1621 Summer(June-August)
2 months after I’ve occupied Constantinople and stayed in Topkapi palace, the city’s atmosphere had been stable after I’ve announced another decree, declaring there’ll be no tax for 5 years. Also, the HQ of the 10th Crusade has been successfully transferred to Constantinople after my servants, bureaucrats, and aides’ – who stayed at Heraklion – arrival.
“U...unbelievable, grandfather!”
“Even Charlemagne only managed to reclaim half of the West Roman Empire, but you have successfully reclaimed both the West and the East, grand...I mean, Imperator!”
“You flatter me, Henry. By the way, how’s the atmosphere of the city? Aren’t there anyone who’s plotting a rebellion or a riot?”
“Don’t sweat it. Every soldier is following your command – with rape, looting, arson forbade, no harm has been done to citizens so far! Also, the untrustworthy volunteers are not allowed to enter the city, Imperator!”
Of course, it was Henry - my grandson and the Duke of Cambridge – who was making a fuss in front of me. Since he was almost become 30 and has become a father, I’ve made him one of my military aides, instead of letting him command important troops. It was to both provide him field experience and allow him to make friends with competent CO(Commissioned Officer)s.
“I see. By the way, how’s your father – I mean, Richard, the Prince of Wales – doing?”
Instead of finding out myself, I’ve asked the Duke of Cambridge how was the Prince of Wales – who’s currently ruling the New West Roman Empire on my behalf and providing supplies to the 10th Crusade.
‘I think I’ve made up with him 3 years ago in 1618 Winter(*Money Money Money – The New West Roman Empire 6), but I can’t be rest assured.‘
And that’s why I’ve asked my grandson and his son, Henry, who was not on bad terms with either Richard or me.
“He’s currently in Madrid. I’ve heard that Iberian bureaucrats are having a hard time in adjusting to him, since he uses Latin, instead of unfamiliar Spanish during work.”
“Hahaha! That’s so like Richard. Why didn’t you teach him Spanish?”
“Since you’ve followed me so many times with Iberian troops and wed Portuguese wife, you must be more fluent in Spanish than him!”
At my words, he scratched his head and replied
“Well, I’m not a good teacher, so...”
Henry had a point. If his father – and my eldest son – Richard was a bookworm, Henry was a gallant warrior, which was the reason I started accompanying him to the battlefield from the French Civil War. And as a gallant fighter, he was good at military and martial arts, but not fit for studying.
‘And that’s why I’ve assigned him as my military aid, killing two birds with one stone. One is to make ties with the military and the other is to give him paperwork that he can handle, developing his administration skills!‘
‘Sigh’
Come to think of it, why did all apples fall far from the tree? Prince of Wales is too straightforward and idealist scholar, Duke of Cambridge is a military mania – in original history’s 21C point of view – and gallant fighter, while I was neither. Also, the late Lioness was a poor statesman unlike me, although her temper was similar to mine.
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‘Never mind. I’ve got all I wanted. And I’m too old to start something new. Now it’s time to think after my death.‘
No more conquering is necessary. In fact, this realm is too big for Richard alone to rule, which is the reason I’ll crown my late-born son Arthur as the king of Greece.
The Western realm – British Isles, Netherlands, Iberia, etc – are already settled. Even if I were to die today, it wouldn’t be that hard for Richard to control that realm and rule it efficiently.
But it’s different for Arthur, who will inherit the Eastern territories – Greece, Constantinople, Balkan, etc – which was just reclaimed and has to be sorted out. If I were to die today, his empire will be run by regent – whomever that might be. And in that situation, At this rate, Arthur, who’s too young to know politics (*He was born in 1617 December), will be merely a figurehead for powerful aristocrats. To prevent that, I need to make trustworthy ‘Praetorian Guards’ that would be loyal to him.
What I need to distribute to those ’Praetorian Guards’ is, needless to say, fiefs. The question is
‘Who shall be the Praetorian Guards?’
Of course, it’s also possible to buy their loyalty via money. But, it’s not long-lasting as bestowing fief and title. I can’t seriously expect them to follow Arthur just because they’ve received some ￡ or shares of East India or West India, the City of London, Bank of England while I was alive.
‘Anyway, it’s still the Middle Age, with the gap between the Nobles of the Robe – who has no fief and has to rely on the king solely – and the Nobles of the Sword - the one with land and military power - evident. And the best, stable way to win aristocrat’s favor is to bestow him a good fief and great title.’
