The sun never sets in America

Chapter 305 West Asia: Bai Erwen

On the East African coastline, a merchant ship with Portuguese nationality is sailing slowly, as can be seen from its inconsistent "steering" and the "dark smoke" coming from the chimney. The boat is of considerable age.

In the cabin, Bai Erwen listened to the "buzzing" sound, and the smile on the corner of his mouth seemed to be "constipated", and he couldn't get it right.

After all, this was his own choice, and no one could replace it.

The first sea-going ship in Wanghai City had a broken engine and needed major repairs. It took a lot of time to go back and forth, and in the end it had to be repaired in Portuguese Mozambique on the opposite side.

Recently, due to the expiration of the goods, I could only rent an old-fashioned merchant ship for a long voyage. At first, it was for cheap, thinking that the journey was not far, so there should be no problem in making two trips. But looking at the current situation, there is more than just no "problem" , is too problematic! !

Fortunately, although it is slow now, there are no fatal problems and we can still reach Persia. Otherwise, Bai Erwen would not have this expression at the moment.

Because if there is a problem on this road, there are so many indigenous countries around it, it would be strange not to eat him up.

Throughout East Africa to North Africa, there are a lot of so-called countries. Most of these countries are called countries, but they are actually tribes.

Moreover, wars often occur between these tribal countries, especially in the arid areas near North Africa. It is not particularly "uncommon" to wage wars over water resources.

The whole of Africa can be described in one sentence as "chaos", an unimaginable chaos.

Later, the smooth national boundaries in Africa were not divided at all during this period. The so-called African colonies had to wait until the end of the 19th century when the Europeans proposed the "Partition of Africa."

In Africa during this period, even Britain and France, the later major colonial powers in Africa, only occupied some marginal port areas. Even North Africa, which later became the "symbol" of France, was still a so-called sultanate in most places.

These sultanates have a very close relationship with the Ottomans, and some are even vassals of the Ottomans.

In East Africa and West Africa, there are also large areas of so-called "countries". At least that's what is shown on some maps. However, in maps of big countries like China and Britain, central Africa is a blank area. As for those countries, they are No one knows, no one cares.

Just like the Han Dynasty, in addition to marking the colonies of various countries on the map of Africa, as well as the Kingdom of Solomon and even some long-standing sultanates in North Africa, most areas are replaced by certain tribes, and the inland areas are directly displayed as mountains and rivers. .

And on maritime merchant maps like Bai Erwen, the records about Africa are also very "fuzzy". The reason for this is because the borders of various parts of Africa are constantly changing. You don't know where this tribe is today or which tribe it is. What has been lost? In this case, let’s just focus on rivers and mountains.

Africa is like a forgotten gemstone. The gemstone is covered with dirt, and the dirt covers its luster. Just like the black color of Africa, you would never know that their blood is also red unless you peel it off.

For a "greedy" maritime merchant like Bai Erwen, what does Africa mean, such as "disease", "ivory", "slaves" and "gold".

And those "diamonds" that are touted to the extreme by some Europeans.

In Bai Erwen's view, these are not important. What is important is that he can make money.

This is the most important thing! !

On the East African ocean, the "slowly soaring" merchant ships are like "little-footed old ladies", slowly and slowly stumbling on this ocean full of life and black sea.

On the ship, Bai Erwen and the repairmen were nervously trying to repair, or "optimize" the heart of this "old antique".

...............

There are dark clouds over the Arabian Sea, and it seems that it is time to "sow" again.

In the cabin, Bai Erwen was "praying" that the heavy rain would not destroy this increasingly failing merchant ship and not destroy it on the eve of dawn.

God seemed to have heard Bai Erwen's inner "prayer". The dark clouds dispersed and the sun shone on the blue sea again, as if nothing had happened, as if God had made a joke with the world.

In the cabin, Bai Erwen, who was "cursing" the sky, looked at the sun shining on his face, his face instantly turned red, and then he started the so-called "sacrifice to the sky".

After the sacrifice to heaven, Bai Erwen announced in high spirits that he would divert to the Red Sea because there was a British colony there.

The Gulf of Aden is another world-class bay occupied by the British. The most important territory occupied by the British is Aden, which is the current British Colony of Aden. It is located near Yemen in later generations, and next to it is the famous military complex in later generations. Base concentration camp Djibouti.

Of course, at this time, it was not Djibouti, but a sultanate.

Although the British rule over the Red Sea is not as cruel as that of India, basically, countries large and small must follow the baton of the British Empire. In the words of the British:

"The British Empire has priority in any sea area in the world!!"

As for what this so-called priority relies on, it is self-evident.

Of course, the British will not go too far. For example, in normal trade, the British Navy will also escort other countries in their jurisdiction. After all, maintaining the smooth flow of world trade is to safeguard the interests of the British Empire itself.

Bai Erwen's ship finally arrived at Aden, an important point for Britain to control the Red Sea, at a "slow" pace.

When the ship sailed into the port of Aden, Bai Erwen felt an atmosphere completely different from that in India. There were no Indians wearing high turbans here, but only Arabs who were tanned due to work.

