In early August, the entire southern Crimea was experiencing hot and rainy weather. It was at this time that the delegation led by Manuel finally returned to Theodoro Principality.
"Finally home," Manuel thought to himself. During his three-month diplomatic mission, he had seen many exotic customs and met many influential figures, both current and future, of this era. This tangible feeling of participating in history filled him with a sense of fulfillment, apprehension, and excitement.
"Perhaps I, too, can use my strength to create a commendable piece of history," he mused.
However, Theodoro, fighting alone, probably couldn't even defeat Genoa. As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Manuel had to compose himself and prepare for the next step.
"I wonder how the plans here have been executed?" As he pondered this, the delegation returned to Mangup City. Seeing this, Manuel dismounted from his carriage, switched to a horse, and, with the officials from the delegation, went to report their findings to His Highness the Prince.
"So, Lithuania and Adyghe Principality have promised to send troops, the Golden Horde and the Rus' are willing to stand with us, and the Tatar princes are mostly taking a wait-and-see attitude, is that right?" Alexius rubbed his sore eyes, summarizing the results.
"Yes, Father."
"Honestly, it's much better than expected," Alexius said with a smile, but thinking of the voluminous report, he couldn't help but remind Manuel, "My child, the focus of a report is on essence, not on complexity. You don't need to write it in such detail." The important officials around him chuckled quietly; it seemed they didn't yet know that they would be the ones rubbing their eyes every day in the future.
Among these important officials, one newcomer stood out. He wore a black overgown with gold star patterns, favored by nobles in the Italian region at the time, which loosely enveloped his upper and lower body. His dark green pupils were filled with a merchant's shrewdness, his flaxen hair was meticulously styled, and his complexion was fair, though it showed many traces of sun and wind exposure. Such an un-Greek attire quickly drew Manuel's attention, but he still had to answer his father's question first.
"But Father, I believe everything I wrote in my report is important."
"…"
"Really? I don't believe it."
"Of course, Father."
"I'll believe you this once," Alexius said with a helpless smile.
In fact, what Manuel said was not entirely true; at least, he didn't include the contents of his secret agreement with Vytautas in the report. Otherwise, if his cheap old man knew that he might convert to Roman Catholic, he would surely dismember him…
"Oh, by the way," as Manuel was about to leave to attend to his important matters, Alexius suddenly called out to him, "Are the Tatars truly impossible to persuade?"
"It's not that they can't be persuaded, Father; it's just that if we were to move them, the price we'd have to pay would likely be unbearable."
"Oh? Manuel, tell me your thoughts."
"If we are to persuade these Tatar princes, then we might have to change our suzerain."
"Is the Golden Horde changing Khans again? What does it matter? We pledge allegiance to whoever is Khan."
"Father, these Tatar princes, especially Haji Giray, I believe, might break away from the old Golden Horde system."
"A bit troublesome, but not much. As long as we give enough, they will be willing to accept our existing authority."
"What if they ask us to send troops to help them expand their borders? These Crimean Tatars will truly vassalize us."
"This… we could grit our teeth and reluctantly accept it."
"They won't tolerate us, an infidel nation, for too long."
"Ah?" Alexius exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this inference.
"I've probed their views on territory and governance, and they've all shown a strong desire for centralization. Moreover, regarding territory, I haven't seen any possibility of compromise so far."
Alexius's expression grew somewhat serious, and he no longer mentioned changing suzerains. However, Manuel didn't intend to give his father too much time to think; instead, he further influenced his decision with more provocative words: "Furthermore, Father, these Tatar princes, especially Haji Giray, are all devout men." He then selectively informed Alexius and the important officials present about the details of his secret meeting with Haji Giray.
When he finished speaking, the important officials began to whisper amongst themselves, and Alexius's face turned ashen. "Saint Mary, this infidel Tatar actually used a highly insulting word like 'Kafir' directly during a secret meeting with an orthodox diplomat. If he were to rule this region, I dare not imagine what would happen."
Patniko also agreed with His Highness the Prince's idea. He even proposed invading the remaining steppe regions of the peninsula after taking Kaffa, but this was unanimously rejected by everyone present due to its overly aggressive nature.
It seems he had already created a certain rift between Theodoro's high-ranking officials and the Crimean Tatar princes, Manuel chuckled inwardly. If he selectively informed them of such matters more often, even if war broke out with these Tatars in the future, Theodoro would at least not easily seek peace.
In fact, from the perspective of official history, Haji Giray should not have harbored too much ill will towards Theodoro; he merely made more demands. However, maintaining good relations between the two sides did not align with Manuel's intentions.
"It seems we will also have to guard the northern front during this period," Alexius finally concluded.
"Father is very right."
"Hmm, it seems we'll have to keep busy later on. Oh, by the way, Manuel, let me introduce you to our new Grand Admiral of the Navy, though it's temporary."
The noble in the black overgown stepped out from the crowd and politely gave a Venetian naval salute to the Prince and his son. Alexius, satisfied, paid his respects to him, and continued to introduce him to Manuel:
"Francesco Faliero, from Venice."