1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 279 War Machine
On the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in the Eastern Roman Empire, the capital of Africa, the city of Carthage.

It was already early winter in 1469. The city of Carthage had just passed its hot and dry summer, and the mild and humid winter had officially arrived.

The farmers are busy, the fields are green, the port is still bustling, and the streets are still full of people.

However, Africa at this time was a little different from usual. Postmen were galloping on the roads, delivering decrees one after another to the priests in every village and settlement. Villagers gathered beside the magnificent or dilapidated churches to listen to the priests' explanations, some with enthusiasm, some with worry.

Just recently, the Eastern Roman Empire and the White Ayun Dynasty officially declared war on the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. Warships and cargo ships were docked on the coast of the Aegean Sea, and powerful armies were gathering in major cities, ready to go at any time.

The emperor has issued a mobilization order. The shooting forces in all major cities were immediately replenished and began to march towards the assembly point. The chiefs of all subordinate tribes received the order and began to gather their troops to pledge allegiance to the emperor.

Before the troops moved, food and fodder had to be sent ahead. The grain collected in the previous quarter in major cities had been urgently transferred to the Aegean ports via cargo ships. The laborers and slaves recruited from various villages also gathered at the major ports, ready to go to war at any time.

Constantinople, Carthage, Thessalonica, Adrianople... The workshops in each city produced military supplies day and night and stored them in large warehouses.

As the war was approaching, the entire empire took action. A population of more than six million formed parts, the commercial network and post station system throughout the empire connected the parts in series, and the money from the major colonies acted as lubricant, forming an efficient war machine.

Orders from the center of the empire flew like snowflakes to major administrative regions, military regions, border regions and colonies, informing every official, every soldier, every priest and every civilian of the news of the war and the guidelines for war preparations.

After several years of recuperation, the Eastern Roman Empire started again and entered a period of war.

The winter wind blew, adding a touch of chill to the already grim city of Carthage. Citizens and merchants discussed news of the war in taverns, and talked about the vast tracts of land and business opportunities in Asia Minor after victory in the war.

Since the emperor had been rooted here for many years and had a very high prestige, almost no one, whether conqueror or conquered, thought that he would fail easily. In their view, no matter how powerful the opponent was, it would only be a stumbling block on the road to the revival of the empire. Even if they had a temporary advantage, they would surely be dragged down by the huge national strength of six million people and the powerful economy based on colonial plunder.

In the Carthaginian palace, several leaders of the city of Carthage gathered together to discuss war matters.

Steaming coffee and rooibos tea were placed on the square table, and a series of military and political officials and local gentry sat on both sides. The first one was the emperor's third son, Prince Basil Palaiologos of Corinth.

Carthage is currently the second largest city in North Africa. It is located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, where various cultures communicate and collide. Among the dignitaries present, some wore traditional Roman dresses, some wore archers' uniforms, and many gentry wore Arab robes.

The Eastern Roman Empire's transformation of North Africa was first of all in terms of faith. After more than ten years of missionary work, immigration, and intermarriage, there were nominally no Muslims on the coast of North Africa. Most people believed in Eastern Orthodoxy, and some were Copts or Armenians.

However, cultural assimilation takes a long time. The earliest areas to return, such as Surt and Cyrenaica, had already developed a unique fusion culture under more than 20 years of Eastern Roman rule. The Greek-speaking population increased year by year, but living habits remained diverse, with distinct Arab characteristics.

Living habits such as dressing, eating, and traveling are closely related to the natural geography of a place. Every large empire with a vast territory will have such differences, which are unavoidable.

Due to the cultural diversity and numerous ethnic groups in Carthage, many people were Romans only in name. Deep down in their hearts, they had no impression of this ancient empire. They were loyal only to the emperor who led them to capture cities, seize land and wealth.

It is for this reason that the city of Carthage must have a prince in charge, who can use the power of others to intimidate the people.

Sitting in front of the square table, Basil tried to straighten his back, imitating his father and brother, and trying to look as dignified as possible.

In order to make himself look taller, Basil ordered people to add several layers of cushions on the seat.

Next to Basil, Thessaloniki, who had just returned from Portugal, held a cup of coffee and quietly watched the slowly rising mist.

