Dominate the Country

In the third year of Chen Han Chengtian, in March 1777, a team carrying a Chinese delegation crossed the narrow Red Sea and arrived at the ancient military port of Suez. As early as the seventh century a thousand years ago, this was the end point of the canal shipping connecting the Nile River and the Red Sea. In the Ottoman Empire, the Port of Suez was its most important military and commercial port in the Red Sea region.

At this time, Egypt was not an independent country. Since it was conquered by the Ottomans more than 200 years ago, it has become a part of the vast territory of the Ottoman Empire-the Egyptian province. For an ancient civilized country, this is a great sorrow.

As the chief envoy of the Chinese delegation, Gao Yanming was shocked by the rich and colorful records of this country established by the descendants of the Turks in the history of the Arabian world and the West when studying the history and current situation of the Ottoman Empire, but to be honest, he couldn't help but despise the various systems of this country.

In the case that the main ethnic population does not have an absolute advantage, allowing the loose relationship between the core area of ​​the empire and the border provinces, and allowing the unlimited expansion of the power of the governors of the border provinces, in the eyes of all Chinese personnel represented by Gao Yanming, is simply digging a hole for themselves. This is like Emperor Minghuang of the Tang Dynasty in the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. Once An Lushan appeared in the border provinces, it would shake the entire empire. What is more terrifying is the chain reaction caused by An Lushan. Sooner or later, the Ottomans will have to suffer the consequences.

And their means of rule are too low.

More than three hundred years ago, when the Ottoman Empire captured Constantinople, the capital of Byzantium, it only inherited his land, but not his culture. After the Ottoman Turkish Empire destroyed Bulgaria, it tried every means to assimilate the Bulgarians to ensure their rule. But their means were just to massacre the rebellious Bulgarians and let a large number of Turkmen from Asia Minor immigrate to cultivate the fertile land of Bulgaria in an attempt to gradually assimilate, but this was useless.

Because of the problem of faith!

Bulgaria, as the spiritual territory of the variant of monotheism, is different from the countries of the Muslim world conquered by the Ottomans. The latter all believe in Muslim religion, which has an innate premise, while the Bulgarians believe in monotheism. If this point is not eradicated, the Ottomans' whole set of ways and methods will not be able to assimilate Bulgaria at all.

Newton's evaluation of this point is: the main reason is that the Ottomans have no ideology and spiritual life that they can assimilate others. The Ottomans are different from China. They are almost a nation that "has never made any contribution to art, music, education, science, technology or any good things in human life." Precisely because of this general backwardness, they can only let the national cultural life of the conquered go and let them retain the true spiritual wealth of their own nation.

But Gao Yanming does not agree with this. He believes that as long as you hold a knife in your hand, three hundred years is enough to turn any nation into a dog. The reason why the Ottomans did not do it can only be said that they were too influenced by the sect.

The Muslim religion is a sect with strong vitality. In the Middle Ages, it was visibly more advanced than Europe in many aspects. However, the iron hoof of the Mongols distorted the civilization process of the Muslim world and perhaps changed the fate of the Ottomans.

Gao Yanming has not yet fully understood the history of the Muslim world, but he has a feeling that the Muslim religion, which was pressed to the ground and rubbed hard by the Mongols, abandoned most of its scientific achievements, or their scientific development was interrupted and was "extinct" by the Mongols. What remains is completely the doctrine and spirit. [One person's opinion]

During the Ottoman expansion of 200 to 300 years and the war with the Western world, one monotheistic country after another was conquered by the Ottomans, their agriculture was declining, and the development of handicrafts became slow and even declined. The feudal system implemented by the Ottomans was also a military fiefdom system similar to that of Western Europe, but due to its barbarity, it killed the vibrant economic life in the past. Trade stagnation, towns deserted, material life scarce, although the Ottomans hardly intervened in any commercial activities, but because of their implementation of the policy of "all military-oriented", the originally developed monetary economy was pulled back to the era of exchange economy, which naturally hindered the improvement of commodity production. Even though Greeks, Venetians, and Italians acted as merchants in this process, the latter's main goal was to turn this place into a grain base, and other high-end products were manufactured locally in Italy.

