1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 15 Gold Coast
Gorée Island, located just south of the Cape Verde Peninsula, the westernmost part of the African continent, is one of the earliest Portuguese colonial bases in Africa.

Gorée Island is composed of basalt rising from the ocean. From a distance, it looks like a giant beast with bared fangs and claws, its ferocious mouth facing the rich African continent.

There are now more than a hundred Portuguese colonists here, mainly engaged in trade and ship repair.

At this point, the known world has come to an end, and the rest of the map is dark.

The Senegal region in the east of Gorée Island is located at the junction of the Sahara Desert and the West African grasslands. From the Senegal River to the south, the desert gradually decreases and the grassland gradually increases. The residents mainly grow some unnamed grains, and beans and potatoes are also staple foods.

Going further south from the Senegal region, you will reach the Greater Bay Area of ​​Guinea. Although the climate here is more humid, there is terrible malaria, and it is impossible to go deep into the inland.

Further east is Mali, a country rich in gold.

Isaac rested for a few days and found Captain Fernando.

As soon as they met, Captain Fernando expressed his apology to Isaac.

"I'm sorry, my dear highness. I was too impatient. I should have waited until the storm season was over before setting sail."

Isaac shook his head to indicate that it was okay.

"Captain, what are you going to do now?"

"This time, His Highness Enrique gave us the task of exploring the area around Grey Island, capturing slaves, and trading gold with tribal chiefs to boost the confidence of domestic merchants."

"We don't plan to continue sailing south. What do you think?"

"We will continue to move southwards to search for the kingdom of gold and spread the gospel of God."

"You are truly a devout believer, Your Highness, who has come from afar."

Isaac shook hands with Captain Fernando and said goodbye, replenished fresh water and food, repaired the broken mast, and then continued sailing.

In fact, after passing the strong headwind belt on the northwest coast of Africa, the next step is really a tailwind and smooth water.

After leaving Gorée Island, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle.

As we travel along the coast of West Africa, the scenery on the shore gradually changes from desert to grassland, and then to vast tropical forests.

As the Duke Morea gradually moved southward, there were more tropical tribes along the coast. From time to time, Isaac could see black people living along the river estuaries. The sailors on the ship watched excitedly as the black people ran around in fright, pointing and laughing.

The pastor on board held up the cross and chanted something.

Sometimes when he encountered a large tribe, Isaac would stop the ship to trade.

The tribal chiefs had not yet seen the power of firearms and swords and were very interested in white people like Isaac.

Isaac took out some trinkets that he had brought on board the ship and gestured to exchange them for the gold chain on the chief's foot.

Black people are fascinated by some small European handicrafts, especially glass balls.

Isaac gestured for a long time before the chief finally understood what he meant.

The chief casually pulled off the gold chain on his foot and threw it at Isaac.

Isaac responded with three glass beads.

In this way, Isaac walked and stopped, and the gold products he obtained filled a large basket.

Isaac knew that there must be many open-pit gold mines deep in the jungle, and sailors also requested to explore.

But Isaac sternly refused.

Just kidding, getting malaria is no joke.

For a long time before the discovery of quinine, European colonization was limited to the coast, mainly because of this terrible mosquito-borne disease.

The coastal areas are much better.

One morning, Isaac woke up from his sleep.

Looking at the marks on the table, Isaac knew clearly that it was October 1445, 10 in the Gregorian calendar.

When I pushed open the cabin door, the cries of seabirds and the sailors' curses came into my ears at the same time.

On the deck, idle sailors gathered together to gamble.

In order to calm down, Isaac acquiesced to this phenomenon and paid them nearly a year's salary, and sometimes he would come down to play a few rounds.

Isaac also launched a literacy campaign on the ship, asking the ship's chaplain to teach the sailors.

There is only one course, Greek.

Some of these sailors were Bulgarians, some were Romanians, and some were Albanians, all of whom were ethnic groups that were greatly influenced by Greek culture.

Many people could speak Greek, but could not read or write, and were illiterate.

Isaac offered a high bonus to encourage sailors to sign up for the course on their own.

Over the past few months, a total of 23 people have learned basic writing, one of whom is a hired Genoese crossbowman.

Isaac ordered Fidel to remember their names, because when the fleet expanded in the future, they would be the seeds of the new round of officers.

In the long run, the navy's soft power will be enhanced.

In addition, Isaac asked the navigator to draw the nautical chart as soon as possible and kept it strictly confidential.

"Land appeared ahead, suspected to be a large archipelago!"

The sailor who was looking far above shouted down.

Isaac's expression changed.

