A week after Galata was regained by the Empire, the Republic of Genoa reacted with hindsight and publicly announced that the most noble Republic of Genoa was forced to be at war with the Roman Empire because of its despicable acts.

At the same time, Genoa was to impose the most severe trade sanctions on the Empire, blockading all Genoese ports in the Aegean Sea and imposing a trade embargo on the Empire. Including food, which had hindered the development of Constantinople for many years, was also on the list of goods subject to a comprehensive embargo.

"That's just right." Francisco took a cursory look at Genoa's declaration of war, and then threw it on the table disdainfully, "The Phoenix fleet has not experienced a formal naval battle since its establishment, and the Genoese will give it a chance." It was this opportunity to recover the islands of the Aegean Sea that had been sold to the Genoese. ”

"Lord Admiral, the Genoese army is indeed a chicken, but their navy is probably not easy to deal with...... Even if Genoa was in the Black Sea, the Aegean trade had been carved up between the Empire and Venice, but it was still a rival to be reckoned with. "The captain of the Holy Guard, Publius, said.

"The Genoese fleet was huge, even more than the two fleets of the Empire combined. In recent years, Athens and Epirus have had a lot of major projects that need to be supported by the treasury, and if there is any mistake in the Phoenix Fleet and the First Fleet, our navy will probably not be able to recover for several years, and it is imminent to tear the skin with the Ottomans, to put it bluntly, if there is a naval battle, we will definitely not lose. Old Agrippa picked up the declaration of war and read it several times, although it was written briefly, but the anger of the Venice governor could be fully felt, "The interests of the Republic of Pisa in the two Sicilies and Sardinia and Corsica were eaten by the Genoese. Even if the Genoese were now compromised under Ottoman power, it would not be easy to provoke. ”

"That's why we're going to fight this battle with Genoa! We must at least reconquer all of Genoa's controlled areas in the Aegean so that we can compete with the Genoese in trade, and ......" Francisco gave his squire a look, and a huge chart was quickly spread out on the council table, "Look, everyone. ”

"As long as we want to expand eastward and continue to fight the infidels after we have annihilated the Ottomans in the Balkans, there are only three paths to choose from. We cannot guarantee sea supremacy in the Eastern Black Sea, so the landing from Trabzon can be ignored, and the remaining two roads are either directly across the Bosphorus or landing along the coastline of Asia Minor. "Ladies and gentlemen, Muhammad was not incompetent, and even if he suffered a major defeat in the Balkans, he would have quickly regrouped and waited for an opportunity to counterattack." And in order to block the imperial attack on Asia Minor and buy respite for the Ottomans, Mehmed II will definitely deploy heavy troops on the other side of the Bosphorus! The Empire forced its way across the straits would only cost itself dearly. Therefore, a landing on the coast of Asia Minor was the best option. ”

Publius also frowned: "Admiral Francisco, what do you mean...... The islands of the East Aegean Sea are now almost entirely under the control of the Genoese, and if we take them, it will become a springboard for us to land in Asia Minor, and we will have countless tactical directions to carry out an avalanche of offensive against the Ottomans, who ...... It is simply impossible to lay out such a long line of defense! ”

"That's right, my opinion is that at least the Genoese should be beaten and they should completely abandon their coveting of the Aegean Sea, so that the empire will be given a perfect stage...... All that's left is to wrestle with the Venetians. ”

"Of course...... The Venetians also have countless fat waiting to be cut. "At least our war with Genoa will be a good way to ease the embarrassing situation with the Venetians brought by His Majesty John." This is also what His Majesty has planned, so that His Majesty John will be allowed to turn against Venice. Venice still controls Crete, the lifeblood of the empire in the Aegean Sea. If you don't get rid of the Venetians for a day, the empire can't sleep for a day...... And once we have control of Crete, we can look to Cyprus, Syria, North Africa...... The expansion of the empire will be officially on track from now on. ”

"Alright Agrippa, these are long-term plans." Constantine XI stopped Agrippa's old ills from continuing from the Holy See, "Tell me what you think, how to deal with this declaration of war from Genoa? ”

"Fight!"

"Fight!"

"At this point, the islands of the East Aegean Sea will surely become the possession of the Empire."

"So be it." Constantine XI stood up with Evie's support, and the purple-gold eagle scepter clenched in his left hand pointed in the air, "Francisco!" Publius! ”

"Do as the king commands."

"The First Fleet of the Empire, the Phoenix Fleet, with Francisco as the Captain-in-Chief of the fleet, is in charge of all matters related to naval warfare in the Aegean Sea, and on land, Publius is in charge."

The two had just knelt on the ground to receive the appointment of Constantine XI, when an attendant hurried into the council hall.

"Your Majesty, the Hungarian credentials have arrived!"

"Read!"

Constantine XI's fists clenched slightly, and he could feel that the fate of the empire had taken a turn in his hands. The empire unwittingly took control of the initiative in the Balkans and the Aegean Sea, which two years ago would have been considered a fantasy.

"The Elective Council is over...... Janoš Hunyadi was also the Grand General of the Kingdom of Hungary, and ...... Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary. After the election, the first credentials from General Hunyadi were delivered to the San Romanus Gate. This letter was accompanied by a large loan from the Kingdom of Hungary to reinforce the empire and five hundred craftsmen of all kinds, in addition to the general Hunyadi himself. ”

"Good! Good! Good! Constantine XI exclaimed from the Holy See, "Quick! Go with me to the San Romanus Gate to meet General Hunyadi! Also, tell Gregory III to prepare for a holy alliance with the Hungarian realm. ”

"Holy Alliance?" The attendant was a little confused, so he said, "Your Majesty, the Kingdom of Hungary is a ...... of God's faith."

"Go!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

……

"There's really a lot going on......"

John hung half-hung in a hammock in the back garden of Fort Combrigne, enjoying Evely's shoulder pinching service while reading a state report with a copy from Constantinople.

"It's all a good thing, if there are no surprises, after the truce with Genoa, we should tear our faces with the Ottomans." Sophia turned over on the wicker chair so that the sun could hit her back. Château de Combrigne was very humid, and the afternoon sun was soon a task for the cloves and gooseberries.

"Really...... It seems that time for Muhammad is short. ”