1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 117 Balkan Treaty

Constantinople, the Grand Palace, the Hippodrome.

Isaac and Constantine XI stood side by side, reviewing the newly formed Third Legion of the Purple Guard.

After the Battle of Constantinople, the 200,000-strong Ottoman army scattered like birds and beasts. Matthias and Isaac led some elite cavalry to gather them everywhere and obtained more than 24,000 surrendered soldiers.

Of the 24,000 people, about one-third were combat soldiers, and the rest were auxiliary troops and militia.

After discussion, the prisoners were divided fifty-fifty, with each side receiving more than 12,000 people.

These soldiers came from various sources. Some belonged to the elite Kapikulu Corps and Janissary Corps of the Ottoman Central Army, some were Azab conscripted infantry and Akıncı light cavalry from Anatolia, and many came from Ottoman vassal states such as the Kandar Bey State and the Dulkadir Bey State.

Isaac selected the best among these people, forced them to convert to Orthodoxy, and incorporated them into the various legions of the Purple Guard.

The remaining civilians and soldiers who were unwilling to convert to Orthodoxy were all demoted to slaves and participated in the reconstruction of the Theodosian Wall and the city of Galata.

The commander of the Third Army of the Purple Guards is Mehmet, the former deputy commander of the First Army, and officers at all levels are drawn from veterans of the former First Army.

Mehmet is also one of Isaac's old followers. He has worked diligently for many years, has very good abilities, and his strategic vision far exceeds that of several of his colleagues.

According to Isaac's arrangement, the First and Second Legions of the Purple Guard would remain in Constantinople as one of the garrison guards of the capital, and the military expenses would be shared equally by Constantine XI and Isaac.

The First Legion of the Purple Guards was Isaac's earliest unit, and their loyalty was guaranteed.

The Second Army, with Orhan's followers as its basic framework, could fight to the death with Mehmed II without having to worry about rebellion.

As for the newly established Third Legion, their loyalty was very poor, and Isaac did not dare to leave them in Constantinople. He planned to transport them to Cyrenaica like the other troops, and use time to wash away the alienation.

Under the leadership of the officers, these soldiers were conducting basic command training and battle formation training. Each of them had his head hung and looked listless.

In the space of two months, they fell from the top to the bottom of the valley, suddenly woke up from the extreme fanaticism of jihad, and turned from proud jihadist fighters into prisoners. It was a little difficult to accept for a while.

"Father, although Mehmed II has temporarily retreated and fled back after being defeated, he has a great family and a great business. Sooner or later he will quell the unrest and return to Constantinople."

"Therefore, the capital's defense system must be taken seriously from now on. It's not just the army and the city walls. The training of the city militia, the innovation of weapons and equipment, and the stockpiling of military supplies must all be put on the agenda."

"The Theodosius Wall is no longer suitable for the new war model. I will gather the architects in the territory to discuss a plan to strengthen the city's defenses."

Constantine XI nodded, which coincided with his idea.

"I will do my best to complete the logistics support for the troops. You don't have to worry about that."

"Now that we've settled the matter here, let's hurry back to Bilinchi. Leonor and Justinian must be very worried."

"As for your follow-up plan, we will start implementing it immediately after our strength is restored."

Constantine XI said.

The war was cruel. After two months of bloody fighting, only about 4,000 defenders, who once numbered nearly 10,000, were left, with more than half of them injured.

With Isaac's current military strength, he might not even be able to defeat the Ottoman local garrison in a field battle.

However, war is also the best melting pot. The soldiers who experienced the bloody battle of Constantinople became sharper like tempered swords.

These veterans are the greatest wealth that war leaves to a country.

They are loyal and reliable, good at fighting and unyielding. Using these people as grassroots officers and adding new recruits to the legion can quickly restore the combat effectiveness and centripetal force of the troops.

In the Battle of Constantinople, both the Eastern Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire suffered heavy losses. The defeated Ottoman Empire was caught in internal and external troubles and was busy stabilizing the situation. For a long time, it was unable to launch the next attack on Constantinople.

As the victor, the Eastern Roman Empire also suffered heavy losses and was temporarily unable to achieve more results.

As for the other parties involved in the war, they could only cause trouble for the Ottoman Empire on the border but had no way to completely defeat it.

Regarding the Balkan situation after the war, Isaac had a vague plan in his mind, but due to lack of strength, he had to put it on hold temporarily.

