Eagle Byzantium

Later, Molitor was shocked when he received the news. He had been staying in the Levant to mediate and had heard about the results of the consul election, but he did not expect that the new consul would adopt radical military policies so quickly and so quickly. The ground is irretrievable.

And before he was about to rush to Prusa to make up for the misunderstandings and gaps between the two parties with Gawain (after all, Molitor and Gawain can be regarded as old friends since the days of Bari), Gawain already knew about the city-state of Venice. did.

"Are the pigs in St. Mark's City trying to blackmail me? But I will never fall for this trick." Gawain's determination remained unwavering. "My light ship is not planning to leave the waters of Rhode Island anyway." Let’s go, and Venice’s army strength is not enough to threaten my plan. It will be good if they can keep the northern line of Crete. Anna, there will be no changes in the date and deployment of the general attack on Prusa!”

Previously, a huge fleet that set out from the port of Atalia avoided the waters of Rhodes Island and instead moved along the long and winding coast between Atalia and Miletus. The fleet numbered eight. Ten ships, but all of them were a new kind of light ship, and the commander was the naval count Jal Guba.

What is this light ship? In short, they were mass-produced by absorbing the ship styles of the Slavic pirates who roamed the Uxen Sea.

Whether it is a Viking longship, a Tarsus sunfish boat, or an Italian city-state's galley, they are very expensive and very particular in terms of materials and manufacturing. The scale and combat power cannot be achieved in a short time. .

Therefore, Gawain's policy for the current Tarsus fleet is to "prioritize the development of small warships" and "short, flat and fast". Therefore, the Atalia Naval Frontier Area produced a large number of "Skuas" during the previous period. Light warships, they are actually large trees cut down from the Taurus Mountains, such as willows, lindens, etc. It is hollowed out with tools, then spliced ​​together, and densely packed wooden boards are laid on both sides and bottom to prevent arrows and bullets, and then straps made of reed strips and hawthorn bark are used to tighten the sides (acting as pins) function), allowing this group of "skuas" to sail more smoothly along the shallow sea coast and not easily sink even if filled with water. A "Skua" is generally seventy Anna feet long (about 16 or seventeen meters), ten Anna feet wide, and nine Anna feet high. There is a mast and a small sail in the middle of the ship, and there are two rudders at the bow and stern. , sailing but mainly powered by oars, with fifteen long oars on each side, plus Maldite or Greek sailors holding bows and arrows, the full complement was about fifty to seventy people. In addition to the bows and arrows, muskets and axes of the oarsmen and sailors, there are also shrimp cannons on the bow of the ship that can fire shotguns. In addition, there are large barrels on the bottom of the ship that can hold Khitan snow, match ropes and food (rusk, wheat flour, etc.) .

Eighty ships carried a total of nearly 5,000 sailors and oarsmen. Most of them were Maldites and Greeks recruited from various islands. They controlled this group of lightweight "Jaeger" warships and could even Heading around the islands and cliffs at night! After the draft, the bow of the Skua is only less than two feet above the sea surface. Coupled with the reeds laid on it, it looks as hidden as a large piece of floating seaweed from a distance.

In one day and one night, this fleet had passed through the coast of southwestern Lydia and approached Smyrna like a dark cloud. At this time, the Venetian army had just defeated the Cretan rebels on the Messala Plain. The fleet can be said to have "passed by" to some extent.

When the "Skuas" appeared in overwhelming numbers on the edge of Lesbos Island two days later, Mesemna Castle on the island, which was still controlled by John's subordinates, saw such a formation and hurriedly lit the warning beacon. Following the island groups on the northern front, the urgent military information was conveyed to Gallipoli.

Soon John in the royal court also knew, "Tartsus sent small locust-like long ships, which seem to be breaking into the Marimara Sea and blocking the sea route to the city of Prusa!"

The nervous emperor hurriedly summoned his confidants to discuss the matter, "I am ready to gather all the available soldiers and horses in the imperial capital to rescue Prusa."

Everyone was silent, because most people knew that it was very difficult for Prusa to persist for three months. Now the number of heads that John of Constantinople could raise, plus the reinforcements from Hungary, could not exceed 10,000. People, if they cross the sea, they may not even be able to defeat Gawain's "swarm of skuas". Even if they land on Prusa's land, they won't be able to compete with Gawain's wolf-like elite brigade. The final result may be "losing Prusa and the last hope of the royal family, and maybe even the emperor will be captured."

"The co-ruling emperor may be able to attack again and force Gawain to retreat." An attendant said cautiously.

But John sneered. He had been disappointed with Theodorou's repeated attempts, at least he couldn't hope for it.

Another person with a clearer mind analyzed, "Your Majesty, holding on for a long time is the only way for the empire to win. The friendly Venice has launched a counterattack on Crete, and our diplomacy towards Bohemond has also begun. The effect. Therefore, it is best for Your Majesty not to send the final team to Prusa, but to stick to Gallipoli and the Imperial Capital. I believe this is what General Titicius thinks. "

"But if I lose Titicius and his new army, who can help me defend Gallipoli, the Theodosian walls and the strait? I don't need the fertile lands of Mysia and Bithynia. If so, who will lead the counterattack in the future when the situation improves?" John asked several questions in one breath.

Then the atmosphere in the whole palace cooled down. John was very discouraged. He had to admit that although he sometimes hated this noseless general, he couldn't leave him now.

The Ducas family was not very peaceful during this period. The former Caesar, who was blinded before, kept asking his wife Theodora (Alexius' sister and John's aunt) or directly asked Queen Mother Irene to speak for him. He selected a handsome young man named Ephraimius Ducas from his family and hoped that the emperor would appoint this young man as the captain of the guard and serve as the commander of the imperial guards together with Mikhail.

John knew in his heart that there was no free lunch in the world. Now was the time for the Ducas family to redeem the "loan". If he lost Taitius again soon, he would become a typical "lonely man" in the entire imperial army.

"Prepare two ships for me to go to Gallipoli. I want to discuss the confidentiality of guarding Prusa with Taitius." Finally, John personally issued such an order.

Soon it was the next day, three days before the general attack planned by Gawain. While Titius continued to urgently command the people and soldiers to build the retreat wall behind the corner of Prusa, a message came to tell him, "The Emperor's ship has entered the river port to pick you up. He is waiting for you at the Gallipoli Fortress and hopes to discuss the immediate battle deployment with you. The defense of the city will be temporarily handed over to his deputy, General Melicelos."