1444, Byzantium Resurrects

"Dear Prince Isaac of Cyrenaica, to be honest, I am disappointed by your plan..."

"Setting aside the impact of supporting pirates on the Empire's reputation, how do you plan to deal with the Venetians and the Ottomans?"

"Sultan Murad has been staying in his palace in Adrianople, enjoying his twilight years. I don't think you should provoke a sleeping lion..."

This was a letter from his father, the Roman emperor Constantine XI, hinting at reproach.

"Dear Isaac, I regret to inform you that this time, your behavior has been quite out of line. Almost all the senators are very angry about your support for the pirates."

"I must remind you that the Republic's trade interests in the Mamluk region and the eastern Mediterranean cannot be violated. If you continue to act alone, we will..."

This letter was from the Venetian governor of Constantinople, Miloto. Clearly, even this Venetian, who had a good relationship with Isaac, was dissatisfied with his behavior.

"Respected King of Cyrenaica, Holy Warrior Isaac, I regret to inform you that we are currently unable to join your holy war at sea for the following reasons..."

This letter was from the Knights Hospitaller of Rhodes, who had nearly been annihilated by Sultan Tamerlane in 1444 and were now cautious and unwilling to stir up trouble.

Isaac sighed and tossed the letters, which varied in tone, aside.

He picked up a small, exquisite letter bearing the coat of arms of the Avish royal family, which carried the fragrance of lavender.

"Dear Isaac, this is my second letter to you. You mentioned last time that the best way to understand the style of a royal family is to observe the territory they govern. Uncle Enrique and Uncle Pedro have said similar things..."

"Over the past few months, I travelled north from Bilinchi through Naples to visit my uncle, King Alfonso of Aragon, who treated me well."

"Following your advice, I left my footprints in many places: devout Rome, wealthy Venice, culturally rich Milan and the emerging city of Parma."

"Your brother, Duke John of the Palaiologos family, received me. He is a good man..."

"I found that, after crossing the Alps, the uplifting atmosphere of northern Italy was difficult to feel. The people were ignorant and uneducated, and the nobles were pedantic and barbaric. The further inland I went, the more obvious this became..."

"The noblewomen here were greatly astonished by my arrival. They may never be permitted to leave their fathers' or husbands' estates in their entire lives."

"Every time I think of this, I am grateful that I was born in Portugal, a nation with an open mind."

" I never imagined that southern Germany would be so primitive. Perhaps I should have gone to France and Burgundy instead..."

"As I write this letter, I am on my way to Vienna, and after that, I will go to Prague. I hope these two cities will have some surprises in store for me."

Isaac curled his lips.

Prague might indeed bring surprises, but Vienna was out of the question.

Ever since Henry VII of the Luxembourg dynasty made Prague the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, Vienna, which had previously been prosperous, had fallen into decline and experienced many upheavals, never managing to develop.

"By the way, I heard some bad rumors during my travels about your naval adventures..."

"I don't know you very well, but I sense that you are a wise and resourceful monarch who will make the right choice."

"Yours forever, Leonor."

Seeing this, the tension finally left Isaac's face and he broke into a smile.

Someone still believed in him!

"Your Majesty!"

The door was pushed open and the anxious-looking Chancellor Isult rushed in, waving two documents.

"What makes you so anxious, dear Isult?"

"Your Majesty, you must immediately stop all support for the Holy War at sea."

"This is a letter from the Doge of Venice and the Pope in the Vatican."

Isaac looked at the complicated Latin script and felt a headache coming on.

"Read it, Isult."

"Your Majesty, I've read it twice."

Isult was clearly anxious.

"The Venetians have issued a stern warning, forbidding us from infringing on their trade interests in the eastern Mediterranean. Otherwise, they will strike back."

"The Mamluks must be behind this."

Isaac glanced over the warning and found it to be roughly the same as Miloto's.

"What does His Holiness say?"

"His Holiness Nicholas is beginning to realize the seriousness of the situation, and is reminding you to be careful about the timing and targets of the holy war."

"He doesn't want to see us break with the Venetians."

"I understand."

Isaac nodded and motioned for Isult to sit down.

"Here is the 'Privateering Decree' that I drafted with Captains Fidel and Giovanni. Take a look."

He handed the draft decree to Isult.

"Your Majesty!"

Isult slammed his fist on the table.

"Have you taken my words to heart?"

"You must stop all operations in the eastern Mediterranean immediately, or it will be too late!"

"Our current naval forces are no match for the Venetians, and those pirates are completely disloyal. They will never fight to the death for us against the Venetians!"