The alliances among the Balkan countries, the trade privileges of Latin merchants in Constantinople, the looting along the Aegean coast, the arrangements and disposal of the remaining Crusader states... In order to resolve these issues, one must have a strong military force to support them.

"Your Majesties!"

Sfrangis rode over from a distance, dismounted, and knelt on one knee.

"His Highness Matthias has returned with his army and is waiting in the meeting room."

"The envoy of the Grand Duke of Serbia also arrived in Constantinople at the same time and was placed in another palace by me."

Isaac and Constantine XI looked at each other and quickly made a division of labor.

In the meeting hall of the Grand Palace, Isaac met Matthias Hunyadi who was returning with his army.

At this moment, he was looking at the new type of matchlock rifles used as decorations on the wall with great interest, and picked up one to observe it carefully.

Vlad sat aside, still looking gloomy.

"Hello, Your Majesty, it's a pleasure to see you again."

Matthias lowered his musket and bowed in salute.

The Raven King, who would become famous in the future, was now just a young boy, but he had already begun to show excellent strategic coordination ability.

Vlad also stood up and saluted Isaac.

"Do you like this rifle?"

Isaac said with a smile, motioning for the two to sit down.

“The workmanship is exquisite and the shape is novel and unique. It is obviously made by a master.”

"I heard that your Guards Third Legion was equipped with a large number of new muskets, which performed brilliantly in the Battle of Constantinople. I wonder if it was this kind of musket?"

Matthias asked.

"Exactly."

"This matchlock gun is produced in the firearms factory in the city of Alagai. Compared with the traditional old-fashioned matchlock gun, it is more convenient for shooters to use and can greatly improve the accuracy of the hit and the shooting speed."

"Of course, there are many disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage is that it is too expensive, so I can only afford to equip one legion."

"I wonder if this type of matchlock gun is for sale?"

"Of course, if you want, I will give you the greatest discount in return for friendship."

Isaac took the musket back from the wall and handed it to Matthias.

"This gun is for you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Matthias looked at the intricate patterns and gold-plated Greek letters on the gun and couldn't let it go, his childish face filled with joy.

In the past few years, Isaac has continuously sent out a number of new matchlock rifles manufactured by the Alagai Firearms Factory, trying to open up sales, so that the factory can gradually break away from administrative financial support and achieve independent profitability.

The increase in profits will in turn stimulate technological progress, thus creating a positive cycle. "By the way, where is Mr. Stefan? He hasn't come back yet?"

Isaac looked around but couldn't see Stefan.

"Your Majesty, in accordance with your request, we mainly attacked the Burgas region this time, successfully wiped out the remaining Ottoman soldiers there, and rescued the people of Christ from the iron hoofs of the Turks."

"We also conducted reconnaissance along the Bosphorus Strait, focusing on the deployment of troops near the Cutthroat Fort."

Vlad stood up and reported.

"How's it going?"

"There are still nearly 2,000 defenders in Cutthroat Fort, and the Anatolian Fortress on the other side is also heavily guarded."

"Without large siege engines, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to capture these fortresses."

"Stefan is still patrolling in the north and is expected to return tomorrow."

After the Battle of Constantinople, Isaac asked Matthias to stay temporarily to help him clean up the area around Constantinople, take in refugees, and allow them to settle in Constantinople.

Unfortunately, due to Constantinople’s current poor strategic situation, even if they could defeat the invading Ottoman army, it would be difficult to recover much of the lost land.

When the military strength is relatively weak, if you want to occupy a piece of land surrounded by wolves, you must have a city on this land that can be defended for a long time. This city should have both a large population and strong city defenses.

Without a solid city to support it, even if one can temporarily occupy villages and small towns, the rule will be like rootless duckweed and will not last long.

To the west of Constantinople is the endless East Thracian Plain. The only city that meets the above two conditions is called Adrianople, also known as Edirne, the current capital of the Ottoman Empire.

To the east of Constantinople is the Anatolian Peninsula. The nearest large and defensive city to Constantinople is called Bursa, which was the former capital of the Ottoman Empire.

Therefore, both Isaac and Constantine could only push the borders as far as possible to the situation before the Battle of Constantinople, that is, to recover the Mesembria region abandoned by the Ottoman army.

