After Suleiman II ascended the throne, Li Junwei congratulated him and sent many gifts to the guy. However, Li Junwei was very cautious about his relationship with Ottoman because he knew that Suleiman II was not the key. He killed all his brothers, nephews and sons, leaving the position of Sultan without other competitors. It was indeed a good way to protect authority, but Ottoman would not be in his hands.

Li Junwei carefully observed that the empire's traditional partner in the Ottomans was the Kopruli family. Originally, there was only one Fazor among the Kopruli family, but as he was demoted to Egypt to take office as Pasha, in order to maintain his influence in the court, the Kopruli family supported Hussein again.

Everyone knows that sharing hardships is easy and wealth is difficult, and the Koplulu family cannot escape the laws of history, but political wisdom can allow them to solve this matter. Before it is resolved, Li Junwei still cannot show that he is too close to him.

Finally, news came from Istanbul. Fazo was promoted from Pasha, Egypt to Great Vizier, and led the Ottoman Guards to be stationed in Belgrade to fight against the Holy Alliance. The government affairs in Istanbul were under his younger brother, Hussein, who was the title of Vizier.

In this way, the Koplulu family withstood the greatest test and proved that Li Junwei had a good vision. The front-line leader was military power, while the Great Vizier was in power. Now they all belonged to Fazo alone. Obviously, there was an agreement within the Koplulu family, so Li Junwei thought it was time to talk to Ottoman about the Suez Canal.

This time, Li Junwei went directly to Istanbul City, but did not come to the city to meet the Sultan. He did not make a big fuss, but went to the Galata area opposite Istanbul in his private identity. Galata and Istanbul are separated by the Golden Horn Bay, which is a gathering place for foreigners, with Jews, Armenians and Greeks here.

Li Junwei met Hussein in a synagogue, and he also came here as a secret person. Joseph, as a Jew? The reason why he chose here was because the Imperial Army Teaching Corps, which had not yet been withdrawn, was stationed here? Li Junwei has always attached so much importance to his own safety.

"Is it your advice to Joseph? He who bewitched His Majesty the Sultan?" Hussein asked directly when he saw Li Junwei.

Li Junwei didn't know what he said and asked back: "What are you talking about?"

"His Majesty Sultan killed all his male direct blood relatives." Hussein stared at Li Junwei? He said seriously.

Li Junwei shook his head: "This has nothing to do with me. I think this is Mr. Joseph's own cleverness? I also heard that the Sultan exiled the Mingus family? And the Mingus family's industries were inherited by Joseph. There is a saying in China that once the emperor is the emperor and the minister, Mr. Joseph wants to go further? In addition to taking out more money, it can only meet some of the needs of the Sultan."

"It doesn't matter, I have a illegitimate son of my ex-sultan." Hussein said calmly.

Li Junwei smiled. The illegitimate child is the most difficult to explain. You can find someone to do it casually. Li Junwei simply said: "A coincidence? I have an illegitimate child from the Sultan in Xibin City? He gave birth to a Greek woman in the Navy Guesthouse."

"Stop it, Your Highness Yu? We'll talk about serious things, the Suez Canal? The opening of this canal is good for your country and our country? But the difference is that it's more beneficial to you, so we need more..." Hussein said. In his impression, Li Junwei is unpredictable, and Fazou repeatedly warned himself not to play tricks with him, otherwise he would always be injured, so Hussein chose to go straight to the point.

Li Junwei shook his head: "Your words were taught to you by Lord Fazow, because he also told me when he was in Suez that he always wanted to use this matter to beat us hard, of course, it was also for the victory of foreign wars. But Lord Hussein, everything changed. At that time, your country had not yet fought against the Holy Alliance. Now, you need this canal more than we do."

"Is that so? I'd like to hear it carefully." Before Hussein came, he imagined a quarrel with Li Junwei and a quarrel that was very serious, but he didn't expect that he would overturn everything from the beginning.

Li Junwei said: "Building the Suez Canal will help you strive for a better strategic situation in your current war. Your traditional allies, France, Venice, who have just entered the war, and the Russians who want to take advantage of the opportunity, will consider the canal issue. If this matter can be handled properly, many wars can be without a soldier, without a cost of one silver, or even a soldier without a fight."

"It's ridiculous, do you know why we fight with the pagans?" Hussein asked.

Li Junwei asked back: "Don't say it's for your gods. All religions are just means of fooling the people for people at our level. If it's not for religion, it's definitely for the benefit."

Hussein nodded: "Please tell me in detail."

"For example, the Republic of Venice, they are your biggest challengers in the Mediterranean. I heard that they are still organizing troops to intervene in the chaos in the Greek region, but I think they are the ones who support the opening of the Suez Canal, and Genoa." Li Junwei knew that Hussein was not a fool, and he would understand without saying anything.

The two republics of Venice and Genoa were born because of the Crusades, but rose because of trade between the East and the West. However, as the Ottoman Empire controlled trade between the East and the West, these two republics, established by the sea, showed signs of decline. Genoa was once glorious because of its developed financial industry, with the help of the Spanish royal family's loans, but that was fifty years ago. The Spanish royal family declared bankruptcy and gradually declined.

The current Genoa financiers have been hung on the belts of the Habsburg and Holy Roman Emperors, and they are completely unprofitable. The Venetians are also eating leftovers. In the Mediterranean, France, which defeated the Netherlands eight years ago, was the real maritime overlord, but the Netherlands and Britain have intervened in the Mediterranean trade, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for businessmen in Italy to do business. So when the empire opened the route from Penang to Xijin and opened the land channel of Suez, all the merchants on the entire Mediterranean coast were in a state of madness and flocked into the Port of Said and Xijin.

