Chapter 48: Napoleon Repeatedly Stricken

In the city of Cairo, crowds gathered at the city's governor's palace. Today was the day Napoleon had decided to set out to quell a rebellion. Early in the morning, Napoleon had summoned all his men to prepare for a discussion on how to stabilize the situation in Egypt soon.

However, while the meeting was halfway through, a messenger suddenly burst into the palace with important intelligence. "General Napoleon," the messenger said as he entered, handing a letter to Napoleon.

"This... This is!" After reading the contents of the letter, Napoleon's face turned sour in an instant. There was a loud thud as Napoleon slammed the letter onto the table. His chest heaved violently, clearly furious. If it were not for the presence of many others requiring him to maintain his composure, he might have lost control.

"What has happened, General Napoleon?" After a long silence, Murat stepped forward to ask. He was Napoleon's favored general and was the only one who could intervene at that moment.

"Humph! Such a fool, Brueys. He was ambushed by the British fleet at Alexandria, and now our naval fleet has been completely destroyed," Napoleon said with a steely face, his extreme anger causing his voice to tremble.

"What? The entire navy destroyed? How could this happen?" "Our navy had eight battleships and fourteen cruisers. How could they have been annihilated by the British?" "The fleet is destroyed, how will we return now? Aren't we trapped in Egypt?"

Hearing that the entire navy had been destroyed, everyone present became tense. Since their departure from the port of Toulon, they had been worried about being attacked by the British navy. They had finally set foot on Egyptian soil, relieved that they no longer had to worry about sinking at sea, but they still faced an attack by the British.

"Everyone, pay attention to this matter today. It must not be spread. If I find out that anyone has caused unrest among the troops by speaking carelessly, I will not spare them," Napoleon said, banging the table forcefully as he saw the murmurs among the crowd.

"Yes! We understand," the crowd nodded in agreement upon hearing Napoleon's command. They were not foolish and knew the impact such news could have on the morale of the troops.

"Report!" Just as the French forces were discussing the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Alexandria, another call from a messenger was heard outside the door.

"Come in!" "General Napoleon, there is important military news from Suez," the messenger reported loudly as he entered.

"What is it?" Napoleon asked, looking at the messenger.

"General Napoleon, Turkey has issued us a warning," the messenger read aloud from the letter in his hand. "They claim that our occupation of Egypt is illegal and demand that we leave Egypt within a month, otherwise they will declare war on us."

"Furthermore, the Turks have already given 10,000 soldiers to Murad to command. It seems he will soon advance towards Cairo from the west," the messenger continued.

"Nonsense! He's just a defeated underling, dreaming of counterattacking Cairo?" Napoleon interrupted angrily before the messenger could finish.

At this moment, Napoleon's veins bulged and his face twisted in rage, his heavy breathing indicative of his fury. "Damn the British for stabbing us in the back, and damn the Turks for getting involved too. And most despicable is Murad. After the battle of Ramaniya, I spared his life, and now he dares to oppose me."

Napoleon slammed the table, cursing his enemies. With so many foes attacking him simultaneously, even he was feeling the pressure.

The once majestic and spirited Napoleon was no longer as he had been, his fighting spirit dampened by the constant setbacks.

"Uncle Napoleon, do not worry. Although we have many enemies, we are not yet at the end of our rope," Roland spoke up, seeing Napoleon's disheartened demeanor.

Roland's words caused a stir among those present. Having accurately predicted the pressure from the Battle of the Mediterranean and the Turkish declaration of war, Roland was no longer seen as a mere child by anyone there. All present had come to respect his intelligence.

Now that Roland had spoken again, presumably with another insightful suggestion, everyone in the room was listening intently.

"Roland, what do you suggest?" Napoleon now turned his gaze towards Roland.

Long before, Roland had advised caution regarding the British at Alexandria, advice Napoleon had unfortunately ignored. If only he had heeded it, they might not be in the dire situation they now faced.