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Chapter 1662 Winning over the Knights

The coalition forces returned to the island of Malta at the time of departure, ready to part ways with the spoils, or busy digesting the allocated territories.

The Minister of Rites signed a secret treaty with the Venetians first, agreeing that China could establish the Suez Canal Company to dig the Suez Canal locally in Egypt, owning the ownership and management rights of the canal, and allowing the Ottoman Empire to recognize Venice’s rule over Lower Egypt as the Huaxia people s return.

In addition, Venice also signed a treaty on the establishment of diplomatic relations and trade with China, allowing the Mediterranean market to be completely opened to Chinese merchants.

The trade in the Mediterranean is in the hands of the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice. With these two countries recognizing trade, merchant ships can travel unimpeded in the Mediterranean.

"The Knights Hospitaller does not belong to any kingdom, it is just a military organization. I think if you still make a living by plundering the ships of the Ottoman Empire in the future, you will only continue to accumulate hatred with the Ottoman Empire. The dispute of faith is already the era of the medieval crusaders Now it’s about better survival.”

Chu Yun met Castella, the grand master of the Knights Hospitaller, on the island of Malta. This time, his purpose was to win over the Knights Hospitaller.

Venetian merchants are mercenary, and they have their own parliament and colonies, which may not be reliable.

The territory of the Hospitaller Knights is very small and the population is not large, so it is very easy to control.

Chu Yun needs a younger brother in the Mediterranean to help monitor Venice and the Ottoman Empire.

"In this battle, we have been divided into Rhodes Island, Chios Island, and other large and small islands with people and people. The residents of these islands may add up to 10 people. We can learn from them It is still possible to collect taxes and feed thousands of people," Castella replied.

"Relying on the islanders to grow crops and fish and pay taxes to feed the knights... It is true that they can survive, but it is difficult to live a relatively rich life, and it is impossible to maintain a large-scale galley fleet. I think You can find other ways to get rich." Chu Yun meant something.

"Other ways?" Castella didn't understand Chu Yun's meaning, but he was in awe of Chu Yun, who was the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces, and he knew that he must have other plans for finding him, not just to discuss the plan of the hospital knight with him. The problem of the way out, most likely there are other things.

"I think the Knights can rely on us to improve their lives if they want to break through the current embarrassing situation. We need to have a stronghold in the Mediterranean Sea where we can move, and we also need to be able to obtain supplies and assistance here." Chu Yun said.

"Depending on you... I would like to hear more about it." Castella said in surprise.

The biggest reliance of the Knights is the Pope, but Chu Yun wants to replace the Pope as the protector of the Knights Hospitaller, but the price is that the Knights Hospitaller needs to rely on China, a huge economy, to survive.

"First, the two sides open all the ports to berth for each other's ships, and give each other preferential tariffs, so that our merchant ships will use Malta and Rhode Island as one of the transit points for trade. When the time comes, they say It may not be possible to establish a temporary warehouse on the island and consume on the island. At the same time, you can also provide services such as tourism, ship repair, food, etc. Second, your hospital knights can leave the Mediterranean Sea and enter the Atlantic Ocean or Indian Ocean, using our ports for trade Thirdly, your members can even choose to serve us as support staff." Chu Yun expressed his thoughts on the inclusion of the Hospitaller Knights.

His positioning of the Knights Hospitaller is the logistics personnel of the Kyushu Army's garrison and fleet in the Mediterranean.

If you want to send people from the mainland to stay here, you have to arrange for them to return to the mainland to visit relatives and many other troublesome things.And use these people who have lived in the Mediterranean for generations, basically just pay their salaries.

When Castella heard that Chu Yun planned to share the port with the Knights Hospitaller, and that he could freely hire people from the Knights Hospitaller, he hesitated for a moment.

"Although I am the head of the knight order, there are still many priests and older knights in our knight order. Their words carry a lot of weight. I need to ask for their opinions." Castella dared not refuse Chu Yun's request, afraid of causing the other party's dissatisfaction.

"I will give you enough time to think about it. In another three or four years, we will have ships permanently stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. After the opening of the Suez Canal connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, our merchants will enter the Mediterranean Sea first, and then It is the Atlantic Ocean. That means the trade in the Mediterranean Sea will be prosperous again. I hope you can take advantage of this opportunity and choose a good position.” Chu Yunda’s words were meaningful, and Castella had to consider the future of the Knights Hospitaller. The positioning problem in the big change.

The Mediterranean was originally one of the most prosperous places, because goods from the East had to be transported overland through the Levant to the Mediterranean, and then to Europe.

Later, the opening of new sea routes allowed Europe to directly enter the Indian Ocean through the Atlantic Ocean, and trade with the Americas and Africa. The Mediterranean has since declined.

If the Suez Canal is dug, maybe the Mediterranean Sea can still be revived, at least much stronger than the current decline.

After the Venetian ambassador signed a diplomatic and commercial treaty with the Ministry of Rites, Venice was satisfied to send ships and soldiers to take over the Peloponnese Peninsula, and the main force returned to Venice.

Powers such as the Papal States, Genoa, and Sicily also dispersed, or went to receive new territories, and the birds and beasts scattered.

Sun Chuanting sent a major of the army to lead 500 infantry to the city of Athens to maintain the local rule.

The Zhili Fleet, Fourth Fleet, and Imperial Guard Brigade are temporarily replenishing here.

A dozen ships came from the direction of central and western Italy, just arrived at the island of Malta, and there were soldiers on board.

The Knights Hospitaller on the island of Malta received this group of people from Italy, and more than a dozen nobles from the Italian region arrived.

"We seem to be late, they have already taught." One of the nobles said.

"Since I'm here, I'm going to visit the head of the Knights Hospitaller. I met him when I was traveling in Europe. Now the Knights Hospitaller is amazing. It is said that they have carved up a few pieces of territory from the Ottoman Empire. Leopoldo, the Grand Leader of the Knights of the Hospitaller, Castella, also has a younger sister who doesn't seem to be married, why don't I ask him for a marriage? Our Grand Duchy of Tuscany is a big duchy in Italy anyway, No matter what, Castella wants to sell me face. In addition, our Medici family is a famous family with powerful influence, and the other party should not disagree." The leading nobleman said.

(End of this chapter)