Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4842 War Machine
The war report detailed the reasons and process of the previous killing of Tang merchants, as well as the current situation of Shilafu Port and the Arab Empire. It stated that in order to maintain the prestige of the Tang Dynasty, they had to fight, and that with the cooperation of Meixun Port, the long-distance fleet would go all out and win the battle, forcing the Arab Empire to pay compensation for the previous massacre of Tang merchants and the death of Tang soldiers, and to lift the various restrictions on Tang merchants in Shilafu Port, forcing it to lower commercial taxes and give Tang "most-favored-nation treatment"...

Because the navy is deployed on the vast ocean, the vanguard ships often travel across the ocean and are thousands of miles away from the base camp. It is impossible for them to ask for instructions and wait for orders like on land, so generals above the rank of deputy general have the privilege of "declaring war."

Of course, that only refers to a small-scale conflict rather than a war between the two superpowers. The reason why Yang Zhou dared to "act arbitrarily" was because he had Su Dingfang's order allowing him to act according to the circumstances, and he was also confident that he could win this battle.

The nature of "going to war" is different depending on the outcome. Being defeated is one thing, and winning is naturally another.

……

The battle report was merely a "notification" and did not affect Yang Zhou's order to launch a war against the port of Shilof.

The navy officers and soldiers of Meixun Port soon received the order to "prepare for war with all their strength". Their morale was high and the whole dock was bustling with activity. The cleaning of the bottoms of the warships was accelerated, and clean water and food were continuously delivered to the ships. The damaged sails were mended, and the leaking hulls were quickly sealed. The muskets, thunder bombs, rockets, swords, and spears were moved from the cabins to the decks for maintenance and repair.

Fu Yulong even sent information to the surrounding tribes asking for food as a supplement for war preparations. Soon, the natives from the mountains and seashores near Moxun Port gathered towards Moxun Port like ants. They carried fresh meat, vegetables and even wild fruits on their shoulders and backs to Moxun Port, eagerly waiting to exchange them for the copper coins of the Tang people.

The indigenous tribes had always traded by "barter", but since the Tang people came here and started to build docks, they would pay copper coins for hiring local indigenous people or buying the necessary materials from them. At first, the indigenous people did not want copper coins, because they could not eat or wear them, so what was the point of having them? However, under the persuasion of the Tang people and the local Azd tribal leader, they took the copper coins and took them to the markets in Sayilqu, Jieguo, and Zufar. They found that both local merchants and overseas merchants liked the copper coins very much, which saved them from the risk of carrying food for a long journey and then being sold at a low price or even thrown away. Naturally, the copper coins of the Tang Dynasty became more and more popular.

Everyone was willing to trade with the Tang people. Although they were powerful, with huge warships on the sea and soldiers holding sharp swords, the Tang people abided by the rules. The price was what they agreed on. Even if there were temporary changes, they would try their best to negotiate with the natives instead of wielding knives to plunder and rob.

The idea that "Tang Dynasty is a civilized country" was deeply rooted in people's minds. The natives envied the Tang army's shining helmets and armor and their majestic appearance, and thought to themselves how happy it would be if they could be born in a country where hard work pays off.

When the natives arrived at the port to trade supplies, they saw a scene that shocked them.

There were countless warships anchored in the huge port. The natives, who were still in the "knot-recording stage", could not count them. They only saw large ships one after another crowded in the harbor. Countless young men in military uniforms were climbing up and down every ship, busying themselves. All kinds of supplies were constantly being transported onto the deck and moved into the bottom of the hold. The whole port was bustling with activity, like a pot of boiling sea water surging and roaring.

This is the most massive war machine of this era. When it is running at full power, even if its fangs have not yet been revealed, its mighty and majestic momentum is enough to shock people and overwhelm the world.

The old chief of the Azid tribe, with a cloth wrapped around his head and a cane, stood on the hill, looking at the densely packed ships and the busy soldiers in the harbor. He suddenly sighed and said to his son beside him: "By renting the Meixun Port to the Tang people, haven't we opened the door and invited a tiger in? This is the land where our ancestors have lived for generations, but it is easy for the Tang people to come now, but I am afraid it will be difficult to drive them away in the future."

His son was a lean middle-aged man. Hearing this, his mouth twitched. "You're thinking too far ahead, aren't you? The lease contract we signed is for 999 years... Don't think that far ahead. This port is as good as Zufar. Not only the Tang people are eyeing it, but the Arabs are also eyeing it. If we don't lease it to the Tang people today, it will definitely be snatched away by the Arabs tomorrow. We can't keep it."

The old chief was very upset. He pounded his cane on the ground a few times and said in a desolate and helpless voice: "What is the difference between humans and lions? They are all the law of the jungle. We Azd people are weak and can't even protect our ancestral land, but the Tang people and the Arabs can drive warships around the world to plunder trade and seize wealth. Heaven is so unfair!"

