Chapter 410 - Otomman't

With the arrival of the Emperor, the once deserted imperial palace became lively.

The commanders of the Crusades who had fought side by side previously began their journey home one after another after the Pope declared a complete victory in the Eastern Expedition.

After those familiar faces left, Laszlo was immediately surrounded by some unfamiliar ones.

Many people came to see the Emperor every day. They came from all over the Eastern Roman Empire, mostly nobles, town representatives, and church officials who came to pledge allegiance to the Emperor.

During the previous coronation ceremony, Laszlo, in his haste to launch the Eastern Expedition into Asia Minor, hadn't had the opportunity to communicate deeply with his Eastern subjects. Now that he was temporarily stationed in Constantinople, the Eastern Capital, it was a good time to win over the people.

However, the purpose of these people who came to him was surprisingly consistent: they all wanted to secure more privileges for their respective classes.

This was not surprising, as Frederick, at Laszlo's instruction, had already initiated a reform that could not be called grand, since most of the work had already been laid out in the past decade, apart from dealing with the Crusader lords.

Through a simple civil service system established with the strong assistance of Bessarion, he was determined to initially achieve control over the localities, and then gradually transform them, step by step extending central control deeper into the regions.

Regarding this, Laszlo had to be grateful that this "civilized" Eastern territory was truly excellent, having not been corrupted by the right of immunity, and the populace and local forces had a high tolerance for administrative officials dispatched by the central government.

It is important to remember that ever since the Merovingian Dynasty granted this privilege to the Frankish nobility, prohibiting royal officials from freely entering noble territories, and thus establishing the traditional feudal system of "my vassal's vassal is not my vassal," European nobles have always been extremely averse to direct royal interference in their territories.

Even France, which was already far ahead of other nations on the path to absolutism, constantly experienced disputes due to such issues, having already fought two League of Public Weal wars, and perhaps the next one was currently being prepared.

And in the Holy Roman Empire, you could even see hundreds of princely states, over a thousand different Imperial Estates exercising complete power within their own territories, while the Emperor rarely, or rather, found it difficult to interfere.

This situation arose because the Imperial right of immunity went even further than the Frankish one.

During the reign of Emperor Frederick II, a World Wonder, protracted wars broke out between the Emperor and the Italian city-states and the stubborn Pope, leading to his prestige being increasingly damaged and his control over the Empire gradually lost. Ultimately, under pressure, he signed a document called the "Statute in Favor of Princes."

Yes, the name of this decree was "In Favor of Princes," and its contents included prohibiting the Emperor from building castles in princely territories, recognizing the princes' control over cities within their jurisdiction, and prohibiting the Emperor from directly taxing princely territories.

This law set a very bad precedent. During the Great Interregnum after Frederick II's death, the concepts of state sovereignty and territorialization of states gradually began to take shape, and subsequently achieved greater results—the golden bull issued by Charles IV in 1356 almost affirmed that the princes' status within their own territories was no different from that of independent monarchs.

Now, it was Laszlo's turn to clean up this two-hundred-year-old mess. He had already been tormented quite a bit by it and would continue to suffer torment in the future.

However, in the former lands of the Eastern Roman Empire, the situation was completely different.

Whether it was the old system of Justinian I, or the later implemented theme system, and even during the Ottoman Empire's rule, the widespread civil service system always functioned well.

Those literate and numerate officials were responsible for compiling the financial status of subjects in various regions and collecting generally reasonable taxes. Sometimes most of these taxes went to local governments, and sometimes they were submitted to the central government.

When local governments received more money, the central power was weaker, easily leading to secession.

When the central government received more money, the Imperial Guard was stronger, creating a situation where the trunk was strong and the branches were weak.

The former would eventually lead to rebellion, even national division, while the latter could easily breed corruption, or even repeat the farce of the Praetorian Guard succession law.

Regardless of whether the generals guarding a region gained power or the Emperor ruling from Constantinople held sway, the civil service system would not be significantly affected.

They were the most useful tools; the only difference was who used them.

This led to the local subjects not being particularly resistant to the management of royal officials, while the new military nobles who had traveled from the West and settled there angrily denounced this move as going against tradition.

In their view, the Emperor should respect them and continue to adopt the system of immunity widely used in France and the Empire.

However, Laszlo, whose power was growing daily, would not indulge them. At a gathering of Balkan Crusader lords, Laszlo directly gave them two choices.

Either adapt to local customs, pay taxes with the local nobility, and enjoy partial tax exemptions, or be re-enfeoffed in the East, obtaining a more valuable territory, but also having to directly confront the threat of the Ottomans.

After all, the Emperor had not signed any form of truce agreement with the Ottomans, and the Emperor had rejected the Ottomans' several requests for peace, because there were still Crusaders conducting expeditions against the Ottomans.

This meant that the eastern territories could be subjected to Ottoman counterattacks at any time.

Now, Sultan Mustafa had made peace with Karaman, and the White Sheep Dynasty's attention had not yet turned west. The Ottomans still had some military strength and might launch a counterattack to regain lost territories.

Although the newly conquered lands in the East seemed extremely dangerous, to Laszlo's surprise, quite a few people still chose to exchange their fiefs.

It was unclear whether these people were motivated by inner piety or genuinely disliked paying taxes as they claimed. In any case, Laszlo readily accepted their fiefs in the Balkans and granted a large amount of uninhabited Asia Minor territory to these warriors.

To commend these lords who dared to settle on the front lines to resist the infidels, Laszlo also issued a subsidy to each of them.

However, religious fervor aside, the number of such lords was ultimately small. The remaining had no choice but to submit to the Emperor's authority, enduring what they considered humiliation.

After all, the Emperor had not convened this assembly to discuss the matter with them, but merely to announce the Empire's new decrees.

There were some stubborn individuals unwilling to comply, but they were ultimately a minority. Laszlo did not do anything to them on the spot, merely calmly announced the consequences of violating this decree: the forfeiture of their fiefs for not fulfilling their feudal obligations.

In fact, the tax reductions enjoyed by the nobles were not insignificant; they simply couldn't stand the Emperor's decision to tax all subjects nationwide regardless of the consequences.

However, their anger could not change anything. The Emperor possessed undeniable absolute power, and these foreign nobles had been striving to establish roots in the Balkans for years, but this process was too long and arduous. Coupled with the lively situation in the Balkans in recent years, they now had no power to resist the Emperor.

Under these circumstances, with the Emperor determined to promulgate new laws, they had no choice but to comply.

Moreover, the old Archbishop of Constantinople, from who knows where, found historical documents of dubious authenticity, arguing that the Emperor's decision conformed to tradition and customary law.

Not only that, but the Eastern Roman refugees whom Archbishop Bessarion had sheltered in Italy and Austria also responded to his call to return to Constantinople, intending to serve the Emperor in various fields.

Although the Archbishop did not have a good reputation in Greece, his connections in the former Eastern Roman lands were unparalleled. Coupled with the great allure of royal official positions, more and more intellectuals and wealthy commoners passed through his and the Emperor's screening to enter the continuously improving official system.

With the promulgation of a series of new laws, the governance structure of the Latin Empire was also continuously improving.

Despite the busy state affairs during this period, Laszlo felt exceptionally pleased.

Among the many countries under his rule, only the Latin Empire was acquired through complete military conquest. Unlike territories inherited through marital ties, this was a blank slate that he could freely shape.

For this very reason, even though he had successively ruled so many countries, only the Latin Empire seemed to have the feel of a nascent dynasty.

As for the other countries, especially Hungary, if Laszlo were to describe them, they were lifeless.

The local forces in various countries were deeply entrenched, often leading to situations where one move affected everything, so every step of reform was accompanied by growing pains.

In these Eastern lands, Laszlo finally found a familiar formula, a familiar taste.

One day in late October, Laszlo, gradually tired of the unchanging court life, took his advisors and a few companions and left the Blachernae Palace.

He had originally planned to go hunting outside the city to stretch his almost rusty muscles, but Laszlo's itinerary was ultimately changed to inspecting the situation in Constantinople.

After all, since his return to this City of the World's Desire, he hadn't had a chance to properly tour it before diving into a mountain of state affairs.

"After more than a year in the army, and less than two months living in the Imperial Palace, my body is already starting to feel uncomfortable,"

Laszlo sighed, somewhat troubled.

He was quite looking forward to today's trip.

Ulrich Fugger, who was permitted to follow the Emperor, looked at him with some admiration.

When he managed the family business in Augsburg, he had also come into contact with many Imperial princes, big and small, but he had never seen anyone as full of martial vigor and explosive desire for conquest as the Emperor.

Although most princes could endure military life, if not necessary, they were more willing to stay in their comfortable mansions and entrust the heavy responsibility of leading troops to their knights.

As for himself, as a royal merchant, the arduous journey of the past year and more was nothing much.

