Chapter 260: Chapter 9, The True Colors of the Powers
Sinai Peninsula

In the colonization base camp, Austrian military representative Peter Lariwa arrived and received a warm welcome from the colonial squad.

“Mr. Peter, when will the reinforcements arrive?” Andrea asked with concern.

Peter smiled slightly and said, “Sorry, the French have stepped in to mediate this conflict, so we have to wait for the outcome of the negotiations in Cairo.

Before that, you must hold your positions here alone. If Egypt launches an attack, you can retreat directly to the coastal areas, where the navy will provide support.

Of course, this is the ideal scenario; normally, the Egyptian Government wouldn’t go to such extremes. They don’t have the confidence to wage war with Austria.”

“Sir Peter, this has exceeded the scope of our contract. We certainly did not agree to act as bait to attract the Egyptian assault!” Leo Haf protested.

Being bait was not an easy task; their group of about a hundred and eighty men could bully a native tribe but would obviously be overwhelmed in the face of the regular Egyptian army.

If luck was not on their side, they could be completely annihilated. They were here to make a fortune, not to throw their lives away; naturally, Leo Haf was not willing to take such a risk.

Peter calmly responded, “Mr. Leo Haf, the initial contract tasked you with creating a pretext, not with occupying this place. The current situation is the result of your own actions.

Everyone must take responsibility for their actions. The trouble is of your own making, so of course, you must take responsibility for it.

Moreover, we won’t let you work for nothing. If you successfully lure the Egyptian army into attacking, you will be the greatest contributors to this colonization venture. The venture is highly regarded back home, and you may be granted nobility titles.”

The two men asked in surprise, “Will there be fiefs?”

They had been able to organize a band of a hundred and eighty men for colonization, clearly not averse to taking risks; the only issue was whether the profits would be substantial enough.

Peter humorously replied, “If the fief you desire is a desert, then you may apply for one, and it is very likely that the application will be approved back home.”

The two men laughed awkwardly, obviously not considering the Sinai Peninsula to be of any value. Without value, the shared profits from colonization activities naturally didn’t exist.

It was not easy to obtain Austrian nobility titles, and most of them were held for life. Securing a fief was as difficult as reaching the heavens. Even for discounted colonial fiefs, they were not so easy to attain.

Theoretically, colonial teams that independently opened up colonies had the right to take a portion as their fief. Of course, once they took a fief, the government would not need to pay a bonus.

This was a life-term fief nobility system invented by Franz, for those whose merits were insufficient to earn them a hereditary nobility, yet who still wanted a fief. No problem, this could all be solved in the colonies.

With a nobility title, this land would be a fief; without the title, it would be considered private land, and the government would not reclaim it.

The same applied to the Sinai Peninsula, only with a vast desert as far as the eye could see. Even if all merits were converted into a fief, it would only result in a few square kilometers of desert, and it was estimated that no sane person would do such a thing.

Leo Haf and Andrea were sane individuals and thus immediately chose to take the bonus. Not only would they make this choice, but even Franz, given the option, would choose the bonus.

Despite the Sinai Peninsula’s strategic importance and abundant oil resources, not every grain of sand hid resources beneath it; more often than not, there was only sand.

Cairo

With the French mediating, the negotiations between Austria and Egypt regarding the conflict over the Sinai Peninsula had already begun, with the initial focus predictably revolving around the assignment of blame.

De Laisebu from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tasked with mediating this conflict, urged, “Both parties, please calm down. What has happened has happened, and now we must discuss how to manage the aftermath.”

There was no choice, the negotiation had gotten off to a poor start. Austria had not established an embassy in Cairo, just an office, with a businessman doubling as their diplomatic representative.

The Vienna Government hadn’t even sent a professional diplomat for this seemingly insignificant negotiation, apparently not too concerned about it.

An amateur does not necessarily mean an easy adversary and could result in even more obstinate interference.

The Austrian representative, Jonas, spoke righteously, “De, you are correct, we indeed need to consider the aftermath now.

This time, due to the greed of the Egyptian Government, our caravan was robbed, causing us significant casualties and considerable losses. The Egyptian Government must take responsibility for this.”

Mahmud objected, “No, Mr. Jonas. The truth is completely different from what you have stated. We haven’t established any government on the Sinai Peninsula; how could we possibly rob your caravan.

Clearly, it was your people who pillaged the Aligonis Tribe and forcibly occupied Arish. You must immediately cease these aggressive acts and compensate the Egyptian Government for its losses.”

Jonas countered, “Nonsense. Everyone knows that the nomadic tribes on the Sinai Peninsula are so poor they can’t even jingle. Apart from camels, what else do they have? Only a fool would rob them.

We have evidence that the chief of the Aligonis Tribe received an official appointment from your government. Here is the appointment letter we seized during the counterattack, as well as the tax collection proof displayed by the Aligonis Tribe.

Mr. Mahmud, you may verify for yourself whether it’s authentic. Your country’s officials’ lack of personal integrity must be accounted for.”

After saying this, he took out the evidence and handed it to Mahmud. The document was of course real, issued by the Egyptian Government a year ago.

