1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 163 I am the Wave
The Sea of ​​Marmara is a narrow sea area surrounded by the Balkan Peninsula and the Asia Minor Peninsula. It contains the Marmara Islands, which are rich in marble and hence the name.

The Sea of ​​Marmara is relatively closed, with only two narrow straits connecting it to the outside world. The Bosphorus Strait in the north connects it to the Black Sea, and the Dardanelles Strait in the south connects it to the Aegean Sea and even the Mediterranean Sea.

The Bosphorus, the Sea of ​​Marmara and the Dardanelles together form the Black Sea Straits, which control the only sea route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

When the Black Sea trade was booming, furs, grain and gems from the Baltic coast flowed south through the Don and Dnieper rivers, while spices, silk and porcelain from the East traveled west along the Silk Road. After initially gathering at several trading centers along the coast, they crossed the Bosphorus Strait via the Black Sea route and reached Constantinople directly.

It can be said that the Black Sea Strait played a great role in making Constantinople a city that the world longs for.

After the decline of the Eastern Roman Empire, it gradually lost control of the Black Sea Straits. The Latins from the west used their powerful naval fleet to plant their flags on islands one after another, while the Turks from the east established their absolute authority on the western coast of the Aegean Sea through repeated military victories. The Eastern Roman forces retreated to the Balkan Peninsula and held on.

The Civil War between the Two Johns completely destroyed the last bit of wealth of the Eastern Roman Empire. The two sides of the civil war fought fiercely in the Thrace region, frantically exchanging land for reinforcements, and even brought in foreign enemies in order to win the civil war.

Venice and Genoa on the Apennine Peninsula and the Aydimbey and Caresibey states on the Anatolian Peninsula all sent mercenaries to both sides of the civil war. The two emperors who could not pay the soldiers allowed the mercenaries to collect taxes on the spot, causing the Roman people to be displaced and starving everywhere.

In the middle of the 14th century, the then Pope, together with the Republic of Venice, launched several crusades against the Kingdom of Aydin Bey, which often harassed the trade in the eastern Mediterranean, with Smyrna as the target.

John VI from the Cantacuzenus family pleaded in vain and watched helplessly as the King Aydin's army, which supported him, returned to defend their homeland and disappeared across the strait.

John VI, unwilling to give up the good situation, thought about it and finally made a decision that changed the history of Europe.

In 1343, Ottoman leader Orhan was overjoyed when he received a letter from John VI asking for help. He ordered Prince Suleiman to lead his army across the Black Sea Strait and set foot on European soil.

In 1354, Prince Suleiman, with only a small force, launched a surprise attack on the strategically important Gallipoli fortress, thus opening the door to Europe.

Then, a sudden earthquake caused the collapse of many city walls and fortresses of the Eastern Roman Empire in Thrace. Recurrent outbreaks of the Black Death and long-term wage arrears also reduced the garrison to a minimum, giving the Ottomans an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

In the following decades, the Ottomans began to capture cities and territories in the Balkan Peninsula. The Eastern Roman Empire, like a candle in the wind, was unable to stop them and could only watch helplessly as large tracts of territory were lost one after another.

And today——

"fire!"

In front of the Gallipoli Fortress, Isaac waved his scepter and the artillery companies lined up in array lit the fuses. The huge energy generated by the explosion of black powder pushed the lead bullets out of the barrels, carrying more than a hundred years of resentment and pain, and hit the walls of the fortress heavily.

Looking at the Ottoman soldiers who were frantically dodging the flying arrows and stones in the fortress, Isaac's mouth curled up slightly.

This fortress holds a special place in the hearts of the Ottomans and is regarded as a symbol of victory.

In addition to this sturdy fortress, Gallipoli also has a supporting town and military port, which is the main base of the Ottoman Navy.

The Ottomans believed that the fleet that set out from here would be blessed by Allah and bring them good luck.

After Isaac led his army to the scene, he quickly occupied the plague-stricken towns and empty naval ports, and ordered the Mediterranean Fleet to use them as a base to gradually recover the small islands in the Sea of ​​Marmara that had been seized by the Ottomans and Venice.

At present, this fortress is the only remaining stronghold of the Ottoman Empire on the Gallipoli Peninsula. It is like a small boat in huge waves, tottering in the bitter wind and rain.

"Your Majesty, please allow us to take this honor for you!"

Next to Isaac, a middle-aged general in leather armor knelt on one knee and spoke loudly.

His name was Oliver, a local Greek Orthodox Christian on the Gallipoli Peninsula. He had long been dissatisfied with the rule of the Ottomans. When Isaac arrived, he united with the villagers, rose up in rebellion, killed the remaining Ottoman soldiers, and joined Isaac's team.

