"30 kilometers!"
Liu Zheng was stunned for a moment, and then he said thoughtfully:
"Dear Sultan, the Song Dynasty and Egypt have friendly relations and are brotherly countries. If it is 30 kilometers, I, the Song Dynasty, are willing to give you 1 million gold collars. This is the highest price we can give! You also know that this The desert is a barren land, and it’s useless to have more.”
One million gold collars were within the control of the imperial court. Moreover, gold comes from South Africa and West Africa. It doesn’t hurt if there is more or less.
"I dare to ask the general, is the Song Dynasty really just for trade?"
Some slave owners were still too cautious and asked unconsciously.
For the devastated Egypt, having this huge sum of money can solve many problems.
"Dear friends, do I need to lie to you? If it were not to expand trade, why would we, the Song Dynasty, do this? If the canal is opened, the Sultan and you will benefit the most. What do you think?"
Liu Zheng felt strongly that the slave owners of the Ayyubid Dynasty were already moved.
"General, digging a canal requires labor. When you recruit labor, do you have to pay for it?"
Another slave owner asked next.
"Of course! It will take hundreds of thousands or hundreds of thousands of manpower to dig the canal. When the time comes, we will need your help!"
Pu Shoucheng smiled, but secretly murmured in his heart.
These greedy slave owners may have their plans for the slaves in their hands.
"General, please let me think about it carefully and I will give you an answer in a few days."
Sultan Kamil said loudly with a smile on his face.
"Distinguished guests from the Song Dynasty, as the Sultan of Ayyubid, on behalf of the people of the entire Ayyubid dynasty, I want to entertain you well!"
After the banquet was over, everyone returned to the room in the post house. Everyone sat around the table and servants served tea.
"Dear Best, the merchants and family members of the Song Dynasty in the Song Dynasty are greatly indebted to you for taking care of them. A small meaning is not disrespectful."
The guards outside were on alert, Liu Zheng signaled, and Pu Shoucheng handed over an exquisite wooden box.
Best opened the box, his fingers trembling slightly.
The box was filled with yellow gold collars, at least twenty or thirty collars, a thousand taels of gold.
The people of the Song Dynasty were generous in their writing and full of sincerity.
Liu Zheng and Pu Shoucheng looked at each other and felt much more at ease.
These slave owners are greedy for money, gold, silver and jewelry, and they are invincible. As for Da Song, they don't feel bad about things that can be solved with money.
"General, this is what we should do. The Song Dynasty and Egypt are brotherly states, so of course I have to do something for the merchants of the Song Dynasty!"
Best closed the lid of the box and handed it to the attendant on the side, saying with a smile on his face.
The Song Dynasty was indeed a great country in the East. In addition to its strong ships and powerful guns, it was also rich in oil. If we can cooperate with Da Song for a long time, there will be great benefits.
"Dear Best, the trade between the Song Dynasty and Egypt is beneficial to both countries. But I heard that the bandits in the desert and some local Egyptians have no good intentions towards our merchants and family members in the Song Dynasty, so that I, the people of the Song Dynasty, Causing casualties. I am very sorry for such a thing!"
What Liu Zheng said was the truth and was by no means alarmist.
When you go out to do business, thousands of miles away, some unexpected events will inevitably happen. In addition, the people of Egypt were in dire straits, and there were many bandits. It was common to rob wealthy Song Dynasty merchants.
"General, in fact, most of the locals are pretty good. This kind of thing will never happen again in the future."
Best smiled and said that he also believed that Liu Zheng was telling the truth.
If you don't rob the merchants of Song Dynasty, who will rob you? Who makes you so rich? Having said that, the merchants of the Song Dynasty had many followers, including crossbows and firearms. Most of the bandits failed to rob, but instead suffered many casualties. This is also true.
"Dear Best, in order to prevent this kind of thing from happening again, I, the Song Dynasty, want to rent the area around the Song Dynasty and build houses for the family members to live in. The people of Song Dynasty will provide their own defense. Bad guys cannot come in casually, but good local people can also Get protection so that you can live in peace with the locals in the future. What do you think?"
According to the emperor's original words, the rented place was called a "concession", that is, a "state within a state", and the lease period was 99 years, slowly encroaching on it.
This Best, the slave owner of Suez City, without his strong support, the canal digging may not go smoothly.
"Rent it?"
Best was stunned for a moment.
