Half a month later.

The warm winds of early winter in the Eastern Mediterranean gush in from outside the window, messing up the hair of Talleyrand’s assistant, Delate, who can’t help but think of the 3,000 franc bill in his pocket.

It was an "Egyptian Special Allowance" issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday.

After hesitating for a long time, he picked up the draft of the "Cairo Investment and Technology Agreement" on the table, turned to Talleyrand who was enjoying tea, and said seriously: "Sir, I still feel that these terms seem... somewhat inappropriate. Are you really sure this is the intention of the Crown Prince?"

It’s not that he’s being paranoid; the agreement’s clauses are indeed shocking. For example, the clause "ensuring Egypt can establish an arsenal capable of producing 15 pieces of artillery over 8 pounds monthly within a year, with the capability to independently cast 18-pound cannons."

He now highly suspects that Talleyrand received a bribe from the Egyptians and made promises to them privately.

Talleyrand glanced at him and smiled: "Of course, this is His Highness’s decision. What are you worried about?"

Delate gritted his teeth and said: "If this agreement is implemented, a strong nation will soon emerge on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean.

"That Muhammad Defterdar obviously harbors great ambition, and if he expands westward, it will bring significant trouble to our country."

Talleyrand nodded. Indeed, if Egypt acquires advanced industrial technology, France will incur substantial costs to control its expansionist ambitions.

Nevertheless, he calmly sipped his tea: "Frankly, I also don’t understand the Crown Prince’s intentions. But from my experience, in a few years, we will find that His Highness is indeed correct."

If Joseph were to hear their conversation, he would certainly commend Delate for his sense of duty, then inform him that there’s absolutely no need to worry about Egypt’s industrialization.

Because Egypt fundamentally does not possess the conditions to become an independent industrial nation.

For starters, Egypt has virtually no coal or iron mines, nor are there any within reach on land.

Thus, Egypt’s industrial development must rely on external supply of coal and iron. Currently, the Mediterranean coastline is under France’s control.

Meaning if Muhammad Ali truly dared to rebel, all Egyptian factories would have to cease operations the next day.

In fact, since France took control of the Ruhr District, namely the coal mines around Westphalia, coal and iron resources have begun to be in surplus.

At this point, either sell coal and iron to the German States or endure the declining profits of the mining areas.

Exporting coal and iron to Egypt is the third option, which is most beneficial for France. Eager to develop industry, Muhammad Ali would definitely offer France a very good price for coal and iron.

Secondly, the future excavation of the Suez Canal will require Egypt to have a certain industrial capability.

At the very least, it can’t be like in history, where every single screw had to be shipped from France to Egypt.

Now, by aiding in the construction of Egypt’s arsenal and ironworks, Egypt will soon be able to produce shovels, pickaxes, wheelbarrows, and even repair steam engines in large quantities.

Moreover, numerous Egyptian workers with factory experience will have organization, training, and skills far superior to farmers and will be the main force for canal construction.

With this industrial base, the cost of excavating the canal will significantly decrease.

Finally, Joseph is not at all concerned that Egypt might covet the neighboring French province of Tripoli.

Not to mention Egypt still needs France to ensure its industrial operation, Muhammad Ali will definitely opt for the wealthy Ottoman to the east if he seeks expansion.

To attack Tripoli westward, they must first traverse the long and barren region of Cyrenaica and face the formidable French Army. Without needing to deploy elite French troops, even the garrison in Tunisia can teach the Egyptian army a lesson.

Historically, after Muhammad Ali grew powerful, he opted to immediately dispatch forces to seize the Ottoman province of Syria, leading to two "Turkish-Egyptian Wars."

This is a war that Joseph desires.

No one can guarantee that Egypt won’t renege on the agreement to lend Suez to France—even if it doesn’t happen now, it’s uncertain decades, or a century from now.

So the best scenario is for Egypt and the Ottoman Empire on both sides of Suez to be at sword’s point, where the weaker side will certainly invite France to mediate.

France will then use various means to ensure the borders of both nations remain along Suez.

If this situation persists long enough, both countries may even plead with France to station troops from Suez to the Mediterranean to avert recurring wars.

As for Egypt and the Ottoman Empire coexisting peacefully?

This is absolutely impossible.

As an Albanian foreigner ruling Egypt through force, Muhammad Ali must continuously seek more benefits to placate his boisterous troops, or he’ll soon face backlash.

And on the Ottoman side, they cannot accept Egypt’s independence from the Empire. Even if Muhammad Ali doesn’t act, once Constantinople accumulates power, it will actively seek to reclaim Egypt.

Seeing the Minister of Foreign Affairs speak so confidently, Delate found it difficult to continue questioning, but nevertheless decided internally to write a separate report for the Crown Prince to explain the situation in Egypt.

...

October 10, 1800.

Switzerland Aarau.

Located at the northern end of the Jura Mountain, heading east across the Reuss River leads to Zurich.

In the cold sunshine, an Austrian Army dressed in gray sluggishly moved around the mountain foot, heading northwest.

Amidst the troops, a captain with sunken eyes and wrinkles beside his nose lit his pipe and asked the lieutenant next to him: "Gold, any news about the military pay?"

The latter shook his head dejectedly: "None yet, Company Commander. But this morning the regiment staff sent word that the daily wine ration will be cut by a quarter in the future."

His uncle is an attendant to the corps’ logistics officer and can hear some of the latest news.

The captain frowned, glanced at the surrounding soldiers, and muttered quietly: "I hope we run into those damned rebels soon... If this continues, who knows how much longer we can hold out."

His soldiers haven’t received pay for three months, morale has plummeted, and the lieutenant reports desertions almost daily.

Gold pulled the captain a bit away from the other soldiers, then lowered his voice: "I’ve heard that since the tax reform, the tax revenue collected by tax officers is only half of what it used to be.

"Forget about us, even Vienna’s officials are only receiving two-thirds of their salary."

The captain took a hard draw on his pipe: "How are those guys even worse than the damned tax farmers?"

"It’s not just worse, reportedly those tradesmen dare to gang up and attack tax officers. In some remote areas, tax officers have even been killed by the roadside."