And there’re 3 categories that I can consider. The Iberian aristocrats, the local – Greek – landlords, and the other region’s European nobles and knights who’ve joined this Crusade.
‘I need to grant fiefs to all of these 3 groups to prevent conflict. The problem is, which of these 3 should I put my trust the most?’
First, the Iberian aristocrats are the most fervent loyalists. If the British Isles were the vaults of the empire, the Iberian peninsula was the barrack of the empire. In fact, most military feats were made by the Tercio troops – which were mostly belonged to the 3rd division - from Iberia.
Although they’re starting to become out of date, still, they were the strongest on Europe’s battlefield.
So, if I were to reward them according to their feats, both the emperor’s power and the empire’s authority will solidify.
The problem is, if their share increases, the others’ complaint that they were just playing second fiddle to the Tudor-Habsburg’s feast since the Iberian aristocrats are fervent loyalists, will accumulate. And they might challenge against the royals after I die.
Second, the Greek landlords’ strong point is that they’re the locals. Since they know every nook and cranny of the East, the fervent their support the easier the rule of the empire will be.
To give the impression that the New Roman Empire is not a new conqueror like the Ottoman or Latin Empire but a revival of the Old Roman/Byzantine Empire, I can’t ignore them fully.
‘However, can I fully trust them?’
Being local means there’s no common ground between me and them. In short, they’ve only met me and started serving the Tudor-Habsburg family only 2 months ago.
So, no matter how much I try to win their favor, I’m not sure they’ll be that loyal to the strangers.
Finally, if I were to distribute lands to the foreign – German, French, Scandinavian, Polish, Italian, etc – nobles, the good news is that my relationship with them remains stable. In short, I can cooperate with them even after this Crusade is officially over. Also, if they have their fiefs, they too would try all their best to protect the Eastern realm of the empire.
‘However, the stronger their voice becomes, the weaker the emperor’s power will be.’
The problem is that they’re foreigners. Of course, while I’m alive, since I’m the one and only 1st Imperator and Basileus of the New Roman Empire, Germany, Italy, France, Poland, Scandinavian nations are all my loyal vassal states. But, after I’m gone and the empire is split into two – Richard being the 2nd Imperator of the New West Roman Empire and Arthur being the 2nd Basileus of the New East Roman Empire -?
Hell would freeze over if they remain loyal to Arthur! They’ll think of boy Basileus as their puppet and will ask for more privilege, if not coup-de-tat.
“Er, grandfather? Why the long face?”
“If there’s anything I can do for you, I’ll gladly be your help. Please, give me orders gran...I mean, Imperator!”
It was Henry who stopped my contemplation. Even though I’ve assigned him as my aid, and made him tackle with pens and ink than swords and horses, his skin was tanned. He must have gone outside, enjoying the sun, whenever he can find the time and played around.
‘Hmph’
“It’s nothing. Never mind. Return to your room, Henry.”
“Yes, Imperator.”
Well, I can’t expect my little grandson will be of help in this. Since my descendants are poor politicians, I should settle this matter.
After contemplating for weeks, I’ve made up my mind.
First, I shall distribute the inner Greek region and western coasts of the Anatolia peninsula (Turkey) to Iberian aristocrats. Since they mostly belonged to the 3rd division – which played an important role in the destruction of the Ottoman, others can’t complain that much.
Second, historic cities and coastal port cities of Greece - Athens, Sparta, Thessaloniki, etc - are recognized as Free Imperial City. Their self-rule is allowed and run by native Greek landlords. If they were to make a living as commerce, locals are second to none.
Finally, the eastern border regions of the Middle East and the inner Anatolia region, where there’s still resisting Turks left, will be bestowed to the foreign nobles. Then, they’ll continue Reconquista, even for their necks.
What about the royal – Basileus’ – domains? It’s made up of Constantinople and a metropolitan area(Eastern Thracia). If you have a full grasp of Constantinople and the metropolitan area, you can overwhelm other regions with it.
Constantinople has that power and potential. If Mediterranean trade and commerce become active once again, the city will once again hit the jackpot.
Also, the current population of Constantinople is 0.5 million(500,000), which is comparable to Ming’s capital, Beijing.
In short, as long as Arthur and his descendants can keep Constantinople and the metropolitan area, they can keep their crown.
Revolutionary France overwhelmed other regions with only Paris, and Buenos Aires province crushed other provinces’ rebellion during the Argentine Civil Wars, you know