Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1242 - 1147: The Smoke of Gibraltar
Chapter 1242: Chapter 1147: The Smoke of Gibraltar
Izett opened the two petitions in surprise, his brows immediately furrowing, then turned to Selim III and said: “Your Majesty, they hope to appoint Muhammad Ali as the Governor of Egypt.”
Yes, that was the condition under which Joseph released Ibrahim and retained the status of other Mamluk Nobles.
Given Muhammad Ali’s current status, if he didn’t have the support of local Egyptian forces, the position of Governor wouldn’t be his turn.
Historically, he also started as a mid-level officer in Egypt, using his skills to win over various forces, gradually taking control of the Egyptian regime over nearly five years.
Joseph did not want to wait five years, so he had to give him a push.
Selim III did not expect that a small Albanian officer would have such prestige in Egypt.
More than half a month later, the official he sent to Egypt to investigate the situation returned, telling him that currently only Muhammad Ali could manage the Mamluk Army and the lower-level Arabs simultaneously.
Thus, Selim III had to accept the result of letting this Albanian manage Egypt.
June 22, 1797.
An envoy from Selim III arrived in Cairo and proclaimed the decree of the Sultan, appointing Muhammad Ali as the Defterdar of Egypt.
This is an official in the Ottoman bureaucratic system responsible for the province’s finance, taxation, and land, a top administrative position.
Yes, following Izett’s suggestion, Selim III did not directly appoint Ali as Governor. This way, should Ali fall short in any way, a Governor could be directly parachuted in.
Of course, at present, Muhammad Ali has seized both military and political power and is essentially the de facto Governor.
After this “Acting Governor of Egypt” took office, he immediately raised tariffs on British textiles, although only by 3%, which was his current limit.
This was also part of the agreement he reached with the French. In the subsequent year, he would gradually increase the British tariffs to over 30%.
As for Egyptian exports like cotton and sugar, they would be sold at very favorable prices to the Eastern Mediterranean Trading Company.
Additionally, he declared that French scientific and exploration personnel within Egypt were “the most honorable guests,” and no one was allowed to interfere with their work, assigning hundreds of soldiers specifically for their protection.
…
West of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Dozens of British battleships lay across the sea like giant beasts, intently watching the horizon in the direction of the Bay of Almeria, to intimidate the French-Spanish Combined Fleet.
Behind these giant ships, a multitude of transport ships of various sizes hurriedly sailed by, their waterlines riding low, clearly loaded with cargo.
More than 30 steam battleships, puffing black smoke, closely protected these transport ships.
Although in the narrow strait, it’s unlikely French steam battleships would venture to attack, the supplies were too crucial, so the British dared not slacken.
In the operations room aboard the “Victory,” an officer was reporting on the latest conditions at the Gibraltar Fortress to Commodore Pikex, the commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet:
“The French bombardment is very fierce; nearly half of the towns surrounding the fortress have been destroyed, and over 4,000 residents have had to seek shelter in the fortress…”
Pikex frowned and interrupted, “Did you say half of a town? But they only started their full-scale siege a little over half a month ago, how could there be such extensive damage?”
The officer quickly replied, “General, it should be the effect of the French hot air balloons guiding the shots. According to reports from the townspeople, a quarter of the shells accurately hit the surviving buildings.”
“Damn, those contraptions that can crash at any moment actually work?”
“…” The communicating officer did not dare respond, looked at the document in his hand, and continued, “Currently, the food and water in the fortress can sustain for three months, but the ammunition is only enough for little over a month’s consumption.
“Of course, that’s without needing to provide for civilians…
“The French and Spanish troop sizes surrounding the fortress total 15,000. It’s estimated they have around 40 cannons over 24 pounds…
“There are also 4 floating batteries on the sea…”
After the officer’s report, Pikex dismissed him and immediately turned to Colonel Curtis: “How’s the Marine Corps’ preparation going?”
“Ready to land anytime, General.”
Pikex nodded, signaling the gathered officers to come closer, and repeated the resupply operation plan.
Yes, this time, the Franco-Spanish Alliance deviated from their tactics of 20 years ago, no longer using giant floating batteries to bombard the fortress, instead concentrating their forces on land, using the St. Barbara and San Felipe fortresses as bases, and consuming the fortress’s defensive strength through precise artillery fire.
Even supply ships docking were threatened by ground artillery fire.
This was an unprecedented situation.
Thus, the British Navy had to cooperate with fortress troops during resupply to suppressive attacks on the Franco-Spanish Alliance’s artillery, minimizing transport ship losses.
All this was because the French had hot air balloons to “expand their vision.”
They not only saw British transport ships docking but also guided the army’s heavy artillery for targeting. While the hit rate was likely very low—the army would need to use indirect-fire mortars to reach such long distances, making it hard to hit such small targets as transport ships.
But shells falling on the beach could easily crush soldiers carrying supplies.
Simultaneously, shells constantly fell into the surrounding sea, kicking up waves over a dozen meters high, enough to make anyone nervous.
And if the French artillery happened to score a hit, it would be a great gain.
Half a month ago, during a minor resupply by the British fleet, a 400-ton transport ship was holed through its starboard by a shell, necessitating jettisoning its cargo to prevent sinking.
Just as Pikex vaguely heard the rumble of cannons from the coast, a steam frigate caught up to the “Victory.”
An officer entered the operations room and handed a secret dispatch to Pikex.
Pikex opened the dispatch tube curiously and unfolded the document, his expression immediately becoming grave.
It was an order from the Navy Department, instructing him to proceed to Egypt immediately after completing the resupply to Gibraltar. Reliable intelligence indicated the French Army had landed in Alexandria 9 days prior.
Pikex understood the importance of Egypt.
It was not only a vital raw material source and market, but also a frontline position for French control of North Africa and expansion into the Middle East.
And more critically, it was the Red Sea—Egypt land transit route. The British East India Company frequently unloaded light cargo at Suez Bay, transported it overland to the Mediterranean Sea, then shipped it to Europe.
Even more devastating, if France controlled Egypt and constructed a canal linking the Red Sea and Mediterranean there, it would be an existential threat to Britain, a nation reliant on maritime trade.
