1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 290: Winter of the Empire
Heavy snow was falling from the gray sky. Thick snow covered the road. Dirty horse hoof prints and wheel ruts made this once bustling avenue filthy.

The area was sparsely populated, and the few pedestrians huddled together, wrapping themselves tightly with anything they could to keep out the biting cold wind.

On the roadside, fleeing refugees can be seen everywhere. Refugees who are physically and mentally broken by poverty and cold may fall to the ground at any time, collapse in the cold winter of the empire, and never get up again.

Several lavishly decorated carriages were driving on the road. The luxurious curtains and intricate family emblems told of the owners' wealth. The coachmen were showing off their power, driving away the refugees on the roadside with whips and cursing them viciously, and feeding the tall and strong horses with carrots and beets in front of their envious eyes.

Under the misty snow, Ismail stuck his head out of the carriage and looked at the city not far away.

The city is located on the northern foothills of Mount Ulu. Although it is not a port, it is only a short distance from the Sea of ​​Marmara and has convenient transportation.

Mount Ulu is a characteristic of the city. The top of the mountain is covered with snow all year round. Looking from the roof, the snow-white peaks and gray-black ridges complement each other, which is magnificent.

This is Bursa, the capital of the Ottoman Empire and the largest city in western Anatolia. It has developed industry and commerce, numerous mosques, and is where the remains of successive sultans are buried. It also records the great achievements of the five Ghazi and Sultans from Orhan I to Murad II.

Ismail looked at the rolling snow-capped mountains and then at the starving refugees, and his eyes dimmed.

Looking at the map, the city of Bursa is not far from Constantinople, which the Ottoman family longed for. The straight-line distance is very close, only more than 100 kilometers.

It is said that if the weather is clear, you can vaguely see the snow on Mount Ulu if you look southeast from the highest point of Constantinople.

Ismail remembered that when he first went to Bursa to look for his cousin Mehmed II, he took Ismail, also a teenager, to climb the snow-capped mountains and pointed proudly to the sky in the northwest corner.

One day, I will seize the city that will eventually belong to us, stand on the top of the Grand Palace and look out at the top of Mount Ulu, and have a beautiful dream in the illusion woven by the snow and sea views. I will dream of my ancestors.

So said Mehmed II.

More than 20 years have passed in the blink of an eye. Muhammad and Ismail have become middle-aged men. The lofty words they said back then have turned into smoke. Perhaps they have long forgotten them, or perhaps they just don't want to mention them.

"Give them something to eat."

Ismail looked at the refugees on the roadside.

“Allah will approve.”

"Most of them are Greeks, noble princes."

The driver glanced at the refugees with disdain.

"It would be a waste of food for them to stay in the city. It would be better to let them starve to death in the snowstorm."

"There are many Greeks and Pontians in our territory, but I never harm them, and they never rebel against us."

Ismail said stiffly.

"Even if it's for the sake of a small number of Muslims, let's share some of our food."

The driver nodded, fished in his leather bag, and threw out a few dirt-covered radishes, which landed in the snow.

The refugees' eyes sparkled and they immediately scrambled for the food, grabbed it and stuffed it into their mouths, ignoring the dirt on it.

Ismail frowned, snatched the bag of snacks that was supposed to be prepared for the horses, and threw it out.

The sounds of scrambling or thanks in a mixture of Turkish and Greek reached Ismail's ears, making him upset.

He knew very well that his radishes and beets could not save these hungry people from their misery. Some of them would fall to the ground in the scramble, and those who managed to grab food would slowly freeze to death in the cold that followed.

There is also a small number of people who will survive by relying on their strong bodies or a little bit of luck, and walk into the mountains and jungles with hatred and anger, picking up swords, spears, and halberds.

"Speed ​​up, the snow is getting heavier."

Ismail ordered.

The whip hit, the horse felt the pain and neighed as it ran forward. Soon it arrived at Kurye outside Bursa.

A kuriya is a type of architectural complex widely used in the Seljuk Empire and the Ottoman Empire. It is often centered on a mosque and includes public service facilities such as Islamic schools, hospitals, bakeries, public canteens, charities, inns, markets and Turkish baths. It is efficient and reasonable.

Unlike the early Latin barbarians and traditional Turkic nomadic tribes, the Ottomans were more similar to the Romans in their attitude towards personal hygiene. They loved bathing and cleanliness, and the slightly wealthier citizens would go to various bathhouses to clean themselves and wash away dirt during major festivals.

