Chapter 4840 Unforeseen
As the Caliph's most loyal minister, Abu A'war was well aware of Mu'awiya's ambitions. The internal disputes in the food kingdom had seriously hindered his lofty ambition to expand territory and create a prosperous age, so he went to war with Eastern Rome to eliminate internal conflicts. It is already the most important national policy at the moment, and no one is allowed to violate it or obstruct it.
Therefore, no matter how the ministers exploited farmers and merchants in various places, how they broke their bones and sucked their marrow, they could do whatever they wanted as long as they paid taxes and food.
But if we start a war with Datang, this is absolutely not allowed.
When he led his army to conquer the Western Regions, Mu'awiya was defeated by the Tang army. Hundreds of thousands of troops lost their armor and fled thousands of miles away. He was already full of fear of the Tang Dynasty. This was also to set the target of the war on Eastern Rome. important reasons.
The purpose of launching a war is to use victory to neutralize the interests of all parties and eliminate internal conflicts. However, if the war is defeated, not only will all the goals be defeated, but the conflicts will be completely triggered. At that time, it may even trigger a civil war. The Caliphate's The position is in jeopardy...
However, although the navy of the Tang Dynasty was rampant in the East, the fleet of the Great Food Kingdom was also dominant in the West and the Mediterranean. Even the fleet of the Roman Empire could only hide in the Mediterranean for the time being and did not dare to take the lead. If it were to fight head-on, If you win the battle against the Tang Navy, you don't need to destroy it. You just need to have a small victory to force it back. By then, won't your reputation be great?
Moreover, the Tang Dynasty built a port in Muxun to tightly block the entrance to the Persian Gulf. In the long run, it would have a great impact on the economy and military of the food country. I think the Caliphate was also willing to remove this nail.
The fleet that the Tang Dynasty traveled across the ocean to the Persian Gulf had less than 200 ships, and a large part of them were modified armed merchant ships with limited combat capabilities. The Shirov Port and the Wuca Port at the mouth of the two rivers could mobilize warships. More than three hundred, the most important thing is that the hydrology of the Persian Gulf has always been in the hands of the food country. Even Persia in the past did not have detailed hydrology information of the Persian Gulf...
Abu Awar evaluated in his mind, and the original fear gradually disappeared, replaced by excitement and excitement. He felt that he could defeat the Tang Dynasty Navy.
The taboo of going to war with the Tang Army is not to offend the superpower far in the east, but to disrupt the Caliphate's plan to conquer Eastern Rome. However, if the Tang Army is defeated and takes the opportunity to negotiate with them to increase the commercial tax for Tang merchant ships entering the Great Food Country, there will be More money was used to support the Caliph's war plan. It was too late for the Caliph to rejoice, so how could he be blamed?
Of course the most important thing is to win and never fail.
After weighing the situation in his mind, Abu Awar summoned his generals and officials to the Governor's Mansion to discuss countermeasures.
"A soldier of the Tang Dynasty fell into the water and drowned, and they insisted that it was caused by us ramming the ship. I am afraid that this incident cannot be explained. The Tang Dynasty will definitely not give up. The worst case scenario is that more than a hundred warships will come to the port and force us to surrender. Should you straighten your spine and fight fiercely to maintain the empire's majesty, or should you hold back and pay compensation to quell the anger of the Tang Dynasty? "
Some people trembled: "The Tang Army's navy traveled across the ocean without a single defeat. Not only did its ships sail faster and their structures were stronger, but also because of the firearms equipped on their ships. The Tang Army was invincible! Once defeated, the Caliphate would definitely pursue him, so Who can bear the responsibility? Governor, think twice!”
This is a firm supporter of the "theory of invincibility of the Tang army".
"Firearms are certainly powerful, but naval warfare is more about the draft of the ship, the bravery of the soldiers, and the logistics. We have the upper hand in all of these, and we are worthy of a battle."
This is the "Imperial Might Theory" person who believes that the myth of the Tang Army's "invincibility" is just because it has never encountered a real strong man, and now that the Dashi Kingdom is the real strong one, it will definitely burst the bubble of the Tang Army's "invincibility" .
Everyone was talking a lot and couldn't agree on what they were talking about. Abu Awal was a little irritated and ordered: "Keep an eye on the Tang fleet at Wusun Port. We must take action and report it immediately. We will also mobilize the warships from Wuci Port and we will do whatever we can." We must take good defense and send people to Damascus immediately by land and water to ask for the Caliph’s opinion.”
Everyone agreed that whether in war or peace, the Caliph's order should be followed, and then defense should be prepared first, and then one would be invincible.
However, as soon as everyone dispersed, a guard came to report: "The Tang army sent someone to ask to see the governor."
Abu Awal touched his beard, nodded and said: "Bring him here and see what he says."
Although he did not believe that the Tang Navy's expeditionary expedition and lack of troops could pose a threat to Shirov Port, after all, the country was preparing to conquer Eastern Rome. A large-scale naval battle at this time would inevitably affect the Caliphate's overall plan. , it is better to be cautious and avoid war.
But if the Tang army is aggressive, he doesn't mind fighting with all his strength. As long as he wins the battle, it will not only not affect the Caliphate's combat plan, but also test the combat effectiveness of the navy of the great food country and lay the foundation for the conquest of Eastern Rome.
