1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 248: Guards Dragoons

In the northern Balkan Peninsula, on the plain of the lower Danube River, on a newly paved dirt road, two cavalrymen holding high the double-headed eagle flag led the way, and the Varangian Guards surrounded several royal carriages and followed closely behind the cavalry.

In the most luxurious carriage, Constantine XI drew aside the curtain and looked out of the window.

Constantine XI was already 62 years old, which was considered a long life in Europe in the 15th century. Age brought him not only a head full of white hair and a wrinkled face, but also a deteriorating body and a gloomy soul.

Ever since Grand Duke Thomas passed away due to illness last year, Constantine XI lost his last brother. His old friends passed away one after another, and his nephews and nephews were separated from each other. The loneliness of the Grand Palace reminded him of the glorious years when the four brothers fought together in Morea, and he couldn't help but fall seriously ill.

After lying in bed for half a year, Constantine XI miraculously woke up and announced that he would go out on a tour as soon as he got out of bed. The ministers tried to persuade him in vain and had no choice but to obey the old emperor's wishes.

After a tour in Thrace, Constantine XI went north to Bulgaria, and after a brief stop in Constanta and Plovdiv, he went to Kazanlak to find his second son Manuel.

The preliminary preparations for the Rose Valley have been basically completed. With the input of external funds, rose fields have been opened up one after another. The perfume workshop has already taken shape. The fragrance of the blooming roses spreads for miles, and the flowers are in clusters, surrounded by swarms of bees and butterflies.

Constantine XI was obviously not interested in this. After resting for two days, he immediately took Manuel, crossed the mountain pass, and continued to head north.

"Father, we are now traveling on the Northern Post Road. This is a construction project that started last year. The purpose is to completely connect Bulgaria and Thrace."

Next to Constantine XI, Manuel looked at the ochre-colored road beneath his feet and introduced it to his father.

"The road we are on should only be a third-class road, the worst type. However, the terrain of the lower Danube plain is flat, so it should be no problem for horse-drawn carriages to pass through."

"What's that white layer on the road?"

Constantine XI pointed to a grayish-white film on the road.

"Those are traces left by the dried sea water."

Manuel replied.

"The third-level roads are funded by local governments and have the lowest standards. Postmen at each post station go to the city to report on their work every six months. When they come back, they load a few wooden barrels filled with sea water onto their carriages. When they walk on the roads under their jurisdiction, they pour the sea water on the ground to prevent the growth of weeds and shrubs."

"Some village elders will also send people to maintain the roads regularly, and even organize villagers to expand them during the slack season to attract more merchants."

"That's a good idea."

Constantine XI nodded without comment and drew the curtain.

"Father, after you have made your rounds in the north, you should return to Constantinople. This is a wild place. If you get sick, you won't even be able to find a doctor."

Manuel resumed his daily persuasion.

"No, I won't go back! And I brought a doctor with me!"

Constantine XI said angrily and pulled the curtain open again.

"I'm going to the reclamation area to find my grandson Alexios, then go to North Africa and go all the way to Justinian's wedding."

"Father, the wedding will be held once in Carthage and once in Constantinople. We will come to Constantinople when the time comes. Why are you doing this?"

Manuel sighed.

"Then I will attend twice. I must see the birth of my great-grandson before I go to heaven."

Constantine XI said stubbornly.

"Well, Justinian and Isabella have a good relationship, and you will see the birth of a new member of the family."

Seeing that his father had made up his mind, Manuel simply stopped trying to persuade him.

"I want to see not only my son and grandchildren, but also Constantine the Great's palace in Constantine, my brother's fiefdom, and my two poor nephews."

"Andreas and Theodosius are not to be pitied. Constantina is located on the main transportation route from Carthage to the western border. So many goods and people pass through there. How can they be so poor?"

Manuel complained.

"Archduke Thomas spent so many years building the city, and what he left to his son is a solid mountain city, surrounded by rivers on three sides, with steep terrain. If the Saracens don't have 5,000 troops, there's no way they can capture it, so why should you worry about it?"

