Ashulk gently twisted the longest of his thick beard with his fingers, his face was a little small compared to the large turban on his head, and the thick beard of the large shap obscured a large part of his face, so that sometimes it was impossible to see Ashulk's sharp eyes cast to scrutinize the gaze.

However, today, Ashulk's eyes were very conspicuous because he had been watching Alexander for a long time, which even made Tiego next to him a little uneasy, and he secretly wondered if the business might have collapsed because the Ottomans were too cautious.

"The conditions I made before are still valid," Ashulk finally spoke, and he stretched out his hand and pushed forward the pile of papers, "we can become masters of all the ports in the Mediterranean, you know that I am not only talking about the west coast of the Mediterranean, but also all the cities of the East and the future conquered South, such as Cyprus and Alexandria. ”

An uncontrollable gasp sounded in the room, and then Tiego couldn't help but reach out and slightly block his mouth.

Tiego knew that his face must have been embarrassed and agitated, but although he knew that he had lost his temper, he did not feel that there was anything unforgivable about his actions.

He believed that if other people heard that the two of them were discussing things now, they would also lose their temper because of the shock, and maybe even do something more out of the ordinary.

After all, Ashulk's suggestion is so tempting that it even feels unbelievable.

The mystery and richness of the East have always fascinated Westerners, whether it was the Crusaders who caused countless killing wars for centuries, or the great heroes who tried to conquer the East like Alexander and Caesar.

Even today, when the veil of mystery is gradually lifted, Europeans are still persistent with everything from the East.

The fall of Constantinople completely closed the door to Europe across the Mediterranean, and although the hostility with the Ottoman Empire did not prevent the flow of trade, the impact was still enormous.

The ports on the other side of the Mediterranean herald unimaginable wealth, and the opportunity to acquire it now lay before him made Tiego feel that even being a spectator and witness to such a thrilling event was enough to excite people, not to mention that it had its own stamp on it.

Tiego believed that if the business was successful, his name would become a legend for future merchants, as would be the case with the great figures of history.

How much would such a business be worth, 1 million or 2 million florins, or much more than these imaginary figures?

Tiego tried to calm his heartbeat from nervousness, until he heard Alexander say "no" simply. ”

Tyego felt that he had misheard, and he twisted his neck to look at Alexander, but because all his attention had been on the Ottomans opposite, he was a little disobedient for a while.

"No? Why? ”

Ashulk spoke, his voice not surprised, just as he had been when he had heard Alexander's refusal before.

He just asked, as if he was a little puzzled, and it seemed that he really just wanted to know the reason for Alexander's refusal.

"I beg your pardon, if it's just a simple business, this is a dream opportunity for me," Alexander said with a little regret, "but because it's not just that, I can't accept your terms." ”

The turban on Ashulk's head moved slightly, as if because he nodded.

"Count, do you mean it's about war between us?" The Ottoman asked, "If this is the case, we all know that it doesn't matter what the war turns out to become, and that it can even make it easier to get riches, for example, I can increase the price of my goods by blocking your sea routes, and that alone will make my business more profitable than anyone else." ”

Thiegor looked at Ashulk in astonishment, he could not imagine that the vizier of the Sultan would dare to talk so blatantly and openly about the secret of making war money, while Alexander, who was sitting next to him, did not seem surprised by his words at all.

"And I can sell you luxury goods from the East that can only be supplied by me, and what I need may be something that cannot be bought from others," Ashulk leaned forward slightly, "For example, as far as I know, a new type of musket is being used only by your army, and I believe that if it is in exchange for spices and coffee or some special goods, I am sure that you will not refuse because of fear of hostility between us, so do not perfunctory me with reasons of war and faith, Tell me you really can't accept my terms? ”

Listening to Ashulk's words, Alexander, who seemed to have a calm expression, was secretly smiling bitterly in his heart.

He knew that Ashulk would not believe that he had refused to do business with him for some pagan enemy or something, but in fact, it was this reason that Alexander had decided to refuse.

Ashulk, is a pagan.

The ports on the other side of the Mediterranean are also pagan.

Even the Vatican had secretly negotiated deals with the Ottomans, but as long as he wanted to go to Castile land in the future, he would not be criticized for his ambiguous relationship with the pagans, Alexander would never accept Ashulk's terms.

Even if this condition had a chance to make him a commercial hegemon in the Mediterranean, it would be nothing compared to the crown of Castile.

"So what business can you do with me?" Ashulk's always calm eyes finally showed a look of disappointment.

The Ottomans had been closely following what was happening in Rome and the cities that surrounded the Tyrennian Sea during this time, and if one recalls what they had seen and heard in the port of Sicily on their way before, Ashulk believed that he was witnessing a completely new method of plundering wealth.

