My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 854 Risks and Returns

Bursa was the former capital of the Ottoman Empire. Until a few decades ago, the Ottomans focused mainly on expansion in Europe, so they moved the capital from Bursa to Adrianople.

It is worth mentioning that according to the original history, the Ottomans would capture Constantinople more than ten years later. At that time, Constantinople would be renamed Istanbul and the capital would be moved again, while Bursa and Adriatic Yaborg and Istanbul are also known as the three capitals of the Ottoman Empire.

As the original capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa is still the largest city in the Ottoman Empire even though the capital was moved decades ago. Moreover, Bursa is not far from the Black Sea Strait. If you land from the south bank of the Strait, you can land in a very short time. Fight to the gates of Bursa.

"Yes, I am going to lead my troops to raid the Black Sea Strait. With the cooperation of the Venetians, I can transport your 30,000 troops to the south bank of the Strait at once. After landing, march as fast as possible, and we can kill Boer in half a day. Sa, then catch the opponent by surprise!"

Zhang Zhong paused for a moment before continuing.

"And as long as you capture Bursa, your prestige will be greatly enhanced, and if we block the Black Sea Strait and block Murad II's main force in Europe, you can calmly take over the territory in Asia, or at least Fight across the sea and conquer the other side.”

Hearing Zhang Zhong's words of "rowing the sea and conquering the sea", Mufas also showed excitement, but he soon calmed down. Although the other party's description was very tempting, the risks were not small. For example, the biggest problem, That is, can he win Bursa in the shortest possible time?

Of course it would be best if Bursa can be successfully captured, but if the deployment of troops is unfavorable, not only may the 30,000 troops that they have finally accumulated suffer heavy losses, but they may even cause the Han Dynasty to lose confidence in themselves and stop supporting them.

Thinking of the above, the expression on Mufas's face became very tangled. Originally, he had made a plan before. Compared with the two choices Zhang Zhong gave him, that plan was not as conservative as the first one, but also Not as radical as the second one.

According to Mufas's original plan, he was planning to land at Port Ife, and then use the port as the center to encroach on the surrounding land bit by bit. And Port Ife was not far from Bursa. As long as there was an opportunity, he would be able to launch an attack. Issa, the most important Ottoman city.

But now it seems that Mufas' original plan seems a bit too mediocre. No matter which one of the two options Zhang Zhong gave him, it is more feasible than Mufas' plan.

"If you can't make a decision for the time being, you can go back and think about it carefully."

Zhang Zhong saw Mufas's face changing, so he spoke again, after all, it was such a big matter that Mufas should go back and think about it carefully.

"No! I've decided!"

Unexpectedly, Mufas's expression suddenly changed and he answered decisively.

"Oh? Which one are you going to do first?"

Zhang Zhong also asked Mufas very curiously after hearing this.

"The greater the risk, the greater the reward. I choose the second one!"

Mufas replied immediately.

In fact, he was really hesitant just now, not knowing which one to choose, but when Zhang Zhong finally asked him to go back and think about it, he suddenly had an idea and decided to choose the second risky plan.

Because he suddenly thought that this might be a test for him by the big man. If he was not even willing to take this risk, how could he make the big man believe that he could seize the position of Sultan?

"Are you sure? The risk of the second one is not small. Although we will provide you with some help, the most important thing is to see your own ability?"

Zhang Zhong stared at Mufas and asked again. "I'm very sure. To use an old saying from the Han Dynasty, this is called finding wealth in danger!"

Mufas nodded again.

"Well, since you chose this risky plan, I will also give you my fullest help. When you land, I can even send an army to assist you. I believe that with their help, you should be able to successfully open the Boer... The city gate of Sa."

Zhang Zhong laughed and said again.

With the current firearm power of the Han Dynasty, no matter how strong the city wall is, there is still a way to open it.

In fact, not only the Han Dynasty, but also the development of firearms has caused some holes in the defense of some originally indestructible cities in the world. For example, the famous Constantinople was attacked by the Ottomans more than ten years later. After coming down, it is said that the artillery made a huge contribution.

"Great, thank you General Zhang. With the help of the big man's firearms, I am more confident to take down Bursa in a short time!"

Mufas also became energetic after hearing this, and immediately said with great joy.

Of course, he had a certain degree of confidence when he dared to choose to raid Bursa. For example, he had contacted many nobles within the Ottoman Empire, including several important figures in Bursa.

Speaking of which, as the former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa is still very prosperous, but its political status has plummeted. Therefore, some nobles who were not valued or even marginalized were driven away by Murad II. Bursa, and these nobles were naturally dissatisfied with Murad II, and therefore became Mufas's key target.

So Mufas had just considered that if he sent people to contact the nobles who had turned to him and asked them to cooperate with him when he attacked the city, it might be miraculous.

Next, Zhang Zhong and Mufas talked about some details of sending troops. The focus was on the transportation problem of Mufas' 30,000 troops. For example, when Mufas came to Cyprus this time, only a few thousand people came with him. The army needs to be divided into several batches to be transported one after another.

If you want to transport 30,000 people to the Black Sea Strait at one time, the strength of Dahan and Mufas alone is definitely not enough, and you need the cooperation of the Venetians. After all, they have many ships, and they just want Venice to agree to transport Mufas's army. Zhang Zhong will definitely need to mediate.

After the matter was discussed, Mufas said goodbye and left. When he came to the residence arranged for him by Zhang Zhong, Lal had already finished handling the fleet matters and was waiting for him here.

"How is the Governor? Has General Zhang agreed to our plan?"

Lal asked eagerly when he saw Mufas.

"I had no chance to tell us our plan, because General Zhang gave us two better plans..."

As Mufas spoke, he explained the two options Zhang Zhong gave him, and also told him about his choice to raid Bursa. This surprised Lal, who felt that this plan was a bit risky, but then he changed his mind. I think so, but I understand Mufas's choice very well. After all, huge risks correspond to huge benefits.

That is, when Zhang Zhong and Mufas were planning to send troops to the Ottomans, an inconspicuous merchant ship sailed from the north and docked at the dock of Fama Port.

(End of this chapter)