Red Sea, small port.
Zhu Quan took a small boat to ferry to the big ship. After taking a comfortable bath, he sat on the deck and enjoyed the gentle sea breeze.
Days like this lasted for several days.
Zhu Quan looked up at the blue sky. He didn't understand the situation around the Mediterranean before. He originally thought that he would only face a few forces or countries. However, when more and more information came out and the information became more and more detailed, Zhu Quan discovered depressingly. The country here is really broken.
They each seem to occupy a territory. Some territories are not even comparable to the prefectures of the Ming Dynasty, but they actually call themselves countries? A series of countries, densely packed together, pieced together like a piece of broken glass. Such chaos was unimaginable in the Ming Dynasty and was not allowed to exist.
The more countries there are, the smaller the territory, the corresponding resources are more limited, the population is more limited, and the strength is weaker.
In this case, if they want to become powerful, they have only two ways to go. Either conquer the surrounding countries and form huge empires. However, there are basically few so-called empires nowadays, such as the Ottomans. The empire, with Bayezid defeated by Timur, no longer has an emperor. Several of Bayezid's sons are fighting. It looks like they will decide the winner and choose an emperor after the fight. It will take some time.
Either go to sea and conquer backward countries. Relatively speaking, the navy of Venice is indeed stronger than that of Kochi, Guri, Managa, etc. If they are allowed to find a new voyage route, it is impossible to say that they will really go to the East by sea.
Zhu Quan unfolded the map and looked at the mess of country names, and couldn't help but feel a little depressed.
According to Zhu Yunwen's arrangements and instructions, Ming Dynasty should not directly control and occupy the country here, and replace the king to implement administrative decrees or manage the people.
Zhu Quan understood Zhu Yunwen's arrangement. The Ming Dynasty did not understand the beliefs here. The people of the Ming Dynasty did not respect their Allah or God, and they did not have the habit of fasting. They did not go to mosques or churches.
Directly controlling the people here is likely to lead to a series of conflicts due to faith issues, conflicts against the Ming Dynasty. Besides, the Ming Dynasty is not yet powerful enough to send troops to station in one place for a long time and still have enough power to fight everywhere.
The supply of the navy is a big problem. Fortunately, the military garrison has been integrated into the blood of the sergeants of the Ming Dynasty Guards, and they can dig and cultivate land no matter where they are. But even so, it is difficult for the navy to supply a large number of troops for a long time.
Simply shooting and running away will only incite hatred, making it difficult for Ming Dynasty to move here, not to mention that digging a canal is an offending and exhausting task.
At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, there was still a stone man with three eyes who stirred up rebellion in the Yellow River. Who can guarantee that no stone can be dug out on the road between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea? I heard that this is ancient Egypt. In the past, people here loved to play with stones. Now, they either use stones to build tombs or carve things out of stones. The tomb is still there, quite high, but whether the carvings were lost somewhere, who can say for sure.
Let the Mamluks do what they want to do to offend others. It doesn't matter how they play or how many people they kill. As long as they can build the river, that's up to them.
Of course, after the construction of this river is completed, it is estimated that the Mamluks will no longer need to exist. Whether the Ming Dynasty can be the savior of the people here can still be planned.
"My lord, Cornaro and William, the envoys from Venice, have arrived."
Zhou Yihu came over to report and pointed to the shore.
Zhu Quan was a little confused and stood up and asked, "How do they know we are here?"
Zhou Yihu smiled: "Maybe the Mamluks told them."
Zhu Quan was relieved.
The Mamluks should know how to be afraid now. If they really want to go to war, the Ming Dynasty's thousands of people may not be able to raze Cairo to the ground. Although Faraj only sent people to deliver gifts and verbally agreed to build the canal, he did not sign a formal letter of credence after all.
Before the last date, Zhu Quan didn't want to make another trip.
Cornaro and William boarded the Ming Dynasty's ship. It was the first time for Cornaro to see such a powerful ship. Relatively speaking, the Venetian navy was extremely pitiful. The number of sergeants on board was not at the same level. On the Dafu boat at our feet, there were probably more than a hundred soldiers from the Ming Dynasty, but on the Venetian boat,
It can only accommodate a dozen people at most.
"Dear Prince, on behalf of the Doge of Venice, Micheli Steno, and the people of Venice, I would like to salute you. May the Ming Dynasty prosper and prosper, and may the friendship between the Ming Dynasty and Venice last forever."
Cornaro saluted respectfully.
Zhu Quan was very satisfied with Cornaro's attitude and nodded slightly: "It's just right. Since you are here, you don't need me to send people to look for you. Please sit down."
After hearing what Tongshi said clearly, Cornaro sat down.
Zhu Quan ordered people to serve tea and said bluntly: "Are you from Cairo?"
Cornaro nodded solemnly: "We went to Cairo, originally thinking that this was the final negotiation. To be honest with you, the Governor of Venice is already preparing for the worst. If King Farage still refuses to agree, refuses to give way, and is still aggressive, Only war can get them out of the way."
