Chapter 682: Dance of Diplomacy
The stage was set for a historic meeting. Antonius, accompanied by Abdullah, embarked from Constantinople to Albania, responding to an invitation from Lord Skanderbeg, a trusted ally. This occasion marked the first-ever face-to-face meeting between the emperor of Constantinople and the Serene Doge of Venezia. It was a momentous event, signalling a potential new Chapter in the relations between these two great powers.
However, the primary negotiations had largely been settled in discussions between Abdullah and the Doge’s government well before this meeting. Thus, the gathering in Albania wasn’t so much about hammering out the details of the peace treaties, which had been broadly agreed upon. Rather, it was an opportunity for the two leaders to engage in deeper conversations about the broader implications of their agreement and to discuss strategic concerns about the future.
Finally, as the new decade’s autumn colours blanketed the landscape, Emperor Antonius, the ruler of all Romans, arrived at the quaint seaside town of Shëngjin in northern Albania. Here, amidst the serene backdrop of the Adriatic, Lord Skanderbeg of Albania had constructed a special seaside resort. It was a retreat designed for tranquillity and reflection, offering solace to a warrior whose knees had borne the weight of countless battles.
Unlike typical royal encounters, there were no celebratory banners or bouquets of flowers to greet the emperor; the meeting between these two great powers was shrouded in secrecy, still cloaked under stringent censorship.
As Antonius disembarked, it was Skanderbeg who emerged to greet him, the warmth of his welcome contrasting sharply with the absence of the Serene Doge Cristoforo Moro. Puzzled, Antonius inquired, "Lord Skanderbeg, where is the Serene Doge?"
Skanderbeg’s expression held a measure of restraint as he replied, "He awaits within the chamber, Emperor. However, I advise you to see for yourself. While I assure you of your safety here, there are matters I am not at liberty to discuss openly."
Trusting in Skanderbeg’s vague yet solemn assurance, Antonius proceeded to the chamber. As he stepped through the ancient wooden door, the scene before him was not what he had anticipated. There, for the first time in his life, he saw the Serene Doge, not arrayed in ceremonial dignity but rather in a state of vulnerability, reclining on a couch. Beside him stood a well-dressed young man, likely in his early thirties, attending to him with a palpable concern.
The aged Doge, his body frail and voice tinged with weakness, coughed lightly before speaking. "I regret that our first encounter unfolds in such an informal manner, with me indisposed and unable to offer you the proper courtesies of diplomacy. Forgive my appearance; at eighty years of age and possibly afflicted by a minor illness caught on my journey here, I am not at my best."
Quick to dispel any discomfort, Antonius responded with grace, "There is no need for apologies, Serene Doge. I respect your condition and appreciate your effort to meet despite it. But I understand you have sought this meeting urgently—face to face?"
"Yes, Emperor," came the response from the old Serene Doge, mustering the remnants of his strength to sit up on the couch, his gaze locking with that of the Emperor. "I wanted to see for myself the storied leader who resurrected a city from near obliteration, expanding its ancient boundaries from the Aegean to Moldova in less than two decades. And now, that very city dares to challenge the maritime supremacy of Venice."
The Emperor, accustomed to both veiled flattery and outright challenge, offered a courteous smile. "I appreciate your words, Serene Doge."
But the atmosphere shifted palpably as the Doge’s tone sharpened. "Those were not meant as mere compliments, Emperor." His eyes widened, his voice trembled slightly, and he struggled to maintain his poise on the couch. "This resurgence poses a grave threat to Venice. The prospect of the Balkan states uniting under a single banner is a scenario no Venetian Doge can ignore. Frankly, if this were years ago, I would have moved heaven and earth to crush the nascent power you have forged."
Antonius’ expression stiffened slightly. "Should I regard these words as hostile then, Serene Doge?"
"Far from it, Emperor." The Doge’s body shook as he spoke, and the younger senator hastened to assist, helping him to recline once more. "You have become a colossus, too mighty to confront directly. Instead, we must forge a robust alliance to face the mounting global challenges. Just recently, I learned of the Portuguese voyages along the African coast, seeking riches in lands unknown to us—an audacious, almost reckless venture. Yet, it signals to us that the familiar world we once knew and navigated is gradually fading."
The room fell silent as Antonius absorbed the gravity of the Doge’s insights, contemplating the implications of a changing world where old powers wane and new routes redraw the maps of power.
"You have reached out to me at a bad time, emperor." Suddenly, the Serene Doge reached his dried, thin old hands out and grabbed the emperor, as he continued to speak. "The Venetians, especially the Patricians, have gotten way too complacent over their long centuries of success, failing to see the incoming pressure applied from the Greeks, the French, the Pope, and The Germans, believing that we are still safe with our fleet and the natural barrier on that island, while we are not! Our army is getting weaker, our fleet is getting poorer! Which is why, I had to launch that monetary reform to consolidate trading powers back into the hands of the state, but those Patricians, with their leader Ciriaco Dandolo, have resisted my reforms, time to time!"
Just then, Abdullah came in, and halted himself as he saw the two familiar faces beside the emperor, but immediately responded and came standing behind the emperor.
"...I had to issue a monetary reform, and I am sorry, Lord Miralai, I used you as a tool to disband and destroy the faction belonging to the house of Dandolo, you did a marvellous job, I must say."
Abdullah have little emotions on his face.
"Thanks to you, commerce is restored, the Venetians gained back what used to be our largest market, the Aegean, though things are completely different from last time where we dominated the Aegean trade since the Komnenian emperors, but that can still be a saviour for the current economy we have... We have entered an age, whereby corporation between Constantinople, and Venezia is necessary."
The emperor nodded difficultly. "Of course, you are right."
The Serene Doge made another cough. "I am already old, and I know that I do not have any time longer to live after this enduring trip, but you still have a lot of time as compared to me, I came over, to see with my own eyes, and hear with my own ears, that you have no plans of going further west, and now I can lay my head low and focus on my remaining work..."
"What do you mean?" The emperor asked. "I never said that I have no plans on the west."
"Stop it, emperor." The Serene Doge took a big breathe, and closed his eyes. "As a leader of a merchant’s republic, I know what are you going to do to the Ottomans in Anatolia, really smart of you, whoever came up with this plan, killing a donkey with a dull blade without letting it feel any plan. Since you have your eyes on the East, then we share definitely be able to have peace, for now, emperor, I am pleased."
The emperor is shocked beyond words as he tried to maintain his expressions, while Abdullah too, eyed his emperor with suspicion, as he had never been told if they have any plans on the Ottomans in Anatolia. While the middle aged senator, documented down this interesting difference in reaction between the two of them.
"We have no plans for the Ottomans in Anatolia." Said the emperor, plainly denying the words of the old Serene Doge. "We only want peace now, to rebuild our population, our influence, our trade and economic sphere, while for me personally, I would want to taka a break from all those wars and conquest."
"I see." The Serene Doge replied.
"Nevertheless, emperor, and Lord Miralai, I would just like to express the idea that, I am sorry, on behalf of all Venetians, from senators to our regular citizens, on what we have done in the past. I sincerely hope, emperor, that although we have been foes in the past, we can still be friends in the future from now onwards. I am already old, I know that I do not have much more time to live, and this peace treaty, at least for the next decade, is a treasure that I want to leave to my successors in the republic."
Antonious paused for a moment, sighed, and nodded. "Of course, why would I not agree to such a gentlemanly request from a respected old man."
The Serene Doge leaned back, and nodded too in satisfaction.
