The French fleet departed from the port of Toulon and headed due south-west. After several days of sailing, it finally arrived in the waters near the port of Alexandria in Egypt.
Since the reason for Jérôme Bonaparte's trip this time was to visit Egypt and Syria (which could also be said to be a visit to the Ottoman Empire), he had to separate from the fleet near Egypt.
The ironclad "Napoleon" carrying foreign military attaches continued to set off towards the scheduled exercise location, while Jerome Bonaparte and Frederic Bonaparte, father and son, took a separate ship named "Marseille".
Ironclad ship.
Standing on the deck and looking at the fleet fading away in the morning light, Jérôme Bonaparte turned to the captain of the ironclad "Marseille" to express his apology.
"I'm sorry that due to my personal reasons, I am unable to allow you and your ships to participate in military exercises!!"
Facing Jerome Bonaparte's apology, the captain hurriedly said to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, the Marseille can be your escort for your visit to Egypt. I and all the members on the ship feel that
pleasure!
As far as I know, many captains cast jealous glances at me after hearing that the "Marseille" had become the emperor's royal ship!
If possible, I think they would be very willing to exchange with me!"
Jérôme Bonaparte smiled when he heard the captain's complimentary reply.
Subsequently, under the command of the captain, the ironclad "Marseille" set off again towards the port of Alexandria.
Since the place where the ship separated was still several nautical miles away from the port of Alexandria, the ship finally arrived near the port of Alexandria after another 20 minutes of sea voyage.
Looking towards Alexandria through a telescope, the entire Alexandria looks like an inwardly concave crescent arc. Many ships traveling to and from the Mediterranean would choose to repair here before setting off again.
Before the Suez Canal was opened, the size of Alexandria Port was still slightly insufficient compared to Marseille Port.
But this does not mean that Alexandria is a little-known port.
If the ports in the entire Mediterranean were ranked, the ranking of Alexandria Port would not be too low.
There are no less than 10,000 ships docking in Alexandria every year, and Egypt can make a lot of money just from the berthing fees of the ships.
Not to mention, the crew members anchored at the port will also experience Egypt's "customs and customs" during their stay, which will also not only promote the prosperity of Egypt's service industry.
Alexandria can be said to be one of the few "treasuries" in Egypt.
Of course, it was after the opening of the Suez Canal that Alexandria truly surpassed Marseille and Constantinople became the richest port in the entire Mediterranean.
After the Suez Canal is fully opened, all it takes is a hint from the Egyptian government, and ships traveling between Europe and Asia will take the initiative to dock at the port of Alexandria.
By that time, the number of calls at Alexandria Port will probably be more than ten times greater than now.
"Tsk tsk tsk! This port is like a natural cornucopia!"
Jérôme Bonaparte, who was very aware of the "glorious future" of Alexandria, put down his telescope and sighed casually to the captain beside him.
“Your Majesty, although the Port of Alexandria is far smaller than Marseille in terms of size, they are the only way to travel between the Ottoman Empire and Europe!
Therefore, it can be called a high-quality port." The captain did not know what Jerome Bonaparte was thinking, so he explained to Jerome Bonaparte in a normal manner.
While Jerome Bonaparte was talking to the captain, a wooden sail warship carrying more than a dozen cannons slowly approached the ironclad ship on which Jerome Bonaparte was riding.
Immediately afterwards, the lookout on the wooden sail battleship waved the two flags in his hand and sent a semaphore to the lookout on the sail of the ironclad ship. (At present, ironclad ships still have sails and lookouts).
The lookout standing on the lookout used a telescope to observe the semaphore and reported the meaning of the semaphore to the deck.
"Your Majesty, the other party asked us which country's fleet we belong to!
Why are you approaching the port of Alexandria?" The captain translated the signal and reported to Jerome Bonaparte.
Jérôme Bonaparte immediately ordered the French tricolor flag to be raised, and at the same time used semaphore to tell the other party that they were visiting Egypt.
When the lookout on the Egyptian wooden warship looked at the raised French flag and the semaphore signal sent by the other side's lookout, he also reported the situation to the deck.
"The other party is a French warship. They said the purpose of coming here is to visit Egypt!"
After Major General Mohammed Sai on the deck heard that the other party was visiting Egypt, he immediately thought of a piece of news from Cairo.
It is reported that the French Emperor will pay a state visit to Egypt in the near future.
"Isn't the Emperor of the French Empire in this ship?" Mohammed Sai murmured in a low voice.