Next to them was an Arab overseer wearing a white robe and an Arab hat.

These people have no sympathy for their compatriots. The so-called true God completely forgot about it when working for the British.

Even some Arabs from different tribes were bullied openly or covertly when they encountered Arabs from a dominant hostile tribe.

Bai Erwen learned this news from local Han merchants.

Bai Erwen has always known the Arabs very well. After all, he earned his first pot of gold in Persia. Although the Persians did not deal with the Arabs, they were at least united and are still a complete country today. .

As for those Arabs, Bai Erwen "looked down upon" them from the beginning. For no other reason, just saying that they were still a tribal system was enough to make Bai Erwen, who was "very knowledgeable", look down on them.

In fact, even in later generations, Arabia was an area composed of tribes. In this way, it is not difficult to explain the so-called disunity of the Arabs. You expect a bunch of different tribes to unite, unless it is in the name of the true God.

And this is also very troublesome, because the Arabian True God Religion is divided into two factions, which are naturally fighting each other.

And Bai Erwen still sees from many years of experience that in the final analysis, it is still interests, and the interests of the sect are also interests! !

…………

In the port of Aden, Bai Erwen was eating the so-called Arabic breakfast with a boss named Chen. The so-called Arabic breakfast was just some mutton with chickpeas and a thicker piece of naan.

Bai Erwen was a little disgusted with the so-called chickpea soup with naan bread, then smeared it with almost cooked mutton, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed it, and showed an "average" expression on his face.

"Haha, Brother Bai can't get used to it!"

"I told you, I can't get used to this thing either!!"

“But I’ve been eating it for five years straight, do you know why??”

"Would you like to hear some advice??"

Bai Erwen picked up the towel on the side, wiped his mouth, looked at the "pretentious" Boss Chen opposite, and asked honestly.

"Because, although those Arabs are very backward, they are the best businessmen in West Asia. Whether you respect them or not, they can tell at a glance."

"And the most important thing to show their respect is to eat the same food as them."

Boss Chen skillfully wrapped a piece of mutton in naan bread, stuck it with the sticky soup, and stuffed it into his mouth, not caring whether it tasted good or not.

Bai Erwen, who was opposite him, asked curiously:

"What kind of business can these Arabs do? They don't have anything they want in this place. There is no water. It's good if they don't starve to death!!"

When Boss Chen heard this, he smiled, then picked up the remaining pieces of naan, wrapped the last chickpeas, ate it into his mouth, and then said with a "bulging belly":

"The Arabs were the earliest merchants on the Silk Road. It is impossible for them not to do business. On the contrary, in this area, apart from British products, the best-selling products are Arab products. Our Chinese products are also Can only be ranked third!!”

"Why??"

Bai Erwen asked with some confusion. He really didn't understand what big things a group of "illiterates" in the desert could do.

Boss Chen shouted "tea" in Arabic, then continued to speak in Mandarin and said: "Although these Arabs are located in the desert, don't forget that there are oases in every desert. In the earliest times, Those Arab merchants relied on camels to travel across the sandy sea. Look at the countries you passed along the way, which one is not dominated by the True God religion."

"Even in Afghanistan, there are Arab-made muskets and artillery. Although they are not advanced, they are not industrial products at least. What's more, in a place like Syria, in the entire West Asia, it is considered a land of abundance. Local glass, wheat, It’s also a masterpiece!!”

"And the Arab products you mentioned, let me ask you, which one of them is not mainly sold to Arabs? If you sell it yourself, can you sell it??"

"Brother, don't just look at things at face value. These Arabs are no good. They were conquered by the Ottomans and bullied by the British. But think about it, they were able to coexist with the Tang Dynasty a thousand years ago and are still alive today. Is it really trash??”

Boss Chen's few words instantly enlightened Bai Erwen, making him look at things from another side in the future.

“Then according to Boss Chen, is it easy for these Arabs to make money??”

Bai Erwen did not dwell too much on the previous question, but directly asked the key points.

Boss Chen pondered for a while, and then answered:

“You can make money, but it depends on what you are selling!!”

"The local Arabs, especially those from the tribes, are most short of food and daily necessities. However, this group of people is the poorest and has few possessions in their pockets. The most valuable things in the tribe are sheep, horses, and women."

Speaking of Arab women, Boss Chen showed a knowing smile to Bai Erwen.

Bai Erwen also "understood" what the other party meant instantly, and then asked:

“What about those Arab nobles, I mean, those sheikhs??”

"Those people actually don't have much money, but they look rich because they control a large amount of local land."

“But just because they don’t have money, it doesn’t mean that the entire True God World doesn’t have money!!”

Boss Chen said something cryptic to Bai Erwen.

“You mean, Central Asia and Northern India??”

Bai Erwen looked at the other party and roughly guessed the other party's purpose.

Boss Chen nodded with a smile and then said:

"And this place is located on the Red Sea. Not only can we do business in West Asia, but we can also do business in the entire North Africa, even East Africa, and beyond that is Europe. It can be said to be a place of communication."