Kuriya is the symbol of a large Ottoman city, and the Kuriya in Bursa is the most famous. Starting from Orhan I, every capable monarch has left his mark in the city of Bursa.

Major mosques were built first, followed by inns and bazaars, and then, one building after another sprang up. Citizens came here to pray, study, and enjoy life. It was harmonious and peaceful, full of the atmosphere of fireworks.

In terms of urban construction and urban planning alone, the Ottoman Empire was far ahead of any other Islamic country and was one of the best in the entire Mediterranean world. Compared with Paris, which was full of human and animal feces, and Cairo, which was full of poor beggars, Bursa in its heyday was more like a truly prosperous city. Perhaps only cities like Venice and Florence in Italy could be slightly better.

As for Constantinople, there are so many things left by its ancestors that it can become a city desired by the world just by relying on its old capital, so it is naturally far ahead.

Unlike similar building complexes from the Seljuk period, many kuriyas in Bursa were built outside the city walls, breaking free from the constraints of the walls, expanding the size of the city and promoting the development of commerce.

What Ismail saw in front of him was the first kuriya in Bursa, known as Orhan Kuriya by the people. It was built during the reign of Ottoman Gazi Orhan I. Under his governance, many inns and bazaars were built outside the city of Bursa, which forcibly changed the route of the Silk Road of the Eastern Roman period, included the city of Bursa and made it an important part of it.

Of course, the former glory can only arouse regrets in later generations. The Silk Road has long declined, and the trade network between the East and the West has been cut off by the chaotic Central Asia and Persia. The few remaining commodities were monopolized by the Aries people, and more Eastern commodities were transported back to the Mediterranean world by the Eastern Roman Empire, which owned the Indian route.

At this time, Orhan Kuriya was already in a state of decline. The shortage of goods and the decrease in the number of merchants were secondary. The shadow of war and the shortage of supplies were the fatal knives that stabbed into the softest part of Bursa.

There is not enough food to eat, who cares about more delicious dishes?
There is not enough firewood, who would be willing to take a hot shower?

Maybe there are, but they are definitely not the ordinary people who are struggling to survive natural disasters and man-made tragedies.

Ismail saw that the scholars in the mosques were still using expensive incense, the wealthy businessmen were still enjoying carefully prepared delicacies, and the Turkish nobles were still indulging in wine, sex and opium.

The carriage continued to move forward, and the guards at the city gate hid in the doorway to avoid the snow and chatted. They saw Ismail's family emblem and had no intention of stepping forward to stop it.

The driver was also very considerate. He threw down a bag of silver coins when passing through the doorway, in return for a burst of gratitude.

The scene inside the city walls was still bleak. The heavy snow dyed the city white. Citizens lined up to buy food and firewood, complaining about the insufficient daily rations. The nobles hid in amusement parks and indulged in sensual pleasures, stimulating their bodies with cigarettes, alcohol and sex, suppressing the panic and anxiety deep in their hearts.

Large tracts of territory in the east have surrendered to the hooves of the Aries Cavalry. A large number of nomadic tribes have abandoned the Ottoman Sultan and turned around to swear allegiance to the more powerful Aries King. This is the rule of the grassland tribes and the nature of nomadic peoples. Although the Ottoman nobles are sad, they are not surprised.

Most of the territories in the west were still impregnable. During more than a year of testing and fierce fighting, the Aegean barriers proved their excellence and did not allow the Eastern Roman Empire to gain any advantage. Until now, they had only occupied a small fortress and had just landed on the land of Anatolia.

Ismail often thought that if it were not for the abnormal weather, if it were not attacked from the east and west, the Eastern Roman Empire might not even be able to reach the coast. His Majesty the Sultan's loyal Kapikulu Legion would give them the most fierce counterattack on every beach.

But he also knew that this assumption was meaningless. The national strength of the Eastern Roman Empire continued to soar under the blessing of cruel foreign exploitation and advanced production technology. If they were given another ten years, even without natural disasters or man-made disasters, the Ottoman Empire would not be able to resist.

The most advanced technology, an ambition that never sets, a legendary monarch and an army as vast as the sea and sand, this is the current Eastern Roman Empire.

Even putting all these aside, Ismir never believed that the Aegean Sea fortress was permanent, and natural disasters themselves were the biggest variable.

Ismail could feel that the earth's activities had become more frequent in recent days, and several small earthquakes had occurred in Anatolia. This was not a good sign.

