1621 Summer(July)

After I’ve made up my mind, I’ve summoned all kings, nobles, and knights - who took part in the 10th Crusade – to Constantinople.

Unlike most other ‘after-parties’, in which everyone gets cocky, there was only silence.

‘Yes, you should. While you were all stuck in Balkan, it was me and 3rd division that Crushed the Ottoman’s main troops, killing the last Sultan, and recapturing Constantinople!’

“I, Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs, the 1st Imperator and Basileus of the New Roman Empire, hereby appoint Boris of Sophia as the King of Bulgaria.”

“I...it’s a great honor, Caesar! Long live Basileus!”

First, I’ve officially named the Christian rebels - who’ve revolted against the Ottoman Empire and claimed their own territories with my support – as kings or dukes.

‘Yes. Albania, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia...these 5 states shall be the vassal states of the East Roman Empire, or else.’

Second, I’ve distributed the other regions as my original plan – giving the inner Greek region and western coasts of the Anatolia peninsula (Turkey) to Iberian aristocrats, recognizing historic cities and coastal port cities of Greece(Athens, Sparta, Thessaloniki, etc) as Free Imperial City, bestowing the eastern border regions of the Middle East and the inner Anatolia region to foreign(German, Scandinavian, Polish, Italian, etc) nobles.

“God save the good Imperator Eduardo I !”

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“Long live the Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs, the 1st Imperator and Basileus of the New Roman Empire!”

It was just as I expected. The Iberian nobles who were given core regions all grinned from ear to ear, cheering at my generosity, while foreign aristocrats who had been bestowed border regions – with resisting Turks residing – had their faces sulked.

“Thank you for your generosity, Imperator. However, I don’t deserve this fief. There was no higher honor than serving you at this Crusade, so please, reconsider.”

So, some foreigners quickly gave up the title and fief that I’ve given, after realizing that they would go into the red - not black - if they cling to it.

‘Well, have it your way. As they always say, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink, you know.’

“Oh, how could I fail to notice your sincere loyalty! But, I can’t let you return empty-handed.”

“I’ll grant you reward money instead. Please accept my gratitude.”

So, I gave plenty of reward money to those who have returned their fiefs and titles.

And I’ve divided those fiefs and titles into much smaller ones and bestowed them to the talented low-rank NCO(Non Commissioned officers)s and CO(Commissioned Officers)s in Iberian troops(the 3rd division) - who’ve shown astonishing feats during several battles - making them as barons or viscounts.

“G...god bless Imperator!”

“L...long live Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs!”

Yes, it was just as they say – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Those former commoner/bastards, who’ve now become noble – although being a low rank and having to face with hostile, heretic natives – swore allegiance to me, kneeling before me, with tears of joy in their eyes.

Third, I’ve granted titles and fiefs to 2 heads of the 2nd division of the 10th Crusade – the king of Prussia and the King of Bohemia.

John Sigismund, who was both King of Prussia and Margrave of Brandenburg, became able to hold the title of a king while acting as an electorate inside the Holy Roman Empire, just like the King of Bohemia.

It was killing 2 birds with 1 stone – protecting the Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire and constraining the Austrian Habsburg family.

Ferdinand, the King of Bohemia and Hungary - the current head of the Austrian Habsburg - received the de jure of Hungary which was under Ottoman rule till now, as a king of Hungary.

And that added him an additional 30% of his current territory and subjects since 2/3 of the Hungary de jure was occupied by the Ottoman.

“Thank you for your benevolence, Imperator.”

No wonder Ferdinand humbly expressed his gratitude toward me, as he prostrated himself before me, kissing at the back of my hand. Needlessly to say, he had let go of his envy, animosity(*Brat and Cardinal – 10th Crusade 2) and became obedient, at least for the time being.

‘Ha! Now, which is the cadet branch now, eh? The senior line of the Habsburg – the Austrian Habsburg – now kneels before the Tudor-Habsburg, the cadet branch!’

‘Are you seeing this, old man – Felipe II -?’

Needless to say, it had not only gratified my pride but also became a great help in ruling the German de jure of the New Roman Empire.