My Italy

The Abyssinians are on the move, and Italy is not stupid, so how could it not be indifferent to this.

Don't think that the Abyssinians are so united. There are always some people who want to bring down the emperor through the hands of the Italians.

Therefore, not only did Italy know that Johannes IV was mobilizing for war, but Britain and France, who were behind the scenes, were also well aware of it.

It's rude to come back without reciprocating, and Italy will naturally not be polite and has countermeasures.

Today's Sudan is full of joy after independence. Although the savior who led them to independence, the Mahdi, has returned to the embrace of God, the Sudan he created still stands on the land of Africa.

Omdurman, located in the middle reaches of the Nile River, was the capital chosen by the Mahdi himself (in order to distinguish himself from the previous British, the founder of Sudan did not choose Khartoum).

As the successor after the death of Mahdi, Caliph Abdullah was extremely busy.

After the founding of Sudan, its country was in dire straits due to the previous oppression by Egypt and the British. Moreover, Mahdi's sudden death caused a split in the Sudanese leadership that had united around him. They were divided into three parts, with the three caliphs Abdullah, Sharif and Ali as leaders.

Among them, Abdullah has the most power. And this Abdullah was also capable. Within a year, he defeated the other two caliphs one after another, making him the only caliph of the Sultanate.

Now, except for the secret objections of a few people, Abdullah can be said to have monopolized power.

Today, the ruler of Sudan is meeting with an envoy from Italy.

"Hello, Mr. Perez."

Abdullah shook hands with the visitor in a very Western style.

"Hello, Your Majesty the Caliph."

Peres's attitude satisfied Abdullah, which meant that the newly established Sudan was recognized by other countries.

"We are very clear about the purpose of your visit this time, but why should we help you? You must know that if you occupy Abyssinia, you will not be our neighbors. How can we trust you then? No Like other Europeans, they will have ambitions for us."

Abdullah spoke very directly, so directly that Envoy Peres was a little surprised.

However, since he was from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peres was not surprised by Abdullah's words.

"Your Majesty the Caliph, we understand your concerns very much. However, I remember there is a proverb in your country that lions will not be friends with sheep. This sentence is also very suitable for the current situation between you and us."

Listening to Envoy Peres's words, Abdullah stared at him. "So who do you think is the lion and who is the sheep?"

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

The explanation Perez gave made Abdullah laugh.

"Does your Excellency the Special Envoy think that you can impress me with this proverb?"

"Of course not. This is just to give His Excellency the Caliph a clear understanding of his own strength."

Confronted with the Sudanese caliph, Peres continued his rhetoric. "As far as I know, your country also has a lot of disputes with Abyssinia. Uniting with our country can help your country take back those areas occupied by Abyssinia."

The occupied areas Perez mentioned were Binis in the western part of the plateau and the Samir Valley in Cosoni. The Blue Nile and Lake Tana make these two areas lush with water and grass. From ancient times to the present, whether the Abyssinian tribes went west or the Nubians (ancient Sudanese) went east, they must pass through here. road.

In addition, there are religious factors. Abyssinia believes in Orthodox Christianity, while Sudan believes in Green Christianity. These two major religions have been at loggerheads for nearly a thousand years. Territory and religion have made the relationship between the two countries extremely bad.

Therefore, these two places can be said to be the testicles of the two countries, and they will explode if they touch each other.

But now that these two areas are occupied by Abyssinia, it would be impossible for the Sudanese people to do so without any ideas.

Perez's words made Abdullah feel a little moved. But it was only limited to his heartbeat. If he couldn't figure out what the Italians really thought, he wouldn't be able to join the war against Abyssinia.

"How do I know that this won't be a poisonous apple with a charming smell?"

Faced with Abdullah's question, Perez spread his hands. "I can't give you a guarantee on this, because all the guarantees I give need to be based on the fact that there is not a big gap in strength between the two parties. But I can give you some news."

Perez's last words piqued the sultan's caliph's interest. "Oh, let's hear some news."

"In preparation for this military operation in Abyssinia, we discovered that the British were behind this evil regime."

Seeing Peres mention the British, Abdullah frowned. Who he and the Sudanese senior officials are most worried about is the British. Although he has never heard the saying that the enemy of his enemy is his friend, 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 Peres waited quietly, and the room fell silent for a moment.

After a long time, the caliph spoke. "If our country is willing to attack Abyssinia with your country, then in addition to Binis and Samir, we need compensation."

Thinking that the Sudanese ruler wanted the lion to open its mouth, Perez had to give him a warning. "Your Excellency, ambition requires matching strength, otherwise it will only bring unnecessary disaster to yourself."

"Don't worry, I'm conscious."

Faced with Perez’s warning, Abdullah knew what he wanted. "Our request is that in addition to the above two territories, your country needs to provide us with 3,000 standard breech-loading guns of your country. In addition, our country also needs Abyssinian equipment seized in combat. It will be divided into half, and our country has the right of first refusal on the other half.”

Yes, Abdullah was very sober and knew how to maximize Sudan's interests in this battle. In addition to territory, he also considered increasing his strength. Those Abyssinian equipment must be looked down upon by the Italians, so they just put forward this condition, which is suitable for their own use.

Faced with Abdullah's request, Perez did not consider it at all and said directly. "This is no problem, I can promise you. Next, let's discuss the issue of sending troops from your country."

In addition to the foreign aid of the Sudan, Italy also tried to divide the noble princes of Abyssinia. As the strongest man besides Emperor Johannes IV, Menelik II also sent people to contact Italy.

"I'm sorry, I will not betray the emperor. You should give up."

Looking at the visiting guests, Menelik II rejected Italy's wooing with righteous words.

"Your Excellency, don't think about it again. Our country is willing to see people like you become the new masters of Abyssinia."

"I won't do this, that's it."

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

But the guest was not angry at all, because Shao A met him secretly and did not alert others. This is enough to illustrate the problem. Menelik II may not be willing to face his father-in-law directly.

Of course, his thoughts were nothing among the people contacted by Italy this time. This was the general attitude of the Abyssinian princes, who were unwilling to make premature bets.

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

I am also surprised that Romania is gone, and I don’t know any more about the reasons than you do.