Due to the huge influence of the Tang Dynasty on overseas countries, during the Song Dynasty, "Tang" had become the name for China in Southeast Asian countries. Especially in Southeast Asia, China or things related to China have always been called "Tang". Not only "Tang" is used as the representative name of the place "China", but also the Chinese are called "Tang people", the Chinese surname is "Tang surname", the Chinese clothing is "Tang Yi", and the Chinese merchant ship is called "Tang Bo" or "Tang Ship". The Chinese goods resold from the sea are called "Tang goods".
Even what later generations used to call "Hanyu" was also called "Tangyu" by overseas countries in the Song Dynasty. Chinese people who stayed overseas for a year without returning were called "residents in Tibet", while foreigners who stayed in China for more than one year were not allowed to return. If he returns, he is called "living in Tang Dynasty".
Chinatown was first called "Great Tang Street" and began in Japan during the Tang Dynasty. At that time, the Japanese used it to refer to the residential areas where Chinese people lived in Japan. The Tang Dynasty was the most glorious period in Chinese history and left the deepest impression on the Japanese. Therefore, the Chinese are called Tang people. The Chinese are also proud of this and are willing to accept such a title. They often use it to refer to themselves, so it has continued to later generations. In the Southern Song Dynasty, since the Song Dynasty court was determined to expand overseas trade, Nanyang conquered many countries, and there were also a large number of "Great Tang Streets" and "Great Song City" where Song people lived.
The Red Sea harbor, 200 miles east of Cairo, the capital of the Ayyubid Dynasty, had thousands of people from the Song Dynasty trading there, unknowingly forming the "Great Song City".
The "Great Song City" began during the Jiading period. Song merchants who came to trade came to Egypt. Due to the long distance, a round trip took two years, so they gathered at the port and even bought real estate and built houses. The Song people lived together and helped each other. Aid and share weal and woe. Over time, restaurants, teahouses, cloth shops and other Song shops that were convenient for Song merchants also emerged, gradually forming a gathering place for Song people. As the Southern Song Dynasty court stimulated exports, the scale and frequency of Song merchants increased day by day. More and more local Egyptians also frequented this place, calling it the "Great Song City" to buy porcelain and tea brought by Song merchants. , silk, etc., and tasted the food in Song people's shops, so that the "Great Song City" was bustling and lively, with more than 100,000 people. There is a mixture of Tibetan and Han people, and its prosperity is no less than that of Cairo, the capital of Egypt.
Although it is winter, the port climate is mild and rainy, and the temperature is suitable, just like the spring in Jiangnan in the Song Dynasty, making people feel relaxed and happy.
"Da Song! Da Song!"
In the harbor of "Great Song City", dozens of warships of the Great Song Dynasty came from afar. The cannon muzzles on the tall ships were faint. The officers and soldiers of the Song Navy were holding guns, majestic and motionless. The tall "Great Song" dragon on the mast was The flag fluttered in the wind, causing waves of mountain roars and tsunami waves from the Song people who came to the port to welcome them.
Only when you are in a foreign country can you have such a deep feeling for your motherland, just like a wanderer returning home and seeing his gray-haired mother waiting in front of the house, and the feeling of closeness arises spontaneously.
The warships were getting closer and closer, and the officers and soldiers of the Song Army on the warships became more and more visible, and the atmosphere at the port became more enthusiastic. The Song people waved the triangular "Great Song" flags, shouted loudly, and everyone was excited.
"salute!"
The warship slowly stopped, and thousands of navy officers and soldiers on the deck saluted together, everyone was in awe.
"Long live the Song Dynasty! Long live the Emperor of the Song Dynasty!"
People in the Song Dynasty waved flags and shouted at the top of their lungs. The locals at the port were also infected and cheered one after another.
"finally reached!"
On the deck, the young general officer Zhao Chongxuan's face turned red and he let out a sigh of relief.
Starting from the Penghu seaport in Liuqiu in March, it passed through Longmen in the South Ocean, Ceylon Island in the Indian Ocean, to Kulan and Zuffar on the Arabian coast, and finally arrived at the northern end of the Red Sea - the city of Suez, a journey of more than seven months.
Even though they were driving along the coast, there were supplies from the Song Dynasty's coastal garrison bases along the way, which almost exhausted Zhao Chongxuan's patience.
