1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 25 Joint Military and Political Meeting
On May 1446, 5, Isaac left Constantinople with his harvest.

The Archduke Moria came in indifference and left in indifference.

Three days later, we arrived at the port of Patras.

We happened to encounter the Monferrato trading fleet docked here.

Athens was reduced to a scorched earth, and the Monferrato Trading Company used the port of Patras as one of its destinations for trade in the eastern Mediterranean.

A year later, the fleet is no longer what it used to be.

A fleet consisting of two large triremes, four medium-sized galleys, and 15 transport ships was enough to deal with the attacks of pagan pirates.

During a year of sailing, Norwich not only had a tanned cheek, but also accumulated a wealth of experience, and his every move exuded a calmness.

Isaac hosted a special banquet for Novich and the captains. Fidel and Kerman were very happy to see their companions again.

When they were half drunk, Isaac winked at Novich, and the two left the room and went to Isaac's office.

Isaac first poured Norwich a cup of sobering soup and motioned for him to sit down.

"Have you figured out what I assigned you to do?"

Isaac played with the scepter of despotism in his hand.

This was given to Isaac by Ioannis VIII as a reward for his dedication.

"Your Highness, some of our sailors have learned basic Greek and cartography, and five sailors have been sent to North Africa."

"Which places in North Africa specifically?"

"Two are in Tunis, one in Tripoli, one sent to Cyrenaica, and the last one is in Sirte."

"Any news?"

"Your Highness, there is no special news. The internal strife of the Hafs royal family, the growth of local forces, and the looting of Bedouins... these are all common things."

After that, he started joking.

"As far back as I can remember, North Africa has been like the linen spun by a little girl. It's just a mess."

“Are there maps and records of local customs and practices?”

Isaac was in no mood to pay attention to his little humor.

"They are all recorded. I brought them all with me."

“Have you found any talent worth recruiting?”

"There are a few of them. One of them is a Bedouin chief. His uncle took away his tribesmen. He had nowhere to go, so he found me."

Isaac II.

"Any more?"

"There are also a few ordinary Arabs. According to your standards, anyone who can read and write is considered a talent."

“Many people simply don’t want to follow the ship.”

Norwich was a little embarrassed.

Isaac nodded.

It's really not the Bulgarian captain's fault.

In these days, the army belongs to the aristocracy and the navy belongs to the civilians.

Generally speaking, literate and educated noble sons would not jump into the sea.

However, Isaac was still a little disappointed.

"How about this, I'll send a few people to follow your fleet and collect information along the way. You'll be responsible for assisting them and coordinating your previous work with them."

"Yes!"

Norwich also breathed a sigh of relief.

I am not suitable for this kind of thing, it is better to leave it to others.

"You stay here first. I have ordered the army to take over the defense and march to Patras."

"Butler Andre and the envoys from the two governorates will also come."

Novich nodded, saluted and left.

Isaac poured himself another glass of wine and drank it slowly.

A week later, at the port of Patras, the parade ground.

The small port city of Patras has a large parade ground that is inconsistent with its size.

It is said that during the time of Basil II, this place served as a gathering place for the Peloponnese military district.

Soldiers from the four army corps, sailors from the Mediterranean Fleet and the Monferrato trading fleet, and various commanders stood on the parade ground, waiting for their highness.

On the makeshift platform, Isaac looked at the thousands of sailors and soldiers below.

"I have no other intention in calling you all here today."

Several heralds rode on horses in the square to convey His Highness's orders.

"We just went through a war and lost many brothers. You all fought with all your might."

"I am grateful for your contribution to Rome."

"Without further ado, here are the rewards!"

"Next, those who are called by the herald, come forward!"

"First place, Captain Fidel!"

Fidel ran forward and knelt on one knee.

"Your Highness!"

"I can't command a fleet or charge at sea as well as you can."

"With you in the maritime affairs, I have nothing to worry about."

Isaac took the forged scimitar from the servant.

The blade is made of Wootz steel, and the back of the blade is engraved with the emblem of the Eastern Roman purple double-headed eagle.

The handle of the knife was painted with the family crest of the Palaiologos family and engraved with a line of Greek text.

In the name of God, as I do, by Isaac Palaiologos.

Then there is the serial number at the bottom, 001.

"I am willing to fight for your Highness, even if it means death!"

Fidel exclaimed, taking the machete.

"Second place, Corps Commander Mikhail."

Isaac's teacher Mikhail ran forward.

"I am not as good as you in training the army and enforcing strict military discipline."

"I am willing to fight for your highness!"

The same scimitar, numbered 002.

"Captain Henry!"

"Yes!"

"Knight of Conte!"

"Captain Norwich!"

"Captain Maruna!"

"Captain Ibrahim!"

