1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 214 Ross's Trip
On the dark sea, a carrack was flapping its sails.

This carrack has distinct Venetian characteristics. It is not too large, only one-third the size of the Marco Aurelius. It has a main gun at the bow and a heavy crossbow installed at the stern. The sides have been modified and are also equipped with ten small stone-throwing cannons.

Now, this Venetian warship was flying the double-headed eagle flag of the Eastern Roman Empire, and was obviously captured in a naval battle.

The hull was covered with scars of war and signs of repairs, and the mottled wooden boards were carved with flamboyant Greek characters.

Emperor Zeno!

The small caravel Emperor Zeno belonged to the Eastern Mediterranean Fleet of the Eastern Roman Empire. Over the years, it has been carrying out missions in the Eastern Mediterranean, fighting with Venetian warships and entangled with Muslim pirates.

Of course, if they happened to come across a merchant ship loaded with cargo, they would occasionally make some extra money.

The Emperor Zeno was followed by two small transport ships, forming a small transport fleet responsible for escorting the royal guests.

After the Eastern Roman Empire completely controlled the Black Sea Strait through the Cutthroat Fort and the Gallipoli Fortress, the vast Black Sea had actually become the Eastern Roman Empire's back garden, and the coastal countries simply did not have the strength and courage to openly provoke it on the sea.

In the cabin, Zoe Valleoliu sat at the wooden table, writing a letter home. Her pretty face looked a little pale due to the turbulence of the ocean, and her bright big eyes were full of worry.

"Sister, the captain asked me to tell you that we are almost there. Would you like to get ready?"

The door opened, and Andreas Valleoliu's little head appeared through the gap.

"It's ready, come in."

Zoe put down her pen, stood up, and lifted the hem of her skirt.

"how?"

"very good."

Andreas walked into the cabin and looked at his dearest sister.

"You must be the brightest star at tonight's dinner!"

Zoe smiled slightly at her brother's praise and picked up the letter she had just written from the table.

"Please send this letter to Carthage for me, and then forward it to Constantina."

"Is it for mother?"

Andreas took the letter and nodded.

"Yeah, you've been out for so long and you've just been playing around. You haven't even mentioned writing a few letters to your parents."

"If I get married in the future, you must not be as naughty as you are now. You must serve your parents well and don't make them angry."

Zoe scratched her brother's nose with a hint of anger, and took him out of the cabin and onto the deck.

The salty sea breeze pierced Zoe's nose, and she felt refreshed.

"Sister, are you really going to marry in Moscow? It's so far away, and it might be difficult to come back in the future."

Andreas handed the letter to the servant, ran to Zoe and looked at her with a worried look on his face.

"It's still in the negotiation stage, so I can't say for sure."

Zoe shook her head slightly.

"Why do you insist on marrying that Ivan? Uncle Constantine and Brother Isaac didn't force you!"

Andreas asked loudly with confusion in his eyes.

"So many nobles in the empire like you, and many princes in Western Europe have heard of your reputation. Why do you want to go to a wild and cold place?"

"You know, mother has always not wanted you to marry Ross. She cries every time she talks about it."

"There are so many good places to choose from, Constantinople, Carthage, Naples, Lisbon, why did you choose Moscow!"

Andreas poured out his frustrations in one breath and immediately felt better.

"Who do you think I should marry?"

A smile appeared on Zoe's face.

"I think Admiral Fidel's son Felix is ​​a good candidate. He is tall and has high moral character. He will definitely be a senior officer in the Imperial Navy in the future."

"The key is that he likes you very much. He is the most dedicated and tenacious among all the suitors."

Zoe laughed and patted her brother's head.

"He's a good man, and I don't hate him, but I don't want to marry him."

"I don't want to stay at home like most women, taking care of their husbands and children."

"Then go to Western Europe. Women there have a higher status and the standard of living is much better than in Moscow."

Andreas said eagerly.

Zoe looked at the foggy sky and clenched her fists tightly.

"No, if I go to Western Europe where I'm unfamiliar with the place, I'll be restricted everywhere and won't be able to move freely."

“I want to build my own business.”

"Moscow had just stepped onto the political stage of the European continent, the Tatar yoke had not yet been completely broken, and the culture was not mature. It was a blank slate, which was suitable for painting."

Andreas opened his mouth, but all he wanted to say turned into a soft sigh.