"That's better. Isaac still has a conscience and didn't exchange a barren land with nothing in it for Thomas' Achaia."

Constantine XI snorted.

"Father, I also heard that Andreas is getting engaged. The woman is Jelena, the eldest daughter of Prince Alexander of the Crimea Governorate and Princess Charlotte, who was born two years ago."

"It's a good match, not bad."

Constantine XI nodded and looked at his second son.

"Speaking of engagement, you are also at the age to get engaged, right? Although it is still a few years away from actual marriage, you still have to prepare early."

"Your brother has many connections. If you like a noble lady, just ask him to propose marriage to you!"

"Don't worry about that, Father."

Manuel shook his head helplessly.

"I plan to marry a Serbian noble lady, preferably one with power and influence, to lay the foundation for my future rule."

"There are many candidates. I am still considering them and will inform you when the time comes."

"Alas, I'm afraid I won't be able to wait until that day."

Constantine XI sighed and looked at the sky outside the car with his cloudy eyes.

Seeing that his father looked a little sad, Manuel wisely changed the subject and pointed to the farms and fields outside the window.

"Alexios's reclamation area is coming soon. The farmlands and manors you see now were all opened up in recent years. Some belong to the reclamation group, and some belong to freedmen attracted by the Homestead Act."

"If this continues, in another twenty years, Bulgaria will be completely incorporated into the core area of ​​the empire's rule, and Constantinople will no longer be threatened from the north."

The carriage was traveling on a country road, with large fields on both sides of the road, mainly three-field strip fields distributed along the river, and many scattered small vegetable fields next to the strip fields.

It was midsummer and the winter wheat was ripe. Serfs were harvesting in the golden fields, while freemen were driving horses to plow the land that had been fallow last year. On the farms, many farmers were beating the wheat ears with flails, women were sweeping the grain into a pile, and children were running around, driving away the greedy hens.

By the distant stream, a huge windmill was turning, driving the hydraulic turbine and directing the stream water into the canal.

“To have gotten to where we are now in less than two years is pretty impressive.”

Constantine XI nodded slightly.

"When I encouraged reclamation in Moria, it didn't have such a good effect."

"My brother's policies are good. A royal reclamation group binds obligations and privileges together, and a homestead law greatly increases the enthusiasm of the people."

Manuel said admiringly.

"With advanced technology, a large number of livestock and a huge number of serfs, it is certainly much easier than your time."

"Besides, the fields you see now were cultivated by Bulgarians decades ago, but later they were abandoned due to the sudden decline in population. We are just reusing these lands."

“How many people are there in Bulgaria now?”

Constantine XI asked.

"Very few. There are only about 600,000 people in such a large area, of which 50,000 are newly-immigrated Greeks and Berber serfs. They are mainly concentrated in the east, while the majority of people in the west are still Bulgarians."

Manuel replied.

"Not bad, it will get better and better in the future."

Constantine XI drew up the curtain, said no more, and closed his eyes to rest.

Under the respectful and admiring gazes of the farmers, the convoy continued to move forward, passing through several fields and crossing two small bridges, and the town ahead came into view.

"Father, this is the town built by Alexios, Jeanne d'Arc."

Manuel said, helping Constantine down.

Although it is called a town, it is more like a larger village. The only relatively gorgeous building is the wooden church on the east side. The wooden houses in the town are rather dilapidated and have a distinct Bulgarian style.

"Father, this town was originally an abandoned Bulgarian village. Only one in ten of the villagers survived the looting by the Cuman cavalry and the exploitation by the Bulgarian tax collectors. Your Majesty allocated this place to the reclamation group. Alexius's fields are nearby, and the fields of other nobles are also centered around this town."

Although the town is small, it has all the necessary facilities. The windmill is located on the river outside the town. The blacksmith shop, leather shop, bacon shop and other small shops are surrounded by the market. Although the market is not big, it has a wide variety of agricultural products.

