1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 29 Surt

July 1446, 7, North Africa, Gulf of Sirte, Port of Sirte.

The ancient Phoenicians built a city here, and the Roman Empire also established a port here as part of the Mediterranean trade.

The land ten kilometers south of the port of Sirte has a thin Mediterranean climate along the coast of North Africa, with an annual precipitation of up to 240 ml, making it an important agricultural and animal husbandry base.

The residents here are mainly Berbers and Bedouins, who lead a semi-nomadic and semi-sedentary life.

At this time of year, Bedouin nomadic tribes from the desert further south drive their camel caravans to the area around Sirte to sell furs, dried meat, and dates and figs grown in the oasis that they obtained the previous year.

Merchants from Europe or Egypt would also appear from time to time, exchanging primitive handicrafts such as ironware and fabrics for low-grade agricultural products in the hands of herdsmen.

It is not far from the European continent. It can be reached by sailing along the sea current for a few days from Catania, south of Naples.

At this time, a large trade fleet was docked in the port of Surt.

The fleet had a blue double-headed eagle on a white background as its flag, and it was the Monferrato trading fleet from Genoa.

The port of Soult was not large, but it was packed with the Monferrato fleet.

The fleet bought furs and dates here, as well as some coarse salt from the salt marshes.

Sailors from the trade fleet rushed into the city, filling up the brothels and taverns.

Muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol, but that doesn't mean they can't give fermented grape juice a try.

In a hotel in the city, Spymaster Albert is holding a meeting.

Captain Nović, Captain Fidel, Captain Mehmet, Chief Engineer Lancelot, and Abshekh were all there.

"Your Highness has ordered that I will be the commander-in-chief of this operation."

"Captain Norwich, is the trade fleet ready?"

"No problem, sir. All the elite sailors are deployed in groups of three or five in strategic locations within the city and at the docks."

Albert turned his gaze to Captain Fidel again.

"My lord, the Grand Duke Moria, the Bayezid, and the Ichel are currently patrolling off the coast of Surt. The Fezzan Kingdom's small fleet has just returned from Tripoli. We will intercept and sink them."

Fidel said in a deep voice.

"Captain of the Mehmet Banner?"

"A flag team of the Purple Guards, totaling 400 people, has been deployed to the transport fleet of the Monferrato Trade Fleet. If there is any change in the city, they can attack directly."

"Lancelot?"

"With the help of our informant, we have drawn a rough map of the city, and the important water sources and oases outside the city are recorded."

"Where's my tribe? You promised me that!"

Abhishek shouted.

Albert simply ignored him.

"Then, let's act tonight!"

This was the first time Albert had commanded a mission of this scale, and preparations for it had taken a long time and involved far more forces than were necessary.

When a lion fights a rabbit, he also uses all his strength.

He remembered the warning given by His Highness Isaac before he left.

Be sure to minimize the opponent's reaction force as soon as possible!
……

Meanwhile, Isaac was not idle.

After arranging matters for the Royal Academy of Knights, he crossed the strait on the St. Nicholas and headed for the Black Sea.

By 1452, after the Ottomans built the Slitthroat Fort, not even a mosquito could pass through the Bosphorus to the Black Sea without the Ottomans' permission.

Some things must be done as soon as possible.

On July 1446, 7, the St. Nicholas and several transport ships arrived at Theodore, the pearl of the Black Sea.

After the disaster of 1204, the Crimean Peninsula broke away from imperial control, and the local Goths and Greeks were compressed into the southern part of the peninsula, establishing a small principality loyal to Trebizond.

At present, the Principality of Theodore had actually broken away from the influence of the Empire of Trebizond and turned to pay tribute to the Crimean Khanate.

Isaac casually exchanged a few words with the newly enthroned despot Manuel, and took part in the welcoming ceremony.

Without paying much attention to the flattery of the despot and nobles, Isaac left all the formatted diplomatic operations to Isurter who followed him.

Isaac's target was not these poor relatives who lived in seclusion.

"Your Highness, the people are already waiting on the boat."

Anderson reported in a low voice.

Isaac nodded, made up an excuse, and returned to the St. Nicholas.

Pushing open the cabin door, an old man and a young man saluted Isaac.

"Your Highness, I heard that you can solve our problem?"

The young man in the cassock spoke first.

"Patriarch Joseph of Constantinople has instructed me to save you from this sea of suffering."

Isaac spoke carelessly.

“I didn’t expect that the Patriarch, even though he was far away in Constantinople, still cared about his loyal people!”

The young priest, obviously inexperienced, said with emotion.

The older man glanced at him.

"Your Highness, if you are truly willing to help us, we will serve you as our Lord."

"I haven't asked for your name yet."

"My name is Guhes, and I am the last vizier of the Dobrogea Seljuk Dynasty."

Isaac understood.

The last descendants of the Seljuks indeed had a tragic fate.

After the Mongol invasion, the Rum Sultanate, a branch of the Seljuk Empire, fell apart. Some Seljuk survivors who were unwilling to endure the oppression of the Ilkhanate fled to Constantinople under the leadership of Kaios II.

The Byzantine emperor at the time accepted them and settled them in the Dobruja region on the western coast of the Black Sea.

The heavy taxes and corvee labor of the Ilkhanate made it unbearable for more and more Turks, and they began to travel to Dobruja via the sea route of Kandari.

