Chapter 51: The Wrath of Sultan Mahmud II

After venting his frustrations on his own guards, Bazzel's mood improved significantly. However, the threat of war posed by Kléber still weighed heavily on his mind, causing him sleepless nights. Ultimately, Bazzel decided to travel to Istanbul to report to the Sultan.

Istanbul: a world-famous city, the economic, cultural, and transportation hub of Turkey, located at the eastern end of the Balkan Peninsula, on the western bank at the southern mouth of the Bosphorus Strait. It is the largest city and port in Turkey, known as the "Queen of Cities."

After the Turks defeated the Eastern Roman Empire, they built the Ottoman Empire on its ruins. This majestic city was preserved and renamed Istanbul from Constantinople.

In this city resides the most distinguished person of the entire Ottoman Empire, the Turkish ruler Sultan Mahmud II.

On this particular day, Sultan Mahmud II was enjoying his jewels and wine as usual when his enjoyment was suddenly interrupted by a Turkish official rushing in.

"What is it?" The Sultan, clearly displeased at being disturbed, asked coldly.

"Your Majesty, the Governor of Syria, Bazzel, requests an audience. He has important matters to discuss with Your Majesty," the Turkish official reported, sensing Sultan Mahmud II's displeasure and bowing as low as he could in fear.

Sultan Mahmud II was known for his quick temper, and provoking him could mean severe punishment or even death.

"Bazzel! Didn't he go to negotiate with the French? Could there be results?" Sultan Mahmud II thought, puzzled.

"Bring him in," Sultan Mahmud II commanded sternly, aware that the situation in Syria was volatile and that conflict could break out at any moment. As the governor of Syria stationed on the front lines, Bazzel's insights were crucial.

"Yes! I will bring Lord Bazzel right in," the Turkish official nodded immediately and then prepared to leave.

"Wait!" Just as the Turkish official was about to leave, Sultan Mahmud II suddenly called out to him.

"Your Majesty, what else do you require?" the official stopped and then knelt on the ground, ready to listen to Sultan Mahmud II's command.

"Bring Delamari and Sayid to see me," Mahmoud added.

"Yes!" The Turkish official sighed in relief upon hearing that Mahmoud was only calling for others. He then quickly left.

…

Moments later, three well-dressed Turkish officials entered Mahmoud's palace again.

"Sultan!" Upon seeing Mahmoud, the three men knelt down and respectfully performed a salute.

"Bazil! You must have already contacted the French diplomat earlier, right? What's the situation?" Sultan Mahmoud II asked Bazil.

"Sultan, the French are very firm. They claim that the Egyptians, in collusion with the British, have oppressed French merchants locally, and thus, this military deployment is a form of retaliation. Furthermore, the French declare that Egypt has already severed ties with Turkish rule, so the conflict between France and Egypt is a normal act of war between two independent nations, and Turkey should not intervene. Otherwise, Napoleon will launch an attack on Turkey," Bazil said bitterly, aware that with France's strong military capabilities, Turkey simply could not compete if war were declared.

"Are the French using force to threaten us? What do they want to achieve? Aren't they afraid that we might really side with the British? That would surely be of no benefit to them," Sultan Mahmoud II said angrily after hearing Bazil's report.

Despite France's power, Turkey was not to be trifled with. Over the years, Britain had been actively courting them, possibly because both the British and the French were vying for Turkey's favor, making Sultan Mahmoud II somewhat carried away, truly considering Turkey a significant global power. In reality, this was merely due to the geopolitical games between two great nations and Turkey's advantageous geographical position. Should it come to war, both France and Britain could likely easily defeat Turkey.

"Delamari!" Thinking this, Mahmoud felt ignored and thus called out loudly to his general.

"Sultan!" Hearing Sultan Mahmoud II's call, the general named Delamari immediately stepped forward and knelt halfway.

Delamari: Commander of the Turkish Albanian Legion, he is one of the most important military officers in the Turkish army, historically known for leading the Albanian Legion in combat against Napoleon in Egypt.