Chapter 377: Negotiations

Chapter 377: Negotiations

While Joseph laid out conditions for Pauline, Sultan Selim III of Turkey summoned the French envoy, Saint-Mérand, once again.

This time, Sultan Selim III didn't receive Saint-Mérand in the opulent Topkapi Palace. Instead, he invited him to a royal estate on the outskirts for a hunting excursion.

Sultan Selim III rode a snow-white Arabian horse, followed by Saint-Mérand on a chestnut Arabian horse.

"Mr. Saint-Mérand, I trust your stay in my country has been pleasant," Sultan Selim III halted on a hillside dotted with shrubs, smiling at Saint-Mérand.

"Your Majesty's hospitality has been most gracious," Saint-Mérand replied, placing his right hand over his chest and slightly bowing on his horse.

"Ah, excellent." Sultan Selim III dismounted and handed the reins to a nearby guard.

Saint-Mérand followed suit, dismounting as another guard led his horse away.

"Shall we take a stroll over there, Mr. Saint-Mérand?" Sultan Selim III pointed to a grassy area with a few flat stones.

"Certainly, Your Majesty, if it pleases you," Saint-Mérand agreed.

Sultan Selim III headed towards the spot, Saint-Mérand and another Turkish officer trailing behind.

At a large bluestone, Sultan Selim III paused, tapping the stone lightly with his riding crop before turning to Saint-Mérand. "Mr. Saint-Mérand, let me introduce you to my most loyal general, my Grand Vizier, Alandar Mustafa Pasha. Regarding matters you mentioned previously, he seeks clarification."

"Will these freed slaves be taken to France?" Sultan Selim III inquired.

"Once freed, they are free individuals. However, they require French passports for migration. Some will be sent to the Americas, while others, mainly adherents of Islam, would be better cared for by your authorities," Saint-Mérand responded.

The arrangement stipulated that non-Muslims would be favored for departure, much to the satisfaction of the Turks. Retaining a freed person, even if free, meant an additional taxpayer. Unfortunately, most remaining were Muslims; having Christians would've yielded more tax revenue.

"Furthermore, regarding port leases, railway construction, and mining development..."

The North African region was rich in mineral resources: abundant oil, natural gas, shale oil (currently irrelevant), ample phosphate ore for fertilizer production, copper, and iron. Though the iron mines here weren't extensive, the ore quality surpassed that of the mainland, though still not comparable to those in Northern Europe.

As Saint-Mérand negotiated with the Turks, Pauline engaged in her own negotiations with her new companion, Belldon. Due to the time difference, Istanbul basked in the bright morning sun while Paris had just begun its dawn.

Pauline playfully woke Belldon by teasing him with her hair, engaging in some activities together. Then, reclining against the headboard, she lit a pipe and began contemplating life, while the now slightly tired Belldon lay beside her, dozing off.

"Hey, wake up," Pauline lightly nudged Belldon.

"Huh? What's the matter?"

"I have something important to inform you about," Pauline blew a smoke ring and then spoke.