He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 189

Napoleon’s Genius Son – Episode 189 (189/547)

(189) The Ottoman Empire Declares a Theatrical War

Strangely, bad news always seems to travel faster than good news.

“This cannot be happening!”

From within the opulent Topkapi Palace, the heart of Turkish power in Constantinople [modern-day Istanbul], a man wearing a pristine white turban roared in disbelief.

Born in 1761, he was a 36-year-old monarch and a ruler with reformist ambitions, yet destined to be a sultan plagued by misfortune in the annals of history.

He was none other than Selim III, the reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

In the grand hall of Topkapi Palace, a Frenchman, also adorned in a turban, bowed his head respectfully.

“Great Padishah [Ottoman sovereign], please, remain calm and heed our words.”

“Ambassador Dubayet! Is this not an act of betrayal? How many years has it been since our glorious Empire and France established diplomatic ties? Nearly three centuries! And yet, you brazenly declare war upon us!”

“That is not the case at all, Your Majesty Selim. The advance of our French army is solely for the benefit of the Turkish Empire.”

Jean-Baptiste Annibal Aubert Dubayet.

A former member of the French National Assembly who distinguished himself in battles at Mainz and Vendée.

In essence, a subordinate of General Kléber.

Though a politician and soldier by trade, he had proven to be a remarkably adaptable diplomat since his appointment as the French ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.

He had cultivated strong relationships with Turkish officials, even with the Sultan himself.

But today, he found himself facing the Sultan’s incandescent rage.

However, Dubayet, a veteran of the hellish battlefields of Vendée, responded with unwavering composure.

“If France harbored intentions of waging war against Turkey, why would they have dispatched me here after the revolution? I brought cannons and technology. Have you forgotten this?”

Selim III appeared momentarily taken aback, his mouth snapping shut.

The position of the French ambassador to the Ottoman Empire held particular significance.

This wasn’t merely due to the nearly 300 years of amicable relations.

France was the primary provider of European military technology to the Empire.

This was precisely why a soldier was appointed as ambassador.

Even in the original timeline, before the Vendémiaire coup [October 1795, when Napoleon defended the National Convention from royalist insurgents], Napoleon, then without a prominent position, had coveted the post of ambassador to Constantinople.

Moreover, Selim III was currently channeling his nation’s resources into building a European-style army.

Therefore, Dubayet was more than just a diplomat; he was a military instructor.

Abruptly, Selim III fixed Dubayet with a piercing glare before speaking again.

“Ambassador Dubayet, it is thanks to you that I was able to create the [Nizam-i Cedid] [New Order, referring to Selim III’s military reforms].”

“I am grateful for your recognition.”

“However!”

In a flash, Selim III’s expression hardened as he addressed Dubayet in clear, forceful Turkish.

“Misr [Egypt] is the land conquered by Selim the Great, who shares my name! Yet, you French invade it! This is unacceptable!”

It was said that Topkapi Palace was built by Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople.

In those days, anyone who dared to disobey the Sultan’s strict decrees risked immediate execution.

Dubayet was not only in defiance but had also been urgently summoned upon the arrival of news regarding the invasion of Egypt.

So, would Selim order Dubayet’s execution?

No.

“Leave this place at once!”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider and listen to reason. Currently, Egypt is a territory controlled by the Mamluk rebels…”

“Should I close the embassy? If you wish to avoid that outcome, it would be in your best interest to depart from here!”

At that moment, a stout, middle-aged man who had been observing the scene nodded in agreement.

“Indeed, that is a wise decision, Your Majesty! Nay, you should execute that ambassador without delay!”

However, the Sultan frowned and turned his attention to the middle-aged man.

“Vizier Azam [Grand Vizier], Mehmed Pasha.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“What actions have you taken as the Grand Vizier to allow Misr to fall into enemy hands?”

The Vizier Azam held the highest position in the Ottoman Empire’s bureaucracy.

Since the 17th century, as the Sultans’ power waned, the Turkish Empire had effectively been governed by the Grand Viziers.

Therefore, it seemed only natural to hold the Grand Vizier accountable for the invasion of territory.

However, the current Vizier (Grand Vizier), Mehmed Pasha, felt unjustly accused.

Why?

The reason was quite simple.

Wasn’t Misr already under the control of the Mamluk rebels?

This situation stemmed from the Sultan’s defeat in the war against Russia.

However, Mehmed was given no opportunity to defend himself.

The Sultan cast a sweeping glance around the hall and bellowed.

“Remove that man from my sight immediately!”

“Yo-Your Majesty!”

“What are the Janissaries [elite Ottoman infantry] doing! Mehmed is no longer the Grand Vizier!”

The Janissaries, the Sultan’s renowned personal guard, seized Mehmed Pasha and dragged him away.

“Your Majesty!”

Amidst the screams, Sultan Selim III issued another command.

“Summon the governor of Trabzon, the one-eyed Yusuf Ziyauddin, without delay. We require a capable general in this time of national crisis!”

