Chapter 1078

“Salid, that’s not funny at all.”

Suleiman’s expression became serious. He thought Salid was joking with him.

“Great Sultan, this is not a joke. The Golden Tent Khanate’s raids on the Empire’s borders have gradually stopped over the years. We originally thought it was very strange, but now it seems that this is the reason.” Salid said cautiously.

In the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Suleiman was the equivalent of a monarch. He was both the ruler of the Ottoman Empire and its religious leader. His authority was unique within the Ottoman Empire.

Below the Sultan, the Ottoman Empire also had two viziers and one privy minister. He was one of the viziers and the person Suleiman trusted the most.

Suleiman frowned when he heard this. He was not familiar with the Great Yu Empire, but he had a fresh memory of the Golden Tent Khanate. More than a decade ago, this formidable enemy was constantly encroaching on the Ottoman Empire’s borders. But in recent years, this Khanate was mentioned less and less.

If Salid’s words were true, then they had finally found the reason for the Golden Tent Khanate’s decline.

“The Great Yu Empire becoming strong seems to be beneficial to us. Now we no longer have to worry about the problems on our northeastern border, right?” Suleiman said happily. “Moreover, we can also take the opportunity to seize their land.”

Like all ambitious rulers, Suleiman also longed to expand the Ottoman Empire’s territory.

Salid showed an awkward expression. He said, “But the French envoy said that the former Great Yu Empire has changed its dynasty, and its new name is the Chinese Empire. And the land left behind after the demise of the Golden Tent Khanate has been occupied by them. In fact, the Ottoman Empire now shares a border with the Chinese Empire.”

Suleiman’s excited expression gradually disappeared. In the end, he was happy for nothing. Out of a ruler’s sensitivity, he was very wary of any powerful country that shared a border with him.

One Tsarist Russia was enough to give him a headache, and now there was apparently another enemy who seemed to be even more powerful.

“In that case, let’s meet with the French envoy. Perhaps they can provide some good advice. And just as you said, the Europeans are currently at war with this so-called Chinese Empire. Maybe we can gain some benefits from it, after all, the foundation of the Ottoman Empire’s power is its role as a commercial channel between the East and the West.”

“Alright, I will have them come in now.” Salid turned and left. A moment later, two people in black tailcoats came in behind him.

“Sultan Suleiman, it is an honor to meet you.” Henry bowed respectfully to Suleiman.

Not long after returning to France from Qingzhou, he received a new mission to come to Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

And the absurd reason for him being sent here was that he had been to the Chinese Empire and could more clearly describe this Eastern Empire to the Ottoman Empire.

But in Henry’s opinion, this was of no use to this diplomatic action. The Ottoman Empire needed real benefits.

“Are you the envoy from France?” There was a hint of intimidation in Suleiman’s voice. In fact, compared to the Eastern Empire, he was more wary of the Europeans now, because Istanbul was called the throat of Europe and Central Asia.

During the Ottoman Empire’s most glorious period, its territory once crossed Istanbul and even included Greece and Venice. But now, due to their failures in wars with the Europeans, they had lost all of their European territories.

“Yes, my name is Henry.”

Suleiman asked directly, “Salid said that you are willing to return the Peloponnese Peninsula to us?”

“With our mediation, this is possible. However, this requires the Sultan to work with us to deal with the crisis from the East,” Henry replied. Sometimes, diplomatic negotiations were that simple and direct. He also did not like to beat around the bush.

Suleiman’s eyes became sharp. For three hundred years, the Peloponnese Peninsula, where Greece was located, had been under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. But ten years ago, with the support of the European nations, Greece launched a revolutionary war for independence. With the support of the European powers, the Greeks obtained a large number of advanced firearms. Although he suppressed this revolutionary war, the Ottoman Empire, with its backward firearms, eventually lost the war and allowed Greece to break free from their rule.

However, he believed that as long as the European nations no longer interfered in Greece’s war for independence, he would recapture Greece. In this way, he could regain the prestige he had lost due to his failures in war.

“The crisis from the East?” Suleiman’s eyes darted around. He felt that a time when he could play both sides was coming again.

With a strange smile on his face, Suleiman said, “Are you talking about the Chinese Empire from the East? It is said that this newly risen Eastern Empire is very powerful. We do not want to bring trouble upon ourselves.”

Henry sneered in his heart. He knew that this would be the result. He then said, “If the Sultan can work with us to deal with the Eastern Empire’s expansion, in addition to supporting your country in recapturing the Peloponnese Peninsula, we will also pressure Tsarist Russia to abandon its ambitions for Crimea. The scale of these two lands combined is not small.”

Suleiman was moved this time. Compared to the Peloponnese Peninsula in southern Greece, he cared more about the Crimean port on the Black Sea. Tsarist Russia’s ambition for Crimea was also based on the Black Sea port.

“We will not do anything foolish just because of a few words from you. Before the Peloponnese Peninsula is returned to the Ottoman Empire’s territory and Tsarist Russia withdraws from Crimea, you will not get any response,” Suleiman said cunningly.

Before coming here, Henry had already received sufficient authorization. He said, “Sultan Suleiman, we are very sincere. If you agree, please send an envoy to Greece. Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Tsarist Russia, and France will send envoys to come with him. We will sign a specific treaty here, and you will get the result you want.”

Suleiman’s eyebrows raised. He said, “This is the most perfect plan. I will send my son to Greece to participate in the signing of the treaty. If I get what I want, I will also let you get what you want.”

“I hope the signing of the treaty will go smoothly.” Henry bowed again and, with Suleiman’s permission, left the palace.

After Henry’s figure disappeared, Suleiman said to Salid, “Immediately collect all intelligence on the Chinese Empire. The Europeans are willing to pay such a great price for our support, so they must be facing a serious crisis. We cannot act rashly until we have a clear understanding of the situation.”

Salid responded and turned to leave.