"Captain, go and take a look."

In fact, the Duke Morea had discovered many small islands and reefs, but they were all worthless deserted islands. They always went there with hope and returned with disappointment.

But this time, the archipelago is very large and there are many indigenous villages.

The Duke of Morea chose a calm harbor to stop, and Isaac took some sailors and mercenaries on a small boat to the largest of the archipelago.

The island has dense vegetation and is relatively humid, with palm trees being the most common trees.

A Genoese crossbowman shot down a terrified black man who was fleeing. He knelt on the ground in panic, shouting "Bigego".

Isaac felt at ease.

This is the Bijagos Islands, located off the coast of Guinea-Bissau.

The reason for this name is probably because when the Portuguese discovered them later, the chief on the island was called "Bijego".

Isaac ordered the boat to return and pick up more sailors.

Then he cooked and waited for the black people to come to his door.

As expected, before the meal was over, the great chief named "Bijego" came in a sedan chair carried by four people, accompanied by hundreds of black people holding stones, to demand an explanation.

Chief Bijego had no intention of negotiating and ordered his men to charge forward.

The blacks rushed from the woods to the open coast, and then became sitting ducks for the Genoese crossbowmen.

The war was a foregone conclusion.

After a while, the just majestic Chief Birego knelt in front of Isaac and cried bitterly, kissing the upper of Isaac's shoes.

After a while, several black people brought in a few baskets.

There are very few gold artifacts, mostly tribal handicrafts, and some strange little gadgets.

Isaac kicked Birego in frustration.

Then, Isaac took out all the gold items and threw the remaining "treasures" casually at the feet of a skinny black man who was kneeling on the ground.

The skinny little black man was too scared to pick it up and stole a glance at Birego.

Bighego roared, glaring at him.

Isaac made a gesture, and Maruna next to him grinned and cut off Bigego's head with a sword.

Maruna picked up the crown of leaves on Birego's head and gave it to Isaac.

Isaac put it on his head symbolically, and then put it on the thin black man's head in full view of everyone.

"What's your name?"

Isaac pointed at him.

The black man pointed at himself and muttered to himself.

"Danjiru, Danjiru!"

"Well, Danjiru, you are the chief here from now on."

Isaac patted his head.

Dangelu seemed to understand something. He kowtowed wildly and knelt down to kiss Isaac's shoes.

Isaac kicked him away. Dangelou excitedly roared at the black people kneeling behind him and raised his crown.

Then, he yelled loudly at Bijego's headless body.

The next day, Dangiro brought fresh water and food.

Isaac then explored several other islands, following suit and supporting chiefs who were loyal to him.

Isaac also followed the example of the Portuguese and named the three largest islands after local chiefs.

The largest island is Dangiro Island, the one to the east is Baltan Island, and the one to the north is called Namba Island.

The archipelago is still called Bijego.

Isaac planned to occupy this archipelago in the bay as a distribution center for the slave trade and gold exchange.

This place is very close to the African continent and the sea is relatively calm, so ships can pass through.

There are high-quality trees on the island, which can be used to build canoes and small ships, and there are abundant fishing and hunting resources, which can feed many people.

Isaac called Maruna and Fidel, and a group of officers from the Grand Duke Moria also came to listen.

"By God, these islands now belong to me, Isaac of the House of Palaiologos."

"I plan to build a base here, and more people will be relocated here later. Who among you is willing to stay?"

No one answered. Everyone looked at their noses and their hearts, in perfect tacit understanding.

"This will become a governorate in our African colonies in the future. Anyone who is willing to stay here will be the governor here in the future."

Isaac was patient and persuasive.

Some officers began to whisper to each other.

"I know you are not nobles yet. I think the future governor deserves the title of an earl."

"I come!"

Isaac looked in the direction of the voice and saw the captain of the rigging who had made the mistake.

"Very good, Gosia. You are now the governor of the Governorate of the Bijego Islands. The Baltan Island to the east will be your fiefdom in the future. You need to provide me with taxes and troops, and fight with me in wars."

"It is my pleasure, Your Highness!"

Gosia, who had just been promoted to Count Baltan, was overjoyed.

Isaac motioned for Gosiah to kneel down and drew his sword and handed it to him.

"I hope you will protect the territory in my name,"

"That's right!" Gosiah shouted.

"I hope you will spread benevolence in my name,"

"It is indeed so!"

"I hope you will conquer those who disobey in my name."

"It is indeed so!"

After a simple ceremony, Isaac ordered his servants to bring the governor's scepter and the earl's certificate.

