The war on the Dashi Peninsula is in full swing, but the main force of the Plateau Army led by Zhao Lei is watching the changes in Syria in the Mesopotamia.
Leo IV is not a fool.
He got the news that the Western Qin Army did not fight with the Mahdi, and he also After ordering the army to stop in the Antioch area and not move southward, Mahdi was surrounded by enemies on both sides and could not move.
Faced with such a critical situation, Mahdi was frightened and extremely irritable.
He was restless even when discussing with military generals and officials.
An official named Acerod stood up and advised him: "Sir of believers, you must not lose confidence.
You must stay calm and rational.
Our current situation is indeed dangerous, but it is not impossible to solve it.
If we talk about the Eastern Roman Empire, It's a lion, and it's just an old lion, while Xi Qin in the east is a dragon.
It's very difficult to deal with a lion with our current strength, let alone a lion and a dragon at the same time.
They are both ours.
Enemies, but this lion and the dragon from the east are not friends.”
After hearing the last sentence, Mahdi seemed to see hope and immediately asked: "So what do you want to say or what method do you have to solve our current crisis?"
Acerod looked at other officials and generals and asked: "Do you know why the Western Qin and Eastern Romans attacked us?"
One of the officials said somewhat unhappily: "Acelrod, who doesn't know that they are attacking us to seize Syria and Canaan?
Did you do it on purpose?
Say what you want and fart when you want."
Acerod said to the Mahdi: "Since they all came for Syria and Canaan, why don't we give up Syria and Canaan and give Canaan and Syria to the Eastern Romans.
If the Eastern Romans After obtaining Canaan and Syria, its strength will definitely increase greatly.
Will the Western Qin in the East watch the meat on the lips being swallowed by the Eastern Romans?
And the Eastern Roman Empire after obtaining Syria and Canaan will become the Western Qin The biggest enemy, they will definitely fight.”
Mahdi frowned and said, "Aserrod, I admit that your method is good, but if we give up Syria and Canaan, then we will have no place to live."
"Of course, of course we have a place to stay," Acerod said loudly, then walked to the edge of the map and pointed to the North African region on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea and drew a straight line, saying: "Our place to stay is right here, Egypt.
Most of the people in this area, Tripoli and Mauritania are our tribe.
With our current military strength and With your wisdom and talent, it is not difficult to defeat several of your brothers.
By the time we capture this area, the Western Qin and the Eastern Roman Empire in the east will probably have been slaughtered here in rivers of blood.
By the time they both kill each other, Now that our national strength is empty and exhausted, we march eastward to recapture the land of Canaan, Syria, Persia, and our homeland."
"But," Mahdi sighed, "but I am really not willing to hand over Syria and Canaan to our enemies."
Acerod advised: "Sirs of believers, we are now throwing out Syria and Canaan to let the two enemies kill each other and weaken their strength.
This is just a strategy.
We do not intend to abandon Syria and Canaan forever.
The temporary retreat in the south is just to recapture everything lost and throw it out of Syria in the future.
In order to compete for these two lands, the Eastern Rome and the Western Qin will definitely have no time to take care of us.
We can take the opportunity to capture Egypt, Tripoli and Mauritania."
Mahdi was still a little unwilling, "Isn't there any other better way?"
The ministers and generals were unwilling to give in.
One minister said: "Yes, can't we use Syria to bribe the Western Qin to attack the Eastern Romans, or use Syria to bribe the Eastern Romans to attack the Western Qin and let them fight?
Wouldn't it be better to help the weaker side and wait until the situation reverses, then help the other side, and let them fight each other forever, until their national strength is exhausted?"
Acerod shook his head and said: "Sir, your idea is too natural.
Not everyone in this world is a fool.
Let's not talk about the King of Western Qin first, let's talk about Leo IV.
If he is a idiot, we can still adopt This method, but he is not a fool, he is a very smart and scheming person, otherwise his half-brothers would not be around in such a short period of time.
He was destroyed within a month.
We tried to use this low-level trick to deceive him.
He would only laugh at our intelligence.
Free novels bring you joy and joy ---> storyskyline.net
There is a saying in the world that if you don't see the rabbit, don't let the eagle fly.
If you don't hand over Syria first, Leo The Fourth would foolishly lead troops to attack Western Qin for us.
If it were you, would you be so stupid?
Even if we gave Syria to the Eastern Romans first to show our sincerity, Leo IV would occupy After conquering Syria, they will definitely default on their debt.
Not only will they not attack Western Qin, but they will also occupy Syria.
Besides, if we give up Syria, Western Qin can ignore Syria and directly attack the land of Canaan, and both sides will occupy it.
Together, we will be safe for the time being, and Western Qin can quickly pursue us if we occupy the land of Canaan.