After returning from Lisbon, Salonica stayed in Carthage, handling the affairs of the Saltpeter Company with her fiancé while accompanying her brother in attending government affairs.

Basil looked at his sister, then looked at Basilius, the minister who stayed behind and sat beside him, and then faced everyone.

"Now that everyone is here, let's begin the meeting. The minister who stayed behind will briefly explain the recent situation in Carthage and the order document from Constantinople."

Basilius, the Carthaginian minister who remained behind, stood up, looked around, and bowed slightly.

"In recent years, the city of Carthage has continued to prosper. I will explain it to you from five aspects."

"First of all, agriculture. Last summer, Carthage experienced a drought, but the degree was acceptable. Since we have already used the bone meal fertilizer from Constantinople, the annual output has actually been greatly improved."

"The second is business. Recently, the Saint Constantine Colony and the Brazilian Colony have been opened up one after another. Your Majesty has granted many privileges to merchants. The number of merchant ships and caravans passing through Carthage has increased significantly. The anti-bandit war in the western border area has also brought the slave trade to a new peak. Bilinchi City has therefore prospered a lot."

"Then there is the handicraft industry. Since last year, the empire has entered a state of war preparation. Orders from the emperor himself or the army have increased significantly. The scale of cotton and wool textile factories has expanded, the output of arsenals has increased, and carriage workshops and civilian shipyards have also been opened one after another."

"In addition, two batches of mahogany have arrived in Carthage. Two-thirds of them were used by the Mansreti Shipyard in the Roman Arsenal to build stronger warships, and the remaining one-third was snapped up by dye workshops and furniture workshops, all of which made good profits."

Basilius paused.

"The next thing is culture. Carthage has always been emulating Constantinople. The latest planned cultural and sports district has been basically completed, and the supporting facilities have been well built. The living standards of the citizens have been greatly improved."

"Finally, it's the population. The surplus of agricultural products and the prosperity of the handicraft industry have led to a steady increase in the population capacity of Carthage. According to rough statistics, as of this summer, Carthage and its jurisdiction have a total of more than 158,000 people, reaching a new peak."

The crowd applauded, and the Chief Justice of Carthage looked at Basil.

"This is all thanks to your Majesties, and also depends on your wise decision."

"Your Excellency Ennis is overpraising me. I have not made any contribution, but our ministers who stayed behind have made great contributions."

Basil felt a little embarrassed. Over the years, he had done nothing but served as a symbol of Palaiologos' imperial power.

"Then let's talk about the most important thing, the war."

Basil looked at the minister who stayed behind.

Basilius nodded slightly and took out a document.

"According to His Majesty's order, the 1,500-man musketeer force of Carthage needs to be temporarily expanded to 3,000 men. Half of them will go to the west coast of the Aegean Sea and wait for orders, while the other half will cooperate with the Royal Mounted Police to stabilize the area."

"Regarding the rotation of troops and the deployment of other supplies, everything will be based on your majesty's orders. I will also make unified deployments based on the actual situation—"

"As far as I know, you do not have this function."

Chief Justice Ennis said calmly, drinking the tea in the cup.

"The garrisons, the Rifles and the Royal Mounted Police, are commanded by the tribunes and lieutenants, Count Gergobitz and Father Patras."

"I am the Chief Justice. It is my duty to correct the mistakes of various officials. I beg the Minister who stayed behind to forgive me."

Ennis said sternly.

Basilius looked at Ennis and said nothing.

He knew very well that the newly appointed young chief justice was from Ajdabiya, a mixed race of Greek and Berber descent, one of the first native North African Christians to grow up under the rule of Isaac. He had been on the battlefield at the age of 18 and had served as a military judge. He was loyal only to the emperor and had always been at odds with him.

Since he took office as the minister in charge, he immediately felt the huge resistance to implementing reforms. If there was no prince to put pressure on him, the local officials and powerful people would not listen to him at all.

When talking about laws and regulations, they cite the emperor's edict; when talking about contributions, they say that they have fought a war with the emperor. These military merit-seekers look down on pure civil servants who have never fought in a war.

However, he could also understand the emperor's difficulties. In the early days of his rule, everything was for stability and military purposes, and economic development and cultural assimilation had to be put on the back burner.

