sultan's crescent

Chapter 11 From now on

Selim didn't know whether his decision was a blessing or a curse for the country, but he knew the fate of the Ottoman Empire in the original time and space.

The defeats, land cessions, reparations, and reforms over and over again are like repeated scenes in a movie, annoying and weeping at the same time.

In order to revive this country, it is necessary to bring her back from the brink of decline to the right track before her energy is completely dissipated.

Otherwise, this ancient country will continue to slide into the abyss of extinction.

Selim sighed, and called Ishak, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and said, "Go and inform the Russian ambassador that since Ekaterina, a despicable usurper, has repeatedly provoked the great Ottoman Empire, she will be rewarded by Allah. The trial, which was carried out by the Ottoman army.

From now on, if there is a truce, either the Sultan dies or the Queen bows her head, there is no other way. "

"Also, send a note to the British and French ministers, accusing them of the greedy and shameless despicable acts of the Russians, and their massacres in the Caucasus. But remember, don't arouse the British and French people's resentment towards the empire.

Tell the "Ottoman Post", "Konstantiniya Daily", "Edirne Observer", vigorously promote the bravery of the imperial soldiers, highlight the brutality of the Russians. "

After sending Ishak away, Selim called Abraham again.

"Abraham, how is the issuance of the first tranche of national bonds? I remember the interest rate is five points. Please report the situation."

"Your Majesty, we have issued a total of 500 million national bonds. Patriarch Nicholas purchased 640 million national bonds on behalf of the Orthodox Christians of the empire. French King Louis XVI purchased 300 million national bonds on behalf of France. They promised to use Paying for arms and ammunition, your most loyal subjects, the Jewish nation, bought 300 million treasury bonds, and the Mohammedans of the empire bought 260 million treasury bonds."

After listening to Abraham's report, Selim was a little emotional.

The Muslims, who are dominant in numbers, can spend the least amount of money. The Jews are still strong after investing 2000 million to set up a bank. The Orthodox Christians have made a lot of money in trade by virtue of their religious identity.

Of course, there are reasons why the Guards refused to pay, but it is also true that Muslims are not as economically powerful as Orthodox Christians and Jews.

The ruling class of a country is actually not as good as the ruled. From this moment on, Selim is determined to make Muslims rich by taking advantage of the initial industrialization.

After dealing with major domestic affairs, Selim set off for the battlefield.

"Paul, follow me to Belgrade, and I will personally block the Austrians."

Leaving those words behind, Selim left the Topkapi Palace without looking back. He is not Chang Kaishen who only knows how to operate remotely.If the Austrians dared to fight, they would be smashed to pieces before the Sultan.

On September 1787, [-], in a Cossack village on the border between Russia, southern Ukraine and the Ottoman Empire, an Ottoman cavalry belonging to the Guards had entered it.

Wielding long sabers, they drove the fleeing villagers around like livestock and went on a safari. Blood and flames invaded the village named Cambrai. The corpses of men were randomly piled up at the entrance of the village, while women caught them. Standing up for wanton fun, the elderly and children are their most annoying hunting targets. They will not resist or run away, and even shouting is difficult to arouse their desire to conquer.

And this village is just one of the countless tragedies on the long border between Russia and Turkey. More people are being massacred wantonly by the Ottoman army.

A week later, in St. Petersburg, in the Summer Palace, Ekaterina sat on the throne that belonged exclusively to the tsar, listening to the foreign minister's report, with neither sadness nor joy on her face.

When the other party stopped, Ekaterina said with a smile: "It seems that our new sultan doesn't seem to remember his uncle's lesson. Speaking of which, I haven't given him a coronation gift yet? Since So, let me use the corpses of [-] Turks as my gift. Potemkin, Rumyantsev, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, as you wish." The two replied in unison

"I passed on my decree, all the armies quickly assembled, with Potemkin as the commander-in-chief and Rumyantsev as the general staff, to launch a counter-offensive. From now on, not a single Turk will be spared."

"Yes, Your Majesty"

In Bucharest, Napoleon is arranging the next strategic deployment against the map.There were several battle reports on the table, which were good news from the cavalry on the front line.

"Calculating the time, it's almost time."

Looking at the winter scenery outside the window, Napoleon murmured to himself that the first wave of raids was very successful, and the border between Turkey and Russia had become a white field, which ensured that the Russians could only rely on supplies from the north until next autumn.

"Although the loss is a bit big, it's okay." Thinking of the sultan's explanation before leaving, Napoleon chuckled lightly.

"This Sultan is also a ruthless master"

"General, there is a battle report from the front. The [-]st Cavalry Brigade of the [-]nd Guards Division has been wiped out near Bilozerka. It should be the Russian Potemkin who annihilated them."

"How many enemy troops are there?"

