1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 62 Emperor

Chapter 62 Emperor
"Dad, long time no see!"

"Long time no see, my Isaac."

In the castle of Mystras, Isaac finally met his long-lost father, Constantine Palaiologos.

Constantine's expression remained firm and resolute, but Isaac could still read a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Having lost his two elder brothers in just one year, the sudden burden of family and country immediately fell on Constantine's shoulders, making him feel a little uncomfortable.

Constantine said nothing more. He told his attendants to arrange the deployment of the troops, took Isaac to the study and closed the door.

"Tell me the truth, why are you bringing so many troops?"

Constantine was somewhat harsh.

"This is your guarantee for your journey to Constantinople."

Isaac was outspoken.

Historically, Constantine's accession to the throne was full of ups and downs.

After the death of Ioannis VIII, Constantinople was in constant turmoil. Constantine's brother, Demetrios Palaiologos, arrived in Constantinople first and gained the support of many ignorant people under the pretext of opposing religious unification.

Constantine, who was far away in Morea, didn't even have a ship to go to Constantinople, and was finally forced to ask a Latin merchant ship to take him to the capital.

In order to avoid stimulating the violent religious atmosphere in Constantinople, Constantine, who did not oppose the unification of the church, was crowned emperor in Mystras. After gaining the support of Ottoman Sultan Murad II, he returned to the capital in silence.

In fact, he was the only Roman emperor to be crowned at Mystras.

Not being crowned in the capital meant an inherent loss of some legitimacy.

This time, Isaac must take Constantine to Constantinople, where the Patriarch will crown him in the cathedral.

"Constantinople is in political turmoil, Dimitrios is rebelling, and the lower classes are ignorant. You need a strong army to silence them."

Constantine was silent.

He knew that Isaac was right.

"I have a few suggestions, would you like to hear them?"

"Go ahead."

"First, meet Uncle Thomas of Achaea and win his support,"

"If he has other ideas, then just go ahead and take down Achaia."

Constantine glared at Isaac.

"Thomas will have my back."

“Second, go to Ottoman Empire, find Murad II and Khalil Grand Vizier, and get their consent.”

"I know you have been in contact with Khalil Dawizi, and you can make full use of this."

"Already gone."

Constantine nodded.

"Third, I have brought a fleet and a number of transport ships. Let's mobilize our troops and head to Constantinople immediately."

……

Outside the city of Patras, an army of 300 men lined up facing south.

The leader was riding a tall horse, wearing a lavender robe, iron armor inside, and a sword at his waist.

He had the typical appearance of an Eastern Roman noble, with bright black eyes and thick eyebrows across his forehead.

It was Thomas Palaiologos, son of Manuel II, brother of Ioannis VIII, and ruler of Achaia.

He held the reins, calming the restless warhorse, and looked straight ahead, staring intently at the road to the south.

"coming."

coming,

The earth began to shake, the sound of horse hooves grew closer, and in the dust, a group of cavalry dressed in blood-red robes emerged.

Their equipment was complicated but sophisticated, including Arab half-face helmets, Italian pointed helmets, Balkan hooded helmets, and many other types.

The weapons were even more varied, including short spears, sabers, maces, flails, and everything else.

They seemed to have no discipline and their formation was not neat, like a group of unruly and dissolute playboys.

However, as they galloped towards Thomas' army, everyone could feel the bloody aura on them.

The frivolous but sharp eyes, with indifference to life,

The slightly raised corners of his mouth seemed to be mocking the ignorance of the world.

These bloodthirsty beasts surrounded a young man in purple robes like stars surrounding the moon. The young man had a smile on his lips but a sharp look in his eyes.

The young man waved his right hand, and the horse team stopped suddenly, standing firmly in front of Thomas, stirring up a large cloud of dust.

It was only then that Thomas saw the emblems on the cavalrymen.

An eagle holding a bloody blade in its mouth.

"Greetings, dear uncle Thomas, ruler of Achaia."

Isaac jumped off his horse and threw the reins to the side, where a soldier caught them steadily.

"Isaac, you've grown up."

Thomas hesitated and finally uttered only these few words.

"Uncle Thomas, Dimitrios is causing chaos in Constantinople and trying to seize the throne that should belong to Grand Duke Constantine of Morea. What do you think?"

Isaac asked bluntly.

In fact, the Eastern Roman Empire never had any provisions for primogeniture, let alone hereditary succession.

Ioannis VIII did not make Constantine co-emperor, nor did he designate a successor before his death.

Among the brothers, Constantine only had a partial advantage in age.

"Is this the reason you came to me?"

"Yes."

"If I also want to fight for the throne, what would you do?"

Thomas smiled.

Isaac didn't laugh.

"Then we'll have to fight."

Swish-

The Slaves Legion behind him drew their weapons.

To be honest, Isaac didn't want to see this scene happen.

Thomas was not Demetrios. He had a good relationship with Constantine and was an ally who could be won over and a relative who could be trusted.

Thomas looked at the elite warriors behind Isaac and sighed.

It is impossible to say that he has no ambition.

But judging from the current situation, this nephew was not joking. If he insisted on fighting for the throne of Constantinople, Isaac would probably really go to war.

The result was probably that he was completely defeated, narrowly escaped with his life, and ended up living out the rest of his life in a monastery.

That’s all!

"The throne was supposed to belong to Constantine, and it will be yours in the future."

"Dimitrios has committed treason and should be punished."

"I will be your eternal and most loyal vassal."

Thomas bowed slowly.

……

On November 1448, 11, Constantine gathered Isaac and Thomas, took more than 20 soldiers from the three forces, and sailed to Constantinople.

