"Although most of the Duchy of Achaea was nominally controlled by the Empire, in reality, the garrisons of Achaea could not give Constantinople any help."

After the departure of Constantine XI, Zhou Heng's original year-long house arrest was lifted.

At this time, Zhou Heng, who was in a complicated mood, was still discussing with Sophia how to connect Achaia.

Ten years ago, the Eastern Roman Empire won the power tug, and the Latin rulers of the Duchy of Achaea were engaged in internal infighting for power, when Thomas Palaiologo, Prince of Morea of the Eastern Romans, helped the empire recover Achaea through diplomatic annexation.

However, the Ottomans then attacked Achaea in order to isolate Constantinople and repelled reinforcements from Constantinople. Although the battle was not large, and the Ottomans did not capture Achaia, Constantinople completely lost the means of contact with the principality of Achaia. The current empire and Achaea are in a state of insecurity. Only by re-establishing ties with Achaea could an effective threat to the Ottomans in the next series of counterattacks.

"Now that our fleet is blocked at the Golden Horn, thanks to the chains that the merchants pulled up to protect themselves, otherwise the sea wall of Constantinople would have been lost." Sophia sat beside Zhou Heng, also at a loss.

The inner city of Edir, the Bosphorus, and Galata, like three mountains in front of the Empire, were simply unable to move a large number of troops out of Constantinople.

"Father said that Giovanni's army would be in Constantinople tonight, and that we could discuss it again then...... I have an idea now, though. Zhou Heng took down a detailed map of the Aegean Sea from the shelf, although most of the Eastern Balkans were under the control of the Ottomans, but at this time, there was a good springboard in front of the empire.

"You want to ...... Occupy Athens? Sophia thought for a moment and shook her head, "Although there is a chance to recover Athens and control all of Southern Greece, we still have no way to get in touch with the Peloponnese?" ”

"You're wrong Sophia. Our first step was not to occupy Athens, but to stabilize relations with Genoa and Venice. Zhou Heng said with a smile, "Didn't my father say that they are merchants chasing interests, in order to ensure the rights and interests of Crete and Galata, we can use their navy to communicate with Southern Greece from the sea, and then, as long as we obtain the fortress of Athens, the connection between the empire and Achaea can be officially established." ”

Sophia was still a little skeptical: "Will they be so kind and give Constantinople aid for free?" There is no extra money left in the treasury to negotiate with these merchants......"

"We don't need to pay for it, as long as we legalize the trade ports that this group of merchants has built, they will come and protect their own trade shipments. Now the rest ...... How to completely reclaim control of Greece before the Ottomans reacted......"

Before Zhou Heng's words fell, suddenly, a guard who had not had time to change into armor and only wore a nose guard slammed open the door of the room: "Your Highness! On the lookout of the St. Romanus Gate, traces of the Ottomans have been found, and His Majesty has already brought people over! He asks you and the princess to evacuate to the sea wall and board a ship for refuge, which is likely to be a night attack by the Ottomans! ”

"Night raid?" Zhou Heng woke up from his momentary panic, "No...... It will not be a siege, and now the Ottomans need to devote a large number of troops to the Crusaders and Karaman's armies, and they will not be able to muster so many men to storm Constantinople...... I'm going to check it out. ”

"Your Highness! This is His Majesty's order! ”

"I like people who obey orders the most, but I hate obeying orders the most! Sophia, are you going? ”

"I ......"

Zhou Heng could see Sophia's momentary hesitation at a glance. She hadn't experienced a real battlefield, and the bloodshed and carnage might have been a little too early for her...... As for themselves...... At least on TV.

"You, protect the princess to board the ship at the Golden Horn, in case, I mean, in case St. Romanus's gate is attacked, send the princess to Achaea at once."

"But Your Highness ......"

The guards didn't seem to be accustomed to coming over to listen to the little prince's orders. But Zhou Heng immediately pulled out his special handguard sword and pointed at the guards, "If the princess makes any mistakes, you will definitely regret coming to the world!" ”

"Yes, His Highness John!"

The order had been brought to Constantine XI what he would do with his son when he saw him on the city walls, and it was up to him to do whatever it was. After the guards left a chestnut bad horse for Zhou Heng, they took Sophia to the direction of the sea wall.

"Hey! I won't...... Forget it, when I took my wife to travel, I rode a horse a few times. ”

Zhou Heng, who was still very short, climbed on the inferior horse with the help of the attendants of the Slou Garden, although the horse harness was not complete, but the Slou Garden was not far from the city wall, at this time, the bell from the San Romanus Gate was clearly recognizable, and there was a steady stream of troops rushing to the city wall in the distance.

In order to prevent the Ottomans from sneaking up on other city gates, Constantine XI dispersed the few troops, and on the St. Romanus Gate, Zhou Heng looked at the number of soldiers would not exceed two thousand.

"Father! What's going on? ”

"John? How did you end up here? Constantine found that Zhou Heng was empty, so he let go of his heart, "Your sister is settled?" ”

"It's been brought to the other side of the sea wall."

"It's okay, you're going to experience this kind of scene sooner or later...... But as things stand, it seems that the Ottomans are chasing a ...... An army that does not belong to the Empire. ”

Under the protection of the Praetorian Guard, Constantine led John to one of the lookouts, only to find a large Ottoman army, rushing through the night, towards the walls of Theodosius, and in front of them was an army that looked exhausted. The army was poorly dressed and equipped, with the exception of the leader riding a horse that didn't look so fast, followed by a group of soldiers who had no armor and were unable to form an army.

"Where did this army come from? Did the Ottomans go to ransack Galata? Zhou Heng asked.

"No way, Genoa's army will not be embarrassed like this, besides, if Galata falls, this group of routed troops might as well cross the Golden Horn by boat, why go around such a big circle......" Constantine didn't have a bottom in his heart, but in line with the principle that the enemy of the enemy is a friend, he still ordered all the archers to be ready and aimed at the pursuing Ottomans.

"Open the door! Help me! Help me! The leading knight had already thrown off his own group and rushed to the city first, and although exhausted, he still called for help from the Imperial army on the city walls with the loudest voice he could.

"Not Greek?" Zhou Heng looked up at Constantine.

"Latin. He's crying out for help. Constantine walked to the lookout and instructed the guards beside him, "Ask them where they came from and what they were for, and why they were hunted down." ”

But before the guard could speak, the knight below shouted again: "We have come from Wallachia, and although my country has become a pawn of the Ottomans, we are throwing in resistance, and we need help." ”

"Your Majesty...... It would take some time for the San Romanus Gate to open, and at such a close distance, the Ottomans might follow and rush in. The guard next to him reminded in a low voice.

"I know. John, what do you think? ”