Chapter 447 One step at a time
Amal would not take the Persian words that Shaojie said seriously. After all, the Sassanian Persian Empire was still a unified country at least in this era. It was just that it was already in a closed and backward state. The empire did not fully open up this market, nor did it enjoy the trade of this country alone.
Obviously, the cooperation between the two countries in this regard must be to sacrifice peace between the Ottoman Empire and Persia, and to promote the opening of Persia to the empire.
Amal would not be fooled by this. Both his father and himself have considerable political ambitions, and the realization of this ambition must be based on the occupation of Vienna in the direction of Europe. The Austrian Empire is not a weak opponent. For this strategic goal, the Ottoman Empire must make some choices. Amal can even choose the defensive position in North Africa, endure the African colonists' encroachment on North African territory, and is unwilling to give up this ambition.
In fact, the empire has been trying to ease the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and the Austrian Empire. The empire's senior officials believe that it would be very beneficial to the empire if these two countries could establish spheres of influence and boundaries in the Balkans.
Because the empire and the Austrian Empire have no absolute conflict of interest, the lands of the two countries are neither bordered nor strategic conflict of interest. Austria's hatred of the empire depends entirely on the empire's attitude towards the Ottoman Empire. But the problem is that the Ottoman Empire has mastered the Suez Canal and the Black Sea Strait, and the empire cannot be enemies with it.
This is a structural contradiction, which can only be resolved by the two countries' active friendship, but the two countries are a feud and cannot be resolved.
Amal thought for a while and asked, "What are your demands for Yemen, your country?"
In fact, in the early days when the empire officially entered the Arab region, the Ottoman Empire had many of its own territories in the Arabian Peninsula and Africa on the southern coast of the Red Sea, but these had been swept by the empire and handed over to the African Development Company.
African development companies replace imperial colonization and enjoy the benefits of colonization, while also bearing the costs. But in Yemen, it is not. The Port of Aden is not only the military port of the Imperial Navy, but also the main place for the Empire to station troops in Saudi Arabia. However, the Empire has never given Aden territory status.
This policy towards Aden was determined by the Ministry of Overseas Affairs, which is now the Ministry of Overseas Affairs sends the Governor to provide administrative jurisdiction.
Aden was originally a small fishing village, built from nothing to something, built by empire immigrants. It can be regarded as an imperial territory, just like Ceuta. But the problem is that Aden has had poor management since its establishment, and the local population composition and civilization integration are very complex.
Nowadays, the suburbs around the city are around 90,000, and it is a very prosperous trading port. However, the number of empire immigrants will not exceed 20,000. Although the city is in a community and street situation, it is generally in a state of mixed living.
Even the local natives are diverse, with Shiites from the north and Sunnis from the east, and the two factions are fighting endlessly.
Such a city is destined to be not accepted by the imperial central government, and a population of such a large scale cannot expel local indigenous people. It can only be allowed to develop and become a special overseas territory. Local imperial immigrants have the nationality of the imperial family.
It is well known that the empire gave up the landing of Aden, but this did not hinder the development of Aden, but instead promoted its development. For example, some Nanyang companies invested in Aden, taking advantage of the local low labor advantage, and did not need to provide such labor with such detailed legal protection as the empire's domestic state.
The empire's colonization of the Aden region has also declared the death penalty, so immigration in the Aden region is basically divided into two factions.
One faction is to maintain the status quo, that is, to continue to be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Overseas Affairs. The other faction is to be independent and separate itself from the land of Yemen. It does not require a country to be established, but it must be completely separated from Yemen.
This is also a hidden concern for Amal to Yemen's handling, and he needs Shaojie to give a comprehensive and affirmative reply.
However, Amar did not think there was any problem with other tribes in Yemen. He could directly divide Yemen into two provinces according to religion. As for the way of rule, he also sent a governor, but relied on the local powerful rule.
The indigenous people in Yemen naturally would not sincerely submit, and Amal didn't care. He had already decided that he could just use the same tricks to deal with those people, and give them a stick first and then a sugar bean. Although Yemen expelled the Ottoman Empire from the local area seventy years ago, Amal did not think that the Yemeni could use the same trick again because the times were different.
In fact, during the Spanish War of Succession of the Throne, colonial activities in various countries around the world increased dramatically, and the efficiency of colonization was also greatly improved. This was mainly due to technological progress and the invention of steam-powered ships could transport enough ammunition and supplies to colonial armies that went abroad on expeditions, and transport more people alive and back alive.
The same is true in military technology. In the 18th century, the indigenous tribes in various places were no different from those five hundred years ago, but the colonial army had undergone earth-shaking changes. The mesh gun became a rear-mounted rifled gun, and a machine gun that could continuously spit out flames.
In the era of the medron, a group of natives could use courage to arrange them into tight formations and disperse the formations of a few colonial armies, but in this era, it was completely different.
In faraway Africa, African development companies can have a squad of fifty people. With two hand-cranked multi-barrel machine guns, they withstood the attacks of thousands of black indigenous people and caused thousands of casualties to the enemy. This is a suppression of technology. Indigenous people in Yemen are also vulnerable in front of professional troops armed with advanced weapons.
Shaojie had already made a decision and said, "I suggest maintaining the status quo of Aden City and giving it an independent status, which will still be ruled by the Ministry of Overseas Affairs."
The Port of Aden is nothing among the many harbor cities in the empire, but in the Arab region, it is definitely a harbor of no less than the size of the city in the middle of the way. Aden is the essence of the Yemen region. With such a large piece of fat, Shaojie said that he could not throw it to Amal casually.
