novelraw Chapter 711 18: Dragon Taming Secret Art
Chapter 711 18: Dragon Taming Secret Art
Giovanni Giustiniani, a man dressed in full plate armor, draped with a white coverall emblazoned with a red cross, does not resemble a Latin noble, yet he is distinct from the coarse and mercenary-faced soldiers.
His stature is not impressive, but merely standing there, he gives an impression of an insurmountable fortress.
"May the Lord bless you, great Basileus."
The bearded man slightly bows; behind him is a contingent of seemingly elite Genoese soldiers, mainly crossbowmen carrying the iconic square shield, with a few lightly armored infantry.
As for the Latin emblematic knights, there is not a single one.
"May the Lord bless you, General Giovanni from Chios."
Chios, an island in the Aegean Sea, once imperial territory, now a Genoese colony.
The Genoese and Ottomans have never severed their ties; commercial city-states prioritize profits, and the Ottomans have granted them commercial privileges, leading many to lean towards abandoning Constantinople.
The Venetians are likely in a similar state; historically, until Constantinople fell, their dispatched reinforcements aboard three galleys never arrived.
The Commercial Republic is an oligarchic regime; although the Governor holds a respected position, he is inferior to a true monarch; internal factions are entangled, undercutting each other. Those without interests in Constantinople or with minimal interests would never agree to the demands of the war faction.
Giovanni and these Genoese mercenaries around him are evidently the only response the war faction could muster.
"I wish to grant you Limnos Island as your fief, to reward your devotion to Christ. If victorious in this battle, I shall also enfeoff you as the Duke of Athens, and your soldiers will receive generous rewards."
Losa thus spoke.
The eastern part of Limnos Island contains abundant volcanic ash soil, very fertile, considered the Empire's last fruitful granary.
Additionally, the island has several natural harbors, coveted by both Venice and Genoa for a long time.
Previously, Constantine XI also attempted to exchange this island for aid from Aragon, Venice, Genoa, and other city-states, but evidently, these schemes fell through. Better to grant it as a reward to the Genoese, seeking their full support.
The Thousand-year Empire is in decline; past monarchs have been too many sell-outs, squandering the Empire's legacy; when it came to Constantine XI, even if he wished to sell, he could only sigh at the empty Empire Treasury.
"Thank Your Majesty for the generous gift; your magnanimity dims the sun and moon."
Upon hearing this promise, the face of Giovanni, superficially a mere mercenary leader, did not show much joy.
This battle is a matter of life and death; if he truly came for the reward, how foolish it would be to jump aboard Rome's ship riddled with ten thousand holes, with the cabin already submerged below the surface, leaving only a solitary mast standing.
Losa knew that this reward wasn't much, merely a gesture.
"Please follow me."
Losa led the Genoese through the city, ascending the Theodosian Wall of the outer city. The camel may be dead, but it's still bigger than a horse. Constantinople, once called the "Eternal City," though breached by the Crusaders, remains majestic and grand.
Pointing to this mighty city, he said to Giovanni: "The Theodosian Wall, though long unattended, remains solid. There are over fifty thousand inhabitants within, with enough provisions for a year. Were it not for those two fortresses, I'd be confident in defending this city until old age."
He extended his hand towards the northern strait, where some city parts are Genoese territory. Losa pointed at the Ottoman fortresses along both sides of the Bosporus Strait, akin to choking the Empire's throat, severing transport routes to the Black Sea northward.
Giovanni frowned, saying: "I've heard that the Ottomans secretly manufactured a significantly large cannon, capable of easily penetrating stone castles."
"Urban Cannon?"
Urban is a Hungarian cannon master originally serving the Empire, but Constantine XI, impoverished and unable to support heavy cannon research, thus Urban sought refuge with the Ottoman Sultan and was greatly valued.
Losa chuckled, shaking his head: "It cannot breach the Theodosian Wall. The wall under our feet incorporated multiple Magic Arrays in its initial construction. Despite its long neglect, it isn't an ordinary cannon that can penetrate."
In Yesterday's Giant Ship World, before the existence of rare minerals like White Crystal and Magic Stone, firearms merely played a supporting role and couldn't determine the outcome.
Even in real history, the Urban Cannon didn't play a decisive role.
Moreover, at present, Constantine XI is already replaced by him; to destroy the enemy's artillery positions, a single breath would suffice.
Seeing Losa's confidence, Giovanni didn't argue but calculatedly said: "Although there are inner and outer walls, we have too few men and can only station at the outer wall; a reserve team is needed, and defenses must also be manned towards the sea."
A rough calculation indicates that over seven thousand men are indeed stretched thin.
Losa honestly asked: "General Giovanni, can you write for additional reinforcements?"
Giovanni shook his head; his arrival is essentially a compromise by the Republic of Genoa's war faction, unwilling to sever relations with the Ottomans completely, forfeiting the originally signed trade privileges, yet not wanting to watch Constantinople—carrying many of their interests—fall into Ottoman hands.