"You are accompanying the diplomatic corps to Moscow this time, but you are not officially getting married. You should come back, right?"

"Maybe. Who can say for sure?"

Zoe looked at her brother who was growing up and smiled with relief.

"I never thought that the little kid who used to follow me around has grown up so much and learned to care about others."

Andreas was still feeling a little depressed. He walked to the bow of the ship without saying a word, looking at the port that was getting closer and closer.

The Emperor Zeno lowered its sails and slowly approached the shore, arriving at Theodore, the northernmost land of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Led by Prince Alexander and Princess Charlotte, high-ranking officials and nobles of the Crimean Governorate stood quietly at the dock and held a simple welcome ceremony for the visiting royal delegation.

"Princess Zoe, the war is urgent and I have military duties to attend to. I can only inconvenience you temporarily."

Prince Alexander stepped forward first and bowed slightly to Zoe.

"Hello, Alexander, I am just passing by here and visiting relatives and friends. No special reception is needed."

Zoe stretched out her right hand wearing a silk scarf, and Alexander leaned over and gave her a soft kiss.

"Charlotte, long time no see."

While Alexander was receiving other distinguished guests, Zoe turned to Charlotte, who was dressed in military uniform, with a smile from the bottom of her heart on her face.

"I have military duties to attend to, so I won't hug you. But you're still welcome, dear Zoe."

Charlotte took Zoe's hand, and her frown relaxed.

"Charlotte, you have a really strong hand."

Zoe glanced at Charlotte resentfully and took a look at the armor on her.

"You are becoming less and less like a lady."

"A lady cannot survive in this borderland."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow, let go of Zoe's hand, and pulled the silk scarf on Zoe with a smile.

"When you marry and go to Moscow, if you want to control those barbarians, you can't act like a princess like this."

"I don't think so."

Zoe slapped Charlotte's hand away angrily.

"The Russians are not Tatars. They still yearn for civilization. There, the impact of culture and faith is far more exciting than horses and swords." "Queen Leonor has no soldiers, but the tribal leaders of Africa love her very much."

"Maybe. Anyway, I can't convince you."

Charlotte waved her hand, and the crowd, escorted by her personal guards, slowly walked towards the city.

"How is Mangup doing now? Are the Tatars still besieging the city?"

Zoe asked in the carriage.

"The initial battle to defend the city was very difficult. The Tatars had an absolute advantage in manpower and even obtained artillery from the Lithuanians."

"Fortunately, Mangup City was renovated into a bastion, and Prince Justinian brought his private army to boost morale. We survived the most critical years."

Charlotte's expression was a little solemn.

"At the beginning of this year, Akhmad Khan of Batu Sarai finally sent troops to attack Haji Gelai's pasture and looted the three small tribes."

"The Tatar Khanate is actually an alliance of various tribes. The city has been under siege for a long time, and some Tatar tribes can no longer sit still. Haji Gelai is old and his prestige is not as high as before, so he had no choice but to withdraw his troops."

"However, although they did not capture the city of Mangup, other villages and towns were looted, and many territories of the Genoese in the east were also damaged."

"Until now, there are still many Tatar cavalrymen around Mangup. They come south from time to time to rob farms and caravans. Our troops have fought with them many times, and both sides have won and lost."

Zoe nodded and avoided this heavy topic.

"Is the capital still circulating? I have invested some money in Guinea companies over the years, so I have some savings."

"It's enough for now. A few days ago, a merchant named Peter came to Mangup. With your Majesty's help, we allowed him to get involved in the Black Sea white slave trade. He provided us with a sum of money to solve our urgent needs."

"I am still the princess of Famagusta, and I also receive a share of the tax revenue there."

Charlotte patted Zoe's shoulder affectionately.

"Don't worry, if it's really not enough, I will definitely ask for it, and I won't be polite."

"You're really rude. You took a lot of my pocket money back then."

Zoe recalled her childhood and burst out laughing.

"By the way, why didn't you see Justinian?"

"That guy has grown a lot in the war. He has been tinkering with his own army recently. He has set up a camp outside the city and it is doing pretty well. He said he wants to entertain you and Andreas. Let's go over there now."

"Let Alexander take care of entertaining the envoys. He is very good at this."

Along the way, Charlotte introduced Zoe to the city of Mangup and the contributions she had made to the city over the years and the changes she had brought to it.