"I just didn't expect that when I met with King Farage this time, he would readily agree to dig the river channel and ask Venice to provide a large amount of materials and wealth. Farage even issued an order to arrange for craftsmen to survey the terrain, plan the route, and prepare for recruitment Hundreds of thousands of people..."
Zhu Quan waved his hand: "The Ming Dynasty will decide the route of the canal. Farage doesn't have to worry about it. He only needs to mobilize the people and prepare for the excavation. Are you having any difficulties here in Venice?"
Cornaro looked embarrassed: "There are indeed some difficulties. Farage asked Venice to provide food, clothing and supplies for 300,000 people, but Venice cannot provide so many supplies at the moment. This will be the difficulty in the negotiation."
Zhu Quan knocked on the table: "It is really not appropriate for three hundred thousand people to rely entirely on Venice to support them. Let Farage support one hundred thousand, and you can support two hundred thousand."
Listening to Zhu Quan's domineering words, Cornaro would have disdained Ming's strength some time ago. After all, Faraj is the king. You make decisions on behalf of the king while others are not present. This is really inappropriate, but since The city of Cairo heard the news that the Ming Dynasty's 800 infantrymen destroyed 3,000 of Faraj's elite cavalry and put their heads together. The horrific scene was very similar to the brutal Tamerlane.
However, Ming Dynasty was still too restrained after all. If it were left to Timur, he probably wouldn't have to meet Faraj in Cairo and would directly meet Zhu Quan...
No matter what, the Ming Dynasty showed its powerful and undefeatable force, and showed that they have the power to destroy the Mamluk dynasty. Not to mention Zhu Quan making decisions for Faraj, even digging his grave for Faraj, Cornaro would not do it. Suspect.
However, two hundred thousand is still a huge pressure.
William spoke from the side: "It is still difficult for Venice to support two hundred thousand people."
Zhu Quan glanced at William, and then said to Cornaro: "Go back and tell the governor and the bishop that as long as you support this group of people, I will let the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty arrive directly at the Red Sea, and all the goods on the merchant ships will be transported by Venice takes over, and you will become Ming's closest and friendliest partner in the Mediterranean."
"All the goods?"
Cornaro became excited.
Venice is in urgent need of goods from the Ming Dynasty. If it can really monopolize the goods sent by the Ming Dynasty, then Venice will rely on its massive wealth to surpass any country, attract countless people, and form a powerful force.
You have wealth, but are you afraid that you can't buy food or supplies?
Cornaro looked deeply at Zhu Quan and stood up quickly: "We will go back immediately and convey the prince's words to the governor and the bishop. We are willing to become the most sincere friends of the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Quan was overjoyed, stood up, grabbed Cornaro's hand, and shook it vigorously: "The emperor of the Ming Dynasty said that Venice is a friend of the Ming Dynasty. You should work hard, and I will send someone to inform the emperor of the progress. He sent a naval fleet carrying countless goods. But before that, Venice must ensure the food and clothing of the people. The sooner the river is opened, the sooner Venice can trade directly with the Ming Dynasty. "
Cornaro said solemnly: "I believe that the governor and the bishop will make the right decision."
Zhu Quan smiled, sent someone to send Cornaro and William away, and then said to Latib: "Are you willing to go to Samarkand again to bring a few words to Harry."
Latib did not hesitate: "
As long as it is sent by Ming Dynasty, I am willing to give my life. "
Zhu Quan nodded, picked up a pen and wrote a letter and gave it to Latib: "Give this letter to King Harry of the Timur Kingdom. If he can't decipher the meaning, you can ask him to find someone from the Ming Dynasty." Interpretation. You just need to tell Harry that his glory should be as dazzling as his grandfather's."
Latib took a deep breath.
Although I don’t know what Zhu Quan wrote in the letter, it is obvious that Harry will cooperate with Ming Dynasty to launch earth-shattering actions.
Latib left, taking Renebo and Amina with him.
Zhu Quan looked at the map.
The layout is too scattered and too messy, giving people a feeling of being at a loss and having nowhere to start.
In this case, the best way is to make the territory less fragmented.
Simple, destroy some countries and the territory will look much better.
Harry has always wanted Ming's assistance, wanted to master the secrets of firearms, and then march westward to restore the glory of Timur's empire.
Unfortunately, Timur's death caused too much damage to the country, especially since the main army was basically wiped out. It is not easy to recover.
Fortunately, with the help of Ming Dynasty, Harry found a large gold mine. With the wealth, he began to regain his strength. In addition, the light corvee and small gifts stabilized the people's hearts and attracted many people in business. This made the Timurid Kingdom controlled by Harry Become stable, prosperous and start strong.
Zhu Quan planned to use the Timurid Kingdom and the Venetian Kingdom. If possible, countries such as Portugal and the Ottoman Empire would not be unable to use them.
Only when there are several forces left to check and balance can Ming easily control them.
From the perspective of the overall situation and the interests of Ming Dynasty, it is inappropriate for too many countries to exist densely like a forest.
