1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 167 Great Purge

"Vlahos, a Roman, an Orthodox Christian, the largest landowner in Emno Village, owns more than thirty oxen, ten draft horses, more than two hundred goats, and three mills..."

A trial is being held on the banks of the Vardar River, in the largest square in Skopje.

As the executioner sharpened his knife, a dozen men in shackles looked terrified, sweating profusely, and their lips trembled uncontrollably.

"During the Ottoman rule, you were appointed to collect taxes from six villages south of Skopje. During this period, you repeatedly used your power to oppress the people and bully the villagers. You were tyrannical and overbearing."

"Is what you said above true?"

The judge stood on the high platform, looking down from above, and asked loudly.

"Yes, but..."

Vlahos quickly raised his head and tried to explain, the fat on his face trembling.

"When Marquis Mikhail recaptured Skopje, you pretended to be a reformer and annexed three surrounding militia organizations in the name of uprising. However, you had always been in contact with the local Turkic nobles, allowing them to rob the villagers and split the looted property 70% to 30%. You also took the ownerless land into your pocket."

"Is what you said above true?"

The Inquisitor did not give Vlahos a chance to speak and continued to pursue him.

"Sir, I——"

"During the anti-bandit operation last month, it was you who tipped off the enemy, causing the Turkic bandits to flee to the Suha Mountains, causing Lord Avilon's army to return empty-handed."

"Is what you said above true?"

"I am innocent, this... this is sheer nonsense!"

Vlahos knelt on the ground and squirmed forward on his knees, like a maggot seeing the scorching sun.

"Since there are no objections, Lord Avilon Notaras, the military commander, will announce your sentence."

On the high platform of the city lord's palace, Avilon Notaras, the supreme commander of the Roman Empire's North Macedonia Military District, stood up and announced his verdict to the surging crowd in the square.

"Death penalty, excommunication, no clergyman is allowed to confess for him, and his soul will go to hell forever."

Avilon's cold voice echoed over the square, and the crowd around him fell silent.

"All his family members will be exiled. Whether they will go to the Southern Frontier or the New Thrace Colony will be decided by your Majesty."

The executioner grinned grimly, raised his machete, and with a click, blood splattered all over the ground.

"Next!"

The second person to be pushed forward was a priest who colluded with the Turkic rulers, bullied the people, seized farmland, was excommunicated and sentenced to death, and his three mistresses and two illegitimate children were exiled to the frontier.

"I am a servant of the Holy Father, you have no right to judge me!"

The priest's face was filled with shock, and he struggled against his shackles and screamed.

"killed."

"Your Excellency, please say something!"

The executioner approached step by step, tears streamed down the priest's face and his whole body trembled.

"I have done meritorious service to Rome, I have shed blood for the Church, I want to see the bishop, I want to see the bishop!"

The sound stopped abruptly, and only a head with bulging eyes was left, rolling on the ground.

"Your Excellency the Bishop, do you have any questions about our judgment?"

In the city lord's mansion, Avilon looked at the Archbishop of Skopje with a smile on his face.

"It is not a pity for those who betray to die."

"However, I hope you will think carefully and investigate, and not cause more killings."

The archbishop sighed and made the sign of the cross on his chest.

During the Ottoman rule, all Orthodox clergy, including him, had pledged allegiance to the Sultan in exchange for limited autonomy, and the church's lands and servants were preserved.

After the emperor's army liberated Skopje, they directly labeled all the church members as traitors and conducted a three-month investigation.

During this period, the Patriarch of Constantinople negotiated with the two emperors. With the mediation of Constantine XI, Isaac finally pardoned the sins of some priests and dispersed them to various churches. The former Archbishop of Skopje continued to serve.

However, three months was enough time for the emperor's investigation website to collect evidence. Ordinary behaviors such as meeting with mistresses and raping young children could not be hidden at all and were all revealed.

As a result, a large number of priests were thrown into prison, and the emperor took this opportunity to deprive them of their land and place his confidants in jail.

By the time the Archbishop of Skopje returned from Constantinople, the local church in Macedonia had changed drastically. Not only had it lost three-quarters of its land, it had also lost the autonomy it had during the Ottoman period, and even normal church activities had to rely on central funding.

Under such circumstances, he did not dare to interfere with Avilon's trial.

The trial lasted from morning to evening. The citizens of Skopje and the farmers from the nearby villages, as always, loved to watch the fun. They brought stools and bowls and gathered around the square, judging the landlords and unscrupulous priests one by one, applauding or lamenting.

