June 21st, 1799.
The news of Napoleon's astonishing successes in the Middle East reached the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, William Pitt, leaving him utterly stunned. He had initially dismissed Napoleon's campaign in Egypt as a mere diversion, but the French general had surpassed all expectations.
"This is absolutely preposterous!" Pitt exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table. "How on earth could this relatively unknown French general conquer Egypt and the entire Arabian Peninsula?!"
Pitt wasted no time and called for an urgent meeting with his advisors and military generals. The room filled with an air of tension as they deliberated on the implications of Napoleon's triumphs and the grave threat they posed to British interests in the region.
Lord Castlereagh, the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, voiced his deep concerns. "Napoleon's conquest of Egypt, Syria, and the Middle East grants him a strategic foothold in the heart of the region. Should he consolidate his power there, it could disrupt our vital trade routes and jeopardize our control over India."
General Sir Arthur Wellesley, not one to shy away from expressing his opinion, interjected. "Perhaps if we hadn't been so apprehensive about Napoleon Bonaparte, we could have repelled him from Egypt. The Admiralty shoulders much of the blame in this matter. Ever since the defeat at Toulon, they've grown overly cautious. While it's true that the French Navy holds dominance in the Mediterranean, we should have challenged them instead of retreating."
The Admiralty representative, taken aback, vehemently responded, "What on earth are you suggesting, General?! We made the best possible choices based on the circumstances. Let us not forget that it's not only the French ships we must worry about at that time but also the Spanish fleet. We cannot afford to lose our naval power in a region where it serves as a vital defense of our island. Moreover, our blockade of French ports effectively undermines their economy."
A moment of silence descended upon the meeting room. Breaking the ice, the Admiralty representative spoke once again, urging a broader perspective.
"While Napoleon may be achieving victories in the Middle East, let us not lose sight of the larger European theater. Reports indicate that France is encountering significant challenges from the Austrians and Russians. Ultimately, Napoleon's conquests in distant and relatively untamed lands will hold little significance if his own country falters. However, it does not mean we should grant him free reign in the region."
Pitt's attention sharpened, his gaze fixed on the representative of the Admiralty. Eager to hear a viable strategy, he inquired, "What plan do you propose, then?"
The Admiralty representative took a moment to gather their thoughts before responding, "I recommend that we reinforce our presence in India by deploying an expeditionary fleet and bolstering our troop numbers in the region. This will ensure that we possess a formidable defense should Napoleon set his sights on India. Additionally, we should explore potential alliances with Tipu Sultan and leverage their support to counter French encroachment."
General Arthur Wellesley, skeptical of the proposition, scoffed softly, "Do you truly believe that Tipu Sultan would willingly ally himself with us? Have you forgotten the wars he waged against the British in the past? It seems highly unlikely that he would readily join forces with us. What's more, I fear that Napoleon Bonaparte might form an alliance with Tipu Sultan, and together they could drive our forces out of India."
Pitt sighed, his face obscured by his hand as he grappled with the weight of the situation. The room fell silent, eagerly anticipating Pitt's next words, hoping for a glimmer of hope.
Interrupting the silence, General Arthur broke the tension with a pressing question. "By the way, where is Napoleon Bonaparte at present?"
William Pitt, his voice tinged with concern, responded, "Currently, General Bonaparte has set his sights on the Emirate of Diriyah. He invaded the country and, according to French sources, encountered minimal resistance. Much like Egypt, the Emirate of Diriyah has now fallen under French control."
Arthur gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How is he able to move so swiftly?"
"Information from the Russian Empire suggests that Napoleon possesses a new breed of formidable weaponry and artillery," Pitt explained. "The French rifles are capable of firing six rounds without reloading, with an astounding firing range. One Russian soldier defending the City of Acre reported that the French were able to fire upon them from a staggering 600 yards. Furthermore, they possess a type of firearm that can unleash a barrage of hundreds of bullets in just one minute."
"Well, then why are we not seeing those weapons in the European theater?" General Arthur asked, arching a brow.
"I wish I had the answer to that question, General Arthur, but I don't. Another weapon of the French is their artillery. According to the Russian soldier who fought in Acre, one round from that artillery was enough to burst a hole through several layers of fortress walls. It is clear that Napoleon's forces possess a technological advantage that we have yet to fully comprehend."
General Arthur leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "So you are saying that the French are armed with weapons so advanced that is making ours primitive in terms of power and range? Then why are we not doing anything to get a copy of it?"
"You make it sound easy, General Arthur," William responded with a sigh. "We can't simply make a copy if we don't have the original..." He paused, a realization dawning on him. "I believe I now understand why the French Army in Europe is not utilizing the same weapons as Napoleon in Egypt. The concept of their new weapon is so revolutionary that they likely conducted experiments in Egypt first. Once they received confirmation from Napoleon that these weapons were effective and efficient, they made certain not to equip their forces in Europe, to prevent them from falling into the hands of our allies."
"The weapon could potentially turn the tides of battle in Europe, I don't think the French government would be so stupid as to not mass-produce those rifles and mandate their use across their entire army," General Arthur pondered aloud.
Lord Castlereagh, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "It's possible that the French are facing limitations in terms of resources or production capacity. Developing and producing such advanced weaponry on a large scale may prove challenging for them. However, we cannot afford to underestimate the threat they pose. We must make it imperative that we get our hands on those weapons, study them, reverse engineer it, and develop our own version to level the playing field."
Pitt nodded, his expression determined. "You're right, Lord Castlereagh. Now, as for India I will speak to His Majesty and propose the idea of the Admiralty of sending an expeditionary fleet in India."
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