"Hakkan the Archer!"

"Leon, the first warrior to ascend!"

……

Isaac quickly distributed 50 fine scimitars forged from Wootz steel to all levels of the army, from legion commanders to ordinary soldiers.

Unlike generals, soldiers are the simplest group. What they like most is money, followed by respect.

The lower-level soldiers have almost no patriotic sentiments.

Isaac distributed only 50 of these specially made scimitars, which were made with great care and at no expense, to commend soldiers and generals for their bravery in combat and their good command.

On the one hand, these scimitars can be used directly in war, and on the other hand, they are also symbols of identity and honor.

Some of the soldiers who got scimitars excitedly showed them off to their comrades around them and accepted their envious looks.

Then Isaac began to give out rewards, and large amounts of gold ducats flowed from Isaac's purse into the pockets of the soldiers.

Isaac also used this to stipulate post-war pensions and consolation money for disabled soldiers.

This military reward and scimitar cost Isaac more than 8000 ducats.

However, his image among the soldiers was indeed getting better and better.

After this war, the number of Isaac's troops decreased, but their quality improved a lot.

With the support of these veterans, it will be much easier to expand the army.

Isaac did not delay the soldiers' leisurely entry into the city, and led all the officers into his own meeting room.

Isaac walked up to the main seat and sat down, with the attendant Anderson standing next to him.

Captain Fidel, with the military system, sat on Isaac's right, and General Andre, with the administrative and business system, sat on Isaac's left.

He knocked on the table, motioning for everyone to look over.

"It's been a while since we've gathered together. This is the first time for our joint military-political meeting. We'll hold it once a year from now on, and the time and venue will be determined separately." "Anderson, briefly introduce the situation, and then representatives from all parties will speak."

Anderson stepped forward and briefly spoke about the war and the military situation that year.

Then, Manager Andre bowed and began to explain the recent situation of the Monferrato Trading Company.

"Due to the impact of the previous war, our trade in Athens has been temporarily suspended. Slaves are now imported from West Africa and connected with the Greek Guinea Trading Company."

"Besides, our fleet is no longer afraid of most pagan pirates, and can even occasionally rob passing merchant ships."

"In the past year, we have traded four times in total, with a dividend of 2 ducats. I believe that with the convenience of the West African slave trade, we can earn more in the future."

Isaac nodded. This was basically what he expected.

"Mr. Gutenberg, please tell me about it."

"Ah I……"

Gutenberg slowly stood up
"Your Highness, there is nothing special about the work of our printing factory. Some merchants have begun to copy our products, but you don't have to worry for now."

“They still have to learn my techniques!”

Gutenberg smiled.

"How is the Governorate now?"

The envoy of the Viceroyalty of La Palma was the first to stand up.

"Your Highness, we have now built a town of 2600 people. Water resources are insufficient, and the Governor is trying to find a way to dig a well."

"Now there are more and more expedition ships passing through our area, and we can also make money by providing services for them."

"Our income is not enough to cover our expenses for the time being."

The Governorate of Bijagos was similar. A small port with 600 people was established. Many small boats were built using the black labor and abundant timber resources on the island. The port often went to Guinea-Bissau to trade gold with tribes and capture slaves.

"This is our annual income, twenty thousand ducats."

The messenger from Governor Bijegos handed Anderson several money bags.

Slaves and gold, both are huge profits.

Subsequently, reports were made on all other aspects, and the problems were still very serious.

For example, the Governor of Gothia wanted to buy some firearms, but after he reported it, no one handled it.

Lothar wanted to find some water conservancy engineers to survey the island's water resources and dig some wells, but no one responded.

Isaac thought about it and decided to take this opportunity to standardize departments and powers.

He stood up and pressed his hands down to stop everyone from whispering.

"Your Majesty has appointed me as an absolute duke, in charge of all overseas territories. I have decided to formally establish an administrative agency."

Isaac took out his previous draft.

"Butler Andre serves as the Minister of Commerce, with the assistance of Riddle and Norwich, managing the affairs of the two trading companies and the Roman printing factory."

"William Palaiologos was Colonial Secretary, in charge of the Atlantic Fleet and the two Governorates."

"Riddle serves as Chancellor of the Exchequer, managing the territory's finances."

"Isurto Sfrangis is the Minister of the Interior, in charge of all internal affairs."

"Albert serves as spymaster, managing our intelligence affairs."

"Lancelot is the Minister of Engineering, in charge of engineering construction."

"Formally establish the Royal Knights Academy, temporarily located in Mystras, with a military sanatorium and a war orphanage under it. I will be the dean, and Andronika Palaiologos will be responsible for daily management."

"Formally establish the Royal Naval Academy, temporarily located in the port of Patras, and will hire Portuguese as instructors in the future."

