"Looking at it this way, my father is fighting on the front line, and we still have to deal with the follow-up problems."

In the palace of Constantine, due to His Majesty the Emperor's choice to conquer in person, the internal affairs of Constantinople were not very complicated in front of Zhou Heng.

Of course, this is only on the surface.

In the past few days when Zhou Heng was asleep, the internal affairs problem had been resolved by Sophia and several minor nobles who were still in Constantinople in the Slou Garden.

In fact, before Constantine's expedition, only a handful of nobles remained in Constantinople. Those who are still walking around the palace are nothing more than some palace eunuchs, maids and army generals. Even the Imperial Council, which once assisted the emperor in power, now has only three people left.

After Constantine set out on the expedition, the appearance of panic in the city has gradually emerged, and in order to stabilize the hearts of the people, Zhou Heng, as the crown prince, must stand in front of the people.

Constantine took the authority of the emperor very lightly, and although the large administrative system did not change, the cumbersome etiquette was gradually abandoned due to the decline of the empire.

"Your Highness......"

There were not so many problems in the backlog in Constantine's palace as more problems that came with Constantine's newly conquered lands.

Before that, Constantine XI was in charge of all the imperial capital, and Thomas Valleologo, Prince of Morea, was in full control of the Moreah region. The secular aristocracy was very few in Eastern Rome at the moment, and if Constantine XI intended to divide Greater Greece, it would be very troublesome to deal with the ensuing series of problems.

It's a pity that in terms of internal affairs, Zhou Heng is a real twelve-year-old child. Watching Sophia handle everything with ease, one by one, his eyes piled up with more curiosity when he looked at his sister.

"Mr. Francisco, how are the preparations for the fleet of the Phoenix Legion?"

There was silence in the palace, except for the occasional whisper of a few ministers discussing difficult issues.

"Your Highness, except for the refinement of the flagship Ebius-Radiance, which is still slowly underway, the other ready-made ships have already been equipped...... However, Your Highness, I dare not guarantee how long this small fleet can last according to the current financial resources of the Empire. ”

Francisco's father was a Castilian admiral loyal to the Empire, and Francisco succeeded his father and is now the fleet commander of the Phoenix Legion. This admiral is very young, just thirty years old, and he is also one of Zhou Heng's right-hand men in the future.

"Your Highness, although the Phoenix Legion has been established in name, the logistical supply of the Legion is still very tight." Giovanni, the new commander-in-chief of the legion, echoed, "Not only is there a serious shortage of sailors in the fleet, but the army's salaries have not yet been settled. The newly captured Ottomans also needed money to maintain ......"

Zhou Heng's expression gradually became exciting. He knew that the empire was poor, but he really didn't know that poverty had become what it was now.

The army has no salaries, and low morale is not the most serious problem. If the Phoenix Legion mutinied at this time, then the banner of Valleorius could be torn off the walls of Theodosius.

"Poof...... Don't worry too much, brother. Sophia looked at Zhou Heng's thoughtful expression, and felt a little funny, she didn't expect her brother to have such a perfect strategy, diplomatic and military vision, but his internal affairs ability was so embarrassing, it seems that people are still imperfect...... Except for yourself.

"Brother, Your Majesty has conquered Athens, and Morea's financial savings can be transferred to Constantinople through the port of Athens to maintain expenses for a short time." Sophia patiently explained for Zhou Heng.

As for whether they could take the whole of Greater Greece, the princesses and princes who are still stranded in Constantinople are naturally not sure. In fact, the Ottomans also understood the importance of Thebes and Thessaloniki to the empire, so the fortifications of these two cities were quite strong. Without twice the superiority in troops, it is very difficult to capture it.

Not to mention, the capture of Athens was likely to anger the Venetians. Originally, Athens was a warehouse for them, but when the empire included Athens in its territory, the Venetian merchant ships would greatly reduce their control over the trade around Constantinople.

"Sophia, I'm going to write a letter."

"For whom?"

"Doge of Venice."

……

In order to prevent the Ottomans from taking advantage of the emptiness of the Morea garrison and sneaking into the Morea region and the newly occupied Athens, Constantine XI finally had no choice but to draw 3,000 men, 1,000 to defend the Isthmus of Corinth and 2,000 to defend Athens.

As a result, the total number of the expeditionary coalition was sharply reduced to 11,000 men, including most of the peasant soldiers who lacked combat effectiveness.

However, the Ottomans, well aware of the importance of Thebes and Thessaloniki to the Eastern Roman Empire, built very strong fortifications in each place. Normally, such a town would require at least three to four times the superiority of troops to be able to storm successfully. As for besieging the city and waiting for the defenders to surrender...... This is too unrealistic for the empire at the moment.

"Your Majesty. We need to make trade-offs. ”

In the city of Athens, Constantine, along with Thomas and Latius, was still debating the priorities of Thebes and Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki was once the most important economic city of the Empire in the Balkans, and once successfully occupied, its control over the Empire's economy and the Greater Greek region was greatly strengthened. It can even be said that it will give the empire the capital in Greater Greece and Macedonia, and the Ottoman war.

And Thebes, although not as economically powerful as Thessaloniki, was also the main silk producing area of the empire. It can solve the immediate needs of the moment, and most importantly, compared to Thessaloniki, Thebes is closer to Athens and Morea, and can form a good defensive front. Even if the land route between Constantinople and Greece was not opened, Prince Thomas would not have too much pressure to defend alone.

After a long period of thought, Constantine finally decided to avoid unnecessary risks for the time being. If they can't hold off the Ottoman counteroffensive, then all these efforts are a wedding dress for them.

"The warriors of the Empire, the ferocity and tenacity of the Ottomans are incomparable to these cowards of Athens! But because of this, it is all the more important for you to dedicate all your strength and loyalty to the Empire! ”

In the Acropolis Square, Latius, together with Thomas, completed the final mobilization of the army. Thebes, this is the first real test that the Imperial Expeditionary Alliance will face!

"For Rome! Advance! ”