1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 122 Return to Athens
"The Isthmus of Corinth was saved from the fierce attack of Toulahan Bey, all thanks to your bloody battles."

"Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. The Ottoman army across the isthmus is not too large, and its artillery is also insufficient."

"In my opinion, they may just want to tie down our forces, and they don't consider breaking through the Wall of Corinth as their main goal at all."

Morea, Isthmus of Corinth, Thomas Palaiologos, Despot of Achaea, speaking to Isaac.

With Isaac's intervention, the defense of the Corinth Wall has been continuously strengthened since 1446. Various muskets, crossbows and small catapults have been installed, and slaves from West Africa have been stuffed into the bottom of large ships to come here to engage in heavy construction work.

There are abundant building resources such as stone and clay near the Isthmus of Corinth, which do not need to be transported from far away, making it easier to build city defenses.

Unlike the original time and space, in order to attack Constantinople, Mehmed II transferred more troops and artillery to the Theodosian Wall, which indirectly reduced the defensive pressure on the Corinthian Wall.

"How many troops are there on the Morea Peninsula now?"

Isaac asked.

"I have a guard of three hundred men, and the entire Principality of Achaea can muster a maximum of fifteen hundred militiamen."

"After your father went to Constantinople for his coronation, the defense of the Principality of Morea was mainly the responsibility of Yaroslav and his Slavic mercenary group. They suffered heavy losses in the defense of the Isthmus of Corinth, and only less than 500 people were left."

Archduke Thomas replied.

That is to say, after the bloody battle at the Isthmus of Corinth, only more than 2,000 people could be mobilized from the entire Morea Peninsula.

"What are the current developments of the various parties on the Morea Peninsula?"

"The Principality of Athens has received your ultimatum. The people are panicking and are gathering their vassals to prepare to defend the city."

"There has been no movement from the Toko family of the Principality of Epirus for the time being, but our spies have seen envoys carrying the Toko family flag in Kefalonia."

After the Fourth Crusade, the Latins established more than a dozen feudal states of various sizes in Western Europe on the ruins of the Eastern Roman Empire, and nominally submitted to the Latin Empire.

More than two hundred years have passed, and these Crusader states are no longer what they used to be. They can only survive in a corner by relying on geographical advantages and diplomatic mediation.

The Principality of Athens, which occupied Athens and Thebes, the Principality of Epirus, which occupied Arta and Ioannina, the County of Kefalonia and Zakynthos, which occupied the Ionian Islands, and several puppet regimes that were subject to Venice.

“How about the Venetians and the Ottomans?”

"The Venetians seem to be gathering their fleets. The naval bases on Crete and Euboea have been put on alert, and troops from the surrounding islands are also gathering on these two large islands."

"As for the Ottomans, I'm sure you know that their army is now in Anatolia, preparing to attack Karaman and Aq Qoyunlu. The army that Mehmed II left in the Balkan Peninsula is more defensive than aggressive."

Isaac nodded, silently comparing the military strength of both sides in his mind.

The Principality of Athens was not a concern. The city had been burned and looted several times, had a sparse population, and its defenses were in dilapidated. It was simply unable to resist Isaac's army.

However, Isaac's target was not just the Attica Peninsula, which had a population of less than 50,000.

"If we delay, something bad will happen. No matter which way we go, we must first take down Athens."

Isaac decided and looked towards Thomas.

"Uncle Thomas, please gather the troops. You don't need to take on combat missions. Just help me guard the retreat of the Morea Peninsula."

"Please remember that the focus of defense should be on those Venetian commercial ports. If the Venetians make any moves, be sure to inform me quickly."

In fact, not the entire Morea Peninsula belonged to the Eastern Roman Empire. The Venetians still occupied several important ports along the coast as subordinate nodes of their Eastern Mediterranean trade network.

"I understand."

Thomas nodded, with some complicated expressions in his eyes.

"But you'd better think twice before you act. The Venetians are not easy to mess with."

"I have my own plans."

"Then I'll go preside over the militia call-up."

"Goodbye, uncle."

"Good luck, Isaac."

After bidding farewell to Grand Duke Thomas, Isaac rode back to Corinth and found Mikhail giving a speech on the parade ground.

The crown and lion flag of the First Guards Regiment and the St. Anthony's Cross flag of the Fourth Guards Regiment were flying on the parade ground. More than 2,000 soldiers filled this small parade ground.

In the barracks far away, the soldiers of the Third Army of the Purple Guard were taking their turns to rest, looking at their colleagues in the cold wind with a gloating look on their faces.

The First Guards Legion was the most powerful legion of all Isaac's armies, and the only heavy infantry legion fully equipped with iron armor and long-handled halberds.

After the Battle of Constantinople, this legion was given priority in receiving new recruits. Most of the students who graduated from the non-commissioned officer department of the Royal Knights Academy were assigned here, and it has now been restored to its full staffing.