Moreover, now, in terms of military, the Ottoman Empire has also fallen into a backward and beaten situation. The Ottoman Empire, which used its own power to rub against the Western world, and the Ottoman Imperial Guards, which were regarded as a model of the army by Westerners, are now being beaten to the ground by the Russians, one of the powers in the Western world. This is really embarrassing and sad for the Ottomans.

The decline of the country represents the weakening of the central government's control over the local areas. As for the Ottoman Empire, a huge and somewhat loose capital, how long will the Pashas in the frontier provinces with heavy troops remain loyal to Istanbul?

However, the Ottomans of this era still had strength that could not be underestimated. They might be hostile to China on issues related to Central Asia, but on issues related to the Russians, the Ottomans were definitely China's best and most steadfast allies.

The Ottoman Empire in the 18th century was not simply in a period of stagnation in expansion and development, but also in a period of adapting to new things and new systems. It served as a transitional stage for the Ottoman Empire from military expansion to modern reform. But Chen Ming, who came from later generations, knew very well that the Ottomans would lose completely in the great changes in the future.

Moreover, a huge and powerful Ottoman Empire is not in China's interests, either in the short term or in the long term. Chen Ming hopes that the Ottoman Empire in the future will be Türkiye, a regional power rather than a regional hegemon.

Chen Ming coveted Egypt and the Persian Gulf.

It may take many years for China to extend its tentacles across the Indian Ocean, but preparing for a rainy day has always been something the Chinese like to do.

Standing on the deck of the ship, Gao Yanming seemed to be able to smell the desert. He knew that the land on both sides of the Red Sea was vast desert, especially the huge peninsula. Such a huge piece of land, but even the Ottomans didn't have much interest in it, except for the 'holy land' above.

With four medium-sized clippers as the main escort force, and three large Western-style sailing ships that were just launched last year as the mission's ships, the displacement of about 1,500 tons can barely be considered "large" in the West. .

A group of seven large ships came from far and near. Ilambey in Suez Port could already see the red flags flying on the masts and the blue sky and white sun all over the ground. He had received the message before, and now he gathered all the forces at hand to line up at the port to welcome him. At the same time, he also sent people to quickly deliver the news to Cairo.

This was truly an unexpected event that he could not have imagined. From the far east, a mission from that huge country suddenly visited. Ilambey was at a loss for a moment. There was a strong sense of unreality until now seven ships were approaching.

Ilambey put on his most gorgeous clothes today, and the exquisite gold and silver thread embroidery sparkled in the sun. The belt made of gold is inlaid with gems, and a short knife is inserted on it. The dazzling gems on the short knife are also emitting charming light.

Behind him was a group of Ottoman soldiers lined up in a tight formation, as well as Ottoman sailors standing solemnly on battleships.

"Boom, boom, boom..." The two sides, who had already had a tacit understanding after communication, fired the salute almost at the same time.

Under the gaze of countless pairs of eyes at Suez Port, Chinese officials and entourage wearing black civilian robes and red military uniforms were disembarking from the ship one after another, as if they were British Army escorts. This unique costume left a mark on the Ottomans An interesting piece of conversation.

Everyone watching at the port thought that the Chinese official robes would be more gorgeous, because as we all know, the far East is the hometown of silk. But they didn't expect that China's black civil servant robes were so simple and concise. What the outside crowd couldn't see was that the collars and sleeves of Han official robes were decorated with lace, and the hems were also decorated with a row of dense pleats, and some were even cut. Made into a crescent shape. There are no gold or silver threads, and there are no gems one after another, but people can feel a kind of solemnity and majesty from the bottom of their hearts.