Having finally come to the East, he also took advantage of this time to contact the people sent by his father, Jakob. The Fugger Family's business had finally taken root in Constantinople.

All of this, of course, was still thanks to the Emperor's favor.

Ulrich collected his thoughts and noticed that the Emperor's gaze was focused on the fields not far away.

The farmers living there were busily harvesting grain. Some of them saw the Emperor's entourage and enthusiastically saluted him.

"Fugger, look at these fields. Can you imagine we are already within the city of Constantinople?"

Laszlo gazed at the bountiful wheat fields, deep in thought.

"Your Majesty, I recall a traveler once described Constantinople, mentioning that it was not like a city, but rather a cluster of villages protected by a massive wall, with fields of crops everywhere, its former prosperity only imaginable from its ruins.

The Constantinople we see today is probably even more decayed and dilapidated than what that traveler saw.

Fortunately, this coveted city has finally bid farewell to its tumultuous fate, and is now under your rule."

"You have a glib tongue, just like your father."

"Your Majesty, this is a crucial skill I learned in Venice, besides bookkeeping."

Laszlo smiled and shook his head, pondering Ulrich's flattery, and a sense of mission inexplicably surged within him.

Constantinople should not be like this. There are vast agricultural lands available within dozens of kilometers outside the city. As for the city itself, it should, of course, vigorously develop trade and handicrafts to create more wealth.

Previously, Laszlo had always focused on taxation, and he suddenly realized he had fallen into a misconception.

No matter how perfect a tax system is, it cannot create value out of thin air; it can only help him concentrate limited resources as much as possible.

To truly make money, the most important thing is indeed to develop productivity. Only by creating more wealth can the Empire truly become prosperous and strong.

"As you said, I do intend to change this city, but it will likely be a very long process.

As the city's population gradually increases, the land occupied by these farmlands will also be replaced by houses, markets, and workshops, and the remaining fields will not need to grow cheap wheat.

I understand that the tradition of growing high-value crops like olives and grapes around Constantinople has been maintained for many years, and will continue in the future.

By then, this city will become a massive workshop, producing all sorts of goods, and also the largest trade hub in the entire Mediterranean. Goods from the East and West will flow through here to all destinations. The city's population will surpass London, surpass Milan, and even surpass Paris, once again becoming that world-renowned City of the World's Desire."

Laszlo depicted his dream blueprint, surprising Ulrich with the Emperor's ambition.

However, he immediately realized this was an opportunity, a great opportunity for the Fugger Family to advance further.

"This is a grand ideal, Emperor. If my family and I can play any part in this process, please command us as you wish."

Laszlo turned to look at Ulrich, who wore a serious expression, seemingly ready to serve him diligently.

"Excellent, Ulrich," Laszlo nodded in satisfaction, affirming, "You are worthy of that great responsibility. Return to Vienna with my imperial decree; you shall become the new Finance Minister of Austria."

Ulrich, dressed in black, didn't know whether to cry or laugh at this moment.

Just recently, he had received news almost simultaneously with the Emperor: his father, Jakob Fugger, had passed away, and the Fugger Family's enterprises, along with the position of Finance Minister of Austria, awaited him.

And today, the biggest weight on his mind finally lifted; the Emperor still held full trust in the Fugger Family.

After settling this matter, Laszlo led his entourage further along the main road into the city.

Although Constantinople had declined, the area enclosed by the Theodosian Walls was still vast enough that if he didn't hurry, he might not finish touring this distinctive imperial capital before dark.

It is said that Constantinople's population reached a million at its peak.

This was largely a rumor. Laszlo found it hard to imagine such a massive city existing in feudal times, apart from the vast empire in the distant East. Clearly, the much-troubled Eastern Roman Empire lacked such a foundation and strength.

However, most historical documents hidden in Constantinople claim that by the 12th century at the latest, Constantinople still had a population of 400,000.

Laszlo had little doubt about this.

Because once, the city's boundaries indeed approached the Theodosian Walls. However, the powerful empire that once boasted thousands of ships and carriages was reduced to scorched earth and shattered tiles in an instant. Large urban areas were abandoned due to long-term uninhabitedness, later demolished and converted into agricultural land.

The starting point of all the catastrophes was the sinful Fourth Crusade.

It must be said that when it comes to de-urbanization, if the Crusaders claimed to be second, probably no one would dare to claim first.

After conquering the city, they used only two great fires to reduce over a third of Constantinople's urban area to ashes.

Given a chance to rule Constantinople, they could reduce the city's population to one-tenth of its pre-siege level in fifty years.

Constantinople never recovered from the shadow of the Crusaders, until a new catastrophe arrived—

The Ottomans conquered the city.

Unexpectedly, yet reasonably, Constantinople under Ottoman rule was clearly rapidly regaining its former prosperity.

To say the least, the city's boundaries indeed showed obvious signs of expansion, and many buildings within the city had been properly repaired—however, when Laszlo led the Crusaders into the city, these places suffered new damage.

Fortunately, Laszlo had dispatched personal guards to protect some important locations in advance, saving them from severe destruction.

For example, the Hagia Sophia, which he had just finished visiting and was nearly completely renovated, still awed him every time he saw it, even though he had seen it several times before.

Afterward, he successively visited the abandoned Hippodrome, and two palaces that were not yet completed and on which no one continued construction.

One of them was located on the former site of the Great Palace of Constantinople, which the Ottomans called the Old Palace. However, the construction progress was too slow, and when the city fell, the ancient Eastern Roman buildings remaining here had not yet been completely demolished, nor had the new palace begun construction.

In contrast, the New Palace located on the Sarayburnu promontory was largely completed and even once served as the Sultan's residence, later being given to the Sultan's son.

This palace sits at the tip of the peninsula formed by the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara, and it is situated on high ground. From many points in the palace, one can enjoy an unobstructed view of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus Strait, and the Sea of Marmara.

It is said that this was once the site of Constantinople's oldest acropolis, with a history dating back to the Greek era.

Standing in the pavilion of the Fifth Garden near the coast, even Laszlo had to admit that Mehmed II's vision was indeed excellent.

This is the highest point of the nearby urban area and coast. Standing here, one can clearly see the city and ocean scenery, which is inspiring.

After Constantinople fell, Mehmed II ordered the construction of this palace as his residence, but now it has benefited Laszlo.

It must be said that Muhammad's taste was similar to that of past Crusader monarchs—they all preferred palaces near the sea.

The Ottoman Empire and the former Latin Empire both had their monarchs' bedchambers on the edge of the Sea of Marmara Wall. The Boukoleon Palace, where the Latin Emperor resided, was even integrated with a part of the sea wall, and an Emperor-exclusive port was connected outside.

Laszlo liked both of these palaces near the sea. In comparison, the Blachernae Palace, where he currently resided, although the safest, was also the most unpretentious, even rudimentary.

After all, the Blachernae Palace was almost the smallest among these palace complexes and was located on the most strategic high ground within the city. One side was near the Golden Horn, and the other was the solid Blachernae Walls, making its defense much simpler than palaces near the sea.

The only sad thing is that during the two previous falls of Constantinople, the Blachernae Walls were always the first to be breached.

This directly led to only the Porphyrogennetos Palace among the nearby palace complex being preserved, while the main body of the palace suffered considerable damage. As for the Church of St. Marie of Blachernae, which was adjacent to the palace, it had long since been burned to ashes.

Even with Frederick's careful construction, the Blachernae Palace could hardly bear the heavy responsibility of being the Emperor's residence, especially for an Emperor like Laszlo.

However, after careful consideration, Laszlo ultimately suppressed the idea of moving.

Constantinople had already declined to such an extent, yet as Laszlo wandered through the city, he could still see old palaces and towers every few steps, or other chambers built to satisfy the Emperor's vanity, needlessly consuming the people's resources.

It seemed that every dynasty's monarch hoped to leave their mark on Constantinople. After the Great Palace, used for eight hundred years, was abandoned due to lack of funds for maintenance, the monarchs of the Komnenian Dynasty, the Latin Empire, the Palaiologos Dynasty, and the Ottoman Empire moved the royal residence around, then undertook massive construction projects, probably to announce the establishment of a new dynasty, acting as if doing so would win the support of the populace.

Laszlo no longer needed such methods to establish his authority, and thus naturally scoffed at them.

But to take a step back, the main part of Mehmed II's palace had already been built. Laszlo remembered that his old uncle Frederick had coveted this palace for a long time and had previously applied to set up the empire's central government and offices in this palace.

Laszlo agreed without much thought. After all, if it's already built, you can't just tear it down, can you?

That would be too wasteful.

Apart from the New Palace personally designed and ordered by Mehmed II, all remaining palace repair projects were halted by Laszlo.

Next to the ruins of the Great Palace of Constantinople, which had been largely demolished, Laszlo met with Archbishop Bessarion, whom he had summoned.