Due to the religious policy of the Ottoman Empire, there are still a large number of Greek Orthodox Christians remaining in the Balkan Peninsula. They pay high taxes in exchange for limited autonomy and have been living under the exploitation and oppression of Mehmed II.

With the resurgence of the Eastern Roman Empire, these Roman remnants saw hope again. With the support of Isaac, they carried out secret activities and organized militias.

After the fall of Edirne, the rebel leaders began to believe in the weakness of the Ottoman Empire. They raised the banner of rebellion in various places and welcomed the royal army with food and drink.

Isaac looked at Oliver's sincere and honest face, and the remaining traces of smallpox plague on his face, and the accumulated guilt surged in his heart.

The core area of ​​the Ottoman Empire was also the core area of ​​the Eastern Roman Empire. While the plague killed the Turks, it did not spare these simple Roman people.

A few months ago, the smallpox epidemic caused great damage to Thrace, Macedonia and Thessaly, and nearly 150,000 people died from the virus.

These simple and honest Roman people were stubborn and slow-witted. They were deeply influenced by the church and believed in the propaganda of Orthodox priests. They firmly believed that the plague was God's punishment on the Ottomans, and that Isaac and Constantine, under the command of the Holy Father, would rescue them from the iron hoofs of the Turks.

Their faith in the church had reached the point of blind obedience. They regarded the Latins and Turks as their mortal enemies and scoffed at their vicious rumors.

Isaac jumped off his horse, pulled him up from the ground, took off his cloak and tied it on him, and put the sword into his hand.

"Go, you will share this glory with me."

"I will retaliate till my death!"

Oliver took Isaac's sword and waved it excitedly at the militia behind him, shouting loudly.

Isaac looked at them quietly, at this group of the purest Romans.

They were indeed weak, xenophobic and intransigent, extremely hostile to the Latins and Roman Catholicism, and very dissatisfied with some of Isaac's policies.

But no matter what, they are Isaac's compatriots and the core of the Roman Empire. They have deep faith and unparalleled pride in this ancient empire that has lasted for thousands of years.

Isaac shook his head, threw away the guilt in his heart, and became as strong as iron again.

He walked up to the platform and looked at the scattered militia formation below.

"A hundred years ago, the Turks occupied this place, forced you to pay heavy taxes, and took your children as slaves."

"They never considered you as citizens of the Roman Empire. They called you Greeks and called you livestock, putting you on the same level as chickens and sheep."

"For a hundred years, you have never given up, fighting the invaders with everlasting determination and firm will, rising from the countryside, guerrilla warfare in the mountains, and marching to the decisive battlefield with the blessing of the priests, chanting the Gospel of Our Lord."

"One hundred years later, our Lord responded to your call and brought the Ottomans the punishment they deserved."

"So, under the walls of Constantinople, I saw the Janissary Guards throwing away their armor and fleeing in panic."

"Then, on the streets of Galata, I saw the invading Turkish army buried in a sea of ​​fire and turned into a cloud of smoke."

"So, on the surface of the Golden Horn, I saw Mijin's ships burning with flames, the crescent flag falling into the sea, and the double-headed eagle shining brightly." "So, in the palace of Adrianople, I saw the Turkic nobles kneeling on the ground begging for mercy. They had long lost their former arrogance, and the white scarves on their heads were stained with dust."

Isaac looked around, watching the changing expressions on the faces of the onlookers: anger, sadness, hope, and longing.

"Today, my Lord sent me here to liberate you from the iron hoofs of the Turks."

“This is my glory, and yours as well.”

Isaac took out a document that he had prepared long ago, on which was printed the emblem of a double-headed eagle.

“From today on, all the volunteers who fight against the Ottomans in the war will be heroes of the Roman Empire and enjoy privileges and benefits.”

"For three years, all taxes and labor service will be exempted."

"Within five years, taxes will be halved, and corvée labor will be eliminated."

"Within ten years, taxes will be reduced by one fourth, and there will be no corvée labor."

Isaac looked at the militiamen's wide eyes and nodded slightly.

At this time, the people have a strong desire to have children, and if there is no chaos, as long as there is enough food and people do not make unnecessary trouble, the population will grow rapidly.

If no taxes were collected at all, within five years the 150,000 people affected by the plague would have grown back, and there would even be a surplus.

"May God bear witness to my oath, and may you believe in my determination."

"Please spread my words today to every corner, and tell every Roman citizen who is willing to rise up, and ask them to fight to the end."

"We will fight in Thrace, we will fight in Macedonia, we will fight with confidence on the seas and oceans! We will fight on the beaches, we will fight in the hills, we will fight in the fields and in the streets!"

"We will recover our homeland at any cost and we will never compromise!"

Isaac called out loudly and raised his eagle staff.