Indeed, it can only be described as plunder, the first month of profit on the Tiego exchange has driven the Romans completely crazy, and the exchange itself is said to have earned as much as 70,000 florins, which has led to the belief that this exchange may be the most profitable place for many years to come.

Ashulk was also surprised, but he was not surprised by the huge income of the exchange, although 70,000 florin was a large amount, but it would not be so easy for the wealthy Ottoman vizier to impress him.

Ashulk was amazed by Alexander's brilliant methods and the unimaginably huge market that this method brings.

The whole of Europe will have to open its market to them, and Ashurk was deeply shocked by this huge and astonishing act.

He knew that he had finally found an opportunity to become a Sultan who could rival him, because in addition to discovering this ingenious economic method, he also noticed that Alexander's economic alliance was facing a hidden danger that might seem insignificant now, but which would one day expose itself to a great crisis!

That is, if one day the entire European market is saturated, then they will face the danger of plunging Europe into a depression by driving down the prices of goods in the entire European market.

Ashulk believes that no one has seen this crisis until now, or even if they do, they will not care, after all, it may take a dozen or even decades for this kind of thing to really manifest itself, and as the city expands, the population increases, and the market will continue to expand, then the crisis may not gradually appear in a hundred years.

By that time, the first group of people and their descendants who had plundered the wealth of all of Europe may have either become giants of wealth that could shake the West, or they may have disappeared into the thick dust of history for various reasons.

However, Ashulk still believed that since he had mastered the key point of the "Alexander Alliance", as long as one of these people could take a longer view, he would not refuse his proposal.

Because he offers not just a share of a few Oriental ports, but an open door to the Oriental market.

I believe that as long as you are a little ambitious, you will not refuse his suggestion.

Ashulk's gaze slowly turned to Tygo next to him, he knew that this man had an important position in Alexander's series of actions, so he should be able to speak.

"And what do you think of my suggestion," the vizier looked at Tiego, "to take a stake in these ports and join your trade alliance?" ”

Tiego's lips were dry and his throat was swollen as he stared at the papers on the table, his gaze glancing at Alexander, hoping to get some inspiration from him.

"Dear Vizier, it seems that I have to remind you," Alexander finally spoke, "please do not forget that your Sultan is now preparing to wage an unprecedented war against the whole of Europe, and how much benefit do you think your proposal will bring to both of us in such a situation?" ”

Alexander knew he had to warn Tiego.

Tieg's originally excited expression suddenly became gloomy, and he slowly sat back down, looking at the two people in front of him.

Thiegor already knew that he had just behaved like a fool, and if Ashulk had sensed that Alexander's rejection would not be due to faith or war, then Thiegor had learned purely from the experience of this time that the legendary brother and sister would never give up their interests because of these things, especially those who were so great that it was difficult to refuse.

Well, there must be some key reason why Alexander turned down such a good opportunity.

"Count, if I am worried that the Sultan may be involved in this matter, I can guarantee that these cities I have provided to you are all under the jurisdiction of my family, and even those that are not part of my family, I can exert influence on the local governor."

Listening to Ashulk's words, Alexander shook his head slightly, if it was 200 or even 100 years later, maybe he could seriously consider Ashulk's words, because at that time, the governors of the Ottoman Empire had gradually grasped more power, and some of their powerful local governors even had the strength to compete with the sultans.

But now reigning is Basayet II, the son of Mehmed II the Conqueror, and none of the so-called ten founding kings in the history of the Ottoman Empire, including the sultan himself, is easy to deal with.

Seeing Alexander's slow but unusually firm shake of his head, the expression on Ashulk's face slowly became a little stiff, and his eyes were fixed on Alexander's face, trying to read his thoughts.

Ashulk knew that he would be sitting here today, and there must be something that could be negotiated between the two sides, but judging from the current situation, Alexander obviously had other ideas than he expected.

"Vizier, I think I can give you a better suggestion," Alexander felt that the time was almost right, and he asked Tiego to bring him a map of the Mediterranean, and after laying it out on the table, Alexander looked at the Ottomans, "The Sultan's ambition is to conquer the whole of the Mediterranean and Europe, but we need to know which one he wants to do first." ”

Ashulk seemed to understand what Alexander meant, and he twisted his beard to look at Alexander's face.

"Are you worried that he will attack first in the Mediterranean, so that your investment will be lost?"

"No, I'm afraid he's not going to attack the Mediterranean at all."

Alexander's words surprised Ashulk.

"Noble Vizier, what I am going to say to you now is important to all of us, so important that I hope you will never say it."

Tiego, who was standing next to him, instantly became nervous, and he went to the door to see if he could leave immediately.