Therefore, we can only conquer all of Syria and Canaan.
Before withdrawing, we must spread the word to the Eastern Romans and let Leo IV send troops to occupy Syria and Canaan first.
As long as the Eastern Romans occupy Syria and Canaan, they will block it for us.
Can the Qin army and Western Qin be willing to let Syria and Canaan be occupied by the Eastern Roman Empire?
Of course not, they will fight, which will buy us time to conquer North Africa."
Mahdi suddenly said: "Now the Qin army is standing still in the Lianghe River Basin, and Leo IV is also standing still in Antioch.
Neither of them dares to attack us first, for fear that the other side will take advantage of it.
Although this situation is It’s tense, but Syria and Canaan should still be safe.”
Acerod sighed: "Commander of believers, you still have illusions.
This peaceful situation will never last long.
Once the Qin army captures the peninsula, they will concentrate their forces in the Mesopotamia area.
At that time, the Qin army will The army will no longer be afraid of being exploited by the Eastern Roman Empire.
Even if the Eastern Roman Empire is watching from one side, they will have enough troops to deal with it.
By then, we will not be able to leave even if we want to."
Mahdi had to admit that this guy made too much sense and analyzed the situation very thoroughly.
There was a fierce struggle in his heart.
The choice of whether to go or not was too difficult for him.
For a moment, he really couldn't make this decision.
It was not until two days later that the Mahdi had to make a difficult decision.
He ordered the abandonment of Syria and Canaan.
Officials from all over the country had to take their families secretly to Damascus to meet up.
The defenders from all over the place also abandoned the cities they were guarding and quietly went to Damascus.
They met in Mascus and set off for Egypt together.
At the same time, they sent someone to secretly spread the news to Leo IV who was in Antioch, saying that Syria and Canaan had become a land without one, and the Mahdi had led an army to evacuate Syria and Canaan.
The land of Canaan.
The city of Antioch.
"What do you mean, Syria and Canaan have become terra incognita and the Mahdi has withdrawn with his army?"
Leo IV stood up in surprise when he heard the news.
The intelligence officer said: "Yes, Your Majesty, we have sent people deep into the hinterland of Syria to check.
Although the cities in various parts of Syria still have officials from the city lord's palace patrolling and maintaining law and order, all the officials and soldiers guarding the cities are here."
It’s gone, which proves that the rumors should be true.”
Leo IV frowned and looked at the ministers and generals with doubts on his face and asked: "Why do the Mahdi do this?"
A minister stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the reason is very simple.
Mahdi is not only under pressure from us, but also from the Qin army in the east.
Once a fight breaks out, he will be attacked on both sides.
He will not be able to resist at all, and he will probably be crushed to pieces." , he abandoned Syria and Canaan obviously because he wanted to preserve his strength and get away from this land of right and wrong."
"That makes sense."
Leo IV nodded and asked, "What do you think our army should do now?
Free novels bring you joy and joy ---> storyskyline.net
Is it to allow Syria to become a no-nonsense zone, or to send troops to occupy it?"
Immediately a minister stood up and said: "Your Majesty, of course we must occupy it immediately.
This is the best opportunity God has given us in the Eastern Roman Empire.
We can occupy Syria and Canaan without spending a single soldier.
Except for this An opportunity, I think there will never be a good opportunity again.
If we don’t take it, Xi Qin will definitely take it.
I’m afraid it won’t be easy for us to snatch it from Xi Qin.”
In addition, another minister stood up and raised a question: "If we occupy Canaan and Syria, will it anger the Western Qin Dynasty and will they send troops to attack us?"
"Our relationship with Western Qin has not deteriorated to the point where they want to send troops to attack us.
It is not that the two countries will start fighting immediately if they want to.
Once a war begins, non-governmental commercial exchanges and cultural exchanges between the two countries will be comprehensive Pause, this is not a good thing for either our country or Western Qin, and Western Qin is not ready to go to war with us.
The land of Syria and Canaan has become ownerless land.
Now whoever occupies it first will own it.
We have occupied Syria and Canaan.
If the Western Qin attacks us, it will be an act of aggression.
Easterners always pay attention to their status.
The name is not justified, and their aggressive behavior will never get the support of their people.
If they go to war with us, they will definitely lose."
Someone immediately said to Leo IV: "Your Majesty, please give the order to send out troops.
This is a lifetime achievement.
An emperor may not have such an opportunity once in his life."
Young Leo was at the age when he was thirsty for success.
His eyes flashed with golden light, he stood up and said in a deep voice: "Okay, pass on the order.
The army will set off to march towards Syria tomorrow.
The cavalry will advance quickly, followed by the infantry and baggage."