"Once our fleet has been destroyed by the Venetians, the pirate chiefs who were drinking with you just moments ago will immediately switch sides and help the Venetians divide our territory."

"How can you be so stubborn?"

Isult's voice was so loud that Isaac was startled.

After saying this, Isult immediately realized how unreasonable she had been.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I didn't mean to offend you, but you really shouldn't..."

"Enough!"

Isaac stood up abruptly and shouted at Isult.

"I am the co-emperor, not you."

"Get out."

Isult looked shocked, as if she didn't recognize her usually kind and humble ruler.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Isult bowed and turned to leave, her disappointment plain to see.

...

"Did you hear? The Venetian Doge's Palace has issued a warning to King Isaac."

"I knew this would happen. The Venetians won't allow them to cause trouble in the eastern Mediterranean..."

"It's better if they stir things up. If they don't, where will we pirates go?"

"I just heard that Chancellor Isult tried to advise King Isaac, but he was kicked out of his study."

"It seems that our King Isaac is determined to do things his own way this time."

"Ha ha, good! Once they've been defeated by the Venetians, we can still..."

"Should we still accept the king's invitation, then?"

"Of course! A privateering license is a valuable asset, and besides, we never agreed to sell our lives to him."

With the instigation of certain individuals, this "holy war" gradually took a different turn.

Many foreign powers were puzzled by Isaac's stubbornness, believing him to be too arrogant to face the Venetians' wrath.

The pirates also split into factions. Some rejoiced at Isaac's misfortune, waiting to see him fail and hoping to profit from the war.

Others firmly supported the holy war, opposing any business with the Venetians, who were considered infidels. These pirates were mostly fanatics and Genoese.

For a time, rumors and fear filled the city of Bilinchi, which became the focus of public opinion.

Isaac knew nothing about any of this.

He had just arrived in his territory in Albania, the city of Oron.

Oron City was located in southwestern Albania, at the eastern end of the Otranto Strait and close to the Taranto Peninsula.

In the Albanian League, the southern princes had always remained outside Skanderbeg's inner circle, maintaining ties with Epirus in the south, Naples in the west and the Ottomans in the east.

Whenever foreign enemies invaded, these southern princes would provide Skanderbeg with troops and supplies in a show of support for national independence.

Following Baron Maruna's leadership of the Black Army in successfully repelling the Venetian counterattack and recapturing the city of Dania, suzerainty over Oron was transferred to Isaac.

However, the ruling family was unwilling to recognize this and attempted to unite with the Ottomans to resist.

However, his timing was poor, as the Ottomans were busy fighting the White Knights of Hunyadi and could not spare the time to deal with him.

Upon receiving this news, Baron Maruna quickly made the decision to lead the Black Army and occupy the city with overwhelming numbers, forcing the former ruling family to flee overseas.

The city of Oron had a large population and was easy to defend but difficult to attack, as mountains and rivers crisscrossed the east. To the north, it connected to the flat, easy-to-defend coastal plains of Albania. Baron Maruna attacked from this direction, catching the defenders off guard.

"Your Majesty, due to my busy schedule, I was unable to attend your coronation ceremony. I hope you will forgive me." Baron Maruna knelt before Isaac with the utmost respect, performing the belated oath of allegiance.

Isaac drew his sword and placed it gently on Maruna's shoulder.

"You fought well in Albania. Keep up the good work."

Maruna smiled.

In truth, he lacked any real strategic vision, and his tactics were mediocre at best.

The battles, which seemed to be aided by divine intervention, were all fought under Skanderbeg's command.

"The village on the outskirts of Juha Cape, outside the city of Oron, is yours."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Maruna knelt on the ground in gratitude.

"How many troops do you have at your disposal?"

"Two thousand men in the Black Corps, as you ordered."

"We can probably also muster a few hundred local Albanian militiamen."

Two thousand men, all of whom were Maruna's trusted confidants, was more than enough.

"So many? Can the city supply them?"

Maruna was taken aback, his mind racing. He swallowed hard; the word "yes" was stuck in his throat.

"It will be difficult."

"In that case, divide the two thousand men into two groups. Send one group to Tobruk. I want to train them as military district guards."

"Yes!"

Maruna lowered his eyes.

"Baron Maruna, hear my orders!"

Isaac shouted.

"We obey your orders!"

"After careful consideration, I have officially decided to establish the Oron Military District, which will be under the direct authority of the Kingdom's government, just like the Tobruk Military District."

"You are hereby appointed the first military district commander with full authority over military affairs in Oron City, including the construction of fortifications, the appointment of subordinate officers and the purchase of military equipment, all of which is subject to approval by the central government."