"Concentrate on Tiego, we need your help to keep track of a lot of things here," Alexander said in a deliberately disgruntled tone, "Listen, I've trusted you since the day Tsusha recommended you to me, because to doubt you is to doubt Tsusha's eyes, and I have absolute trust in my sister." ”

The muscles on Tiego's face trembled, and though he knew that Alexander was saying this to show his trust in him, he was still a little overwhelmed by the excitement.

Tiego had a hunch that perhaps he was attending a gathering that would affect many people and many things for many years to come.

Cyprus, Crete, Sicily, and Malta, all of which were displayed on the map under Alexander's direction, were on the map with a look of disbelief on Ashurk's face, while Tiego was dazed, even a little overwhelmed.

"Are you saying that what you said to everyone earlier about the Sultan starting a war in the Mediterranean, and maybe even sending a navy directly across the sea to attack Rome?"

"Yes."

"Do you now think that the Sultan is unlikely to launch an attack on Europe from the sea?"

"Yes"

"You don't even think that even if the Sultan had such intentions, he would not attack the islands you mentioned in the near future?"

"Yes."

Ashulk looked at Alexander silently, he didn't know how to describe the feeling in his heart at this time, because he suddenly found that what he believed in even before entering the door today was actually smashed to pieces by the person in front of him.

And what made him feel the most unbelievable was the one who established his firm belief at the beginning, but it was the young man in front of him.

It was Alexander who convinced everyone, including Ashulk, that Match Yese II was likely to launch a massive attack, and might even send troops to land at any cost and attack Rome directly.

It was even on this ground that Alexander VI was able to obtain the support of the cardinals of the Vatican, and was able to issue a credit guarantee for Alexandria's transactions in the name of the Holy See.

But now, Alexander says that this will not happen, and even swears that the islands, which many people think are precarious, will not be annexed by the Sultan in the near future.

"Even if it's as you say, what are you going to do," Ashulk, who quickly calmed down from his surprise and even anger, looked at Alexander, he didn't believe that Alexander had no purpose in telling such a big lie to everyone, or that he wasn't lying, after all, he was only judging, "I have to say that I prefer to believe that the Sultan will attack." ”

"That's what the vast majority of people think," Alexander smiled, "I hope to invest in these islands, especially Crete and Sicily, and I can assure you that this option will definitely bring unexpected benefits." ”

"Is this any different from what I was suggesting earlier?"

"Of course," Alexander said with a serious expression in the face of Eshulk's puzzled face, "those ports, you just want to exchange shares for profits, and these two places are investments. ”

"You're going to let me be with you in this place," Ashulk pointed to Crete, "so what do you want to do, you know, as far as I know, Crete is not worth investing a lot of money except for its important location." ”

"Vizier, there's enough for all of us," Alexander picked up a small silver jug from the table next to him, "Sugar." ”

Ashulk's face changed slightly, and his gaze was on the small glittering silver jug.

"You're going to grow sugar cane on the island?"

"Yes, in fact I'm already recruiting workers for this," Alexander looked out the window, "can you imagine how many people will freeze to death in this weather, and many people will leave their homes for a bite to eat and to keep their families fed." ”

The expression on Ashurk's face had changed by this time, and just then he heard Tygo's slightly heavy breathing beside him, and the Ottomans looked to the side, noticing Tygo's slightly agitated nostrils with excitement.

Ashulk smiled, he could understand why this Bari'ari merchant was so out of shape.

For a long time, spices of all kinds have been irreplaceable luxuries on the European continent. Unlike gold, which is a precious stone, spices are consumed anytime and anywhere, which means that there is always a huge market that can never be satisfied.

Spices were not easily available in Europe, and the cold and humid climate made it impossible for the continent to grow spices on a large scale, so it had to be trafficked from the far east.

The rise of the Ottoman Empire, like the Crusader dynasty of the East, prevented Europeans from gaining access to sources of these precious goods, and war was inevitable.

And sugar is one of these precious spices.

The Ottomans loved sugar, and so did Europeans, a sweet snack could make an Ottoman woman happy for a day, and for Europeans, sugar that only the rich could taste from time to time was simply a symbol of wealth.

"Crete? Are you going to grow sugar cane fields in Crete? The corners of Ashulk's mouth suddenly curled up and a slightly mocking smile appeared, "Don't you know that even if you can do this, there are many places where sugar cane can be grown, and the investment in this is huge, how can you guarantee our interests." ”

"It's up to you, vizier," Alexander's hand was placed on the Mediterranean Sea in the middle of the map, intentionally or unintentionally, "You must have a way for the Sultan to send his navy to raid the merchants trying to cross the Mediterranean, or simply let the pirates do the work." ”

Tiego, who was holding a pen to take notes, shook his hand, and a drop of ink on the tip of the pen fell on the paper.

Ashulk stared straight at Alexander, and when he was sure that he had heard correctly, the Ottomans couldn't help but murmur: "You are really crazy to start a war in order to make money,"