You know, Constantinople has only a few geographical disadvantages, and earthquake is the most significant one. Hundreds of large and small earthquakes have occurred in history. The entire Aegean coast is located in an earthquake zone, and a major earthquake with heavy casualties will occur every once in a while.

In the last major earthquake, the Gallipoli fortress was destroyed, and the Ottoman Empire's road to Europe was opened. They believed that this was God's will.

When will the next big earthquake happen? In ten years? In twenty years? Will the Ottoman Empire live to see that day?

Ismail didn't know.

When they arrived at the palace, Ismail silently jumped out of the car, silently identified himself to the guards, and silently walked into the study of Mehmed II under the guidance of the eunuchs, where he saw His Majesty the Sultan lying in the armchair.

"Welcome, my cousin, descendant of Kandar."

Mehmed II said softly.

“Greetings to you, Your Majesty the Sultan, the Ruler of the Balkans and Anatolia.”

Ismail bowed.

"Sit down, warm yourself by the fire, and have something to eat."

Mehmed II looked at him kindly.

Ismail nodded, and the eunuch served him a bowl of sea cucumber soup.

Mehmed II loved seafood, something every Turkic noble knew.

After drinking the hot soup, Ismail wiped his mouth carefully. The hot air warmed his lungs and made him feel extremely comfortable.

In the warm firelight, Ismail raised his head somewhat tiredly.

"Your Majesty, thank you for your hospitality. I have been in such a hurry on this journey that I haven't had a hot meal for a long time."

"Have a good rest. Here, this is for you."

Mehmed II picked up a wooden box from the wooden table beside him and threw it to Ismail.

"This……"

Ismail opened the box and looked at the cigarettes inside with some surprise.

"My Janissaries captured it on the battlefield. They gave it to me."

Mehmed II said lightly, fumbling with a candle to light a cigarette.

"The Greeks' good stuff can bring them a lot of profits every year, and then turn into arrows and cannonballs and shoot at us."

Mehmed II exhaled a puff of smoke and his eyes were misty.

“I wish this was ours.”

"Since the Peloponnese can grow it, we can grow it too. When the war is over, you can get tobacco and cotton seeds from the Greeks and we will grow them too."

Ismail comforted.

"Maybe. Let's finish the battle first, and then talk about other things."

Mehmed II grinned, but there was no trace of smile in his frivolous eyes.

"The Anatolian Fortress was lost, and the Greeks renamed it Fort Remus, corresponding to Fort Romulus."

Mehmed II said woodenly.

"Suhat is a good man. I met him once."

Ismail sighed.

"He was loyal to you to the end, and bought us a precious respite."

"Sinan Pasha in Kocaeli still has tens of thousands of troops. We still have the strength to fight back."

Mehmed II just smiled and nodded with a complicated expression.

“I can’t feed any more soldiers. Even the garrison in Kocaeli is suffering from hunger and cold.”

“Numbers are important, but they are not everything.”

Ismail's eyes dimmed.

"As long as you go to the battlefield, the soldiers will fight to the death and be loyal to you."

“If that day comes, I will definitely go.”

Mehmed II nodded.

"I am the same age as the Greek emperor. In the past twenty years, we have fought very few times. I may have won in battle, but I have lost miserably in strategy."

"He doesn't have outstanding tactical talent, but his vision is extremely sharp and he can hit the target every time."

Mehmed II moved his dark purple lips, took a deep puff, and took out another one.

"No matter what, I will keep fighting. I don't want the legacy of my ancestors to be completely destroyed in my hands."

"You came to see me for something?"

Mehmed II looked at Ismail, who had his brows lowered.

Ismail was silent for a moment and gritted his teeth.

"My brother sent me to ask you if the soldiers from Kandal could be taken back temporarily."

"What happened?"

After an uncomfortable silence, Mehmed II looked up.

"Our territory has been attacked. The country is extremely empty. There are only less than 3,000 old, weak and sick people. We can't stop them."

Ismail spoke truthfully.

"Is it Uzun Hassan?" Mohammed II's voice came from the smoke.

“No, Uzon Hassan is still in the southeast.”

Ismail shook his head.

"That's Komnenos of Trebizond? Do they have the guts to do that?"

Mehmed II asked quickly.

"No, we have an agreement with the Komnenos family. They don't have the courage or the strength to do that."

Ismail continued to shake his head.

