The Sun and the Lion

Ehsan wasted no time, and the fleet set off from Hormuz a few days later. After replenishing supplies in Thatta, the entire fleet sailed directly southward on the monsoon to Goa.

"Commander-in-Chief, the land ahead is the Port of Goa."

Ehsan, who was on the deck, followed the lookout's instructions and walked to the bow of the ship to look at the land in the distance. Ships were coming and going offshore, and it seemed that most of them were merchant ships. There were also Karavel ships flying the flag of the King of Iran patrolling for protection. Safety at sea.

The news that they were about to arrive at their destination boosted the morale of the sailors, and they worked harder. Some were already thinking about what they would do after landing, and started chatting with their colleagues about this topic.

"With the blessing of Huda, the war started so smoothly." Ahsan recalled the journey along the way. The fleet did not encounter any violent storms or terrifying waves, and because it sailed along the monsoon, starting from the mouth of the Indus River, The entire fleet arrived at its destination in less than a week, and it did not consume much in terms of supplies or military morale.

When the flagship approached the port, a small boat was rowed from the port. The pilot on board guided the incoming Safavid fleet to the designated anchorage. After the flagship was anchored securely, the sailors built a springboard between the ship's side and the trestle. , for everyone to come ashore.

The consul in Goa stepped onto the deck along the gangplank, saluted Ehsan and said: "The Sultan of Bijapur heard earlier that you were going to lead the fleet here. The whole country is very honored. The Sultan came to greet him personally. Welcome to Goa, please get off the ship."

"Okay." When Ahsan heard that the Sultan came to greet him in person, he was very satisfied and his joy was beyond words. He and his soldiers quickly walked down the springboard to the trestle and walked to the shore. Goa did not prepare horses, but shoulder carriages.

Yusuf Adil Khan, who was waiting at the port, saw Ehsan coming from the trestle and stepped forward to greet him: "May Huda bless you. It is a great blessing for our country's kings and ministers that the general from the above has come to our country, and it is also a blessing for all Muslims in India." .”

The Sultan of Bijapur's attentiveness to the Safavids did not come out of thin air. This was due to Ibrahim's careful maintenance of the relationship between the two countries. In addition to accepting the future sultans of the Adil dynasty as members of the religious order, Bijapur The palace also received various aids from Iran, including ordnance, war horses, consultants and missionaries.

Today, he already has a small but unmatched firearms force in the Deccan region. Excellent horses and armor from Iran help him arm a group of elite cavalry, which allows him to dominate border conflicts with neighboring countries. The other Deccan sultans and Vijayanagar were afraid of this and did not dare to take the initiative to provoke him.

"May Huda protect you. You are too polite, Your Majesty the Sultan. The foreign ministers are just here under the king's orders to attack the Frankish pirates who are entrenched in the Indian and Persian seas like poisonous snakes." Ehsan sat on the shoulder cart and said, Walking side by side with the Sultan on horseback, with crowds on both sides of the street watching and welcoming him either voluntarily or under orders, the two continued to talk.

"Our country is trying its best to assist our country. I can't pretend that it has never happened. Now that you are coming to fight these pagan public enemies, there is no reason for our country not to help you." Yusuf Adil Khan continued to speak beautifully and asked Ehsan Showing his devotion to the King of kings.

"I will truthfully convey your loyalty to the King of Kings." Seeing that the old Sudan was so easy to talk to, Ahsan planned to raise the matter directly: "You know that our army came to punish the Franks, but I don't want to hide it from you. He said that the foreign minister believes that our army currently has insufficient strength in Goa, but Hormuz is far away from Goa, and Huda has given us blessings. I also ask your Majesty to help us with this."

Sudan frowned and realized that the matter might not be simple. He slowly asked: "What is it specifically?"

He was a little worried that the other party would directly ask to send his troops to help. Looking at the face of the Navy Commander, he was thinking about how to deal with the outrageous request that the General Shangguo might make.

Ehsan, who could not see the change in the old Sultan, continued: "The foreign minister does not expect to mobilize all the troops of your country to besiege the Frankish fortress. I only hope that your majesty can allow the foreign minister to recruit troops and build ships in Goa to supplement the military strength. The required manpower and craftsmen are needed." , materials, money and food, etc. I hope your Majesty can help."

Yusuf Adil Khan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the other party was not a domineering person. He was relieved and replied: "What is the reason for not helping the heavenly soldiers of the kingdom? I will order the Governor of Goa to cooperate fully to meet the needs." The needs of your army.”

After the most concerning question was answered, the direct atmosphere between the two became more harmonious. Ahsan stopped asking about military and government affairs, and instead chatted with the old Sultan about some relaxed topics until he arrived at the Sultan's palace in Goa.

Under the hospitality of the Sultan, the senior military officers enjoyed and relaxed at the banquet in the palace with the senior officials and dignitaries of Bijapur. The commander-in-chief and the admirals met with many local senior bureaucrats and nobles at this banquet. Find Shuyuan www. zhaoshuyuan.com Both parties were very happy to meet each other and left a good first impression on each other.

Outside the palace, the Safavid sailors who were allowed to disembark in rotation came to the city of Goa. There were also Iranian businessmen who were organized by the consulate to work for the army and donated property to the soldiers and quartermasters. However, the sailors were so lax that it was difficult to gain the support of the locals. I have a good impression, but after being trained by military judges, they are not complete bandits, at least they will not visit prostitutes for nothing.

However, an accident still happened. A few drunken sailors deliberately provoked trouble. They went to a Hindu temple to condemn and insult the Kafir who was going to hell. They took practical actions that forced the parties involved to fight back. However, because weapons were not allowed ashore, the sailors, who were at a numerical disadvantage, were not able to take advantage, and some people on both sides were injured.

Fortunately, the matter did not become a big deal. The military judge who learned the news led the military police and pulled several drunkards back to the ship, but did not give any compensation to the victims. The Brahmins of the temple brought this matter to the Governor of Goa. The gentlemen wanted to ignore the discrimination against non-Muslims and the flattery of God's heavenly soldiers. Ehsan and Yusuf Adil Khan also pretended to have this matter. It didn't happen, it seemed like things just settled down.

The event held by the Sultan of Bijapur to welcome the Safavid fleet was so grand that it was difficult not to attract attention. Thanks to the operation of spies and the spread of the caravan, the Safavid fleet and the highest officials had arrived at the port of Goa. Next, Information spread that several special military operations were likely to be launched.

Calicut Zamorin, a close neighbor on the Malabar coast, was the first to get the news, which made him quite excited. He immediately sent an envoy to Goa, hoping to draw Ehsan into the coalition so that he could complete the task. The calicut army and navy have a shortcoming in the crotch area.

But for the Portuguese in Cochin, the news is not so friendly...