The current city of Mangup has developed into a medium-sized city with a permanent population of nearly 10,000. In order to defend against the attacks of the Tatars, Charlotte built a number of castles outside the city. Farmers cultivated farmland and grazed cattle and sheep around the castles. When they encountered Tatar cavalry, they hid in the castles and took up swords and guns.

The population of the Crimean Governorate was limited and could not support too many standing soldiers. So Charlotte took a different approach and developed a complete conscription and militia system, hiding the soldiers among the people, allowing them to engage in production in peacetime and fight in battles in wartime.

This place is located on the front line against nomadic peoples. The people here have a stronger military tradition than those in inland cities, and the militia's combat effectiveness can be fully utilized when defending their homes.

“This is our city, how does it feel?”

The city was not big, so we finished the tour quickly and the carriage was driving on the road out of the city.

"It's pretty good. It's very similar to my father's fiefdom, Constantina, both of which are trying to survive surrounded by pagans."

Zoe commented.

"Constantina's commercial value is not as good as Mangup's, but its defense facilities are more complete. Many castles are handed down from ancient times and are still in use today."

"Of course, the city built by Constantine the Great is unique."

Charlotte pouted.

"arrive!"

The carriage stopped next to a large wooden castle. The castle was built by the water, with deep trenches on the outside and large grasslands around it. Herdsmen were driving cattle and sheep on the grasslands.

There are many nomadic tents around the city, with smoke rising as the sun sets.

After showing their identification to the guards at the gate, the carriage, escorted by cavalry, walked across the suspension bridge and entered the village.

Although the village is small, it has all the necessary facilities, including watchtowers, barracks, granaries, and armories.

On the training ground, two warriors, with their upper bodies naked, held each other tightly with their hands, trying their best to knock each other down.

The training ground was filled with spectators, all waving their hands wildly and spewing vulgar language.

"Are these Justinian's subordinates?"

Zoe's eyes widened and she covered her mouth.

“Why are most of them Tatars?”

"He shot and killed a Tatar nobleman during a night raid, killed all his relatives and friends, incorporated his people, and absorbed some herdsmen who were unwilling to obey Haji Gelai, and organized them into a thousand households, with himself as the head of the thousand households."

"The Tatars will be convinced?"

"Justinian can lead them to victory, lead them to plunder, and give them money and women. I have also practiced archery well over the years. How can I not be convinced?"

Charlotte jumped out of the carriage and held out her hand to Zoe.

"The Tatars have no moral code and are very superstitious. Justinian has led them to many victories and their prestige has been established."

"How did he do that? I don't remember him having such a talent before."

"Humph, it's more like plundering than fighting. He has a fleet and can attack everywhere. Many men in the tribes were conscripted to fight, so he robbed the old, weak and sick. As the fighting went on, his army grew larger."

The wrestling match on the field finally decided the winner. The winner raised his hands high and shouted towards the sky.

"Come here, my Jebe and Subutai!"

A voice came into her ears. Although Zoe didn't understand the language, she was very familiar with the tone. She looked in the direction of the voice and widened her eyes in disbelief.

"This...is this Justinian?"

On the high platform, Justinian, dressed in a purple robe, looked at the warriors coming towards him with admiration.

"king."

The warrior knelt and allowed Justinian to place his hand on his forehead.

"You have proven your virility, and the woman you have always wanted is yours."

"Not only that, I will also appoint you as a centurion. I hope you will protect my royal tent!"

Justinian waved his hand, and the tall guard behind him brought a suit of armor and handed it to the warrior.

The warrior immediately put on his armor, pounded his chest with both fists, and roared loudly.

A guard announced the arrival of Charlotte and Zoe, and Justinian turned around and nodded to the two people at the edge of the camp.

Justinian gave an order to a Tatar noble beside him, dropped a purse, turned and left, and came to the two men surrounded by guards.

"Long time no see, Princess Zoe, and you, Princess Charlotte."

"Welcome to my royal tent. Did you enjoy the competition just now?"

Justinian nodded slightly to the two of them.

"You...long time no see, your Royal Highness, Prince of Athens."

Zoe saluted, while Charlotte snorted and stood aside with her sword.

"Didn't we agree to entertain Zoe? Don't tell me we didn't prepare anything."

"follow me."

(End of this chapter)