The 4th Guards Legion was a light infantry legion formed by Isaac two years ago. It was equipped with leather armor and chain mail, swords, shields, and bows and crossbows. It was the first regular legion composed of local Berber converts and Bedouins in North Africa. It had participated in the attack and defense of the Tobruk fortress complex and had average combat effectiveness.

Isaac used the Cross of St. Anthony as the emblem of the Fourth Legion of the Guards, hoping that this famous desert saint would grant strength to this legion emerging from the desert.

"Long live my emperor!"

The soldiers shouted in unison.

Seeing Isaac coming on horseback, Mikhail immediately stopped scolding, walked forward and held the reins for Isaac.

Marquis Mikhail is Isaac's closest old minister and one of the most powerful nobles currently. Even if Isaac doesn't say anything, he must set an example in public.

Isaac nodded, handed the horse to his personal guard, and waved to the soldiers of the two legions.

"Mikhail, let's stop here for today's training. I have something to talk to you about."

Mikhail turned and yelled at the soldiers.

"Did you hear that, little guys?"

"Thanks to your majesty's grace, I will stop here today!"

Cheers rang out again, and the soldiers left the parade ground in twos and threes, unloaded their equipment, and ran to the brothels, casinos and bars next to the military camp with their arms around each other.

Isaac usually gave the soldiers a lot of salary and rewards, which was enough to support his family and live a relatively comfortable life.

Proper entertainment facilities are essential for a military camp. Even if Isaac does not provide them, these soldiers will find ways to sneak out and play.

It is better to keep the money in the family than to let others empty the soldiers' pockets. It is better for Isaac to do it himself.

Isaac brought Mikhail to his tent and spread out a map of the area around the Morea Peninsula.

"How many troops do you think it would take to capture Athens?"

Isaac asked bluntly.

"If we have artillery, siege equipment and enough civilians, a thousand regular troops will be enough."

Mikhail thought about it and said firmly.

According to intelligence, there were less than a thousand defenders in Athens, and they were extremely short of weapons and equipment. The upper-class Latin nobles and the lower-class Greek people were suspicious of each other, the Orthodox and Catholic priests quarreled all day long, and the Navarre mercenary group was wavering, looking like a country on the verge of destruction.

"In that case, the battle of Athens this time is entirely up to you. After occupying Athens, do not continue to attack northwards. Guard the eastern coast, confiscate the fishing boats, and prepare for the next move."

"I will send people to Athens to win the loyalty of the Navarre Mercenaries. Artillery and civilians will also be transferred from Mystras."

"Yes!"

After Mikhail left, three more guests pushed open Isaac's tent.

Isaac knew the first two, Captain Nathan and Captain Lupo of the Catalan Mercenaries.

Isaac turned his gaze to the third person, a middle-aged man with a weathered face.

"Your Majesty, this is Alberto, the deputy commander of the Catalan Mercenaries."

"Turks?"

Isaac raised an eyebrow.

"I am a mercenary. I can be a Turk, a Catalan, a Greek, or a Roman."

Alberto's voice was gentle and charming, and he spoke pure Greek, which made people like him easily. After the Catalan mercenaries entered the Eastern Mediterranean, the personnel began to become more diverse, with a large number of Turks and Greeks joining, and the official language gradually changed from Latin to Greek. There were very few real Catalans left.

"well said."

"Welcome to Corinth. What brings you here?"

Isaac nodded appreciatively and motioned for them to sit down.

"Since I am willing to come here, my attitude is self-evident."

Alberto said.

"You are willing to pledge your loyalty to me?"

"We are mercenaries. As long as you pay us enough, we will naturally be your most loyal helpers."

Alberto replied.

"Can't the Venetians afford to pay?"

"Humph, these calculating businessmen signed a long-term contract with us, incorporating us into the Venetian military system, in order to prohibit us from accepting war missions ourselves."

This is an old trick used by the Venetians to deal with the mercenaries, cutting off their other sources of funding and using such unfair terms to turn the originally unruly mercenaries into docile and obedient watchdogs.

"How many people are there in the Catalan Mercenary Corps now? How many fortresses are there? How many of them can you control?"

"We still have more than 500 formal and informal members. We have two small estates on the island of Aegina and a secret port for smuggling."

"Captain Antonello colluded with the Venetians and sold out the interests of the entire group. Not many people were willing to listen to him. Even his son was gnashing his teeth at him."

"If it weren't for the support of the Venetians, he wouldn't have been able to hold this position."

Isaac looked at the map and pondered for a long time.

"I heard that the Venetians are gathering their forces on Crete and Euboea to protect these two most important naval bases."

"It's true."

"Are you among those being called up?"

Alberto was stunned for a moment.

"Indeed, Antonello held a meeting the day before yesterday, trying to respond to the Venetians' call and take us to Euboea, but several of our senior leaders jointly refused."