More than 300 miles of desert were needed to build a canal ahead, and now the "Great Song City" had to be rented. Did the Song Dynasty have a lot of money, or was it stupid?
What's the use of those deserts? Are they useful?
"Yes, it's rented."
Liu Zheng nodded, calm and composed.
"Best, you also know that once the Sultan is willing to sell or rent this section of desert to me in the Song Dynasty, digging a canal will be put on the agenda. By then more people from the Song Dynasty will arrive, and we will need a place to settle such a large population. When the time comes, I need your support, Best. Of course, your benefits are indispensable!"
"The Song Dynasty is a kingdom of heaven and a state of etiquette. I understand what the general means."
Best suddenly realized it, and then he smiled all over his face.
He really couldn't think of anything harmful to Egypt that the Song Dynasty could do with these barren desert lands.
"Dear Best, if the canal is dug and trade between the East and the West is facilitated, you will receive 20% of the tariff on the canal."
Egypt is a slave country, and Best's power in the Suez Canal section is very important. Not only did Sultan Kamil have to deal with him, but Best also had to appease him.
"If Kamil is willing to sell the land, how will the general respond to him?"
Best's ball was kicked back again.
"If the Sultan can sell this land to us, in addition to 1 million gold collars, we are willing to give him 20% of the customs duties after the canal is built. The same goes for you, Best. In addition to 20% of the customs duties, there is also a contribution of 500,000 gold collars. "
Liu Zheng looked at the door and whispered.
According to the imperial decree, he can make a decision as long as the total does not exceed 3 million yuan.
500,000 yuan!
Best's eyes were full of smiles.
Paying 1.5 million yuan for a desert land, it seems that the Song people are still sincere.
"General, I will rent this area of Song City to you, with 20 kilometers around each side. How much gold are you willing to pay?"
Best's interest soon turned to the land leased in Da Song City.
20 kilometers away, it borders the city of Suez to the north, and it can be considered under his control.
"Dear Best, if you are willing, how about 20,000 yuan a year?"
Liu Zheng pondered for a moment and then made a decision. Before the canal was connected, the Song Dynasty would definitely need a land to garrison troops, and the bigger the better.
The length and width are 20 kilometers each, and the area is 400 square kilometers. Although it is a desert, it is large and horizontal.
"20,000 guan? Too little! At least 50,000 guan!"
Although the port's customs revenue from the merchants of the Song Dynasty amounted to hundreds of thousands, it involved the interests of many people, and not much was divided.
"Dear Best, if it is 50,000 yuan, then the surrounding area will need to be expanded by another 10 kilometers. If the Sudan agrees, more and more Song Dynasty merchants will come to Egypt. I am worried that there will not be enough room to live."
This guy is really greedy.
But that's okay, as long as this guy is greedy for money, everything will be easy to talk about.
The emperor once said that anything that can be solved with money is nothing. This is really a wise saying.
"General, the surrounding area is 30 kilometers each. We have an agreement! But one thing is that the Song people cannot have major conflicts with the local residents, otherwise it will be difficult for me to explain to Kamil."
Best was sober for a rare moment.
"Of course! We also want to prevent bandits and protect the merchants of the Song Dynasty. We have made an agreement, and we have to use the contract as proof!"
There was no problem with Best, and Liu Zheng felt a little more at ease.
"However, all this will only work if the Sudan is willing to rent this place to us."
In fact, it doesn't matter whether Kamil agrees or not. The "concession" of Song Dynasty City has always been rented to facilitate the businessmen and people of Song Dynasty to live. The reason why I said this was to urge Best to urge Camille.
"General, don't worry, the Sultan will definitely agree. And, I will agree too!"
Best said calmly, seeming very sure and confident in his own strength.
Best said goodbye and left, and Liu Zheng asked about the people around him.
"Putongshi, in your opinion, will Kamil Sultan rent this area to us?"
Pu Shoucheng was a big eater. His surname "Pu" is the transliteration of the common Arab name Abu (Abon), and the surname Pu also comes from this.
"General, Kamil is in dire straits right now. He can even cede Jerusalem and Acre to the Roman Emperor. What else can't he do? It's just a piece of desert for so much money. He's willing to sell it, let alone rent it! "
Having often dealt with these slave owners on the Arabian Peninsula, Pu Shoucheng had a deep understanding of the nature and greed of these people.
These guys, in order to maintain their luxurious food and clothing, their ancestors were willing to sell anything, let alone a piece of useless desert.
