He died during a battle with the Italian army, when a bullet hit his chest and caused him to fall off his horse and die.
As the king of Shoa, Menelik learned the news immediately.
"Are you sure you saw clearly?"
In the military camp outside Mara, Menelik asked the visitor.
"Yes, I used the telescope His Highness gave me to see clearly. Emperor Johannes was indeed killed in the battle. His Praetorian Guards and he were surrounded and eliminated by the Italians. No one escaped."
"Then you go down and rest."
After sending the people away, Menelik called an attendant and gave instructions. "Invite Duke Aliyah Selassie to come over and tell him that I have something to discuss with him."
"As you command, Your Highness."
After asking his attendants to invite his son-in-law and brother-in-law, Menelik called for a confidant. After muttering a few words in a low voice, the confidant left immediately with his orders.
After a while, the only son of Johannes IV, Duke Alia Selassie, came to the big tent. "What is it, King Menelik?"
There is no way, I really don't know what to call the relationship between the two, so I can only call it by title.
"Duke Selassie, I have a very urgent matter to discuss with you this time."
In the big tent, Menelik spoke to him with a serious expression.
"What's up?"
Facing the serious-looking Menelik, Aliyah Selassie's heart tightened, thinking of the battlefield not far away. "Is there any news from my father?"
"Yes, I just got the news that your father, the great Johannes IV, was killed in a battle with the Italians just now."
Menelik's words made Aliyah Selassie open his eyes wide, and he looked at the Lord of Shoa in front of him with disbelief.
"You lied to me, right?"
"Say, you are kidding me!"
Looking at Menelik who said nothing, Aliyah Selassie's heart dropped to the bottom, and he sat on the ground and cried.
"Please have your condolences."
Menelik looked at Aliyah Selassie who was losing his temper, and then called two guards. "Take Duke Aliyah Selassie to rest. In addition to not letting him go out, give him everything he needs."
Menelik's words caused the two guards to tightly grasp the arms of Duke Selassie.
"Let me go, let me go. What are you doing?"
Duke Selassie, who was struggling desperately, could not break free from the control of the two men. He could only see his eyes staring at Menelik. "This is what you want. When you see my father killed in battle, you can't wait to be his father."
The emperor."
Faced with Duke Selassie's nonsense, Menelik did not refute. He walked up to him and said. "This is not what I want to see, but now that it has failed, changes must be made. I don't want this to happen."
No more lives will be lost in this war. This is not only my decision, but also your father's idea, otherwise he would not stay and face the Italians alone."
After finishing speaking, Menelik waved his hand and asked the guards to take him down.
At this time, a confidant on the side walked up to Menelik and made a singing gesture.
"No, I don't want his life, and I don't want Zoditu to lose her husband. I just want him to be quiet. This is also to save his family. This is what I promised Emperor Johannes, and I can't break my promise."
Menelik's words made his confidant lower his head, bowed and left quietly.
Yes, Menelik wanted peace talks. To say peace talks may be a bit embarrassing, and the word "peace talks" is more appropriate.
This war can no longer be fought. All the elite troops from across the country have been mobilized, but there are still heavy casualties. Menelik finally figured out that even if all the soldiers in Abyssinia were gathered together, they would not be able to defeat the incoming Italian army.
.
In this case, why continue to fight? Although it is important to ensure Abyssinia's independent status, it cannot be based on the premise that Abyssinia has suffered huge losses.
He was more worried about the Sudanese invasion in the Lake Tana area than Italy. Every Abyssinian knew the thoughts of these Sudanese people.
In fact, putting Alia Selassie under house arrest was for his own good. If he continued to lead troops, Italy might take action on him.
Moreover, his attitude just now showed that Duke Selassie has not given up his hatred. With such an attitude, how can he be released with peace of mind.
As for the issue of the army he led that originally belonged to the emperor, this is easy to handle. The 20,000 troops directly under the emperor are currently under the protection of his Shao'a army. He will conquer this army in the name of the successor emperor in a while.
As long as he subdues this army, he, Menelik, will be the most powerful person whether facing the Italians or other princes and nobles. He can represent Abyssinia and negotiate with the Italians.
When it comes to conquering this army, you need to make the necessary preparations.
Thinking of this, he asked a confidant beside him.
"Are you ready?"
"Get ready. I have already moved the army close to the army led by Duke Selassie, and another three hundred kilograms of gold are also ready."
"Now that we're ready, let's set off."
Then Menelik brought the gold to the army commanded by Duke Selassie. After gathering all the generals, Menelik told the news that the emperor died in the battle and that Duke Selassie was unable to govern because of excessive grief.
This caused the generals to panic.
Then Menelik asked people to take out the gold and let these people make a choice. Except for a few people, everyone else knew how to choose.
Of course, Menelik's status as emperor's heir played a big role.
After taking control of this army, Menelik did not stop and immediately sent a special envoy to Alem to ask for a meeting with General Simonyi.
"Menelik wants peace?"
Simone, who had just won the battle, looked at the special envoy in front of him and asked with a smile on his face.
"Yes, General. As the emperor's heir, His Highness Menelik automatically became the Emperor of Abyssinia after the death of Emperor Johannes."
"Our Majesty believes that the war between the two countries only brings pain to the people. This is not the behavior of wise men. Therefore, with a peaceful attitude, we believe that the war between the two countries should be stopped."
Looking at the eloquent envoy in front of him, Simone thought for a while and then said, "I can promise you, but I ask that your Emperor Menelik must talk to me in person."
Faced with Simone's strange request, the special envoy was stunned for a moment and then said, "As the general wishes, His Majesty the Emperor is willing to come and meet the general for the sake of peace between the two countries."