Moreover, the narrowest parts of the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea in Aden also have very important military significance, which is unique.
Amar still covets the port of Aden, he said: "Aden is located in Yemen."
"But she has never belonged to the Ottoman Empire." Shaojie said toughly, but soon, a bright smile appeared on his face, because he should not be too tough now, so he said: "Amar, I am now doing the errands of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Overseas Affairs and the Imperial Guard. You should know that in addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the nobles of the Underground Palace and the Ministry of Overseas Affairs, there are exclusive interests in the Aden region.
This kind of conflict of interests is extremely complicated. I can tell you this way, even if His Highness Yu issued an order and handed over the Port of Aden to your country, the handover will not go smoothly."
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs is a very special department. It not only includes the administrative management function of the colony and the military suppression function. In terms of economy, it can be regarded as the overseas special economic zone of the empire. Its internal relationships are complicated, and even the leader of this department, Yu Wang Li Junwei, cannot figure out the entanglements.
Founding ministers, military meritorious officials, overseas powerful people, colonial gentry, and various forces are intricate.
Port Aden is the area under which Shaojie is responsible. He himself serves as the governor of Port Aden, and his art of ruling is to rule by inaction. In fact, many governors of the Ministry of Overseas Affairs have this kind of ruling art. Aden, Jamaica, Nassau, etc.
Amar was still hesitating. After all, Aden Port is really a fat piece of jealousy. More importantly, in Yemen, there is only such a big city. After he received the news that he could sell Yemen from Shaojie, he had already thought in his heart that he would divide it into two provinces based on religion. Without Aden, these two provinces were destined to not even have a decent city.
"Amal, as your friend, I don't think you should hesitate. Now is the time to cut the mess. You won't think that as long as King Yu supports and as long as you agree to maintain the local status quo, you can get support from the empire. If this news spreads, I think a lot of people will come out to make trouble.
Two provinces, with a population of one million, are almost equivalent to just increasing one-thirty of the Ottoman Empire's strength for nothing. What's there to hesitate about?" Shaojie said.
This is also the attitude of the imperial government. The imperial government has been not very interested in colonization since the Taizu era because the imperial government believed that colonization was beneficial to capitalists and harmful to the government. In the absence of interest, the empire did not achieve its rule over Yemen, but it was limited to this. The entire Yemen revolved around Aden and joined the order established by the empire. In fact, no matter how the local tribes opposed the rule of the empire, the empire realized its economic colonization of Yemen.
Even if Amal will agree to maintain the status quo, as long as Yemen is annexed by the Ottoman Empire, the local economic situation will be reshuffled, and the interests of some merchants in the empire will be damaged. The vested interests must re-adapt to the new order, and no one will want to change it. Therefore, for Amal, it is best to cut the mess quickly.
Amal asked: "What is the scope of this message now?"
"At present, only the Minister of the State Council of Shen Jing, I, Your Highness Rong, and you know." Shaojie said, looking at the busy waiter beside him, and joked: "Even if he adds him, there will be no more than ten people, as long as he understands the conversation between us."
"Okay, I won't be kidding." At this time, Amal was completely knocked out by the gifts from the two provinces, so he didn't want Shaojie to be in a cynical state.
Shaojie shrugged: "Of course, I'm not kidding, but I really don't know, what else do you have to hesitate about."
"The timing is wrong." Amal stood up and said, "It's really not the time."
Shaojie sighed: "Mr. Amal, I used you as a friend to fight for you to annex Yemen now. You are going back to Istanbul. Don't you want to accept flowers and applause after you go back? Do you want those people in Istanbul to cast doubtful eyes on you?"
"No, no, no, don't misunderstand me. I am grateful for your friendship. The timing of what I said is wrong. It means that my troops are in short supply." Amar said.
Shaojie had doubts on his face, his eyes widened, and he looked incredible. In fact, he was very happy because the so-called annexation of Yemen by the Ottoman Empire was not only to deal with the negative assets of the imperial government, but the most important thing was to disperse the troops under Amar's command and unable to concentrate.
Now he will send an army to Tunisia to provoke a conflict to ensure that European colonists will not pose a threat to Egypt. And he will return to Istanbul to take over power, and he will also have a force that is completely loyal to himself in the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and the Egyptian and Sinai provinces must leave some of their strength to defend themselves.
In Yemen, the indigenous tribes here have fought with the Ottoman Empire for hundreds of years, and they will definitely not welcome the rulers of the Ottoman Empire.
It is a bit too difficult for Amar to meet four uses at the same time.
Amar was obviously knocked out by the cake that Shaojie threw, so out of a dilemma, he didn't want to miss this opportunity, but he was at a loss.
"Can the Yemenite affairs be postponed for a period of time?" Amal asked.
Shaojie said: "I don't think it's possible. Now is a great opportunity to take advantage of the chaos. You have to know that my term will end next year, and the next person may not be in the same position as you. Moreover, there is a voice in the Ministry of Overseas Affairs, that is, to sell Yemen to the Persian Empire. After all, in Yemen, there are more Shiite believers."
Amar frowned, and Shaojie said: "In fact, it will only benefit and not harm when dealing with Yemen in advance. However, you don't have to be so anxious when you transfer troops to Istanbul. Although your father wants you to be the heir, he definitely doesn't like you holding military power there."
"That was the Ottoman Empire, not your country. Without an army, I could not take over the power smoothly." Amar said.
"But that army may not be your headquarters," said Shaojie.
Seeing that Shaojie was pointing his opinion on his words, Amar simply asked, "What do you mean?"
Chapter completed!