1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 172 Genoa’s Dilemma
Northwest of the Apennine Peninsula, on the Ligurian coast, the City of Griffins, the Capital of Western Waters, Genoa.

The spring in Genoa is extremely comfortable. The bright breeze blows across the fields and countryside, blowing away the smoke and exhaust gas from the workshop area, blowing across the dazzling array of goods sold in the market, creating layers of ripples on the sea, and the St. George's Cross flag fluttering above the Governor's Palace.

In terms of climatic conditions alone, Genoa may be the most superior city in the entire Italian region, with mild and humid weather all year round, making it comfortable and pleasant.

The long and narrow Apennine Peninsula is like a boot, lying across the bathtub called the Mediterranean Sea. The huge difference in latitude makes the climate in northern and southern Italy different, and the production and living styles are also unique.

Southern Italy is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea on three sides and has a typical Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and little rain, mild and humid winters, and different periods of rain and heat.

Northern Italy is a different story. Due to its high latitude, the influence of the subtropical high pressure in summer becomes weaker and weaker from the southernmost tip of Italy to the north, and the westerly wind belt gradually becomes dominant. Coupled with the influence of the Alps and the Apennines, Northern Italy is humid all year round, with evenly distributed precipitation, which is suitable for agricultural output.

Compared with cities such as Milan, Parma, Venice and others on the Po River Plain, the Apennine Mountains surrounding Genoa to the north block the cold air currents in winter, making Genoa's winter warmer.

The surrounding mountains were a barrier to prevent invasion by powerful enemies and also a shackle to hinder land expansion. The Genoese had long established a national policy of focusing on maritime trade. They started out by relying on trade with North Africa and used their powerful naval fleet to force North African Muslim countries to grant them preferential trade rights, thus getting the first bite of the gold and salt trade.

In the mid-to-late 13th century, the Genoese buried their former enemy, the Republic of Pisa, and assisted the Eastern Roman Empire in restoring its independence. They gained the favor of the then Eastern Roman Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, and vigorously intervened in the lucrative East Mediterranean trade and the Black Sea trade, and were once called the "Coachmen of the Black Sea".

All good things must come to an end. The Venetians fought back in the Battle of Chioggia and, relying on their geographical advantages, expanded rapidly in the Po River Plain. They gained a vast rear area and available backup areas, rose rapidly, and gradually squeezed the Genoese forces out of the eastern Mediterranean.

If the rise of Venice greatly reduced the strength of the Republic of Genoa, then the severe deflation in Europe from the 14th to the 15th century completely plunged Genoa into the abyss of continuous decline, leaving it with no chance of recovery.

After the Black Death, Europe began to recover. The surging population led to the rapid rise of Italy's commodity economy, and handicraft workshops sprang up like mushrooms after rain. All city-states such as Genoa, which relied heavily on commodity transactions rather than land output, faced a huge problem:
There is no longer enough precious metals to serve as general equivalents.

In a sense, during this period, whoever could control the source of gold and silver would have the qualifications to become hegemon.

Severe deflation did not have a big impact on a large land country, nor was it a crisis for the Venetian Republic, which owned half of the Po River Plain and connected the Near East and the Balkan Peninsula. However, it dealt a heavy blow to Genoa and Pisa. Pisa directly lost its national independence, and Genoa's trade status was also in jeopardy.

In the magnificent Governor's Palace, the newly appointed Governor of Genoa, Robert, was holding a military and political meeting.

Among the senior executives present here, there are top families like Freggiso and Adelno, emerging families like Gattilucio, and second-rate families like Snopia and Doria.

However, Governor Robert did not belong to any wealthy family. Born as a judge, he was just a puppet pushed up by the major families after disputes and compromises.

Compared with Venice and Pisa, Genoa's republicanism was even more incomplete. In addition to those aristocratic families that had transformed into commercial giants, there were still many old aristocratic forces in the mountains to the north, who dreamed of becoming local emperors year after year in the mountain fortresses.

