Over the next few days, Isaac repeated his previous routine, training intensively with the guards in the mornings and having lunch with them, followed by free time in the afternoons.
Venetian magistrate Miloto did not cause any trouble for Isaac, and the large paddle-sail warship he had purchased, the "Saint Nicholas," arrived at the port of Constantinople at dawn on the third day.
"Captain Fidel of the Saint Nicholas greets you, Your Highness."
The entire crew of Saint Nicholas, led by Captain Fidel, met their new employer.
Miloto paid half a year's wages in advance, and the ship was also stocked with enough food to last two months.
The slaves were almost fully manned and well-trained.
The overall condition of the ship was satisfactory.
Such were the merchants of Venice: greedy and efficient.
If it had been their arch-enemy Genoa, they would have sailed their fleet right up to your face, pointed their cannons at your nose, and asked if you wanted to buy their obsolete junk.
Isaac gave the sailors his usual encouragement, set aside five ducats for them to drink to the emperor's health, and then handed 100 ducats to the captain to recruit more sailors and slaves and purchase additional supplies.
There was still plenty of space on the ship; accommodating 100 slaves would not be a problem.
During wartime, slaves used for rowing are strategic resources. With more slaves, there's no need to spare their lives, allowing the ship to move faster.
100 ducats are more than enough to purchase these supplies, with the remainder serving as Isaac's gift to the captain and his deputies.
We must not be stingy with these rebellious sailors. We must ensure that they do not betray Isaac for the Ottomans' gold.
If anyone offers to buy my head, remember that I will offer double.
Only then will Isaac's life be safe, and the great cause of reviving Rome can proceed smoothly.
However, Isaac currently only has a few hundred ducats left.
Seeing his rapidly dwindling fortune, Isaac is at a loss for words.
In the evening, Isaac pays another visit to his uncle John VIII, who is still immersed in joy, and the dinner is a great success.
Isaac took the opportunity to ask his uncle to increase his guard to 100 men, keeping 20 cavalry and adding 80 infantry and archers.
Isaac had a good reason: he was going to the south to participate in the Battle of Corinth.
At this time, the Byzantine Empire had completely lost its high-quality military resources, and the military district system and imperial guard system had completely collapsed. Normally, the defenses of Constantinople were maintained by less than 3,000 men, with some sections of the city walls relying on village militias and church guards.
100 men is not a large number, but it is not small either.
His uncle hesitated for a moment but agreed. However, he only promised to be responsible for recruiting the soldiers, while the costs would have to be borne by Isaac himself.
Isaac gritted his teeth and pulled out 300 ducats.
"Please ask His Majesty to find some more strong young men. We are going to fight across the sea, and malnourished militia and inexperienced citizens are useless."
"Certainly," promised Ioannis.
In the following days, the troops recruited by Ioannis arrived one after another, and the guards no longer had to carry out patrols and defend the city.
It must be said that Ioannis was quite accommodating. Among the 60 newly recruited infantrymen, many were of lower noble birth, equipped with chain mail and helmets, and besides the standard spears, they were also armed with round shields and long swords. They were all devout Greek Orthodox Christians, loyal to the empire.
The 20-foot archers were descendants of Serbian mountain tribes whose ancestors had migrated to the vicinity of Constantinople and often served the empire as mercenaries.
They were equipped with powerful bows and leather armor and carried curved swords at their waists.
In addition, John selected some horses from the royal stables, which were few, to serve as replacement mounts for the cavalry.
His uncle still loved Isaac very much, and the cost of equipping these soldiers alone was more than 300 ducats.
Once the troops were assembled, Isaac hurriedly took them out to sea for training, hoping they would adapt to the rough seas as soon as possible.
Isaac also joined in the training.
The Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara did not have strong waves, and the entire Mediterranean Sea was known for its calm waters and high salt content. Most of the time, the sea surface looked like a large, sparkling pond.