Seven warships docked at the Suez Port. The sailor uniforms worn by the navy officers and soldiers on board were like a beautiful scenery that blinded everyone in the port.

This kind of sailor uniform that appeared decades in advance is still very attractive.

No matter what nation or culture, it conforms to people's aesthetics. Although the prototype of this sailor uniform appeared in the UK thirty years ago, what Chen Ming came up with was the final version.

Wearing white tops, blue-and-white striped sweetheart collars, and blue "knickerbockers," the Chinese sailors lined up neatly on the deck virtually overwhelmed the glory of the entire Ottoman sailors in Suez Port.

At the same time, as an Ottoman admiral, Ilam was very interested in the appearance of the Fuhan Army.

"This is the attire finally determined by our navy after many experiments. Sailors often have to go in and out of narrow cabins, and they must strive to be neat and convenient in their clothing, so the tops are pull-overs. The pull-over tops are tucked into the waistband of the trousers. , in order to avoid hanging clothes when going up and down the gangway or entering and exiting the hatch. The side opening of the trousers is for convenience when climbing the mast. The first is that it can cover the boots to prevent water from splashing in; the second is that it is easy to pick up when washing the deck; the third is that it can be taken off quickly when going to the sea for rescue. Tie up your trousers and fill them with air to act as an emergency floating airbag.”

Although it is impossible to generate profits in the area of ​​clothing, it is impossible for the Ottoman Empire to go to China to buy clothes. But this piece of land not only brought Gao Yanming and Ilambey closer to each other, it also invisibly improved China's competitiveness and left a good impression on others.

The current Sultan of the Ottoman Empire is the forty-six-year-old Abdul Hamid I. He is the son of Sultan Ahmed III. For the first forty-three years of his life, he has been ruled by other people in accordance with the tradition of the empire. This 'unique' system began with Sultan Selim II when his elder brother and predecessor Mustafa III was imprisoned in the harem. The palace battles in the Ottoman Empire were far more fruitful and bloody than those in China.

When Mustafa III died, Abdul Hamid was pulled from imprisonment by officials and inherited the titles of Sultan and Caliph. It’s been just three years now!

Chen Ming knew nothing about this sultan. Abdul Hamid I, who had just ascended the throne for a few years, had been consolidating his foundation and had not made any major moves. He followed the rules and acquiesced to a series of reforms made by his brother Mustafa III when he was alive.

Although Mustafa III was called "fat and ignorant" by Catherine the Great, he was not without "ideas". He hired foreign officers to reform the infantry and artillery, and opened academies of mathematics, navigation and science. It's just that the Ottoman Empire was already quite weak at this time, and his institutional reform plan was fully opposed by the conservative guards and sectarian forces. So his reform measures had no effect.

Mustafa III did not have no son. His son was a little young, only thirteen years old, but he was not unable to inherit the throne of the sultan. Abdul Hamid turned over a new leaf and was pushed to the supreme throne of the sultan by officials in Istanbul from imprisonment. It is impossible to say that there was no reason for Mustafa III's intention to reform.

Just two days after the Egyptian Pasha in Cairo sent a letter to Istanbul to Abdul Hamid, another letter was sent by the Egyptian Pasha.

The former was just a sudden news. China, a distant Eastern Empire, actually sent envoys, which was really a pleasant surprise for the Ottoman Empire.

As if their brains were suddenly lubricated, the ministers in Istanbul thought of the ongoing war between China and Russia. Although the scale of this war was small, its significance was very significant. The Slavs may suffer the most painful defeat in a hundred years.

"The Chinese can sell a large number of artillery and muskets to the empire at a low price, and even the matching production technology. Their request is to engage in mutual trade with the empire. And when China and Russia go to war in Central Asia in the future, the Sultan can remain silent accordingly."

Such a request almost clearly stated that China was interested in Central Asia and that China had already included Central Asia in its sphere of influence.

