My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 878 Across the Strait

"What happened across the channel?"

On the tall city wall of Constantinople, Constantine looked at the port of Scutari across the strait, frowned and whispered.

Just yesterday, there was a sudden loud blast of artillery fire at the Port of Scutari, and the shouts of killing were even more intense, scaring the remaining Romans in Constantinople so that they could not sleep all night, for fear that something would happen to the Ottomans. , thereby implicating oneself.

After Constantine met Zhu Zhanhe before, he returned to his fiefdom, the Principality of Morea. After handling some matters, he quietly returned to Constantinople and reported to his brother John VIII. Let’s talk about what he discussed with the big man.

John VIII was extremely excited when he learned that the Han Dynasty was willing to lend a helping hand. Over the years, he also tried his best to protect the survival of Rome, and even traveled to various European countries many times, hoping to persuade them to send reinforcements to help them defeat the Ottomans. .

The efforts of John VIII finally impressed the Papal States, but the Pope put forward a condition, which was to convert the Eastern Roman Empire that believed in Orthodox Christianity to Catholicism. In the end, John agreed to the Pope's conditions after careful consideration.

But this move of John VIII angered the remaining Eastern Romans. They even shouted that they would rather see the sultan's turban than the pope's triple crown. This also gave John VIII a headache. In recent years, Nian has been trying to convince the people. After all, he feels that the survival of the empire is more important than faith.

Unexpectedly, at this critical period, Ming Dynasty actually extended an olive branch to Rome, so John VIII was also very happy and discussed with Constantine for a long time. As for Constantine's previous agreement with the Han Dynasty without his consent, John VIII agreed to the cooperation treaty, even though he had not even read the contents of the signed treaty before.

"How about I send someone to find out the news? After all, there was so much noise yesterday. It sounds like an enemy is attacking the Ottoman port."

John VIII stood side by side with Constantine. At this time, he hesitated and finally proposed.

Constantinople has been besieged for so many years, resulting in their extreme shortage of supplies. Especially in recent years, the Ottoman navy has greatly increased its strength, which has compressed Constantinople's living space to the limit. Some people can't stand hunger. , and even slipped down the rope from the city wall at night and ran to the Ottoman military camp to surrender.

The Byzantine Navy, which was once arrogant, now has only a few ships, and even the few ships that are there usually double as fishing boats, and the catches are eaten by the people in the city. Fortunately, Constantinople faces three enemies. There are a lot of fish caught in the sea every year, which can supplement the food of the people in the city.

Therefore, these ships are the treasures of Constantinople. Every loss of one will make John VIII feel distressed for a long time.

"I think we can send someone to take a look. Although it is risky, if we can know the situation on the other side, it may bring us some good news."

After hesitating for a long time, Constantine finally nodded in agreement.

John VIII, who had no children, valued his younger brother Constantine very highly, so when he saw that he agreed, he immediately ordered an old paddle boat to quietly leave the port and go to the opposite port of Scutari to investigate. information.

Looking at the ships gradually going away, John VIII and Constantine on the city wall also showed uneasy expressions. They hoped that the ships could bring back some good news, but they were also worried that what happened on the other side might affect them. The security of Constantinople, after all, any disturbance in the Ottomans may have a huge impact on them.

The boat that inquired about the news did not go there for too long. Soon they were seen rowing quickly, and John VIII and Constantine also came to the dock to wait.

As soon as the people on the ship entered the port, and before the ship even stopped, the people on the ship shouted loudly: "Big Han... The Han army is coming. The opposite port is full of Han flags, and there are That legendary steamship!”

"What!" John VIII was also shocked when he heard this, and even had an expression of disbelief on his face.

Constantine was also shocked, but then he suddenly thought that when he met Zhu Zhanhe, he had told him that the big man had made a big move recently. Could this be what he was referring to?

"Constantine, is he really a big man? Did they come over so quickly?"

After John VIII was shocked, he asked Constantine again. He even doubted whether he was dreaming?

"It is very possible that if the Han Dynasty captures the Black Sea Strait, it will be able to split the Ottoman Empire in two. In this way, our life will be much easier!"

Constantine also woke up from the shock at this time and immediately shouted ecstatically.

As long as the Han Dynasty occupied the strait, as a port city facing the sea on three sides, the siege of Constantinople would be solved. In the future, they would no longer have to worry about living in the shadow of the Ottomans.

"Brother, I think it is necessary for us to send troops to the Port of Scutari. After all, the big man has promised to support us. Now that the other side is sending troops to the Ottomans, even if they don't need our help, we must at least make a show of it."

Constantine suddenly suggested.

"It makes sense. I will immediately mobilize troops and board the ship, and bring some fine wine and food. You will personally lead the way to meet the generals of the Han Dynasty. We must let the other party feel our sincerity!"

John VIII immediately woke up and said, it was fine if they didn't know before, but now that they know, of course they have to make a gesture.

"No problem, I guess the person leading the troops this time is probably General Zhang Zhongzhang, and only he can mobilize the steam battleships!"

Constantine nodded immediately.

As John VIII's order was issued, the entire Constantinople became active, and twenty Roman warships were assembled. This was also the last naval elite of the Eastern Roman Empire. At the same time, some fine wine and meat were also sent to the ships. Although the number is small, it at least represents the sincerity of the empire.

Then Constantine personally boarded the ship and led the twenty warships to slowly sail to the opposite port of Scutari.

Just as Constantine and the others approached the port, they were spotted by a Venetian warship patrolling outside. Constantine hurriedly identified himself, and then the Venetian warship lifted its alert and then took them to the port.

Constantine stood on the bow of the ship and saw shipwrecks everywhere in the port, and even some dead bodies floating on the sea. They seemed to be Ottomans. The facilities on the port were also destroyed by artillery fire, and some places were reduced to scorched earth. , which shows the intensity of the previous war.

(End of this chapter)