The Eagle of Eastern Europe

In order to support frontline operations and homeland defense, the hands of craftsmen in the artillery factory were smoking. Some copper mines that were originally intended for other things were used for artillery production, and the production of gunpowder and oil also increased to a new level.

The price of local and Hungarian copper rose, and the ore and smelting business boomed. Trade in Transylvania and Serbia soared, and local merchants also made a lot of money.

However, the merchants were feeling a little uncomfortable. He originally controlled most of the spice trade and made a good profit, but the Venetian warship suddenly arrived and headed straight for Constantinople. This messed up the situation in the Aegean Sea. But seeing that the other party didn't embarrass them, they continued trading.

A considerable part of these maritime merchants were engaged in Eastern trade, that is, they obtained Eastern goods from Alexandria, Egypt, and then transferred them to Europe. Including red fruits and ivory from the East African plateau, spices, cotton and silk from the East, all of which can be sold at high prices.

Constantinople could once again become the world's trade center, but it would have to wait until the Venetian fleet had left. In order to watch the excitement and make some money, some merchant ships were refitted and followed with the commander's permission. The Roman commander who was surrounded by the breakthrough also assembled his fleet to prepare for a close fight with the Black Sea Fleet.

The Venetian fleet has sailed into the Propontis Sea, which is connected from the northeastern end to the Black Sea via the Bosporus Strait and to the southwest via the Dardanelles Strait to the Aegean Sea. It is the only channel between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

"Attention, all troops, Constantinople is ahead."

The vanguard ship cheered the sailors aboard, and along with it came the so-called Pope-appointed Bishop of Constantinople. They can't wait to hunt for the loot.

The defenders patrolling the walls of Constantinople saw the Venetian fleet, and the flying lion of San Marco on it looked extremely dazzling. News of the enemy's arrival spread throughout the city like the wind.

"finally come"

Mircea, wearing armor, appeared at the door of Hagia Sophia, and Patriarch Antony was blessing each soldier.

"His Majesty!"

The Patriarch greeted Mircea, and now that the enemy was at hand, all walks of life in Constantinople united. Mircea also addressed all the garrison before him.

"An unknown war is waiting for us. God has blessed this land, but the people in the past did not cherish it and let the devils destroy it. We must not repeat the same mistakes."

"Warriors of Rome, take up the weapons in your hands and attack our enemies!"

Mircea's inspiring words boosted morale, the defenders scaled the walls, the artillery was ready, and the chains of the Golden Horn were raised.

For the defensive castle, Simeone adopted the old routine. Attack Galata and attack the landing from the weakest point.

"attack!"

Following Simeone's order, the Venetian fleet quickly approached Galata. This time the defenders were fully prepared. There were more than 100 artillery pieces in Constantinople, and a large number of shells were fired at the Venetian ships, catching the opponent by surprise.

The Venetian fleet had never been hit by such a dense artillery fire, and it lost many sailors and ships from the beginning. The Venetians connected the high-side sailing ships in pairs and released a flying bridge, which was high enough to build the tower of the city wall. A monk risked his life and climbed onto the wall. He thought he could catch the defenders by surprise like his predecessors, but Unfortunately, what he encountered was a gush of Greek fire.

The soldier became the Pyro with great honor and then disappeared into the sea. Those Venetians who wanted to go up the city walls were afraid to go. Upon seeing this, the defenders destroyed the flying bridge and threw cans of Greek fire.

"The Romans were prepared."

"Sir, what should we do?"

Simone thought for a moment and decided to attack the city wall with the few cannons on his ship. They also have to find a way to destroy the iron chains of the Golden Horn, which will make the defenders unable to do anything.

There were also some soldiers who were not afraid of death and managed to board the tower of Galata, but the number was very small, only about 40 people, and they were quickly annihilated by the defenders. The artillery and hurlers never rested for a moment as they struggled to keep the Venetian ships from landing.

In the city, Patriarch Anthony led a procession holding a statue of the Virgin to inspire people's religious enthusiasm and make them believe that the Virgin was blessing them. This made morale in the city high, and even the peasants around Constantinople were attracted by religious enthusiasm. agitate. Since there is no land army, it will undoubtedly be difficult for Venice to capture this place with its navy.

After retaking Constantinople in 1261, Michael VIII paid special attention to the strengthening and heightening of the sea wall. In anticipation that the Latins would try to recapture Constantinople, the sea wall was raised by two meters. Ten years later, facing the threat of invasion by Charles I, the Byzantine Empire built another wall behind the original sea wall. In addition to the docks and ports, the Sea Wall of Marmara is built on the coastline, 12-15 meters high, with ten gates, three small gates, and 188 towers.

After Mircea's coronation, he systematically repaired Constantinople, especially the sea wall, which was equipped with the most artillery. Therefore, the Venetian fleet could only charge forward, and he could not afford the consequences of retreat.

"Listen, we have to take Galata. This is our only chance."

Simone could only let the ships continue to build bridges and enter the towers, but they would always be burned by Greek fire. Coupled with the attack power of artillery, ships in Venice had sunk.

"My lord, I'm sorry, there is a fleet coming towards us from the northeast."

"What?"

Simone couldn't believe it, but the news from several ships was the same, saying that a fleet of no less than 100 ships was heading in their direction.

"Damn it, this must be a Roman conspiracy. They are waiting for us to jump into the trap."

Simone painfully discovered that he, an experienced naval commander, had been fooled. He trusted Venice's intelligence network too much. They must have wanted to annihilate the Venetian fleet in the Sea of ​​Marmara, so that Venice's pride would be gone.

"Quick, retreat quickly."

At this time, he no longer cared about being charged with escaping from the battlefield. In his opinion, preserving Venice's strength was the most important thing. But it is not easy to allow so many ships to retreat calmly. This cannot avoid some collisions, and the artillery of the Castle is still attacking, causing chaos to some ships.

However, the sudden withdrawal order made the ships behind feel confused, but they still obeyed the command and prepared to withdraw from the Sea of ​​Marmara. However, they discovered that there was also a fleet heading towards them from behind, and they were the fleet that broke through the encirclement in the first place. When the ships were originally allocated, Nikephorus still had some intact ones waiting in Smyrna, waiting for the Venetian fleet to enter the Aegean Sea before setting off, so that even some losses could be quickly made up.