Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

Mecca is some distance from the Red Sea.

Mecca, a city built in the valley of the Serrat Mountains, is surrounded by mountains and has a low elevation. It is a distance of seventy or eighty miles from Mecca to the west coast.

The route also mostly passes through valleys and hills.

Muhammad narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and finally shook his head slightly at Talib, who was beside him and ready to kill the other man at any moment.

"Alright, I also have some questions I'd like to ask the Great Tang Dynasty..."

Originally planning to travel to Medina, the second holiest city, they were now diverted to the Red Sea under Muhammad's orders due to the sudden appearance of the Quraysh tribe.

at the same time.

This seaside port, situated on a coastal plain, is not quite desolate yet, but in Li Ke's view, it is at least as bad as it was before he attacked Tsukushi Province of Japan and established Fukuoka.

However, at this moment he was busy meeting with Jewish merchants from Medina and some local old nobles.

These people were all Muhammad's opponents.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Han of the Great Tang Dynasty, please allow me to introduce my family to you..."

Benny Nadir family patriarch Milaya didn't care at all whether his expression was shameful or obsequious. After receiving the news and knowing in advance that the Tang Dynasty had even dispatched an elite army and had successively defeated the garrisons of Kufa and Basra, he was completely unconcerned.

When Yelü Damu was resupplying his troops in the desert oasis city of Hajir, he secretly made contact with them.

Now, not far from the port of Jeddah, lies the elite Pishi army, led by Yelü Damu, which Muhammad believed should reach Medina.

But we have already arrived here.

Li Ke listened patiently as the translator introduced these people to him, while also learning about their influence in the local area.

Since his own elder brother wanted to incite the Arabs to fight amongst themselves, he naturally had to learn more about it.

That white-haired old man, Milea, clearly has some ulterior motives.

Not only did he bring his sons with him, but he also brought his daughter along. He even introduced her to Li Ke in person, which made Pusmi, who was returning with the fleet, so angry that he almost wanted to hit someone.

Meanwhile, another elderly Jewish man, Hughes, the patriarch of the Benny Kenour family, who had long been unwilling to tolerate the situation, took direct action.

He stepped forward and shoved Milea aside, who was enjoying herself immensely, and introduced himself to Li Ke with great enthusiasm.

“Your Highness, I am Hughes, the patriarch of the Kenur family. We operate a large number of farms in Medina. I have heard that there is a great shortage of slaves in the Tang Dynasty... My Kenur family has considerable experience in this area.”

"Many of the slaves in the Tang Dynasty today were sold by us..."

As he spoke, he ignored the murderous glares from Pusmi and Milaya beside him and pulled his eldest son to his side.

“Your Highness, this is my eldest son. You may call him Bandu. He has been doing business with me for many years and is very knowledgeable about many things here. You can have him by your side. Please trust me, he can help you solve a lot of unnecessary troubles.”

"Of course, if he makes a mistake, please don't be polite with him; feel free to discipline him..."

Hey!

We only dare to get acquainted with people first, but you old codger, you just barge in right away?!

Despite his young age, Li Ke is no longer the naive man he once was.

He knew exactly what these Jews were up to.

He dared not forget the despicable things about the Jewish people mentioned in the secret letter sent by his elder brother, delivered by a golden eagle.

A people deemed unworthy of being alive by their own imperial brother.

Aside from Japan, there are only these Jews in front of me.

Li Ke didn't care about the reasons behind it, just as he didn't care about the fate of the thousands of Japanese slaves sent to the Tang Dynasty's secret medical research institute on Tsushima Island every month when he was stationed in Fukuoka.

My elder brother can't be wrong, so...

These people can be used to their fullest potential!

Li Ke wore a gentle smile that any person from the Central Plains would immediately describe as a refined gentleman.

To the astonishment of Pusmi and Milaya, he readily agreed to let that old bastard Hughes' son, Bandu, accompany him.

Li Ke smiled and had some fine wine from the Tang Dynasty brought down from the boat.

Then they brought over some pastries made by the ship's chefs.

He started talking to everyone about the matter directly.

"Sufuyang is now a baron of our Great Tang and the governor of Mecca. And the general Yelü in front of you will be the garrison commander of our Great Tang in Mecca, to protect our interests here from harm."

The Arabic translator working for the Ministry of Rites beside Li Ke even mimicked Li Ke's subtly suggestive tone.

Pusmi, Hughes, and Milaya, who were sitting opposite Sufyan, exchanged glances.

They were all understood in an instant.

Pusmi excitedly rose and bowed to Li Ke according to the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty.

"Your Highness, the Great Tang has come here to uphold justice for us merchants, so that we will no longer suffer from the exploitation of those hypocritical fellows like Muhammad... My Kuleza family is willing to fully support Governor Sufyan!"

"Our Kenur family will also fully support Governor Sufyan!"

"Our Nadir family will do everything in our power to help Governor Sufyan assume control of Mecca! And drive that damned bastard Muhammad out!"

Su Fuyang's face was flushed with excitement; he was now dressed in the robes of a Tang Dynasty baron.

The satin clothes he wore, combined with his current official position in the Tang Dynasty, gave him a sense of exhilaration, like returning home in glory.

And the 10,000 elite Pishi soldiers camped not far away—the existence of this force is Sufyan's greatest source of confidence in his future showdown with Muhammad!

In addition, there will be future trade with the Tang Dynasty...

Su Fuyang couldn't help but smile smugly, and respectfully bowed to Li Ke, who was in the main seat.

"Your Highness, rest assured, even if the last tribe of the Gulai tribe fights to the last, they will resolutely defend the rights of the Great Tang here!"