His son spread his hands and said, "Instead of complaining, you should be thankful that it was the Tang people who came. Although we have to lease this port to them, the term is determined by them, and they didn't pay too much... after all, we have peaceful coexistence and equal trade with us, so our people have gained a lot. If it were the Arabs, I'm afraid all of our people would have been slaughtered by now. They not only collect taxes but also slaves. In comparison, the Tang Dynasty is indeed a 'country of etiquette'. As long as we treat them in a friendly way, they will repay us with all their heart. This is already the luckiest thing."

"But look at the situation in the harbor. The Tang people are clearly preparing for war. They have come from afar but are not afraid of the Arab fleet at all. They plan to fight a fierce battle. If they win, it will be fine. But if they lose, the Arabs will take advantage of the situation to capture the harbor. How can they let us Azdids go? By that time, I'm afraid they will not believe that we were forced to lease the harbor by the Tang Dynasty. Instead, they will frame us and be in cahoots with the Tang Dynasty. Not only will they confiscate the harbor, but they will also plunder our wealth and enslave our people..."

The old chief was worried, thinking that the Tang people were too troublesome. Wouldn't it be better to just build the harbor? Why provoke the Arabs?

With the Tang occupying the harbor, the Arabs may still be afraid to come. Once the Tang are defeated, the Azd tribe will probably suffer...

His son suddenly said, "Since we will be doomed if the Tang people are defeated, why not just help the Tang people fight?"

"Huh? What do you think?"

"Our interests are tied to the Tang people. Whether we admit it or not, this cannot be changed. If the Tang people win, we will be safe. If the Tang people lose, we will be finished... In this case, why should we just help the Tang people fight? We can also negotiate with the Tang people, or ask for money, or allow our people to join the Tang army. Maybe if the Tang people are defeated, they will agree to take us to the Tang Dynasty..."

The old chief was very pleased. This idea was heard by all the Persians on the other side of the sea. However, he thought that it would be a good idea to tie the tribe with the Tang Dynasty. The Aman Kingdom was mostly deserts and mountains, and was very barren. Even if the Tang people were defeated, being able to follow them to the Tang Dynasty would be a good way out.

As for the entire family leaving their homeland... compared to survival, that's nothing.

"In that case, you should go and talk to the Tang people. As long as they give us weapons and money and food, it doesn't matter if we work for them."

"Yes, I'll go talk to you right away."

His son was very excited. He really yearned for the Tang Dynasty and admired everything about it. He was not afraid even if he had to fight alongside the Tang Dynasty against the powerful nations of the time.

……

"The Azdids want to see me?"

Yang Zhou was handling official documents in the office. He was a little surprised when he heard the report from his personal soldiers.

Although Meixun Port was leased from the Azd people, it was said that the loan was not easily repaid. Instead, force was used to force the local indigenous Azd people to agree. As a result, the Azd people were very wary and hateful towards the Tang people.

Later, as the contacts increased, the hatred gradually faded, but the Azids were very xenophobic and did not have deeper contacts with the Tang people.

Now the Tang army is preparing for battle in the harbor. Everyone knows that the target of the battle is the Arab Empire. The Azedis should stay away from it to avoid being implicated. Why did they come to us instead?
"Let him in."

"Here."

After a while, a middle-aged native with a turban and bare feet wearing a hemp cloth walked in quickly. After greeting, he startled Yang Zhou as soon as he opened his mouth: "I am Obed, the next chief of the Azd tribe, and I am honored to meet His Excellency the General of the Tang Dynasty."

Yang Zhou was surprised and asked, "You speak Chinese so well?"

Although his accent is a bit strange, his grammar and vocabulary are very accurate, which is really rare in a native.

Obed showed his white teeth. "When I was very young, merchants from the Tang Dynasty came to the Persian Gulf from the far east to trade. At that time, I was enslaved by the Arabs and had to carry goods in the port of Shiraf. I met many Han people and merchants who could speak Chinese. I have admired the Tang Dynasty for a long time, so I pestered them to learn Chinese. It's a pity that I can't write Chinese characters."

Yang Zhou was very happy about this cultural identity. He smiled and asked Obed to take a seat, and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"The Tang Dynasty is the country with the longest heritage in the world. It is just, fair, and powerful. It is the country that backward and ignorant natives like us admire the most. Now the Tang army has come all the way to Aman to build a port and resist the evil Arabs. I am willing to lead the young and strong in my tribe to participate in the war and help the Tang army defeat the Arabs."

"Oh?"

Yang Zhou was very calm, but he had something to ask for: "What do you want?"

Obed's eyes were burning. "If we win this battle, we beg the Tang Dynasty to allow us to help manage the merchant ships in the Persian Gulf in the name of the Tang Army, and have the power to assist the Tang Army in collecting taxes."