They had great differences with the commercial nobility in Genoa, and although they also had a seat in parliament, they were always outside the political system.

It is for this reason that whenever feudal forces attacked Genoa, they would always be the first to join the ranks of the invaders. The former Marquis of Monferrato, the Duke of Milan, and now the King of France have all gained support by recognizing their hereditary aristocratic status, and then blocked the city of Genoa from the land.

"Everyone, the situation is urgent, so I have to gather everyone together to discuss state affairs. I hope you can forgive me."

Governor Robert gave a brief opening speech.

"Oh? Then hurry up. I don't want to stay in the same room with the bedbugs from the Adelno family for too long. Their smell will pollute the air."

The envoy of the Fregeso family began to bombard his political enemies as soon as he arrived, covering his mouth and nose with a handkerchief embroidered with the family emblem in disgust.

As two top wealthy families, the disputes between the Freggiso family and the Aderno family lasted throughout history until the day when the Republic of Genoa lost its independence.

During this period, the two powerful families each won over a faction and competed for the position of governor. The governor was nominally a lifelong position, but the longest-serving governor did not last more than eight years.

This poor political ecology led to extremely low administrative efficiency of the Republic, making it unable to effectively govern its distant colonies. It was also one of the important reasons for the decline of the Republic of Genoa.

"Humph!"

"I still remember that your last governor, Pietro, resigned after only one day in office. I'm afraid you are even more disliked by people!"

The envoy of the Adelno family retorted.

"Stop arguing and listen to what Governor Robert has to say first."

The calm voice of Tribune Domenini Doria sounded.

Robert gave him a grateful look, and then, like a student reporting on his studies, he took the documents and explained the situation to the wealthy families.

"Last week, the situation in Italy suddenly changed. The Grand Council of Venice declared war on Emperor Isaac and assembled a fleet in the capital, ready to march south at any time."

"At the same time, Duke Sforza of Milan demanded that John IV, Duke of Monferrato and Parma, hand over all of his Milanese territories, including the cities of Piacenza, Parma, and Pavia, and become his vassal."

"After being rejected, Duke Sforza of Milan declared war on John IV and is gathering mercenaries."

"John IV reported the situation to the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III, who scolded Sforza and announced that he would protect his vassal, but he remained in Vienna and was unlikely to be of any substantial help."

Everyone present frowned. The storm that had blown in from Italy was growing stronger and stronger. Half of the Mediterranean had been swept in, and there were signs that it was continuing to expand.

"The situation in Naples is not very clear for the time being. The Angevins and the Trastammare factions each occupy half of the territory, and it is unclear who will win for the time being."

"Florence remained neutral, but provided loans to the Duke of Milan and mercenaries to the House of Anjou."

Robert paused, waiting for everyone's feedback.

"It seems that your emperor is in a big crisis this time."

Domenini Doria glanced at the envoy from the Gattiglusio family.

"Bartholomew doesn't want to come back. Has he already negotiated with Emperor Isaac? Is he planning to join him with his colonies in the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea?"

"That is none of your business, my Lord Tribune."

The envoy of the Gattiluccio family smiled noncommittally.

"Then let me continue,"

Seeing that the quarrel was about to escalate, Governor Robert hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Turn your attention to our surroundings. After Emperor Isaac signed the decree of unlimited attacks, a total of 53 French ships were attacked in just two months. 18 of them sank directly, 13 were captured, and the rest fled back to the port with injuries."

"Most of these ships are merchant ships and fishing boats. The military fleets of Charles VII and René I are not large to begin with, so they dare not directly confront the hornet-like Greek pirates."

"The southern coast of France and Provence has been plundered dozens of times. These ships moved in groups of three or five, and plundered the wealth, food, and population of the coastal villages before the French army arrived. They moved what could be moved, and burned what could not be moved."

"One tenth of every looted sum will be handed over to Emperor Isaac, who will use it to build shipyards and recruit workers. Galleons are launched every week at the Carthage and Aulon shipyards."

"He sold these galleys to pirates, who then went on a new round of looting."

