Chapter 11: North Africa

Chapter 11 North Africa

Isaac bought a "retired" Clark sailing ship from Genoa for 8,000 ducats.

This sailing ship, weighing more than 800 tons, was a true giant of the seas.

The Clark sailing ship had multiple decks and a huge hull space that could hold ample supplies and cannons.

The ship was powered by four sails, with the first three being square sails and a triangular sail at the stern for steering.

There was a bridge at the bow and stern for command and observation.

In addition, the Clark's sides were very high, preventing most boarding tactics.

This warship had served in the Genoese navy for three years.

Now, under Niccolo's command, this giant ship is named Barreiro.

However, Isaac seems to have been cheated by greedy Latin merchants again.

Now, this Clark ship is just an empty shell.

It has no cannons, no sails, and no crew.

Isaac must arrange everything himself.

He must spend a lot of money and wait for some time.

Taking this opportunity, Isaac divided his fleet into two parts.

Isaac named the Clark-rigged ship the Grand Duke of Moriah, as the flagship of his private fleet, commanded by Captain Fidel.

The private fleet also included:

The Saint Nicholas paddle-sail warship, with former first mate Henry taking over as captain; the Spartan paddle-sail warship, with former Manuel's first mate Fenton as captain; and two armed corvettes and three transport supply ships.

The remaining warships were assigned to the Montferrat Trading Company.

The fleet was commanded by Norwich, who commanded four paddle-sail warships and 12 transport ships.

The converted Manuel served as the flagship.

The captains of the other ships were recommended by northern Italian aristocrats, and Isaac did not interfere.

The Montferrat Trading Company rented a port near Genoa for the fleet to repair.

Isaac's private fleet had permanent port rights.

After dividing their responsibilities, the two fleets parted ways.

The merchant fleet headed south to Rome for its first trans-Mediterranean trade mission.

Isaac's private fleet temporarily remained in Genoa, waiting for the Grand Duke of Morea, which was being assembled in Ajaccio.

Before setting sail, Isaac gave a special audience to Norwich, who had just been promoted.

The honest Bulgarian captain was now deeply grateful to Isaac.

He had been freed from prison and promoted to fleet commander.

"On your way from Rome to North Africa, be careful and cautious. Try not to engage in conflict with the ships of the heathens,"

Isaac cautioned him.

Due to financial problems, the Monferrato Trading Company's fleet was still small, with only four combat-capable oar-powered warships.

"Once our finances improve, I will purchase more ships. At that time, you can return to your old trade and punish the heathens for the glory of God."

Novich nodded and saluted.

Isaac called him back.

"By the way, I have one more task for you."

Isaac looked into Norwich's brown eyes,

"Your Highness, you said you brought me up yourself, and I will certainly fulfill your request!"

"Genoa has signed trade agreements with many tribes in North Africa, allowing us to stop at their ports for supplies,"

"This time, in addition to large cities like Tunis, you should also visit the coast of Libya."

Isaac hesitated for a moment.

"Send a few smart and capable sailors who can speak Arabic. Enter the interior from the coast, map the area, observe the customs, and most importantly, report back on any diseases uncommon in North Africa and how the local tribes deal with them."

"Can you do that?"

Novich thought for a moment.

"Your Highness, there are many sailors who speak Arabic, but very few who can map and record information. Such people could serve as officers."

He raised a question instead of agreeing immediately to impress his superior. Not bad.

"In that case, I will assign several literate monks to serve as chaplains on your fleet. You can arrange for capable sailors to learn writing from them."

Isaac took out a money bag.

"I know they don't want to learn, but tell them that the prince will reward sailors who learn to write Greek or Latin."

"Yes."

"In addition, your voyage will cover half of the Mediterranean, so you are sure to encounter all kinds of people. Keep an eye out for talented individuals who are worth recruiting."

Isaac waved his hand, and Norwich picked up the money bag and turned to leave.

In the distance, the fleet gradually set sail, their sails billowing in the wind, the white-and-blue double-headed eagle painted on them fluttering in the breeze.

The white-and-blue double-headed eagle was the flag Isaac had designed for the Montferrat Trading Company.

To avoid provoking the nobles of northern Italy, he had abandoned the idea of using purple directly.

In fact, there were still many issues to be resolved for this fleet.

There were conflicts between the Greek and Genoese sailors, long-standing animosity between Catholics and Orthodox Christians, and unfamiliarity between Norwich and the other captains.

All they could do was trust Novich, who seemed relatively reliable.

All Isaac could do was pray to God.

There was a shortage of talent!

Once the events at sea were settled, Isaac had to prepare for the Royal Naval Academy and the Royal Knight Academy.

In fact, there were still many academies in Constantinople, but they had become places for die-hard priests and spoiled brats to earn a degree.

The revival of Rome was a long and arduous task.

On the same day that the fleet carrying the hopes of the two Palaiologos families set sail, the long-ill Marquis Gian died suddenly.