Hearing all of this, the French ambassador Dubayet turned and walked out on his own accord.

His demeanor was one of utter dignity.

***

Of course, Dubayet’s actions were not solely motivated by bravery.

“Are you alright, Ambassador!”

The French embassy occupied a prime location in Constantinople.

In short, it boasted a stunning view of the Golden Horn [major waterway in Istanbul].

In the past, when Venice held sway over the Eastern Mediterranean, it had served as the Venetian embassy.

Now, it was occupied by France, Turkey’s foremost European ally.

If this [Egypt (Misr)] conquest were to fail, the embassy risked being expelled.

As he entered the embassy, Dubayet clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“Hmph, my clothes are all torn. My predecessor, Verninac, never had to endure such indignities.”

“You have suffered greatly. To think that the Egyptian expedition would occur during your tenure, Ambassador!”

“Haha! I was once expelled from [Louisiana] as a child. I am an expert at making escapes.”

Dubayet chuckled at his adjutant, Horace Bastien Sébastiani.

Dubayet hailed from Louisiana, as he himself had mentioned.

He was a descendant of French commoners who had ventured to colonize the region.

However, following the defeat in the Seven Years’ War, the French were largely expelled from Louisiana.

Many sought refuge in Martinique, but Dubayet’s family returned to France.

Of course, this experience was not the sole reason for Dubayet’s composure.

Suddenly, Dubayet picked up a pre-written letter from the embassy desk and turned to his adjutant.

“By the way, Horace, you mentioned that you were originally from Corsica, correct?”

“That is correct.”

“Do you know General Bonaparte at all?”

Horace Sébastiani offered a wry smile.

“Corsicans are all somewhat related by blood. To be precise, we are distant relatives. That is why I came here.”

In fact, Sébastiani had been handpicked by Napoleon.

However, unlike Napoleon, who was a Corsican nobleman, he was the son of a tailor, a commoner.

In the original timeline, he had joined Napoleon through Lucien’s connections and primarily operated in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Among other accomplishments, he had even incited the Turkish Empire to wage war against the British Navy.

Of course, Turkey was too weak to provide substantial assistance to France, but it was still a remarkable diplomatic achievement.

He had come to Constantinople now on Napoleon’s recommendation.

Dubayet nodded and handed over the letter.

“Good. Then deliver this secret letter to Cairo. Your relative’s adopted son, Eugene Bonaparte, will be waiting there.”

Sébastiani blinked in surprise and asked.

“What is the content?”

“Turkey is watching. However, the one-eyed Yusuf is a staunch advocate of conquest. After Yusuf takes office, the attack will commence by land and sea, so prepare for it.”

“Watching?”

Dubayet shrugged.

“The Sultan didn’t kill me. Moreover, he staged a show of dismissing the Grand Vizier. What is the reason for this charade? It’s because he is internally and externally unstable.”

The Ottoman Turkish Empire was an autocratic monarchy.

If Selim III had truly resolved to wage war, what actions would he have taken?

As Sultan, Padishah (Emperor), and Caliph (religious leader), he would have ordered the death of the infidel Dubayet.

Furthermore, he would have immediately expelled the French from Constantinople and declared all-out war.

However, Selim III merely drove the ambassador from his sight.

He even replaced the Grand Vizier, a major position overseeing national affairs and military administration.

Of course, the ousted Grand Vizier Mehmed was not executed but merely forced to retire.

Replacing the Grand Vizier naturally takes time.

If he desired immediate war, it was an action that the Sultan would never have chosen.

So, in short, the Sultan was putting on a play.

The underlying circumstances of the declining Ottoman Empire were hidden here.

“The Sultan lost the war against Russia as soon as he came to power.”

“Yes, he lost some territory as well.”

“There are many complaints from the Janissaries internally. Look, Nizam-i Cedid? Who moved when they were about to kick me out? The Janissaries.”

Nizam-i Cedid Ordu, the European-style army of the Ottoman Empire.

They were soldiers primarily trained by French military instructors.

However, this force lacked combat experience.

Therefore, the main force of the Ottoman Empire, including the Sultan’s guard, was still the traditional slave corps, the Janissaries.

However, the Sultan’s attention, favor, and finances were focused on the Nizam-i Cedid.

The Janissaries’ dissatisfaction was bound to escalate.

In the original timeline, the Janissaries eventually revolted.

That’s why Selim III became an unfortunate monarch.

Of course, Dubayet, who did not yet know that fact, was only mentioning the phenomenon.

Sébastiani, who had been nodding seriously, asked again.

“Then, can the Sultan compromise with us?”

“Of course not now. If he did, he would become a monarch who lost territory. The Janissaries would rise up immediately, wouldn’t they? Besides, there is one more problem.”

“What is it?”

Dubayet’s gaze turned to a globe on one side of the embassy.

“The British Mediterranean Fleet. It’s about time we heard some news.”

