1444, Byzantium Resurrects

After bidding farewell to Earl Adnan, Isaac left the ancient city of Uguchi satisfied and headed for Jufra.

The earl was very clever and knew his place; he did not harbor any unrealistic fantasies.

In fact, Isaac had stationed more than 3,000 troops in Al-Agay and Jufra. Had Adnan had any intention of rebelling, he would have been wiped out immediately.

Jufra City had once been the center of the Fezzan central government in the Jufra Oasis, administered directly by the king's confidants.

Following the Battle of Saint Joseph, Adnan Sheikh surrendered to Isaac and the northern gate to Jufra City was opened, causing panic among the locals and sparking internal unrest.

The local forces expelled the governor sent by the central government of Fezzan, opening the city gates to Isaac.

"Your Highness, thank you for coming all this way. Please come into the city and rest."

Morris Klepas, the magistrate of Jufra City, accompanied by the tribune Paparo and the judge Christian Gutenberg, welcomed Isaac into the town hall.

Isaac reformed the local administrative system of the former Eastern Roman Empire, dividing power amongst the people.

The highest official in an administrative district was a magistrate, who was in charge of all administrative affairs.

The magistrate was subordinate to the tribune and the regional judge. The tribune was primarily responsible for the household register and public security. In times of war, he commanded the militia and the city guard.

The regional judge was responsible for the judiciary and supervision.

All three officials were appointed directly by the central government in Surt and required a document bearing the joint seals of Isaac and the Minister of the Interior, Isult, to take office.

The fiscal system was independent of all executive districts. The Minister of Finance, Riddle, recommended personnel to be sent to local areas to collect taxes and tributes.

Other officials in local areas were appointed by the three main officials, reported to the central government and approved by Isaac.

The duchy's laws are currently based on those of the Eastern Roman Empire, with some local characteristics added.

Legislation is the responsibility of the central government of the duchy, and the city councils of each administrative district can provide recommendations.

During this period, the magistrate Maurice introduced Isaac to the changes that had taken place in Jufra, indirectly praising his own achievements.

Magistrate Maurice had a difficult background. His ancestors were Turkic military nobles during the Komnenos period. During the two Andronikos civil wars, his family moved from Thessaloniki to Theodore.

Before Maurice was born, the Klepas family had fallen into decline. As a child, he was kidnapped by Turkic nomads and sold into slavery.

Fortunately, he found a good master in George Sphranx.

Due to his intelligence and quick learning, Maurice was redeemed as a free man within the Sphranx family and began studying culture and martial arts alongside the younger members.

After reaching adulthood, he led the family merchant guild on numerous journeys, travelling to many places and meeting all kinds of people. Eventually, George Sphranx recommended him to become Isaac's subordinate.

He was fluent in three languages and had strong interpersonal skills.

Isaac chose him as the magistrate of Jufra because of his ability to adapt to complex situations.

Paparo, the tribune, came from a local power group and was one-quarter Greek, the result of Isaac's compromise with local forces in Jufra.

The local judge, Christine, was Gutenberg's son and a graduate of the University of Florence, well versed in various laws.

Isaac listened half-heartedly to Maurice's introduction, focusing his attention on the market and its inhabitants.

To be honest, he was not satisfied with the situation.

Although Jufra had a larger population and a more extensive market than the vibrant city of Uguchi, the number of free citizens was significantly lower.

There were many gangs openly selling slaves on the streets.

The slave economy, controlled by various tribal sheikhs, still dominated here.

Isaac was no saint; he did not oppose slave trading. However, the prevalence of the slave economy around Jufra could only mean one thing: the tribal sheikhs still wielded considerable power here.

The population was predominantly Berber, with a small number of Greeks and Italians working as skilled craftsmen and government employees, as well as many military families living in military districts.

There was nothing that could be done about it. Jufra was not conquered by Isaac's army alone.

By accepting the surrender of the local forces, he had tacitly acknowledged their special privileges in the area.

However, as the political situation stabilized, there were many ways to reduce their power.

After walking around the city for a while, Isaac lost interest in visiting the churches that had been converted from mosques and headed straight for the military camp by the city walls.

The Second Legion of the Imperial Guard, who were on duty in Jufra, cheered as they welcomed him into the camp.

The Imperial Guard currently had more than 2,000 men, all of whom were Greek Orthodox Christians.

