Volume 3: Confrontation! The Run of Civilization Chapter 555: Benefits are Eternal
Although the EU suffered a major defeat in Jerusalem, its military strength, especially industrial productivity, was still far superior to that of the Ottoman Empire. However, after that major defeat and calm thinking, Philip felt that the war could not continue.
The reason, in the final analysis, is that the alliance is too loose.
Although compared with the consistent centralization of the Ming Empire, the Ottoman Empire, even when a powerful ruler like Suleiman I was in power, could not control the entire country as well as the Ming Empire. However, the Ottoman Empire was a country based on the military fiefdom system. In other words, it was a militaristic country. Such a country may not be as good as the European Union in terms of economy, but it is much stronger than the European Union in terms of social mobilization.
Apart from other things, the war between the two sides lasted for a year, and both sides suffered heavy casualties. But the Ottomans were able to quickly add soldiers to the new army, but Philip could not do that: the army had been fighting outside for more than a year, but could not be rotated or replenished, and due to the new military discipline, they could not plunder local people like the mercenaries in Europe before. If time dragged on like this, the morale would collapse sooner or later.
Therefore, due to the poor degree of centralization, the EU is somewhat unsustainable in terms of military. In terms of economy, although it has swallowed the tonic of the Republic of Venice's savings for many years, Spain has entered the industrial age too recently, and its wealth accumulation is still insufficient. The consumption of the modern army is countless times greater than that of the medieval army. Therefore, until now, Spain has also felt a little bit of financial difficulty: 80% of the cost of this war was borne by Spain.
Therefore, after calm thinking, Philip agreed with the opinions of Tilly and others: make appropriate concessions and stop the war first.
After making up his mind, he calmed down and started writing the letter.
"Hello, my colleague. First of all, I want to express my respect to you. Even though you cannot ascend to the throne of Sultan due to the restrictions of the Canon Succession Law, you still blocked my full-strength attack. For this, I express my great admiration.
Next, let me talk about my views on the ceasefire. After everyone's efforts, the basic framework has been reached. The controversial points are only three points. For these three points, I propose the following suggestions:
First, in the Balkan Peninsula, the Croatian region with Zagreb as the core must belong to me. You have to know that it is already the edge of the Balkan Mountains. If you lose this area, your army will charge to Vienna... So, I must build a geographical barrier for Vienna. This is my bottom line that I will never give in. Of course, Croatia was under the rule of the Ottomans before. If you take this place, you will have a hard time explaining it to your country. I understand this. So, I agree that you take Budapest. But you have to take it yourself.
Second, I agree to give up Crete and let the Aegean Sea become your country's inland sea. And no longer make territorial claims on Cyprus. But I want to fortify the affiliated island of Gavdos in the south of Crete (about 60 square kilometers). Just as you want to ensure the security of the Aegean Sea, I also need to ensure the security of the European route from Italy to Egypt. My navy must have a foothold in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Third, I can give up Lebanon and Syria and only want Palestine. But I demand that the Golan Heights be divided into two, with each side occupying half. At the same time, the troops stationed here by both sides can only have light weapons.
Dear colleague, with your wisdom, you should see that I have no intention of destroying your country . In fact, after getting rid of the land in North Africa, the proportion of Ottomans in your country will further increase, which will greatly benefit your subsequent reforms. At the same time, the loss of sea power in the Mediterranean will force those semi-independent pirates in your country to completely obey your commander. This is very critical to the integration of your naval power.
In my opinion, the existence of your country is good for the stability of the European Union. As long as your country exists, the central and eastern countries of the European Union will not dare to leave the union. The existence of the European Union is also good for you. After all, a strong European Union has the power to threaten the survival of the Ottoman Empire at all times. In this way, the nobles in your country must rely on you and endure the domestic reforms you are about to start.
After I take over North Africa, I will immediately start the excavation and construction of the Suez Canal. I have said that the existence of the Ottoman Empire is beneficial to the stability of the European Union. I have never thought of completely destroying your country. My first target is the Chinese emperor in the Far East. My God, that is a naturally centralized country, and the main ethnic group has an absolute advantage. The Confucian idea of loyalty to the emperor has brainwashed the people of that country for thousands of years. Once such a country truly rises under the leadership of our colleagues, even if we join forces, we will not be able to resist it.
This is by no means alarmist. In fact, a few years ago, I once encouraged my Japanese and Thai counterparts to unite and declare war on the Chinese counterpart who had not yet stepped onto the highest stage. However, the two of them joined forces and only added a little trouble to the Chinese counterpart - not because the two Japanese and Thai counterparts were so bad, but because China itself was much stronger than Japan and Thailand.
Therefore, I suggest that we can temporarily form an alliance after the ceasefire. I need a stronger Ottoman Empire to ensure the unity and stability of the European Union. You also need a European Union that can threaten the survival of the Ottoman Empire at any time to stabilize your rule at home.
As for how your country will compensate for the loss of a large amount of land in North Africa, especially the loss of Egypt, the granary, and the inevitable damage to your trade with the East after the EU controls the Suez Canal. I assure you that after the opening of the Suez Canal, your merchant ships can still pass through the Suez Canal as long as they pay a toll that is 20% higher than that of EU merchant ships. At the same time, I sincerely suggest that you cross the Black Sea and go north along the Dnieper River. The black soil area of the Ukrainian Great Plains is vast, accounting for a quarter of the total black soil area in the world. With this, the loss of Egypt's granary can be fully compensated and more than enough. And from Ukraine to the east, the vast East European plains can allow your country's Sipasi to gallop freely, and your country's military fiefdom system will be fully revived there...
In short, my colleague, I sincerely respect your achievements. Although the rules of this game limit us to a life-and-death battle, I hope that the final opponent will be you. "
The letter was completed on May 19th. The courier set out from Rome and arrived in Istanbul in just five days at the fastest speed.
After reading the letter written in modern English, Yiplash sneered, asked his men to find pen and ink, and began to reply without pause.
"My dear colleague, I have read your letter. I agree with your three requests regarding the border between the two sides. But I want to add two more. First, the number of troops stationed on the Golan Heights should not exceed one thousand on both sides. Second, the annual tribute from Austria is one of the conquests of the previous Sultan. It was not abandoned even during the chaotic period of the previous Sultan's rule in our country. Therefore, I cannot give up this thing, otherwise I will not be able to explain to the country. Well, the annual tribute from Austria is not much. Converted into your double pillars, it is only more than 200,000 a year. You have to give me this money.
I am very short of money, but I am not so short of it that I cannot survive without it. But you know, I need nominal benefits.
I have already thought about your plan to dig the Suez Canal, and I am happy to see it happen. In other aspects, I don't know what you did before you traveled through time. Were you a teacher? Why do you like to preach to people so much? What do I need you to teach me?
As for the issue of you and I forming an alliance to deal with China, I am not interested and will not participate.
Finally, as a colleague, I would like to remind you not to always act like you have everything under control and that you are superior, because this will make people very annoyed! "
Although Philip was so angry that he threw the cup in his hand after receiving the letter, the war between Europe and Austria officially ended in July 1626.
He ended the European-Austrian War, seized a large area of North Africa, and especially recovered the Holy City. With the publicity of many European newspapers and state machinery, Philip's reputation was unparalleled.
However, Philip had no intention of being proud at this moment, because the urgent letter sent by Marquis Spinola showed that the situation in America was already very bad.