"Zhao Tongshi, go there a few more times and you'll get used to it!"
In his late thirties, the bearded Pu Shouchen, a famous food merchant in Quanzhou Port and one of the general officers of the Song Army Navy this time, said with a smile.
Zhao Chongxuan, the second son of Zhao Rushi, a royal family member of the Song Dynasty and the former magistrate of Quanzhou. His father, Zhao Rushi, was once promoted by the shipping department of Quanzhou Port. He was fluent in the languages of the countries in the South and Indian Ocean and wrote the book "Zhufan Chronicles". Zhao Rushi has died of illness, and Zhao Chongxuan It can be regarded as a son inheriting his father's legacy.
"Your Majesty said that this river connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. It is the nearest route from Europe to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It is also the boundary between Asia and Africa. It is the main channel for travel between Asia, Africa and Europe. Pu Tongshi, you said this is not real?"
Zhao Chongxuan quietly wiped his sweat and asked Pu Shouchen.
Although Pu Shoucheng was a large food businessman, he lived in Quanzhou during the Song Dynasty for more than ten years, and his father was once a local official in the Song Dynasty. In short, he is already a complete Song Dynasty person.
If not for this, he would not have been chosen as the translator for the Song Navy's trip.
"What your Majesty said is absolutely correct! Didn't you see that this river is indeed impassable!"
Liu Zheng, the commander of the Song Dynasty Navy, looked at the world map in his hand and was convinced of the emperor's statement.
"Pu Tongshi, Your Majesty said that the opposite side of the Red Sea is the Mediterranean Sea. Is it more than 300 miles away?"
Liu Zheng raised his head and turned his gaze to Pu Shouchen, a local snake who grew up in the Arabian Peninsula and traveled around the world.
"General, what your Majesty said is absolutely true. It's about 350 miles from here to the Mediterranean. But unfortunately, I just don't know if the Red Sea is higher than the Mediterranean. If it is higher, it will be difficult to open it."
Pu Shoucheng was equally impressed by Zhao Hong.
"Your Majesty said that if the canal can be dug, the Red Sea will not be higher than the Mediterranean Sea. We will know when the canal is dug!"
Liu Tongtong uploaded the map and placed it. Now I just don’t know whether the monarchs and ministers of the Ayyubid Dynasty will sell this desert.
"General, what if the water level in the Red Sea rises?"
Zhao Chongxuan asked subconsciously.
The ships of the Song Dynasty sailed south and rounded the Cape of Storms. In the past few years, more than a dozen large and small ships were overturned by wind and waves intermittently, and hundreds of people died. Although the navy officers and soldiers of the Song Dynasty basically grasped some of the wind and wave weather patterns in Cape Storm, accidents still occurred from time to time.
"Has Your Majesty ever made a mistake? Besides, this place has been dug before, and it was abandoned after it became clogged. Your Majesty will never make a mistake!"
Liu Zheng said quietly.
The reason why this section of the canal was opened was not only to control traffic arteries, but also to use troops externally.
When the Song Dynasty occupied this place, there must be people who were unwilling and there would be competition. However, this is all for later.
"I just don't know, the slave owners of the Ayyubid dynasty, will they agree?"
"I will definitely agree!"
Pu Shoucheng followed Zhao Chongxuan's words and said plausibly.
"The Ayyubid people are now suffering from internal and external troubles. The country is suffering from wars and famines all the time. They are fighting for it. Outside, there is the Roman Empire, which is watching covetously and can attack at any time. They have pillows and ready-made bargains when they sleep. They will never I’ll let it go!”
Pu Shoucheng's words made Liu Zheng nodded slightly.
It is these big cannibals who understand the Ayyubids of the same religion. These people serve as generals and can definitely get twice the result with half the effort.
"What if the Roman Empire and the Ayyubids go to war, what should I, the Song Dynasty Navy, do?"
An officer asked softly unconsciously.
"The general didn't know that Emperor Frederick II of the Roman Empire was not willing to go to war with the Ayyubid Dynasty. He negotiated a peace in exchange for Jerusalem. Frederick II rebuilt the Kingdom of Jerusalem and appointed himself king. At the same time, he and the original king's His daughter got married. Pope Gregory IX was very dissatisfied with him, condemned Frederick for making a contract with heretics, and sent an army to attack Sicily. Frederick II defeated the papal army. The two sides had a truce last year, but they were still wary of each other. .”