Conte Mikhail commanded the First Legion, while Nikiforos commanded the Second Legion.

Nikiforos was also a member of Isaac's old guard and a staunch loyalist.

He claimed to be the illegitimate son of the Fokas family and a descendant of Nikiforos II, the "Pale Death of the Saracens" of the Macedonian dynasty. He was well-versed in the military classics passed down by his ancestors.

Some of the twenty cavalrymen who had followed Isaac in his early days had already died on the battlefield, but those who survived became military and political leaders, with Mikhail and Nikiforos at the forefront.

"Long time no see, dear Nikiforos!"

Isaac stepped forward to support the legion commander, who was about to bow.

"Your Highness, it's been a long time. I've heard of your great achievements in the north, and I am truly delighted."

Nikiforos was a stocky, muscular, middle-aged man with thick arms, capable of wielding a long-handled axe and a warhammer. He was a wise and brave general.

Led by Nikiforos, Isaac inspected the Second Legion, formed nearly two years ago.

Following the successful graduation of the first cohort of military cadets from the Royal Knight Academy, the Second Legion of the Imperial Guard's officer corps was finally complete and undergoing intensive training to build up its combat effectiveness gradually.

The new recruits of the Second Legion had never seen Isaac before and had only heard about this ambitious Roman prince from the veterans.

They had been in the army for too short a time to have experienced large-scale warfare. Whenever they trained with the First Legion, they could only gaze enviously as the First Legion veterans showed off their Isaac swords.

Of all the Second Legion, only the legion commander, Nikiforus, and a few officers who had transferred from the First Legion had received rewards from Isaac.

At their first meeting, Isaac distributed rewards as usual, ordering the cook to prepare a soup with several freshly hunted rabbits and share it with the soldiers.

After some time, the camp's basic infrastructure had been established.

Blacksmiths, brothels, taverns and gambling tables were set up next to the camp to serve the soldiers.

Maintaining military discipline was difficult in those days, so it was important to allow soldiers to engage in leisure activities.

These facilities could improve the soldiers' happiness and cohesion, and they could also generate income for Isaac.

Of course, during wartime, anyone who dared violate military discipline by drinking alcohol or visiting prostitutes would be executed without mercy.

In the afternoon, Isaac watched the second legion of the Imperial Guard drill.

The sun was blazing and the soldiers were sweating profusely.

They wore grey linen uniforms embroidered with the emblem of the Second Legion: a desert fox.

They formed a tight formation and advanced and retreated in unison.

The musketeers and close combat infantry worked well together, too.

Clearly, Nikiforos and several first-year students from the Royal Knight Academy had put a lot of effort into their battle training — perhaps even more than the First Legion.

However, Isaac was certain that, on the battlefield, they would not be a match for the First Legion.

Question: How can you train a truly strong army?

Answer: Fight many battles.

From the Battle of the Corinthian Wall to the Battle of Surt's Founding, Saint Joseph's Land and the Milan Succession War, the First Legion of the Imperial Guard participated in almost every war under Isaac's command.

The army's quality continued to improve with each battle.

In the age of cold weapons, experience, courage and morale were sometimes more important than discipline and equipment. "Nikiforos, what do you think is the biggest problem with the Second Legion right now?"

Isaac wanted to test the newly promoted legion commander.

"They haven't killed anyone."

Nikiforos didn't even hesitate.

"Soldiers who have never seen blood are nothing more than a ceremonial guard, no matter how hard they train."

"A truly strong army is never forged on the training ground, but through stepping over mountains of corpses and seas of blood."

Isaac nodded in agreement.

This commander from a distinguished family seemed to understand very well and was not fooled by appearances.

"There will be a war soon. Do well."

...

On 4 May 1448, Isaac said goodbye to Jufra City and travelled north to Narcissus Fortress.

As most of his tribe had followed Count Adnan south, the fortress and the surrounding oases had become thoroughly Hellenized. Of the more than 10,000 people in the entire administrative district, the vast majority were Greek and Slavic.

Originally the headquarters of the Slave Legion, the city defenses of Narcissus Fort were now under the responsibility of a division of the Purple Guard and the City Guard following Baron Maruna's departure for Albania to participate in the war.

Surrounded by Greek-style architecture and hearing the familiar language, Isaac felt at home, as if he had returned to Mistras.

