"Why did they act so quickly this time?" Manuel was startled when he received the news of the attack on Giresun.
When he received this news, he was personally welcoming the newly commissioned Circassian Legion of a thousand men, which had just arrived in Asia Minor, at the port of Trabzon, and was discussing further cooperation with Gracio, a noble dignitary sent by Venice to Pontus.
As he was about to take the leading Circassian officers to the Trabzon Palace for a banquet, an urgent report arrived from the western front, interrupting Caesar's work.
According to the urgent report, Giresun, the westernmost stronghold in the Pontus region controlled by Bosporus, was actively attacked by a large, organized Turk army at dusk yesterday.
Fortunately, the soldiers responded appropriately, preventing Giresun from falling.
Based on eyewitness reports and subsequent identification, these enemies could be confirmed as forces from the Janik Beylik and Kandar Beylik.
Clearly, these New Moon Sect Turks had started the war earlier than expected.
Their purpose was also obvious, at least on the surface, it was inextricably linked to Alexander Komnenos, who was in exile.
It seemed that the reconstruction and preparation work had come to an end.
After confirming through intelligence that the other side had provoked the war and it could not be avoided, Manuel sincerely comforted the Circassian soldiers and allowed them some rest before rushing to the outskirts.
There, all of Bosporus's main forces available in Asia Minor were stationed, ready to obey any command or deployment from their esteemed Caesar.
Just as he had settled all the appointments in the city and was about to head to the suburban garrison, Gracio of Venice suddenly called out to him and shared a lot of intelligence he possessed.
"Caesar," the young Latin noble's expression was unusually serious at this moment, "when you lead your troops to Giresun to expel the foreign enemies, I advise you not to forget the content of our conversation more than half a month ago."
"Anyway, there's no time for suspense, I'll be direct: while sending people to stabilize the west, quickly take down Andos Fortress, which is leased by Genoa.
According to information from the Black Sea consul, it is certain that these Liguria have stockpiled a lot of weapons and laborers there, preparing to break through the Pontus area from within when their main forces arrive by sea."
"So the top priority is to follow the Lord's instructions and quickly eliminate this important stronghold.
Caesar, you wouldn't want to have your home stolen by a group of despicable merchants from the sea while you are fighting on the front lines, would you?" He even playfully shook his head when he said this last sentence.
"What about you?" Manuel pointed out coolly.
"If nothing unexpected happens, our navy will soon arrive from across the Black Sea."
"How soon is 'soon'?"
"Less than half a day." When answering this question, Gracio's tone was already quite urgent.
After confirming in this manner, Manuel dispatched his personal guard, Vladimir, to lead five hundred Philaka Soldiers and their allocated two thousand conscripted militiamen to prepare, waiting for his direct order to then proceed to besiege Andos Fortress, which was controlled by Genoa.
Afterward, he continued to rush to the military camp on the outskirts, hurrying to defend the west according to the previously established strategic plan, and to seize the opportunity for a counterattack.
While dealing with these matters, Manuel also inwardly grumbled about his ally, "God's damn 'follow the Lord's instructions,' you Venetians clearly believe in Roman Catholic just like the Genoans."
Upon reaching the outskirts of the city, Manuel immediately put on his military uniform and summoned the generals and commanders who had not yet received his military orders.
Once they arrived, he immediately made the following arrangements: Army Commander Tukharovsky was to take his two subordinates, Dungar and Balin, and lead a peasant army of two thousand and a Tatar Legion of one thousand with its five thousand conscripted soldiers, respectively, to rush to support Giresun to relieve the immediate crisis.
At the same time, he would also lead Vladimir's unit to besiege Andos Fortress, controlled by Genoa.
Afterward, if the west remained in a stalemate, he would personally lead the remaining main forces to aid after capturing Andos Fortress.
All the generals and commanders obeyed Caesar's orders without question.
After Manuel personally stood before the entire army and gave an inspiring speech, the morale of the Bosporus soldiers was greatly boosted, so much so that they spontaneously cheered in unison before Caesar, shouting, "Long live the Holy Father, long live Caesar!"
However, just as Manuel was putting on his scale armor and preparing to set off, Tukharovsky, the Army Commander, suddenly requested an audience with him.
"Let him in," the young Caesar mused for a moment before agreeing to the request.
If he wasn't mistaken, requesting an audience before a battle must be for something particularly important.
Indeed, upon seeing his respected Caesar, the Army Commander did not engage in any superfluous pleasantries, but directly pointed out a major hidden danger in Trabzon.
"Caesar, forgive my bluntness, but it would be best to assign tasks to the newly arrived Circassian Legion in Trabzon as soon as possible.
General Adian leading five hundred Filakas warriors to hold the fort in the city is actually sufficient; these fierce warriors from the Adyghe coastal lands are probably not suitable for cooperating with other units to maintain law and order within the city."
After half a minute of thought, Manuel nodded inwardly at this point; these brave mountaineers, who came from tribes and had just completed their organization, were indeed not suitable for managing public order.
"You're right," after finishing his thoughts, Caesar appreciatively accepted the opinion of his trusted general, "Let them go with me to take Andos Fortress first.
It's a good opportunity for me to see how effective tribal warriors are after systematic training.
Hmm, and I might as well bring some other people along."
Thus, the Circassian Legion was also mobilized by Manuel that night, joining the attack on Andos Fortress.
Thanks to the rapid organization of the Bosporus Army, after only a brief rest in the outskirts of Tripoli in the middle of the night, the force personally led by Manuel successfully arrived in the vicinity of Andos Fortress.
And shortly after he reached his destination, the Venetian fleet also arrived there.
As a result, the next morning, when the Genoans inside the fortress woke up, they were horrified to find themselves surrounded by the Venetian fleet on the sea and the Bosporus Army on land!
"You are surrounded, surrender!" Serenus, riding a yellow-maned horse and holding a Bible, under the protection of a squad of Philaka Soldiers, called for the surrender of the bewildered Genoan defenders.