In addition, Isaac also planned to send some cavalry north along the Black Sea to plunder Ottoman villages and move Bulgarian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox to the vicinity of Constantinople to enrich the population of the capital.

"I see."

"Anyway, thank you for your help."

"What are your plans next?"

Isaac asked.

"Father wrote to say that you are discussing with him about convening a joint meeting?"

Matthias put down his musket and asked.

"Yes, I plan to gather all the Christian countries in the Balkan Peninsula that are threatened by the Ottomans to discuss a feasible common plan to deal with the Ottoman invasion."

"The envoys from Albania and Serbia have already arrived, and the envoys from other countries are on their way."

……

At the end of June 1453, envoys from various Balkan countries arrived in Constantinople by ship one after another to discuss important matters in this powerful city that had just defeated the Ottoman Empire.

The meeting was jointly convened by Isaac and Hunyadi, who represented the two most powerful forces in the Balkans besides the Ottomans.

Almost all Christian countries in the Balkan Peninsula received invitations, and most of them sent envoys to attend the conference.

Albania, Serbia, Wallachia, Moldavia, Epirus, Bosnia, Kefalonia and Zakynthos…

In addition, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III, Pope Nicholas V, the Knights Hospitaller, the Republic of Genoa and the Republic of Venice also sent envoys to serve as observers of the conference and did not participate in the discussion and signing of the agreement.

For a time, Constantinople became the focus of the world.

Under the arrangement of Isaac and Constantine, more than a dozen flags of various colors fluttered in the wind above the Grand Palace, as if bringing this vicissitudes-laden city back to the glorious days when all nations came to pay tribute.

The meeting was officially convened on June 1453, 6. The envoys first praised the holy war feats of Constantine and his son and Hunyadi and his son, and expressed their sincere gratitude and support for their contributions.

Under the deliberate guidance of Isaac and Matthias, the meeting continued in a harmonious atmosphere.

The interests of the Balkan countries are actually not unified. Some countries are not keen on continuing to weaken the Ottoman Empire, and some countries have deep conflicts that almost broke out at the meeting.

These things were within Isaac and Hunyadi's expectations, and they did not dwell too much on the details.

As long as there are major differences in the proposal, it will be shelved and put aside for later.

However, all countries agreed that the Ottomans should not be allowed to continue their expansion and that their future aggression should be prevented.

In this way, the efficiency of the meeting was surprisingly high. In just three days, an agreement that was acceptable to envoys from all countries was produced.

This agreement is lengthy and complicated, and many of its clauses are vague and unclear.

The purpose of the agreement was only one, which was to jointly curb the expansion of the Ottoman Empire and protect the land of Jesus Christ from infringement.

However, the entire agreement is not binding at all and only retains an appeal and call to support Christian allies, and countries are not obligated to do so.

On July 1453, 7, the participating countries formally signed the Balkan Agreement in Constantinople, declaring that they would help each other and jointly deal with the threat of the Ottoman Empire.

The countries also agreed to set up a Balkan Parliament to be convened in times of emergency to discuss solutions.

After the signing of the treaty, the Ottoman Empire and the Venetian Republic, which had been highly nervous, instantly relaxed. They obviously did not think that this tentative treaty could harm their fundamental interests.

The participating countries probably shared the same idea and viewed the agreement as just another dispensable piece of paper.

"This is just the first step."

On the Sea of ​​Marmara, Isaac looked at the blue sea and Constantinople getting farther and farther away, and talked to himself.

The Battle of Constantinople ended, Mehmed II was defeated, the Balkan Agreement was successfully signed, and Matthias and his men led their troops back north.

Mehmed II was quelling the civil unrest in silence, like a wounded wolf licking his wounds alone.

Isaac had no doubt that this tenacious and powerful enemy would one day rise again and strike again.

However, this takes time.

At least in the next few years, it would be difficult for Mehmed II to cause any major trouble to Isaac.

The situation in the Balkan Peninsula gradually stabilized. Isaac handed over the remaining matters at hand to Constantine XI, boarded the ship with the victorious soldiers, and bid farewell to the Golden Horn.

The soldiers were talking and laughing, hanging their trophies and medals on their bodies, and shaking the gold in their pockets.

They will return to their families and to the North African land they have been away from for two years with all their achievements and honors.

There, there will be kisses from young girls and flowers from children, blessings from priests and admiration from the people.

This is what they deserve.

(End of this chapter)