They established a regime at the border of Moldavia and Bulgaria and submitted to the Eastern Roman Emperor.

In the middle of the last century, the rise of surrounding Orthodox countries led them to collectively convert to Orthodoxy, with bishops sent by Constantinople.

Later, Sultan Shah Rukh of the Timurid Empire released Prince Mustafa in order to interfere in Ottoman internal affairs and provoked a civil war.

The leader of Dobruja at that time was young and energetic, and he got involved, but the country was subsequently destroyed in a battle with the Ottomans.

The area was governed by the governor appointed by the Sultan. The Ottomans regarded them as double traitors of the Turks and Islam, and suppressed them severely, causing their living space to be reduced again and again.

Now, there are only 30,000 Seljuks left who believe in Orthodox Christianity, speak Turkic and lead a nomadic life.

The original Seljuk royal family was wiped out by the Ottomans, and the remaining tribes formed an alliance led by the last prime minister of Gukhz.

"How are you doing now?"

"That's bad, your highness."

The young priest rushed to speak.

“The Ottomans did not allow us to build churches, and the Lambs of God lost the opportunity to communicate with their Father God.”

Isaac glanced at him as well.

Is this what I want to hear?

"Your Highness, our pastures and fields have been seized by the Ottomans. They have driven us to the seaside and the mountains and will not let us enter the city."

Gu Hez looked up, his eyes filled with sadness.

"The Bulgarian and Romanian Orthodox were accepted by the Ottomans, but our status was even lower than that of the Shia heretics."

"Over the past few decades, our population has been reduced by half." Understandably, no one likes a traitor.

"How much control do you have over the entire tribe?"

"I lead the largest tribe, and my three sons each lead one through marriage."

Isaac glanced at the hunchbacked old man.

OK, you wouldn’t expect it to be so amazing.

Isaac paced slowly.

"If I rescue you, will you serve me as your Lord?"

"If you are willing to help us drive out the Ottomans, we will..."

Isaac stood up and prepared to push the door and leave.

Damn it, if I could defeat the Ottomans, would I still need your respect?

"Your Highness, saving Dobruja does not necessarily require defeating the Ottomans."

Anderson on the side said at the right time.

"Oh?"

Isaac pretended to be surprised.

"Nomadic peoples live by following water and grass. The Ottomans took their land away. Why don't we give them another one?"

"Where is such a place? As far as I know, the empire doesn't have much land left."

The young priest asked anxiously before Isaac could speak.

"Brother Elster, the empire does not have any vacant territory, but His Highness Isaac has expanded some land overseas."

“I believe the Sirte region in North Africa is a good place to go.”

See the picture poorly.

"North Africa? Isn't that the land of pagans?"

asked Reverend Elster doubtfully.

"We will take it back and give it to our brothers for the glory of God."

Anderson said solemnly.

Isaac looked at the silent Gu Hez.

"Prime Minister, what do you think?"

"Your Highness, we are not afraid of the desert environment. Our ancestors were born there. What we are afraid of is a life without hope."

“We are not afraid of suffering and war, but we are afraid of suffering and still being hungry.”

"Will you swear by the faith of a pious man and give us hope?"

Isaac immediately made the sign of the cross.

"I, Isaac of the House of Palaiologos, swear by God that as long as the Dobrogea Seljuks remain loyal to me, I will guarantee them hope and the status and position of Gukhez and his family."

"Guhezi, you don't have to move the tribe to North Africa immediately. You can try to take some people there first and then make a decision. My oath is still valid."

"May God bless you, my pious lord."

Guhz also made the sign of the cross.

Everyone had dinner on the boat and both hosts and guests had a great time.

The next day, Guhz and Elster returned to Dobruja to prepare for the first migration.

In Isaac's plan, the Dobruja would replace the Berbers who were unwilling to convert and become a nomadic barrier outside the harbor.

Some areas of the desert cannot be effectively managed at all. Rather than entrusting pagans to rule them, it is better to divide them among brothers of the same clan.

When they got there, they would be surrounded by naturally hostile Muslim tribes who would naturally gather around Isaac.

"Good job, Anderson."

Isaac poured Anderson a glass of wine.

"It is my blessing to be able to serve Your Highness."

"I plan to let you and Isurte complete this immigration operation together."

"You should know... your former chamberlain Lothair is already a baron and governor."

Anderson's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"I am willing to die for your Highness!"

……

The port of Sirte is destined to be restless tonight.

Albert, who was in charge of overall planning, stayed in the command center and poured himself a glass of strong liquor, but did not drink it.

This is the first time His Highness has entrusted me with such an important task, and I must not mess it up.

He personally led the sailors to the designated locations to scout, helped draw maps, interacted with people on various routes, and monitored the position of the Fezzan fleet.

In order to complete this task, Albert didn't sleep well for three days, and his eyes were bloodshot.

There were dense voices coming from outside the window, and from time to time there was a gunshot accompanied by flames.

Footsteps sounded.

Albert's heart suddenly tightened.

The door opened.

"Master General, the dock has been occupied by a part of the Purple Guards."

Albert nodded and took a drink.

After a while, the door opened again.

"Butler, our sailors set fire to the city and successfully lured out Surt's religious guards."

He nodded and drank it all in one gulp.

"Butler Albert! The Religious Guards fell into the trap we set in advance. Among the 236 people, 64 were killed and were captured!"

Drink it all in one gulp.