"Your Majesty, I heard you were looking for me?"

These past few days, Bessarion had been so busy he barely had time to rest. Though nominally the Imperial Grand Chancellor, he practically exercised the powers of a prime minister.

He not only had to handle judicial affairs for appeals from the capital and across the country but now also had to lead the improvement of the imperial administrative system. This was no easy task for a man nearing seventy.

Originally, that latter task should have been completed by the Grand Chamberlain and the Lord Privy Seal, but Laszlo was still a bit uneasy about having two Austrians select officials to govern the Eastern Empire.

After all, their actions would almost inevitably be biased, and a misstep could easily lead to dissatisfaction from various factions, making problems even more intractable.

Ultimately, this heavy burden fell upon Bessarion, the ultimate product of Eastern and Western cultural fusion, a naturalized Greek.

"Archbishop, you've worked hard these past few days."

Seeing Bessarion's weary expression, Laszlo felt a bit apologetic.

"It is my honor to serve Your Majesty, but I wonder what Your Majesty needs me for. Currently, the selection of officials in several western provinces has not yet been completed, if the matter is not very urgent..."

"

"Hmm, I have a plan in mind that is also related to the work you are currently doing. How much do you know about the University of Constantinople?"

"6

"The University of Constantinople..."

"1

Bessarion showed a nostalgic expression.

In his youth, when he left Trebizond to study in Constantinople, he learned much knowledge related to canon law at that supreme imperial academy, which had existed for a thousand years, and it was also here that he first encountered the ideas of the ancient Greek sages.

Hearing the Emperor mention this school, Bessarion immediately understood the Emperor's intentions, and he felt excited and encouraged by it.

"This university was once the most important training ground for legal talents in the Eastern Roman Empire. It selected talented individuals through a comprehensive system, enabling them to play the greatest role in the rule of law.

Unfortunately, the Fourth Crusade destroyed this school and the empire's education and talent cultivation system. However, the university managed to preserve its flame by transforming into a religious academy.

During the reign of the Palaiologos family, the university was restored. Although its faculty and educational resources were far from what they once were, it was still an excellent university until the Ottomans breached the city... They completely destroyed the University of Constantinople and reorganized it into the Phanar Orthodox Academy. All noble children of Greeks and Bulgarians under Ottoman rule were sent to that academy to study, and many of these students held positions in the Ottoman Empire's bureaucratic system.

After your army broke through the city, that school was also unfortunately damaged in the war and no longer exists."

Hearing Bessarion's slightly melancholic narrative, Laszlo couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

The University of Constantinople absorbed the legacy of the Academy of Athens, standing for a thousand years, but unfortunately, it ultimately could not escape the ravages of war.

Now that a new empire has been established, how can there not be a university to match it?

Thinking carefully, in the administrative system currently being established, the selection of officials mostly relies on special appointments, recommendations,

appointments, and elections.

Apart from a small number of exceptionally capable individuals whom Laszlo valued, the majority of the remaining officials appeared before him through a vast network of personal connections.

Some relied on Bessarion or other court ministers' connections, while the rest were recommended by local authorities or came from the Crusader lord group.

Most of them were mediocre, and even some barely literate individuals, relying on the backing of powerful forces, could still secure an official position.

In other words, the current imperial administrative system could almost be called a paradise of the patronage system. As the saying goes, when one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. If this method were continuously used, once Laszlo stayed away from Constantinople for too long, the entire system would inevitably fall into a whirlpool of corruption.

The best way is to open schools, not just universities, but also ordinary schools for basic education, such as... church schools.

"I plan to rebuild the University of Constantinople, and the location will be on the ruins of this Sacred Palace."

"

"Your Majesty, this is undoubtedly a wise decision. If we can promulgate laws like those of the past and re-establish the judicial qualification examination system, we can then select new talents to enter the administrative system, and no longer worry about the lack of professional personnel."

Bessarion was so excited he almost fell apart, but he was still happy, happy that he could witness the rebirth of his alma mater in his lifetime.

"Hmm, not only that, but the school I intend to establish will recruit students from across the empire. Whether from elite families or commoner backgrounds, everyone will have the opportunity to study here.

However, in the short term, let's start by recruiting students from noble families with good foundations.

Laszlo thought about it and decided not to open the floodgates too wide just yet, as they were only just beginning.

"Then the courses to be taught..." "Let's follow the Western university model: theology, law, medicine, and philosophy. Of course, the Faculty of Law must have the highest priority. Then, regarding the teaching content, German, Latin, and Greek must all have courses, and language proficiency will account for a large proportion in future assessment standards.

I will assign a dedicated person to oversee the construction of the school. I would like to invite you to serve as the first chancellor after the university's rebuilding, responsible for leading the reorganization and development of this school.

Primarily, this involves recruiting teachers, selecting textbooks, and setting rules. I will handle the remaining issues such as funding and student recruitment."

Laszlo felt a bit embarrassed. He also realized that he was now using whoever was capable, but there was no other way. The empire was in ruins, and it was normal for everyone to work a little harder.

"It is my honor, Your Majesty."

If it were anything else, Bessarion would have found an excuse to decline, but he could absolutely not refuse this matter.

"Regarding the selection of officials to be sent to the provinces, if you're truly too busy, let the two ministers assisting you handle it. They can manage the finishing touches without a problem.

The Archbishop is a vital pillar of the Empire, so please take good care of your health."

Laszlo finally added a reminder. Bessarion was an elder he respected. He not only protected a large number of Eastern Roman immigrants but also befriended many renowned scholars and artists. Most importantly, as an Eastern visitor, he managed to reach the position of head of the College of Cardinals, which showed his considerable talent and emotional intelligence.

Historically, he supposedly represented the Holy See on a diplomatic mission to France in his later years, where he was publicly humiliated by Louis XI in the French king's court due to his Greek identity.

This usually kind-hearted elder was greatly angered.

After scolding Louis XI as heretical and unkingly, Bessarion angrily returned to Rome. Shortly after presiding over the second papal election, he passed away from illness.

However, judging by the current situation, Bessarion might pass away even earlier due to the excessive work Laszlo had assigned him, which made Laszlo's forehead break out in a cold sweat.

He hoped he wouldn't be cursed by Bessarion.

Facing the Emperor's sudden concern, Bessarion was also touched. After thanking him, he accepted the order and departed.

Although the school had not yet been built, Bessarion quickly found the former site of the Phanar Orthodox Academy near St. George's Church and announced the rebuilding of the University of Constantinople there.

Regarding the reconstruction of Constantinople, Laszlo didn't actually have much to intervene in.

In fact, much of the work began after Mehmed II conquered the city, not the reconstruction of Constantinople ruined by war, but the work to restore Constantinople to its former prosperity.

And what Laszlo had to do was make some unique Latin-style adjustments based on Mehmed II's foundations.

For example, the construction of the Grand Bazaar and the repair of water channels to ensure the city's water supply, which Mehmed II had undertaken over the past decade, were now being handled by Western builders.

Another example is the Millet System and immigration policies implemented during the Ottoman rule, which Laszlo also found to be very valuable for reference.

Regarding the establishment of residential areas for non-Catholic believers within the city, Laszlo issued relevant decrees, mandating the relocation of all infidels to designated areas, thereby separating Orthodox Christians, Jews, and a minority of muslims from the Christians who came from the West.

As for the reason for doing so, the most important was, of course, ease of management. If everyone were mixed indiscriminately, given Constantinople's past customs, riots and conflicts would likely erupt in the streets every few days.

However, infidel settlements were not very friendly to missionaries, which, for Laszlo, had both pros and cons.

On the one hand, the Roman Curia's influence was now difficult to exert in the East, and the shackles on Laszlo were not as heavy as before. But on the other hand, the extremely low religious tolerance of the Catholic Church was likely to cause many problems, a problem Laszlo had to face directly.

Of course, there was an even more important issue: how to quickly restore Constantinople's population.

Relying solely on natural immigration would be inefficient, so a decree was issued concerning the allocation of houses and land to new immigrants, along with substantial tax reductions for the first three years, aimed at accelerating Constantinople's population recovery.

To Laszlo's surprise, over the past few months, various infidels constituted the majority of the immigrants to Constantinople.

Due to the heavy burden of third-class taxes, they were forced to risk leaving the land where their families had lived for generations, coming to the unfamiliar imperial capital, hoping to improve their difficult lives.

Laszlo did not intend to interfere with this. After all, Constantinople was the first multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural core city under his rule. If he didn't try to implement open and inclusive policies, it would be difficult for this pivotal city, located at the junction of two continents, to develop rapidly.

Time slowly passed, and soon it was Christmas 1469.

In the early morning, people, either voluntarily or under duress, entered the various churches, large and small, throughout Constantinople.

