No.1 type 1,500 rifles, 300,000 rifle bullets... 100 revolvers, 10,000 pistol bullets; four 100mm mortars, 1,000 mortar shells; 1,000 explosives
Kilogram……"
In the tent, Muhammad read the long gift list in his hand. The chiefs of various tribes sitting on the ground listened expressionlessly to the gifts given to them by the British. Although they seemed expressionless on the surface, in fact, in their hearts
I had already secretly had fun.
For these poor people, such a rich gift was something they had never seen before. In the 19th century, there were no so-called rich countries. In the entire Middle East, the only rich countries were the Arabs in Mesopotamia.
People are richer and they make a living by farming. As for other places, the land is far less abundant than the desert Gobi. The limited land allows them to make a living by herding sheep in the desolate land.
poverty!
Not only ordinary people are like this, but even the chiefs are not rich, and they are also exploited by the Turks. Under the rule of the Turks, the population of this region, including Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon, has successfully grown in the past few hundred years.
It has dropped from nearly 10 million to less than 4 million, which has to be said to be a miracle.
Well, after ruling like this for hundreds of years, the miracle of reducing the population by half can only be achieved by the Turks. However, this does not prevent these chiefs from following the orders of the Turkish governors in Istanbul and various provinces.
After the translator read out the gift list, Lawrence calmly looked at the chiefs present again. Seeing the uncontrollable excitement on their faces, he knew that these country bumpkins had been conquered by his gift. So he looked at the people sitting there
These chiefs said:
"Dear chiefs, these things mentioned above are gifts to you from the British Empire. We know that the chiefs are mobilizing your people to defend Jerusalem, which is your holy land. Now the French are marching there. To
You know, that is the holy city recovered by Saladin, and we believe that no Arab will tolerate pagans occupying that land! Go there and defend your holy city!"
Faced with Lawrence's instigation, Chief Hussein said.
"British people, it seems that you also believe in Christ and are Christians!"
"No, we are Protestants and the Holy Land has nothing to do with us at all, but the French, they are Catholics, Chief!"
What barbarians, what religion, none of this is important to the British Empire at all. What is important? What is important is of course the interests of the British Empire, just like England abandoned Catholicism in order to establish Protestantism as the state religion.
What is it? It’s interest.
Now as long as these Arabs can resist the French invasion, teach the French a lesson, and prevent their expansion in Turkey, the British will certainly not mind using these Arabs. What do they think these heretics are?
It is an important ally in stopping France.
As for the so-called religion, are benefits important?
The reason why Lawrence came here was to persuade these Arabs to brave the cold all the way there to defend their holy city and stop the French invasion.
This is also the task given to him by London.
"As long as you get to Jerusalem, you can get more weapons. Now all the Arabs are there to defend your holy land. Distinguished Sheik, this is your jihad and has nothing to do with the Turks!"
Lawrence, standing in the tent, looked at the chiefs in front of him and continued.
"You will have an army of your own there, and when you defeat the French, maybe some new countries will appear here, noble chief, and you will become the king of this land."
Lawrence certainly knew that these Arabs were full of complaints against the Turks. In the past few hundred years, although they were all believers, their relationship with each other was not so wonderful. They were more inclined to fight for the Turks than to fight for them.
Fight for yourself.
Of course, the promise given to them by the UK is just an illusion. Will they really own their country? That is impossible. Even if they do, it will be under British rule.
Lawrence had absolutely no doubt about this. Not only did he not mind using this hollow glutinous rice ball to seduce these poor devils.
After hearing Muhammad translate what Lawrence said, the chiefs twisted their necks and talked, and their tone became a little excited.
How could you not be excited? After all, he was the British Empire's promise to them that they could have their own country! You get rid of the rule of the Turks. This is simply a gift from God.
Of course, they would not lead the men of the tribe to resist the French invasion just because of Lawrence's encouragement. These chiefs may be poor, but it does not mean that they are stupid. They know very well that the French are also
Can a country that is very powerful and can be feared by the Turks become weak?
"Mr. Lawrence, of course we can send our people like Jerusalem, but Britain, what will Britain do?"
Listening to Muhammad's translation, Lawrence spoke straightforwardly.
"The British Empire will provide you with the most advanced weapons in the world, and will also send officers to help you train a truly modern army."
The British definitely need to provide them with weapons. This is the fundamental prerequisite for those Arabs to be willing to die for the British.
Chief Hussein, who was sitting in the middle with a brown turban on his head, looked at Lawrence. As a chief, like other chiefs, he knew what the British wanted to do, and he just wanted them to resist the French.
"Can the British guarantee that they will support our independence from Turkey after the war?"
Compared with the weapons and so-called training provided by the British, Hussein paid more attention to the British commitment to support their independence in the future.
"Distinguished Chief, please believe that the British Empire will never betray its allies. And the British Empire will always abide by the promises it has made to its allies. After the French are defeated, you will gain support from the British."
Independence. That is Britain's promise to all of you."
Lawrence finally said.
“Let God be a witness to our commitment!”
"I believe that Britain will never betray its trust."
When Hussein said these words again, he had no idea that Britain's perfidy had long been known to everyone in Europe. In just a few words, they were deceived into the battlefield by Lawrence...
(End of chapter)
This chapter has been completed!