After thinking about it for a long time, Soranzo increases the frequency of harassing enemy coasts.
The defense strength of Epirus and Peloponnese has been improved and they are no longer suitable as plunder targets. He focused on the eastern coast of Anatolia.
After some time, he successfully persuaded the Duke, Capello, and sent an envoy to Egypt, inviting Mamluk to join the war.
In early June, Alexandria from Egypt.
Compared with previous years, the number of merchant ships in the port has decreased by more than half, making it particularly deserted. Many workers were sitting in the shade to rest.
Under the close surveillance of the coastal defense Artillery, the Venice warship slowly docked. The messenger stepped onto the dock. In an instant, a large group of workers left the shady place where they rested and tried hard to get a job carrying goods.
"I am the envoy of Elion·Daltino, Venice, requesting an audience with Sultan."
Upon hearing the interpreter's reply, the workers hissed in disappointment and returned to the shade to rest and chat.
Elion wiped the sweat from his forehead with his cuffs, raised his eyes and looked into the distance.
The chainmail armor of the city wall defenders reflected dazzling light spots, and a yellow flag embroidered with the Sultan emblem hung listlessly on the city tower, occasionally being lifted by the hot wind and then falling down.
Elion once visited Mamluk as a messenger. According to his memory last time, he found Alexander's official residence in the center of the city and was successfully received by Governor. Governor: "What do you want to see Sultan for?"
Elion replied clearly, "Cruiser of Palaiologos has seriously disrupted Eastern Mediterranean Trade and is our common enemy..."
Governor didn't say much, and arranged for the delegation to board a river boat Galley and go to Cairo to meet Sultan.
After four days, Elion finally saw the Cairo Citadel overlooking everything.
The castle stands on the rock wall of Mokattam Mountain. It was built in the Saladin period. Later Sultan people continued to expand it, making it a magnificent palace.
The outer wall of the city wall is khaki and dizzyingly high. Behind the wall stacks stands a guard holding a bow every few steps.
When Elion was led into the city gate, he noticed several rows of iron hooks embedded in the stone wall, used to hang the heads of rebels, and a small group of flies lingering next to them.
Passing through the courtyards and corridors, each door was guarded by different guards. After many searches and inquiries, Elion entered the main hall where Sultan was located as he wished.
The scene here is similar to a few years ago. The high-hanging dome is painted with geometric patterns intertwined with blue and gold. Sunlight pours in from the high windows and casts light and shadow on the thick wool carpet.
The low platform at the end of the hall was covered with a dark red velvet cushion, and the old Sultan, who was wearing a black robe, sat on it.
"Governor reported your intention and situation. Venice wants me to attack Palaiologos?"
Sultan has a very bad impression of Palaiologos, especially after the demise of Ottoman, Palaiologos became the number one threat to Mamluk. Over the years, Knights Hospitaller has been frantically plundering the coast of Mamluk. Sultan sent the navy to pursue the bandits, but was attacked by the Eastern Roman Empire fleet and suffered heavy losses.
Recently, Cruiser of Palaiologos seems to have gone crazy, hunting merchant ships everywhere in Eastern Mediterranean, seriously affecting Mamluk's exports Trade. Sultan's patience is on the verge of reaching its limit. Even without Venice's invitation, he will still consider launching an attack.
Sultan turned his attention to the gift list, which clearly listed the large-caliber Field Gun and Siege Cannon that he wanted most, and nodded slightly.
"What do you think about this attack?"
Elion hurriedly said, "Occupy Cyprus. After that, our two families will share the tribute on the island."
Sultan rejected this proposal. He felt that his own naval strength was too weak. Even if he occupied this island, it would depend on Venice's face in the future.
Egypt's forest resources are scarce, so it is necessary to import wood from other places to build ships. For example, East Africa's high-quality ship materials and teak from South Asia are of outstanding quality, but the disadvantage is that they are too expensive.
Affected by this, the maintenance cost of the Mamluk navy is higher than that of Venice and Eastern Roman Empire. The shipbuilding industry is weak and it is difficult to maintain a large-scale main fleet.
