Empire Rising: Spain

At this moment, Prime Minister of France Rufelli was in a dilemma. Abandoning the invasion of Tunisia could end the disputes with Italy and Spain, but it would make France’s investments in Tunisia completely in vain.

Although France had only deployed about fifty thousand troops in this war, the costs incurred so far were by no means small.

The French Army suffered minimal casualties, but the resistance from the new Tunisian army also posed a slight challenge to the French.

If France launched a high-profile invasion of Tunisia and ultimately gained nothing, what would the French public think?

While the Italian public would angrily besiege the French Embassy, wouldn’t the Parisian public also angrily besiege the French Government?

The Italian public could only threaten the safety of the French Embassy, whereas the Parisian public could threaten the safety of the French Cabinet.

More importantly, the outcome of this event also concerned Prime Minister Rufelli’s authority. Rufelli sought to push for the invasion of Tunisia to accumulate political achievements and prepare for his next re-election.

If this war were to fail midway, regardless of whether he would face impeachment, he would not even be able to think about the next Prime Minister election.

Regarding his political career, Rufelli wanted to struggle a bit more. Since Spain proposed peace talks, France could negotiate with the Tunisian Government.

Tunisia had its own ruler and government, so wouldn’t a peace treaty reached between France and the Tunisian Government be legitimate?

As long as France promptly reached the relevant treaties with Tunisia, it could at least secure a foothold in the occupation of Tunisia.

As for the future, once France had boiled its rice to cook, the Italians could only swallow the bitter pill.

With this thought, Rufelli ordered the French Ambassador to Spain to stall the Spanish Government as much as possible while simultaneously instructing the frontline troops to advance on Tunis City, aiming to prompt peace talks between France and the Tunisian Government before Spanish intervention.

The French Army, upon receiving government orders, immediately intensified their offensive efforts and successfully took Tunis City, the Tunisian capital.

At this time, within Tunis City, the Tunisian Government was already in chaos.

The Tunisian ruler, Muhammad III al-Sadiq, gathered Tunisian officials to seek ways for the survival of the beleaguered Tunisia.

But seeing the hopeless faces of the officials, Muhammad III al-Sadiq also realized that Tunisia no longer had any hope of continuation.

Even if France did not invade Tunisia, what awaited Tunisia would be invasions from other major powers.

”Beiyi, the French Army has already surrounded Tunis City. We need to evacuate quickly; otherwise, we will perish in this city.”

Ministers still loyal to Tunisia urged the ruler, Muhammad III al-Sadiq, to leave Tunis City and establish a government in exile in the Ottoman Empire or other non-French areas.

As long as the government in exile existed, there would someday be a chance to return and rebuild Tunisia.

With a pale face, Muhammad III al-Sadiq shook his head, unwilling to leave this land.

As an ambitious monarch, Muhammad III al-Sadiq had enacted certain reforms in Tunisia, inspired by the Ottoman Empire’s reforms, and had personally established the new Tunisian army.

Originally ambitious, he thought that under his leadership, Tunisia would become the most powerful country in North Africa and completely independent from the Ottoman Empire, becoming a truly independent country.

But the French invasion served as a loud wake-up call, making him realize the disparity between African and European countries.

It wasn’t that Muhammad III al-Sadiq didn’t work hard; the gap in strength between Tunisia and France was simply too great.

Not to mention simple reforms, even comprehensive and thorough reforms could never turn Tunisia into a superpower like France.

”Everyone, where can we go once we’ve left Tunisia? If we abandon this land, who else can stop the French invasion?” Muhammad III al-Sadiq couldn’t help but say, as he glanced at the ministers still trying to persuade him, eyes filled with tears of love for this land.

Of course, Muhammad III al-Sadiq understood that Tunisia’s situation was beyond rescue. The Ottoman Empire couldn’t possibly risk offending France for Tunisia, and neither could the other major powers.

If France had the confidence to invade Tunisia, it must have been fully prepared. Any of their ideas were futile; hoping to preserve Tunisia under the French invasion was utterly delusional.

Speaking of where to go, the Tunisian officials started discussing chaotically.

Some officials suggested Muhammad III al-Sadiq flee to Istanbul (called Constantinople by Western countries until the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, known as Istanbul by the Ottoman Empire and its subordinate states before that). Others suggested he flee to London or Rome.