In the seventeenth century, Tianzhu was still a giant in the eyes of Western colonists.
With the amount of power they have invested in South Asia, there is absolutely no way they can swallow Tianzhu in one bite.
Cannibalization was the only option for Western colonists.
In fact, this approach is no different from what they do in China.
Just like Macau.
After the Portuguese colonists occupied Goa, the local forces in Tianzhu frequently launched counterattacks. However, the huge difference in weapons between the two sides left the Tianzhu people helpless.
In the end, the Tianzhu people had no choice but to seek help from the British.
Although the Portuguese were finally driven away, the British were even more terrifying and finally settled the entire Tianzhu.
However, at this time, Tianzhu, Britain, Portugal, and the Netherlands all had an enclave.
It just cannot penetrate deep into the interior, forcing Tianzhu to fully open its market.
Of course, these Western countries welcome the intervention of the empire.
Because with the empire's strong strength, they can eat rich soup and water.
After seeing the power of the empire, these Western countries had no intention of setting foot in East Asia. In this case, Tianzhu became their first choice.
As for the empire's desire to control the Ahom Kingdom and eastern Tianzhu, these countries have no objection.
As long as the empire begins, each country can divide its own territory.
For example, Britain plans to use Chennai as its base to pursue interests on the east coast of India; Portugal, with Goa as its center, seeks to pursue its west coast.
With the support of the empire, the Kingdom of Kandy also happily included the southern tip of the South Asian subcontinent into its sphere of influence.
Of course, this is also the empire's sphere of influence.
As for the Dutch, the empire supported them in establishing a stronghold in Karachi.
The Dutch are very satisfied with this arrangement.
Several countries have reached consensus, and the next step is the attitude of the Ahom Kingdom.
A Dai caravan successfully entered the capital of the Ahom Kingdom.
Because they share the same origin, the Dai caravans came to trade without attracting attention. Moreover, the Dai people have a deep network of relationships within the Ahom Kingdom, making it very convenient for them to do whatever they do.
So they easily met Gunda, the king's most trusted minister.
"The plenipotentiary representative of His Royal Highness King Yu of our empire has an important mission this time. The Ahom Kingdom and the Dai compatriots in the empire have the same origin and culture. The empire hopes to establish a new relationship with the Ahom Kingdom, and
Can provide some support.”
Zhou Zezhi appeared in the Ahom Kingdom again.
The arrival of the imperial people shocked Gunda.
He also heard about what happened in the distant Central Plains.
The news delivered by the merchants coming and going had already made him feel a little bit about the power of the empire.
He just didn't expect that the empire would take the initiative to contact a remote place like the Ahom Kingdom.
“I wonder what the empire’s intentions are?”
Gunda is also a mature politician, and of course he understands that the empire will not come for no reason.
Zhou Zezhi was very honest about this.
"The empire is planning to regain the plateau. The river valley is the second way to enter the plateau. If we want to pass through it, we must cooperate with your country. In addition, Tianzhu's aggressiveness has created a sense of crisis on the empire's border. We need to attack Tianzhu,
Keeping the Empire safe."
The sincere fact made Gangda's doubts disappear, and his heart was pounding at the same time.
"Will the Empire help us deal with the barbaric Tianzhu people?"
Zhou Zezhi had already prepared.
"As long as your two countries establish relations and maintain regional peace, it is an important mission of the empire."
The words are very clear.
The empire is ready to end, but it needs the cooperation of the Ahom Kingdom.
Is the Ahom Kingdom willing to cooperate?
Gunda is almost certain that no one from the king down will be unwilling.
Over the years, they have been almost breathless in the face of the pressure from Tianzhu, and the country is almost in danger.
At this time, there is a powerful helper who is willing to help. If you don't catch it, you will go to hell.
"Please wait patiently, guest, I will report it to the king right away."
What Zhou Zezhi didn't expect was that three days later, King Su Yafa of the Ahom Kingdom secretly came to Gangda's mansion and met with him in person.
"We were once the subjects of the empire, but we moved here later in order to survive. But we have never forgotten our roots and are always proud of our ancestors. The favor of the empire gives us hope of rebirth."
Zhou Zezhi sneered at Su Yafa's flattery.
This guy was dressed in Islamic attire and was obviously deeply influenced by the Mughal Empire. He even shamelessly said he missed his homeland.
But this also allowed Zhou Zezhi to see something.
"Are you giving up your traditions?"
Su Yafa shuddered all over and explained quickly.
"It's all due to the persecution of the Tianzhu people. As long as the empire provides generous assistance, we will definitely make up our minds to eliminate the heretics."
Tianzhu's invasion of the Ahom Kingdom was also guided by religion.
After all, religious invasions relying on population advantages are always difficult to guard against.
More than three hundred years ago, the rulers of the Ahom Kingdom had to adapt to the traditions of Islam and made many changes.
For example, the original title of the king was Dai titles such as "Zhaofa" and "Tao Meng", but later it was gradually replaced by titles with obvious Tianzhu characteristics such as "Bulago Hain", "Balgo Hain" and "Bola".
title.
The most famous one is that "Mengdun Shunhan" became "Assam" and became widely known in later generations.
It can be said that the Islamic religion has occupied a considerable position in the Ahom Kingdom today.
Zhou Zezhi couldn't help but worry about whether the empire's strategy could go smoothly.
Seeing his hesitation, Su Yafa also became a little anxious.
"If the empire can provide military support, we can resolutely eliminate the heretics."
If it is not easy to eliminate mentally, then eliminate it physically.
Su Yafa is also a ruthless person.
This man was originally very hostile to Tianzhu. It was originally under his leadership that the Ahom Kingdom defeated the Tianzhu army on the outskirts of Guwahati more than ten years later.
When the Tianzhu people saw that the armed attack could not succeed, they incited civil strife in Ahom, which led to Su Yafa being poisoned and the national power began to plummet.
It is not difficult to see from this that if he could get a certain amount of military support, he would really dare to kill the heretics.
Zhou Zezhi was not a kind gentleman, so he thought this was a good idea.
He did not dare to delay, so he quickly returned to the Kingdom of Kandy and reported the situation to Hou Xun.
Compared with him, Hou Xun is even more ruthless.
"You have to make another hard trip and tell King Ahom that as long as Ahom recognizes it as a vassal state of the empire, the king will cooperate with representatives from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Kingdom of Kandy, the Kingdom of Siam, and the Kingdom of Myanmar to visit Ahom collectively.
Home."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Zeyi understood that this was a typical case of giving eye drops to Tianzhu people.
As long as this thing is done, it is strange that the people of Tianzhu are not in a hurry.
As long as chaos breaks out, the empire and its allies will be able to end smoothly.