At that moment, a man in a black turban entered deep into the embassy.

He entered through a secret passage that even the embassy staff did not know about.

Just as Sébastiani was about to be surprised, Dubayet greeted the man in the black turban with delight.

“Oh, Hussein Pasha! I didn’t expect you to come in person.”

“I came as a thank you. The jewel you sent to Princess Esma was very beautiful, Ambassador. How about sending it to me in the future if possible?”

“Hehe, I will if you wish, Pasha.”

Hussein, the son-in-law of the former Sultan, took something out of his arms with an arrogant attitude and handed it over.

“The movements of the British Mediterranean Fleet.”

Sébastiani’s eyes widened in surprise.

However, the man in front of him could know the movements of the British Mediterranean Fleet.

Because Hussein has subordinates in various ports from the Western Mediterranean to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ambassador Dubayet smacked his lips as he looked at the documents Hussein handed over.

“They’re close.”

“That’s right. This is all I can do. In the future, if the [Padishah] tells me to go and defeat the French army, I have to go.”

“That’s only natural. By the way, is Nakshidil doing well?”

At that moment, Hussein’s eyes flashed.

“Don’t try to know too much about the women of the harem, Ambassador. Well, I’ll be going now.”

As soon as Hussein disappeared back into the secret passage, Sébastiani shouted excitedly.

“Isn’t that Grand Admiral Hussein! How did Hussein give us this information?”

“I’ve worked hard in the meantime. Of course, Nakshidil’s help was great.”

“Huh, I heard he was French. Was it true?”

The man’s identity was Kapudan Pasha (Grand Admiral) Hussein Pasha.

The fact that he was the princess’s son-in-law was a secondary matter.

Hussein was the commander-in-chief of the Ottoman Empire’s navy, which once controlled the entire Mediterranean.

Hussein’s vision was broad, encompassing North Africa and Syria to Constantinople and Greece.

Although he could not defeat the British fleet, he could know exactly where they were.

So, why was Hussein cooperating with France?

Of course, Dubayet gave him a lot of jewel bribes.

However, bribes were just a kind of seasoning, and a special intermediary was needed to exchange such information.

Nakshidil, a woman who was the former Sultan’s concubine.

Dubayet smiled as he thought of the harem concubine who was also a friend of Hussein’s wife, Princess Esma.

“Maybe it’s more than that. Anyway, you need to move even faster.”

Sébastiani saluted at attention.

“I will arrive in Cairo faster than the British!”

Thus, Sébastiani, the man who would later be the first to enter Moscow in the original timeline, rushed to Egypt.

***

Even if it is a play, when the monarch and Grand Vizier of a country move, it is not a simple play.

“Yusuf Ziyauddin, I wish to appoint you as Vizier Azam. Will you accept?”

The one-eyed middle-aged man stood before Selim III.

A man who has traveled almost the entire Ottoman Empire, serving as a military commander and governor.

The best general the Ottoman Empire can offer after being defeated by the Russian Empire.

Ziyauddin, who lost one eye as a child.

The newly appointed Vizier Ziyauddin knelt down.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Then, what is your first mission?”

“To reclaim the lost territory.”

As all the officials watched, Selim III solemnly declared.

“I will give you 3,000 Nizam-i Cedid, 5,000 Janissaries, and cavalry, for a total of 15,000 troops!”

Compared to the grand declaration, the number of troops is woefully inadequate.

In its heyday, the Turkish Empire had a basic mobilization force of 100,000 units.

However, France is mobilizing 50,000 for the expedition, and they are mobilizing only 15,000 to protect their own territory.

Grand Vizier Ziyauddin raised his head and looked at his monarch.

Selim III’s attitude of avoiding war is very clear.

However, Ziyauddin is a man who takes everything seriously.

The Padishah has ordered war?

Then you have to fight to win.

“That is not enough, Your Majesty.”

“Then what do you need?”

“Give me the right to conscript.”

Ziyauddin stated in a stern tone.

“I will conscript troops from Syria and form a large army to fight France.”

Everyone swallowed hard.

The most nervous was Selim III.

As soon as he ascended the throne, Selim III fought against Russia and Austria and lost.

However, France is said to have an even stronger army than them.

Selim III has already confirmed the power of artillery through Dubayet and other military instructors.

Can they really win when they face them head-on?

Nevertheless, the Sultan cannot make empty promises in Topkapi Palace, where the Janissaries and vassals are watching.

If his prestige is broken, his life will be broken.

Selim shouted with all his might, saying things he didn’t mean.

“Good. From today, I declare war on France to all nations! French Ambassador, convey this fact to your country!”

The ambassador, Dubayet, who had been called in to watch this [play] until then, bowed his head.

“Yes, Great Padishah Selim, Your Majesty.”

With this, the Ottoman Empire declared the suppression of the French Egyptian expeditionary force.

It was just before the British fleet arrived in Egypt.