"It's the army of the Cossack Emperor Justinian. There are more than 3,000 cavalrymen, all of whom are the most elite. Each man has three horses and they come and go like the wind. They include Cossacks, Circassians, and a legion of dragoon guards."

"They came through Trebizond. The Komnenos family did not stop them, nor did they have the ability to stop them."

"He led the troops himself?"

There was no emotion in Mehmed II's voice.

"No, according to intelligence, he went to Sochi to gather more soldiers."

Ismail smiled bitterly.

"The commander is a young Latin, Gonzalo de Cordoba, a close confidant of the Cossack emperor."

"Is it great?"

Mehmed II let out a breath.

"They are very good at using troops, especially the Royal Guards Dragoons. Under Gonzalo's command, these mounted infantrymen carrying muskets can quickly get to key positions and use their mattocks to dig trenches and fortifications, putting our soldiers in a dilemma."

Ismail sighed.

"Of course, this could also be because the quality of our garrison is too poor and all of our elite troops are not in the country."

“Is it snowing where you are?”

Mehmed II asked.

"It has also dropped, but the Black Sea coast is slightly better and warmer."

Ismail said.

"However, Gonzalo's troops are much more tolerant of the cold than we are. The Cossacks and Circassians are active in cold grasslands or cold mountains. There are also a large number of Russians in the Royal Guards Dragoons. They... are not very afraid of the cold."

"Moreover, as they attacked along the coast, three Greek ships followed them all the time, providing various supplies."

Mehmed II nodded and pursed his lips.

"Where's your fleet?"

"Have you forgotten? We were defeated at the beginning of the war, and the remaining scattered ships hid in Sinop and dared not go out."

Ismail's eyes dimmed.

The State of Isfindiar Bey, or the State of Kandar Bey, is a relatively special state among the Bey states in Anatolia. It is located on the southern coast of the Black Sea and the northern foothills of the mountains, far away from the front line of the holy war and relatively peaceful. Because there are many Greeks and Pontic people in the area and it has the advantage of a seaport, its economic development has always been good.

The port of Sinop is one of the few sheltered harbors in northern Anatolia. The Kandal Bey State maintained a good fleet during its heyday, and its main naval port was here.

The Kingdom of Kandalbey had many copper mines, could mint its own coins, and was good at growing sugar beets. Although it could not make sugar cane, it could use extracts to make a good dessert. Later, this dessert would be improved and developed, and gradually evolved into the Turkish nation's specialty candy, Turkish delight.

The relationship between Osman and Kandar has always been good, and the two families have intermarried many times. Ismail has the blood of Osman I flowing in his body, and Mehmed II's legal wife is also a princess of Kandar.

The Ottoman Empire, which retreated to Anatolia, failed to directly annex Kandar as in the original history. Instead, it signed an agreement. Kandar Bey became the next local prince with relatively large autonomy in the Ottoman Empire, and would be loyal to the Ottoman Sultan for generations and share weal and woe with the Ottoman Sultan.

During the Great Turkish War, the Janik family was extinct. In order to exchange for Kandar's elite troops, Mehmed II gave the remaining territory of the Janik family, the Samsun area east of Kandar, to Ismail's brother.

Kandar Bey did not hesitate and sent most of his troops to the west to fight for the Sultan.

"Is the situation critical?"

Mehmed II asked softly.

"It's very critical. Samsun has fallen, and tens of thousands of people are groaning under the iron hoofs of the Cossacks."

Ismail said heavily.

"The garrison of Samsun was too small. His Highness Bayezid had withdrawn a part of them. There were less than a thousand people left, and Gonzalo attacked them by surprise."

"The messenger reporting the military situation should be on the way. I believe you will be able to see the detailed report soon."

Mehmed II sighed heavily, raised a glass of hot milk and drank it.

"What do you think of Gonzalo? Has he harmed the people?"

"Haha, you know that the Iberians are all a bunch of religious lunatics, Gonzalo is no exception. Even the Cossack Emperor Justinian, who has three-quarters Iberian blood, is an extremist."

Ismail smiled bitterly.

"After the fall of Samsun, Gonzalo enforced strict military discipline, beheaded several people and prohibited them from disturbing the people."

"But in his eyes, Muslims are not considered as people."

Ismail faced Mehmed II's puzzled gaze calmly.

"Gonzalo's troops did not stop for ten days. All the old and young who were not valuable were killed, and the valuable strong men and young women were sold into slavery as a reward for the Cossacks and Circassians."