"General, according to my observation, Kamil has been tempted today and is afraid that he wants to sell this place to us. The Ayyubid dynasty is a slave society, and he will not have so many scruples at all. A small piece of desert can both His squandering can also alleviate his current domestic difficulties, and he will not refuse."
Zhao Chongxuan also nodded and said.
Best asked about the slaves. He must have wanted to make money for himself by using the slaves to work hard. Having thought of this, there is no problem in selling the land.
"General, you should not be too enthusiastic about this matter, in case Kamil and Best will raise the price."
Pu Shucheng reminded Liu Zhenglai seriously.
"General, if Kamil is willing to sell this land, we don't have so many gold collars on the ship. What will happen then?"
Thinking of buying land, Zhao Chongxuan became worried again.
"Pu Tongshi just mentioned, don't overreact. Besides, even if we reach an agreement, we don't necessarily have to pay 1.5 million gold collars at a time. You can pay half of it first and the rest later."
Liu Zheng smiled slightly, feeling confident.
"Zhao Tongshi, go to Song Dynasty City and make an appointment with the reputable Song Dynasty merchants there and let them borrow some first. It is related to important matters of the imperial court and their business in Egypt. I believe they will not stand idly by. .”
The merchants and people of the Song Dynasty who greeted the navy of the Song Dynasty on the dock gave Liu Zheng a lot of hope inexplicably.
The merchants of the Song Dynasty were all very wealthy. As long as they found about 10 people, each of whom had tens of thousands of guan, and together they could collect hundreds of thousands of guan, it would not be a problem.
"General, do you really have to spend so much on this barren land? Is it worth it?"
Zhao Chongxuan felt uneasy and asked again.
"Controlling this section of the canal will control the throat between the east and the west, and I, the Song Dynasty, will control all the ships coming and going. Moreover, the reclamation of Africa can also be carried out through this. You will naturally know the power of it in the future."
The terrain of Egypt on the world map flashed in his mind, and Liu Zheng was full of confidence.
As long as they read a map, an illiterate person will understand the importance of canal communication in the future.
"General, if Kamil is willing to sell this land, what is our bottom line?"
Zhao Chongxuan asked again.
"As long as he is willing to sell, we can give him 1.5 million or even 2 million yuan, and we can also give him another 30% of the tariff. This is the biggest concession and also our bottom line."
Liu Zheng looked at the stunned people and smiled slightly.
"Everyone, please don't look at this barren land now. When the canal is built and ships come and go, this place will soon be a different scene."
By that time, even if Kamil and Best wanted to regret it, it was too late.
"General, what if Kamil doesn't sell or rent?"
Pu Shoucheng frowned as if he thought of something.
"General, although Kamil is greedy, he has a gentle personality and is easy to get along with. But the Mamluk Guards under him, these officers are ambitious, and the guards are well-trained. I am afraid that he will be my great Song Dynasty in the future. A serious problem in his heart."
Pu Shucheng analyzed it carefully. At this time, he already regarded himself as a true citizen of the Song Dynasty.
"We can't control that much! We must be polite before fighting. This is our last resort. As for the Mamluk Guards, the same is true. If we have no choice, we can only fight with swords!"
Liu Zheng smiled coldly. If gold and silver can't clear the way, it just depends on whose fist is stronger.
"General, what should we do next?"
"Let Best send out a guide and take our people to survey the terrain. I think Kamil and the others will not let us down."
For these slave owners, only profit is the root of their pursuit.
"General, to the east of the canal is the Kingdom of Jerusalem under the Roman Empire. What if the Roman Empire sends people to obstruct the canal when it is being dug?"
Pu Shouchen thought for a moment and finally asked the question.
"Pu Tongshi, do you think that when the time comes to dig the canal, the Song Dynasty will not send officers and soldiers here?"
Liu Zheng smiled coldly and asked a question.
As an important place connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe, the emperor is bound to win it. How can he let a few thousand people fight alone here?
There are tens of thousands of naval officers and hundreds of thousands of immigrants from the Song Dynasty in Africa. They can provide reinforcements at any time if necessary in the future.
Pu Shoucheng nodded slightly, but he was confused in his heart.
Overseas colonization can provide a steady stream of supplies to the Song Dynasty, allowing the Song Dynasty to enrich the country and use its troops. But in Europe, countries of all sizes are not weak, and there seems to be no resources to plunder and no land to cultivate.
Why did the emperor enter Europe?
