In early July, in the city of Akçaabat, southeast of Trabzon, the anti-Bosporus faction was discussing how to deal with their enemy.
"His Highness David has indeed defected to Bosporus," an old Pontus nobleman named Andrea reported to Alexander, to whom he was loyal, with certainty.
Alexander Komnenos's tightly furrowed brows showed no sign of relaxing. "Do we have a chance of winning?"
"Your Highness, please don't speak such nonsense that boosts the enemy's morale and diminishes our own!" Andrea angrily slapped the table.
This made Alexander even more displeased. However, to win the Basileus's throne, he still needed the strength of these local lords. Therefore, in the end, he could only adopt a humble posture and ask them for advice on how to deal with the enemy.
At this moment, Manuel was reviewing the files of John's former staff, who were still under house arrest, with a few of his subordinates, trying to find usable talents among them to win over to his side.
"Why is this Ridwan still being kept? I remember he neither truly obeyed John nor intended to defect to us, right?" Manuel was puzzled when he came across this person's section.
"Yes, Your Majesty," George Amiroutzes, who had already switched his allegiance to Manuel, said respectfully to the point of flattery. "Lord Ridwan and his team of Turkmen mercenaries are actually direct commanders of His Majesty Kara Osman, the Sultan of the Aq Qoyunlu Dynasty. The reason he came to help His Highness John in his coup was indeed at the White Sheep Sultan's instruction. So, Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, we should continue to accommodate him for now, so as not to anger the Aq Qoyunlu Dynasty."
Manuel looked at Amiroutzes, who was nearing middle age, with a complex expression, chewing on the information he provided while recalling his past life knowledge.
George Amiroutzes, if nothing unexpected happened, he would later earn the nickname "the Philosopher." In the official history of his previous life, he was listed by historians as an important figure in the late Byzantine Renaissance, knowledgeable in philosophy, theology, history, and botany, and skilled in various elegant and complex rhetorical writings, truly talented and outstanding. But inversely proportional to his talent was his indescribable political integrity. In official history, he not only strongly urged David Komnenos to surrender to the Ottoman, but also frequently wrote flattering articles to Sultan Muhammad II after the new dynasty's benevolent governance. Legend has it that in his later years, he even married a young Greek widow from Athens, tsk tsk tsk...
But his ability was indeed evident, making Manuel unwilling to easily overlook it. Ultimately, Manuel accepted his defection and planned to find an opportunity later to give him a suitable position to serve his empire.
However, the current major problem was not here. "The Aq Qoyunlu Dynasty," Manuel's brows couldn't help but furrow as he considered this hidden danger that could even threaten the Ottoman in the not-too-distant future, "I remember the White Sheep were allies of the Komnenos. If we really fall out with them, what will happen?"
After all, this time he was fighting across the sea, and might not be able to fully utilize Bosporus's military strength. Although they had defeated the Crimean Khanate last time, it was not solely by the strength of the former Theodoro. If the Golden Horde had not continuously tied down the main forces of Crimea at that time, they would have been unable to achieve victory through a direct confrontation.
What's more, the Aq Qoyunlu Dynasty seemed to be on the rise now.
Manuel's head ached at the thought of this.
Finally, unable to make a decision, he summoned Amiroutzes and Serenus to discuss how to deal with Ridwan, who was still under house arrest.
Amiroutzes still held the same view, while Serenus spoke vaguely. After listening to their opinions for about 5 minutes, Manuel posed a fatal question to Amiroutzes, "Amiroutzes, if Ridwan is released unharmed, can you guarantee that the White Sheep will not send troops to interfere?"
Amiroutzes hesitated for a moment, and finally, with cold sweat streaming down his face, he gave his answer, "Um, uh, ah, I'm afraid not, Your Majesty. But taking good care of Ridwan will at least make the Aq Qoyunlu Dynasty understand that we are not their enemies..."
As expected, Manuel sighed internally, then interrupted him and made his decision, "Execute Ridwan."
"Ah?"
"Since no matter what we do, the Aq Qoyunlu Dynasty will support the Komnenos family, then it's unnecessary to show them goodwill. Instead of leaving them someone who knows our roots, it's better to get rid of him and save some ducats on his upkeep," Manuel explained to the two with a cheerful demeanor.
"But Your Majesty, in that case, the retreat route..." Amiroutzes's face was as ugly as if he was about to cry.
"Even in the worst-case scenario, Bosporus would only return north of the Black Sea, and the defectors would retain their status with their land and property in Asia Minor. Anyway, no matter what, we have a bright future," Manuel quipped cheerfully.
This is sophistry, isn't it? What kind of bright future is a future of wasted effort? Amiroutzes almost spat blood.
But he realized that Manuel was different from the Komnenos family's royalty. This young monarch had keen and decisive vision, as well as the courage to burn his bridges, and with a little more experience, he could completely become a "Conqueror." Although Amiroutzes felt that this person seemed to be using his courage in a strange way. But since he had boarded this pirate ship, he could only grit his teeth and see it through.
"Alright, it seems everyone has no objections, right? Oh, by the way, there's also this Western European nobleman named Dungar de Laporte," Manuel suddenly remembered another Western European who was still under house arrest.
"Eh, is he still alive?" Amiroutzes's thoughts were interrupted, and he returned to reality, asking such an unbelievable question.
"..."
"Yes," Serenus finally got a chance to speak.
"How much do you know about this person?" Dungar's rare background made Manuel a little curious. A Western European nobleman who came to Asia Minor after the Crusader era, very interesting.
"Hmm," Amiroutzes pondered about this person, "This young man claims that he embarked on a journey through Europe because he was disgusted by his homeland's persecution of the faithful and the internal strife within his family. But when we found him, he was working as a guard because he owed money to the Venetians. Later, it was His Highness John who was short of people and negotiated with the Venetians to transfer him."
Another victim of Venetian usury, Serenus almost burst out laughing. Manuel felt even more interested in this person. "Then he must be French, right?"
"No, he seems to be an English nobleman with Irish blood," Amiroutzes replied instantly.
"Huh?"