Chapter 1648 - 1554: The Most Lucrative Deal

Chapter 1648: Chapter 1554: The Most Lucrative Deal

However, after Oman paid a large ransom, Saudi immediately withdrew the troops.

What Joseph wanted was for Saudi to completely crush Oman, thereby dismantling England’s most critical pillar in the Arabian Sea.

On the other hand, he also needed to prevent Egypt from swallowing the entire Diriyah, becoming strong enough to challenge the Ottoman Empire without relying on France — Diriyah’s territory almost covered 90% of the Arab Peninsula, and could directly threaten thousands of kilometers of the Ottoman Empire’s southeastern area from Najd.

This required Saudi to take a breather and at least rely on the desert to preserve Diriyah City.

Otval glanced at his pocket watch, impatiently ordered the Diriyah envoy: "You prepare 350,000 Kurush, the Regent King’s diplomats will strive to persuade the Egyptians to accept this money and withdraw from Hijaz."

Marwan’s face was a bit pale, but he gritted his teeth, bowed, and said: "Thank the great Regent King. I will convey his intentions to Imam His Majesty."

Saudi was not as business-savvy as Ali, guarding Jeddah Port but only collecting some agricultural and fishery taxes, with annual revenue less than 900,000 Kurush; 350,000 was already astronomical for them.

Otval then reminded about the attack on Oman, and just as Marwan was about to take leave, he seemed to suddenly remember an insignificant matter, saying: "By the way, the Ministry of Justice recently wants to establish a new exile site, hoping to lease Zaheeran region for 199 years."

Marwan was taken aback, even though he was very familiar with the Arab Peninsula, it took him a while to remember where Zaheeran was.

Ah yes, the place is basically all desert, bordered by desert on one side and the sea on the other, extremely hot and water-scarce, indeed an ideal site for exiling criminals.

However, this place is relatively close to the port of Qatif, and French forces might infiltrate this most important sea port for Diriyah.

Otval seemed to see his concerns, added coldly: "Our country will only send 300 prison guards there, and promises not to intervene in any surrounding areas unless actively attacked by other forces. Oh, you must also send people to build a wall around Zaheeran."

Currently, all of Europe has not fully understood the Steam Engine, is far from the internal combustion engine required for the Second Industrial Revolution, so Zaheeran, for quite a long time, will truly be just an exile site, with no need to station too many troops.

As for getting involved in the Arab Peninsula’s chaos, that’s more like having too much military expenditure without a place to spend.

Joseph’s goal is only the legal ownership of this land, waiting until Mitchell needs oil, then find an excuse to massively deploy troops.

Marwan hesitated for a moment, tentatively asked: "Sir, if you can slightly reduce the compensation paid to Egyptians, perhaps I can persuade Imam His Majesty to give Zaheeran to the Regent King."

That ghost place can’t even grow date palms, within a hundred-kilometer range there are perhaps less than 1,000 people, if it can be exchanged for hundreds of thousands of Kurush, then it’s a big win.

Otval frowned, watched Marwan’s entourage bring out a box of pearls — local specialties from Qatif, Barings, and other places — reluctantly said: "Alright, I will consult His Highness, but whether His Highness agrees depends on your luck."

The next day at noon, the Diriyah envoy received a reply, the Regent King reluctantly agreed to help them reduce the compensation to 150,000 Kurush in exchange for the barren land of Zaheeran.

Only Joseph knew, buried there were 100 billion barrels of high-quality crude oil.

...

January 8, 1802.

In a cafe outside Hofburg Square, Austrian Republic member of Parliament Jaggen tightly clenched his fists, shouted: "The revolution is at its most critical juncture! We must make a decision immediately!"

Lawyer Bergman nodded: "If the proposal to reinforce Hungary is continually resisted by the moderates, Buda won’t hold until next month..."

Just half a month ago, Kutuzov’s 50,000 Russian Army had crossed the Carpathian Mountains, launched a direct attack on Hradiště in northern Hungary from the northeast direction.

At the same time, Samoylov, leading a 15,000-strong army mostly comprised of Cossack Cavalry, was threatening Hungary’s eastern flank from Transylvania.

Previously, Hungary’s National Self-Defense Force could barely hold a stalemate with the Austrian Army main force commanded by Archduke Karl, using geographical advantages, but the front line was immediately breached once a large Russian Army joined the battle, retreating to near Buda, relying on the Danube River to continue resisting.

But right now, Hungary’s troops are down to less than 50,000, facing the absolute manpower superiority of the Austrian and Russian Allied Forces, defeat is merely a matter of time.

Here in Vienna, the Republic Military Committee suggests sending reinforcements to Hungary, since right now Archduke Karl’s forces are all besieging Hungary, facing little military pressure, at least 40,000 soldiers can be dispatched to Buda.

However, the moderates have been seeking compromises with the Emperor, such as inviting the Emperor back, turning the republic into a Monarchy Constitution, hence they are unwilling to completely break with the Emperor over Hungary, thus constantly obstructing the proposal to reinforce Hungary in Congress.

At the same time, there are quite a few Royalist Faction members in Congress — the Old Nobility still holds certain sway in Vienna, gaining some votes.

They are firmly opposed to aiding Hungary.

As such, the Stilz Faction’s troop dispatch proposal has been dragged for nearly half a month, never achieving more than half the votes.

What is known as the "Stilz Faction" is a radical revolutionary faction in Congress, based on the previous Stilz, headed by Lucas and others, advocating the complete overthrow of the Emperor, even abolishing noble status, implementing a fully parliamentary system republic.

More than a dozen members of Parliament in the cafe simultaneously looked at Lucas — they are already accustomed to discussing important matters in cafes.

Lucas nodded: "If we dissolve the Congress immediately, can the revolutionaries gain more than half the seats?"

The current Prime Minister leans towards the revolutionaries, he believes that if he persuades, the Prime Minister would agree to re-election.

Yet, the cafe fell into silence.

The Stilz Faction probably held only one-third of the seats, even with other revolutionary factions, it’s hard to achieve a majority.

Lucas surveyed everyone again, nodding: "We need to confirm, if Hungary falls, Vienna will likely face encirclement by Russian troops and Royalist teams."

Bergman added: "Also, Croatia and even Bohemia’s troops."

Croatia has been severely oppressed by Hungary, so it immediately announced allegiance to the Emperor from the start.

Though Bohemia also launched a movement advocating autonomy, so far it has been very restrained, adopting a negotiation approach with the Emperor.

If these two forces are added, the newly formed Austrian Republic will face more than 180,000 troops besieging it.