Priests from Austria, Hungary, and Rome presided over the Christmas Day Mass for all citizens. Regardless of their religious beliefs, those participating in the Mass had to accept the Catholic festive ceremony.

However, they did not have the right to participate in the full ritual process, only to observe and pray silently from the side.

After the ceremony, only Orthodox believers were allowed to perform their religious rites to celebrate the most important day of the year.

The city hall, churches, and guilds subsequently organized citizens from all over the city to parade in the streets, jointly celebrating Constantinople's first Christmas after its restoration.

Laszlo completed the Mass at the Hagia Sophia with the empire's dignitaries. He also brought Muhammad and Bayezid, father and son, hoping they too would experience the festive atmosphere.

The Sultan and his son clearly did not appreciate Laszlo's good intentions, glaring at the Emperor with hateful eyes throughout, wishing they could devour him alive.

Shortly after the Mass concluded, on Laszlo's way back to the Imperial Palace, Anthony rushed to him with several pieces of news.

"Your Majesty, news has returned from the Knights Hospitaller and the army dispatched to Trebizond."

"Oh? How are they progressing?"

Although Laszlo didn't pay much attention to the Eastern wars, what if an unintended action yielded unexpected results?

"The army attacking Trebizond encountered resistance from Ottoman forces and did not gain support from the local populace. They are now allied with the Duke of Samtskhe from the Georgian region to fight against the Ottomans."

Anthony said with some regret. If the Crusaders could indeed take Trebizond, it would be like driving a wedge into the Ottomans' back, which might prove very useful in the future.

Unfortunately, even though the Genoese general leading the expedition had tried his best to command the army, the Ottomans still resisted their offensive.

Fortunately, they had previously contacted the Duke of Georgia-Samtskhe, who also coveted Trebizond's territory. The two sides eventually reached an agreement: if they defeated the Ottomans together, they would jointly divide Trebizond's land.

"Hmm? This isn't right. The Ottomans still have the ability to resist stubbornly? I recall that the Republic of Genoa reportedly mustered an army of over five thousand men. Surely they shouldn't be unable to capture a small frontier town?"

Laszlo knew very well how much the Genoese had invested to capture Trebizond, which provided direct access to the Caucasus and Persia.

They not only bore the logistical expenses and sea transport for this military operation but also mobilized many citizens and mercenaries to participate in the fighting.

However, the current situation seemed unfavorable for them, with the worst outcome being a complete loss of investment.

"The specific situation is still unclear, but it is certain that the new Ottoman Sultan has not dispatched troops to reinforce the Trebizond region, or rather, he no longer has the leisure to concern himself with such a remote place."

"Oh? What new changes have occurred in the Ottoman Empire?"

"Kızıl Ahmed, the brother of the last Jandar Bey Ismail, raised a rebellion in Kastamonu, the old capital of the Jandar Beylik, declaring independence from the Ottoman Sultan. This uprising quickly swept through the former territories of the Jandar Beylik, including Sinop, an important port in northern Ottoman territory.

Now, the young Sultan Mustafa is probably frantically preparing to deal with this rebellion."

"Let me guess, are the Genoese behind this?"

Laszlo guessed with a pleasant mood. Although rebellions and secessions were inevitable in various places after the severe decline of the Ottoman Empire, the position of Jandar was special after all.

Kastamonu, the capital of Jandar, was less than two hundred kilometers north of Ankara, the new Ottoman capital. A fast army could reach it in half a month.

Rebelling in that location still required some courage, and it was highly likely that external forces were instigating it.

"The Genoese did indeed make some deals with Kızıl Ahmed; they restored their former colonies and gained trade privileges in the port of Sinop."

Anthony was also somewhat amazed by the Genoese's ability to stir up trouble and seize opportunities. Since gaining the Emperor's protection, their expansion in the East seemed to have become bolder than before.

Merely occupying the Crimean coast was no longer enough for them.

"However, the new Jandar Bey's rebellion is likely largely related to you."

"How can this be related to me? I swear to God, I had never heard of this person before."

"Haha, Your Majesty, my meaning is not that you were secretly orchestrating it. It is actually because you captured Bursa, which caused that Jandar Bey to lose all his territories. In his resentment, he could only return to his homeland, execute the local Ottoman governor, and lead those willing to follow him in rebellion.

That year, this Kızıl Bey betrayed his brother Ismail. He colluded with Mehmed II to force Ismail into a desperate situation, eventually capturing Sinop and killing the last ruler of Jandar.

After the war, Mehmed II first appointed Kızıl as the governor of the Jandar region, entrusting him with the governance of Jandar's former lands to lull Kızıl into a false sense of security.

Less than a year later, Mehmed II ordered the forcible seizure of Kızıl's territories in Jandar, exchanging them for a large tract of land around Bursa, thereby formally annexing the Jandar Beylik.

Unexpectedly, Mehmed II couldn't even hold onto Bursa in the end. Kızıl lost his territory, and just then, the Genoese approached him. Consequently, a large area of land north of Ankara has now fallen into the hands of the rebels."

"This is truly... an unexpected delight."

Laszlo was somewhat dumbfounded. This matter was quite absurd, a mine Mehmed had laid in the past, now left for his son to taste.

He wondered if the young Sultan, so favored by his father, was now cursing his

Come to think of it, Mustafa himself hadn't even established a firm foothold in Ankara, so where would he get so much land to compensate those Ottoman nobles who had lost their fiefs?

Especially since this Kızıl's previous fiefdom was probably quite substantial, considering he likely controlled all of the Jandar Bey's direct territories after killing his brother.

"What about the Karaman people? They shouldn't miss this excellent opportunity, should they?"

"Your Majesty, didn't the new Ottoman Sultan previously make peace with the Karaman people on the condition of returning all encroached territories?"

Anthony thought the Emperor had forgotten this intelligence that had come back a long time ago, so he reminded him.

"Of course I know about it, but can the Karaman Bey really be so honest? You know, once the Ottoman Empire recovers, he'll be the first to suffer!"

With a slight hint from Laszlo, Anthony immediately understood the Emperor's meaning.

"Are you planning to cause more trouble for the new Ottoman Sultan?"

"As soon as I return, I will write a letter. You are to select a qualified envoy to take my letter to Karaman. Those infidels must not stop their internal strife, otherwise our days will not be easy."

Laszlo had just revealed a cunning smile, but immediately resumed a serious expression. He was now an Emperor bathed in glory and could no longer casually reveal his true nature as before.

"Your Majesty... is wise."

Although instigating others to break a treaty was not a glorious thing, considering the other party was an infidel, Anthony felt relieved.

"What news from the Knights Hospitaller?"

"Using Rhodes as their base, the Order landed at multiple points along the southwestern coast of Asia Minor, destroying Ottoman rule in the area.

They established military colonies everywhere and have almost occupied all of the Ottoman coastal territories in the southwest of the peninsula.

However, the Order is facing a significant shortage of manpower. News from the ports in the Peloponnese region indicates that ten French warships have sailed to Rhodes over the past few months, with several troop transports fully loaded with volunteer knights and squires from Provence and Southern France.

It is said that these troops were recruited from France by Pierre d'Aubusson, the Military Commander of the Knights Hospitaller. If nothing unexpected happens, this man is almost certain to be elected as the next Grand Master.

At that time, the Knights Hospitaller might once again be led by the French for a long period."

Anthony reported the suspicious situation he had recently noticed to the Emperor with some concern.

"What? Do you suspect a conspiracy is brewing?"

Laszlo frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed, and his worries soon disappeared.

"Perhaps, Your Majesty, it just seems a bit unusual."

"Rest assured, even if Louis XI infiltrates and influences the Knights Hospitaller, what can it change?

This Order can only dedicate itself to war against infidels; once they abandon the mission they have upheld for centuries, there will be no need for them to exist."

Laszlo showed no sign of worry.

In the past, the three great Orders were rooted in the Empire, France, and Italy, respectively.

Since the vast majority of devout German knights chose to join the Teutonic Order, almost no German could be seen in the Knights Hospitaller.

After the Knights Templar were wiped out by the French King's debt-repudiation tactic, scattered Templar members, under the command of the Papacy, chose to merge with the Knights Hospitaller.

From then on, Italians and Frenchmen formed the backbone of the Knights Hospitaller, though the French clearly held a greater number and higher status. Before the current Grand Master Giovanni, the Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller were all Frenchmen.

Regardless of their origin, the original intention of these knights in joining the Knights Hospitaller was to serve God and fight infidels.

It was precisely their adherence to the doctrine of neutrality that saved the Knights Hospitaller from suffering the same disaster as their old rivals, the Knights Templar. Their headquarters moved from Palestine to Cyprus and then to Rhodes, never leaving the Eastern Mediterranean, always on the front lines against infidels.

It was precisely for this reason that the Knights Hospitaller enjoyed great praise among European nations.