"According to the report of the second division commander Salika Pasha, there are roughly 15 people."

"15, interesting," Napoleon whispered, "tell the commanders of the second and third divisions to stick to Ochakov and wait for reinforcements."

In Kherson, in the barracks outside the city, Potemkin and Rumyantsev are discussing the next route of advance.

"This is impossible. The Ottomans have already turned the entire southern Ukraine into a blank. If we launch an attack now, it will only cause the army to not get enough supplies. In winter, this is fatal."

"Rumantsev, you have to understand that the Turks have entered the territory of the empire. Even if we successfully expel them, this will not save the face of the empire. Only a big victory can wash away the shame. It is what the empress wants. As for the supplies, the empire will mobilize civilians to transport them."

"This is not the reason for your attack now. Ochakov has two divisions with nearly 3 people. The Ottomans have built strong fortifications here, and we only have howitzers at hand. You can't attack this kind of equipment at all. Ochakov."

"Rumyantsev, storming Ochakov is not the only way. We can bypass it and directly capture Odessa. This means that Ochakov's enemy forces will be trapped until they realize the reality. will surrender."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Ochakov can supply supplies from the sea. Ushakov is not sure about blocking the coastline. Potemkin, Hassan has already sent the fleet into the Black Sea. You are taking the future of Russia adventure."

"That's enough, Rumyantsev, I'm the commander-in-chief. Pass down the order, and the whole army will set off, aiming at Odessa."

When Potemkin ordered the Russians to set off, Napoleon, who was far away in Bucharest, had already arranged for Alandar Mustafa to enter Odessa, blindly letting the Russians advance, they would be suspicious.

Even if the guards just sacrifice their pieces, this move must be played with value.

As the time came to the end of December, Odessa had been besieged by Potemkin for half a month, but thanks to Selim's improved navy, Hassan Pasha had an advantage in the battle with Ushakov. There were victories and losses, so that Odessa's supplies could also be transported by sea.

On the other hand, Potemkin's troops did not find any surplus food due to the Ottoman Empire's policy of strengthening the walls and clearing the country.

But Grand Duke Potemkin has a way. Anyway, this group of pariahs can't survive, so they simply contribute their own strength to the future of the empire.

Fortunately, half a month after the siege, Potemkin waited for his artillery, and the siege began.

Although the time has come to modern times, the traditional city walls still serve a defensive function.

The Russian army used fire suppression tactics to cover their own infantry attacking the city, while Ottoman relied on its condescending advantage to repel the Russian army's attacks time and time again, but the gap in numbers seems to be doomed that Odessa's fall is only a matter of time.

In January 1788, Odessa fell, and Mustafa led a small number of soldiers to break through. The Russian army suffered [-] casualties and the Ottoman army [-] casualties.

When the news reached Vienna, the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II ordered a declaration of war on the Ottoman Empire. With the Prince of Coburg as the commander-in-chief, the Austrian army marched into Transylvania, threatening the northern part of the Romanian theater.

Belgrade, Selim has received word that Austria has declared war on the Reich.He couldn't help sighing, it was exactly the same as the original time and space, this is the inertia of history.

Feelings are emotions, Selim ordered the army to march towards Bosnia, if you hit my Wallachia, I will fight Vienna, encircle Wei and save Zhao.

The land battle came to an end, while the sea battle, the most exciting battle was the Kerch sea battle. This battle allowed the European countries to see the irreplaceable dominance of three-decked warships.

I never thought it would be so easy to win.

—Mustapha Hobart
As the captain of HMS Selim the Great, the flagship of the Ottoman First Fleet, Hobart studied at the Royal Naval College and served in the British Navy.

"While I was cruising in the northern part of the Black Sea following Hasan Pasha's orders, I ran head-on into the Russian fleet, a full 32 double-decker warships.

But the First Fleet is not afraid, we are the best unit in the Imperial Navy.The naval battle started quickly, and the first to fire was the Russians. Classic battle-style tactics, the huge solid iron bullets fired by the 48-pound artillery hit the sea surface, making a dull loud noise, and a huge explosion several meters high was set off on the entire sea surface. wave.

However, thanks to the scattered formation, none of the Russian shells hit the imperial army.When I gave the order to fire, a total of 128 cannons on the "Grand Selim" exploded violently in sequence, and a 50-pounder shell from one of the [-]-pounders smashed hard on the Russian flagship, that poor ship, The keel screamed, the mast broke, and the whole ship turned over, like a tuna lying in the water.From this moment on, I know that victory belongs to His Majesty.

——Mustapha Hobart, The Battle of the Black Sea
　This chapter is difficult to write, so it was posted relatively late. Book friends who have not joined the group can join the group: 866261215. There is a map in the group, which is easy to understand.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)