Indeed, as Manuel had thought, about a day later, Alexius urgently recalled him to Mangup. After making arrangements and settling personnel, he quickly rushed there.
Upon arriving at Mangup and joining the meeting, Manuel noticed that the participants in this Princely Council were more numerous than before. Even Mikhail Semyonovich Olgierdovich of the Rus Heavy Axemen was present. It seemed the Kaffa Consul's counterattack had put considerable pressure on Alexius.
However, in Manuel's opinion, his father was being a bit overly cautious. According to the accurate intelligence he had received, the foolish and short-sighted Kaffa Consul, in order to keep his position, had even forced his subordinates to conceal the fact that Kaffa had fallen from the homeland. If the intelligence was accurate, then they would only have to face an army of over 4,000 men that they had cobbled together, with at least seventy to eighty percent of them being conscripts.
But as the meeting progressed, Manuel realized that his father seemed to be aiming for more than just fending off the enemy's counterattack.
"Cheleki is not only under Kaffa's jurisdiction administratively, but its location is also crucial, as it controls one of the passages to the Sea of Azov. If we can use this to push back and capture the city, then we will have more bargaining chips in our future dealings with Genoa," General Patniko analyzed. The various military officials, including the Prince and his son, nodded in agreement.
"However, Cheleki is an isolated city. Its connections with the surrounding areas, given the current situation, can only rely on sea routes, and our naval strength is absolutely no match for Genoa. Moreover, from a land perspective, Cheleki is easy to attack but difficult to defend, having been plundered by Tatars for a long time. After capturing this city, it would instead become our weakness," Raus offered a different perspective.
Raus's analysis caused many, including Alexius, to waver, and even Manuel began to consider how to properly control the city.
"Are we to seek military transit rights from infidels?" Orophin, who was in charge of the Cherson diocese, complained, but his words enlightened Manuel, who was deep in thought.
That's right, military transit. How had he not thought of it?
With a flash of inspiration, Manuel suddenly spoke up, proposing his idea: "We should cooperate with the local Tatar princes to request military transit rights to connect this exclave."
"But Your Highness, the relationships among the local Tatar princes are complex. Cooperating with one might anger another. Furthermore, these princes, who are entrenched in the Crimean steppe, do not have a good relationship with the Golden Horde. If we choose to cooperate with them, we might anger the Golden Horde," Raus asked on behalf of everyone.
"Father, which Tatar prince currently holds the advantage in the Crimea region?" Manuel did not answer him directly but instead asked Alexius.
"For now, Haji Giray holds the advantage. With Lithuania's backing, plus his own abilities, he has already reached Kizlyar and is closing in on Lugan. Given the current situation, it's only a matter of time before he captures Northern Crimea and even advances on Bakhchysarai," Alexius informed him and everyone present.
"Who is the Tatar prince currently controlling Northern Crimea?"
"Dawlat Berdi," Patniko said.
"In my humble opinion, we can temporarily cultivate relations with both princes, but once Haji Giray moves south to the peninsula, we should immediately abandon Prince Berdi."
"As for the Golden Horde, by the time we apply to him, several months will have passed, and Sarai's control over the regions is currently weakening. Even if he wanted to intervene, he wouldn't be able to do much. Besides, we are only bypassing him for a small military transit. Even the current Khan on the throne might not turn hostile over such a minor matter, especially since more explosive events are yet to come."
Since Genoa and the Golden Horde completely fell out half a century ago, Genoa's trade in Tatar slaves has become increasingly rampant. To put a spoke in the wheel of these despicable merchants, I believe His Majesty the Golden Horde Khan will tolerate our expedient measure.
If there's an opportunity, perhaps we could try to annex the plains and hills connecting the two areas."
"But Manuel, all of this requires money. Moreover, for this to succeed, we already owe Venice a significant amount of debt," Alexius reminded him.
"Father, we already owe so much money; owing a little more won't hurt. And according to our secret agreement with Venice, as long as Venice obtains any one of the important port cities on the Black Sea, a certain portion of our debt can be written off," a cunning—no, now it should be called sly—smile appeared on Manuel's face.
Alexius looked at his quick-witted son, filled with emotion, and nodded approvingly. Everyone else, having heard his analysis and judgment, also showed their appreciation.
"To achieve this, we can try to seek the Venetian fleet's blockade..."
"I regret to say, Your Highness, but I do not recommend you seek assistance from the Venetian navy," Francesco Falero, who had been silent until now, suddenly interjected.
"Teacher, why is that?" Manuel asked in surprise. It's worth mentioning that due to Falero's diligent and responsible teaching and training of the Principality's naval officers, including Manuel, all those he taught, including Manuel, respectfully called him "Teacher."
"Not only that, Your Highness, I even advise against allowing the Venetian fleet to dock in Kaffa," Falero added gravely, toying with the yew wood staff granted to him by the Venetian Governor's Office.
"The Doge of Venice was not entirely pleased with the agreement Pietro Lando reached with you last time. In light of this, he issued a secret order to relevant personnel, including myself, instructing us to seize Genoa's colonies first and present them to the city of Venice, rather than handing them over to you."
The atmosphere in the room immediately solidified, and the Prince and his son clenched their fists. "Those scoundrel merchants, a bunch of parasites who only act for profit, just like in 1204," Manuel cursed Venice fiercely in his heart.
"So that means, for naval power, the Principality must rely on itself?" Patniko asked, unwilling to accept it.
"That's right. Until Venice is willing to relent, we can only use our own strength to repel the Genoese navy," Falero confirmed the cruel reality gravely.
"But, Mr. Falero, why are you telling us such a confidential matter?" Pennycook, who had been calculating the income and expenses of this operation since the beginning, finally had a chance to ask.
"I have my reasons, but I'm sorry, I cannot say until the Falero family regains its rightful status," Falero's face showed a pained expression, and he added, "Also, I hope that everyone present keeps this secret I've told you, especially from those who come from Venice."
"That goes without saying, Mr. Falero, I swear by the Holy Father," Alexius vowed.
"Me too." "Exactly." "By the Holy Mother." "Same here." Everyone present also swore, imitating Alexius.
"Naturally, Teacher." Among these people, Manuel's voice was noticeably softer, and his words differed slightly from what the others said.