Everyone seemed to accept Guo Kang's suggestion.
"I always thought that Egypt was a strong enemy. From this point of view, it doesn't seem to be that difficult to deal with?" Mrs. Elena sighed with emotion.
"Egypt is indeed a strong enemy. The Mamluks are not a weak opponent either." Guo Kang explained: "But Sheikh is a relatively easy enemy to deal with."
"If we use all of Egypt as our enemy, then this war is not worth fighting at all; if we use all of the Mamluks as our enemy, we will need at least 10 legions and the same amount of auxiliary troops. Only then can I dare to say that we can fight within one year. End the battle; but if according to the assumptions I just mentioned, even the Sheikh is not an enemy who must fight to the death, then the two legions should be enough."
"How about it? Let me just say it's amazing." The Queen Mother looked very proud and said to everyone in the Cao family.
"This... isn't called magic." Guo Kang felt that she was too happy, so he had to say: "Actually, these are very simple ideas."
"The ancients said that most of the victory or defeat in a war can be decided before the war. Some people get more help, and some people get less help. Those who get more help are easier to win, and those who get less help are easier to lose. This is natural principle."
"I heard that people who are good at fighting will not fight by themselves, but try to increase their allies and reduce the enemy's allies. Therefore, before King Wu of Zhou conquered Zhou, he had already obtained two-thirds of the world, but he still I think the time is not yet ripe. For it is never too much to increase one's own strength, and it is never too much to weaken the enemy's strength."
"The Art of War says that the outcome and direction of a war are often determined before the war begins. Therefore, before deciding to start a war, you need to secure a favorable situation. This is what military strategists need to consider in their planning."
"The way of fighting can be summarized into two parts: 'knowing oneself' and 'knowing the enemy'."
"We know that we need to win over allies, so what can we provide to our allies to attract others? Once we have made these clear, we are confidants. Similarly, we know that we need to win over allies, so who are worthy of wining over, what position can they be placed in, and what role can they play? Function? These are just knowing each other."
"This is even more true for the enemy. If we don't carefully understand the enemy's power structure, internal factions, and main contradictions, then we won't be able to dismantle them. We don't know who is the key figure and needs to be dealt with by force; who is behind the wall? Damn it, just leave him alone and let him wait and see."
"So, this idea is actually very simple, and everyone knows this theory. But how effective it can be in war depends entirely on its performance under specific circumstances."
"The reason why my deduction and planning went so smoothly is because the entire situation was originally beneficial to our side." He reminded everyone.
"Before, we didn't expend much effort to obtain the details inside the Mamluks, because this time they took the initiative to come to the door to bring in reinforcements. With the active cooperation of these Mamluk senior officials, it will be much easier to obtain key information. .”
"The same goes for Andalusia. Their envoys directly told us the local situation, enemy movements, available resources, and so on, so that we could save lives. If we send spies ourselves, If you slowly investigate and understand, not only the news may be distorted, but the progress will be much slower. But with the help of these people, the situation will be completely different."
"So, this is actually not my fault." He finally said: "It's just that the time came and I happened to hit it."
"This child is so humble." The Queen Mother shook her head and smiled.
"This is not modesty, but seeking truth from facts." Guo Kang did not agree and insisted: "I did not create this situation. It's just that the circumstances of all parties happened to give me an opportunity to take advantage of it."
"So, I can take this opportunity to work hard to analyze what can be used. Weave a new network of interests and try to guide other forces to accept it."
"It is also because of this that I hurriedly lobbied everywhere, hoping that everyone would accept this proposal." He looked around at the crowd: "I must emphasize again: This opportunity was not created by me, or even by Rome. Therefore, the window of opportunity It’s very limited, and I don’t think it’s possible to recreate it with human power.”
"The scriptures say, if you don't accept what Heavenly Father gives you, you will suffer disaster. If we can't seize the opportunity given by God, it may be more than just a pity. How will the strategic environment develop in the future? We still have There is no next chance to break the situation on the southern trade route, and I can’t predict it.”
Everyone present looked serious. Guo Kang waited for them to think for a while and then made another request.
"There is one more thing." He said straight to the point: "I hope to reform the church and add more functions."
"Then have you talked to Patriarch Wang? What does he think?" Cao Xun asked.
"I have discussed it with Master Wang several times before." Guo Kang nodded: "But if this matter is to be completed, the levels involved are very high, and it may have to be passed at a meeting of thirteen people. Therefore, I I also very much hope that more people can support it.”
"Then what do you want to do?" Mrs. Elena seemed to be more concerned about the church's issues and asked proactively.
"I hope that the church can add a department dedicated to recruiting and managing Tianfang Sect believers, or, on top of the current church, establish a larger organization to manage all religions." Guo Kang repeated the advice he gave to Lama Wang at that time Read it again.
"Our church manages them?" Mrs. Elena asked in surprise: "How...how do we manage them?"
"You can manage it how you want to manage it." Guo Kang replied: "Everyone worships the same God, but there are some local differences in etiquette. Don't pay too much attention to it."
"You know, in many places, there are beliefs and customs left over from ancient times. It's just that after being incorporated by the church, they were given new names. We have seen many such examples. Many places still have regional beliefs and customs that are still used today. This is how customs are preserved.”
"Since these pagan religions, which are quite different, can be accepted by the church, then of course the Tianfang religion, which is very different, can also be accepted."
"Previously, in order to seek help from the Bishop of Rome, Greek officials proposed a new church model called 'Eastern Rite, Roman Church.' In short, ceremonies, church activities, and even personnel appointments and dismissals are still handled by the local church. You can decide for yourself, all you need to do is respect the Bishop of Rome in terms of organization.”
"The Roman Church often uses this kind of method to maintain its presence in places where it is difficult to preach and change local customs. The situation we encounter is actually similar. Therefore, we directly refer to their experience and establish our own 'South' Isn’t it enough to worship God’s church through rituals?”
(End of chapter)