.......

After a day's journey, when Muhammad arrived at Jeddah with six or seven thousand Muslim cavalry.

The sight of the massive ship, towering above all the houses around the harbor, instantly startled this prophet in the heart of the Muslim, causing him to gasp in astonishment.

The Han King's fleet alone consisted of thirty-six treasure ships.

Apart from the five ships currently anchored at Mengba Port in the Kingdom of Chalukya, protecting the grain-laden ships there, the rest are practically all here.

At this moment, the thirty-one treasure ships, each over a hundred meters long, were an absolutely terrifying presence at sea, a unique occurrence in this era.

What made Muhammad even more uneasy was the sight of the Tang cavalry already stationed at Jeddah Port... As their ranks drew closer, they became clearer to him.

Although Muhammad did not want to admit it, he had to accept it in his heart.

The terrifying force of the cavalry before him far surpassed the six or seven thousand Muslim cavalry behind him, who could only be described as scattered and disorganized, and who had almost no military discipline.

"Prophet, look...it's a Jew!"

Beside him, Talib coldly reminded him, and Muhammad looked in the direction of the voice and indeed saw the figures of Pusmi and two other of the three largest Jewish merchants in Medina.

Seeing the three of them chatting and laughing with the people from the Tang Dynasty here.

Therefore, it is not surprising that this elite Tang cavalry force would appear here.

Burke gave a resentful snort.

"It seems we'll have to find a way to deal with these damned traitors in the future..."

traitor?

Muhammad did not agree with them; these people had never submitted to them in the first place.

After traveling a certain distance, Muhammad ordered the cavalry behind him to come to a slow stop.

Burke gave Talib, the military leader, a wink. Talib nodded and silently followed behind Mohammed, arriving at the port where Li Ke and his group were.

This place was heavily protected by Tang soldiers, whose gleaming armor made Talib gasp in amazement at the extravagance of the Tang army.

However, he still scoffed inwardly, "In this land, in this scorching environment, wearing such thick armor will only hasten my death!"

"Muhammad! The representative of Allah on earth!"

"Li Ke! The Prince of Han of the Great Tang!"

Muhammad walked up to Li Ke, and the two nodded to each other, introducing themselves sparingly.

Li Ke had a small table and chairs brought to the other party, and also served them pastries and drinks.

Muhammad, however, was bold enough to pick up a pastry, savor it carefully, and nod in praise: "The taste of the Tang Dynasty is indeed delicious yet unfamiliar."

Li Ke smiled and said, "Don't worry, His Majesty Muhammad will not be unfamiliar with you from now on."

The title "Your Majesty" made Muhammad narrow his eyes and shake his head slightly.

“Your Highness, there is no Emperor on this land, and I am not the king you know.”

Li Ke remained noncommittal and too lazy to continue beating around the bush; he had plenty of other things to do.

The goods to be returned from this trip still need to be prepared by Sufyan and his men.

He pointed to Su Fuyang, who was dressed in the attire of a Tang Dynasty baron, and got straight to the point.

"This man is probably familiar to you, the leader of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. However, he will have another identity from now on: Baron Sufyan, the Governor-General of Mecca for Trade of the Great Tang Dynasty. He will represent the Great Tang Dynasty and protect the interests of the Great Tang Dynasty and its merchants who have long cooperated with the Great Tang Dynasty in Mecca and the surrounding areas."

Muhammad glanced at Sufyan, who looked smug.

"Your Highness, we have never suppressed any business activities; on the contrary, we encourage honest business practices..."

"But Baron Sufyan, and these Jewish merchants before you, say that you have carried out shameful political retaliation and suppression against them, these former Meccan and Medina nobles!"

Upon hearing this, Talib, who was standing next to Muhammad, glared fiercely at the group.

Muhammad stopped him from interrupting with a look.

He then slowly began to speak: "Your Highness, it is normal that you do not understand our place and therefore have many misunderstandings about us believers of Allah... We do not restrict commercial development; we simply do not accept their dirty practice of enslaving people."

Li Ke sneered, "Muhammad, are you trying to humiliate my Great Tang Dynasty?"

"Who gave you the courage?"

The sudden tension instantly chilled the atmosphere. Talib, standing beside Mohammed, was on high alert, ready to defend against any possible attack.

Muhammad gently shook his head: "Your Highness, slaves are also lives, precious lives left to humankind by Allah, when all of us have hands and feet and are able to create wealth, food, and clothing."

"Why live a life of luxury but emptiness by exploiting and oppressing slaves?"

"I have read the books that merchants brought back from the Tang Dynasty, and I know that your country also has many virtuous and wise people..."

Li Ke had a cold smile on his lips.

"Teach my Great Tang Dynasty how to do things? Do you think you can use your Allah's teachings to instruct me?"

With a wave of his hand, the crossbows on the sides of the several treasure ships that had been prepared beforehand instantly emitted a series of taut bowstring sounds.

The arrow pointed directly at a rock in front of the Muslim cavalry not far away.

"Shhhhhh!"

The ballista bolts, sharper and with a more terrifying whistling sound than those of ordinary crossbows, burst forth instantly.

They didn't even give the Muslim cavalry any chance to react.

“Boom boom boom boom…”

Amidst the violent explosion, rocks flew and dust billowed.

The Muslims' warhorses, who had never experienced anything like this before, were instantly terrified.

Muhammad stood up in horror, looking at the cratered earth and the chaotic Muslim cavalry.

Li Ke's cold voice came from behind.

"You want to teach the Tang Dynasty how to do things using your God Allah's methods?"

"Very well, tell me, how many rounds of bombardment from my Great Tang can your Allah withstand?"