Putting down the communication compass, Casillas's eyebrows furrowed into a line. The three-hour summit of the six countries could only be summed up in one sentence: "We support you in spirit!"
Several lords had their own thoughts. They had neither the intention nor the ability to support the Spanish Dynasty.
In other words, they were advising Casillas to give up the African territory for the sake of the organization, shrink the line of defense, and stabilize the rear of the European battlefield.
"Take a step back," said Caesar. "The sea and the sky are wide!"
Casillas wanted to fly into a rage on the spot. These guys made it sound so easy, and it was not their interests that were harmed. There might even be people secretly gloating over his misfortune.
Helpless, Casillas could only meet them and ask for some benefits. After the war, he asked to directly participate in the division of the Germanic Dynasty.
"Otherwise, let's go our separate ways!" Casillas decided to go all out.
After three hours of wrangling, a new profit distribution agreement was finally reached.
Even so, Casillas was still very unhappy. Watching the Spanish Dynasty decline from prosperity to prosperity, no one would feel good, let alone someone like him who cared about his reputation.
In his heart, Casillas was also increasingly unhappy with the "incompetent" Jack.
…
On July 12th, the Spanish army gave up Algiers after a little resistance and retreated to the mainland.
The Great Xia Army in North Africa was irresistible. In the next ten days, they were invincible. Not only did they conquer the Algerian region, but they also recovered the Moroccan region.
All of North Africa was under the rule of Great Xia.
Not only that, but even the other two territories of the Spanish Dynasty in Africa, Western Sahara and Mauritania, were also included.
The Spanish Dynasty officially withdrew from the stage of the African continent.
The base city, Morocco, and Algeria were planned by Great Xia as the province of Algiers. The provincial capital was located in Algiers, becoming the eighth province under the jurisdiction of the Protectorate of Africa.
Wen Tianxiang, the former governor of Fengtian in the Northern Frontier Province, was promoted to the governor of Algiers.
Western Sahara and Mauritania were planned by Great Xia as the province of Sahara, with the provincial capital located in Nouakchott.
Bai Nanfeng, the former governor of Tingzhou in Minnan Province, was promoted to the governor of Sahara.
At this point, the expansion of Great Xia on the African continent came to an end. They changed from offense to defense and managed the existing territory well. They did not think about other areas in West Africa and Central Africa for the time being.
In less than four months, from taking over the Egyptian Dynasty to conquering the Spanish Dynasty in Africa, the area under the Protectorate of Africa's jurisdiction had more than doubled.
If he didn't digest it properly, something big would happen.
Ouyang Shuo did not wish to become fat in one go.
…
In the blink of an eye, August arrived.
One of the biggest effects of the Spanish Empire's retreat was that the Egyptian army became more proactive in attacking Spain.
With the support of Great Xia, the logistical problem of the Egyptian army was completely solved.
With the Base City, Morocco, and Atlantis City, they formed an iron triangle. Great Xia completely controlled the lifeline of the Mediterranean Sea — the Strait of Gibraltar.
Whether the three allied fleets could enter the Atlantic Ocean depended on Great Xia's mood, not to mention interfering with Great Xia's supplies.
The Mediterranean Sea route was completely under the control of Great Xia.
What made the Silver Hand feel a little relieved was that on the day of the establishment of the Algiers Province, Great Xia issued a brief announcement reiterating the maintenance of global free trade.
In other words, Great Xia would not rely on the Strait of Gibraltar to interfere with merchant ships along the route.
Ships traveling to and from the Mediterranean Sea route, whether they were from Great Xia, the Azure Emblem, or even the Silver Hand, could freely travel through the Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Mediterranean Sea route would only be more open and safer than before.
Ouyang Shuo still upheld the concept of a win-win situation. He didn't want to go too far. A cornered dog would jump over a wall.
The Mediterranean Sea route was the main sea artery of Asia, Europe, and Africa. It was not only related to the interests of the dynasties along the Mediterranean Sea, but also implicated Great Xia, India, Persia, and Arabia.
Even the Gangdor Dynasty, the Germanic Dynasty, the Romanov Dynasty, and the Dawson Dynasty had merchant ships shuttling through the Mediterranean Sea.
If Great Xia really ran amuck and monopolized the Mediterranean Sea, it would become the target of public criticism.
Wouldn't that give the Azure Emblem and the Silver Hand the best reason to unite against Great Xia? Ouyang Shuo was not so stupid.
Moreover, Great Xia was also the biggest beneficiary of the opening of the route.
If Great Xia wanted to become an Imperial Dynasty in the future, the third condition was to "obtain the recognition of the global dynasties." If one wanted to become a global hegemon, they first had to take on global responsibilities.
In history, after the end of World War II, the United States quickly rose to become a global hegemon, playing the role of "global policeman." Most importantly, the United States took on many international responsibilities.
This was undeniable.
Who knew how many countries and international organizations had received aid from the United States.
Although this aid was not free, and some of it had ulterior motives, in reality, it still promoted the reconstruction of the post-war countries and confirmed the new post-war order.
This was also undeniable.
In the later stages, the United States had internal problems and was no longer willing to take on global responsibilities. While pursuing isolationism, it also lost its position as a global hegemon.
This was very realistic.
Power and responsibility were often two sides of the same coin.
Taking history as a lesson, Ouyang Shuo used the United States of that time as a model. Naturally, he couldn't be foolish and do something like blocking the Mediterranean Sea at this time.
On the contrary, Ouyang Shuo wanted to make use of this opportunity to vigorously promote global free trade.
Even with the Panama Canal, which had just been conquered, Ouyang Shuo was not prepared to interfere with the free travel of the Dawson Dynasty's caravans. He only needed to accept the routine inspection of Great Xia and pay a customs fee.
This could be considered a form of covert infiltration.
This way, while allowing Great Xia to develop, it could also, to a certain extent, build a closer relationship with the other dynasties, laying a foundation for the future elimination of the two major organizations.
Otherwise, why would they abandon their original organizations?!
… …
There was another reason why the Egyptian army suddenly increased their offensive. Ouyang Shuo had set a deadline.
Back then, when the Azure Emblem signed the agreement with Great Xia to cede the Egyptian Dynasty, it stated that Great Xia would be responsible for the logistics of the Egyptian army, but there was a time limit.
They couldn't say that Great Xia would be responsible to the end if the Egyptian army did not make any contributions at the frontlines.
Wouldn't that be a huge loss?
The logistics of the 500,000 Egyptian army would empty out the entire African Protectorate of Great Xia.
The deadline that Ouyang Shuo had set was the end of the 8th year of Gaia.
If the 8th year of Gaia ended and the two sides were still in a deadlock, then sorry, the Egyptian army would have to fend for themselves.
It was already August, and winter was about to arrive.
Although the Spanish Dynasty was affected by the Mediterranean Sea and was temperate, it would still be affected a little. At the very least, it wouldn't be easy to gather provisions.
Thus, there wasn't much time left for the Egyptian army. They had to achieve a decisive result on the battlefield in Spain before the 8th year of Gaia ended.
This was easier said than done.
The Spanish Dynasty, which had completely shrunk, had gathered nearly 320,000 soldiers. Coupled with the geographical advantage, they weren't afraid of the Egyptian army at all.
Both sides could only be considered evenly matched.
The variables were outside the battlefield. It all depended on how the Azure Emblem operated.
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