However, the rough sea voyage still caused the soldiers who had never been on a ship before to vomit and have diarrhea, and Isaac was no exception.
After vomiting up all the food he had eaten in the morning and at noon, Isaac regretted it immensely.
On the deck, experienced sailors pointed and laughed from time to time.
The soldiers were very dissatisfied with the prince's actions, but when they saw the 12-year-old prince vomiting and diarrhea along with them, they swallowed the curses that were on the tip of their tongues. When they set foot on land again, it was as if everyone's souls were rejoicing.
"My soldiers, tonight's wine is on me. May His Majesty always be healthy!"
Isaac took out five more shiny gold ducats and gave them to Captain Mikhail to prepare a banquet.
These young men had already heard that the sailors were drinking the prince's fine wine, and they were certainly looking forward to it.
He had to treat everyone equally, without showing favoritism.
Isaac looked at the cheering soldiers and wiped the sweat from his face.
Everything was ready. All that remained was to wait for news from the grain transport fleet.
Two days later, on November 11, 1444, John VIII and the Latin merchants reached an agreement. Venice agreed to lease two merchant ships to transport military provisions and equipment.
Thus, Isaac's small contingent, including the Prince's Guard of 100 men led by Michael, the attendants led by Andrew, and the Saint Nicholas paddle-sail warship (with 53 sailors and 56 slaves) led by Field, assembled and prepared for the escort mission.
As evening fell, the sailors loaded boxes of food, barrels of fresh water, and essential military equipment such as arrows and gunpowder onto the deck. The soldiers boarded the ship in an orderly manner and waved goodbye to the crowd on shore.
Under the supervision of overseers, the slaves checked the gunpowder magazines and maintained the sails and ropes.
The other two merchant ships carrying grain, the Pisa-built "Independence" and the Venice-built "Hawk," were ready, with the captains and first mates making their final inspections.
Isaac was the last to board the deck of the St. Nicholas, looking toward the city.
They were in the port of Plausphilian, located in the Golden Horn, with the Genoese colony of Galata to the north and the ancient Acropolis faintly visible to the east.
A crowd of citizens gathered on the shore to see the fleet off, cheering "Long live the emperor!" and praying for victory.
"Your Highness, everything is ready."
Captain Fidel approached and whispered.
Isaac took a long look at Constantinople sinking into the night, then turned his head.
"Set sail!"
At the request of John VIII, the fleet would depart from the Golden Horn, circle Constantinople, and allow more citizens to see the purple double-headed eagle flag flying at the bow, inspiring national pride.
The fleet moved slowly forward, passing the Acropolis, the Hagia Sophia, and the Imperial Palace, with the church bells ringing them off.
After rounding the peninsula, the fleet reached the Marmara Sea, where crowds had gathered at the two southern ports of the city to see them off.
Everyone had been suppressed for too long. The Byzantine Empire had not experienced a military victory in ages. The citizens had grown up hearing their ancestors' tales of Constantinople's former glory, but now they faced the approaching Ottoman cavalry and the constant rumble of cannon fire against the city walls.
Isaac's father's victory in Corinth in the south, combined with the good news from the Crusaders in the north, greatly encouraged the people.
"Let's go!"
Isaac ordered.
Carrying the hopes of the citizens of Junburg, the fleet set sail for the south.
Shortly after Isaac left, the citizens of Junburg dispersed in small groups, still talking excitedly.
On the road leading north, a scout rode his horse at full speed, his face filled with unprecedented panic and anxiety.
The guards at the city gate stopped him.
"No one is allowed to pass at night!"
The knight collapsed on the ground, panting heavily.
"Warna... has been defeated, the King of Poland...has been killed, and the entire army has been annihilated..."
The guards' minds went blank, and they stood there helplessly.
The crowd grew larger, and faint cries and prayers began to spread through the crowd.
At that moment, the last rays of sunlight ended their day's sermon on earth, lingering reluctantly over the dome of the cathedral.
Darkness enveloped the entire city.