The Fox of France

"Mr. Ambassador, what do you mean by 'win-win'?" Sultan Selim III asked with great interest. Clearly, being distant from France, his understanding of 'win-win' was rooted in the era when the French and the still-potent Ottomans fought side by side in Barbary.

"It means you regain substantial control in the Barbary region, gain the right to dispatch officials there and collect taxes. Meanwhile, France secures a couple of ports and rights to exploit minerals in those areas," Saint-Mérand responded. "Your Majesty, in Barbary, the pashas mainly rely on piracy for income. However, piracy has become outdated as the naval power of European countries now surpasses theirs. Their fleets lack the capability to confront European navies. This business of theirs will soon become unfeasible. In fact, based on our intelligence, their economic conditions are not favorable.

"Your Majesty, plundering for wealth is not sustainable. Sustainable development can only be achieved through regular trade. Given the vastness of North Africa, there are undoubtedly numerous mineral resources. Through such trade, both sides can benefit more.

"In this plan, Your Majesty, you only need to issue an order for the pashas of Barbary to come and pay respects to you. If they appear, you can easily find some issues—over the years, these individuals have accumulated numerous problems, starting with the contributions they owe your country. You can detain them for this reason, strip them of their pasha titles, and dispatch new pashas loyal to you to regain control of the Barbary region. We'll also provide assistance, including fighting alongside your army.

"Of course, I suspect these pashas won't show up. Their disloyalty is widely known. At this point, Your Majesty, you can command their titles be revoked and launch a campaign against them. As your ally, our country will stand firmly by your side to help defeat the rebels. The territories of these rebels can then be rewarded to your truly trusted subjects.

"I believe, Your Majesty, you've noticed how rapidly the world has been changing and developing in recent years. Comparatively, forgive my frankness, the once-great Turkey has lost its former glory. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have been tirelessly seeking reform. We, France, as Turkey's traditional ally, also hope to see Turkey rise again. However, forgive my directness, the forces opposing and even hindering your reforms within your country are quite formidable. You also need new achievements, new territories, new positions, and wealth to incentivize and attract more people to be loyal to you and support your reforms."

In historical context, Sultan Selim III observed Turkey's decline and attempted reforms in its system. However, his reforms threatened many vested interests, ultimately leading to the rebellion of the Janissaries and his deposition, making him the only Sultan in Turkish history to "die by the sword."

During the rebellion, the conservatives took the opportunity to ruthlessly massacre the reformists. Then, the reformists outside Istanbul, returning with their armies, retaliated and massacred the conservatives. After this chaotic conflict, Turkey suffered severe losses, weakened further, and even fell under the control of subordinate pashas.

Regarding such a significant issue, Sultan Selim III naturally couldn't immediately agree. He needed to discuss it thoroughly with his subordinates. However, Saint-Mérand believed the Turks would support this plan, perhaps engaging in some negotiations over the distribution of benefits with the French. But overall, they'd likely support it.

Don't assume the supreme Sultan represents the interests of the entire green world. No one holds such representation. Even Sultan Selim III couldn't represent the entire Turkey, let alone the whole green world. He could only represent the circle of people around him.

For both Sultan Selim III and the reformists around him, they needed more benefits to unite their people, strengthen their power, and overpower their opponents. As the leader of this group, if Sultan Selim III abandoned such interests, it would only alienate his subordinates.

The French weren't in a rush either since they couldn't initiate conflicts before the Olympics. After all, France didn't have a benevolent king ruling over it. Moreover, France hadn't declined to the point of selling its soft power.

Preparations for the Olympics were proceeding smoothly. The main venue was almost complete, and some subsidiary venues were also wrapping up. French sports teams had started adaptive training in several locations.

Meanwhile, with Napoleon, Pauline was arguing.

"What? You want to participate in the Olympics? Absolutely not!" Napoleon shook his head vigorously, "Pauline, can't you be sensible? The Olympics have historically been an event for men only. Women didn't even have the right to spectate. And now we've... sigh, it's all because of Joseph, that scoundrel, spoiling you!"

As he cursed Joseph, Napoleon firmly reiterated his stance, "Anyway, Pauline, this matter is not up for discussion. Not at all!"

"Napoleon, stop being ignorant! In ancient Olympics, women participated!" Pauline stood up defiantly, slamming a hat of ignorance onto Napoleon's head.

"Damn!" Napoleon said, "In the ancient Olympics, there was a women's footrace. But can you find a decent woman to compete with? Do you want to race against a bunch of middle-aged ladies?"

"Oh, Napoleon, you actually know about that?" Pauline deliberately feigned surprise, "But do you know, Xenisca won the chariot race at the 96th Olympics? I believe I'm no worse than her; it's just that my brother isn't as supportive as hers."

Xenisca was the sister of Agesilaus II, the King of Sparta. She disguised herself as a man during those Olympics. The judges actually noticed, but fearing her brother, they all said, "I didn't see anything; this is just a man!"

Initially, everyone thought among all the participants, Princess Xenisca would be just one among many and would probably not win. After the race, she'd return home, and that would be the end of it. However, unexpectedly, the Greek men of that era were incompetent, and Xenisca actually won the championship. Later, the Greeks erected a statue for her and inscribed on its base: "I, Xenisca, drove a furious steed to victory in the chariot race. People erected this statue for me, recognizing me as the only woman in all of Greece to have won a championship. I am worthy of their praise!"

Napoleon was aware of this story. When Pauline brought it up, Napoleon was momentarily speechless. So, he asked, "Do you want to participate in equestrian events too?"

"Yes!" Pauline felt this had potential and couldn't resist flexing her fingers, "Speed racing, obstacle racing, pistols, rifles, skeet shooting. I'm sure I can win more championships than Princess Xenisca!"

Napoleon's face darkened, he thought for a while, then brought out his last resort—the blame game: "This matter, my agreement alone won't do. You have to talk to Joseph. If he has no objections, then I won't object either."

"Fine!" Pauline pounded her fist on her palm, "I'll go talk to Joseph right away!"

Watching Pauline leave, Napoleon immediately, with an angry face, instructed

his aide, "Get Lucien over here. How dare he try to shift blame onto me!"

The same argument unfolded at Joseph's place that night.

"Pauline, I won't get into the nitty-gritty with you. I'll say one thing," Joseph said with a frown, "How old are you? Your sister is about to become a mother! Mom asks me every day when you'll get married. By God, she even wants me to find you a husband among my students or assistants. Now, with you behaving like this..."

"What's wrong with the way I am?"

"Ah, I won't explain so much to you. Anyway, from now until the official start of the Olympics, which is about a year away, if you manage to find a husband for yourself, and he has no objections, then I have no objections. Otherwise, forget about it."

"Joseph, you're being unreasonable!"

"I'm being unreasonable? Fine! Listen, stop arguing with me, hurry up and find yourself a husband. That solves the problem, doesn't it? Move faster, don't waste time."

"Humph!" Pauline angrily turned and walked away.

"Hey, Pauline!" Joseph called out from behind.

"What?" Pauline turned back, hoping Joseph might change his mind.

"Uh..." Joseph hesitated for a moment, then said, "Pauline, two more things to note. First, your husband must be a man; second, mom doesn't want to see divorce in our family."