1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 3711

For Li Yuande and Dong Shangyi, they neither knew the origin of the pyramids nor had they heard of the legend of the Sphinx. Everything they saw in Cairo was new and unfamiliar.

However, after initially understanding the information contained in these huge buildings, they seemed to understand why Qian Tiandun specially arranged a stop in Cairo. Putting aside the mission of the Suez Canal, even if they just came to see these relics left by the ancients thousands of years ago, this trip is very worthwhile.

These magnificent buildings buried in the desert also made them more deeply aware that even a dynasty that was once prosperous in history would inevitably decline rapidly after entering a state of overspending. Egypt's experience fully illustrates this process.

Egypt was established very early, and it owns the fertile Nile Delta and the Sinai Peninsula that connects Asia, Africa and Europe. It can be said that it has the best time and location. However, it not only failed to become a transcontinental superpower, but was overtaken by the Ottoman Empire, and even failed to preserve its national destiny.

As for how strong the Ottoman Empire was, in their opinion, it was not necessarily so. From the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, although the Ottoman Empire had a vast territory, its governance level was just so-so. By Hai Han’s standards, it was at best just passing, and had little to do with excellence.

The fact that Egypt, which should have had an advantage, was defeated in the competition can only mean that its rulers’ ability to govern the country was too poor, and they would eventually be eliminated by history.

“These pyramids are monuments that symbolize the great power of ancient Egypt, but they are also a sign of the country’s decline. If one day our Hai Han nation is able to control the Nile Plain, we must protect these pyramids and the Sphinx buried in the sand as a warning to future generations.”

After hearing Qian Tiandun's words, Li Dong and the other two not only did not think there was anything wrong with it, but they all nodded in agreement, as if it was natural for Hai Han to take over the Nile Plain and there was no need to question it at all.

In fact, what remains of ancient Egypt are not just these stone mountains. There are a large number of ancient buildings along the Nile River, some of which are still in use today.

Qian Tiandun and his colleagues’ investigation of Cairo inevitably added an element of archaeology. Qian Tiandun even bought some antiques on the market out of his own pocket and added them to his own private collection.

Seeing the great interest of the Hai Han people in the antiquities, Murat, who was accompanying them, was greatly relieved. He was worried that Hai Han would cause trouble during their visit to Egypt, or even secretly contact the Arab rebels who opposed Ottoman rule, but so far, this has not happened.

As long as the Hai Han people did not take the initiative to cause trouble, Murat did not mind them doing some business during the inspection. In his view, these Hai Han people were just an armed merchant group from the East, not as powerful as the legend said.

After staying in Cairo for a few days, Qian Tiandun led his troops eastward.

Cairo was the last stop of this expedition. More than 200 miles east of here, it was back to the Port of Suez. This also meant that Hai Han's expedition to the Mediterranean and the Middle East was finally coming to an end.

This was undoubtedly great news for the soldiers who had been traveling outside for several months. However, before returning to their base to rest, they still had to cross more than 200 miles of desert and then complete the long journey from the Red Sea to Hamban Port on Ceylon, which would take at least half a month.

"Everything else about this place is fine. The food and accommodation are manageable, but this desert is too uncomfortable. My mouth and nose are full of sand. I chew sand when I eat and drink. How can there be such a hellish place in the world!"

Li Yuande poured the sand out of his boots while complaining about the terrible environment.

Qian Tiandun said, "I thought you had adapted to the desert environment after your trip to Xihu City." Li Yuande waved his hand and said, "You can't adapt at all! This desert is not a place for people to live. If there is such a mission next time, can you let me choose by myself?"

Qian Tiandun smiled and said, "You want to choose, right? Zhenhai Port and Fubo Port are both in need of people right now, why don't you choose a place to go?"

Li Yuande immediately put on a bitter face and said, "Sir, it's not that I don't want to go, it's just that I can't get away from the family business!"

Qian Tiandun was just joking with him and had no real intention of sending him to garrison these two new colonies, so he did not continue the topic.

Although Li Yuande was good at business, he might not be suitable for being a local official, especially one in charge of the construction of a new colony. Qian Tiandun was optimistic about his ability, but did not want to force him to perform tasks beyond his ability.

Of course, Dong Shangyi was even less likely to do so. After all, he was from the Xu family in Fujian, and Qian Tiandun had no right to retain him. Even if Dong Shangyi was willing, Qian Tiandun had to consider the reaction from Fujian.

But Li Yuande's joke gave Qian Tiandun a reminder. The two new ports of Zhenhai Port and Fubo Port are located on the edge of the desert. Compared with the several islands occupied by the special warfare division in the eastern Indian Ocean, the living environment is more difficult. The soldiers stationed in these two places need to be given more support in terms of living conditions.

Three days later, the group arrived at the Port of Suez again, exhausted.

After entering the city, Murat came to Qian Tiandun to say goodbye. His mission had been completed and it was time to go back and report.

Qian Tiandun specially prepared a small gift for Murat, a kerosene lighter made by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Murat, you have been our guide and leader for this period of time. I am very satisfied with your performance. As a token of my gratitude, please accept this small gift."

Qian Tiandun personally demonstrated to him how to use it. The sophistication of this little gadget made it one of the most popular gifts in Hai Han’s diplomatic field, and Murat was unsurprisingly impressed by it.

But what surprised Murat even more was that Qian Tiandun actually gave him a gift. Could it be that he had hidden it so well that the other party didn't even realize his mission in the convoy?

As if he had sensed Murat's thoughts, Qian Tiandun also stated his attitude directly: "Murat, I don't care what your identity is. Everyone works for their own masters. I only care whether my goal has been successfully achieved."

"If you help me in this process, then you are my friend, otherwise you are my opponent. I really like making friends, and I hope that we can continue to get along as friends when we meet next time."

Murat then realized that Qian Tiandun was not unaware of his identity, but he needed him to play a role in the team, so he had no intention of revealing his identity during the journey.

It was not until the mission was completed and everyone returned to Suez and could report their work that Qian Tiandun took the initiative to break the window paper.