If not for the sudden appearance of Emperor Zhu, the construction of the Suez Canal would have officially begun in 1858, with the primary source of labor being Egypt's impoverished commoners. The entire project was slated to take nearly eleven years and cost around 18.6 million pounds, more than double the initial budget.
However, with Emperor Zhu having eliminated the Great Qing and initiated the era of the "Little Broken Pot," the entire "Little Broken Ball" was being bled dry by the Great Ming. As a result, Egypt was unable to cast off Ottoman rule as it had in the original timeline, and France remained under the reign of Louis XVI. Consequently, the Suez Canal Company, established by Ferdinand de Lesseps, the French consul in Egypt, with the concession from the Egyptian governor, Pasha Said, ceased to exist.
This meant that the cost of excavating the Suez Canal would be transferred. Either the Great Ming's treasury would allocate funds, or some other country would have to bear the expense of its construction.
Emperor Zhu set his sights on the Ottoman Empire. After all, among all the countries in Europe and those surrounding the Ottoman Empire, only the Ottomans could afford the cost. England was about to be dealt with, France had other uses, and only the Ottoman Empire, having profited greatly from selling oil, was a viable target. Who else could Emperor Zhu target?
However, Zhu Jianying couldn't help but express some concern: "If, I mean, if—if that Mahmud II suddenly goes crazy, not only refusing to meet you, Your Majesty, but directly flipping the table and starting a fight, then..."
Emperor Zhu smiled and shook his head, retorting, "If you were Mahmud II, would you flip the table right now?"
Zhu Jianying pondered for a moment and finally said hesitantly, "If I were Mahmud II, I would flip the table and simultaneously send people to seek aid from European countries like England, Russia, and the Habsburg family."
Emperor Zhu smiled and asked, "Tell me more?"
Zhu Jianying bowed in assent and said, "If I don't flip the table, the Great Ming can dictate the price of Ottoman oil, and the Ottomans can only be arbitrarily oppressed by the Great Ming."
"If I flip the table, even if I'm not sure I can defeat the Great Ming, seizing this opportunity, I would definitely flip the table. I would drag you to the Cape of Hafun, while simultaneously sending people to seek aid from allies like England, Russia, and the Habsburg family."
Emperor Zhu let out a cold laugh, mockingly saying, "So, you intend to make the best of a bad situation, or rather, to have a blast before you die, even if you can't achieve the highest honor?"
Zhu Jianying was taken aback for a moment, then his face flushed red as he exclaimed, "How many people did you bring, Your Majesty? And how many people are there in the entire Ottoman Empire? If you can be kept at the Cape of Hafun, the entire Great Ming will fall into a leaderless state, and other countries in the 'Little Broken Pot' will think about carving up the Great Ming. Who will care about the Ottoman Empire then?"
Emperor Zhu gently shook his head and continued to sarcastically mock the Great Ming's eldest prince, "You idiot, do you know how strong this fleet your father brought is? Although the Heavenly Son Royal Fleet doesn't have many warships, their combat power surpasses that of the East Sea Fleet or the South Sea Fleet. Even fighting one against two, they might not have a chance of losing."
"What does the Ottoman Empire have? Can their proud cavalry fight at sea? Or will their unreliable allies suddenly become reliable? Or can the Ottoman Empire disregard the military bases that the Great Ming has built in West Kunlun, the Ottoman Empire, and elsewhere?"
"Even if, for the sake of argument, all the other military bases are tied down by barbarians, and the Ottoman Empire's strength suddenly increases, the Heavenly Son Fleet can always escape, can't it? If they fail to keep me in the Ottoman Empire, can Mahmud II bear the corresponding consequences?"
With that, Emperor Zhu couldn't help but glare at Zhu Jianying, reprimanding him, "Why does our Great Ming have so many stubborn people like you? When the Oirats attacked the capital, no one negotiated; when Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself on Coal Hill, no one negotiated. Yet here you are, always wanting to flip the table!"
Being spoken to like that by Emperor Zhu, Zhu Jianying felt utterly speechless. If you weren't stubborn, you would have killed Liu Juren as soon as he said it, raised the flag as soon as you decided to, and you've had plenty of experience fighting the Jian Yi army, haven't you?
After a silent complaint, Zhu Jianying frowned again and said, "Then the Ottoman Empire can only swallow this humiliation?"
Emperor Zhu grunted, "This depends on whether Mahmud II's brain is functioning normally—as long as his brain isn't completely damaged, he absolutely wouldn't dare to gamble the entire Ottoman Empire."
