Chapter 430 War Reparations
Lefebvre looked at the fleur-de-lis flag flying on the coastal defense fortress of Annaba Port not far away, and shook the reins happily.
He had never expected that the battle would go so smoothly, and it took only two and a half days to capture the entire Annaba. You know, at the marching speed of the Tunisian Army, it would take almost two days to cover the entire territory of Annaba.
In other words, I can return to Europe in a few days, and I will definitely be in time to participate in the big battle in Silesia.
A company commander ran over on horseback, raised his hat and saluted Lefebvre:
"Master, we found a large number of heavy artillery in the Algiers fortress!"
"Oh?" Lefebvre waved his hand indifferently, "The Algiers' cannon is of little value."
Based on the casting level here in North Africa, the power of the 32-pound coastal defense gun is not as good as the European 18-pound gun.
The company commander immediately said: "Sir, those guns are produced in Britain. There are three 32-pound guns, eight 24-pound guns, and the lighter ones have not yet been counted."
Lefebvre's eyes immediately lit up - if it were British goods, so many heavy artillery would be a profit!
It was indeed a profit - at that time, the Duke of Leeds spent tens of thousands of pounds building Annaba's coastal defense fortress, but it fell into the hands of the Guards Corps without firing a single shot. Some batteries still have their factory oil seals.
While talking, another cavalryman came to report that a large number of flintlock guns were found in the warehouse at the port, including Prussian Potsdam 1740 and Dutch AI, as well as some British Brown Bess. The total number has not yet been counted, but it is estimated to be at least 7,000.
These guns were the second batch of British aid to the Algiers Guards. However, due to the procrastination of the Algiers, they had not yet been handed over to the army after several months. At this time, they all took advantage of Lefebvre.
Lefebvre suddenly felt that it was acceptable not to go to Silesia - just for seizing so many supplies, he should be able to get a commendation from the General Staff.
He looked at the staff officer aside and said:
"Try to get some fortress artillery to Constantine (the city of Algiers, originating from Rome, not Ottoman Constantinople), and then we can gone back."
Constantine was a city in Algiers south of Annaba. Holding there would be equivalent to blocking the main route from Algiers into Tunisia. With the assistance of the 24-pounder artillery, the Tunisian Army will be able to complete the task of guarding Annaba in the future.
…
Tunisia city.
Cahill Palace.
Chandarle, the emissary of Dey of Algiers, paced anxiously up and down the corridor.
He had been prepared to take a boat to Paris if he could not see the French negotiators before tomorrow.
Fortunately, the big shots from Paris are here. He only hoped that General Keheler would persist for a few more days, and he would be able to use his interests to stabilize the French army.
Soon, footsteps were heard from the other side of the corridor, and Count Segur, the French special envoy for negotiation, came over with several officers from the General Staff.
Chandalle hurriedly rushed up to greet him, touched his chest with great respect, saluted, and greeted him in Arabic.
Segur didn't seem to care about what the translator said, and went straight into the hall in front of him and sat down at the head of the long table - currently, the French model is popular in Tunisia, and people of high status are no longer willing to sit on the carpet to discuss things. .
Chandalle had no choice but to follow in awkwardly. It took him a long time to seize the gap between the chatting of several French people and hurriedly interrupted: "Dear envoy, I am Aga from Difan in Algiers. , who is also the plenipotentiary negotiator appointed by Day..."
Difan is the parliament of Algiers. He holds a position similar to that of Speaker.
Segur raised his eyes and glanced at him, and said slowly:
"Oh, what are you going to talk to me about?"
Chandalle immediately said: "Special envoy, we should discuss the truce issue in the Annaba region..."
Segur listened to the translator, smiled and raised his hand to interrupt him:
"That's unnecessary. The battle in Annaba ended the day before yesterday."
He turned his head and looked at the officer beside him:
"Lieutenant Colonel Adrian, our legion should be on its way to Constantine, right?"
Of course, under the current international situation, France has no plans to attack Constantine, but this does not prevent him from using this to scare the Algiers. With the remaining forces in Algiers, the French army could even fight all the way to their capital Mitijia. Chandalle's pupils suddenly shrank. He knew that although he had not received the news yet, the French would not lie about the situation of the war.
He panicked and said: "Actually, there shouldn't be a war between Algiers and France at all. This would harm everyone..."
Segur stopped him coldly:
"No, the war started the last time the Janissaries of Algiers invaded Tunisia."
Chandalle cursed the British thousands of times in his heart - he had clearly agreed to fully support Algiers' attack on Tunisia, but as soon as the French army appeared, they disappeared.
"Well, that was just some obligation to the Tunisian Guards before." He had no choice but to say, "We realize this is a mistake and are willing to do something to save the peace between our two countries."
Segur said very cheerfully: "Our country has invested more than 200,000 rials in response to Algiers' invasion. These losses must be borne by Algiers."
200,000 rials is approximately 4.4 million livres. It's not that Joseph is merciful, but for Algiers, which has a population of just over 2 million, this is already their limit.
Segur continued: "In addition, Annaba, as the main route for the invasion of Tunisia, will be managed by our country in the future. Constantine, which is adjacent to our country, will become a buffer zone and no troops can be stationed."
"This..." Chandalle said anxiously, "I'm afraid these requests are too much..."
"This is His Majesty the King's decision." Segur squinted at him and said, "You can refuse, and then we will continue talking in Mitijia."
"No, no! These can all be discussed..." Chandar waved his hands hurriedly.
Tunisia.
Province of Susa.
Sphek was looking at the low mountain behind the tribe in a daze, with the rumbling sound of cannons still ringing in his mind from time to time.
Suddenly, a group of tribesmen, armed with swords and spears, rushed toward the road next to the tribe, cursing.
Someone grabbed him and said, "Sphek, let's go teach that sheriff a lesson together!"
"That guy actually let go of ten loads of olive oil. We didn't even take a penny of our security fees."
"And last time, he let the fur traders from the city enter the tribe..."
"How much money have we lost lately? I'm going to kill that bastard!"
"Yes, kill him!"
"Sheriff?" Sphyk was startled, and suddenly remembered the white uniform of the Sheriff - a uniform that was very similar to the French army he had seen in Annaba - and suddenly shouted in horror, "You are crazy. You must not attack the Sheriff!"
Seeing that he couldn't stop the tribesmen, he hurried to the tribe leader's residence and broke into the house: "Uncle, stop them quickly! Harming the Sheriff will attract the army!"
"Army?" the clan leader said disdainfully, "What are you afraid of? The warriors of the clan will drive them away."
"No, no..." Sphek's eyes were full of fear, "By the way, have you seen the Algiers Guards?"
"Huh? No."
"They are devils! Devils who can tear people apart in an instant!"
"What are you talking about?"
"And those armies..." Sphek swallowed and said with a pale face, "They are the gods of war who can tear the devil into pieces! No one can stop them. If we don't stop everyone, the tribe will be doomed!"
On the road next to the tribe, there were more than 20 people who had been to the Annaba battlefield and were frantically driving away the troublemaking tribesmen, fearing that they would hurt the peace officer at all.
(End of chapter)