Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1240 - 1145: Pyramid Battle, Finale

Chapter 1240: Chapter 1145: Pyramid Battle, Finale

Of course, Muhammad Ali knew that he was participating in an extremely dangerous gamble — his previous actions were essentially disobedience in the face of battle.

But the stakes on the table were incredibly rich, and he was willing to risk losing his life for it.

Just as the sun approached the horizon, the garrison outside Cairo suddenly began to show signs of unrest, and soon they dropped their weapons and fled back into the city.

An officer galloped on horseback to Muhammad Ali and exclaimed in Albanian: “Sir, the Egyptians are retreating!

“According to the captured soldiers we interrogated, Ibrahim’s main force was defeated by the French, and over one hundred thousand French soldiers will cross the Nile tomorrow morning.”

Muhammad Ali’s expression remained unchanged as he mounted his warhorse and personally rushed to the front line to direct the pursuit of the fleeing enemy.

No one saw it, but at the moment he raised his whip, he let out a long breath.

The next morning, Muhammad Ali rode slowly outside Cairo City, his eyes fixed intently on this ancient and prosperous city.

An officer caught up with him and anxiously shouted: “Sir, the forces in Cairo have completely scattered. We only need to attack to capture it immediately, but why are you…”

Muhammad Ali raised his hand to interrupt him, coldly saying: “Are you questioning my orders? Everyone, stay in place!”

He of course knew that Cairo was within his grasp, but he wanted to wait for news from across the river.

Without the support of the French, he could at most achieve the merit of “capturing Cairo,” while possibly having to account for disobeying military orders.

But he was aiming for far more than just that reward.

It wasn’t until noon that a French order officer wearing Egyptian attire arrived and handed him a letter.

Muhammad Ali quickly read through the contents, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. He saluted the order officer by placing a hand on his chest and said in French, “Please convey my most sincere thanks to General Massena. I will act according to his instructions.”

After the Frenchman left, he immediately turned to his subordinate officers and said: “Send out the orders, enter the city immediately. Maintain security in all important districts.

“Ensure your soldiers are strictly controlled, no looting from any Mamluks, and absolutely no harm to them.”

The officers exchanged glances, and someone cautiously asked: “Sir, but if they attack us…”

“That will not happen. They will welcome me into the Governor’s Palace with a grand ceremony.”

Hours later, amidst the joyful music of nai and kamanja, hundreds of Mamluk nobles led citizens from the east gate of Cairo, escorting Muhammad Ali to the Governor’s Palace.

In the hall of the Governor’s Palace, officers from the Albanian Corps were astonished to see officials and religious leaders of Cairo presenting their commander with box after box of extremely valuable gifts.

This was followed by a grand banquet, the entire city of Cairo celebrating, as if they had just defeated the Ottoman Army.

Meanwhile.

Abdullah was leading nearly 4,000 Mamluk cavalry across the Nile, landing on the eastern bank.

He did not attack Cairo, which was occupied by the enemy; instead, soon Algerian officers were directing camel caravans from Cairo to provide him with supplies like bread and oats.

The next day, Abdullah ordered his entire army to head to Abo along the southern desert border — where Rauf’s Ottoman main force was stationed.

As he rode, he looked at the vast sand beside him, recalling the conversation with Ibrahim Bey the previous night.

“You’re saying we should support an Ottoman junior officer to be governor?”

“Yes,” Ibrahim nodded, “The French promised that if we do this, they will release our soldiers and ensure that no Mamluk will be harmed, not even significantly change Cairo’s official positions.”

“But…”

“Execute my orders.”

Ibrahim shouted, then glanced at the French soldiers at the tent entrance, and lowered his voice:

“A rootless officer is much easier to deal with than a high-ranking official sent from Constantinople. Besides, he will definitely have to rely on us to manage Egypt. At most, in a decade or so, we can sideline him again just like any previous Ottoman governor.”

He patted Abdullah, leaning close to his ear: “Remember, resistance courses through Mamluk blood. Our temporary submission is only for tomorrow’s resistance!”

Abdullah lowered his head: “Yes, Bey.”

Ibrahim continued: “Tomorrow, gather the cavalry that can still fight and head to Abo…”

Abdullah’s eyes widened: “Bey, the Ottoman main force still numbers over 40,000, and our soldiers are already very weary, I’m afraid it will be difficult…”

A nearby Mamluk officer interrupted his thoughts, whispering with a bitter expression: “Sir, it would be better if we rest a few days first. If we just attack Rauf like this, I fear it will be very challenging…”

Abdullah chuckled: “Don’t worry, the Ottomans will practically offer their heads to us.”

“Ah?”

A day later, Abdullah’s army arrived near the Harazunig River southwest of Abo, immediately lying in wait near the upstream desert.

On the other side, Rauf still planned to rest in Abo, coordinating when the French initiated their attack on Cairo.

At that moment, spies left by the Ottomans near Cairo sent news — it was not the French who attacked, but Muhammad Ali who seized Cairo while Ibrahim’s main force was away.

Rauf was shocked.

As the commander-in-chief of the offensive against the Mamluks, he was idling with tens of thousands of troops in Abo, only for a low-profile Albanian officer to snatch the merit of seizing Cairo!

He urgently inquired about the situation in Cairo, and upon learning that the Mamluk forces had completely disbanded, he immediately ordered his entire army to march towards Cairo as quickly as possible.

He was worried Muhammad Ali would loot all the wealthy Mamluks in the city.

Additionally, by arriving quickly, he could intercept Muhammad Ali’s report of victory to His Majesty the Sultan.

Yes, the victory report must be personally written by him!

Thus, the Ottoman army hastily assembled and marched urgently towards Cairo.

However, as Rauf’s vanguard reached the Harazunig River, they suddenly felt the ground begin to tremble slightly.

He wasn’t mentally prepared for battle — Cairo was occupied, what organized Egyptian forces could possibly remain?

Soon, a vast number of cavalry appeared in his vision.

He hadn’t even deployed scouts; only when he vaguely saw the feathers on the oncoming cavalry’s helmets did he exclaim: “Form up! It’s the Mamluk cavalry!”