Pu Shoucheng obviously had a deep understanding of the Roman Empire and his analysis was lucid.
"The affairs of the Roman Pope and the Roman Emperor have nothing to do with me, the Song Dynasty. What I, the Song Dynasty, want is the canal, the connection of the canal, and the interests of the canal."
According to the emperor's intention, sooner or later he would have to use troops against Europe, especially the island country called England. Like Japan, the emperor seemed to dislike it.
"General, even if the Ayyubids are willing to sell this section of the desert, even if the canal is dug, what will happen if the Roman Empire or the Ayyubids want to retake the canal and go to war with me, the Song Dynasty?"
The colonization was thousands of miles away and the army was weak, so Zhao Chongxuan was still a little uneasy.
In the face of interests, it is inevitable that outsiders will covet you, and wars will inevitably break out because of interests.
"I will not offend others unless they offend me. If they offend me, I will offend them. Do you think that once you deal with people like Kamil, the construction of the canal will be smooth sailing?"
Liu Zheng shook his head. Without a strong army, don't even think about doing something quietly.
"General, since the Tatar army marched westward, many grassland tribes have migrated to Egypt. Due to famine, many people have been sold into slavery. Many people in the Ayyubid dynasty are descendants of the original Turks."
Pu Shoucheng's words made Liu Zheng slightly startled.
"Pu Tongshi, what do you mean..."
"General, although our Song Dynasty is colonizing Africa, the number of naval officers is still too small. In the future, our Song Dynasty will be stationed here, and we can also buy and sell a large number of slaves as slaves. These slaves are brave in battle, and they can go to the battlefield after training. To alleviate the problem of insufficient strength of our army."
Liu Zheng nodded slightly, his eyes showing admiration.
Mercenaries, that might be a good idea.
"General, what I'm worried about is that when digging rivers in the desert, climate, drinking water, food, disease, etc., these things must be taken into consideration. Otherwise, the progress of the siege cannot be guaranteed. Excessive expenditure, labor casualties, etc. will all exceed Imagine.”
Pu Shoucheng had other worries.
"Pu Tongshi, you are familiar with the local customs and customs, and you still need to work hard on these things. Together, we will do our best to fulfill His Majesty's will."
Even the digging of canals was a matter for the locals, and the Song people only provided money and food.
Now that there is gold and food from South Africa and West Africa, there is no need for him to worry about money and food.
"General, don't worry. I will try my best to facilitate this matter and live up to your majesty's trust!"
Pu Shoucheng said solemnly.
"General, officials from Suez have arrived!"
The sergeant came up to report that a group of Arabs with white cloths on their heads and collarless white robes came onto the deck. The leader is about fifty, with a dark complexion, a turban inlaid with gems, and a colorful dagger hanging from his waist. He is obviously the leader of the group.
"General, this is Best, the chief officer of Suez City and the imam of the territory surrounding Suez City."
Zhao Chongxuan gave a brief introduction to both parties.
"Hello, Dean Best!"
"Hello, General!"
The two sides exchanged greetings, and Best looked at the cannons on the warship in surprise. The mighty and powerful soldiers of the Song Navy made his heart even more chilling.
It is said that the Song Dynasty was a great country in the East, with strong soldiers and horses. Even the Tatar cavalry that dominated the world had to give in. This can be seen from these soldiers of the Song Dynasty.
"Respected Imam Best, my country, the Song Dynasty, wants to buy this stretch of desert from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. What do you think?"
Liu Zheng made no secret and went straight to the point.
“Buy a section of the desert!”
Best was shocked and then shook his head.
"General, even if I agree, I have to ask Sultan Kamil what he means."
The Song people want to buy this barren desert. Are they serious?
The Song Dynasty came to the country and the people of Song Dynasty were wealthy. This should be a considerable income.
"Dear Best, please help me introduce him to Sultan Kamil. In the name of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, I have some matters that I just want to meet Sultan Kamil to discuss in detail."
Liu Zheng said seriously and loudly.
Cairo, the capital of the Ayyubid dynasty, seems to be leaving.
