"So our great Majesty John stewed that big pot of meat just to disgust those Turkic bandits?" Lycaon chewed the pickled olives that had been sent across the ocean from the south coast, and the unique taste made him a little slurred.

"What do you think?"

The reinforcements of the Phoenix Legion have been completed, and although their combat strength is not enough to compare with their peak, it can be said that they have recovered from the shadows of the Battle of Prokupule and the Ambush of Nishburg.

"Come on, I've drunk more moonshine in Ankara than all of Greater Greece combined. The Sultan and their evil beliefs made them abstinent, but there were not so many people in the ordinary people who cared about it. You wouldn't think that there was so much liquid in Muhammad's court, and there really was no alcohol at all, would you? Humiliating the Ottomans with pork and wine might have been eaten better than you in private. ”

"This is a humiliation related to the honor of the country and the sacred faith, and it cannot be clearly explained with a sip of meat and wine. His Majesty John often seems to be disorganized, but ......"

Before Giovanni could finish speaking, the messenger rushed into the tent out of breath. A letter from Constantinople to Gombrigne killed four horses, and it seems that Constantine XI was even more nervous than John.

"Cutthroat Fort? What is Your Majesty doing there? Giovanni subconsciously glanced back at the map, but he actually knew better than anyone what was going on in the mind of the co-ruling emperor. He loved to gamble, and he liked to bet on the whole empire. I'm afraid this time will not be an exception.

"The intent is clear, the Cut Throat Fort is already precarious. His Majesty John did not ask us to cross the Strait to help defend this fortress like chicken ribs. Publius stroked his hand over the vast fertile and rich land on the coast of Asia on the map, and his tone was a little excited, "This is a challenge, but also an opportunity. A chance to tear apart the whole of Asia! The frantically the Ottomans bit at the front, the emptier their rear became. Although they also had artillery, they were clearly confident that the stone-hewn walls would be enough to withstand our attack...... We have to let the Ottomans know that their stupid judgment is wrong! ”

Lycaon nodded slightly: "I'm afraid that on the side of the Holy See Guard, Angelo has also received the news." According to His Majesty's wishes, this battle will probably evolve from an ordinary fortress attack and defense to the largest and most brutal and tragic war that the Empire has waged in the past hundreds of years, with the largest number of soldiers participating in the battle......"

"You haven't mobilized yet?" The curtain of the tent was smashed open again, only this time the guards on either side also stepped back a few feet. Francisco's body size has become a little bloated. It seems that the anti-privateer war against pirates not only allowed the Imperial Navy to intercept many sailors and galleys used as cannon fodder, but also "legally confiscated" a lot of fine wine and air-dried meat in warehouses.

"Looks like you're getting the news a little bit faster than I do." Giovanni made a symbolic salute to Francisco.

"Nonsense, the news was transferred to the Admiralty first, but when we landed in Asia, do we expect our ship of 100 sailors to capture the walls of Ankara?" Francisco was clearly on fire, and the tug-of-war with the Ottoman fleet in the Aegean Sea, although halted by the Battle of Cutthroat Fort, only shifted the pressure on the Navy from the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. The ships of the two sides were quite close to each other in such a narrow Bosphorus waterway, and it was foggy in time, and the flags fluttering on the sails could be seen with the naked eye. In such an environment, artillery battles and even broadside battles at sea could begin at any time. It was already quite rare for Francisco to spare valuable time to take care of the Army in the Legion camp.

"It must be the stupidest for us to go to Cut Throat Fort right now, Your Majesty also said that Cut Throat Fort does not need any kind of reinforcement from the army corps, and they are ready to abandon it at any time. In this case, it is obvious that His Majesty still has to mobilize such a large number of troops. This bite is definitely hoping that we will bite the Ottomans. Giovanni gave the guards a look, and a brand new map of Asia was unfolded on the table, "Your fleet should be in the harbor, right?" ”

"Of course, why am I coming?"

"That's all easy to say. First, send a letter back to His Majesty John, and then, it's time for us to play freely. Giovanni cleared his throat, "It's good to be stared at by the Ottomans for so long, and to vent bad anger." ”

……

"Your Majesty, the first scouts are back." Ossini walked into the fortress with the torn seal, but Sophia was the only one in the hall holding her cheeks, not knowing what she was thinking.

"Your Majesty is resting. You just say it, what's the news. ”

"The outer siege network is rather sparse, and our scouts can even easily pass through, but the exact situation behind the Ottomans is not known for the time being. To be sure, their forces are scattered at the moment, otherwise it would be impossible for a large number of legions to march without leaving a single clue. In the case of limited intelligence, whether it is on the front or on the flanks of other legions, I do not recommend an attack...... It is quite possible that the Ottoman encirclement will also be a trap......"

"Well...... Prudence is right, General Osini. Sophia pondered for a moment, "You know, we can win in the Balkans not only by the strong army of the empire itself, but even by the aid of Hungary, Albania, Venice, etc. Otherwise, it is not yet known to whom Hadrianpolis now belongs. I Rome, this is the first time to face the Ottomans, a real large army against the attack...... The big decision direction is undoubtedly risky, but we have to be careful every step of the way. Since the information is unknown, let the scouts continue to go deeper, at least to know their supply lines, marching lines, and approximate troop deployments. If they are going to ambush our main army under the pretext of encircling Cutthroat Fort, we must at least tear the hole in the first place and put enough pressure on them to the north. As for the odds...... This is not a question that generals should worry about. Just figure out how to win. ”

"Your Highness......"

"All offenses, defenses, pulls, confrontations are His Majesty's decisions. From the critical moment of life and death to the current ability of the empire to fight the Ottomans head-on, it was all a step-by-step plan of His Majesty John. Perhaps His Majesty still has a lot to learn about governing a huge empire, but about war...... It's time for General Giovanni to send His Majesty out. ”