My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 709 Division of Interests
Mufas did not let Zhu Zhanhe wait too long. Just a few days later, he found Zhu Zhanhe again.

"Your Highness, I have thought about it carefully. We can cooperate on the canal. How about sharing the benefits equally?"

After Mufas met Zhu Zhanhe, he directly stated his intention without mincing words.

"Oh? Don't you need to go back and ask your brother for instructions?"

Zhu Zhanhe did not agree immediately, but asked Mufas. After all, he was only the Sultan's younger brother, not the Sultan.

"No, I am the governor myself. If my brother disagrees, I can directly use my own troops. Then the two of us will send troops to Egypt together. It will not be a problem to capture the Suez area!"

Mufas patted his chest and said confidently.

After Zhu Zhanhe heard this, he remembered that whether it was Ottoman, Timur, or the Black Sheep Dynasty, their governance methods were completely different from those of the Ming Dynasty and the Han Dynasty. In their country, the Sultan was only the nominal supreme ruler, controlling commanded the most powerful army, but local governors or consuls also had military power, and they could sometimes act independently against the sultan's orders.

In fact, it can be seen from here that their ruling method is more like the relationship between the Emperor Zhou and the vassal states. When the Emperor Zhou was strong, the vassal states would of course obey the orders of the Emperor Zhou. But when the Emperor Zhou was weak, other vassal states would can be replaced.

"Okay, since Mufas is so determined, then the matter is settled. How do you plan to cooperate with us?"

Zhu Zhanhe immediately made a decision.

As the prince, Zhu Zhanhe also has the power to decide the future development direction of the Han Dynasty, especially the overseas development. Zhu Gaoxu has always let Zhu Zhanhe make his own decisions.

"I have thought about the method of cooperation. Although I am confident that I can persuade my brother to send troops to Egypt, we can only mobilize a small number of troops. Even with the governors of Egypt who are willing to join us, it will be difficult for us to defeat the main force of Egypt. So when we arrive, At that time, we will need big men to send troops as well.”

Mufas also said solemnly at this time.

Although the Mamluks who ruled Egypt have declined, as the saying goes, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. It is still not easy to conquer them, at least not yet by the Ottoman Empire.

"Of course we can send troops, but in this case, an area must be placed under our control in the future!"

As he spoke, Zhu Zhanhe asked someone to bring up a map of Egypt, and then pointed to the area where the Suez area connected with the Red Sea and said: "In the future, the southern end of the canal will be under our control, and the northern end will be under your control. In this way, the interests will be divided into two. , work together to maintain the operation of the canal!”

"What about here?"

Mufas did not agree with Zhu Zhanhe's words, but pointed to the southernmost tip of the Red Sea and asked.

This is the outlet of the Red Sea, which is later known as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden outside. The location is very critical, not even much worse than the Suez Canal.

"The Strait of Bab el-Mandeb is closer to us, so of course it must be under our control. Just like the Mediterranean is closest to you, the Ottomans, we will not extend our influence to the Mediterranean."

Zhu Zhanhe said matter-of-factly.

After the opening of the Suez Canal, the import and export at the north and south ends of the canal will become the two most important nodes on this route. In addition, there is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait entering and exiting the Red Sea. Its importance will never be greater than that of the canal. The difference between import and export.

Mander is Arabic and means tears, because the strait is very windy and the waves are strong. The narrowest part is only [-] kilometers, and it is divided into two by the small island in the middle of the strait. There are many reefs in the strait. It is very dangerous to sail here. If you are not careful, the boat will be destroyed and people will die. Therefore, the Arabs named this place the Strait of Tears. "That's not possible. There are three important nodes in the opening of the canal. You guys have mastered two of them at once, but we can only master the northern end of the canal. This is so unfair!"

Mufas immediately objected.

Feelings are feelings, and interests are interests. Neither party will be polite about this kind of thing.

"Then what do you think is fair?"

Zhu Zhanhe did not argue, but asked Mufas.

"The canal is under our control, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is under your control. The two sides use the Red Sea as the boundary. This is good for each other and will not cause conflicts easily!"

Mufas's ambition is not small, so he opened his mouth and said.

"It's impossible. If we want to send troops, then half of Suez must be divided between us. Otherwise, we will send troops to help you conquer Egypt, but we won nothing. Then what are we trying to do?"

Zhu Zhanhe also immediately retorted.

Unless Osman sends troops to conquer Egypt alone, Zhu Zhanhe will agree to hand over the entire Suez Canal to their control. Of course, Osman definitely does not have this strength.

The two sides refused to give in to each other and had disagreements over the division of interests in the canal. As a result, Zhu Zhanhe and Mufas also argued with each other, but neither could convince the other.

Finally, Mufas finally gave in and said, "Your Highness, you can control the southern end of the canal if you want, but you must agree to one condition!"

"What conditions?"

Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but asked secretly with joy when he saw the other party relenting.

"These two times I came to Dahan, I found that Dahan's warships were very tall and mighty, and we need a batch of warships to fight the Venetians, so we would like to ask Dahan to help us build twenty warships. Of course, shipbuilding The cost will be borne by us, but I hope His Royal Highness can give us a preferential price!"

Mufas looked at Zhu Zhanhe with bright eyes and said.

The Ottomans only started to pay attention to the navy a few years ago. Although they built a number of warships, due to technical reasons, the performance of these warships lagged behind and could not be compared with the Venetian warships. Therefore, in naval battles Sometimes, he is often pressed and beaten by the opponent.

As early as the last time he came to Dahan, Mufas discovered that Dahan's naval warships were superior in performance. Not only were they far superior to their warships, but even the Venetian warships could not compare with Dahan's, so he proposed to purchase Dahan warships. Boat condition.

With these warships, the Ottomans could even gain a huge advantage in naval battles, and even defeat the Venetian fleet in one fell swoop, thereby seizing more fertile land.

In addition, the Ottomans can also imitate these warships and improve their shipbuilding level. It can be said that it kills two birds with one stone.

Zhu Zhanhe knew Mufas's plan very well. The life and death of the Venetians was not in Zhu Zhanhe's consideration. As for the Ottomans who wanted to imitate the Han Dynasty's warships, there was no need to worry, let alone whether they could succeed in imitating them. It was successful, but with the advent of steamships, all current sailboats were facing obsolescence.

(End of this chapter)