"You are right. Let Count Yergubai tell us about his arrangements."

Basilius sighed.

Yergubai, dressed in military uniform, stood up and bowed deeply to Basil and Thessaloniki.

"Your Highness, Princess, His Majesty has made very clear arrangements for the recruitment of the Archer Army. Every city is similar."

"A large part of the permanent troops are short of regiments, but there are enough officers. We need to recruit slaves from various manors to fill in and send them to the battlefield."

Yeer Gubai said, glancing at the owners of the manors.

"His Majesty has allowed you to build a manor and purchase serfs at low prices. This obligation was stipulated when the contract was signed. I hope you will take the initiative to send the serfs to the camp and don't keep me waiting."

"Some of the low-priced serfs you bought back then were branded. They are all on the wartime conscription list. Don't send the old, weak, sick and disabled to fool us."

"If you deliberately use these slaves who belong to your majesty to death, and send them a group of old, weak and sick people, then I will report it truthfully, and there will be no such good things in the future."

"Your Highness, rest assured, these serfs will come to you for training for a month every year. How are they doing? Don't you know?"

A manor owner said with a smile.

"We have all fought against the emperor before, so we know how to train these strong slaves."

"When Justinian came to inspect us, he praised our serfs for being well-maintained. We usually don't let them do any heavy work. We just treat them as house guards."

"That's good. I'll give you one month, until next year at the latest."

"Your Majesty has appointed me as the commander of all the shooting armies in West Africa. Once they are assembled, we will sail to Europe next spring."

"As for the local security, I'll leave it to my adjutant, Father Patras."

Yergubai turned to Basil and Salonica.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, what do you think of my arrangement?"

"Very good, Lord Earl, you are worthy of being a loyal subject of the Emperor."

Salonika smiled.

Yergubai was originally the captain of Isaac's guards. He was raised by him since childhood and was considered a semi-adopted son. He had a good relationship with the first few princes and princesses, but was more indifferent to the later ones.

"My Lord Earl, I'll trouble you then."

Basil said, looking at everyone.

"During the war, everything will remain the same. Government affairs will be handled by the ministers who stay behind, military affairs will be managed by Father Patras, and legal affairs will still be handed over to Lord Ennis."

"My father wrote to me saying that the preliminary preparations will last for several months, and the full-scale war will begin in the summer and autumn of next year."

"Basilius, Patras, and Ennis, the three of you should discuss the future arrangements."

Basil imitated his father and waved his hand to drive away the powerful gentry, leaving behind a few government officials.

……

Avar Khanate, northern foothills of the Caucasus Mountains.

The ethnic composition of the area north of the Greater Caucasus Mountains is extremely diverse. In addition to the Circassians, who are the largest group, and the Dagestanis, there are also a large number of small ethnic groups, such as the Alans, Chechens, Ingush, Avars, etc.

Of course, the Circassians and the Dagestanis are not complete ethnic groups either. They are divided into tribes and ethnic groups, with different languages ​​and cultures.

The religious beliefs here are also quite complicated. Generally speaking, the Circassians in the west believe in Orthodox Christianity, the Avars and Dagestani people in the east believe in Sunni Islam, and the Alans, Chechens and Ingush people in the middle are influenced by both sides. Some tribes believe in Orthodox Christianity, while some tribes believe in Sunni Islam.

Since the Circassians pledged allegiance to the Eastern Roman Empire and respected Crown Prince Justinian as their king, the Circassian tribes, which had sufficient food, joined forces with the Cossacks in the north and began to sweep eastward to take revenge on the Muslims.

Along the way, the vanguard troops led by Gonzalo defeated dozens of small tribes with absolute advantages in manpower and equipment, leaving them with only two choices: either convert collectively or be demoted into slavery.

A few months later, Justinian and his troops had swept through most of the northern foothills of the Caucasus, defeated the slightly more powerful Avar Khanate, and headed straight for the Caspian Sea.

In the Avar Khanate in the Kuinji region, tents were burning with fire, boxes of treasures were placed on the open ground, and teams of slaves were waiting dejectedly to be selected by the Circassians and Cossack cavalry.

In the big tent that originally belonged to the Avar Khan, the victorious generals were drinking and chatting. Gonzalo hugged the two wives of the Avar Khan, flirting with them and asking them to light cigarettes for him.