Back at the castle, he wrote to Surt, requesting that the Minister of Internal Affairs, Isult; the Executive President of the Chamber of Commerce, Urda; and the Archbishop of Surt, Elster; come as soon as possible.

Two days later, Isaac met with the two men.

"Your Highness, have you finished inspecting the territory? Did you find any problems?"

Isult asked bluntly.

He knew the duke's character very well indeed.

Having just returned from his inspection, the duke had immediately summoned representatives from political, business and religious circles. There must be something important to announce.

Isaac did not answer, but handed a report to the three of them.

"This is the report submitted by Maurice, the magistrate of Jufra City. I have already checked it with Riddle, and there are no problems."

The three read it and gained an overview.

"Your Highness, are you going to take action against the slave trade?"

They all looked at Isaac at the same time; Urda's eyes clearly showed her concern.

"The slave trade is a highly profitable business involving a lot of killing.

This is something God does not want to see."

Isaac looked at Elster, who nodded hurriedly.

"I have decided that the Duchy will issue an official slave law to regulate the slave trade."

Realizing that Isaac was not going to ban the slave trade outright, Urda had an idea.

He wanted to raise taxes.

"I have the following requirements for this law.

"Firstly, in order to protect civilians, the tax rate on the slave trade must be increased in order to prevent people from taking risks and selling civilians into slavery.

Secondly, all slave traders must register with the finance department. If they are found to be selling private slaves or evading taxes, they will be beheaded and their property will be confiscated."

Thirdly, tribal slaves are also God's lambs and must be allowed to redeem their freedom through labor. Tribal nobles must not interfere."

After a moment's thought, Urda decided that he could accept these demands.

"The three of you must use your influence in politics, religion and commerce to ensure this decree is implemented. Can you do that?"

The three of them exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

Isaac's move was perfectly timed. Not only did it cut a large slice of the pie brought by the slave trade, it also indirectly struck a blow to the power of the southern tribal sheiks.

Most importantly, the slave traders found this level of tax increase acceptable.

Driven by greed, these slave traders were both brutal and willing to compromise. As long as it wasn't excessive, they generally wouldn't cause trouble.

They used to earn 100 ducats, but now they could only earn 80. They would silently swallow this bitter pill.

However, if the increase was too high and they could only earn 50 ducats or less, they would undoubtedly try to resist with armed force.

"There's one more thing."

The three, who were about to leave, stopped in their tracks.

"In order to deal with war and disease, I plan to establish a medical school in Narcissus Castle."

"The curriculum must include both traditional Christian medicine and the more advanced Arab medicine from the East."

Isaac turned his gaze to Urda.

"Urda, I know you still have many connections in the Islamic world. Do your best to invite Islamic doctors to come and teach."

"I can allow them to retain their faith as an exception."

"I can allow them to purchase black slaves for dissection, and the Church must not interfere."

"From professors to students, there must be no prejudice or discrimination. Do you understand?"

While reviewing the battle reports, Isaac was deeply pained to discover that, due to the extremely poor medical conditions on their side, the survival rate of the wounded was low and many veterans who should have continued to serve were lost.

The establishment of medical institutions was urgent.

Throughout May, Isaac travelled all over his territory, strengthening his control while addressing the issues that had arisen.

On 22 May, after more than ten days of negotiations, the Slave Law was officially promulgated, regulating the slave trade in the Grand Duchy of Surt.

Notably, the decree stipulated that black slaves must be castrated before entering the duchy to perform heavy physical labor that white slaves could not endure.

On 24 May, the Narcissus Medical College was officially established in Narcissus Fortress. A Shiite scholar was appointed as president, and plans were made to initially enroll 200 students.

On 1 June, news arrived from the western border that Eldosh had led the Slave Legion in a large-scale plundering expedition near Misurata, pillaging the homes of thousands of people before returning.

After Misurata's request for help from Tripoli was unsuccessful, the city finally agreed to pay Isaac 20,000 ducats in war reparations, allowing livestock and people to be used as payment.

On 3 June, Bilinchi's spy reported that the sheikhs of the tribes that Isaac had released were inciting tribal conflict, leaving Yusuf powerless to intervene and the entire region in chaos.

On 5 June, the reinforcements of Duke John of Parma and Grand Duke Constantine of Moria arrived in Sirte.

Everything was ready, except for the east wind.

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