If one day, the Knights of the Hospital no longer abide by the doctrines set by their ancestors, they will not be far from destruction.

"Alright, I was indeed overthinking it."

Anthony rubbed his temples. Although he had moved away from the front lines of fighting Louis XI, his mindset hadn't yet shifted, and he was still overly focused on news related to France.

Speaking of which, the Emperor had already dealt with the Ottomans; the next target should be the French King, right?

Anthony still somewhat hoped that the Emperor could fight alongside his brother Charles to defeat the cunning French King and end this hateful enemy and his crumbling kingdom.

However, these matters seemed to have nothing to do with him anymore. If nothing unexpected happened, he would have to spend the rest of his life in the East.

Thinking of this, Anthony felt a little melancholy again.

Laszlo also noticed Anthony's state at this moment and asked, "Are you missing Charles again?"

"I am just worried, Your Majesty. My brother has a rather bad temper and is sometimes too reckless. I fear he is bound to suffer losses.

I hope that after you return to Vienna, you can pay more attention to the situation in Burgundy, to prevent any unexpected changes that might disrupt the grand plan against France."

"Don't worry, Anthony," Laszlo said, laughing heartily as he clapped Anthony's shoulder and leaned in, "I've always regarded Charles as a brother and comrade-in-arms, and I'll certainly take good care of him."

"Then I leave it to you."

Anthony let out a long sigh, then bid farewell to the Emperor. With the Emperor's assurance, he could now enjoy the holiday in peace.

Watching Anthony's departing back, Laszlo couldn't help but marvel at the enviable bond between these brothers.

However, what was Charles up to lately?

Laszlo was quite curious about this. Charles, who had returned empty-handed twice, clearly wouldn't give up so easily.

Now that the threat from the East was largely eliminated, Laszlo could gradually unleash his full potential in imperial affairs and against France.

As he thought, Laszlo couldn't help but start missing his wife and children far away in Vienna, and the group of princes in the Empire. He couldn't wait to see what kind of scene those princes would present when they saw him at the next Imperial Conference.

Once the East was stable, it would be almost time for him to return.

It was New Year's Day again. Counting the one spent in the siege camp outside Constantinople last year, this was the second New Year Laszlo had spent in the East.

To celebrate the Crusaders' victory and the rebuilding of the Eastern Empire, Laszlo held a grand banquet in the New Palace built by Mehmed II.

This palace would only receive a new name much later: Topkapı Palace, or the Cannon Gate Palace.

It must be said that the Ottomans had a certain genius for naming things.

Of course, the palace previously didn't have a definitive name; everyone simply called it the New Palace. Only recently did Laszlo, with a grand gesture, rename it Habsburg Palace, commemorating the great conquests that had taken place over the past two years.

As for why this palace was chosen for the banquet, it was because other palaces, including the Blachernae Palace where Laszlo resided, had suffered varying degrees of damage. Some were being rebuilt, while others were simply abandoned, making them unsuitable for hosting a banquet.

Although the city was still under reconstruction, a heavy task that would likely continue for years, Constantinople was not lacking in supplies; on the contrary, it was more abundant than ever before.

The Genoese transported expensive foods like truffles and caviar from the north, from their colonies on the northern shore of the Black Sea, while the Venetians brought spice from the East to make the food more "delicious."

Since it was winter, vegetables were extremely difficult to obtain, so only a small amount of pickled cabbage was served at the banquet—one of the few dishes representing Germanic characteristics at this otherwise completely Eastern-style feast.

Some say the Germanic people's technique for making sauerkraut can be traced back to ancient Rome, while others claim the Mongols brought the technology.

Regardless, in an era without out-of-season vegetables, this was the only way people could consume greens during the winter.

Meat and fish, served as main courses, were supplied in abundance due to the rapid agricultural development surrounding the city. Laszlo even tasted some shellfish and squid dishes characteristic of Eastern Roman cuisine. Although they still failed to satisfy his tongue and stomach, they were certainly much better than Austria, which was a culinary wasteland.

In addition, various breads and cheeses developed by the citizens of Constantinople, along with some Ottoman-flavored soups and rice dishes, were also served at the tables.

Of course, there were two other essential items at the banquet: olive oil transported from the Greek coast was used for cooking, and wine brought from Bithynia was used to entertain the Emperor's guests.

People sat at the rectangular banquet tables, using knives and forks to maintain an air of elegance while enjoying the tempting food. Were it not for their varied attire, clearly reflecting the styles of various European countries, one might truly mistake them for Romans enjoying the satisfaction of a festive meal.

Laszlo himself, perhaps adopting local customs or acting on a whim, actually wore a purple robe adorned with gold thread to the banquet, earning the admiration of many guests.

In any case, sitting together in the palace of Constantinople, everyone seemed to have absorbed the "civilized" Roman customs, becoming graceful and refined.

Rome—that word holds such immense magic, at least for now.

From Charles the Great to Otto the Great, and now to Laszlo, it seems all they pursued throughout their lives was merely the lingering afterglow of past glory.

However, Laszlo knew very well that this was not the case. Rome no longer existed, and whatever future glory his Empire achieved would depend solely on his own hands and those who believed in and supported him.

His gaze swept across both sides of the long table, where sat the Empire's ministers, the most prominent Crusaders nobles, representatives of the local nobility, envoys from various Western nations stationed in Constantinople, and church personnel.

Apart from representatives of citizens, farmers, and heathens, virtually all other power groups in the Empire were present, and they were the ones assisting Laszlo in ruling this Eastern Empire.

Laszlo's sole expectation of them was that when he was away from the Eastern Empire, they would remain law-abiding: neither harbor malicious intent nor commit rebellion, nor oppress the common people excessively and incite popular uprisings.

As long as the Empire could maintain a long period of peace and stability, the foundation of the Crusaders' rule over this place would gradually become complete and secure. By then, he would no longer have to personally command large forces stationed in Constantinople like this.

The situation in the East could temporarily be called stable. The Ottomans were constantly troubled, and the two Islamic states, Candar and Karaman, had no intention of being his enemies; they harbored a deeper hatred for the Ottomans.

With the Order of Saint George and the Knights Hospitaller guarding the border regions of Asia Minor for him, as long as no foolish individual appeared in the Balkans to disrupt order, war would likely not descend upon the lands of the Balkans for a long time.

Honestly, Laszlo never expected that he would one day be able to stabilize the entire Balkan powder keg, which gave him a strong sense of accomplishment.

However, there was still one destabilizing factor: the Albanian League, now without Skanderbeg. This alliance, which had barely been held together by Skanderbeg's personal prestige, had completely shattered. Five or six warlords and a dozen coastal cities were attacking and annexing each other, immediately showing their fangs to their compatriots after the Ottoman threat disappeared.

Everyone hoped to inherit Skanderbeg's legacy and unify the entire Albanian nation into a complete kingdom.

Unfortunately, this was nothing more than a free-for-all among incompetent rivals, which Laszlo found quite ridiculous.

Before returning to the West, he needed to find an opportunity to resolve this last element that could easily undermine the stability of the Balkans.

Having made up his mind, Laszlo suddenly noticed Frederick, seated on his right, had already put down his knife and fork, wearing a satisfied expression.

"Uncle Frederick, are these dishes not to your liking?"

"No, Your Majesty, the dishes are excellent. It's just that I am old now and cannot eat so much rich food. Also, a lot of oil, salt, and spice were used in these dishes, and I prefer to eat lightly."

Frederick quickly waved his hand in explanation.

He was fifty-four years old this year, old enough to be called an "elder" in this era. Moreover, his body was very healthy; he had barely suffered any major illnesses and was full of energy every day.

Laszlo somewhat understood how the historical Frederick managed to endure until the age of 78, surviving the immense pressure of continuous wars in Austria, the complete loss of his territory, and his own displacement.

Frederick's interests lay not in the pleasures of the palate or the beauty of fine clothes, but rather in the satisfaction of his spiritual world.

That is why he was so obsessed with astrology and keen on fabricating the history of the Habsburg Family, making their rule universally accepted as divinely ordained.

Given Frederick's current comfortable life, Laszlo suspected his uncle might live past 80; perhaps Laszlo himself wouldn't outlive him.

"It seems Uncle, you have done quite a bit of research on the art of health preservation. In that case, have a drink with me."

Laszlo raised his glass, clinked it with Frederick's, exchanged congratulations, and then drained the fine wine in his cup.

The wine was intensely fragrant, sweet and thick like honey, with a refreshing taste and a long finish.

"Is this the finest Bithynian wine, reserved exclusively for the Eastern Roman Imperial Family? It certainly tastes much better than that so-called 'watery' inferior wine."

"It is indeed a treasure, Your Majesty."

A maid nearby, holding a small amphora, refilled the glasses for the uncle and nephew.