Sultan decided to continue the previous plan: attack Antioch. The territory captured belongs to itself, and there is no need to share the profits with Venice.
In the next few days, the delegation was arranged to live in the castle. One day, they followed Sultan out of the city to observe Mamluk New Army's training.
Elion doesn't understand military matters, and was shocked by this grand scene. A commander Mercenary Regiment came close to him and reminded him in an extremely weak voice:
"Venice people always dislike Mercenary Regiment for their poor combat effectiveness. To be honest, these people are not as good as us. Just wait, they will lose everything sooner or later."
On July 10, Blachernae Palace received news from the front: Crete sent a large-scale transport fleet to Egypt, suspected to be loaded with firearms.
"The enemy is assisting Mamluk in exchange for Sultan attacking the eastern border of Anatolia?"
Vitus put down the report and felt that this matter was indeed possible.
Twenty years ago, Mamluk attacked Lusignan Dynasty from Cyprus, and the battle went smoothly. As a result, Vitus led thousands of the Army to land and seize the island from Mamluk. This was the first time the two sides turned against each other.
Later, Vitus occupied Circassia and hired Knights Hospitaller to harass the coast, and the relationship between the two parties continued to deteriorate.
Now Mamluk takes advantage of the Eastern Roman Empire's "critical situation" to launch a retaliatory attack. This kind of thing is reasonable and reasonable.
Romanus took the initiative and said, "Father, let me sit in Konya, where Sixth Legion (Konya Legion) is stationed. When necessary, I will take them to reinforce the front line."
"Okay." Vitus agreed simply.
In the past few years, Romanus followed Vitus to fight against Anatolia, and experienced first-hand the battles of Battle of Sakarya, Battle of Konya and other large corps. The only thing he lacked was independent command experience.
Mamluk has no shortage of firearms, but their tactics are backward and their organization is disorganized. This is just the right time for Romanus to practice and let him pass the novice stage smoothly.
In fact, Vitus initially chose Steppe Khanate as the target for his eldest son. Since Mamluk took the initiative to attack, it was decided that it would be him. Vitus took his eldest son and members of Cabinet to Privy Council to find a detailed map of the eastern border.
Before explaining the battle plan, he mentioned some unrelated past events.
"In 986 AD, after Basil II stabilized the internal situation, he personally led the army to conquer Bulgaria.
This was his first time commanding a large-scale army. Due to his lack of experience, he failed to accomplish his set goal - to capture Sofia. During the retreat, the Rome army was ambushed at Trajan's Gate, and almost the entire army was wiped out.
As a commander, you should choose easier targets for the first few battles in your career, first easier and then harder. If you encounter a strong enemy in the first battle, no matter how talented you are, you may still lose to the opponent.
My early battle was on the Italy battlefield, assisting Florence in attacking Milan.
On the day I arrived at Genoa, the senior officials of Florence attended a dinner in the city and encountered danger. I temporarily summoned the mercenary leaders and rescued them. This was the first time I commanded a battle as a commander.
After leaving Genoa, the Florence army was ambushed by the enemy and almost lost. Fortunately, the Milan army had poor combat effectiveness, and we luckily turned defeat into victory.
Italian Wars is over, I lead the army to conquer Principality of Achaea.
The strength of this Crusaders country is not as good as Milan. The scale of the war is small, but it has a profound impact on me. As the commander-in-chief, I have verified certain ideas in actual combat, and my command ability has improved rapidly.
Later, I defeated Ottoman's first attack on the city wall of Corinth, and the following year crossed the sea to recapture Cyprus. At this point, I have accumulated enough combat experience to be able to skillfully handle land battles in various situations..."
Vitus kept talking for a long time. Romanus and Cabinet members did not interrupt, although Vitus The tone was calm, but they still sensed the danger.
After explaining, he told Romanus again:
"Remember, your mission is to guard the border. Remember not to go deep into enemy territory. The logistics supply at this stage is insufficient."