On November 11, the fleet arrived at Meisembria.

In the drizzle, Isaac jumped off the deck and landed on the land he had been away from for many days.

Mesembria, located to the west of Constantinople, was the only remaining land of the Eastern Roman Empire around the capital.

The residents of Messenbria were very indifferent to the arrival of the fleet. In fact, these residents who had lived under the eyes of the Ottomans for many years had completely lost their centripetal force towards the center of the empire. Theophilus Palaeologus was waiting at the dock with a group of nobles.

"Your Highness Constantine, Your Highness Thomas, Your Highness Isaac, welcome back."

Theophilus was from a branch of the Palaiologos family, was well versed in Greek literature, and was a master of geometry.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, dear Theophilus!"

Constantine was obviously on very good terms with him, and he smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

The three exchanged greetings for a while, and the army set up camp outside the city.

"Theophilus, what is the situation in Constantinople?"

Constantine began to get to the point.

Theophilus's expression immediately turned serious.

"The restless little Demetrios failed. Your wise mother, Queen Mother Helena, firmly grasped the power of regency and did not let go despite Demetrios's antics."

"Now, this kid has been confined by the Queen Mother, but his followers are still active outside."

"This bad boy still caused quite a lot of trouble. The religious elements who had been quiet before started rioting again under his instigation."

Theophilus looked at Constantine.

"They even want to annul your succession because you once issued a statement supporting the decision made by Emperor Ioannis at the Council of Florence."

Constantine stroked his chin.

"What about the nobles and the clergy? Were they involved?"

"You know that some nobles are strongly opposed to church union."

"Many clergy also want to use the death of His Majesty Ioannis to break the agreement with the Roman Catholic Church."

"What do the Prime Minister and the Patriarch say?"

"It's no secret that Prime Minister Archduke Lucas has always hated Latins."

“He repeatedly declared that he would rather see the turban of a Turk in Constantinople than the tiara of a Latin pope.”

Isaac pouted.

"But Grand Duke Lucas refused to go along with Dimitrios and kicked him out of the house."

Grand Duke Lucas Notaras, an old man with a strange temper, the last prime minister of the Eastern Roman Empire, the admiral of the navy, opposed to the union of the church, but loyal.

Isaac remembered that after the fall of Constantinople, Grand Prince Lucas rejected the proposal of Mehmed II and his entire family was executed.

"Patriarch Gregory III is a pragmatic man. He understands the current situation and will not cause you any trouble."

"But some clergy, led by George Scolarios, still participated in the opposition."

George Skolarios, the notorious traitor and first Orthodox Patriarch of Mehmed II.

Isaac listened and understood what was going on.

The overall situation is not optimistic.

No wonder Constantine was not crowned in Constantinople in history, for he was really afraid of causing popular riots.

"Uncle Theophilus, who controls the defense of Constantinople now?"

"It's down."

Theophilus stood up and bowed.

"Queen Helena asked me to temporarily guard the Theodosian Wall and the Sea Wall to welcome your arrival."

Theophilus took out the Queen Mother's order and handed it to Constantine.

"So when are we going into town?"

Thomas on the side couldn't help but ask.

"The Queen Mother originally wanted His Majesty Constantine to be crowned in Mystras, and then come to Constantinople and move directly into the Grand Palace to avoid provoking a civil uprising."

"Now that you are here, you might as well enter through the Eugenius Gate so as not to alarm the residents of the city."

The Eugenius Gate is located in the eastern part of the Golden Horn, very close to the Grand Palace and Hagia Sophia, without having to pass through the central street.

Presumably, the Queen Mother wanted to create the fait accompli of the fact that Constantine had become the emperor, and use time to wash away the dissatisfaction in the hearts of the people.

"Well, I……"

Constantine was about to agree when Isaac interrupted him.

"no!"

"Emperors of all dynasties entered the city through the gates under the Theodosius City, either the St. Romanus Gate or the Golden Gate. I have never heard of the Eugenius Gate."

"This is a small path for merchants and slaves, not a smooth path for the emperor to enter the city!"

Isaac stood up, furious.

Theophilus was startled by Isaac's sudden loud voice.

"Your Highness, if you say so..."

Isaac ignored his embarrassment.

"Father, you are the emperor of Rome and the Romans, a purple noble. How can you be like a stray dog and enter the city through the small gate?"

"Isaac..."

Constantine looked at his son's determined eyes and hesitated to speak.

……

"Have you heard that His Highness Constantine is going to enter the city? I heard that he has obtained the permission of the Turks."

"He is the oldest surviving son of Manuel II and should succeed to the throne."

"Ah!"

"A man who associates with heretics is not my emperor!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down!"

"..."

On November 1448, 11, residents of the entire city gathered at the city gate and on the central street, standing on tiptoe and looking up at the city gate.

Constantine Palaiologos, Despot of the Morea, son of Manuel II and brother of Ioannis VIII, was about to enter the city.

"Don't push! Leave room in the line!"

The city defense commander Theophilus yelled at his guards, ordering them to maintain basic order.

The crowd was noisy and noisy, cheering and swearing.

"It's been years since Golden Gate has had such a grand event, right?"

On a tall building, Prime Minister Archduke Lucas looked out at the noisy crowd in the distance.

"No matter how many years have passed, citizens still enjoy the hustle and bustle."

Lucas smiled, his eyes full of memories.

"Uncle, I thought you didn't like His Highness Constantine."

Nephew Avilon poured wine into Lucas' glass.

"In fact, of all the children of Emperor Manuel, I like him best."

"Passion, perseverance, fighting spirit and perseverance, this is Constantine."