Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Furthermore, there is a traditional friendship between the Ottoman Empire and France.

Yes, two hundred years ago, King Francois I of France and Sultan Suleiman I formed the "Holy League of Profanation"——the Crescent and Lily Alliance——to jointly deal with the threat of the Habsburg family.

Although this alliance has long since ended in practice, and it is indeed shameful to speak of aligning with infidels, technically, the two countries have never formally declared the abrogation of the treaty. [Note 1]

The Grand Vizier Melek continued, "We can make a large-scale purchase of weapons from France, expand the training size of the Topizis New Army, and strive to persuade France to convince Russia not to interfere with the Empire's war against Austria.

"As far as I know, France has already formed a marriage alliance with Russia, and they have considerable influence over the Tsar."

Salem III paused the movement of his fingers over the string of Tasbih beads: "What shall we use to impress the French?"

Melek hesitated for a moment, then said: "We can pay them in gold coins, Your Majesty. I've heard that France's financial situation is not good, with government debts reaching as high as 6 billion Kurudo.

"Moreover, the French are in great need of sugar and cotton, we could offer all our production of these two items to France for sale."

Salem III didn't seem to have as much confidence as the Grand Vizier, though the Ottoman Empire was wealthy, the Sultan himself was rather strapped for cash and couldn't afford to give much money to France.

He thought for a while, then waved and said, "Send someone to Paris to talk to Mr. Talleyrand, perhaps they will present some diplomatic conditions, just agree to the reasonable ones directly.

"In any case, I need the Topizis New Army's numbers doubled, at least ten thousand French-made flintlock guns, and as many cannons as possible."

Although France built a cannon foundry for the Ottomans in the last cooperation, the Ottoman-made cannons were still a notch below in quality, and the ones produced in France were more favorable.

As for having the French persuade Russia not to interfere in matters like Wallachia, he didn't harbor any hopes at all.

The next day, the Sultan's envoy boarded a steam paddle ship bound for Paris.

At the same time, Melek's orders to mobilize troops were also delivered within the Osman Army...

Western England, Ireland.

In an inconspicuous house on the second floor south of Wexford City, thick curtains blocked all light, and five or six men of various ages and attires were sitting around a candle, discussing something in low voices.

"The people of Vienna have already set an example for us!" A middle-aged man with deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, and a perpetually down-turned mouth said excitedly, "Freedom, human rights, equality, oh, what marvelous words!

"The Austrians have the right to have all these, and the Irish ought to have them as well!"

"Yes, Lord Fitzgerald, freedom and human rights are indeed wonderful." Nearby, an elderly man with a benevolent appearance and sparse hair said, "But don't forget, Austria's liberal movement has already been brutally suppressed…"

Another man wearing glasses and exuding a scholarly air nodded: "We have to accept the spirit of the people of Vienna."

He raised the "Meaning of Freedom and Human Rights" in his hands——well-bound, evidently painstakingly typeset and reprinted——and continued: "Yet we must also learn from their lessons.

"Their greatest mistake was always hoping to persuade the wicked Emperor to grant them a bit of freedom.

"But everyone can see, that the only thing the Emperor gave them was cannonballs!"

Lord Fitzgerald spread his hands: "Their new recruit camp also engaged in battle, but what good did it do?"

"You are right," the man in glasses said, "It's precisely because their recruit camp had too few people, and they were all new recruits, that they failed!

"What we need is more warriors, trained fighters, and preferably cannons.

"The British king will not allow us to gain freedom unless he is convinced his army cannot defeat us."

Urging people to unite with the goal of achieving freedom and human rights, to overthrow the British rule.

The elderly man with a kind face sighed:

"Yes, Mr. McLaren, we need warriors, but where can we get cannons? We barely have enough flintlock guns.

"Though Lord Fitzgerald can train new recruits and many young lads are willing to be trained, we just don't have enough funds to do these things…"

McLaren placed his hands on the table, leaned forward, and said: "We can seek help from the French!

"They are enemies of the British Government, surely they would also wish for Ireland to break free from British control.

"I know there are many smugglers on the Netherlands border who can easily transport steam engines to Birmingham, so transporting some cannons to Wexford shouldn't be a problem either."

"Aren't you being too optimistic?" The round-faced middle-aged man, who had been silent all along, lifted a corner of the curtain to glance outside, confirmed there was no one suspicious on the street, and then continued, "Why would their king spend money to support a group of peasants, laborers, to overthrow another king's rule?

"Despite the fierce fighting now, when a 'plebeian' rebellion arises, the French might even send troops to suppress us!"

"What about the Austrians?" the kindly-faced elder suggested, "I mean their liberals. I heard there is an organization called the 'Illuminati', backed by bankers and wealthy merchants.

"If our cause succeeds, we can in turn support their actions in Austria."

"It's worth a try." The round-faced middle-aged man nodded, "The liberal fighters over there are wanted by that Emperor, they should also be willing to come to Ireland to try their skills.

"Oh, and the United States, they might likely want more republics to emerge too. Their relationship with the British is poor, having been oppressed by the British for over a hundred years, and it's said they even sent volunteers to help the French Army fight against the British before."

The others all nodded in agreement.

Then they began to discuss who to send to Austria and the United States, and how to persuade them.

Once everything was more or less settled, McLaren suddenly, somewhat unwillingly, said:

"I still think we should try France. Even if it doesn't work out, we have not much to lose."

The round-faced man looked at his stubborn expression and finally nodded: "Fine, then you go to Paris. However, there might not be much budget for you."

...

Amsterdam.

A military officer rushed into the Parliament House, pulled aside an official to ask a couple of questions, and then ran up to an office on the second floor, his face ashen and said:

"Our army suffered a terrible defeat in Utrecht…"

[Note 1] Strictly speaking, the Crescent and Lily Alliance was not an alliance. At the time, the two countries signed a trade agreement and a military mutual assistance agreement, without the mandatory clauses of an allied nation.