Once it is decided to go to war against Eastern Rome, the entire navy of the Food Kingdom in the Persian Gulf will be transferred to the Mediterranean to participate in the war. After all, the navy of Eastern Rome is far larger than the navy of the Food Country. The Caliphate must concentrate all its forces to fight...< br>
Not long after, the guards came in with a Tang army general wearing a helmet and armor. The well-made mountain armor on his body covered all the vital points. It was convenient and fast for walking without any hindrance. It was far better than the plate armor equipped by the army of the Great Food Kingdom. , it is said that in the Tang Dynasty, "plate armor" could only be used as the lowest-level soldier equipment, but all officers above the rank of captain would be equipped with black hammer armor, mountain armor and even Mingguang armor.
It’s really mouth-watering...
This general of the Tang Army was twenty years old at most. His face was tanned after being exposed to the sun, but there was still a youthful air between his eyebrows. He was short in stature and had broad shoulders. From behind, he looked like a brave and capable warrior. His expression was neither humble nor arrogant, neither Facing the submissive attitude of a local governor, he did not have the arrogance and arrogance of a general of the Tang Army.
He respectfully clasped his fists and saluted, first handed over a document, and then said loudly: "I, Fu Yulong, the captain of the Navy of the Tang Dynasty, wish the governor well on behalf of Yang Zhou, the general of the Navy of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty is a country of etiquette, and has always been in contact with Nanyang and the West. All countries have free trade and common prosperity. However, the Governor first increased taxes on the merchants of the Tang Dynasty for no reason, causing the trade between the two countries to be interrupted. The merchants of the Tang Dynasty wantonly slaughtered and plundered money, which damaged the prestige of the Tang Dynasty. Today, they even drove warships to ram the ships of the Tang Dynasty, causing two naval soldiers to drown. Such unruly and cruel acts not only provoked the prestige of the Tang Dynasty, but also made the Tang Dynasty The armies share the same hatred. If the two countries go to war, the responsibility lies with your country. You will be responsible for any consequences. Don’t say it was unforeseen! ”
When the interpreter translated these words, Abu Awal looked ugly. According to his temper, let's start a war. Will the great food country be afraid of the Tang Dynasty?
However, the overall situation was more important, so he was more cautious and asked: "What does Datang want?"
Fu Yulong straightened his back and said loudly: "First, your country must publicly apologize for the mutilation of merchants of the Tang Dynasty and the death of naval soldiers. Post a notice in Shirov Port and make it known widely, so that all business travelers from various countries will be wiped out. Everyone knows; secondly, for the dead merchants of the Tang Dynasty, The navy and soldiers must pay compensation; third, withdraw the temporary tax increase order; fourth, your country recognizes Datang as a strategic trading partner and grants Datang 'most favored nation' treatment; fifth, guarantee that similar accidents will never happen from now on. .”
Abu Awal looked confused and looked at the interpreter.
The interpreter was also a little confused, but everything else was fine. What does "most favored nation treatment" mean?
He asked anxiously: “Can you please clarify, what is ‘most favored nation treatment’?”
Fu Yulong held his double-buckled belt with both hands and said with great momentum: "The Tang Dynasty and the Great Food Country are friendly countries to each other. The business exchanges between the two countries are increasing day by day and the connections are close. In order to promote the diplomatic relations between the two countries and strengthen business cooperation, they should mutually cooperate with each other." Reduce business taxes on each other, such as For example, the commercial tax levied by the Tang Dynasty on the merchants of Tianzhu and other countries was 10 taxes and 3 taxes. Then after signing the contract with the Great Food Country, the commercial tax levied on the merchants of the Great Food Country would be 20 taxes and 1 dollars. Only in this way can the commercial prosperity of the two countries be promoted and deepened. Close cooperation.”
The interpreter immediately translated it to Abu Awal.
Abu Awal's eyes widened. There may be room for discussion on the other points. After all, he doesn't want to fight now, but this "most favored nation treatment" is simply killing him!
Now the country with the strongest trade on the sea is the Tang Dynasty. Although there are merchants in the Great Food Kingdom who trade directly with the Tang Dynasty, most of them are middlemen from countries such as Tianzhu. The merchant ships from the Great Food Kingdom to the Tang Dynasty are not enough to go to the Tang Dynasty. One-tenth of the food country, once the "most favored nation" treatment is signed, it seems that the conditions of both parties are consistent and very fair, but the loss of the food country in business tax is dozens of times.
If things go on like this, the profit deficit earned by the merchants of the Tang Dynasty from the Great Food Country will be a bottomless pit, which may directly drain the wealth of the Great Food Country...
The most important thing is that as the governor of Shirov Port, I make a living by collecting taxes. I have to pay a huge amount of taxes to the Caliphate every year to keep this position. If the taxes for merchants in the Tang Dynasty are reduced from the current ten to twenty taxes, One, where else to collect taxes?
Datang merchants are the biggest customers in Shirov Port!
Not to mention that the Caliph couldn't agree, he, the governor of Shirov Port, couldn't agree either!
He suppressed the anger in his heart with a stern face and said in a cold voice: "This matter is so big that I can't make the decision. It needs to be reported to the Caliph for a decision. Your country might as well be ranked first."
Fu Yulong nodded: "Your country has harmed the prestige of the Tang Dynasty first. If you cannot provide a compensation plan that satisfies the Tang Dynasty and give enough respect to the Tang Dynasty, then the Tang army will use warships and horizontal knives to take it yourself! At that time, it is not your country’s decision to decide what to take and how much to take.”
After a pause, he repeated the most important sentence: "...Don't say you didn't predict what you said!" Abu Awal was a little confused. Could this sentence have some special meaning that needed to be emphasized? Once?
(End of chapter)