The trial was carried out in full compliance with the highest instructions from Constantinople, and almost all the large landowners and mine owners in North Macedonia received the appropriate punishment, either directly executed or exiled to the frontier.

On this basis, large tracts of land and mining areas were nationalized. One quarter of them became public property of the North Macedonian Military District and were distributed to the soldiers of the military district and their families. The remaining three quarters were sold to farmers at extremely low prices for cultivation.

Military commander Avilon didn't care whether they were colluding with the Ottomans or not, whether they were exploiting the people or doing good deeds, or whether their assets came from seizure or inheritance. As long as the means of production they possessed exceeded a certain amount, they would be confiscated.

No matter how many generations of accumulation you have, it is pale and powerless in the face of absolute violence.

In contrast, artisans, merchants, workshop owners and intellectuals in cities and towns received considerable preferential treatment. Not only were they not affected by the trials, they also received many privileges that they had not had before.

After the last landlord was beheaded, Avilon stood up, walked down the city lord's palace, and stood in a pool of blood in the center of the square under the protection of his personal soldiers. He took out a notice with a double-headed eagle emblem on it, and began to explain the order from the central empire to the onlookers.

"On March 1458, 3, Thessalonica and its surrounding lands were completely recovered. On the same day, Mahmud Pasha, who occupied the Bulgarian region, withdrew from Kardzhali and retreated to the north bank of the Arda River to defend."

"The next day, the two emperors formally divided the territory on the Balkan Peninsula into four major regions, four military regions and one direct-controlled region."

"The Morea region includes the Morea Peninsula, the Isthmus of Corinth and the surrounding islands, with the city of Mystras as the capital of the region."

“The Attica region includes the Attica Peninsula, Euboea Island and surrounding affiliated islands, with Athens as the capital of the region.”

"The region of Thessaly includes the land and affiliated islands east of the Pindus Mountains, west of the Aegean Sea, north of Attica, and south of Macedonia, with the city of Larissa as the capital of the region."

"The region of South Macedonia includes the Chalkidi peninsula, the coastal corridor and the associated islands, with the city of Thessalonica as its capital."

"Due to different plans, the emperor decided to establish military districts in some border areas, namely the Kardzhali Military District, the North Macedonia Military District, the Ioannina Military District and the Ohlon Military District. The commanders of the military districts will be in charge of military power and have the right to manage administration during wartime."

"In addition, the Thrace region was directly governed by Constantinople, and local administrators were directly appointed by the emperor and reported to him."

Avilon looked at the crowd. They were confused and obviously not very interested in these administrative plans.

He waved his hand and his personal soldier handed over another document.

"What I am going to talk about next is closely related to your production and life, so please listen carefully."

Avilon unfolded the document.

"The North Macedonia Military District borders Albania to the west, Bulgaria to the east, and Serbia to the north. It has mountains and rugged terrain and is strategically important."

"The emperor ordered that Skopje be the capital of the North Macedonia Military District, and appointed me, Avilon from the Notaras family, as the first commander of the military district to be in charge of all military affairs."

Avilon looked around and nodded slightly at them as a greeting.

"Currently, the North Macedonian Military District has a total of more than 143,000 people, most of whom are concentrated in the mountain valleys carved out by the Vardar River. There are more than 27,000 people around the capital Skopje, accounting for one-fifth of the total population of the military district. The vast majority of the population is engaged in traditional agriculture, animal husbandry and mining, with a weak handicraft foundation and average business endowment."

"Not long ago, His Majesty issued an imperial decree announcing the standardization of the military district system. The commanders of each military district will form a military district border defense force based on the local militia. Due to the different economic conditions of each military district, the number of border defense forces varies."

"Our North Macedonia Military District is the largest of the five existing military districts, with a total of 2,800 border guards, the highest number among all military districts."

"As you have just heard, one quarter of the land recovered from the traitors will become the public property of the North Macedonian Border Guards. Every soldier of the Border Guards will have his own land. In addition, the emperor will pay a sum of money at the end of each year, which is about one quarter of the salary of the soldiers of the Guards and Purple Guards. It is enough for them to live a very comfortable life."

There was a sudden whisper among the crowd. After a while, everyone looked up again, with a little more excitement and desire in their eyes.

"In one year, a border guard soldier must participate in intensive training for a total of eight months. The rest of the time can be arranged freely, but he cannot leave the military region without permission."

