Chapter 3066 Northern Holy City

Unlike Amhara, the atmosphere in Tigray is more tense.

Since the tripartite joint exploration team crossed the state border, everyone saw many heavily armed TIPF soldiers on the road, as well as a large number of military vehicles, including armored vehicles and tanks, as well as heavy artillery and so on.

The area of ​​Tigray State is small, except for several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, as well as steep mountains, other places seem to have become huge military camps.

These PFLP troops are moving in an organized manner, and many of them are gathering towards state borders, obviously preparing for war.

On this bumpy road, there are many military checkpoints, and most of the checkpoints and some key places are heavily guarded.

As we know before, the Tirenjin is actively preparing for the war, and is ready to fight directly with the Ethiopian government at any time.

During the driving of the convoy, everyone also saw many Orthodox believers in white robes.

Compared with other places in Ethiopia, the Orthodox Church occupies an absolute dominant position in Tigray State and is the religion with the largest number of believers.

The ethnic groups here are also relatively single, mainly Tigray people, accounting for about 97%, and the population of other ethnic groups is very small.

The Tigray people account for less than 6% of the entire Ethiopia.

It is these 6% of the Tigray people who have ruled Ethiopia for a long time. It was not until the latest presidential election that they lost the Ethiopian presidency.

Naturally, the Tigray people and the Tirenjin were not reconciled and always wanted to regain power.

Because of this, there is a conflict between the Ethiopian government and Tigray State.

Moreover, this kind of contradiction is almost irreconcilable, which has also caused the current situation that is on the verge of breaking out.

During the march of the convoy, almost every Orthodox believer they encountered glared at the tripartite joint exploration convoy, and even shouted and cursed angrily.

However, due to the protection of a large number of PFLP soldiers, no one attacked the joint exploration convoy.

Not long after entering Tigray State, dusk fell.

For the sake of safety, the tripartite joint exploration team decided to rest in a city they passed through on the way, and then rushed to the holy city of Axum tomorrow.

When the tripartite joint exploration convoy drove into this city in Tigray State,

Immediately caused a huge sensation in the city.

The people living here poured out of their homes like a tide, stood on the street outside, watching the huge convoy crashing past.

During this process, almost everyone was shouting and cursing, and many people threw stones at the convoy.

When the convoy passed through the rain of stones, these people did not let go and chased after them one after another.

The people went straight to the hotel where the tripartite joint exploration team was going to stay, as if they wanted to ask for an explanation.

Seeing this scene, everyone was somewhat worried.

"These Tigray people are really crazy, Steven, do you think these angry Tigray people will attack the tripartite joint exploration team?"

David asked worriedly.

Ye Tian looked at the situation outside the car window, then smiled and shook his head.

"Tigray and Tigray people are almost one, and their interests are highly related, regardless of each other. If Tigray and Tigray want to compete with or start a war with the Ethiopian government, they need a lot of weapons and money.

They have limited channels to obtain weapons and money. Now that the tripartite joint exploration team and the Israelis have delivered it to their door, how could they refuse, and they will never turn away the Israelis' weapons and money.

Because of this, they will not allow people to attack the joint exploration team, which may destroy their plans, religion and power, and this choice is actually not difficult for the senior leaders of the People's Federation"

"It's true. If the PFLP wants to regain Ethiopia's rule, it must rely on external forces. It also needs a lot of money and weapons and ammunition to prepare for the war."

"However, we still have to be cautious. No one can guarantee that there will be some fanatical religious extremists who will launch a small group of attacks, or a lone wolf attack."

While talking, the convoy drove into the hotel where they were going to stay.

This so-called hotel was the largest in the city, and it didn't have many rooms in total, so it looked rather dilapidated.

The Israeli agents who rushed here first to play the front stop have booked this hotel.

No other guests will be accepted here until the tripartite joint exploration team leaves.

As soon as the convoy arrived here, Ye Tian quickly scanned the surrounding situation and the nearby buildings, seeing through them all.

After making sure it was safe, he and David got out of the car and walked to the hotel.

At this time, the Tigray people who followed the tripartite joint exploration convoy also arrived in front of the hotel.

Fortunately, they were all stopped by the soldiers of the Tirenzhen with live ammunition. They could not approach the convoy and the three-party joint exploration team, and could only stay outside the cordon to protest and shout loudly.

"Go to hell! You bloody bastards, get out of Tigray, you are not welcome here!"

"The Ark of the Covenant is in the Church of St. Mary in Axum. You are a bunch of damn liars and robbers. Get out of Tigray State!"

Hearing these deafening and angry protests and scolding, Ye Tian couldn't help but shook his head with a wry smile.