That’s all for now.

This arrangement has a profound meaning.

Isaac's descendants, the oldest men, were given the most important positions, managing all current practical affairs.

The talents who came to Isaac through Sfrangis were also reused. They seemed to have great power, but in fact they were all empty promises and now they have nothing.

This will not only take care of the feelings of the old friends, but also attract more people to invest.

The meeting ended with Pu overjoyed.

After the end, Isaac had no time to rest and met with several "talents" found by Norwich.

The leader was a down-and-out young man. When he saw Isaac coming, he quickly stood up from his chair and knelt on the ground respectfully.

The other Bedouins also knelt down.

Isaac sat down and motioned for them to skip the formalities. Norwich stood beside him to protect Isaac's safety. The newly appointed Interior Minister Isult was also listening.

"Prince from Rome, please save your people!"

It was spoken in broken Greek, and Isaac hardly understood it.

I don't know where I learned this sentence.

"I can speak Arabic, well."

"Your Highness, my name is Abu, and I am a Sheikh in Surt. Fezzan also recognizes my identity, but my uncle took away my tribe and betrayed our ancestors. Please help me win back my people!"

“Why not ask for help from Fezzan or Tunisia?”

Abu curled his lips.

"The Hafsid dynasty has been in civil strife for years. Every successor wants to occupy the richest Tunisia. Big cities like Kairouan and Sfax don't care about us at all."

"As for...as for Fei Zan, I guess uncle is the one they support."

"You don't talk like a native tribal sheikh."

"My father sent me to Baghdad when I was very young to study with a Malikite scholar. Naturally, I was different from the natives."

"It was not until my elder brother suddenly passed away and my younger brother was still young that my father called me back to inherit the position."

Having said this, he straightened his chest unconsciously.

"But because I hadn't been back to the tribe for so long, my uncle took the opportunity to seize the throne, and I couldn't keep it."

"I specifically ask for your help, Your Highness!"

"It only takes 200 gold ducats, and I can recruit people to take back the tribe. I will return the money in full when the time comes!"

Wow, he's trying to get something for nothing, right? He didn't even ask for interest.

"We'll consider it."

Isaac hurled them out.

"Nović, Isurt, what do you think?"

Isaac asked the two to sit down, poured three glasses of wine, and asked his servants to bring a general map of North Africa and a detailed topographic map of Surt drawn by sailors.

Surt is located between the Hafsid Dynasty and Mamluk Egypt. A small coastal area in the north has a Mediterranean climate, while the rest of the area has a temperate desert climate and is dry all year round.

The main ethnic groups are Berbers and Bedouins, who mainly believe in Sunni Islam, while some tribes believe in Ibadism or primitive religions.

Surt currently belongs to the Fezzan United Tribal Kingdom, but the central government's jurisdiction over the various tribes is very weak, and each tribe basically acts independently.

Although this place is barren, it is an important corridor connecting Cyrenaica and Tripoli.

Historically, this small place has never given birth to any powerful country. When the Hafsid dynasty was strong, it belonged to the Hafsids. Whenever the Mamluks were interested, they could also submit to the Egyptian Sultan.

"Your Highness, what are your expectations for this matter?"

"Do you want to simply support a tribe loyal to you to better conduct North African trade, or do you want to occupy this place as a future base?"

Isaac glanced at Iseult.

Very good, I found the key to the problem at a glance.

"Tell me all about it."

“If it’s the first one, you can definitely support merchants in important trading towns, such as Tunis or Sfax, so that you can see the return of money earlier.”

Isaac shrugged and said nothing.

"What about the second one?"

"Then I admit that this is a good time. The Hafsid dynasty has just ended a border conflict with Tlemcen, but no peace treaty has been signed."

"The Hafsid dynasty's ruling center is all around Tunis, and their successors all fight around there. The tribes on the border are temporarily unable to respond."

"Besides, the Mamluks are also deeply involved in the struggle between the court and the provinces. Damascus and Cairo have been fighting overtly and covertly for many years, so they are unlikely to do anything to us."

"As for the local Fezzan tribal alliance, it is completely a mess and there is no need to worry about it."

"Instead, the environment and diseases are our biggest enemies."

"well said."

Isaac nodded in approval.

"But, Your Highness, is it worth it? We get absolutely nothing from it."

After seeing the two off, Isaac poured himself another glass of wine and looked at the map for a long time without saying a word.

does it worth?
Of course it's worth it.

As long as they could survive the first round of counterattacks and build castles and fortifications, the tribesmen who lacked equipment would have no way to drive them away.

This is how the Portuguese port of Ceuta came about.

Our own army will pass through this corridor like a maggot on the tarsal bone, devouring it.

The biggest problem is the environment.

(End of this chapter)