“Since God has brought me here, please follow my footsteps, stay by my side, and share my glory!”

"We will stir up the waves and roll up the great waves, let the enemies tremble in the waves and the great waves, and God will be on our side!"

"Charge, kill, fight. The double-headed eagle flag will be immortal, and the glory of Rome will last forever!"

"I fear no storm, for I am the wave!"

……

On September 1457, 9, Isaac III, co-emperor of the Roman Empire, captured the Gallipoli fortress and the Mediterranean fleet headed north to the Sea of ​​Marmara.

The next day, Legion Commander Mehmet led his troops to capture Fort Cutthroat, officially declaring the Eastern Roman Empire's absolute control over the Black Sea Strait.

On September 1457, 9, the Eastern Roman Empire's Mediterranean fleet crossed the Bosphorus Strait. After five years, the double-headed eagle flag once again fluttered over the black sea.

On that day, the Mediterranean Fleet captured an Ottoman squadron hiding in the port of the Crimean Khanate. They demanded that the port garrison stop providing shelter, but failed, so they bombarded the port, burned it down, and looted it before returning.

On September 1457, 9, Prince Justinian swore an oath to march north in Thebes and ordered Marquis Mikhail to lead 30 troops to approach the city of Larissa and engage in a fierce battle with the more than troops hastily assembled by local generals.

In this battle, the newly formed armored cavalry showed their prowess for the first time. After several hours of bloody fighting, the weak Ottoman army gradually lost, and the heavily armed cavalry took advantage of the situation and began to charge.

The hard ground began to tremble, and the dense sound of horse hooves and sharp heavy lances announced the death of the remaining Ottoman soldiers. The Ottoman defense line was like paper and began to collapse at the first sight.

The armored heavy cavalry continued to charge, breaking through the three layers of the Ottoman local army's formation and reaching the central army camp.

Iron hooves trampled through the tents, sabers splashed blood, the crescent-star flag fluttered to the ground, and the Ottoman generals were crushed into mud in horror.

The next day, Justinian led his army into the city of Larissa, dispersed the army, collected food and grass, and cleared out the remaining troops.

In the following months, the impact of the plague gradually dissipated, and Isaac and Justinian formed two attack fronts, one in the north and one in the south, like a guillotine, dividing the Ottoman Balkan territory in two.

Isaac ordered his light cavalry and lower-ranking clergy to penetrate deep into enemy territory and travel through the countryside, reading out his tax-free proclamation and calling for an armed uprising.

Seeing that Isaac was coming with great force and the Ottomans were losing ground, the lower-class Roman people began a large-scale uprising. They took up simple weapons, killed the local Turkish soldiers, and re-raised the flag of the double-headed eagle.

The local troops of the Ottoman Empire had long been withdrawn, and the old, weak, sick and disabled who remained in various places were in panic, their morale had fallen to the bottom, and they were unable to organize any successful counterattack.

The plague suddenly struck and the Sultan abandoned them. The series of ominous events made them begin to doubt whether Allah had really closed his eyes and no longer cared for his people on earth?
The weakness of the Ottoman Empire caused local forces that had been on the sidelines to join the uprising. The landlords and tyrants who had aided and abetted the Ottoman Empire suddenly became the leaders of the rebel army and staunch loyalists of the Roman Empire.

The local forces quickly sent people to contact Isaac, and at the same time opened warehouses to release grain, and established offices to change equipment. The equipment of the rebels made a qualitative leap.

Their joining also marked the complete collapse of the Ottoman ruling system. The remaining Ottomans either tried to escape by boat or fell under the swords of angry militias.

The spark that started in Adrianople eventually developed into a prairie fire.

In half a year, Isaac and Justinian captured cities and marched along the coastline. With the cooperation of the fleet, they took over one coastal port after another, drove out the invasion and liberated the people.

On December 1457, 12, Isaac led his army across the Strymon River, entered the Chalkid Peninsula, and arrived at Thessalonica.

The next day, Prince Justinian and Marquis Mikhail arrived at the city and joined the siege.

The 30,000-strong army surrounded the big city, and the sea to the south was filled with warships with eagle flags flying.

The defenders in the city received support from a group of Venetian mercenaries and a personal letter from the Doge of Venice. They rejected Isaac's call for surrender, massacred all the militiamen in the city who had failed in their uprising, and tried to delay the attack with the help of the strong city walls.

On December 1457, 12, Isaac ordered the artillery to attack the city and ordered the fleet to patrol the coast to prevent sudden attacks by the Venetians.

On the same day, Isaac received a letter from Constantine XI, which was covered with sealing wax.

The atmosphere in Buda is weird, and civil unrest is imminent in Hungary.

(End of this chapter)