What, discovered that fleets from various European countries are gathering? Ahmed was shocked to hear this.
The originally huge Ming Dynasty fleet crossed the Atlantic and appeared in Portugal, which surprised him. It turned out that the strength of the Ming Dynasty was so strong, and it was more of a greedy mentality.
For this reason, he also told the Queen Mother that the Ottoman Empire was now stable. The Ming Dynasty went to avenge Portugal and started fighting with other European countries, and the Ottoman Empire could just sit back and reap the benefits.
However, he never expected that the European countries did unite, but when those Europeans united to deal with the Ming Dynasty, they also assembled a large number of fleets on the Ottoman border. What were they going to do?
At this time, the Ottoman Empire had occupied part of its territory, including Rome, and was bordering Austria.
The reason why the European combined fleets went to the Ottomans to assemble was mainly to avoid meeting the Ming fleet in the Mediterranean. Therefore, they hid in the narrow sea area. Even if the Ming army wanted to attack, they would not be able to take advantage of their numerical advantage.
But they didn't expect that the Ottomans were too sensitive and thought that they were gathering troops to attack the Ottomans.
In fact, Osman's sensitivity is understandable. Not to mention that European countries have always had a hostile relationship with the Ottomans. The most important thing is that the Ottomans are now afraid of being beaten by the Ming army. The national strength has also been greatly weakened, and it cannot withstand attacks from others. It belongs to the type of foreign power that is strong in the middle, so it is very sensitive.
Also, the Ming army was active in the area east of the Black Sea Strait. Although many places were not occupied because of the so-called strong walls and clear fields, the Ottomans themselves knew very well that they would be unable to counterattack in the short term at least. If the area east of the Black Sea Strait was eventually lost, then the area west of the Black Sea Strait was the foundation of the Ottoman Empire.
If even this were to disappear, the Ottoman Empire would collapse.
Ahmed was worried about this matter and summoned Mustafa to discuss it, when someone from the palace came to summon him urgently.
Upon hearing this, Ahmed smiled bitterly and said to Mustafa: "The Queen Mother must be scared!"
Afterwards, both he and Mustafa rushed to the palace to meet the saint.
As expected, the Queen Mother also received the news. When she saw them, she asked anxiously: "After those Europeans unite, they really want to plot against us, the Ottomans. What should we do? Please tell us what to do?"
If it were just a European country, no matter how weak the Ottoman Empire was now, they would still have that confidence and not be afraid.
But now that all European countries have united, no matter how arrogant the Ottoman Empire is, they know that they will never be able to hold it back!
Ahmed had already talked with Mustafa on the way here, so after the Queen Mother finished speaking, she immediately replied: "Queen Mother, instead of waiting until they have assembled to attack us, it is better for us to surprise them. The odds of winning are even greater this way!”
"Even if we win, what happens next?" After hearing this, the Queen Mother immediately said dissatisfied, "They will definitely continue to gather to attack us!"
What she meant was that even if the Ottoman Empire raided the gathering fleet, it would not cause a big blow to the European countries. It will even anger them, and each country will send more troops to gather. What would the Ottoman Empire do at that time? Can you still beat them?
After hearing this, Ahmed turned to look at Mustafa, then looked at the Queen Mother, and said hesitantly: "There is another sure way, that is, we can have a strong backup! In this way , no longer afraid of the union of European countries!"
After hearing this, the Queen Mother said a little suspiciously: "Strong back-up? Can our Ottomans still have strong back-up?"
When Mustafa heard this, he said: "Sweden attacked Tsarist Russia before, and when it was in danger, strong backup came to save Tsarist Russia..."
Before he finished speaking, the Empress Dowager suddenly realized: "You mean the Ming Empire?"
Ahmed and Mustafa listened in silence, which was actually their acquiescence.
The Empress Dowager was really moved after hearing this, but she also had concerns and said: "But our Ottomans and the Ming Empire have fought like this. If we are attacked by European countries, they will probably be happy to watch the show, right?"
"Queen Mother, Tsarist Russia also fought with the Ming Dynasty before." After hearing this, Ahmed quickly explained, "But later they surrendered to the Ming Empire and were protected by the Ming Empire."
Mustafa listened on the side and also said: "As long as we surrender to the Ming Empire, we can also be protected by the Ming Empire like Tsarist Russia. In this way, we have strong backing, and we don't have to worry about the alliance of European countries. Are you going to get up and beat us?"
The Empress Dowager was very moved after hearing this, but she still hesitated when she thought of something: "Under the current circumstances, will the Ming Empire allow us to surrender?"