"We estimate that it was because of Emperor Isaac's wanton looting that Charles VII's march slowed down significantly. After forcing the surrender at Albenga Port, he was forced to stop and wait for further supplies."

"According to intelligence, Charles VII is contacting various forces in an attempt to counter the Greek pirates."

"He built fleets along the Atlantic and English Channel coasts, but the journey was long and the Strait of Gibraltar controlled by the Portuguese was a hurdle that he could not cross."

"The Portuguese have a very good relationship with Emperor Isaac. Several of the emperor's ocean-going trading companies receive dividends from the Avis royal family, and they also have many common interests in dealing with the Muslim forces in North Africa."

"Besides, Portugal has been an ally of England for a century and is related to Burgundy by marriage, which has led to their poor relationship with France."

"From the current situation, the French can only hope that the Venetians will send troops as soon as possible to stop Emperor Isaac's naval attack."

"This is a good thing. The emperor will focus his main energy on the war with France, and we will have more time to prepare."

Said the envoy of the Aldenor family.

"A good thing? It's because of Emperor Isaac's actions that the French are full of anger and are venting it all on us!"

Domenini Doria rose to his feet.

"Your family has no interests in Albenga, but in places you can't see, countless Genoese are displaced, robbed, raped, and killed by the French!"

"I don't think Albenga is your place, Mr. Tribune?"

"you--"

"Sir Gattiluccio, you have the closest relationship with the emperor. Have you found out any news? When will he send reinforcements to us?"

"I'm afraid we can't stop the French attack on our own."

Governor Robert saw that things were about to get out of hand, so he changed the subject.

"His Majesty's first batch of reinforcements is on the way, but he also said that Genoa's future will not be in military matters, but in politics and diplomacy."

"If we are determined to resist, even if the French attack with all their might, they will not be able to destroy Genoa in a short period of time."

"The fear is that some people have already made plans to surrender and are ready to pledge their loyalty to Charles VII at any time."

Envoy Gattiluccio said this, looking at the several family envoys present with a meaningful look.

"Oh, you can pledge allegiance to the Greeks, so why can't we be close to the French?"

Someone immediately stood up and began to defend himself.

"If you ask me, we might as well negotiate cooperation with Charles VII. We can't stop the French army, and the French also need our fleet. We can use it to exchange for autonomy!"

"Oh? Since you said so, from today on, all the Republic's ships in the Black Sea Governorate will be free from the control of the parliament and will not be used by the French until the war stops!"

"you dare!"

"Shut up!"

Domenini Doria slammed the table and stood up for the third time, gnashing his teeth in anger, looking around with angry eyes.

"I finally understand. None of you have the slightest loyalty to the Republic. You are either busy fighting among yourselves, or keeping to yourself, or you are taking the Republic's public property and promising it to outsiders to win their favor!"

"As for those old nobles in the north, I have said long ago that they are very resistant to the Republic. If you hadn't interfered, how could they have become so powerful?"

He pointed at the sanctimonious envoy from aristocratic family, his fingers trembling.

"Greeks, French, flirt with them as much as you want, and exchange the inheritance left by your ancestors for a bright future!"

Domenini drew out his sword, and with a flash of cold light, he cut off the corner of the table.

"Our Doria family has served as tribunes for generations. No matter what you plan to do, we will do our best to protect the Republic and its people. I, my brother, my future children and nephews will all fight for this goal until the last moment!"

The tribune left and silence fell in the council chamber.

"Humph, I don't understand what you are saying!"

The envoy of the Adelno family left a word and walked away, followed by the Freggeso family and the Snopia family.

The crowd left one after another. The envoy of the Gattilusio family waited calmly until the end. He looked at the bewildered Governor Robert with deep meaning in his eyes and turned away.

The meeting room was empty, the tables and chairs were in disarray, and the cups and plates were in disarray. In front of the Governor, the St. George's Cross flag drooped limply, and the griffin emblem on the table seemed to be covered with a layer of darkness.

There is another chapter later



(End of this chapter)