How they acquired this appointment letter was naturally by purchasing it from an Egyptian Government official. It was a nominal tax officer in Arish, hardly an official, akin to a temporary position.

At this moment, it became evidence for dispute. It implicated the Egyptian Government in this event, making it difficult for them to extricate themselves.

After a careful look, Mahmud was not certain whether it was a forgery by the Austrians, but regardless of its authenticity, he would not acknowledge it.

Mahmud questioned, “Mr. Jonas, as everyone knows, the Sinai Peninsula is poverty-stricken. What is your caravan doing there?”

“Those idiots are planning to reopen the ancient trade route that was disrupted, restoring the trade lines between your country and the Ottoman Empire.”

Jonas replied through gritted teeth, a face full of frustration as if he thought those colleagues had disgraced him.

In an age dominated by ocean navigation, to focus on restoring land trade routes is indeed nothing short of idiotic.

This explanation was somewhat acceptable. After all, in a vast forest, all kinds of birds can be found; it isn’t that strange for there to be an idiot among the capitalists.

Of course, this reasoning at best would only deceive the uninformed common folk; everyone present knew that the so-called caravan was actually a colonial team.

Mahmud said with ridicule, “Mr. Jonas, your reasoning doesn’t hold up. Now that the people from the Aligonis Tribe are dead, all the words come from one side of the story.

I don’t believe a nomadic tribe would have the audacity to plunder a fully armed caravan; normal people wouldn’t commit such an act.”

Jonas replied nonchalantly, “Indeed, normal people would not do such a thing. But since they have done it, this only proves their ignorance—they had no idea how powerful muskets are.

Such ignorance is widespread in the world. Many natives consider muskets to be sorcery; it’s not surprising they do foolish things.”

Upon hearing Jonas’s perverse logic, the French Ambassador De Laisebu knew they couldn’t go on like this; otherwise, the Egyptian Government would be getting dragged in.

In international negotiations of this era, great powers can bully and bluff, while smaller countries are better off sticking to reason; otherwise, they would suffer.

De Laisebu spoke up, “Mr. Jonas, no matter what, the parties involved are dead and even the gravest accusations can be canceled out.

As for your country’s losses, they can be compensated by the inheritance they left behind. The wealth of a tribe should be enough to cover the indemnity.”

Jonas’s face changed, and he immediately retorted, “Do we look like people who covet such petty money?

What’s paramount now is to seek justice for those who have perished, which cannot be resolved with money, talking money is an insult to the great New Holy Roman Empire.

If we don’t get a satisfactory explanation, then our people will not leave. Only when we have a satisfactory response will we discuss compensation.”

Against Jonas’s obstinacy, De Laisebu was powerless. The Austrian Government clearly had no intent to invade Egypt, so it would not affect France’s interests.

Since there was no loss to his own nation, the issue of the Sinai Peninsula became secondary, and the Government of France would not stand up for the interests of the Egyptian Government.

One need only look at the British reactions to understand; watching everything with detached interest, quietly observing the drama unfold.

This is a common practice in overseas colonization by various countries—unless there are conflicting interests, nations generally avoid direct confrontation.

Mahmud warned, “Mr. Jonas, if your people do not withdraw from Arish, we will take action and drive them out by force.”

Military expulsion? Hearing Mahmud’s threat, Jonas contemptuously said, “Then take action, because any moves by your side on the Sinai Peninsula we will consider a declaration of war against the great New Holy Roman Empire.

If your country believes it has the strength to challenge the New Holy Roman Empire, then let there be war!

Mr. Mahmud, I must solemnly remind you that once war breaks out, we cannot guarantee the limits of the war.”

The effectiveness of a military threat depends on strength; what was merely a negotiating tactic for Mahmud was quickly turning into full-scale war between two countries.

Going to war with the New Holy Roman Empire was clearly not a decision Mahmud could make, nor could the Egyptian Government contemplate it.

Frankly, the area that had been occupied was just a small oasis in the desert. Neither a strategic location nor economically valuable.

De Laisebu helplessly persuaded, “Let’s both calm down for a moment. War cannot solve the problem; it only complicates things further.”

Jonas scoffed, “War indeed cannot solve problems, but it can make certain people come to their senses and not threaten with military force at every turn.

Do not assume we can be bullied just because we seek peace. If necessary, solving problems with war is not off the table.

The New Holy Roman Empire wishes to live in harmony with all countries, and even if extreme measures are taken, we will protect the interests of all nations.”

That was a true threat. Once the Vienna Government promised to protect the interests of all nations unaffected, the Egyptian Government would be left to fight alone.

England, France, and Austria had all infiltrated Egypt, and yet Egypt remained an independent nation with each country not having gained too much power.

If Austria were to start a fight with Egypt, allowing everyone to divide Egypt Area’s interests, it wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility.

The scruples of the great powers lie in their interests; at this time, Egypt’s strategic position was not as crucial as it would be after the opening of the Suez Canal.

Even if there were a war, it would not upset the balance of power among nations. Plainly put, Egypt, with a population of just three and a half million, did not have interests sufficient to make nations turn against each other.