He turned his head and looked back, and then said to the people around him:

"Gentlemen, it seems that we are going to launch an exploration operation in Axum, which is much more difficult than expected. The situation in this city is already like this, and the situation in Axum will only be exaggerated!"

Joshua and the Bishop of Kent also looked back, their expressions very serious.

Afterwards, the Bishop of Kent said solemnly and in a low voice:

"That's true, Steven, although there are many Orthodox believers in this city, they are relatively mild. When we arrive in Axum, what we will face is the most devout and fanatical Orthodox believers in Ethiopia.

It can be said that it is the stronghold of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has its own system. Our Vatican and other Orthodox Churches have limited influence on them and cannot be restrained! "

Hearing this, Joshua immediately continued:

"Steven, Bishop of Kent, don't worry, we have reached an agreement with the Tigray State Government, the Tigray State Government, and Axum to ensure everyone's safety and the smooth progress of the joint exploration operation."

While talking, the group of them had entered the hotel.

The deafening protests and scolding outside the hotel continued to be heard, and they continued to reach everyone's ears.

After a while, Ye Tian and David entered a suite upstairs in the hotel.

After entering the room, Ye Tian quickly glanced at the situation here, and then said to his security staff:

"Cole, take someone to thoroughly check this suite and all other rooms to prevent being monitored or eavesdropped. Although we only stay here for one night, we still have to be careful.

Just like in Gondar, for the sake of safety, from drinking water to food, we only use those prepared by our own people, not those provided by the hotel, so as to avoid unnecessary accidents.”

"Understood, Steven, leave these matters to us, and I will bring someone to check!"

Cole nodded in response, and then acted.

In a short while, they found two pinhole cameras and a bug in the suite.

In other rooms, they also successively found some monitoring and listening equipment.

After checking all the rooms, Ye Tian asked his security personnel to pack up the monitoring and listening devices found and sent them all to the representative of the People's Liberation Army.

When receiving these items, the expression on the representative of the Tirenzhen was very exciting.

In the midst of busy work, it was completely dark, and the darkness completely enveloped this small city in northern Ethiopia.

For security reasons, those Tigray people who stayed outside and around the hotel to protest and demonstrate were dispersed by Tigray police and PFLF soldiers.

Everyone's ears were finally quiet and they could have a good rest.

It was a peaceful night, and nothing happened.

...

It's another day.

As soon as the sky dawned, the tripartite joint exploration convoy set off to leave the city and head for the religious holy city of Axum in the north.

The reason why they set off so early is to avoid the fanatical and angry Tigray people in the city, as well as those Orthodox believers.

The city is not far from Axum, just over a hundred kilometers away.

If they leave early, the joint exploration team will be able to reach the holy city of Axum before most of the Tigray people and Orthodox believers along the way get up.

In this way, it is bound to save a lot of trouble!

And that's exactly what happened!

During the next journey, the tripartite joint exploration convoy did not encounter much trouble.

About two hours later, bathed in the morning sun, this huge convoy drove into the most important religious holy city in Ethiopia, Axum.

Axum is a historic city located in northern Ethiopia, with an altitude of more than 2,000 meters.

The city was built around the first millennium BC and has a very long history. It was once the capital of the Aksum Empire.

In this ancient city, there are many Orthodox monasteries, churches, monasteries, etc., and ancient buildings and cultural relics such as carvings, inscriptions, and granite obelisks from ancient times can be seen everywhere.

Some of the most famous buildings are the Cathedral of Endasion, the Church of St. Mary of Mount Zion, and the Obelisk.

Endasion Cathedral houses many kings' crowns and royal clothes, as well as Coptic Christian scriptures. In ancient times, several kings held coronation ceremonies in this church.

In the Church of St. Mary on Mount Zion, it is said that the most holy object of Christianity and Judaism, the Ark of the Covenant, has the title of "the head of the monastery".

It is the highest-level church of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, a religious holy place, and its status is supreme in the eyes of Ethiopian Orthodox believers.

As for the granite obelisk, it is a symbol of ancient Ethiopian civilization.

According to historical records, the tallest obelisk in Axum can reach a height of 33 meters and is in the shape of a thirteen-story building. It is the tallest stone monument erected by humans in the world.

Before the thirteenth century, Axum had always been the political center and religious center of Ethiopia, as well as one of the political, economic and cultural centers of the whole of Africa.

In history, Axum has always been known as the "cornerstone", "mother of cities" and "cradle of ancient civilizations" of Ethiopia. The early kingdoms of Ethiopia were basically established here!