Around him, the Circassian chieftains and Cossack centurions were also enjoying the fruits of victory, with smiles on everyone's face.

Avar Khan, the original owner of the tent, was kneeling beside him, trembling with hatred and anger.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, we are one step closer to the Shirvans." Prince Stima from the Kabarda tribe of Circassia drank the Avar Khan's collection of fine wine and looked drunkenly at Justinian sitting on the throne.

"There's nothing to congratulate. Their population is not even as large as my army."

"This Khan is quite good at construction. If we give him another ten years, he might really build this place into a city with walls. By then, it will not be so easy for us to fight him."

Justinian laughed.

"However, this old man is quite talented at escaping. If I hadn't sent people to ambush him by the river, I'm afraid he would have really escaped to the north."

Upon hearing this, Gonzalo kicked Avar Khan and sent him flying towards Justinian.

"Why, do you want to find your old master?"

Justinian smiled and lifted his chin with his knife.

"Unfortunately, the Kumuh family has been frightened and sent me a letter, saying that they are willing to make way for me and ask me not to attack their land."

"You won't be here long, Greek."

The Avar Khan could not bear the humiliation and glared at Justinian fiercely.

"We are no match for you on the battlefield, but you can't wipe out those nomads hiding in the mountains."

“The troops you leave here will be attacked, the officials you send here will be assassinated, and you won’t make a penny from here.”

"Who said I'm going to stay here?"

Justinian shook his head and spoke in Turkish.

"My purpose is to punish you, the disloyal Saracens. This land is worthless."

"I will distribute your wives and daughters to the Circassian tribes and the Cossack Thousands, I will sell your sons into slavery, I will burn your villages and towns, and I will sprinkle your land with thick coarse salt."

"Bastard!"

Avar Khan's eyes were bloodshot and he struggled desperately, but he could not break free from the heavy shackles.

"Just wait and see. King Shirvan and the Safavids will not let you go. When they come to the north, they will kill you all!"

"You are like locusts, swarming from west to east, plundering everywhere. God will curse you!"

"How dare you, an Avar, say such things?"

Justinian shook his head in disinterest.

"Don't you claim to be from the East? The sins you committed on Christian land hundreds of years ago cannot be explained in a short time."

"When the Shirvans and Safavids plundered the Circassian tribes, you were willing to be the vanguard. I will avenge the blood debt of my subjects. God will protect me."

"As for the Shirvan Kingdom and the Safavid Order, they have always been my enemies, and a battle will break out sooner or later."

"Ha ha……"

Avar Khan smiled bitterly, staring at Justinian with bloodshot eyes.

"Your brother Alexios practices justice in the south and does not kill people of different faiths. Even I have heard of his good name."

"But you, along the way, plundered, killed, looted, and burned all those who did not believe in Christ."

"You did not bring much food with you, but took it all from the enemy. You harvested large fields of wheat before they were ripe, and slaughtered large herds of cattle and sheep before they gave birth."

"You even spared no land, destroyed all the water conservancy projects, and spread coarse salt all over the fertile fields and vineyards. Even the Safavids refused to do these things."

Avar Khan gnashed his teeth.

"I am not a traditional Khan. I went to Tabriz to study and went to Mecca for pilgrimage. I have always been committed to governance rather than plundering, and to the development of culture and academics."

"You ruined everything for me."

"You and your father who complained about the death, you have killed so many people. You will all go to hell, and future generations will curse you forever!"

"Oh, no wonder you are so lax in your weapons, you are actually an educated person."

Justinian smiled.

"My father is not going to hell, and neither am I."

"As for the curse... Haha, your stories will not be passed down. Your history books will be written by us. I want to write you as a tyrant, then you are a tyrant."

Justinian stood up and drew out the twelve-pointed sword that symbolized the Circassian monarchy.

"Might is right, might is justice!"

A cold light flashed, the head rolled down, and the blood dyed the land red.

His wives and concubines were so frightened that they hid in the conqueror's arms, swallowing their tears silently.

"Come on, Gonzalo, and you, Stima, throw out his women, I have something to announce."

Justinian waved his hand indifferently.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Gonzalo and Stima drove several women out of the tent and pulled down the curtains.

