Midway city.

This is a city located on the edge of the Suez Canal. Because it happens to be located between the two north and south entrances of the Suez Canal, it is named Midway City.

This is the third largest city on the Suez Canal, the first largest is Port Said, and the second largest is Suez City, but the status of the city in the middle is unshakable.

The headquarters of the company that operates the Suez Canal and the Suez Railway are here, and there are also crucial irrigation canals, where the canals from Cairo are divided north and south, flowing towards the Port of Said and the City of Suez.

The three cities on the Suez Canal are different. The main architectural style of Said Port is Arabic. Because the Suez Canal is gathered in Chinese and Chinese style, the city is mixed with various styles, including Arabic, Oriental and Europa styles, just like the city’s complex population composition.

There is a lake in the middle of the city, built using local depressions and becoming an anchorage for ships to travel. On the Suez Canal in the middle of the city, a beautiful yacht was sprayed with nearly colorless coal soot, obviously using the best Welsh coal. The yacht let out a whistle and approached the passenger terminal at the port of the middle of the city.

This so-called passenger terminal is almost a dedicated terminal, because the cargo ships anchored here pass through the Suez Canal. Passenger ships are not allowed to be parked, and passengers are not allowed to board and get on and off. They can only arrive by railway from Port Said or Port Suez.

This passenger terminal was specially set up for Amal, who was already the Ottoman Empire's Vizier. Only his yacht would be parked here.

After the yacht was parked, local officials from the city immediately got on board. After more than half an hour, the people walked down in a mess and were obviously scolded by Amal. After getting off the boat, several officials in charge couldn't help but look at Shaojie in the welcome crowd, with a lot of pleading in their eyes.

Shaojie laughed, patted the officials on the shoulders, and walked onto the yacht.

Amar was an extremely arrogant man who regarded these people promoted by him as slaves. Although this Vizier studied in the empire for many years and learned Chinese and Eastern etiquette, this concept of distinction between superiority and inferiority has not changed.

However, Amal did not have such an attitude towards Shaojie. The two had a good personal relationship. The Sinai province was able to develop to this point, which was also a contribution to Shaojie, not to mention that Shaojie was a plenipotent envoy sent by the imperial emperor to the Arab region.

"Before you come, you should tell me that you should not dock this beautiful boat in this dirty place." Shaojie walked into the room, the doors and windows here were closed, and Amal sat on the sofa with annoyance, constantly shaking his head, obviously his anger was not gone.

Shaojie understood Amal's anger, because even here, he could still smell a fishy smell, which is what the city in the middle of the way now is. And Amal came in a hurry and obviously didn't know about this. If he knew, he would definitely go to Suez City to meet Shaojie.

Another understanding of Shaojie is his understanding of the diplomatic relations between the two sides. Although the Sinai province is owned by the Ottoman Empire, after the development over the years, Suez City has become more and more like a Chinese port. In addition to the Bey appointed by Amal and several temples of the Tianfang Cult, regardless of the style of the city or the people coming and going on the road, they are mainly Chinese. Amal's official residence has a set in Cairo and Said Port.

Over the years, the two sides have engaged in countless cooperation and struggles, but one rule is that when Shaojie asks for Amal, he needs to go to Port Said to pay homage to him. Conversely, Amal needs to meet in Suez City, and when both sides choose to ease, they meet in the city halfway.

But the two never broke up. Even when the relationship between the two sides was stiff, Amal did not ask Shaojie to see him in Cairo.

This time, the city is a bit of a coincidence. The reason is that the city is planning for the second time. During the first plan, people believed that the population of the city in the future would not exceed 30,000, but now it has exceeded 50,000, and the population is still skyrocketing rapidly.

Urban planning requires the enhancement or reconstruction of many urban systems, and the city managers choose to start from the underground. The first thing is to transform the poor sewer system in the middle of the city. This sewer system was originally planned by the Suez Canal Company, and only planned the company headquarters, ancillary buildings and several streets. It was severely silted, and the excavation was terrible.

Amal suddenly visited again, but didn't understand the situation here, so he threw himself into the pigpen.

"Let's talk here, I won't get off the boat," Amal said.

Shaojie nodded: "Okay, then let the people outside disperse."

"Let them wait, just in the sun, and go back after noon." Amal roared in anger.

Shaojie shrugged and said, "Sir Weizier, you should always pay attention to your political influence at critical moments."

Upon hearing this, Amal waved his hand and said to the attendant, "Let them all get out."

Shaojie grabbed the attendant and said to him: "Let the kitchen send some fruits and use the fruit fragrance to remove the stench on the ship."

The servant nodded repeatedly and left immediately. Amar complained, "This bastard is also a brainless person. You, the VIP, need to worry about it."

Shaojie smiled and said, "I was also a servant by King Yu back then. I still had some experience in serving noble people with a strange temper like you."

The two have known each other for many years and have worked together for many years, so they naturally don’t have to be so particular about speaking. Amar, who was not interested in joking, snorted coldly and did not accept Shaojie’s joke. Although the two sides agreed to be in the middle of the city this time, Amar essentially had something to ask for, and this matter was when he returned to Istanbul and accepted the power of the Ottoman prime minister.

Although in name, there is no need to discuss this with the empire, in fact, if you can get the support of the empire, Amar will do things much smoother in the future. Moreover, this is also the opinion of his father Fazo. While he is in the local area, he will test the empire's tone.

And the last time, the two had already met once, but Shaojie said bluntly that he was a small person and could not be sure of it.

"What did Your Highness Rong say this time when you go to Xijin?" Amal asked.

