Three weeks had passed since Napoleon had taken up residence in the Palazzo Parisio in Valletta, the official residence loaned to him by the Grandmaster of Malta. Sitting in his bedroom, he meticulously read through the letters sent by Ciela, his beloved, keeping him updated on the developments in Paris and their business ventures. The news of his arrival in Malta had spread to the ears of European powers, causing intrigue and speculation among the Austrians, Ottomans, Russians, and the British.
Ciela's updates revealed that the Austrians, Russians, and Ottomans suspected Napoleon of planning to use Malta as a staging point for an invasion of their Dalmatian territories. On the other hand, the British believed that he intended to sail through Gibraltar and launch a second invasion. As Napoleon absorbed these reports, he couldn't help but sigh, knowing that his true intentions remained concealed from his enemies.
On the business front, Ciela's ceaseless ambition was evident in her requests for new technologies. Ever since Napoleon had revealed his blessings to her, she had been filled with an insatiable drive to advance the industrialization of France, pushing for progress that rivaled the early twentieth century. In her latest request, she urged him to provide blueprints for cameras, and Napoleon set to work immediately, dedicating himself to drawing up detailed schematics for the roll-film and folding cameras. Although he could introduce daguerreotype cameras, he found their image quality lacking. Moreover, he recognized the potential of cameras as valuable tools in modern warfare, particularly for reconnaissance purposes. And so, in addition to still cameras, he also included plans for motion-capturing film cameras in his response to Ciela's request.
Building a camera in this world is not as hard as building a steam locomotive, he only needs a metal frame, high-quality glass, lightproof material for the film chamber such as black textile, and a film base from cellulose nitrate. Those materials are already available in this era, which is convenient.
After three hours of work, Napoleon successfully completed the blueprints along with detailed instructions on how to construct the cameras. Just as he put the finishing touches on the project, a knock echoed at the door of his room.
"General Bonaparte... it's Murat. I have brought the men as you requested," came the voice from outside.
"Excellent, please come in," Napoleon responded, swiftly rolling up the blueprints and carefully placing them inside his drawer.
α?dαsηθνε| With that, Murat entered the room, followed by a man donning turbans and jalabiya, the traditional attire of the Egyptians.
"Aside from this man, we also found an old Arabic printing press which we could use for our propaganda purposes," Murat added.
"Thank you, Murat. Your work is greatly appreciated," Napoleon said, smiling as his gaze remained fixed on the Egyptians before him. "Now, as for you, how proficient are you in Arabic, or perhaps French?"
One of the Egyptians stepped forward, his turban adorned with a feather. "General Bonaparte, I am fluent in Arabic, my native tongue. As for French, I have a basic understanding and can communicate effectively."
Napoleon nodded and replied in a way they didn't expect.
"'iinah lamin dawaei sururi 'an 'asmae dhalik , fa'ana 'atatalae 'iilaa aleamal maeka…Did I say that right?"
(That is great to hear, I am looking forward to working with you.)
"General…how can you speak Arabic?" Murat gasped.
"I have proposed an invasion of Egypt to the Directory, it's only natural for me to study their language and customs."
Another perk of the blessing, Napoleon could easily study any language.
"You have a very good Arabic, General," the Egyptian said.
"What is your name, sir?" Napoleon inquired, his curiosity piqued.ραпdαs `n?ν?| сom
The Egyptian straightened his posture and replied, "I am Ahmed, sir."
"Ahmed…" Napoleon repeated, familiarizing himself with the name. "Now, Ahmed, your role as our interpreter is of utmost importance. You will be the crucial link connecting us with the population of Egypt. My Arabic is not proficient enough, so it will be your responsibility to engage in conversations on our behalf."
Ahmed nodded, acknowledging his responsibility.
Another thing that caused the French to lose the support and respect of the locals is the language barrier. The interpreter that the French hired were Maltese who spoke a different Arabic dialect. Napoleon hired someone living in Egypt to prevent such miscommunication.
"That would be all, Ahmed, you may leave now."
Ahmed bowed his head before turning to leave the room, leaving Murat and Bonaparte in the room.
"General Bonaparte, another thing, the French fleet is ready to disembark to Alexandria."
"Great, we will leave at the end of the month," Napoleon declared.
***
In the afternoon of July 1st, 1798, Napoleon and his fleet arrived at the coast of Alexandria. Rowing boats from every ship were then lowered to the water, and Napoleon and his men descended into them, ready to make landfall.
The boats carrying Napoleon and his men glided towards the coast of Alexandria, the vibrant city that stood as a testament to Egypt's rich history. The skyline was dominated by minarets and domes, showcasing the architectural wonders of the region.
Moments later, the boats touched the sandy shoreline, and the French soldiers disembarked, their desert boots sinking into the warm Egyptian sand. The moment had finally arrived—their conquest of Egypt was about to begin.
Napoleon stood at the forefront, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He could feel the weight of history upon his shoulders. This is it, him cosplaying the real Napoleon and other great conquerors of history.
"Soldiers of France!" Napoleon's voice resonated with every French troop on the shore. "I promise each and every one of you who returns from this expedition land, enough to purchase six acres!"
He continued. "Now it is essential to acknowledge the customs and beliefs of the people with whom we will share this land—our Muslim brethren. Their first article of faith is 'There is no other god but God, and Muhammad is His prophet.' Let us not contradict them but instead embrace their beliefs. Let us show the same respect to their muftis and imams as we have shown to rabbis and bishops. Just as we have tolerated the ceremonies and places of worship of other religions, such as synagogues and convents, let us extend the same tolerance to the rituals and mosques prescribed by the Quran.
We must understand that the customs here may differ from those of Europe, and it is our duty to adapt and become accustomed to them. The treatment of women in this region may vary from our own, but we must remember that across every land, anyone who violates the dignity and rights of a woman is a monster. Pillaging and plundering only benefit a select few, while dishonoring us and depleting our resources. It turns potential allies into enemies, and that is not in our best interest.
As we set foot in the first city, built centuries ago by the great Alexander the Great, we shall witness remarkable remnants at every step, worthy of inspiring French emulation. Let us approach this land with an open mind and a spirit of admiration for its history and achievements. Together, we shall forge alliances, build bridges of understanding, and leave a legacy that reflects the values of our great nation. That's all! Vive la République!"
"Vive la République!" The soldiers shouted in unison.
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