"Gonzalo even auctioned off two female descendants of the Janik family, who were bought back by a wealthy Greek businessman as collections."

Ismail said angrily.

"The most infuriating thing is that they transported all the Islamic scholars and Muslim craftsmen back to Constantiniya and killed anyone who was dissatisfied."

"Books, cultural relics, treasures... all were taken away."

"Now, there are only about 4,000 Greeks and Pontic people left near Samsun, and they have become landowners."

Mehmed II clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

"This is too much. Aren't they afraid that I will also massacre the Greeks in the west?"

Mehmed II pumped his fists vigorously.

Ismail didn't look at him and lowered his head.

Didn't you do anything?

Over the past year, more than 20,000 Greeks have died directly or indirectly at the hands of Mehmed II.

"Gonzalo also sent messengers to every nearby city, telling them that when the army arrived, any city that refused to surrender would be built into a fortress after the city was conquered to intimidate future generations."

Ismail put out his cigarette and closed his eyes.

"He should not be able to break through a well-defended big city."

Mehmed II said slowly.

"Yes, but his rangers can plunder along the coast, leaving a scorched earth wherever they go."

Ismail opened his eyes eagerly.

"Besides, the Cossack emperor has already assembled troops in Sochi. When their infantry arrives, I'm afraid even Sinop and Kastamonu will be attacked!"

"If they really take over the Black Sea coast and unite it, your hinterland will be in danger!"

A struggle appeared on Mehmed II's face. He knew very well that Ismail was right.

"You sent more than 5,000 elite troops in total, and now there are more than 4,000 left, most of them are in Kocaeli, and a small part is in Ankara."

Mehmed II thought.

"You go to Kocaeli and bring 2,500 elite soldiers with you. Return quickly. Try to recruit as many refugees as possible along the way to increase the number of soldiers to 5,000."

"Focus on defense, and avoid field battles if possible."

"Thank you for your tolerance. We will guard the northern border for you."

Ismail thanked him quickly.

"Once Gonzalo retreats, we will immediately send troops to help!"

"No need, just take care of yourselves first."

Mehmed II waved his hand wearily.

"I'll try to scrape together some money and raise as many troops as I can."

"This winter is our last chance. I will continue to send more troops to Kocaeli and try to reach 35,000."

Mehmed II licked his lips and picked up another cigarette.

"Anything else?"

"No, I will go back and set up defenses as soon as possible."

Ismail stood up and picked up his fur hat.

After thinking for a while, he looked at Mehmed II again.

"Your Majesty, I suggest that you stop making money with opium and marijuana. Although these things can make money quickly, they are very harmful to people."

"What else can I do? I have borrowed everything I can, and I have requisitioned everything I can. Sometimes, I even want to sell the palace."

Mehmed II smiled wryly and waved his hand.

"I just want to drag it out as long as possible and hope the situation changes."

"If possible, I am even prepared to cede the east to Uzung Hasan in exchange for his alliance. They will lend us troops to protect us, and we will serve as a barrier for the Aq Qoyunlu and defend the door to the Islamic world."

Ismail nodded, seemed to want to say something but stopped himself. Finally, he sighed, bowed and said goodbye.

"Ismail."

When he reached the door, Mehmed II called him.

"You should know that the Greeks are determined to take over the Anatolian coast. They will not give you any power."

"If I fail, you will definitely not survive."

Ismail stopped and turned around.

"Your Majesty, we are fully aware of this. Even if we had any hope before, it has now completely disappeared."

A hint of determination flashed in Ismail's eyes.

"We will fight to the death with the Greeks. We will fight to the death."

“May Allah bless us.”

Prince Kandal left, and the cold wind from the door blew into the house, pouring coolness in and extinguishing the candles.

The fire gradually dimmed, and the wind and snow outside the window blocked the sunlight. In the gorgeously decorated study, only the cigarette butt in Mehmed II's hand was lit with a faint flame, flickering in the smoke-filled room.

Mehmed II put out the cigarette that was about to burn his fingers, stood up and walked to the window.

Perhaps it was too stuffy, too choking, or simply because he was feeling irritated, Mehmed II pushed open the window and shuddered.

The cold wind blew in, and the snowflakes poured in. The heavy snow rustled, further highlighting the silence of the palace, which was unsettling, like a cemetery.

It was cold, dark, hopeless, with not a ray of light in sight.

This is the winter of the empire.

(End of this chapter)