These have all been prepared long ago, with the aim of giving the brave the biggest surprise.

The others nearby were stunned.

No, you really gave it to me!

Although he is only a governor in name only and an earl without any subjects, his status and scepter are real, and anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Bijagos Islands will surely develop greatly in the future.

The other officers beat their chests and sighed.

Isaac watched with satisfaction as they circled around the bewildered Gosiah.

It's just a piece of wood standing at the city gate, and it's nothing more than spending a fortune on horse bones.

I believe that if the same situation happens again in the future, everyone will rush to do it.

The atmosphere was much better when the remaining sailors were recruited later.

Everyone knows that Gosia, who was playing cards with them the day before, is now the Earl.

So they all started to think about it.

Whether it's the governor or the earl, there has to be someone doing the work, right?
If you don't make yourself familiar to others now, when will you wait?
The 20 spots were quickly snapped up.

Isaac left them basic weapons and supplies, and told them to make good use of the black labor force to build houses and cultivate the land as soon as possible.

After bidding farewell to the newly appointed Governor of Gothia, the fleet began to return and continued to trade with tribes along the way, obtaining a large amount of gold while drawing sea charts and coastal maps.

The return voyage was smooth along the sea route recorded on the way here.

On November 1445, 11, Isaac arrived at the Portuguese Gorée Island and met Captain Fernando, who was smiling all the time.

Obviously, they also gained a lot.

After a few days of rest, the fleet began to return.

In comparison, the scale is much smaller.

Isaac's San Nicolas was missing, and Captain Fernando lost two transports and a caravel.

On November 1445, 11, the fleet returned to the Canary Islands.

The refugees in France have been settled, and Lothar the Younger has also bought 200 Orthodox Slavic slaves. The preliminary shelter has been built, and the refugees and slaves are turning the volcanic soil, trying to plant a season of rye.

There was even a small church on the island where priests from the Greek Orthodox Church were preaching to the people.

It's pretty good to be able to achieve this in just a few months.

Isaac praised Lothar the Younger for his efforts and immediately appointed him governor of the Viceroyalty of La Palma and made him a baron.

Without staying too long, Isaac continued on his way home.

Before leaving, Isaac summoned Governor Lothair to point out the current direction of development.

First, to establish a complete seaport system, which is the significance of the purchase of La Palma;
Second, recruit refugees and buy slaves. Slaves only need to be Orthodox Christians. They can be released as freemen after working for a period of time. As for refugees in France, those who are willing to convert to Orthodoxy can be recruited.

Third, establish a militia and build fortresses to prepare for unexpected events.

"Work hard, and all the population, gold, and goods of West Africa will pass through here. We will never be poor."

Isaac patted little Lothair on the shoulder.

On November 11 of the Gregorian calendar, Isaac set sail, and Conti and other French knights returned with Isaac.

In a few weeks, they will officially return to the European continent after being away for half a year.

……

"This is the 63rd day we have been stranded on the island. Ever since the heavy rain, all of us on the St. Nicholas have lost contact with the civilized world..."

"During the heavy rain, our sails and cables were destroyed. We could only drift with the waves until we arrived at this archipelago..."

"I sent the boatswain Owen to explore the entire archipelago. There are a total of 8 large islands and several small islands, divided into two parts. The magical thing is that the northeast wind blows near the northern islands, and the southwest wind blows near the southern islands. The ocean currents also converge here. No wonder we were sent here by the waves..."

"There aren't many tall plants on the island, but luckily there are quite a few rodents, and there are also some shellfish, shrimps and crabs on the shore. Together with the supplies we brought, we managed to survive these days..."

"The St. Nicholas is not in good condition. We have tried our best to repair it, but the big hole in the bottom of the ship cannot be filled. I don't know when it will be able to sail again..."

"I love the evening breeze here, it's like my hometown Crete, but without the richness of Crete..."

The middle-aged man put down his pen and closed the logbook.

In the distance, some sailors were fishing. Some of them were Catholics, some were Orthodox, but now they had become best friends.

If Captain Fidel were here at this moment, he would definitely recognize his fellow countryman and friend Henry, who took over as captain of the San Nicholas after Fidel.

Not far away, the San Nicolas ran aground on the beach.

There were many sailors nearby, banging on the boat.

Captain - Captain -

Henry quickly came to his senses and saw Owen, the boatswain who had set out to explore, running towards him.

"Owen, you're back, any good news?"

Henry asked eagerly.

"Captain, Captain, we found a small valley on the westernmost island. There are many big trees in it!"

"The big hole in the bottom of the boat can be patched up!"

(End of this chapter)