Because today's Ottoman Empire is already very dangerous and may be attacked by the combined armies of European countries at any time, at least in the eyes of the Queen Mother. This is a bit different from the time of Tsarist Russia. The Ming Empire may not accept the surrender of the Ottoman Empire.
Hearing her words, Ahmed knew that the time was ripe, so he said in a confident tone: "Queen Mother, there is no need to worry about this. The Emperor of Ming Dynasty once said it, and he has not changed his words now, so it will always be valid."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager quickly confirmed: "You mean that we, the Ottomans, ceded the area east of the Black Sea Strait in exchange for the Ming Empire's understanding and acceptance of our surrender?"
When Ahmed and Mustafa heard this, they nodded in unison, but did not speak.
The reason why they can mention this matter again at this time is because they feel more and more how powerful the Ming army is. Their confidence in training elites to retake the places occupied by the Ming army is getting weaker and weaker.
Seeing the Ming army's occupied areas in Persia and Ottoman, people's livelihood recovered quickly. It is estimated that when food and grass are sufficient, a large-scale offensive against the Ottoman Empire will definitely be launched. At that time, the area east of the Black Sea Strait will definitely not be saved. Rather than doing this, it would be better to directly cede the area east of the Black Sea Strait in exchange for the Ming Empire's understanding, surrender to the Ming Empire, and receive the protection of the Ming Empire to tide over the current crisis.
Of course, the fact that this matter can be brought up at this time is also related to the fact that they have firmly controlled the Ottoman Empire through military power during these times. Even if someone opposes or scolds them, they are already confident that they can suppress it.
The Queen Mother was a little hesitant after hearing this, because this matter was really too big. As long as she really does this, although she doesn't care about the outside world, she also knows that her reputation will be very unpleasant.
Seeing her like this, Ahmed sighed in his heart. This decision was indeed a bit difficult to make. However, apart from this road, is there any other way to go?
With this in mind, he spoke to the Empress Dowager: "Empress Dowager, if we surrender to the Ming Empire, it will now be a decisive battle between the East and the West. I believe that the Ming Empire has a great chance of winning. In this way, although we We have lost the area east of the Black Sea Strait, but we can take the opportunity to expand westward and regain the glory of our Ottoman Empire!"
Hearing this, the Queen Mother's eyes suddenly lit up. Yes, if we can really expand the territory to the west, wouldn't it be able to make up for the negative impact of ceding the territory east of the Black Sea Strait! Furthermore, whether it is in terms of land barrenness or population, the west side is obviously more valuable!
Moreover, when the empire was strong, it was unable to advance westward. Being able to expand territory to the west has always been the wish of emperors of all ages. If this wish is fulfilled by himself, it will not mean that he will not have a bad reputation, but will he be able to assess the situation and make the right decision for Osman?
Thinking of these benefits, the Queen Mother was finally moved. As a result, she was worried that the Ming Empire would not agree, so she said worriedly: "Then the Ming Empire, I don't know if..."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, if the minister is willing to go again, he will definitely try his best to persuade the governor of the Ming Empire to abide by their emperor's wishes." Mustafa quickly assured after hearing this.
At this time, they already knew that the Ming Emperor had returned to the Ming Kingdom, so Mustafa said this.
"Okay, then I'll leave this matter to you!" Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager said quickly, "We must make the Ming Empire accept our surrender and protect us. If there are still some demands that are not excessive, don't worry about it! "
"What the Queen Mother said makes sense!" Ahmed next to him also explained, "No matter how many conditions the Ming army puts forward, once they defeat the European countries, we can get them back from the European countries." ! "
Mustafa listened and of course had no objection.
In this way, the three most powerful decision-makers in the Ottoman Empire have come to the conclusion that the Ming Kingdom will accept their surrender at all costs. In this way, not only will they no longer have to worry about the Ming army's attack, but they will also be able to gain control of the Ming Dynasty in the east and west. During the war, he stood on the side of the Ming army and gained enough benefits after the war.
They are confident about this. Although the European countries are indeed powerful together, look at the Ming Empire. The maritime fleet alone, including the Persian Gulf and Portugal, has more than 5,000 warships. This is such a powerful force. Based on this speculation, once the decisive battle between the East and the West begins, the Ming Empire's army is estimated to be in the millions. With such a huge force, are they afraid of the Europeans? joke!
Based on this understanding, Mustafa rushed to Persia urgently. Ahmed, on the other hand, began emergency preparations for war on the western border, lest the Ottoman Empire be defeated by the coalition forces of European countries before the Ming army had even reached an agreement with the Ming Dynasty.
