Chapter 131 Strategy for External Expansion

Chapter 131 Strategy for External Expansion

The official list implemented by Peter quickly aroused support and opposition, but the opposition voice was very small, and the loudest supporters were the citizens and the army. The upward channel was opened, and their support for the government also increased.

Although the projects of unification of languages ​​and unification of weights and measures caused some discomfort, other reforms continued to increase popular support. The central government’s control over local governments continues to increase.

The Balkans are not separated by mountains like the Apennines and the Iberian Peninsula. They are bordered by the Ukrainian plains to the north, the Pannonian plains to the west, and the Adriatic, Aegean and Black Seas to the south and east. Without open water and the Asia Minor Peninsula, it can be said that it is very easy to be invaded.

Such geographical factors were not conducive to unification for an empire, and the mountainous terrain hindered the movement of transportation and people. The plains on the border are easy for enemy countries to invade. In order to prevent this from happening, the border must be pushed to Dalmatia.

After examining the topography and humanities of the Balkans, Peter decided to change the provincial system that was originally intended to be implemented after unifying the Balkans to a parallel county-state system, which might be more suitable for the Balkans. When the East entered bureaucratic governance, the West was still operating under the feudal system. Moreover, the enfeoffment system also came to the East with the Crusades, destroying the original central management system. This is why it cannot be promoted vigorously. What's more terrible is: how can you have so many officials to govern the place? The examination system is It has just come out and it is impossible to provide a large number of experienced officials immediately. This has to be explored by oneself.

In his spare time, Peter told his younger brothers and sisters about his experiences in the West, and also brought out many Genoese gadgets, which made them very happy. But Lady Maria kept telling Peter that it was too dangerous to go alone. Obviously, the lady ignored Peter's entourage and guards.

In order to calm Peter down, Maria asked the archduke to write a letter to his parents-in-law, requesting that Peter's fiancée be sent here. She hoped that this wife would make Peter pay attention to the family and bring a grandson to the Bartland family.

Sometimes Peter would go to the construction site of the cathedral to check the progress of the construction. Patriarch Carol would also be here, and Peter would discuss theology with him. He also gave the indulgences obtained in Bohemia to the pastor. head.

"This is blasphemy against God. They are a group of thieves and robbers."

"How much is this piece of paper worth?"

“worthless”

Peter had a different answer to this question.

"As far as I know, this piece of paper is worth at most 30 silver coins."

Patriarch Carroll laughed when he heard this answer. With rich theological knowledge, he naturally knew what Peter meant. These greedy people hope they go to hell.

"Your Highness, please allow me to introduce you to Cyril, the abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery."

The people introduced by Patriarch Carol were no ordinary people. Abbot Cyril was not only the abbot of the monastery, but also the president of the Andrei Order.

Cyril grew up in a monastery. He was not only familiar with theology, but also proficient in Greek, literature, medicine, Latin, etc. He advocated asceticism and opposed luxury and paganism. After the establishment of the Andreian Order, he was elected as the first President, responsible for matters such as missionary work and armed pilgrimage.

When Cyril saw the Western Indulgences, he cursed the Catholic Church, using any evil word.

"God loves everyone equally and will never divide His people into three, six or nine classes because of wealth. Your own sins need to be redeemed by yourself, and they will never disappear because of this piece of paper."

Listening to Dean Cyril's words, Peter felt that he was no different from those of the Reformation. However, as enemies, the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church still quarreled over whether it was more suitable to use leavened bread or unleavened bread.

At the same time, Peter also knew that Andrei’s next target was Poland, Lithuania and Northern Europe. According to their reasons, Central Europe has long been the territory of the Catholic Church. It is impossible to fight with them now. If they can march north to Sweden and Finland The Baltic Sea region can connect Wallachia and Muscovy together. But the degree of difficulty can also be imagined.

Peter immediately provided a large amount of funds to the Andreians and encouraged them to preach abroad, especially Anatolia, which had been occupied by the Crescent and nomadic peoples, and the culture and religion had to be washed back.

After conquering parts of Asia Minor, the Turks began to implement a tolerant policy. This was also an important reason why the Turkic-controlled areas were able to successfully realize Turkicization. Turkic leaders provided land to the people under their rule and reduced taxes in certain years in order to improve people's living standards and attract foreign ethnic groups. At the same time, in order to enhance the influence of the Crescent Church on the people under their rule, Turkic leaders would suppress or even expel Christian forces. As a result, the Turks played a guiding role in other ethnic groups in Asia Minor, both materially and spiritually, and subtly realized the Turkification of the region.

According to the records of businessmen from various countries, there are more than 300,000 nomadic tents in Anatolia. This is such a huge force. It is no wonder that they will gradually rule here. It is not an easy task to recapture this place.

For this purpose, in addition to cultural assimilation, violence is the main method. Matchlocks and artillery equipment already account for one-fifth of the army. Gunpowder is very powerful, but the disadvantages of matchlocks are also obvious, such as they cannot be used in rainy days and their operation is complicated. Peter divided the musketeers into three rows. After the first row finished shooting, the second row fired. When the second row fired, the first row and the third row swapped positions and went to the rear to load gunpowder. After the second row finished shooting, the third row fired. When the platoon fires, the second platoon exchanges positions with the first platoon to replenish ammunition. After the third platoon finishes shooting, the first platoon fires. This greatly shortens the interval.

The development of artillery also exceeds that of other countries. Cast iron cannons and cast copper cannons are mixed, and the use of granular gunpowder increases the power. It is difficult to find another such large-scale firepower in the world.

Peter invested tens of thousands of dollars in musket and artillery factories every year, and now he finally saw returns. With firearms, he had an extra chance of winning against the Ottomans. In response to the Ottoman cavalry, Peter vigorously promoted the equipment of long-range weapons. Wallachia also began to train and hire cavalry to fight, and collected military books for instructor schools to improve the status and income of army soldiers, all in order to deal with all enemies.

Infantry is divided into two types: light and heavy. Different arms respond to different situations. The battlefield situation changes rapidly. I hope this army can withstand the test of blood and fire.