"It is a pity that the production of this wine is so limited. Two hundred years ago, we could have indulged in such fine wine, but unfortunately, the muslims do not understand the deliciousness of wine, so the Ottoman Sultan ordered the destruction of most of the vineyards in Bithynia."

"The wine we are drinking now is spoils of war, seized when the great army captured Nicaea. It was brewed by Christians nearby, specifically for the secret enjoyment of those high-ranking Ottoman officials who did not abide by the prohibitions."

"It seems that even the strictest doctrines cannot restrain everyone."

Frederick was quite interested in this anecdote. He hadn't had much contact with muslims but had heard they were a group extremely restrained in their desires. Now it seemed the reality was not entirely so.

It is like eating pork: if you insist you are eating beef or lamb, it doesn't count as breaking the precepts. Drinking wine is the same principle as drinking water.

"After conquering Constantinople, Mehmed II also ordered the closure of some vineyards, but he soon reopened these workshops producing fine wine."

"As for the reason, it was naturally to make money. muslims do not drink wine, but non-muslims do not have such restrictions, especially Christians, who can barely live without wine."

"According to the financial statements of the Ottomans in recent years, among the various commodity surtaxes in Constantinople, olive oil and wine contributed the most revenue."

Laszlo licked his lips, unsure if he was savoring the wine he had just tasted or coveting the profits that the wine trade could bring.

"That's not surprising, Your Majesty. Think back to when you were in Austria: if you needed a loan, what was the best collateral?"

Frederick smiled slightly and asked Laszlo.

"Collateral... real estate? No, real estate requires maintenance and management, so it's not very popular. Taxes... right, salt tax and wine surtax are the collateral most favored by merchants."

Laszlo recalled the countless transactions he had concluded in the past and immediately spotted the pattern.

Salt and wine, two commodities that could almost be called necessities, had established production levels, making them absolutely stable sources of tax revenue.

When some monarchs were in urgent need of cash, they would mortgage the corresponding commodity surtaxes from certain salt mines or wine-producing regions to creditors, who could then use this opportunity to make a huge profit.

In Laszlo's memory, the late Emperor Albrecht II once incurred a debt of thirty thousand florins to the then Lord Chief Justice of the Kingdom of Hungary.

This debt was later repaid with two years of wine taxes from the Vienna area. That Lord Chief Justice made a fortune from it and, incidentally, severely damaged the wine industry around Vienna.

Furthermore, the Golden Tariff Privilege Laszlo granted to the Archbishop of Würzburg a few years ago also targeted wine.

For every six barrels of wine produced in specific locations, one florin had to be paid in tax. This once caused serious unrest in the Franconia region, but Laszlo didn't pay much attention to it at the time; he only cared about the three thousand florins the Archbishop of Würzburg shared with him annually.

Thinking about it now, being blinded by greed back then was truly inappropriate. Laszlo felt he had started abusing his power as Emperor for personal gain, and he needed to take this as a warning for the future.

His mindset had changed somewhat since his coronation as Emperor of the Latin Empire.

Now, the Western Empire was no longer a tool for him to exploit at will. He intended to try his hand at becoming a true Emperor—although he already was one, that didn't stop him from continuing to expand his authority.

Perhaps one day, he truly would rule the vast territory stretching from the North Sea to the Black Sea. He wondered if people would call his Empire the Third Rome... Getting back on track, Laszlo's attention returned to the issue of wine.

"I have repeatedly emphasized that we must increase the nation's overall income, rather than merely squeezing wealth from the populace. Therefore, developing various industries is the foremost priority right now."

"Since no one can find any better immediate goals, let's try rebuilding the Bithynian wine industry. Let us re-establish world-renowned vineyards in Bursa and Nicaea, not only supplying the needs of Constantinople's citizens but also selling the wine through extensive sea routes to various parts of the Mediterranean, generating more income for the Empire."

"With money in the national treasury, the administrative system can be maintained, the army is guaranteed support, and the Empire is bound to prosper."

Laszlo looked intently at Frederick. Since he was already planning to return to his western territories, this heavy responsibility would naturally fall upon Frederick, the Regent of the Eastern Empire.

"Your Majesty, I will focus on this matter. However, Bithynia falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Border Region. Wouldn't developing industry there carry some risk..." "No need to worry. Trust me, the Ottomans won't have a chance to make a comeback. Moreover, Bithynia is the gateway to Constantinople; it won't fall easily."

"Very well. Speaking of wine, the Genoese and Venetians already control most of the tavern industry in Constantinople. Both sides are seeking commercial privileges in this area. What do you think..." "Hmph, where would I find so many privileges to give them? Back then, the Venetians received so many operating privileges from the Komnenos Dynasty, including tavern tax exemption, didn't they? What was the result? It was all destroyed in the furious riots of the Constantinople citizens."

"I cannot do such a thing. I won't interfere with how the Genoese manage the industries they operate in Galata, but as long as the Genoese and Venetians conduct business within Constantinople, they must honestly pay taxes according to the rules and compete fairly."

"Then I shall reply to the envoys of both parties in this manner?"

"Yes. If we are to operate vineyards, we will inevitably enter Constantinople's tavern industry, and we will certainly have to compete with those shrewd Italian merchants... If we can't beat them then, you will need to devise some clever small methods to protect the interests of local merchants."

Laszlo winked at Frederick, confident that his uncle would certainly come up with some solutions.

"Well..." Frederick wanted to ask if Laszlo was deliberately making things difficult for him, but in the end, he nodded and said, "I will find a way."

It was not difficult for an imperial government to deal with isolated foreign merchants. Besides, Genoa and Venice were, at best, two small, mutually aggressive dogs kept by the Emperor, so he didn't need to worry too much about diplomatic implications.

With that thought, Frederick immediately relaxed again.

After concluding the discussion, Laszlo looked again at the fragrant wine in his cup, mentally comparing it to wines produced in Burgundy, Tuscany, and Austria itself, and concluded that the Burgundy wine was still the best.

After all, the former Duke of Burgundy, Philip III "the Good," who was immensely wealthy, had only two famous hobbies in his life: cannons and fine wine. He invested vast sums of money into these pursuits and naturally reaped corresponding rewards.

Burgundy, ah, Burgundy... Laszlo's eyes gradually became distant.

Laszlo and his host had stayed in Constantinople until the end of February; he spent his thirtieth birthday there, and the congratulatory visits of the ministers and friends he trusted delighted him.

Only after settling the wounded, compensating the families of the fallen, and finding positions in the estates and workshops he financed for his many captives did Laszlo reluctantly order his army to pack up and march west.

Had anyone asked how he had enjoyed himself, Laszlo would have answered, "Life here is good—no thoughts of Vienna."

Yet however pleasant Constantinople might be, Laszlo missed his family and the people of Austria more.

A few days before departure he received an unexpected guest—Rum Mehmed Pasha, the previous Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire and a trusted minister of Mehmed II.

The envoy had come from Ankara, bearing the peace offer of the new Sultan, Mustafa I.

In the great hall of the Blachernae Palace, Laszlo heard the news with surprise from Anthony, who oversaw foreign affairs.

Instead of summoning the former Grand Vizier at once, he conferred with Anthony first.

"This Rum Mehmed—I recall he became interim head of the Ottoman government after Mehmed II was captured. Why send him as envoy to me?"

Laszlo already had a few guesses.

"The newly enthroned young Sultan must be capable; he's likely toppled his father's old ministers and seized full power.

Sending this man is probably meant to let us do the dirty work—eliminate a potential rival for him."

Anthony could think of no other explanation; why else would a former Ottoman chancellor accept such a perilous mission?

The Crusaders and the Ottoman Empire were now sworn foes, and the Hospitaller and Genoese branches of the Crusade still raided Ottoman lands.

"So Mustafa I has stronger backers. To the point: I can guess why the new Sultan begs for peace just now."

Laszlo's lips curved in a smile, pleased his stratagem had worked.

"I never thought the Karaman Bey would follow your advice so readily," Anthony said lightly. "He tore up the peace treaty signed barely three months ago and, while the Ottoman army marched north against Candar, prepared to strike at Ankara."

Now Mustafa I is at his wits' end; dreading the army Laszlo keeps at Constantinople, he desperately seeks a guarantee of peace.

Laszlo shook his head with a laugh. "In the end, he's too young; he underestimated the cunning of the old foxes around him."

Were I the Karaman Bey, I'd have done the same without hesitation."

In their wars with the Ottomans, the Karamanids had almost always lost, even facing annihilation.

If they did not seize the moment when the Ottomans were split and weak, the usual scene would repeat itself: once the Ottomans were free, they would crush the Karamanids again.

Laszlo knew the Karamanids' habits only too well.

Ever since Murad I fought the Balkan states, the Karamanids had never stopped stabbing the Ottomans in the back.