These two countries know what the fundamentals of the country are, especially Venice. The reason for joining the Holy Alliance is just the old revenge of the Ottomans, the trade rights and Catholic factors in the Eastern Mediterranean, but hatred cannot be resolved, and the Eastern Mediterranean cannot be compared with the large trade pattern of the East and the West. As for Catholicism, the heads of Venice have always kept a distance from the Pope who is close at hand and will not give more pennies.

The Suez Canal used the Suez Canal to win over the two countries of Venice and Genoa, allowing them to participate in East-West trade and give up supporting the Holy Alliance. The Genoese's withdrawal reduced the enemy's military expenditure, and the Venice's withdrawal directly lifted the maritime threat in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek region's enemies from both sides. Just getting these two points is very beneficial to the Ottomans.

And there is Tsarist Russia. This country has not participated in the war now, which is because of its instability in the domestic political situation and keeping a low profile. But everyone knows their maritime ambitions. Now they have the Black Sea coast, so they will naturally not give up participating in East-West trade. Moreover, this is their only choice in the ocean. After all, the Baltic Sea still belongs to Swedish hegemony, and Russia has no other choice.

"Your Highness Yu, what you said makes sense. I will take back what I just said. But we strive for these benefits ourselves. Now we are going to talk about what your country is willing to pay for the Suez Canal." Hussein narrowed his eyes and looked at Li Junwei.

Li Junwei shook his head helplessly. He had already known that Fazo and Hussein each had their own strengths, and Fazo was especially good at diplomacy, while Hussein was better at internal affairs and finance. The common shortcomings of the two were not good military commanders. Because of internal power struggles, power is now gathered in Fazo's hands. Similarly, there are not only wars and political clashes on the Balkans. It is indeed the stage for Fazo to display, but Hussein's diplomatic talent is really not worth mentioning.

"Your Excellency, I need to remind you that if you use the Suez Canal to help you win war, you must move forward and retreat together with the Empire. If you think the Suez Canal is just your Ottoman bargaining chip, then you will really think it simple. Without the support of the Empire, the Suez Canal will not help you much.

You see that ancient land has existed for countless years. There was the Pharaoh Canal, and the Ottomans had a history of hundreds of years. But when did you build the canal? Now the canal is beneficial to both of us. We must be consistent with the outside world and then consider the distribution of interests. Therefore, I suggest that you seek help from your brother, who is better at dealing with our affairs." Li Junwei said.

Hussein was full of displeasure, and his fingers hit the table, reminding him in a straight voice: "King Yu, I have full power. On the Suez issue, my will is the will of Copruyi, and the will of the entire Ottoman Empire, so I hope you can seriously consider my question and give a satisfactory answer."

Li Junwei sighed and shook his head and said, "If this is the case, there is nothing to talk about. I admit that you are full of energy now. Kopruil seized the Ottoman regime and controlled the army. Moreover, there are many conflicts within the Holy Alliance, which gave the Ottoman many opportunities. Although the situation is still not optimistic, you are now confident that you can deal with it. Of course, you think that you have also formed hostage to the empire and me. After all, it is the uncle who owe money......"

Hussein tried hard to keep his face calm, but Li Junwei said everything in his mind. The reason why he was tough was that he was taking power now and owing money was the uncle's mentality. But Li Junwei's next words made Hussein completely unable to calm down.

"......These ideas are very stupid. I think your brother, Lord Fazo, definitely doesn't know that you are dealing with me with this attitude. So, it's over. The negotiations are over. The plan for the Suez Canal will be temporarily suspended. The past cooperation between us can continue. As for the Suez Canal, we will talk about it in three or five years." Li Junwei said seriously.

Hussein could no longer sit still because the reason was very simple. Although both countries are now interested in digging canals, the difference is very big. For the empire, there is no harm or advantage in three or five years late. The longer the empire, the stronger the empire's strength in Xijin, the greater the commercial influence in the Mediterranean, the deeper the involvement with Egypt, and the more dominant it will occupy in the Suez Canal negotiations.

The Ottoman is completely the opposite. Now the Ottoman faces the challenges of three major powers, and other forces will intervene at any time. Coprulu's seizure of power has not fundamentally changed the strength comparison between the enemy and us. Now the Ottoman needs support from the East. If the empire reduces support, then the risk of Ottoman defeat is very high.

"King Yu, if you are so tough, it will also be a huge harm to the current loan and material procurement cooperation we are carrying out." Hussein threatened.

"If you continue to be so stupid, it will hurt the friendly relationship between the Ottomans and the Empire. Are you forcing the Empire to stand on the side of the Holy Alliance? The person who owes money is the uncle, but that is within the scope of the rules. If your relationship with me breaks down, there will be no rules. Hussein, have you forgotten how the Duke of Nasi recovered the money owed by the French king?" Li Junwei asked indifferently.

The Duke of Nasi used pirates to hijack French ships and then robbed French people of money to pay back the debts of the French king. However, Hussein was even more worried about another threat from Li Junwei. If the Holy Alliance declared war on the Ottoman, the Ottoman would be immediately be besieged from all sides. At that time, let alone Russia, even the vengeful Persia, may participate in the war. Can the Ottomans eat the siege of six countries?

Hussein didn't dare to take this risk. He originally wanted to take the opportunity to blackmail Li Junwei and put Ottoman in a more favorable position. Now it seems that Li Junwei is not taking this trick at all. Hussein finally shook his head: "Okay, okay, my friend, don't say these things, we can talk about some happy topics."
Chapter completed!