The Abyssinians are in action, and Italy is not stupid, how can it be unsympathetic to this.

Don't think that the Abyssinians are so united, there are always some people who want to pull the emperor down by the hands of the Italians.

Therefore, Italy not only knew that Johannes IV was mobilizing for war, but even Britain and France, who were making small moves behind the scenes, were also well known to it.

Come and don't be rude, Italy will naturally not be polite, and there are also countermeasures.

The current Sudan is full of post-independence joy, and although the Messiah Mahdi, who led them to independence, has returned to the arms of Allah, the Sudan he created still stands on the land of Africa.

Omdurman, located in the middle reaches of the Nile, was the capital chosen by Mahdi himself (Khartoum was not chosen by the Sultan's founder to distinguish himself from the British before him).

As the heir to Mahdi's death, Caliph Abdullah was unusually busy.

After the establishment of the Sultan, the country was in ruins due to the oppression of Egypt and the British. Moreover, the sudden death of Mahdi has divided the Sudanese leadership that has rallied around him. They were divided into three parts, led by the three caliphs of Abdullah, Sharif, and Ali.

And among them, Abdullah has the most rights. And this Abdullah is also capable, and within a year, he defeated the other two caliphs one after another, making him the only caliph in the Sultanate.

Now, apart from the covert opposition of a few people, this Abdullah can be described as a monopoly of power.

And today, the ruler of the Sultan is meeting with an envoy from Italy.

"Hello, Mr. Perez."

Abdullah gave a handshake to the visitor in a very Western way.

"Hello, Your Excellency the Caliph."

Mr. Peres' attitude pleased Abdullah, and it meant that the newly formed Sudan was recognized by other countries.

"We are very clear about the purpose of the envoy's visit, but why should we help you. Know that if you occupy Abyssinia, you will not be our neighbors. How can we trust you when the time comes, that you will not be as ambitious as other Europeans are to us. ”

Abdullah spoke very directly, so directly that the Pereste envoy was a little surprised.

However, after all, he came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Perez was not surprised by Abdullah's words.

"Your Excellency Caliph, we understand your concerns. But I remember that there is a proverb in your country that a lion will not be friends with a sheep. This sentence is also very suitable for the current situation in our two countries. ”

Listening to Perest's words, Abdullah stared at the other party. "So who do you think is the lion and who is the sheep?"

"We Italy are lions, but your country is not a sheep, it can be regarded as a wolf."

Perez's explanation made Abdullah laugh.

"Do you think that you can impress me with this proverb?"

"Of course not, this is just to give His Excellency the Caliph a clear idea of his own strength."

In the face of the Sultan's caliphate, Peres continued to rhetoric. "As far as I know, your country has also had a lot of disputes with Abyssinia, and an alliance with me will help your country to regain the areas occupied by Abyssinia."

The areas that Pérez refers to are Binis, in the western part of the plateau, and the Samir Valley in Kosoni. The Blue Nile and Lake Tana make these two areas lush with water and grass, and have been the only way for the Abyssinian tribes to go west or the Nubians (ancient sultans) to the east.

Add to that the religious factor, Abyssinia is an Orthodox Christian, while Sudan is a green religion. The two religions have been inseparable for nearly a thousand years, and the combination of territory and religion has made relations between the two countries extremely poor.

So these two places can be described as the testicles of the two countries, and they will explode when they touch them.

And now these two lands are occupied by Abyssinia, and it is impossible for the Sultans to have no ideas.

Perez's words made Abdullah a little moved. However, it was only for the heart, and if he could not find out what the Italians really thought, he could not have joined the war against Abyssinia.

"How do I know it's not going to be a poisoned apple that smells of it."

In the face of Abdullah's questioning, Perez spread his hands. "I can't guarantee you, because all the guarantees I give need to be based on the fact that there is not much difference in strength between the two sides. I can give you a message, though. ”

Peres' last words piqued the interest of the sultan's caliph. "Oh, what news to hear."

"In preparing for this military operation against Abyssinia, we found that the British were behind the support of this evil regime."

Seeing Perez mention the British, Abdullah frowned. If he wants to say who he and the Sudanese top brass are most worried about, it is the British, and the enemy of the enemy is a friend, although he has not heard it, but he has heard a lot of proverbs with similar meanings.

As for how to judge, this needs to test the caliph's judgment.

The caliph remained motionless, pondering the pros and cons, while Perez waited quietly, and the room fell silent for a moment.

It was a long time before the caliph spoke. "If our country is willing to fight Abyssinia with your country, then we need to compensate us except for Binis and Samir."

Thinking that the ruler of the Sultan wanted the lion to open his mouth, Peres had to warn him. "Your Excellency, ambition needs to match the strength, otherwise it will only bring unwarranted disasters to yourself."

"Rest assured, I'm sober."

In the face of Perez's admonition, Abdullah knew what he wanted. "Our request, in addition to the above two territories, your country needs to provide us with 3,000 standard rear-loading guns, in addition to this, our country will also share half of the Abyssinian equipment captured in battle, and the other half will be purchased by our country with the right of first refusal."

True, Abdullah is very sober, and he knows how to maximize the benefits of the Sultan in this war. In addition to the territory, he also thought about strengthening himself. Those Abyssinian equipment, the Italians must not look down on it, just put forward this condition, just in line with their own use.

In the face of Abdullah's request, Perez did not consider it at all and said directly. "That's fine, I can promise you. Next, let's discuss the issue of your country's troops. ”

In addition to the Sultan, Italy also tried to divide the noble princes of Abyssinia. As the strongest man other than Emperor Johannes IV, Menelic II was also contacted by Italy here.

"I'm sorry, I won't betray the emperor, Your Excellency should die."

Looking at the visiting guests, Menelik II rightly rejected Italy's wooing.

"Your Excellency, don't think about it anymore. My country would like to see people like Your Excellency become the new masters of Abyssinia. ”

"I'm not going to do that, okay and that's it."

After a few words, the visiting guests were invited out.

However, the guest was not angry at all, because this Shoa had secretly seen him, and had not alarmed the others. Suffice it to say that this Menelik II may not have been willing to face his father-in-law directly.

Of course, his mind was nothing to the people in Italy who came into contact with him, and this was the general attitude of the Abyssinian princes, who were reluctant to bet too soon.

But when the situation becomes clearer, the conditions will not be as lenient as they are now.