1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 310 Recolonization Movement

Constantinople on the Black Sea.

It was already the end of 1471, and the coldest month of January had not yet arrived, but the slightly chilly weather had already forced the citizens of Constantinople to put on thick clothes and light warm stoves.

The morning glow illuminates the earth, and the city wakes up from its sleep. Long queues have formed in front of the city gate. The caravans responsible for purchasing agricultural products and scattered farmers from neighboring villages enter the city under the inspection of the guards and sell fresh fish, meat, eggs, milk, vegetables and fruits to citizens and shops.

On the wide cobblestone road, horse-drawn carriages responsible for delivering goods were galloping. Some of the carriages had cargo boxes full of earthenware jars, while others were filled with dirty cloth bags.

The clay jars contained freshly delivered milk or yogurt, which emitted a thin mist in the early morning air. The milkman on the horse-drawn carriage would place the clay jars at the doorsteps of citizens according to the orders.

The cloth bags contain pieces of coke. Although they are bumpy and rough in appearance, they are essential fuel for many citizens to survive the winter.

Every morning, the sound of horse hooves and melodious bells can be heard on the streets. Clay jars filled with dairy products will be handed over to the middle and upper class citizens, while cloth bags filled with coke are a necessity for the lower class citizens. When they slowly wake up to the sound of horse hooves and bells, a new day officially begins.

After filling their hungry stomachs, the citizens took to the streets. The rich would ride their carriages into the financial street or major ports, the middle-class citizens would ride horses into the market, and the workers would chat in groups while walking towards the workshop area in the west.

They will talk about salaries and prices, about food and drink, about new products and new policies.

They would talk about victories in Anatolia, the expeditions to the Aztecs, the gold rush in the Black City and the expansion of New Thrace.

They would pass by Sailor Street and look with envy at the sailors returning from the ocean, spending money lavishly and having girls everywhere.

They would pass by the officers' club and look with respect at the old soldiers who had just been withdrawn, looking at the badges on their chests and the swords at their waists with admiration, and also looking at their empty sleeves, bandaged cheeks and throbbing wooden legs with fear.

Occasionally they would pass by street corners in wealthy areas and hear the newsboys' hawking voices. Although they seldom bought anything, they would listen with great interest for a while, and then continue discussing everything from daily necessities to military and national affairs, arguing until their faces turned red and their necks became thick.

They would also stop and watch outside institutions of higher learning, watching the children of wealthy families end their vacations and walk into the campus happily or reluctantly, and then think of the charity schools that their own children could only attend once a week, and secretly vow to use their hard-working hands to ensure that their descendants could also afford to study and attend full-time institutions.

However, their children also have some different ideas. They gather with friends all day long, either playing with swords and sticks, or picking up tattered copies of "Voice of the Navigator" outside the bar, and pestering literate adults to describe the richness of the distant places and tell legendary stories of sailing and exploration.

Even at its peak, the empire might still not be able to ensure that all its citizens lived a happy and healthy life, but with the blood and sweat of half a century, it still managed to support a city that the world longed for, the eternal and unfailing Constantinople.

Here, everyone is content, everyone has enough food and clothing, and everyone is full of the energy to strive for progress.

The most important thing is that everyone has the opportunity to change their destiny and everyone has the hope of crossing classes.

The emperor protected them very well. Here, the famine in Egypt was just a few words in the newspapers, the drug epidemic in West Africa had nothing to do with them, the war across the strait seemed very far away, and the Aztecs, who were suffering a devastating disaster, were just another medal of the emperor.

They were very proud of their origins, full of confidence in their nation and full of hope for their country. In their eyes, Romans came first, and people from Constantinople came even more first.

Of course, this group of debate-loving citizens would occasionally complain about the emperor's actions, such as the increasing number of immigrants from other places and the black smoke rising above the coke factories.

In Constantinople, they were free to express their opinions as long as they did not go too far, but the emperor never listened.

Once a few outsiders moved into a nearby neighborhood, the proud and enthusiastic people of Constantinople would always come to their doorsteps, share things about Constantinople with them, proudly display their proud Constantinople accent, and try to assimilate them into citizens of the capital in their own way.

If they met a complete foreigner, they would also squeeze into the door and tell them earnestly that they had to quickly find a nearby priest and sign up to learn Greek, and it would be best if they could find a native Constantinople priest.

You have to learn Greek, you have to learn Greek too, it's better to learn more.