Later, when Bayezid I shattered King Sigismund of Hungary at Nicopolis, he mustered his forces and wiped out Karaman, which had harassed the eastern frontier.

That bold move angered the overlord of the East: at the tearful plea of the exiled Karamanid prince, Timur marched with over a hundred thousand men and destroyed the Ottoman state.

After that war the Karamanids gained the most territory, becoming the strongest Muslim power in Asia Minor and Timur's chosen suzerain of the region.

But the clever move Timur had devised to keep the Ottomans down failed because he trusted the wrong man.

The Karaman Bey he relied on not only failed to check the Ottoman revival but was soundly beaten by Prince Mehmed—then locked in prison.

After Mehmed reunited the Ottoman realm and became Sultan Mehmed I, the Karamanids had no choice but to return land and submit.

For decades, though intermarrying with the Ottomans, they never honored a single treaty; whenever they sensed Ottoman weakness, they struck.

So this time, with only slight provocation, Karaman Bey Bilal Ahmed could not resist reviving his forefathers' tradition, driving hard at the Ottomans' back, hoping to finish off the faltering empire with one thrust.

"Your Majesty, the situation favors us; why not march east and wipe out the Ottoman menace once and for all?"

Laszlo waved the idea away, rejecting Anthony's proposal without a second thought.

"First, beyond lies the Anatolian plateau, teeming with Turkmen nomads; once we advance, their true war-potential awakens—remember how the Seljuk Turks rose from nothing to found a vast empire."

"Second, further eastern conquests would alarm the Islamic states and might even provoke the White Sheep Dynasty. Though I do not fear them, if outside pressure forces them to unite, our troubles will multiply."

To Laszlo, it was like Cao Cao's expedition to Liaodong to deal with the Yuan remnants.

If he showed too strong an intent to march east, those Islamic states might stop fighting one another.

By showing restraint, he let their age-old grudges keep them at each other's throats until only one victor remained.

And as long as that victor was not the Ottoman Empire, the threat would drop by several degrees.

A feudal state's floor is set by its institutions, its ceiling by the monarch's talent.

Even the mighty White Sheep Dynasty, Laszlo predicted, would fracture or weaken once Uzun Hasan died.

After all, prodigies like Uzun Hasan are few and far between; most monarchs are mediocre—or worse.

László recognized this early, which is why he has spent these years trying to follow the Ottoman model: to guarantee, at the institutional root, that a state can stay relatively strong—for centuries, perhaps only decades, but certainly longer than those that never attempt centralization.

"Primitive" states such as Karaman and Candaroğlu lag far behind the Ottoman Empire in governance; even if they flourish for a moment, they are doomed to decline.

That is why László spares no effort in aiding the Karamanids.

As he puts it, "If I must face an enemy from the East, I would rather it be the Karamanids than the Ottomans."

So far the stratagem has succeeded spectacularly: the once-mighty Ottoman Empire now humbly begs for peace—something rarely seen.

"Very well, Your Majesty; perhaps we should receive the Ottoman envoy now."

"Admit him."

Moments later a travel-worn man of middle age was shown in; he looked gaunt and dispirited.

Were it not for his still-fine garments, László might have mistaken him for an Ottoman refugee fleeing to Constantinople.

"I bring greetings from Sultan Mustafa I to you, mighty and most noble Roman Emperor."

The moment Rûm entered he bowed deeply to László.

Setting everything else aside, the attitude was impeccable—sufficiently sincere in László's eyes.

"Lord Rûm, I was rather disappointed not to meet you in Bursa; who would have thought we would meet here today?"

László did not mean to mock the envoy; it was simply that Rûm had shepherded the Ottoman government in its swift retreat to Ankara, where he promptly proclaimed a new Sultan and stabilized the realm—something László still found hard to stomach.

Yet after securing Mustafa's accession, Rûm—because of his Balkan origin and Janissary background—was fiercely rejected by the eastern establishment and soon kicked out of the power center by the new Sultan.

He privately regretted it; had he defected to the Emperor then and returned to Christianity, things might now be better.

After all, Mustafa already harbored murderous intent toward this holdover from the previous reign; even if he returned safely, he would probably die soon.

Even so, Rûm resolved to fulfill his mission.

"Your Majesty's might was plain for all to see; at the time most people's only thought was to flee."

"For that reason our Sultan Mustafa no longer wishes to oppose you; he hopes you will agree to a treaty and end the cruel war between our realms."

"Your new Sultan may be young, but he is no fool. I can agree to a cease-fire—what terms do you offer?"

"Let us conclude a ten-year peace based on the present frontier; the Sultan is willing to recognize the lands you now hold as lawful territory of the Latin Empire, and both sides will respect each other's territorial integrity and handle border disputes with care. How do these articles sound?"

"Those are only the basics. With or without Mustafa's recognition, I have already conquered those lands. Give me a reason not to keep marching into Ottoman territory."

From what I hear, your Sultan is neck-deep in troubles, is he not?"

László looked supremely confident, a self-assured smile on his face.

"Candaroğlu's secession, Karaman's raids, and the resurgent Mamluk Sultanate—I hear they recently attacked Dulkadir, your eastern gateway.

And that illustrious Uzun Hasan should be riding back from the East any day now, shouldn't he?"

With every sentence László spoke, Rûm's expression darkened; he knew the Emperor was trying to break his morale to gain leverage.

Yet every word was true!

The Ottoman Empire stood on the cliff's edge, facing an unprecedented crisis—worse even than under Timur, for Timur had lacked the power to end the House of Osman outright.

Now, however, foes on every side had leveled their spears at the Ottomans, and Rûm had no idea how to avert catastrophe.

If he could buy peace at a price, perhaps there might still be a chance to turn the tables.

"Then what is it you desire?"

"Three hundred thousand florins in war indemnity, and the Ottoman Sultan must bow to me as his overlord, paying an annual tribute of twenty thousand florins."

"Agree, and I shall graciously spare you."

"Do you seek to humiliate me?" Rûm's face turned nearly green; were he to accept, Mustafa would flay him alive.

László, however, looked perfectly serious, giving no hint of jest.

He knew that, historically, after Archduke of Austria and King of Hungary Ferdinand I was repeatedly defeated by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, he not only recognized Suleiman as the sole Roman Emperor but also paid tribute to the Ottoman Sultan for the lands of western Hungary.

The most ironic part: after his brother Charles V abdicated, the Electors chose Ferdinand as the new Holy Roman Emperor.

Compared with such humiliation, László felt his demands were hardly excessive—he did not even ask Mustafa to call him "uncle"; generous, no?

"If you insist, I have nothing more to say. Our Sultan will await you in Ankara; even should the city fall and the realm perish, you shall never coerce a Sultan into submission."

"That would not be a wise choice."

László raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised at Rûm's defiance.

Yet in truth the envoy felt as if plunged into an icy abyss, trembling all over; failure in the talks meant he could already foresee his own death.

"It is only because your demands are too extreme—neither I nor our Sultan can accept them!"

"Then, for the next ten years you will pay a total of forty thousand florins annually in war indemnity and tribute; only then can I guarantee peace along our border."

László continued testing the Ottoman threshold.

When he saw Rûm's expression ease slightly, he knew there was room to deal.

"That condition we can accept."

As expected, Rûm gritted his teeth and reluctantly agreed.

In fact, the Ottoman high command was utterly bewildered that the Emperor did not press eastward: after defeating and capturing the Sultan, he merely occupied the richest coastal lands and then withdrew to Europe.

Some speculated that some mishap had befallen the West, others believed the Emperor feared campaigning deep into the plateau; no one knew what he was really planning.

Even if Rûm guessed the Emperor would most likely not lead an army back into Asia Minor, he dared not gamble—he could not. If the Crusaders marched east again, the Ottoman Empire's plight would only worsen.

"Oh, yes—during an earlier round of talks your envoy mentioned redeeming Prince Bayezid for one hundred and fifty thousand florins."

Given the changed circumstances, I can offer you a discount: a hundred thousand florins and you may take Bayezid home."

As for Mehmed II… I intend to invite him to Vienna as my guest; you'll have to wait a while longer before you can bring him back."

A while—right up until Mehmed II's death, naturally—yet Laszlo felt not the slightest twinge of fraud.

Before him, Rûm, who had just let out a breath of relief, tensed up again.

Whether redeeming Mehmed or Bayezid, Sultan Mustafa had never once brought the matter up; the two names had become near-taboo in the Ottoman court.

Why must this Emperor be so wicked, forever holding people over the fire?

Rûm chafed at the thought. Given the chance, he truly would like to ransom his benefactor Mehmed II, but this was already Mustafa's era.

However indulgent the old Sultan had once been, Mustafa was no longer the ignorant prince of old.

As for Bayezid—why spend a hundred thousand florins to redeem him?

