. However, this will also anger the Ottoman Empire, which is good news for us.”

Nominally, Algiers is still a dependency of the Ottoman Empire. After being elected, the Dey has to be reported to the Ottoman Sultan, who then performs the official appointment.

Franz II’s eyes lit up, “If the Ottomans become hostile to France because of this, it will be very beneficial for us to stabilize the situation in Wallachia.”

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

Previously, Austria and the Ottoman Empire were hostile to each other for control over Wallachia, so Algiers, to save Ottoman face, almost did not trade with Austria. Now this issue no longer exists.

Franz II turned to the clerk standing at the door and motioned, “Draft a letter in my name to congratulate Paris on their achievements in North Africa.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

…

London.

Ten Downing Street.

Lord Grenville frowned as he looked at Foreign Minister Fox, “You said before that as long as we provide the Algiers tribes with weapons and funds, they can give the French a headache. And now, French immigrants have already started farming in Mitidja.”

“This…” Fox lowered his head and said, “Prime Minister, no one expected that the French people could eliminate the Ottoman forces in just four or five months…”

On the side, William Pitt Junior coughed lightly and said, “In fact, this might be an opportunity for us.”

Grenville also clearly thought of this, “You mean, win over the Ottoman People?”

“Yes, Prime Minister.” William Pitt Junior nodded, “Although the Ottoman People certainly will not become enemies with France because of this, they will definitely be extremely dissatisfied.

“We can at least try to persuade Salem III to sell us Egypt’s sugar cane.

“We might even help the Ottoman People strengthen their military capabilities, which can threaten France’s sphere of influence in North Africa, and at the same time make the Russians nervous.”

Currently, Britain is in a geopolitical struggle with Russia in Persia. If the Ottomans increase their forces along the Black Sea coast, Russia will definitely need to mobilize troops to respond.

Thus, Britain can reduce its investment in the Persian direction.

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

After William Pitt Junior’s last proposal of the “money printing technique,” the financial situation of the British Government has already improved—yes, after that, Pitt applied for an additional 400,000 British Pounds to enhance control over Afghanistan.

Of course, there is still quite a bit of surplus from this money, enough to provide the Ottomans with flintlock guns and cannons, as well as for training their troops.

…

Paris.

Palace of Versailles.

There was no overly grand welcoming ceremony; Rahman and more than thirty others very low-key paid homage to His Majesty the King. However, they represented all the nobles of Algiers.