In modern times, it is still the most important religious shrine and cultural center in Ethiopia.

At the same time, it is also a distribution center for materials and products such as coffee, grains, livestock products, and honey. It is famous for producing exquisite woven products, leather and metal products.

Before the tripartite joint exploration team arrived in Axum and entered the city, the relevant parties were notified in advance.

This is done because this city is very special and care must be taken.

Because of this, when the tripartite joint exploration convoy drove into Axum, everyone saw such a shocking scene.

On every street that the joint exploration convoy passed, in addition to the Tigray State Police and the PFLP soldiers armed with live ammunition to maintain law and order, there were countless Orthodox monks and believers in white robes.

Among them are some monks wearing golden, red, or black robes. These Orthodox monks have a higher status, and they are all stars holding the moon, and their influence is huge.

All these Orthodox monks and believers stood separately on both sides of each street that the joint exploration convoy passed, watching the huge convoy.

Without exception, in the eyes of these Ethiopian Orthodox monks and believers, they are full of anger, even hatred!

In the eyes of those senior monks, apart from anger and hatred, there was also deep worry.

When the tripartite joint exploration convoy drove through these streets, the devout or fanatical Orthodox monks and believers on both sides of the street protested loudly and even cursed.

However, no one rushed out to block or attack the tripartite joint exploration convoy.

Obviously, these Orthodox monks and believers are organized, and someone is directing them behind the scenes.

Those who command them are apparently the highest leaders of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Although this is the territory of the Tirenzhen, the Tirenzhen can't command these fanatical Orthodox monks and believers at all. They can only try their best to protect the safety of the tripartite joint exploration convoy.

Seeing this situation in Axum, everyone in the tripartite joint exploration team felt a creepy feeling.

The enthusiastic performance of these Ethiopian Orthodox monks and believers on the street also made everyone doubt whether the exploration operation in Axum could be successful.

"This scene is too exaggerated, Steven, compared with these fanatical Orthodox monks and believers, the protesting Tigray people we met before are much gentler!

If we really found the Treasure of Solomon and the Ark of the Covenant in Axum, can we really take the Treasure of Solomon and the Ark of the Covenant? I don't think there's much hope, not even hope!

These fanatical Orthodox monks and believers can absolutely overwhelm us in an instant. In this case, if you want to take the Ark of the Covenant, there is only one possibility, and that is to kill Axum! "

David said worriedly, there was even a bit of fear in his eyes.

Ye Tian looked at the situation outside the car window, thought for a while, then smiled and said:

"If we can really find the remaining treasures of Solomon and the Ark of the Covenant in Axum, how to take them away is a matter for Israel and the Vatican to consider.

The first thing I consider is the personal safety of each of us, how to withdraw from Axum and Tigray State as soon as possible in the shortest possible time!

Only when the safety of my life is guaranteed, I will consider how to take away the remaining treasures of Solomon and maximize the interests of the company."

"That's right, in such a fanatical religious holy place, and in a situation where the whole world is hostile, the first thing we need to consider is how to leave here alive, rather than making a fortune."

David continued.

While he was talking, the two police cars driving ahead suddenly stopped.

The three-party joint exploration convoy following behind also had to stop.

On both sides of the street where the convoy was, there were fanatical Orthodox monks and believers, and everyone's eyes were very unfriendly, even full of malice.

Ye Tian quickly scanned the situation outside, then picked up the walkie-talkie and asked:

"What happened in front? Seaman, could it be that he was attacked? Or did something happen?"

The next moment, Seaman's voice came from the intercom.

"Steven, there are a few high-ranking Ethiopian Orthodox monks blocking the way ahead. They want to communicate with us and discuss the actions of the tripartite joint exploration team in Axum!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Ye Tian immediately responded:

"Let Joshua and the bishop of Kent come forward to communicate with each other. I and the brave and fearless exploration company will not participate in any religious-related issues and discussions. This has been made clear before!"

"Understood, Steven, I will tell Joshua and the others"

Seaman responded and ended the call.

A moment later, a diplomatic official representing the Israeli government and a senior monk from the Vatican got out of their respective cars!

Next, they walked forward, accompanied by representatives of the TIPF and representatives of the Ethiopian religious circles, and prepared to communicate with the senior Orthodox monks blocking the way.

And those Orthodox monks and believers standing on both sides of the street were slowly moving forward, slowly rushing towards the convoy.

Following their actions, the atmosphere on the street suddenly became more tense.

Seeing this scene, everyone's hearts were raised in their throats.

Ye Tian, ​​who was sitting in the car, had already grasped the G36C short assault rifle by his side, ready to deal with emergencies at any time!

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