"The Royal Reclamation Corps also has certain military functions. This town is one of the militia assembly points. There are also simple shooting ranges, horse racing tracks, and training grounds outside the town. During the slack season, the nobles and village elders will bring the militia from their own lands to receive training."

"I've been here once before and I know where Alexios likes to go. I'll take you there."

The guards evacuated the crowd in front, and Manuel supported Constantine XI and walked forward.

It was the busy farming season and there were not many people in the town, but the townspeople looked good and in good spirits.

The townspeople come from all corners of the country, including Greeks, Latinos, Slavs, Bulgarians, and Berbers. They look different and have slightly different living habits, but most of them can speak a few simple Greek words and cope with daily life.

The arrival of Constantine and his entourage did not attract much attention. The townspeople bowed slightly to Constantine XI and continued to go about their own business.

"Father, there have been too many royal relatives and nobles coming to Jeanne Town over the past year. They have become accustomed to it. Alexius has forbidden them to kneel and has changed them to bowing."

Manuel explained.

"It's fine. I'm here to see my grandson. I don't want to attract too much attention."

Constantine XI nodded and continued walking.

Passing by a larger house, we could hear the sound of reading aloud from inside the house. Children of different races were being taught by an old priest, studying theology and literature.

"Father, this is the Sunday school in Jeanne d'Arc. There were more people when I came last time. Now that it's the busy farming season, many children are still called back by their parents to help."

Manuel smiled and pointed towards the school.

“There are even indigenous children.”

Constantine XI looked into the room and raised his eyebrows.

"Father, those are mixed-race children, mostly illegitimate children born to Romans and Khoisan slave girls in New Thrace. There are more of them in recent years. My brother brought them to the Empire for education. After they finish their studies, they return to New Thrace to form their own tribes and build the cornerstone of our rule."

Manuel laughed.

"Of course, this is still a matter of dividing the family. Some mixed-race children are not loved by their fathers and have no money to continue their studies. The financial support that my royal brother can provide is also limited. These children cannot stay in big cities. They either go back or end up on the streets."

"Being Roman and Orthodox saved them from the clutches of slave traders, but it did not make them truly accepted by others any time soon."

"Alexius felt sorry for them, so he gathered them together and asked them to follow him north to reclaim wasteland and receive an education. They will probably be sent back to New Thrace to become chieftains in the future."

"There aren't many of us, only about ten."

"Well, since they are willing to speak Greek, believe in Orthodox Christianity, and live like Romans, we have no reason to turn them away. It doesn't matter if their skin is a little yellow," said Constantine XI.

"Yes, my brother believes that Khoisan people, Malagasy people and even Indians can be accepted, and intermarriage is encouraged. There will definitely be more and more mixed-race children in the future, and I estimate that many of them will come to Constantinople."

"The Khoisan and Madagascar civilizations are both very low in level. Although Indian civilization is brilliant, they have a strict class system and the lower class people have no idea about culture and ethnicity. Our advanced culture is easily respected by these people."

"My brother said that as long as the shipping routes remain open and trade continues to develop, the number of mixed-race and indigenous people coming here will surely increase year by year in the next few hundred years. As long as we do a good job of cultural assimilation, we can adopt an attitude of tolerance and acceptance."

Manuel paused.

"Of course, I heard that some captains have discovered cannibal tribes in Africa. It would be better if these beasts were exterminated."

"Alas, this is all a long time in the future. Let future generations worry about it."

Constantine XI had no interest in this and dragged Manuel forward.

After crossing a street, the group arrived at the parade ground in the north of the town.

The area of ​​the parade ground is not small, but the facilities are rather simple. Although it is the busy farming season, it is filled with soldiers performing martial arts exercises.

Alexius, fully armored, was standing on the high platform in the parade grounds.

An officer discovered Constantine and his entourage and quickly reported it to Alexius.