Justinian silently stared at Avar Khan's head with his eyes open and tapped the table lightly.

After thinking for a while, he took out his exquisite pocket watch from under his robe and looked at it casually.

"My father has declared war on Muhammad and is expected to launch a formal attack next year."

"He gave me one year. Within one year, we have to end the war in the Caucasus. We have to teach the Shirvans as much as possible to prevent them from attacking Circassia and Georgia again."

"Father is the protector of all Orthodox Christians. In order to promote our authority, we must let all Orthodox Christians see hope."

"The ruling core of the Kumuh family is not here. Although Avar is also considered their vassal state, it is obvious that they are unwilling to go to war with us for this."

"As for the Tatars in the north, the Jochi Ulus has split again. A Khan named Kasim has established his own Khanate with Astrakhan as its center. Ahama can't control us!"

"In the next year, I will continue to move eastward, along the Caucasus Mountains, and attack the heartland of the Shirvans."

“Now, the Safavids are also on Shirvan’s land.”

Justinian smiled grimly.

"My father said that if we capture the Safavid leader, we should not think of anything else but just kill him."

"I'm afraid that will be difficult, Your Majesty."

Timur Tash, who was standing by, thought about it.

"We didn't bring any siege weapons, so it's hard to capture any big shots."

"It's okay, I didn't think that far."

Justinian said.

"We have captured many cattle and sheep. We will drive them eastwards and plunder the towns and villages of Shirvan."

"We have come a long way and the problem is really serious."

Justinian looked at Stima of Kabarda.

"The infiltration of Saracen forces here has become very serious. Many tribes that once believed in Orthodox Christianity have converted to Allah."

"We need to create some momentum and prestige so that more tribes can trust us."

Justinian wiped his bloody sword.

"My father said that it's only a matter of time before we fall out with the Aries Dynasty. If that day comes, we'll have to cause trouble for Uzung Hasan in the north."

"From what I've observed, Uzon Hassan doesn't trust us very much. He sent one of his sons to stay in Armenia. I guess he's wary of us."

"Humph, the Ottomans didn't send many troops to the east at all, and Uzon Hassan took advantage of us."

Justinian snorted.

"However, it is too early to say this. Before the huge benefits in Anatolia are divided, no one wants to fight a tug-of-war in the mountains."

"If that day comes, whether you are Cossacks or Circassians, you must fight for me and for your beliefs. Do you understand?"

Justinian stood up and looked at the Circassian nobles and Cossack centurions present.

"Following your majesty, there is food, drink, slaves and money, why not fight?"

Steenma laughed drunkenly.

"At this time in the past, we were still waiting for the winter in the valley, but now we have cotton clothes, coke, food, and we can even seize the land and slaves of the enemy tribes while they are overwintering. Only you can give us this feeling."

The Kabardian tribe was the closest to here and was usually the most harassed. This time, they sent the most troops and received the most slaves and money. Many small tribes were also given money by Justinian after they converted to Orthodoxy, so they were well fed and well-dressed.

Through one revenge war after another, Justinian's prestige has been gradually established. The Circassians don't care about using the majority to defeat the minority or the strong to defeat the old. Winning is winning.

"Very well, then let us continue eastward. My principles remain unchanged."

"Avar Khan's place is not bad, there is no cold wind, we will spend the winter here, and the war will continue in the spring next year."

Justinian raised his glass towards the crowd.

"After conquering a land, I will distribute money and slaves fairly, all books and craftsmen will belong to me, all livelihood projects will be demolished, all good farmland will be salted, all wooden towns will be burned, as many iron tools as I can find, and all Saracen scholars will be killed."

"Those who can read and write are not allowed to be spared. They are all reduced to slaves and sent to mines and farms."

"Doctors, architects, alchemists... these high-level talents must also be recruited. If they are willing to surrender, they will surrender. If they are not willing, they will be thrown into the sea."

"Do you understand?"

"understand!"

The generals responded in unison, and walked out of the tents one after another to gather their troops and make arrangements for the winter.

At the end of 1469, Justinian conquered the Avar Khanate and, after wreaking havoc in the Kuinj region, he camped in a small valley for the winter, waiting for the right weather.

(End of this chapter)