Mahmud II indeed did not dare to gamble. If, by any chance, Emperor Zhu escaped or was delayed until the Ming army arrived for reinforcement, the entire Ottoman Empire would be completely finished. Perhaps even the earthworms in the ground would be dug out and cut in half.
Therefore, after receiving the news that Emperor Zhu was about to arrive at the Cape of Hafun and requesting an audience with Mahmud II, Mahmud II immediately led his trusted confidantes to the Cape of Hafun, without even informing England, Russia, or the Habsburg family.
Such obedient and compliant behavior made Emperor Zhu doubt whether the Ottoman Empire was the same country that was colluding with Russia, England, and the Habsburg family to overthrow the Great Ming.
However, upon recalling the saying "dog of the dog, Ottoman of the country," Emperor Zhu felt that Mahmud II's actions were entirely normal.
Then, Emperor Zhu began his series of maneuvers.
First, Emperor Zhu hosted Mahmud II for a state banquet. Immediately after, Emperor Zhu invited Mahmud II to witness the full broadside of the flagship Heavenly Son.
Emperor Zhu pointed to the main gun at the bow and asked, "In your opinion, are my cannons quite robust?"
Mahmud II praised, "Truly thick, black, and long."
Emperor Zhu then asked, "In your view, are my soldiers quite imposing?"
Mahmud II carefully observed the Ming soldiers and praised, "Truly fierce wolves and tigers. My humble nation has much to learn."
Emperor Zhu burst into laughter, stroking the cannon at the bow, and said with feigned drunkenness, "I wish to send a hundred thousand fierce wolves to conquer Europe, but there is no water route directly to Europe, requiring a detour around the Cape of Good Hope."
Mahmud II remained silent, but Emperor Zhu continued, "I have heard that there was once a waterway between the Ottoman Empire and West Kunlun, named the Suez Canal?"
Mahmud II's heart tightened, and he whispered, "The Suez Canal has been abandoned for many years. The channel is now silted up, and ships can no longer pass."
Emperor Zhu gazed at Mahmud II with a half-smile and said, "Then why not dig it open? You see, for the Great Ming's goods to be transported to Europe, although they pass near the Ottoman Empire, they must ultimately go around the Cape of Good Hope. This means that the Ottoman Empire can only earn money from the supplies provided to merchant ships, but not from other revenue."
"If the Suez Canal is reopened, merchant ships traveling between Europe and the Great Ming can pass directly through it. Whether it's customs duties or transit fees, wouldn't that be far more profitable than the fees from merchant ship supplies?"
Hearing Emperor Zhu's words, Mahmud II couldn't help but be somewhat moved. Although the Ottoman Empire had plenty of oil, the pricing power rested with the Great Ming, and the Ottoman Empire could only earn through hard work.
For instance, the price at which Ming citizens purchased kerosene was even lower than in the Ottoman Empire, the place of origin for the oil. Where was the logic in that?
As for the oil sold by the Ottoman Empire to other countries, it would certainly not be as cheap as that sold to the Great Ming. But then again, besides the Great Ming, which other country on the "Little Broken Ball" required vast amounts of oil?
Moreover, even if the Ottoman Empire could sell oil at a high price, it wouldn't be of much use. This was because the Ottoman Empire also needed to purchase military equipment from the Great Ming—while Ottoman oil was sold cheaply, Ming military equipment was sold at exorbitant prices!
With this in mind, Mahmud II forcefully suppressed the urge to agree immediately and said cautiously, "Although I also wish to reopen the Suez Canal, there are two insurmountable problems: firstly, the required funds are too enormous for the Ottoman Empire to bear at present, and secondly, the construction of the canal requires a large number of laborers, which the Ottoman Empire currently lacks."
Emperor Zhu was naturally aware of the difficulties faced by Mahmud II, or rather, the Ottoman Empire. However, being aware did not mean Emperor Zhu intended to let Mahmud II off the hook.
The moment Mahmud II began to associate with Alexander, George III, and Francis II, Mahmud II's fate was sealed as a tragedy. The only question was when Emperor Zhu would choose to watch the play.
Smiling and shaking his head, Emperor Zhu directly said to Mahmud II, "Of course, I know the difficulties of the Ottoman Empire, and I have already prepared a solution for you."
Mahmud II's heart stirred, and he asked, "I hope His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming will impart his wisdom?"