"Sir, but four months is not enough to complete the cultivation of the fields. Isn't it too rushed?"

“Not all households have enough labor.”

A courageous farmer in the front row of the crowd asked.

"These fields are not all cultivated by you. In addition to your families, the military district will also provide you with serfs at half price to assist in agricultural production." Avilon nodded to the farmers and continued to read out his policies.

"I plan to organize the North Macedonian border guards into four border guard regiments, three of which will be infantry regiments stationed at various strategic locations, and one cavalry regiment, which will be commanded by me personally as a mobile force."

"In addition to the border guards, the newly established Eighth Guards Corps will also be stationed in Skopje to jointly safeguard the security of the military district."

Seeing that the time had come, Avilon ordered his men to carry up several wooden boxes filled with large amounts of gold coins and confiscated land deeds.

"There are still vacancies for 2,000 people in the border guards. Skopje can get 1,000 of them. Starting today, I will set up a recruitment point in the city to assess those who want to join the army and select the best ones for admission."

Avilon walked forward and kicked the box over. Golden coins rolled to the ground and deeds with complicated words written on them flew in the air.

"Once the border guards are fully staffed, I will launch a new round of anti-bandit operations and will definitely wipe out all these insects that disrupt public order!"

Avilon drew his sword and raised it high.

"Your Majesty has decreed that horse bandits must be suppressed at all times. Suppression is the only way!"

"Two weeks later, leave the city and eliminate the bandits!"

……

In the first half of 1458, a vigorous purge campaign was launched in the Balkan territories of the Eastern Roman Empire.

According to Isaac, the new territory had just been acquired and some areas were still under martial law, which was the best time to cut off local forces.

If we wait a few more years, new connections will be formed, and by then, the resistance will be even greater.

Although many people, including Constantine XI, advised Isaac not to act hastily, he decided to use his powerful military strength to announce the strong return of the central government in the most violent and bloody way.

During this period, trial movements and anti-bandit campaigns were carried out in various places, aiming to eliminate the remnants of the Turks and local forces, and to completely smash the two mountains that suppressed the Roman people.

In just half a year, more than five hundred large landowners and mine owners were beheaded in public, more than fifty unscrupulous priests were deprived of their church membership, and their families and relatives were all reduced to slaves and exiled to the frontier.

In just half a year, more than 500,000 landless farmers obtained their own land, rented seeds and tools from local governments at low prices, and started a new round of sowing.

The redistribution of wealth can feed most people in a short period of time. As long as the farmers can eat their fill, they will have a stronger desire to have children, and the empire will be more prosperous.

Of course, as population increases and land becomes more concentrated, new forms of exploitation will inevitably emerge.

Perhaps within twenty years, some of the farmers who were allocated land will lose their land again, and some will become new landlords, continuing to oppress the countryside and exploit the people.

However, by that time, the Roman Empire's colonies will be spread all over the world, and farmers who have lost their fields will board large ships to go to the land under the sun and open up new homes.

During this purge, farmers gained land, artisans obtained more raw materials, merchants obtained more abundant goods and larger markets, and Isaac obtained a large amount of funds from repeated house searches.

Everybody is happy, everybody is happy.

"Last night, Commander Salmon of the Kardzhali Military District sent a letter saying that the border guards of the Kardzhali Military District have been basically formed, with a full strength of 1,000 people, and are currently undergoing training."

In the study of the Grand Palace, Isaac was busy dealing with documents, while Prince Justinian stood in the corner, holding a thick stack of letters, reading them with grievance and wiping away tears as he read.

Yesterday, he and his uncle Manuel sneaked into the cellar of Constantine XI and got drunk. Isaac pulled him over and scolded him. He was punished to replace the chief of the guards, Yargubai, and read clerks for three hours every day.

"Have you memorized the basic information about the Kardzhali Military District?"

Isaac asked sternly without even looking up.

"The Kardzhali Military District is located south of the Arda River and west of Thrace. It is the front line against the Bulgarians and guards the coastal corridor. Its location is crucial."

"The capital city of Kerzhali has a total population of 12,000 people, and is the garrison of the Third Army of the Purple Guard."

Justinian counted on his fingers, thinking hard.

"Where is Commander Salmon? Who is he?"

"Salmon Palaiologos is our relative. He served as a knight's squire in the Order of Saint Simon for a period of time. He is the youngest son of Andronikos, the president of the Royal Knight Academy, and the son-in-law of Ibrahim, the commander of the First Legion of the Purple Guard."

