Zhu Youlang knew very well that even if the Ming Dynasty did not go west, these two empires would actively expand eastward.

Historically, the Ottoman Empire was obviously more powerful and more powerful.

Whether it is for Europe, Africa or Asia, the Ottoman Sultan has great ambitions, which directly leads to the heavy harm of the people in many places.

Even for the sake of making the people of the world, Zhu Youlang had to attack the Ottomans.

The Safi Empire was relatively conservative. Today's emperor Abbas II focused on developing the domestic economy and did not have much idea about expansion.

In fact, even Abbas I, known as the Great Emperor, only restored part of the territory of the Persian Empire during its heyday. After all, there was the arrogant Ottoman Empire to the west and the powerful Mughal Empire to the east.

It is not easy for the Safi Empire to survive in the middle, and it is unlikely to expand outward under various conditions.

If Zhu Youlang wants to open up the Silk Road, he will inevitably have to pass through these two empires.

It is obviously unwise to fight with both empires, and the best choice is to unite one to suppress the other.

Zhu Youlang actually had a problem in his mind, that is, to unite the Safi Empire to fight against the powerful Ottoman Empire.

The reason for this choice is actually very simple, because the Ottoman is definitely stronger than the Safi Empire in terms of force.

Even the Ming Dynasty cannot say that it is safe to eat Ottoman.

If Zhu Youlang and Ottoman fight one-on-one, they will definitely win. If the Safi Empire turns to Ottoman at this time, the attack on the Ming army will be devastating.

The best choice is to reach an alliance with the Safi Empire in advance. As long as the conditions are well stated, Zhu Youlang believes that with Abbas II's judgment, he will definitely not miss such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

After all, the Persians had a grudge against the cannibals in history to destroy the country. Now they have finally broken free from slavery and restored their country. Facing the Sultan, who claims to be the successor of the Caliph, the Persians should hate it very much in their bones, right?

Not to mention that the Ottoman Empire now also owns part of the territory that belongs to the Safi Empire. Even for the consideration of regaining this part of the territory, if the Ming army extends an olive branch, the Safi Empire has no reason to refuse.

Of course, these are just Zhu Youlang's guesses, and everything is unknown.

To reach an alliance, it is not possible to just talk.

He still hopes to win the support of Abbas II to the greatest extent.

After all, even with the transit in the Hezhong area, the Ming army's front line will still be long. It is always good to transfer one more place.

So Zhu Youlang immediately ordered someone to prepare the pen and ink and wrote a handwritten letter.

This letter was given to Shah (Persian Emperor) of the Safi Empire.

Of course, this letter will be translated by a minister who is proficient in Persian in the Hanlin Academy, but it will retain Zhu Youlang's original tone.

In addition, Zhu Youlang would copy the Chinese letter from this letter and order someone to send it to Li Dingguo.

Since Li Dingguo will not return to Beijing in a short period of time, he will plan the westward advance in the Western Regions.

Compared with opening up the Silk Road, capturing the Sengge seems to be insignificant, and at most it is only done by the way.

Zhu Youlang believed that Li Dingguo should be able to distinguish the relationship between the two.

...

...

After several months of bumpy journey, Sengge finally arrived in Istanbul.

This famous city that has only been heard in legends really shines as it is in legends.

In fact, there is another name in Istanbul called Constantinople. It was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

In 1453, Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was captured by the Ottoman Empire, and the Eastern Roman Empire was declared destruction. The Ottoman Sultan at that time ordered the name Constantinople to be changed to Istanbul, and since then the Ottoman Empire moved its capital here.

The Battle of Constantinople directly affected the situation in the next two hundred years. Since then, the Ottoman Empire has developed rapidly and has become a super empire spanning Europe, Asia and Africa.

Many small countries are frightened by it.

Previously, Sengge had heard of the prosperity of Istanbul, but what he saw with his own eyes today was really surprised to drop his chin.

This city is as dazzling as a pearl embedded in Bosphorus. The buildings of this city are very distinctive. They are built along the terrain, with different heights. From above, they look like terraces of the Central Plains agricultural civilization.

Of course, the most shocking thing is the Topkapa Palace.

Since its construction began during the reign of Mohammed II, Topkapa Palace has been the royal palace of the Ottoman Sultan for more than two hundred years.

Unlike ordinary palaces, which are located inland, Topkapa Palace is built near the coastline.

It stands on the Golden Horn Bay and overlooks the Marmara Sea.

It can be said that Topkapa Palace is the most excellent location in the city of Istanbul.

After Sengge expressed his purpose, he was immediately ordered to keep the army outside the city, and only a dozen people followed him into the city.

When arriving outside Topkapa Palace, these dozen followers were also ordered to stay outside the palace.

He wanted to meet Sultan Muhammad IV, so he naturally could not take any subordinates, and even his whole body was searched, which was extremely strict.

However, Sengge did not feel insulted, but instead felt the possibility of revenge.

Such a powerful Ottoman Empire, as long as they agreed to send troops, Sengge would have the confidence to kill again and defeat the Ming army.

Sengge sorted out his thoughts and, accompanied by the guards, entered the second courtyard from Chongjing Gate, which is the middle gate.

He probably would never forget the gate with cannons on this city wall. Its sides are octagonal spires.

Every corner of this palace is clearly divided, and anyone can only walk in one section.

For example, the guards could only walk in the external area with the monks. When they arrived at the inner palace area, they had to be led by eunuchs.

Anyone is following the rules and will never take a wrong step.

Sengge hunched his back and walked very carefully on Xiaozai.

He almost held his breath and didn't even dare to exhale, just because he was afraid of being scolded for doing something wrong.

Compared with the Ottoman Empire, the Junggar Khanate is really not worth mentioning.

Sengge kept reminding himself in his heart that he must lower his posture as much as possible.

He is now just a wanderer in the desperate world, begging the great Sultan to take him in.

I don't know how long I walked, but the guards stopped.

Sengge looked up and saw a beautiful and exquisite arch.

He could hardly see the inside from the outside, but he guessed that passing through this arch would be the inner palace area of ​​the palace.

Sure enough, the guard who led him forward came forward and talked to a middle-aged man without a beard for a few words. Sengge thought to himself that this man should be a eunuch.

When they finished their conversation, the guard signaled Sengge to come forward, and turned around and left.

...

...
Chapter completed!