At the same time, Brunet, the naval advisor responsible for assisting Mohammed Sai, also realized that the French Emperor might be on board the ironclad.
If the guest on the ship is really His Majesty the Emperor himself, then I will be rich!
Brunet couldn't help but feel ecstatic.
As a middle-level officer who had almost no chance of meeting the emperor in his life, Brunet knew how helpful it would be for his future to meet the emperor once.
If Brunet can really leave a good impression in the emperor's heart, then Brunet's life may usher in a huge turn for the better.
Adhering to the choice of "I would rather kill by mistake than let go", Brunet immediately suggested that Mohammed Sai get closer to the ironclad ship.
"Your Excellency, Colonel! If the guest on this battleship is really His Majesty the Emperor, then I think it is necessary for us to meet him!!
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! It will be good for both of our futures!"
Brunet advised Muhammad Sai.
Mohammed Sai also realized that this might be an opportunity for progress.
Therefore, under the order of Muhammad Sai, the semaphore soldiers on the lookout issued a request to the ironclad ship to approach.
The captain, holding a lookout in one hand, saw clearly the salute of the opposing warship and quickly reported to Jerome Bonaparte.
After Jerome Bonaparte thought for a moment, he nodded and said, "Tell them that we allow them to get closer!"
The semaphore soldiers on the lookout also sent out signals, and the wooden sail battleship began to move closer to the ironclad ship.
Soon, the two ships were sailing side by side.
At this moment, Brunet also held a lookout glass in his hand.
Through the looking glass, Brunet saw the Emperor of France standing on the deck.
Immediately, Brunet quickly put down the lookout in his hand and said excitedly to Mohammed Sai beside him, "Hurry and prepare a small boat. I want to go to see His Majesty!"
"His Majesty the Emperor is really on this ship?!!"
"It's absolutely true!" Brunet said firmly.
A small boat was lowered from the wooden warship, with Brunet and Mohammed Sayy on board.
When the boat approached the ironclad, the ironclad also lowered a wooden platform driven by steam. Brunet and Mohammed Sai stood on the platform and boarded the ironclad.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness!"
"Your Majesty, Your Highness!"
As soon as Brunet and Mohammed Sai boarded the ironclad, they hurriedly bowed to the two most distinguished people on the entire ironclad.
Jérôme Bonaparte glanced at Brunet, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Later, Brunet took the initiative to introduce his identity to Jerome Bonaparte.
He was originally a lieutenant colonel in the French Imperial Navy, and was invited by Governor Said to arrive in Egypt as a naval military advisor.
After Brunet introduced himself, he also did not forget to introduce Mohammed Sayy beside him.
"Your Majesty, this is Major General Muhammad Sai, currently serving as the commander of the First Fleet in Alexandria!"
"Thank you for your hard work!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded slightly, and then curiously asked Mohammed Sai, "How many fleets are there in Alexandria?"
Muhammad Sai lowered his head and said in shame, "Your Majesty, there is currently only one fleet in Alexandria!"
Jérôme Bonaparte was silent for a moment, then continued to ask, "How many warships do you have in total?"
"Only three ships!"
Muhammad Sai felt even more ashamed. His so-called fleet commander was nothing more than an empty show.
However, this is not to blame Mohammed Sai.
Since the death of Muhammad Ali, his sons have been unwilling to challenge the international order. Therefore, they are not only uninterested in Muhammad Ali's military-strengthening policy, but they have also tried every means to weaken the power of the Egyptian army and navy.
This made the already dilapidated Egyptian navy even more dilapidated in the hands of Abbas and Said. The entire Egyptian fleet had less than 10 ships, equivalent to one-third of Muhammad Ali's.
When Jérôme Bonaparte heard this number, he immediately realized that he had come to the right place this time.
As long as Jérôme Bonaparte can prove to Said that Egypt needs a navy that can protect its coastal waters, then Said will never be stingy with his wallet.
Even if Said has no money, the enthusiastic French consortium will donate generously to Egypt.
Of course, the price is part of Egypt's sovereignty.
"General Sai, I think Egypt must have a navy strong enough to defend itself, so that it can truly protect Alexandria!!" Jerome Bonaparte said righteously to Mohammed Sai
Said, "After I arrive in Cairo and meet with Governor Said (Sayed declares the kingdom internally, but is just the governor of Egypt externally), I will make suggestions to your governor!
I think he will definitely agree with my concept!"