After a while, Alexios ran towards Constantine XI.

"Long time no see, dear grandfather, and you, Uncle Manuel."

Alexios was a little reserved and stopped in front of the two of them.

"You should have sent someone to inform me."

Constantine XI took his grandson into his arms and wiped the sweat from Alexios' forehead with his sleeve.

"Nothing, just came to see you."

Constantine XI said with a smile.

"Take off your armor. It's so hot now. Why do you have to stay on the training ground?"

Alexius took off his helmet obediently, and his golden hair looked particularly dazzling in the sun.

"I can't help it. These are new recruits. I'll be watching them all the time. They won't take the opportunity to slack off."

"I usually practice on the training ground after praying, so it's no problem."

Alexius looked at his elderly grandfather, who took off his arm armor, revealing his muscular body.

"By the way, Alexios, isn't this the busy farming season? Where do these soldiers come from?"

Manuel asked.

Alexius did not answer, but pulled a few people up to the platform, pulled out a table and chairs, and arranged for Constantine XI to sit down.

The officers and soldiers finally recognized the old emperor. After shouting "Long live the emperor", they put all their efforts into starting the drill.

These recruits all rode horses, but they were not equipped with heavy armor or lances. They were not equipped with sabers on their waists, but mattocks. The main weapons on their backs were spears and halberds, as well as lightweight mushkot muskets.

"Alexius, what kind of troops are these? I have never seen them before."

Constantine XI looked around the parade grounds with some surprise.

"The Royal Guards Dragoons, a branch of the military that Father established recently."

Alexius replied.

"There are now four Guards Dragoon Regiments, two in North Africa and two in the Balkans."

"What you are looking at now is the 3rd Dragoon Regiment. Since it was just established, it has not yet formed combat effectiveness. It just so happens that I am busy with farming here, so I am using this training ground for training."

Alexius pointed at the backs of the dragoons, and sure enough, there was a ferocious fire dragon painted on them.

"Dragoons? Cavalrymen who fight on horseback with muskets?"

Constantine XI asked.

"No, dragoons are not actually cavalry, but mounted infantry, a type of rapid reaction force. Horses only provide power and speed, not impact."

Alexios explained.

"To put it simply, in war, dragoons use horses to quickly reach designated locations, then dismount to fight and provide fire support, which can often achieve unexpected results."

"Moreover, not all dragoons are musketeers. There are also some spearmen and halberdmen. If time permits, they can form a spear phalanx."

Alexius thought for a moment and continued.

"You also know that before this, when Father first started to form the Armored Holy Cavalry, he tried to recruit some mounted musketeers, but the effect was not very good, and in the end he replaced them all with lance heavy cavalry."

"Traditional heavy cavalry is too expensive, and light cavalry has difficulty coping with increasingly complex battlefield conditions. Father proposed the concept of dragoons and formally formed the Royal Guards Dragoon Regiment a month ago."

"The biggest advantage of dragoons is their high cost-effectiveness. They have low requirements for horses and do not need to carefully select war horses. When they follow large infantry units, they do not need to be equipped with too many horses. Two horses for one person is completely sufficient."

"They also don't need heavy armor, which can save a lot of money."

Alexius took out a diagram of the dragoons drawn on paper and handed it to Constantine XI.

Constantine XI took a look and saw that it was clearly the work of Isaac.

"The Empire is lacking in cavalry. It does not have a large-scale heavy cavalry unit. It has always adopted a steady and cautious approach, taking the initiative to attack strategically and adopting a defensive approach tactically."

Alexius continued.

"Father's idea is that since we are lagging behind in cavalry, we should just use infantry tactics to the fullest extent. Light cavalry will be deployed to conduct reconnaissance, a small number of heavy cavalry will be used to charge the enemy, and the rest will be left to infantry and chariots."

"A fast-reaction force like dragoons can make up for the shortcomings of infantry's clumsiness and slowness. They can quickly reach key locations in a battle, form square formations, and build positions to defend against the enemy's inevitable attacks."