In this rich atmosphere, Constantinople became the city with the most successful national assimilation in the entire Eastern Roman Empire. No matter where you came from, as long as you came to Constantinople, within a few years, you would immediately learn the authentic capital accent, join the large citizen community, and then learn to be like the old citizens, pretending to be a local and exporting your own values ​​to the new immigrants.

Of course, the method of instilling values ​​in the citizens of Constantinople sometimes fails. The Carthaginians, who also reaped the benefits of the revival, were not very interested in it. Their Greek had a strong North African accent, and they would occasionally utter a few Arabic words when arguing with the citizens of Constantinople.

In any case, the huge increase in handicraft workshops, the prosperity of commercial trade and the long-term light taxation have made Constantinople the most prosperous city in the entire Mediterranean world, and its population is rapidly sprinting towards the 300,000 mark.

A ship slowly stopped at the dock of the Golden Horn Bay, with the St. Andrew's Cross flying on the ship, which was obviously from the Order of St. Andrew of Georgia.

On the hull, a line of Greek words marked its name.

Grand Knight Commander.

On the deck of the Grand Knight, Alexius lay on the side of the ship, quietly looking at his hometown which he had reunited with after a long absence.

Ever since the Knights of St. Andrew successfully stopped the looting of the Safavid Order a year ago, the name of Alexius the "Iceman" has become more and more popular in Georgia, with more and more warriors joining in and the size of the Knights has continued to expand.

For the sake of his own career, Alexios sold all the properties and estates given by his father and grandfather, and took back the marriage money left by his parents. He built castles and hospitals, opened farms and mines, introduced new crops and new technologies, attracted refugees, signed protection agreements with Orthodox and Muslim merchants, used the friction between the Safavids and Shirvans to increase his strength, and used the vacuum period when the Aries Army went out to fight to support Islamic resistance forces. He settled them on the outskirts of the Holy Cross to protect a piece of pure land for simple farmers.

The Grand Knight is the only ship of the Knights of St. Andrew. It was a private gift from Alexius's elder brother Justinian. It is usually docked in Batumi and is responsible for providing money and food to the Knights and transporting volunteers. In peacetime, it also operates the Constantinople-Batumi route and does some business.

The Georgian princes were dissatisfied with each other, but most of them did not dare to challenge the Eastern Roman Empire's hegemony over the Black Sea, especially the several principalities along the Black Sea coast. They could not even rely on the natural defenses of the mountains. As long as the Eastern Empire was willing, the powerful navy could destroy them at any time.

The city of Batumi on the Black Sea coast provided the Order of St. Andrew with a castle, allowing them to establish a chapter, recruit knights, and anchor ships.

The nominal King of Georgia did not issue orders beyond the capital. He expressed gratitude to the Knights of St. Andrew blocking the east, but he was also somewhat worried. He repeatedly urged his daughter and Alexios to get married as soon as possible, and sent several letters asking them to go to Constantinople to meet the emperor and queen.

This ambitious but incompetent king also had some unspoken ambitions. He tried to use the power of the Eastern Roman Empire to help him restore his country and expand his rule beyond Tbilisi.

Faced with his fiancée's expectant eyes, Alexios reluctantly put aside the military and political affairs at hand, handed over the matters to several senior knights, took her through the central lowlands of Georgia, boarded the ship on the Black Sea, and returned to Constantinople.

"Alexios, is this your hometown?"

Beside Alexius, Maria's eyes were shining.

“It’s such a big city, you can’t see the end of it.”

"Well, I was born in the Purple Noble Palace, but I didn't live here for long."

Alexius nodded proudly.

"I spent my childhood in North Africa, studying, and my teenage years in the Royal Reclamation Area in Bulgaria, training in martial arts. If I have time, I will take you there to see it."

"Studying?"

Maria's eyes were full of smiles.

"I heard from Carlo that you didn't like studying when you were a kid. You often sharpened your sword during class, which scared away several teachers."

"This... is pure slander. The teachers like me so much!"

Alexius was a little embarrassed.

Maria didn't ask any more questions and just kept laughing.

Under the pilot's instructions, the ship docked at the busy dock, and Alexius and Maria jumped off the deck and stepped onto the land of Constantinople.

"I haven't been home for several years. Constantinople has changed a lot."

Alexius looked around, feeling somewhat emotional.

“Some say that Constantinople is the key to the empire, others say that the city is the empire itself.”

Maria muttered to herself as she looked around.

"There's probably room for ten Tbilisi here."

"nice! You love it."