Isaac nodded, indicating that he should continue reading.

"The reconstruction of the University of Constantinople and the University of Athens is proceeding in an orderly manner. The new president of the University of Athens, Barsamon, wrote to me, hoping to establish a new Oriental Institute to recruit outstanding scholars from the Persian region."

"According to him, the Timurid Empire is about to collapse, Samarkand has been besieged several times, and a large number of talents have left. We can..."

"Okay, let Larissa City send last month's commercial taxes."

Isaac thought about it and nodded.

"Oh."

Justinian placed Balsamon's letter on the table and moved on to the next one.

"A spy from Buda reported that the situation in Hungary has become more turbulent. After the death of Ladislaus Hunyadi, the conflict between the Habsburgs and the Hunyadi family has completely intensified. Ladislaus' uncle Sisgi has gathered a large army and marched towards the Beida Castle, demanding that Ladislaus release the captured Matthias Hunyadi."

"Ladislaus made the same mistake as the Hunyadi family. He killed the eldest son of the White Knight without authorization, which made him lose the support of the land nobles. The Habsburg family soon fell into a disadvantageous position in the political struggle."

"Not long ago, Ladislaus fled from Beda with Hunyadi Matthias in a hurry and headed northwest. I'm afraid they wanted to return to their other kingdom, Bohemia."

Isaac frowned and said nothing.

"Keep paying attention. We don't have the extra power to deal with the Habsburg family's mess for the time being."

Justinian put the letter aside.

"This letter is from Karaman Prince Ishak. According to him, after the old Bey Ibrahim II died of illness, his six younger brothers established their own territories and were unwilling to obey his rule. His ruling position is in jeopardy."

"Except for Prince Ishak, the other six Karaman princes are all born to Osman princesses and are nephews of Mehmed II."

"They plotted to overthrow Ishaq's rule and asked their uncle, Mehmed II, for reinforcements."

"Prince Ishak said that if you remember the alliance, please provide him with support to fight against the Ottoman army."

Justinian blinked and looked at his father.

Isaac stopped writing and frowned.

"First, have him send people to Diyarbakir and Damascus to ask for support from the White Sheep King Uzung Hassan and the Mamluk Governor of Syria."

"We are in a mess right now and need a long period of repair. We are unable to send troops to him from such a distance for the time being. At most, we can send a few warships to ensure that his retreat is not cut off."

"The six rebellious princes have different opinions. Please ask him to hold on, even if he has to hide in the Taurus Mountains and fight guerrilla warfare."

Justinian nodded.

Picking up the last letter, the little guy was immediately startled by the sealing wax covering the letter.

"Father……"

"Ok?"

Isaac took the letter, opened it, glanced at it quickly, and remained silent.

"What's going on?"

Justinian asked.

"Your great uncle, Afonso V of the Trastamara family, has died."

Isaac sighed and crossed himself.

On September 1458, 9, Afonso the Clement, King of Aragon and the Two Sicilies, died suddenly at the court of Naples at the age of 20.

According to his will, the territory was divided into two parts, Aragon, Mallorca and Sicily would be inherited by his younger brother, King Juan II of Navarre, and the Crown of Navarre and the Crown of Aragon were merged.

His beloved Kingdom of Naples was left to his illegitimate son Ferdinand, recognized by the nobility and the church.

On October 1458, 10, Ferdinand, who had just captured the city of Bejaia and was crowned Duke of Bejaia, hurried back to the court of Naples and put on the crown of Naples, becoming Ferdinand I of the Kingdom of Naples.

On November 1458, 11, René I of the House of Anjou issued a statement that Ferdinand was not the biological son of Afonso V, thereby claiming the crown of Naples and demanding that Ferdinand return the kingdom to the House of Anjou.

On December 1458, 12, King Charles VII of France supported the claims of the House of Anjou, but in fact he had other selfish motives. He began to gather troops in the port of Marseille and formed an alliance with the House of Savoy, sharpening his sword for the rich Po River Plain.

On February 1459, 2, Isaac hurried back to North Africa and signed an agreement with envoys from Naples, Genoa and Monferrato in Carthage, issuing a joint statement announcing the recognition of the legitimate throne of Ferdinand I and resisting the brutal interference of the French.

The shadow of war has once again enveloped the Italian region, and a drama centered on the royal family and nobility, money and land, glory and blood is slowly unfolding.

(End of this chapter)