"The members of the group didn't trust the Venetians in the first place, let alone go to their base in the eastern Mediterranean."

"I hope you can agree to go to Euboea with your confidants."

Isaac looked into Alberto's eyes.

"Your Majesty, this is not an easy task."

Alberto's eyes flickered, and he removed his warm mask, revealing his true face as a mercenary seeking profit.

"A crisis is often an opportunity. If you succeed in this, you will be richly rewarded."

"I will sign a long-term contract with you, making Aegina your base and exempting you from land taxes."

"At the same time, I will allow you to establish sub-corps organizations in Constantinople, Mystras, Birinci and Surt."

A sudden surge of energy rose from Alberto's chest, causing his face to flush instantly and his breathing to become much more rapid.

If all these could really be achieved, he would be the hero of the revival of the Catalan Mercenary Group, and his family would gain both fame and fortune, giving him an advantage in the subsequent election of the group leader.

He swallowed and forced himself to calm down.

You know, the legendary leader Roger led this once-powerful mercenary group into the abyss because he believed the lies of the Palaiologos family.

“I wonder what that long-term contract is like?”

Isaac pulled out a prepared document and handed it to Alberto.

"You will pledge allegiance to me and my descendants for generations, and I and my descendants will be your protectors."

"We have the priority to hire mercenaries. Apart from that, you can accept war hires on your own. We will not interfere with the commissions you earn."

Alberto took a look and was generally accepting of it.

In fact, many monarchs in Western Europe would sign such long-term contracts with large mercenary groups in their territories. In addition to participating in wars, mercenaries would also do some shady work that the lords were not convenient to do directly.

This kind of large mercenary group also has a very important function, which is to gather the restless factors in the territory and consume them on the battlefield.

The illegitimate children of nobles and clergy, old soldiers who had nothing to do after retiring, brave peasants who had lost their land, and bankrupt lower nobles and merchants were the main sources of mercenaries.

After Maruna's Black Legion was transformed into a military district garrison, there was no such semi-free military force in Isaac's territory, so there was naturally no need to worry about the "overcapacity" like that in France and Italy.

Even if it really happens, there are many ways to solve it. France and Venice have already set examples, and Hungary and Germany will also have their own solutions.

"Your Majesty, the treatment you give us is indeed very generous, but you also know that my members have some prejudice against your family..."

pat-

A bag full of gold coins was thrown on the table by Isaac.

"You have no other choice. Either believe me or be gradually devoured by the Venetians and nothing will be left."

"By then, Antonello might even be made a baron or something, but you guys won't get that treatment."

"Accept my kindness. You will be the new head of the group, and the two of them will be the new deputy heads and military chiefs."

Isaac looked at Alberto and nodded to Nathan and Lupo.

The three of them looked at each other, made up their minds, and knelt on one knee.

Clang——

Three swords were drawn out of their scabbards, making clear sounds.

……

On November 1453, 11, Marquis Mikhail led his army across the Corinthian Wall and arrived at the foot of the Acropolis of Athens, and sent messengers to the Acropolis to persuade them to surrender.

Francis I, Duke of Athens, refused to surrender and beat the messenger out with clubs.

Marquis Mikhail ordered the artillery to fire, and ten long-barreled siege cannons transported from Mystras took turns bombarding the city wall, and a gap soon appeared in the city wall.

That night, Duke Francesco I summoned his vassals and advisers, gave an impassioned speech, and announced that he would personally take charge and resist to the end.

Then he changed into civilian clothes, fled east to the seaside, took a boat across the Eurips Strait, which was less than 100 meters wide, and headed to Chalcis on the island of Euboea, the capital of the Negroponte colony, to seek asylum in Venice.

In the early morning of the next day, the Navarre Mercenaries took control of the situation in Athens, opened the city gates and surrendered to Marquis Mikhail.

On the same day, the Noble Republic of Venice delivered a letter of warning to Isaac, asking him to respect the noble status of the Duke of Athens and not to directly occupy the city.

Then, the Principality of Epirus, the County of Kefalonia and Zakynthos, the Principality of Naxos and the Kingdom of Candia all submitted solemn statements to Isaac, stating that they would not sit idly by and watch a noble being driven out of their territories.

At the same time, Venice began emergency mobilization on the islands of Euboea and Crete, and the fleet in the eastern Mediterranean returned to port for reorganization.

On November 1453, 11, the city of Thebes surrendered, and the Principality of Athens, which had lasted for more than two hundred years, came to an end.

That night, the Eastern Roman Empire's Mediterranean Fleet and part of the Genoa Republic's fleet arrived in Birinci, where they assembled and rested, heading north.

At this time, everyone suddenly realized that the Principality of Athens was just a trigger that exposed the long-hidden contradictions between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Republic of Venice.

One wants to recover his homeland, the other wants to protect the trade route at all costs.

Is it a fight to the death or a concession of interests?

It's anyone's guess.

(End of this chapter)