"The Black Corps will be divided into two, with one part becoming the garrison soldiers of the Tobruk Military District and the other the garrison soldiers of the Oron Military District."

"In addition, you must explore the potential of the countryside and establish a military recruitment system for the district."

To be honest, the people here still have little loyalty to the new ruler. They are currently in a state of minimal acquiescence, so it would be unrealistic to expect them to be loyal to outsiders.

Take it slowly. Time will wash everything away.

"Administrative officials will be dispatched separately by the central government. During wartime, you will be in charge of all political affairs."

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!"

Maruna smiled broadly.

After careful consideration, Isaac decided to separate the military district system from the regional administrative institutions, placing it under the direct control of the central government. This would avoid confusion caused by conflicts of authority, thereby strengthening the military district's power.

"Oron City is a nail we have driven into the side of the Ottomans. It is our bridgehead for entering the Balkans and even southern Italy. You must defend it at all costs!"

Isaac helped Maruna to his feet and spoke earnestly.

"I will not disappoint you, Your Majesty!"

"Your brother is doing well at the Royal Knight Academy, so there is no need to worry."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"By the way, how are the repair shop and shipyard in Mansreti coming along? Have you implemented the ideas I suggested last time?"

Maruna stood up, smiling.

"The repair shop is already making a profit, and the shipyard can now build small transport ships. Unlike in North Africa, there are no dense forests in this area, so you don't need to worry about that."

"As for your ideas, I believe this Hussite naval designer will impress you."

...

On 1 June 1449, Isaac returned to Bilinchi, where Captains Fidel and Giovanni handed him the revised "Privateering Decree".

The next day, Isaac overruled the majority's objections and officially promulgated the "Privateering Decree".

The decree was quite complex, mainly revolving around the regulations for privateering licenses.

In short, as long as you had a license, the royal government recognized you as a legitimate crusader and granted you various privileges.

However, if you were found to be plundering merchant ships of your own kind, your license would be revoked and all your property would be confiscated.

Isaac's "Privateering Decree" quickly caused a sensation among the pirates. Everyone was surprised by this king's willingness to accept the pirate community, and they felt sorry for him.

On 10 June 1449, Isaac gathered nearly 100 large and small warships and transport ships willing to participate in the holy war.

Most of the pirate ships were small galleys, such as the Smart Billy, which could carry only a dozen or so people. The truly powerful, large pirate forces were still watching from the sidelines.

Isaac and Isult stood on the pier and watched the last white sail disappear on the horizon.

Despite the hot weather, Isult felt a chill run through her bones.

"Your Majesty, I will go and organize the militia in various places."

"Why?"

"To prevent a possible landing by Venice."

Isaac laughed.

"My dear Isult, do I seem to you to be a stubborn and foolish ruler who does not listen to loyal advice?"

"You are wise and mighty, and I am ignorant and uneducated. How can I presume to judge you?"

Isult said stiffly.

"Do you know Peter I of Cyprus?"

"Your Majesty!"

Isult could no longer contain her anger.

"Peter I has been travelling around the courts of Western Europe for many years, calling for a holy war. He has already divided up the spoils among the countries, so they will not stand in our way."

"At that time, Genoa had not yet declined, and Venice was not monopolizing trade with the Mamluks as it is today. They could have become Peter the Great's allies."

"Most importantly, Peter the Great executed a highly successful strategic deception. Everyone believed he was going to attack Jerusalem, and the Mamluks gathered their armies at the Holy City, leaving no troops elsewhere. This is how victory at Alexandria was achieved!"

"And you?"

"You revealed your plans to the Mamluks, the Ottomans and Venice in advance, and they had already made their preparations!"

"The Venetian fleet was stationed in Cnidus and Naxos; the Mamluks called for a holy war within their borders; and the Ottomans deployed troops in Constantinople and Corinth."

"The eastern Mediterranean is now a dead end for you, a one-way road to certain death!"

"Is this what you want?"

The sea breeze blew and the two fell silent.

"According to you, strategic deception was the most important factor in Peter the Great's success?"

"Your Majesty, the Mamluks have already been defeated; they certainly won't—"

"All politicians think the same way as you, don't they?"

"Of course! You—"

Isaac waved his hand, looking at the distant sea and stopping Isult.

"That's right."

"This..."

"This... This isn't right, is it?"

"Captain, are we going in the wrong direction?"

"No, we're not."

On the Duke of Moriah's ship, the helmsman found Captain Fidel.

"This is the right direction."

Captain Fidel took out an edict and announced it to everyone.

"His Majesty has ordered the entire fleet to sail westward to the Hafs Dynasty."

"Raise the signal flags — we're setting sail!"

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