Alexius looked at her and smiled.

"For so many years, you, as a princess, have accompanied me on the front lines of the battlefield. It has been hard work for you."

"The Shilvans have not yet emerged from the shadow cast by my brother, and the Aries are still confronting my father in Anatolia. The Holy Cross is safe for the time being."

"You finally come back, I'll take you to relax."

"Well, I just listened to you."

Maria took Alexios's strong arm.

The royal carriage was waiting on the side, and the fully armed Varangian Guards surrounded the carriage. Alexius and Maria got on the carriage, but they were attracted by the crowd gathered not far from the dock.

A strong man stood on a high platform, holding a document in his hand, and many citizens gathered around him.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince and the two Queens are waiting for you. Are we going to the Grand Palace?"

The royal coachman turned around and asked politely.

"What are they talking about?"

Alexius pointed to the group of people who were whispering.

"Oh, about the armed reclamation team."

The driver looked at the crowd.

"Your Majesty has recovered a large area of ​​land in southwestern Anatolia. There is no one living there now, and a lot of land has become barren. Your Majesty hopes to attract refugees to fill the newly recovered land. At the same time, it also has some military properties, freeing the regular army from local garrisons and sending them to the battlefield."

"The southwest coast is a good place. Even now, the winter is not too cold. It is a bit similar to the Morea region, but it is probably warmer than Morea."

The driver smiled.

On the platform, the strong man saw the crowd gathering and began to interpret the documents.

"Your Majesty has stipulated that all liberated areas in Anatolia are open to all citizens of the empire. He hopes that we will pick up our swords and farm tools, head to the other side of the strait, and build a new home!"

The man waved the document in his hand.

"Your Majesty encourages us to establish an armed reclamation group and cross the sea to Anatolia as a team. The reclamation group will be the most basic production and combat unit. When the local Turks are cleared out, we will no longer need to continue fighting and can be reorganized into a free village community on the spot!"

"Isn't there still a war in Anatolia?"

A voice asked worriedly.

"The entire area of ​​the Damendres River has been occupied by the Emperor's army. This is also our main destination!"

The strong man explained loudly.

"Moreover, the Emperor's navy has captured most of the coastal areas of Smyrna. The scattered fortresses are still resisting in vain. The Smyrna town group will fall soon!" "The remaining Ottoman troops are hiding in Bursa. The White Aqoon army cannot be assembled before the spring. Even if they march, their target will not be us, but Bursa!"

The strong man waved his hand.

"The Emperor's army is invincible. The Aries will only leave in disgrace. The Mendres River is always safe!"

"And we are here to solve the emperor's worries and defend the occupied territories for him in our own way, so that the army can march north to fight the enemy without any worries!"

Seeing that no one asked again, the strong man continued to speak.

"At present, the emperor's army has carried out a round of forced baptism in southwestern Anatolia. The Turks who are willing to repent are our Orthodox brothers from now on, but there are still a large number of villages who would rather die than convert. They are our enemies!"

The strong man raised his voice.

"We will expand outwards from the major river and coastal cities. We can invade Saracen villages or establish our own settlements!"

"This decree will take effect at the same time as the Homestead Law. The reason why it takes the form of an armed militia is because the Ottoman remnants have stronger military power. This is to avoid unnecessary losses!"

The strong man scanned the crowd.

"The emperor stipulates that settlements established by armed reclamation teams enjoy the privilege of tax exemptions and reductions. Tax exemptions are available for two years, half the tax for five years, and one-quarter the tax for ten years!"

"Besides that, all the Muslim properties we have conquered belong to us, including the Muslims themselves! You can sell them or keep them for reclaiming wasteland, it's up to you!"

"Why do they look so much like the Colonial Team?"

A voice asked with a smile.

"Well said, it's colonization!"

The strong man nodded heavily and waved the documents in his hand.

"This document is called the Recolonization Act. We will recreate the wave of city-state colonization that happened two thousand years ago and take these lands back into our possession!"

The strong man patted his chest.

“Are you still worried about not having enough land? Are you worried about having too many sons? Are you eager to change your destiny?”

"If so, please join the armed reclamation team I am organizing. I have served in the emperor's army and I am highly skilled in martial arts. I am definitely the best candidate!"

"Here, you may be just an ordinary person, worrying about making a living, but in Anatolia, everyone is a big landowner! Everyone is rich!"

Seeing that not many people responded, the strong man continued to encourage them.