Shaojie met Amal before Tunisia, but he lied that he was going to Xijin to ask for a meeting with King Rong and discussing with him the issue of Amal taking over power. After all, outside of Shenjing, there is someone who can represent the attitude of the senior leaders of the empire, and that is King Rong Li Su.

Although I didn't really go to Xijin, the center of the empire still had no other opinion on Amar's taking over the power of the prime minister. Because there was no second person in the Koplulu family who could make a move, not to mention that the current Vizier Fazo's physical condition is indeed much worse than before.

As the power changes, Istanbul also had different voices, which triggered some political responses. However, under the control of the empire, the Ottoman Empire still accepted it. There was no soil for chaos because the power change of prime ministers was passed down from father to son.

The most obvious one is that the Ottoman Empire sultan has been staying in his harem. Not to mention the private change of prime minister power in the Kopruli family, they have no interest in national affairs. Even the sultan has this attitude, so what impact can others have?

What's more, the Ottoman Empire was relatively stable in terms of external environment and internal politics.

Based on this, the empire center recognized this power change. After all, it is still beneficial to the empire to continue the existing order without any need.

Therefore, the empire's attitude Shaojie asked for instructions through telegrams to King Rong Li Su in Xijin and King Yu Li Junwei in Shenjing. King Yu's attitude was very clear and he supported Amar, but he had to ask him for benefits.

King Rong Li Su also held this attitude. Unlike King Yu, he put forward several specific requirements.

"His Highness Rong is still a little concerned about this. The change of power will inevitably affect the policy changes. His Highness Rong wants me to be sure if you take over your father's Great Vizier position and the strategic cooperation and economic cooperation with the empire will change." Shaojie said calmly.

Amar immediately responded: "Of course not. Your country is the eternal partner of the Ottoman Empire. We have a long history..."

Amal said skillful diplomatic rhetoric, and Shaojie immediately waved his hand: "His Excellency Amal, I am the only one here, so there is no need to say such words."

"I'm telling the truth. I really won't change the relationship between the two countries without authorization. The policy must be continued because it is beneficial to both of us." Amar said directly.

Shaojie shook his head: "You have no sincerity. There is a saying in China that one emperor and another minister. If you become a great Vizier, you will definitely change the appointment of local officials, which will inevitably lead to deviations in policy discoveries in various places.

There is another saying in China, "There are three fires in the new official position. If you become the Great Vizier, you will definitely think about doing something earth-shaking. If nothing changes, how can you do things?"

"I mean, there is no change in the whole," Amal said.

"Then what are you going to become?" Shaojie asked on his own initiative.

Amal's face was slightly cold: "I can't tell you this, Your Excellency Shaojie, you should know that the day when I became the Great Vizier was the day when my father went to see the Lord. Now I began to think about what happened after his death. He knew that there was absolutely no good ending. So, I can only talk about it later."

Shaojie nodded: "You are right. Although this answer cannot satisfy me, as your friend, I should give you the necessary size."

"Okay, thank you for your understanding." Amal's expression immediately eased a lot.

Shaojie quickly said: "My understanding is limited to not being able to discuss things outside your power, but we can discuss things that can be discussed here, such as the Sinai Province."

"You are here again, it's like this every time." Amal looked a little irritable. He had obviously seen Shaojie's similar attitude, and more than once, he couldn't help but complain: "When you take out such a serious face, you're talking to me, the lion."

Shaojie said: "I have no choice. I also want to be harmonious with you, but the waves of reality make the boat of friendship between you and me always rise and fall."

"Well, what do you want," said Amal.

In fact, Amal knew that every time Shaojie did this, he wanted to expand his power in the Sinai province, especially to fight for the rights and interests of the Chinese. All aspects of Suez City were fought over by him bit by bit. In the present Suez City, except for Bey and his bureaucratic team, belonging to him Amal, the annual tax revenue was paid to the Ottoman Empire. Except for these two, almost all belonged to the Chinese.

Shaojie said directly: "Middleway City is carrying out a new round of urban planning. I want to fight for an exclusive land for us Orientals."

Unlike Suez City, which dominated by Chinese people, various ethnic groups live in midway, and all ethnic groups live together. The same is true for Chinese people, occupying several blocks between the Suez Canal Company and the canal. This was originally the richest place, after all, this is an emerging city, and the port and the city center must have developed first.

However, with the expansion of the city, there have been changes, and the railway station and its surroundings have become emerging areas. Of course, prosperity is only one aspect, and more importantly, the small area of ​​this land has restricted the development of Chinese people.

Amar said vigilantly: "You don't want to turn Midway into Suez City, right?"

"No, that won't. We just need a relatively independent area. At least when Chinese barbecue, we can choose from an extra pork skewers." Shaojie said.

Amal nodded, and it would be okay to accept it if that was the case. Amal said, "Which piece do you want?"

"The area in the southwest of the irrigation canal." Shaojie said.

Amal smiled: "It seems you're thinking for a long time."

The piece that Shaojie chose was very desolate, but there was no obstacle to the outward expansion. More importantly, the irrigation canals and railways directly physically separate that piece from other areas.

"Actually, this is also the demand of local Chinese, and I barely convey it to you." Shaojie said with a smile.

Amar said: "No problem, I can talk to that idiot Bey."

Shaojie was a little helpless after hearing this. He never expected that Amal would agree directly. Although he only asked Amal for a piece of wasteland from Amal, he actually divided the Midway City into two, and the Chinese occupied this half of the south.

In fact, Shaojie was thinking that Amal would bargain. He was going to make certain restrictions or increase taxes to make him feel his concessions so that he could agree. But Amal didn't think about it at all and agreed directly, so that Shaojie would not react for a while.
Chapter completed!