Boss Chen talked a lot about the benefits of the Red Sea, while Bai Erwen frowned more and more, and finally asked:

"Since it's so good, Boss Chen can just do it himself. Why do you ask me to do it?"

"We are all businessmen. Could it be that Boss Chen would make a loss-making business??"

Seeing Bai Erwen's "cautiousness", Boss Chen laughed a few times, and then said:

"My plan is to enter Central Asia and even the northern market of South Asia along the West Asia, but Boss Bai also knows that going from India is the territory of the British and Japan, and there is no advantage in going there. And if you go inland, you have to go through Persia... "

Listening to the other party's "difficult choice", Bai Erwen instantly understood what it meant.

Isn’t it because he is interested in his connections in Persia and hopes to use Persia to enter Afghanistan and even the Central Asian market? !

Boss Chen on the opposite side was still talking about his so-called "grand ambition". When he talked about his excitement, he said directly:

"If it succeeds, it will be no less than the East India Company in the interior of Asia and Europe!!"

Looking at the "crazy" Boss Chen opposite, Bai Erwen laughed a few times and finally asked:

"There are many bandits in the area, I'm afraid it will be inconvenient for business!!"

Boss Chen patted his chest and assured that he had a group of "brothers" under his command, all of whom were foreign and talented. They had worked with him in North Africa, fought several times with an indigenous sultanate, and were considered "elite".

Bai Erwen didn't look like a businessman, but like a "robber" boss Chen. In the end, he declined the other party's "kindness". After all, he was afraid of his hard-earned possessions by cooperating with this kind of dragon. It's all been swallowed up, and you can't get it back at all. When the time comes, it's not a big deal to lose money, but it's really a big deal to your life.

Boss Chen, who was rejected by Bai Erwen, was a little disappointed and asked:

"Brother Bai is not satisfied. If you are dissatisfied in any way, tell me and I will ensure that you are satisfied!!"

Bai Erwen shook his head and finally declined the other party's kindness on the grounds of business conflict.

Looking at Bai Erwen's leaving figure, Boss Chen, who has been involved in the world for decades, felt that he had indeed seen the wrong person. He thought that Bai Erwen would dare to sell tobacco, alcohol, and even "opium" in Persia. Even reselling "Persian Orchid", he should be regarded as a hero, but unexpectedly, he is also a courageous "rat".

In the end, Boss Chen could only continue to try to find cooperation with those Arab countries, hoping to "save the country" through the inland curve and sell his products to India.

When Bai Erwen returned to the hotel and looked at Luo Daniu who was still sleeping, he became so angry that he kicked him.

"Who, who!!"

Feeling the pain, Luo Daniu climbed up from the bed, pulled out the pistol hidden under the pillow, and pointed it forward without looking. He didn't put it away until he saw it was Bai Erwen. , said angrily:

"I knew that nothing good would happen if you came back!!"

"I just fell asleep..."

Luo Daniu was about to complain, but was interrupted by Bai Erwen's look.

Bai Erwen pulled a bench and sat on the mountain. He looked serious. Luo Daniu was so frightened that he immediately put on his coat and sat on the edge of the bed. He looked at Bai Erwen opposite him without squinting. Understand what the other party is trying to do.

Bai Erwen was silent for a while, and then spoke:

"Old Niu, tell me, if someone wanted to do a big deal with you, would you go?"

“Is it making money??”

“It could be very profitable!!”

"Then am I safe??"

"uncertain!!"

"Then don't go."

Luo Daniu's answer was so straightforward that Bai Erwen was caught off guard.

I saw him explain:

"You said it's not safe. Since you say it's not safe, it proves that you are not familiar with this person at all. If an unfamiliar person suddenly says that he wants to cooperate with you to do big business, he is either trying to do something for you, or you are worth taking advantage of. , no matter which point, you will suffer."

Luo Daniu explained seriously what he considered the "danger".

On the opposite side, Bai Erwen was caught in "thoughts."

Then I heard Luo Daniu continue to say:

"Since you have something that the other party can take advantage of, it must be important. Since it is so important, you might as well take advantage of it yourself, why bother wading into troubled waters."

"If you ask me, you either don't do it, or you do it absolutely. If you don't do it, you won't stop doing it, and you will steal the other party's business!!"

Listening to Luo Daniu's "bold words", Bai Erwen was so surprised by Luo Daniu's "smartness" that he asked:

"When did you become so smart??"

What he got in return was a blank look from Luo Daniu.

Bai Erwen thought for a long time and asked Luo Daniu:

"If you want to do that business, you can't do it without someone else. How can we do serious business?"

Luo Daniu, who was on the opposite side, replied disdainfully:

"Those soldiers and generals in Wanghai City dare to occupy the mountain and become kings. Let's not occupy the mountain and become kings and become rogues. Let's go to the head office!!"

"If it doesn't work, just follow the example of the foreigners back then and go into business armed with weapons!!"

Bai Erwen looked at Luo Daniu, who was a bit "cowardly", then thought about his current "tightrope" business, and finally replied:

"Then try it??"

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(End of this chapter)