Chapter 569: For Safety
One might wonder about the whereabouts of the man behind all these troubles George Sphrantzes, for he seems to have vanished from the city ever since the spark of the coup.
Well of course one is unable to find out where he is, for he is not even technically inside the city at the moment.
He is on the tower of Galata, watching over the city with the local Genoese governor of Galata having a bit of drink together.
A messenger ran up the tower, made a few whispers of Latin beside the governor’s ears, then bowed towards the two and went away.
The Genoese governor raised his cup and made a smile towards George Sphrantzes. "It seems like the coup of yours is progressing pretty well."
Unlike the Genoese governor, George Sphrantzes does not have anyone to come into Galata to report to him regarding the situation inside the city, the Genoese has made him as an ’Honore citizen’ of Galata thus enabling him to enter the district, but not his followers of course.
One must think that it is a disgrace for all Romans inclusive of their officials to require a permit to enter a district that ought to be part of their capital city, but George Sphrantzes has no mood to think about these kind of stuff now, for he has been in a highly tense state since the start of the operation with veins popping up on his arms, it is only till now that did he finally know from the governor that the entire operation is indeed going according to plan.
The old George, as a fox meddling with politics in the Roman court filled with intrigues for decades, knows that he cannot show any form of expressions in front of the man seated next to him as it will definitely affect the negotiations that they shall be having later, thus he simply nodded his head, raised his cup to the governor and took a sip.
Without any further doubts about the possibility of George Sphrantzes’ success upon knowing about the capture of the regent, the Genoese governor changed his attitude and started on his formal negotiations. "Lord Sphrantzes, I must thank you for taking acute measures stepping up against the tyrants of the Palaiologos and congratulate you on obtaining your new post after all of these are over. As the representative of the Serene Doge and all consuls, I truly wish that both parties can reach more economical negotiations, military corporations and deeper diplomatic ties in the near future."
"Of course, your excellency."
George Sphrantzes knows that the deal he is attempting to reach with the Genoese is on the verge of succeeding.
"The Genoese fleet in Aegean can guarantee the safety of the waterways, of course, the republic has always been a key peace and stability keeping force on the seas appealing to the requests of all smaller nations. And I will be more than pleased to transfer your message to the consuls, regarding the signing of a new trade contract between our two friendly states..."
Yes, George Sphrantzes exchanged for the independence guarantee of the Genoese by offering them a new trade offer whereby the city of Constantinople shall increase her import on Genoese furs, woods, and iron by another ten percent, allowing another expansion for the Genoese trade quarters, tax cut for all Genoese businesses in both Constantinople and Morea, allowing the Genoese to expand the colony of Galata deeper into the Golden horn, and also allowing the Genoese to increase their maximum amount of troops in the colony of Galata to two thousand men.
Of course the Genoese cannot squeeze all two thousand combatants into the already packed colony of Galata, so only God knows where will they station these troops, maybe right outside the city gates? All for the purpose of guarantying the safety of Constantinople, of course.
One ought to know that the city of Constantinople only has a regular standing army of four thousand men, and that is already enormous for a city with only a population of ninety thousand people.
This is the price for safety, for safety is everything that matters.
"The Genoese fleet will not interfere directly with the... change of political atmosphere inside Constantinople of course, but we shall stop any other foreign power from meddling with the situation, you can have faith in us, lord Sphrantzes."
"Of course, your excellency." George Sphrantzes smirked. "I have always believed in the capabilities of the Republic of Genoa, and any promises given by you, your excellency, and I do sincerely wish that we are able to acquire your promotion as the next governor of Kerson."
The Genoese Governor replied with a laugh. "Of course, ah yes, and definitely do not forget about that family business I have on the peninsula of Kerson exporting fresh plumbers, I do hope that you shall give me some... benefits, or at least priorities, you know, as friends..."
"Don’t worry, we as Romans always offer the best offer for our friends, I shall see it down." George Sphrantzes finished the last bit of drink in his cup and stood up from his seat. "Do excuse me monsieur, I’ve got to get back across the Golden horn to settle the situation and re-organise the government."
...
That smile instantly vanished from the old face of George Sphrantzes the moment he boarded the boat sailing across the channel, the old gentleman made a spit in the direction of the Genoese colony and cursed. "Greedy old bugger! Wish you and that cargo ship of yours all sink to the bottom of the Eúxinos Póndos!"
He then turned to his followers, all courtiers working in the Constantinople government respectively affiliated with the logothetēs in charge of the treasury, the Dromou in charge of diplomacy, and the wardrobe in charge of mints. "Remember, we shall only compromise with the Genoese for a brief period of time, and we shall forfeit all these terms, and throw all these bloody contracts we made with them into the stove!"
"Your highness." The courtier from the Dromou replied, in a reluctant tone. "Do you still remember what happened during the catastrophe from the west two hundred years ago... The barbaric crusaders practising Catholic heresy garrisoned outside the walls charged into the city and ransacked Constantinople, because the pretender failed to obligate with the deal they had earlier... I fear that the three thousand Genoese garrisons outside the city might end up doing the same thing overrunning our city by surprise..."
George Sphrantzes calmed himself down staring blankly at the sea walls of Constantinople.
As the next destined ruler over the empire, there are many things for the old George to consider, and making decisions out of pure rage is definitely not one of them.
...
Giovanni Giustiniani is having a stalemate with the armed personnels guarding Hagia Irene.
He is getting caught in a very awkward position right now, as the Orthodox church of Constantinople has sent a bishop down the street to supposedly ’suppose’ the fight between both sides, claiming that he has the orders from the Ecumenical Patriarch himself prohibiting any damage against the properties of the church, the Bishop even started spreading words among the ordinary troopers on Giovanni’s side saying if they damaged the church, they would be excommunicated, which made Giovanni’s troopers reluctant about the orders from their commander as well, making Giovanni almost suspect that this bishop and the Ecumenical Patriarch behind him is backing Thomas Palaiologos.
Seeing that there are no actual fighting going on in the area, the residents nearby started gathering around the crop fields, ruins of the former Great palace, and surrounding buildings to take a look at the confrontation, making Giovanni’s attempt to take the church even more difficult, as the enemies would be able to sense his every movement now by looking at the reactions by the citizens.
There are still good news though, that is Giovanni’s troopers managed to cut off all food and water supplies of the church. Thomas Palaiologos should submit himself, if everything goes according to the plan.
Giovanni started ordering his men to fill up numerous buckets with fresh water and black breads, then putting them up for display before Thomas’ men, with a massive slogan behind their back saying that if they want food and water, they will have to yield and surrender their arms, and anyone who surrenders with Thomas Palaiologos shall be rewarded with heavily.
George Sphrantzes came down to the area too on a cart with his face hidden behind curtains, expressed his dissatisfaction about the slow progress, threw his rage onto Giovanni, and urged him to put up a harsher stance and order his troops to attack. However, Giovanni knew that he cannot make that order because that bishop sent by the Ecumenical Patriarch is still there right standing beside him staring at his every movement, with numerous citizens who see Giovanni as a hero watching over him too in the surroundings.
