The Sun and the Lion

Tabaristan is a narrow plain north of the Alborz Mountains, facing the Caspian Sea in the north. The terrain is low and flat. It has the highest rainfall in the entire plateau. It is also the main producing area of ​​rice and raw silk on the Iranian plateau. The local population is relatively dense, and Relatively wealthy.

With the Alborz Mountains as a natural barrier, it is not easy for outsiders to conquer this narrow plain. Historical plateau regimes mostly only made local lords vassals, rather than turning Tabaristan into A territory directly under its own jurisdiction, Tabaristan has become a safe haven for refugees from all walks of life, and there are also activities of Shiite and Sufi orders here.

Gaolaberi was ordered to lead troops into Tabaristan, ostensibly to hunt down and punish the rebels. However, the lords were wary. They quickly blocked the borders and used the walls of border cities and castles within the territory to block roads. And began to hoard military supplies and mobilize the army.

This information appeared on Ibrahim's desk through Turgut a few days later. He immediately ordered Gaolaberi to enter Lahijan, his ally Ali Kakia's ally, through the rugged mountain road, and not to go head-on. He hit his head and was bleeding. Then he wrote to other small lords, first to reassure them that he had no intention of aggression and that he had ordered the army to withdraw, but asked them to expel all the rebels from Tabaristan.

Then he set up a spy network, but the funds were somewhat stretched.

Your Majesty, it is operationally feasible to arrange spies in various major cities through Lahijan, but I'm afraid it will require a lot of funds. The conscientious spy chief estimated the possible expenditures.

This time the cost will be borne by our close allies. No money? Then let the allies divide it up, since they have big fists anyway. Ibrahim pondered for a moment, and then continued: Turgut, you will personally preside over this work. At the same time, I authorize you to negotiate with Ali Mirza Kakia, not just from his pocket. In exchange for the money, he is asked to send troops to cooperate with Gaolaberi. In exchange, he can own the entire Tabaristan under my protection, but one-third of all newly conquered properties must be divided into my own personal possessions as compensation. There is no need to exempt these properties from the tax.

Turgut wrote down these orders and then asked: Your Majesty, are there any other orders?

No, you can go and execute it.

As you wish, Your Majesty. Turgut saluted and left the study.

Afterwards, Ibrahim studied the map and then remembered that Heraclius was currently idle. Even if you are idle, you might as well go out and do some exercise to enhance your friendship with Ahmed.

Ibrahim quickly wrote the order to Heraclius, Kamran, take it out and send it.

After approving the official documents placed on the table, Ibrahim, who had nothing to do, planned to take a breather. After leaving the study and arriving at the garden, the vegetation here was not damaged by the war. After Ibrahim took over Tabriz, funding was still allocated for maintenance so that it would not become overgrown with weeds.

Walking to a pavilion and looking at the surrounding scenery, I have to say that Rostam has quite good taste. The attendants quickly brought drinks and desserts, and the eunuch who came politely asked Ibrahim if he wanted to arrange some female slaves for his entertainment.

I heard that Circassian female slaves were very expensive in the Ottoman slave market. They had beautiful faces, well-proportioned figures, and very fair skin. They were favored by nobles. There were many Circassians in the Ottoman harem...

And the Mamluks... there seem to be a lot of Circassians as well.

With a flash of inspiration, Ibrahim seemed to have discovered a new code of wealth, although the slave trade was already being done by others and had a long history. However, according to the reports of the Grand Vizier and the Grand Emir, many real estate owners in the Shirvan area not only operate real estate, but also organize groups to cross the Greater Caucasus Mountains and go to the Circassian territory to raid the borders, achieving this without any cost. After purchasing the goods, after satisfying their own needs for population, they sold them to slave merchants at high prices, and then the merchants trafficked them to the Ottoman or Mamluk markets.

In this case, why not use the royal power to get a piece of the pie? The government and the royal family came forward to organize the scattered slave hunters, and provided funds to help them and become their backing. Subsequently, with the support of Ibrahim, this company gradually squeezed out other competitors. It not only wanted to monopolize the source of Circassian slaves, but also Chechens, Ossetians, Dagestanis, etc. Brahim already regards the Caucasus as his own turf.

After controlling the supply of goods in the Caucasus, slave hunters can continue to expand and try to go north to snatch Russian slaves from the Tatars. Maomei's appearance is not bad either. In addition to slaves, you can also do fur business or something.

In addition to going north, you can also go south. After you control the entire plateau and build your own navy, you can march into black Africa. Slaves, ivory, gold... these local products will flow into the vast market after passing through the hands of monopoly companies. , look for Shuyuan www.zhaoshuyuａｎ.com, and the merchants, governments and royal families involved in the trade will make a lot of money.

Thinking of this, Ibrahim couldn't help but get excited. He stood up, left his attendants and uneaten snacks and returned to the study. Perhaps because he didn't have time to organize his words, when he told Kamlan his idea to Kamran, who was sorting out documents, he even stumbled a little, as if he was stuttering.

Kamran's reply was brief and powerful: Your Majesty, it is best to discuss this matter with the viziers. I neither understand business nor the use of force.

That's right, after all, you can't catch slaves with ink and pen and paper.

However, the government's first priority is to re-count and allocate assets, which will take more than ten days to complete. Until then, the government cannot spare enough resources to invest in other plans.

Then get busy. Ibrahim walked out of the study.

Bored Ibrahim went to the sports ground. It was afternoon, and Ismail should be learning fencing and archery with the bowmen.

Go and have a look.

Entering the sports field, there are all bow holders wearing single clothes and sweating. Some are fencing, some are horse racing, some are competing in bow skills, and some are wrestling. But the venue here is not big enough to play polo.

Your Majesty! When the bow-holders saw Ibrahim coming, they stopped one after another, and then came to salute.

Okay, go back, don't delay your competition because of me. After greeting the bow holders, Ibrahim went straight to the goal.

When Ibrahim arrived, the training was over. The coach was sitting aside fishing. When he saw Ibrahim, he jumped up like a spring: Your Majesty.

Ibrahim ignored him, but went straight to Ismail who was resting, and took him back to train him personally.