The Sun and the Lion

The Lion-Sun flag of the Safavid Palace stands proudly on the beach, looking towards the ocean in the distance. Dozens of floating ships also hang the flag of the King of Kings, oppressing the people on the shore. Everyone.

The boat docked on the shoal and pier, and the governor of the Persian Gulf Islands and nearly a hundred personal guards stepped onto the sand of Bahrain. This caused the locals to come to see Ahsan in fear and ask him why he came to visit this country that can only produce pearls. A sand island waiting for aquatic products.

The emir who rules Bahrain Island came with a tribute that should be dedicated to the suzerain, and his posture was very humble: Your army has come to Bahrain Island in such a large force. What important matter bothers you to lead such a powerful force to deal with it?

I have gone to such great lengths to come here, so naturally I have important matters that need to be dealt with... Ahsan did not directly answer the visitor's question, but asked instead: Who are you loyal to?

I... the emir thought quickly, maybe the suzerain could make the other party fearful: Mohammed bin Ejwad is my master. He is the sultan of nearby islands and coastal territories, Hasa, Ghati Husband and Malik in Bahrain and other places.”

Hearing this series of titles, Ehsan was not afraid. As a pirate leader who had been active in the Persian Gulf for many years, he knew that the Sultan Jabrid he was facing was a man who controlled Eastern Arabia, with influence reaching as far north as Kuwait, The most powerful person as far south as Oman. For him who was once just a pirate, this was a behemoth, but today it is about to turn around.

Very good, but now please forget those titles you just held. You have a new master who is more worthy of your loyalty.

This... The contempt in Ahsan's words was naked and unconcealed, which prompted Emir to look at the fleet again to confirm whether the person who came was really confident or had a lack of brains.

After much hesitation, he knelt down to the Governor and offered the tribute to the sect master: Your strength has made me surrender.

The sailors immediately took over Manama, the largest city on the island, and the castle that originally belonged to the emir was arranged to receive the governor. Until this time, he did not know who the new master was who made him surrender.

When he plucked up the courage to speak out, he was ridiculed by Ahsan: You are really closed-minded. Bahrain is not an isolated place. Didn't the merchant ships and your master who came here to buy pearls let the outside world know? Is there any news coming in? Take a good look at this flag and remember that it belongs to the monarch of Iran!

In fact, before Ahsan landed in Bahrain, Safavid had contact and conflict with the Jabrid dynasty. Ibrahim previously thought that Kuwait was uninhabited land and directly sent troops to occupy the construction site, which aroused the dissatisfaction of the Sudan. However, intimidated by Safavid's force, they first sent a group of camel riders to act as desert bandits to test and harass. The sailors stationed there relied on firearms and unfinished fortifications to repel the attack.

This conflict was so small that the leader who was in charge at the time thought it was just a group of gangsters who did not know how to live or die. After reporting the conflict, no attention was paid to it. Sudan, for some unknown reason, did not send more troops to attack Kuwait Port.

Putting the matter aside, Ahsan did not enter the emir's residence in Manama out of caution. He first coordinated the sailors to take over the port, and then asked the emir to follow him to the flagship for detailed discussions.

Before setting off, he carefully read Ibrahim's instructions. Shah's plan was very much to his liking, and he did not want to become a real chief executive. Now he only needs to command the fleet and collect taxes, and all these trivial matters can be entrusted to the city to handle.

After informing the emir of the specific policy, he had mixed feelings. The new suzerain was not only a Shia believer, but also gave him great autonomy, and the tribute was only symbolic. But the later grant of trade privileges made him extremely disgusted, and he also let go of defense. Doesn't the suzerain need to bear the responsibility of protecting his vassals?

Your Majesty the Governor, I am very worried about the self-defense you mentioned. After all, you will not be stationed here permanently, and incorporating Bahrain into the Shah's rule will inevitably lead to the Sultan's revenge... The Emir asked him again Confess doubts.

Since maritime security is the responsibility of our military, I will definitely send ships to be stationed nearby to perform tasks. The port of Manama can also allow the fleet to be replenished and maintained. Find Shuyuan www.zhaoshuyuan.com

But Bahrain is an island surrounded by water. It is too close to the peninsula and the coastline is not short. It is not easy to find a suitable landing point to sneak ashore.

Faced with this worry, Ahsan had no choice but to continue to promise: I can build a fortress and arrange garrison troops on the outskirts of Manama.

Anyway, Bahrain Island is also a famous pearl producer in the Persian Gulf. There are many divers in Manama's port and nearby fishing villages who make a living by fishing for pearls. Compared with the profits from controlling the local aquatic product trade, the expenditure on garrisoning is not much.

After receiving the assurance, the emir felt relieved, and then began to say some beautiful words to compliment the governor, and answered Ahsan's questions one by one, mainly about the current situation of the Jabrid dynasty.

His next target is Qatif. After taking control of this place, he will have to consider how to deal with the Sudan's counterattack. Qatif and Hasa are connected by land, and the distance is not far.

The ruling center of the Jabrid Dynasty is in the Al-Hasa oasis not far from the coast. The historic Hofuf is the center of the oasis, where trade activities are frequent and there are relatively complete city defenses - including city walls and trenches. .

Ahsan had no plan to go deep into the desert and directly into the oasis. His men were basically sailors. He had no cavalry and no pack animals that could be used to transport baggage and artillery.

Unless additional reinforcements were received from the court, it would be difficult for Ahsan to seriously inflict serious damage on Jabrid Sultan's forces without cavalry. Let alone going deep into the mainland.

How many camels and carts are there in Manama? Ahsan suddenly asked the emir.

Is this going to start by squeezing vassals to raise military supplies? Emil thought, and replied in a panic: Your Majesty the Governor, I will go to the Bazaar immediately to help you collect supplies.

The sooner the better.