Emperor Zhu smiled and said, "If the Ottoman Empire alone cannot bear the cost of dredging the Suez Canal, why not involve England, the Habsburg family, and Russia? I believe George III, Francis II, and Alexander will generously contribute."
Upon hearing the names George III, Francis II, and Alexander, Mahmud II's heart tightened.
Did the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty know something?
Otherwise, why would the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty not mention the many countries near the Ottoman Empire, but specifically mention England, the Habsburg family, and Russia, which were far away?
With this thought, Mahmud II simply pretended to be ignorant: "You jest, Your Majesty. Both England, Russia, and the Habsburg family are far from the Ottoman Empire, and they would gain little from the canal's completion. Furthermore, the Ottoman Empire has fought numerous wars with the Habsburg family and Russia. Aside from hatred, there is no other connection between us. Why would they help the Ottoman Empire build a canal?"
Emperor Zhu let out a scoff and said, "Is that so? I heard that you, Mahmud II, are quite close to George III, Francis II, and Alexander, having dined together. Is someone deceiving me?"
Mahmud II forced himself to suppress the urge to wipe away his cold sweat and whispered, "Perhaps it is hearsay?"
Seeing that Mahmud II was on the verge of collapse, Emperor Zhu let out a cold laugh and ceased to bring up the topic.
The saying goes, "When you strike, strike to warn, not to kill."
Emperor Zhu continued to discuss the need for a large labor force for the Suez Canal: "I have just explained how to raise funds for the canal's construction. Now, let's discuss how to recruit laborers. To my knowledge, there are still many civilians in your Ottoman Empire who are struggling to make ends meet?"
Hearing the Emperor's words, Mahmud II couldn't help but feel inwardly resentful.
The Ottoman Empire originally had the potential to earn vast profits!
If it weren't for the Great Ming constantly exploiting the Ottoman Empire, if it weren't for the Great Ming constantly suppressing oil prices, why would the Ottoman Empire be in a situation where its citizens struggled to make ends meet!
However, just as Emperor Zhu had analyzed, despite his teeth gnashing with hatred, Mahmud II still lacked the courage to openly turn against him.
Mahmud II lowered his head and said obsequiously, "You are correct, Your Majesty. The Ottoman Empire is indeed somewhat impoverished, and its people are naturally not as prosperous as the people of the Great Ming. It is, in fact, my fault as Sultan."
Emperor Zhu nodded with a smile and said, "Therefore, you can recruit those impoverished Ottoman civilians to excavate the canal. The civilians excavating the canal are considered laborers, and you can pay them wages. With money in their hands, the civilians can purchase food, merchants can earn money, and your Ottoman treasury can naturally collect more taxes."
"In this way, the Suez Canal is dredged, the civilians of the Ottoman Empire can earn wages and have enough to eat, the merchants of the Ottoman Empire can earn money, and the treasury of the Ottoman Empire can collect more taxes. Isn't this a win-win-win situation?"
Mahmud II was somewhat dazed by Emperor Zhu's reasoning. Although he felt something was amiss in his heart, he couldn't help but nod.
Seeing that Mahmud II had completely surrendered, Emperor Zhu patted Mahmud II on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Since you also believe I am correct, then the matter of the Suez Canal is entrusted to you. I have other matters to attend to, so I will not keep you any longer."
Then, Mahmud II left the Great Ming Heavenly Son flagship in a daze. From beginning to end, Mahmud II remained bewildered, feeling that Emperor Zhu's words made sense, yet something was still not quite right.
It wasn't until he set foot on Ottoman territory that Mahmud II fully came to his senses.
Damn it, you were the one who summoned this Sultan for an audience, and after a few pointless words, you're sending this Sultan back. In your eyes, Emperor Zhu, am I just a dog that can be summoned and dismissed at will?
With this thought, Mahmud II's expression couldn't help but turn grim.
With this thought, Mahmud II's expression couldn't help but turn grim. He turned to his accompanying aide, Alemdar Mustafa Pasha, and said, "Today is the most humiliating day in Ottoman history."
Alemdar Mustafa Pasha also said with a grim expression, "Everyone in the Ottoman Empire must remember today's shame. One day, we will take revenge for all of this!"
Emperor Zhu, naturally, was unaware of Mahmud II and Alemdar Mustafa Pasha's inner turmoil. Even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
Compared to that, Emperor Zhu was more concerned about whom he would wreak havoc on next.