The ministers in Istanbul, who were smart in their minds, all thought of the war between the Arab Empire and the Tang Empire of China a thousand years ago that determined the fate of Central Asia. Because of the betrayal of a Turkic people, the Tang Empire was defeated in that war, some of the artisans accompanying the army were captured, and paper was introduced to the world of Arabia.

"What do the Chinese think of Persia?"

The Chinese wanted to eat up the Central Asian steppes covered by the true God, and they also wanted the Ottoman Sultan, who was the caliph, to shut up. This made Abdul Hamid look embarrassed, but it was just a face-saving blow, and the Ottoman Empire had no actual loss of interests.

There was a Persian Kingdom between them and Central Asia. Whether it was the Safavid Empire two hundred years ago or the current Zand Dynasty, it was a serious threat to the Ottoman Empire.

The boss always regards the second as a thorn in the eye. What's more, there is a sectarian dispute here. How does the saying go?

-- Heretics are always more hateful than pagans! The two major sects of Arabian religion each hold one side, and everyone understands it.

In the entire Arabian world, if Ottoman is the undoubted boss, then Persia is absolutely the second. Karim Khan, who now rules most of Persia, is not an easy person to deal with. He rose in the chaos and occupied all the lands of the Afsharid dynasty except Khorasan and Edom. Both Mustafa III and Abdul Hamid I were wary of Persia. Even though Karim Khan was over seventy years old, he was still a lion.

"The Chinese believe that the Ottoman Empire is the leader of the Arab world."

This very beautiful compliment made the Istanbul monarchs and ministers in the entire hall laugh happily.

"Your Majesty, the Ottoman Empire is now facing a serious threat from the Slavs. The Chinese are our friends who we need very much. As long as we formally join forces with the Chinese, we will build the most solid cage in the world and lock the greedy polar bear of Russia firmly in the iron cage." The two countries faced a common enemy, which was a natural ally.

The Russo-Turkish war a few years ago caused a severe setback to the Ottoman Empire and humiliated the entire Arab world. The war has been over for several years now, but both the Russians and the Ottomans know that the war between the two giants will continue in the future.

Perhaps in a few years, or perhaps more than ten years, when the next generation grows up, will the Ottomans be the opponent of the Slavs?

"Your Majesty, the Ottomans really need China."

Being close to these European powers, the Ottoman crisis is much more serious than it is now. If Russia and Turkey fight again, the Ottomans will suffer another heavy blow. At that time, it will not only be the Slavs who will pounce on the Ottomans.

Britain and France, two countries that are more powerful than Russia, are also heavy threats. There are also the Austrians, the old enemy who has been entangled with the empire for two hundred years in the past history.

"Although the Chinese delegation did not come to visit the empire specifically, their initiative and goodwill were very obvious." Grand Vizier Alemdar Mustafa Pasha was very sure of this. The Ottomans had never thought of contacting China before. "The British North American colonies have launched an independence movement, and the envoys of the Thirteen States have entered Paris. The French are obsessed with the defeat in the Seven Years' War, and the domestic hatred of Britain is strong. Once the French decide to support them, most of Europe will be plunged into war." The Chinese chose a good opportunity. They intervened at the most contradictory time in Western Europe, which would inevitably make them treated as guests of honor by both Britain and France. But this might not be an opportunity for the Ottoman Empire.

"Last year, the Empire and the Russians signed the Kuchuk-Kainargi Treaty. The last war was completely over. But we have to see that the bitch Catherine has completely suppressed the Pugachev Uprising, and the shock in Russia has subsided. Thousands of captured rebels were thrown into Siberia by them, which became the basis for Russia to go to war with China."

"China has already gained a great advantage on the battlefield, and they joined forces with us to force the Russians to withdraw from the war with China earlier. I believe that even without our presence, the two countries will reach a peace agreement in the near future. At that time, the bitch can once again promote her southward policy..."