Chapter 919 Lawrence is a big liar (3rd update, please subscribe)

"One thousand five hundred No. 1 rifles, three hundred thousand rounds of rifle bullets... one hundred revolvers, ten thousand rounds of pistol bullets; four 100mm mortars, one thousand mortar shells; one thousand kilograms of explosives..."

In the tent, Mohammed read the long gift list in his hand with a proud look, while the tribal chiefs sitting on the ground listened expressionlessly to the gifts given to them by the British. Although they seemed expressionless on the surface, they were actually secretly happy in their hearts.

For these poor people, such a generous gift is something they have never seen before. In the 19th century, there was no so-called rich country. In the entire Middle East, the only wealthy people were the Arabs in Mesopotamia, who lived on farming. As for other places, the land was far less than the desert Gobi, and the limited land made them only able to make a living by herding sheep on the desolate land.

poverty!

Not only ordinary people, but even the chiefs were not rich, and they were exploited by the Turks. Under the rule of the Turks, the population in this region, including Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon, successfully dropped from nearly 10 million to less than 4 million in the past few hundred years. It has to be said that this is a miracle.

Well, only the Turks can create the miracle of halving the population after ruling like this for hundreds of years. However, this does not prevent these chiefs from obeying the orders of Istanbul and the Turkish governors of various provinces.

After the translator finished reading the gift list, Lawrence once again looked at the chiefs present calmly. Seeing their faces full of excitement, he knew that these country bumpkins had been conquered by his gifts. So he said to the chiefs present:

"Dear noble chiefs, the things mentioned above are gifts from the British Empire to you. We know that you chiefs are mobilizing your people to defend Jerusalem, which is your holy land. Now the French are marching there. You know, that is the holy city recaptured by Saladin. We believe that no Arab will tolerate infidels occupying that land! Go there and defend your holy city!"

Chief Hussein said in response to Lawrence's instigation.

"British people, it seems that you are also Christians!"

"No, we are Protestants, and the Holy Land has nothing to do with us, but the French, they are Catholics, Chief!"

Barbarians, religions, all these are not important to the British Empire. What is important? Of course, the interests of the British Empire are important, just like when England abandoned Catholicism in order to establish Protestantism as the state religion. What was the reason? It was for interests.

Now, as long as these Arabs can resist the French invasion, teach the French a lesson and stop their expansion in Turkey, Britain certainly does not mind using these Arabs. What are these pagans in their eyes?

It is an important ally in stopping France.

As for the so-called religion, is it important to have benefits?

The reason why Lawrence came here was to persuade these Arabs to brave the cold and go there to defend their holy city and stop the invasion of France.

This was also the task given to him by London.

"As long as you reach Jerusalem, you can get more weapons. Now all the Arabs have gone there to defend the holy land that belongs to you. Honorable Chief, this is your holy war and has nothing to do with the Turks!"

Lawrence, standing in the tent, looked at the chiefs in front of him and continued.

"You will have an army of your own there, and when you defeat the French, perhaps some new countries will emerge here. Honorable chief, you will become the king of this land."

Lawrence certainly knew that these Arabs were full of complaints against the Turks. Although they were all believers, their relationship with each other was not so good over the past few hundred years. Compared with fighting for the Turks, they were more inclined to fight for themselves.

Of course, the promises given to them by Britain now are nothing but an illusory thing. Will they really own their country? That is impossible. Even if they do own it, it will be under British rule.

Lawrence had absolutely no doubt about this. He didn't mind using this hollow dumpling to lure these poor guys.

Hearing Muhammad translate what Lawrence said, the chiefs twisted their necks and talked there, and their tone became a little excited.

How could they not be excited? After all, it was the British Empire that promised them that they could have their own country! Getting rid of the Turkish rule was a gift from God.

Of course, they would not lead the men in their tribe to resist the invasion of the French just because of Lawrence's instigation. These chiefs may be poor, but that doesn't mean they are stupid. They know very well that the French are also very powerful. How can a country that can make the Turks afraid be weak?

"Mr. Lawrence, we can certainly send our people to Jerusalem, but what will Britain do?"

Listening to Muhammad's translation, Lawrence said bluntly.

"The British Empire will provide you with the most advanced weapons in the world, and will also send officers to help you train an army, a truly modern army."

The British must provide them with weapons. This is the fundamental premise for those Arabs to be willing to die for the British.

Sheikh Hussein, who sat in the middle with a brown turban on his head, looked at Lawrence. As a chief, he knew what the British wanted to do, just like the other chiefs, and they just wanted them to resist the French.

"Can the British guarantee that they will support our independence from Türkiye after the war?"

Compared with the weapons and so-called training provided by Britain, Hussein paid more attention to Britain's promise to support their independence in the future.

"Dear Chief, please believe that the British Empire will never betray its allies. And the British Empire will always abide by the promises it makes to its allies. After the French are defeated, you will gain independence with the support of Britain. This is the promise that Britain has made to all of you."

Lawrence finally spoke.

“Let God bear witness to our commitment!”

"I believe that Britain will never break its promise."

When Hussein said this, he had no idea that Britain's betrayal was already well known in Europe. With just a few words, they were tricked by Lawrence into going to the battlefield...

(End of this chapter)