Chapter 567 Return (3)

Author: Feng Xiaomu

Chapter 567 Return (3)

Li Xingge wiped the sweat from his head. Their fleet finally got rid of the Ottoman Turkish Navy that rushed out of the Persian Gulf.

He looked at Chu Sheng, who looked as usual, and felt that after this journey, his relationship with Chu Sheng had improved a lot.

This was also a good opportunity, and he could express what he wanted in his heart.

"Brother Chu, you also saw the thrill of the war just now.

The Ottoman Turkish Empire's navy suddenly rushed out of the Persian Gulf.

The southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula is also close to the sea. We were so far away from the land that I thought we had escaped."

Chu Sheng said calmly: "Brother Li, if you are fine, you should read more books.

If you can't read books, you can just read more maps.

The territory of the Ottoman Turkish Empire in the Arabian Peninsula was only the coast of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

The interior of the Arabian Peninsula is a vast desert.

They are all occupied by local indigenous people and occupy a small oasis.

There are also areas on both sides of the Nile River in Egypt that are suitable for farming.

There is not even a river with abundant water in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Ottoman Empire was unwilling to rule this barren land.

But the Ottoman Turkish Empire was the overlord of this area, and these small-scale tribes could not resist the demands from the Ottoman Turkish Empire.

They can be regarded as similar to the relationship between a suzerain state and a vassal state."

Chu Sheng expected that as the Great China Empire's national power increases, its influence will expand to this region.

This barren land will be casually awarded to an unlucky prince by His Majesty the Emperor.

Li Xingge's face turned red. He had read the Four Books and Five Classics when he was a child. He was not good at studying, so he began to travel around the world doing business with his uncle in the family.

He usually reads newspapers to understand the news, but never reads some miscellaneous books.

"Brother Chu, I don't have the knowledge like you.

All we know is that the Ottoman Turkish Empire dominated this area, and the other regional power was Persia.

We are more familiar with Persia. Most of the merchants doing business with our country on the Silk Road are Persian merchants.

During the Tang Dynasty, China and Persia competed in Central Asia.

This kind of recorded historical data makes most people familiar with this empire.

The empire was at odds with the Ottoman Empire, and a large number of merchants went to Persia to do business."

Li Xingge wanted to make his request, but when he heard Chu Sheng's words, he quickly changed the subject.

Chu Sheng wanted to say that this Persia is not that Persia, after the Persian Empire was destroyed by foreigners.

Today's Persia is a new dynasty established by the descendants of the Persian Empire.

But he did not say these words. He was an official of the Ministry of Rites and was paying attention to the situation in these overseas countries.

Li Xingge is just a businessman. He just needs to know where he can make money by doing business.

Chu Sheng looked at Li Xingge and asked, "Brother Li, I just saw that you were hesitant to speak. Is there something you want to tell me?"

Li Xingge saw Chu Sheng and asked him directly, this was a good opportunity.

He said apologetically: "Brother Chu, you have seen this along the way.

Our armed merchant ships can deal with some small pirates just fine.

If we want to deal with big pirates supported by the state or bad navy personnel, we will have to pay a high price if we want to escape.

We businessmen have repeatedly requested the empire to open warships for sale, but there has not even been a reply on this matter.

I hope Brother Chu can bridge the gap and submit our demands to the Cabinet and the Governor's Office.

Even if we are unable to purchase warships, we can report our difficulties to the court.

The imperial court will arrange warship escort again, and we businessmen will feel more at ease."

When Chu Sheng heard Li Xinghe Pavilion's request, he pondered for a moment, calculating the pros and cons in his mind.

As an official who has been in the officialdom for many years, he knows that he has many requests and cannot easily agree to them.

Li Xingge waited extremely nervously for Chu Sheng's answer.

He very much hoped that Chu Sheng would agree.

Just when Chu Sheng was about to speak, he remembered something.

The Dahua Empire focuses on the development of the Shaofu, and most of the country's lifelines are controlled by companies under the Shaofu.

Ocean trade is no exception, and Shaofu controls dozens of ocean-going companies.

Their trips are always escorted by warships.

These ocean-going companies often came to Europe to trade.

Chu Sheng's original plan was to return to China with the official fleet.

In order to reduce the sensation of leaving England, these ocean-going trading companies were accompanied by warships, and they could not take the Mediterranean route.

In order to rush back to China as quickly as possible, Chu Sheng thought for a long time before he decided to return on a merchant ship.

Chu Sheng asked in surprise: "I remember the official fleet, they were escorted by warships.

Once the Mediterranean route is opened, there will inevitably be an official fleet choosing this route.

You are following the official fleet. If something happens, I believe the navy will never stand idly by."

After he finished speaking, he saw that Li Xingge had a bitter look on his face and opened his mouth but did not speak.

Chu Sheng immediately understood Li Xingge's performance.

It is nothing more than inconvenient to move with the official fleet.

Either they are evading taxes and smuggling goods, or they are transporting prohibited goods in the fleet, and they are afraid of being discovered by others.

Chu Sheng suddenly felt that the Li family could not have close friendship, and it would be easy to involve him if something happened.

He declined politely: "Brother Li, I am an official of the Ministry of Rites, and you have heard of the rules of the court.

I can only express my opinion on issues related to the Ministry of Etiquette. I really can't help with this matter.

My friend is an official in Shaofu. I can help you ask if there will be more ocean-going transportation teams to Fujian. I will inform you by telegram when the time comes."

When Li Xingge heard this answer, he looked a little lonely.

It seems that warships cannot be purchased through formal channels.

The important matter discussed in the clan seems to be on hold.

Li Xingge quickly said with a smile: "Brother Chu, it's my fault for being abrupt in this matter.

My brother is also ill and has sought medical treatment, hoping to solve the problems the family is facing as soon as possible."

The two of them chatted about the general situation of the countries around the route as usual, but compared with before, there were some more barriers.

…………………………

The island of Ceylon at the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent is already one of the bases of the Fifth Fleet of the Imperial Chinese Navy.

The Li family's fleet came to Ceylon Island for supplies, and Chu Sheng and Li Xingge came to the restaurant at the port.

He knew that Ceylon Island was officially annexed by the Chinese Empire and became one of the most important strategic pivots in this region.

Caravans returning from the west will meet here and then split up.

Chu Sheng learned about recent information about the empire from the newspapers provided by the restaurant.

He picked up a glass of Luzhou Laojiao and toasted to Li Xingge opposite.

"Brother Li, thank you for your hospitality along the way.

We have arrived at the Island of Ceylon, let's part here.

I plan to go north from here and return to the capital through the inland, which will be faster."

Li Xingge picked up the wine glass and drank freely, and said: "I am here to wish Brother Chu a bright future. We are destined to meet again."

He knew that there were two main routes starting from Ceylon and returning to the country.

Head east from Ceylon Island to the Nanyang Governor's Palace, and then to the mainland port of Dahua by sea.

Merchants who transport goods often take this route.

Compared with land transportation, which is more troublesome and expensive.

Shipping costs are low and the total volume of transported goods is huge.

Another route is to go north from Ceylon Island to the Governor-General's Palace of Myanmar and pass through the newly built Yunnan-Burma Railway.

Follow the Great China Empire's railway network to travel to any large or medium-sized city in the empire.
To be continued...