"Let me tell you, a new batch of royal reclamation teams have been assembled. The sons of nobles and even the royal family will be at the forefront. What are we afraid of?"

"Moreover, the emperor's decree is open to all Orthodox Christians, which means that in addition to us, Russians, Wallachians, Moldavians, Georgians, Alans and Circassians can all form armed reclamation teams and acquire land in Anatolia!"

"Also, the Greek Orthodox natives in overseas colonies are also allowed to come to Anatolia, including the Taino, Khoisan, and even Indians!"

"From what I know, some Taino nobles have already visited Constantinople and are completely unwilling to go back. If the news spreads to Cuba and the Dominican Republic, many people will desperately save up for boat tickets, or even hide in slave cabins, and cross the sea to come here, just to enjoy a better life!"

The strong man took a deep breath and continued to roar.

"The priests in the colonies describe the beauty of the Eastern Empire to the natives all day long, and these people have been envious for a long time!"

"If you don't seize the opportunity now and have to wait until the war is over, the best land will be taken away!"

"In a thousand years, the Saracens used tyrannical force to conquer a large amount of territory in the Eastern Empire, from Egypt to the Levant, from Mesopotamia to Anatolia. They were all pigs wearing turbans!"

"Now, the offense and defense have changed. It's our turn!"

"What are you waiting for? Load the ship and cross the sea!"

The strong men encouraged at the top of their lungs, but only a few citizens were willing to join.

“Everyone doesn’t seem very enthusiastic.”

In the carriage, Maria looked at Alexius curiously.

"He's in the wrong place."

Alexius said calmly.

"Constantinople is too wealthy and the living conditions are too good, so not many people would be willing to leave."

"He should go to the country, where he can recruit a lot of people."

Alexios explained.

"My brother said in the letter that in recent years, due to the Emperor's promotion of capitalism, the land on the Thracian Plain has been rapidly concentrated. Some farmers have become landlords, while other farmers have less and less land."

"Thrace is densely populated, and there will definitely be many people willing to go to the other side of the strait to make a living."

"Land concentration? Is that a good thing?"

Maria asked.

"It's hard to say. My father said that it's difficult to make farmers rich. The best way is to increase the land and livestock in their hands, turn them into landlords, and improve their agricultural skills so that farmers can become a profession rather than an identity."

Alexius recalled.

"As for those farmers with little land, Father will conquer more land for them and turn them into landlords."

"That sounds good."

Maria thought about it.

"Then these landowners will still need labor after all. They can't cultivate so much land themselves."

“The increase in livestock, the increase in tools and the improvement in production technology will free up some labor, but you are right, it will not be enough.”

Alexius sighed.

"But guess what, what position will those Turks who are unwilling to convert have in the empire?"

Maria, of course, thought of their ending, pursed her lips and looked at Alexius.

"However, the population of the Eastern Empire is growing so fast that there won't be enough land to go around."

"Yes, with an increasing population, more workshops, and more babies, more goods will be produced."

Alexius nodded.

"When the market is no longer sufficient and when the land is no longer sufficient, the whole country will fall into depression and weakness, dissatisfaction will spread, and resentment will breed."

"What should I do?"

Maria was startled.

"Wouldn't the country be ruined then?"

"destroyed?"

Alexius smiled.

"At that time, it's time for war."

Alexius stared quietly at the world outside the carriage, his eyes flickering.

"My brother once said that when it comes to the survival of our own people, the lives of outsiders are not worth mentioning at all."

"My father once said that for the noblest purpose, the most despicable means can be used."

Alexius sighed somewhat wistfully.

"Perhaps, using whatever means necessary is the essence of a good monarch. I don't like this, so I am not a good monarch after all."

"There are many kinds of good monarchs. You can go your own way!"

Maria took Alexios' hand.

"I believe you."

Alexius' face broke into a smile and he nodded vigorously.

"That's good, let's go!"

Alexius exclaimed.

"Go to the Grand Palace and meet my mother!"

"Then,"

Alexios winked at Maria.

"marry!"

……

At the end of 1471, Emperor Isaac of the Eastern Roman Empire promulgated the "Recolonization Act" and organized a new round of royal reclamation groups, encouraging the people to establish armed militias and go to the liberated areas in southwestern Anatolia to squeeze the living space of Muslims and re-"Hellenize" western Anatolia.

When these armed militias arrive at the designated locations, the regular troops of the Eastern Roman Empire will gradually complete the defense handover with them and continue to move north to recover the vast land along the Aegean Sea coast.

(End of this chapter)