Rûm could swear: the day Bayezid set foot back in Ankara would be his last, for Mehmed II had long since granted the Sultan the lawful right to slaughter his brothers.

"Your Majesty, we have no present plan to redeem Prince Bayezid."

"How heartless your Sultan is," Laszlo sighed with theatrical regret, though every fibre of him exuded delight. "Very well—you may return with my answer. My envoys will accompany you to sign the peace. And remind your Sultan: pay on time."

"I… yes, Your Imperial Majesty."

Had two rows of towering guards not flanked the Emperor, Rûm would have lunged and struck him.

He had never imagined he would taste the bitter dregs of defeat.

Once Rûm had left, Laszlo summoned the envoys of the Knights Hospitaller and Genoa to announce the truce.

Over the previous month the Genoese, allied with the Georgians, had seized nearly all the lands of the Empire of Trebizond; by the treaty the west went to Genoa, the east to Georgia, and the two signed a mutual defence pact.

To the south the Knights Hospitaller had reached the limits of expansion, occupying great stretches of the south-western Anatolian coast and building strongholds to rule the local muslims by military administration.

At the request of Grand Master Giovanni and the Governor of Genoa, Laszlo brought these two gorged "little brothers" to the talks, forcing Mustafa I to recognise every inch of land currently held by the Crusaders.

In Bursa, the old Ottoman capital, the two sides signed the jubilant Treaty of Bursa, and only then did the Crusade officially end.

Before leaving Constantinople Laszlo did one last thing: quietly ship some of the less fine spoils of war eastward, earning another sum from Bilal Ahmed.

For this, the Karaman Bey—then sharpening weapons in Konya for an assault on the Ottomans—sent the Emperor special thanks.

Laszlo laughed aloud when the letter arrived.

"See—he even has to thank us."

After reading, the letter was burned. Collusion between the Guardian of the Faith and infidels? Non-existent—merely a means to set those fanatical muslims at one another's throats.

The army struck camp without causing much stir, for they had been quartered near the Gate of Charisius and only now and then took leave to wander the city.

Still, many citizens came of their own accord to the gate to bid the Emperor farewell.

Most were Hungarians who, once doomed to lifelong servitude under their maggot-like lords, now found freedom in the East and began life anew.

Thus they hailed the Emperor as protector and liberator, blessing and praying for him from the heart.

Laszlo waved to the fervent crowd, entrusted affairs to Frederick, and—after one last look at Constantinople—spurred his horse west without glancing back.

In the lordly residence of Krujë, Albania, Gjon II Kastrioti was holding a secret council with his advisers.

"As expected, the Emperor could sit still no longer; before he even arrives his final demand of submission has arrived."

Cavalry commander Moisi's brows were locked, his tone helpless.

"So long as we live on this land, such a day was bound to come."

Muzakë, Gjon's cousin and steward of the Principality of Kastrioti, sighed as he stared at the thirteen-year-old Gjon in their midst.

His dear uncle Skanderbeg, or George Kastrioti, had been truly unlucky.

Had he produced no son it might have been better; Skanderbeg's designated heir had been Muzakë's elder brother Hamza, another nephew.

One of Skanderbeg's chief lieutenants in his early campaigns, Hamza lost his right of succession at Gjon's birth, turned against Skanderbeg, and now languished—perhaps dead—in some Naples dungeon.

Yet even if Skanderbeg had swept aside all obstacles for his son, could an Albanian alliance be held together by a boy barely into his teens?

Hardly. Within months of Skanderbeg's death the league had shattered; bereft of his arbitration, the lords preferred to settle matters with the sword.

"Is there truly no other way?"

Lady Donika, Gjon's mother and real ruler of the Kastrioti domains, asked in distress, stroking her son's cheek to calm him—only to pass her own anxiety to him.

Had her husband still lived, the Albanian lords would never have dared such excesses, nor would the Emperor have dared interfere in Albanian affairs.

But age and a sudden illness had carried him off.

And the moment he died that swaggering Emperor sent notice to every Albanian lord demanding they bow to him and yield their lands to the rule of the Latin Empire.

Not only their family—every neighbouring lord received the same demand.

"How about asking the King of Naples for help? I once followed Lord George all the way to Naples and helped Ferdinand I repel the French invasion; that king might be willing to lend a hand."

Moïse suggested.

Lady Donika's eyes lit up, but just as she was about to agree, Muzaka gravely shook his head and rejected the idea.

"The King of Naples and the Emperor will soon be bound by marriage, and when it comes to fighting the French, the Emperor has given Naples far more help than we ever did."

Do you really think that ever-weathercock king would aid us? I can already guess the answer we'd receive if we asked."

Muzaka cleared his throat and, mimicking a Neapolitan envoy, continued, "His Majesty the King bestows upon General Skanderbeg and his heirs the castle of Trani, the barony of Monte Sant'Angelo, and the barony of San Giovanni Rotondo. Rather than linger in the barren mountains of Albania, come live in Naples and become loyal subjects of our great King Ferdinand I."

The last time the Castrioti family, as vassals, begged Naples for help in quelling Albania's unrest, this was exactly the reply Ferdinand I gave.

Now that the Emperor is involved, the King of Naples' answer will likely be even more chilling.

Vassal or no, the formidable Skanderbeg might deserve to be the king's vassal, but the feeble Castrioti line certainly does not—especially now that the Emperor has them in his sights.

"Then is submission to the Emperor our only path?"

Lady Donika was saddened; would the free Albania her husband had pursued all his life perish only a year after his death?

"The Kingdom of Naples and the Republic of Venice—once constant meddlers in the league—are now one the Emperor's staunch ally and the other his broken vassal."

The lords long backed by Venice will hardly dare defy the Emperor, and we lack the strength to stick our necks out.

Soon the Emperor will return from the east at the head of tens of thousands. Who here believes they can stop the army that crushed the Ottomans?"

Muzaka looked around at his comrades; Moïse was first to lower his head, followed by the other captains.

Several of them were veterans of the Neapolitan Succession War; the Imperial Army's discipline and devastating firepower still haunted their memories.

Against such a force, surrender without battle hardly seemed shameful—besides, save for these poor Albanian hills, the entire Balkan peninsula already bowed to the Emperor.

And submitting to a Christian Roman Emperor was far better than serving the infidel Ottoman Sultan.

In the past, many Albanian lords had converted to Islam—though all their subjects remained Christian. Now that the supreme Christian monarch had arrived, countless more would flock to his banner.

"Then… let us swear fealty to the Emperor. Surely His Majesty will not treat us too harshly?"

Lady Donika lowered her gaze and made the reluctant decision.

"That will depend on our conduct. From what I know, the Emperor still holds Lord George in high esteem; if Lord Gjon can be the first to pledge loyalty, His Majesty should not make things difficult for the Castrioti family."

Muzaka even felt a flicker of hope: if the Emperor was truly as rumored—lenient to the loyal, merciless to the defiant—the Castrioti might yet enjoy a brief, brilliant reprieve.

Throughout it all, Gjon Castrioti, Duke of the house, had not uttered a single word.

He had only lately returned from years spent as a hostage in the Kingdom of Naples; his shy nature left him unsure how to deal with the band of fierce warriors his father had left him, so he left everything to his mother.

Lady Donika simply comforted her son and then dispatched an envoy bearing modest gifts and Skanderbeg's battle-standard to the Emperor to declare their stance.

It was not stinginess that limited the gifts; Skanderbeg, master of war but poor at managing estates, had left them penniless.

When Laszlo's army reached Sofia, heart of the western Empire, he found envoys from Albania—every notable lord and free city of the league had sent representatives.

Foremost among them stood the Castrioti; their late head had founded and first led the league, while the second leader had yet to emerge from the squabbling nobles.

Naturally, Laszlo signed pacts with each Albanian lord: they could keep their lands, but all strife must cease and imperial rule be accepted.

Following Latin Empire law, Laszlo created the Province of Albania and folded it into the imperial administration.

Like the native nobles of Bulgaria and Greece, the Albanians must contribute to the imperial treasury—household taxes to the crown, land taxes left to the lords.

Besides taxes, the Albanian lords were required to supply light cavalry in proportion to their holdings whenever the Emperor campaigned.

The terms were not harsh; the lords might govern their domains autonomously—so long as they did not fight one another.

Thus the loose Albanian League was swiftly restructured into the provincial estates of Albania, aiding the Emperor's appointed governor in setting up the provincial government.

Laszlo had meant to make Skanderbeg's son the governor, but on learning the boy was only thirteen and rather timid, he chose the head of another prominent Albanian house instead.

He then invited Gjon Castrioti to accompany him to Vienna for a time; Gjon's mother politely declined the Emperor's kindness.

Laszlo did not press the matter. With Albania pacified, he marched west, crossed the Danube at Belgrade, and returned to his beloved Kingdom of Hungary.