Isaac did not get to see him one last time.

John Palaiologos succeeded him as John IV.

"Father passed away peacefully,"

said John with red eyes.

"I told him about our efforts to revive the family, and he was very pleased."

"We will continue our efforts. Please don't grieve too much." Although they had only met a few times, Isaac felt a little sad.

He knew that when he proposed the meeting, many nobles in Montferrat opposed it, fearing that Isaac would drag them into a war from which there would be no return.

Gian forced himself to ignore his illness, resisted the pressure, and insisted on entertaining his distant nephew from Constantinople.

Later, it was also thanks to the support of Marquis Gian that John dared to gather the nobles and form a trading company.

Isaac walked up to the coffin and bowed deeply.

The coffin was engraved with the motto of the Palaiologos family.

In the name of God, follow my path.

Don't worry, we won't let you down.

In the days that followed, Isaac helped John deal with the tedious matters of succession while waiting for the completion of the Grand Duke of Moravia's ship.

Whenever Isaac had time, he would take William out to sea on the ship.

Since his father's death, William had begun to realize his responsibilities.

His older brother was supporting a family, and his younger brother Isaac had already become the owner of a trading fleet.

He himself had achieved nothing.

He felt a little ashamed.

Isaac welcomed his cousin's change and invited him to join his fleet.

During these nearly two months, Isaac received another dividend from the printing factory.

After an initial boom, the profit share of indulgences gradually decreased.

On the contrary, hardcover Renaissance books were sought after by the aristocracy of northern Italy, who were proud to own printed books marked with a purple double-headed eagle.

In fact, most merchants and nobles who bought the books never even glanced at them, using them merely as decorative items to show off to their neighbors.

This was just as Isaac had expected.

In Rome, the factory already had 60 skilled workers and 10 printing presses that continuously turned cheap paper into expensive books.

However, Ibrahim's raiding business suffered a major blow.

While raiding a village in northeastern Epirus, Ibrahim was ambushed by the kingdom's regular army.

Leaving dozens of bodies behind, Ibrahim relied on the mobility of his cavalry to shake off his enemies.

Currently, he is at the border between Athens and Epirus, licking his wounds and plotting his next move.

Isaac glanced briefly at other irrelevant intelligence and instructed Lotier to draft various orders.

During the waiting period, Isaac used the money he had earned to add to the investment he had promised at the time.

He then used the remaining two thousand ducats to purchase a small Genoese galley.

Isaac named the warship the Marquis Gian and placed it under William's command, equipping it with an experienced first mate.

On April 10, 1445, the Moria Grand Duke's Clark-rigged ship was assembled, and the crew was recruited.

All the crew members were Orthodox Christians, mainly South Slavs, with some Greeks.

The flagship did not have to be powerful, but it absolutely could not cause any trouble.

It was better to spend more time recruiting more loyal Orthodox Christians.

The other ships did not have as many restrictions.

"What a magnificent warship!"

Captain Fidel exclaimed.

Fidel was born into a family of fishermen in Crete and had been connected to the sea since childhood.

Later, he was chosen by Venice and became the captain of the Saint Nicholas, spending many years in that role.

It wasn't until Isaac bought him that his fate changed.

From captain to squadron commander, and now he commands such a powerful fleet independently.

Who knows if he will ever have the chance to fight a glorious sea battle against the Venetians who once oppressed him?

Fidel shifted his gaze to Isaac, who was facing the sun.

The young prince was dressed in a purple robe, bathed in the golden morning sun, flanked by brave Genoese crossbowmen, and facing the majestic sea monster.

He had just celebrated his thirteenth birthday.

Perhaps Byzantium could truly be revived under his leadership?

Isaac led everyone onto the Grand Duke of Moriah and announced their departure.

"Sail!"

The iron anchors creaked as they were pulled up, and the sails filled with air.

The cannons on the deck gleamed in the early summer sun.

"Report, Your Highness, all sailors and slaves on the Grand Duke of Moria are in position, the sails are normal, food supplies are sufficient, gunpowder supplies are sufficient, the wind direction is good, and we are ready to set sail!"

Captain Fidel reported loudly.

Isaac turned his head, and the other ships signaled with their flags.

"The Sparta is ready, everything is normal!"

"The Saint Nicholas is ready, everything is normal!"

"The Marquis of Gian is ready, everything is normal!"

The remaining transport ships responded one after another.

After two months of coordination, the fleet had become familiar with each other and was now preliminarily coordinated.

Isaac walked onto the deck and looked at the sparkling sea in the distance.

A few seabirds flew overhead, emitting pleasant sounds.

"Sail!"

The Grand Duke of Moria raised its sails and led the way.

"Your Highness, where are we going?"

Fidel stepped forward and asked.

Isaac smiled slightly.

"We are heading to distant lands to seek the hope of the empire."

The destination: Lisbon!