"You see, the mattocks they carry on their waists are used to build positions."

Constantine XI flipped through the conceptual map, but didn't quite understand it, so he simply stopped looking at it and returned the map to Alexius.

"How's the training going?"

Constantine XI looked at Alexios with a smile.

"Not bad. Dragoons don't need to be trained in horsemanship or horseback combat. The training cycle is similar to that of ordinary musketeers, and much easier than heavy cavalry."

Alexius smiled shyly.

"Besides, I am not in charge of the training of the Dragoon Regiment. I am just here to accompany them. The two Dragoon Regiments in the Balkans are both led by Count Yergubai, and the one in North Africa seems to be led by Gonzalo, my brother's best friend."

"I'm not familiar with them, but that's okay. I trust Isaac's judgment."

Constantine XI smiled and stroked Alexios's golden hair.

"By the way, there is actually another version of the Dragoon, also designed by Father."

Alexius excitedly pulled another blueprint out of his pocket and handed it to Constantine XI.

"The Royal Mounted Police is similar in concept to the Royal Guards Dragoon, but their equipment is slightly inferior to that of the Dragoon and they are cheaper."

"What is this for?"

Manuel took the drawing and looked at it carefully.

"You can think of the RCMP as just another shooting corps, uncle."

Alexius looked at Manuel.

"As we all know, many places in the empire are vast and sparsely populated, especially North Africa and Bulgaria. The distances between cities are too far. If something happens in a town, it is difficult for the government to respond immediately."

"The Royal Canadian Mounted Police usually patrols between towns to make up for the slow action of the shooting army, strengthen the central government's control over the local areas, and declare sovereignty."

At this point, Alexius suddenly laughed.

"I looked at the RCMP recruitment criteria, and the number one factor is physical fitness. The taller you are, the stronger your physique is, and the more fierce your appearance is, the more likely you are to be selected."

"Their uniforms are also very gorgeous. They were designed by my father himself, specifically to show off their power to the common people and tribesmen."

"It can be said that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Rangers are both militarized police forces that are responsible for maintaining law and order and eliminating bandits in peacetime, and can also be called up to fight in wartime."

Alexius said and Manuel nodded repeatedly.

"The Royal Mounted Police does not need to be formed separately, but can be drawn directly from the Marksman Corps. North Africa is equipped with barb horses and camels, and Bulgaria is equipped with riding horses and mules."

"Now, Carthage has 400 riflemen converted into the Royal Mounted Police, active in the wilderness and countryside far away from big cities."

Manuel returned the drawing to Alexius and looked at the busy training ground.

"This way, my brother will have a deeper control over the local areas. From the coast to the inland, from the city to the countryside, this is indeed a good strategy."

"Yes, the families of the Royal Mounted Police and the Marksmen are all in the city, and their loyalty is guaranteed. Although my father doesn't like to interfere with the normal production and life of the people, the necessary order must be maintained. The era of barbaric growth is over."

Alexius took back the blueprint and nodded.

"Oh, that's enough, let's talk about these things later."

Constantine XI waved his hand to interrupt the conversation between his children and grandchildren.

"Alexios, are you hungry? There must be nothing good to eat in the north. I brought some good cooks from Constantinople. I'll ask them to make you a good meal to recuperate your body."

Constantine XI rubbed Alexios' arm and was immediately dissatisfied.

"Look at me, I'm even thinner than when I was a kid. How can this be okay?"

"Let's go! Let's go to your place for dinner first. I'll stay here for a few days, and then we'll go to Carthage together to attend your brother's wedding, okay?"

Constantine XI looked at his grandson expectantly.

"Okay! I basically don't need to worry about things here. I will definitely go to my brother's wedding."

Alexios readily agreed, called over an officer, whispered a few words of advice to him, and then left the parade ground with his grandfather and uncle and headed for his own small farm.

(End of this chapter)