Chapter 27 1/4
The revival of a centuries-old proposal, as out-of-place (or perhaps out-of-time?) as it may have appeared to have been, earns a comfortable majority in the parliament vote and is quickly made into law. Almost forgetting that it was Leandro who revived the idea of adopting that policy, the people in the street celebrate the passing of "Old Joan's Law". Leandro himself, however, knows that this law alone is not reason to celebrate. It may be effective on its own, but there is still huge untapped potential hidden in the legislation. Allowing that to go to waste would be criminal.
He hires an experienced trader, Gioachino Piombante, and giving him a few guidelines, assigns him a mission: "You must refine Old Joan's Law". As the situation stands the biggest reforms Piombante is able to make, restriction on imports and making the state partake in the compensation for lost shipments, set the Napolitan state decades back in regards to its trade policy but provide a stronger foundation for the trade empire of Two Sicilies.
In June, 1666, the Ottomans launch another attempt to take over Constantinople. Leandro comes in defence of the Greeks.
Once again, the Turk's allies are of no consequence. The mongols can hardly reach the true fields of battle, but should see some action with the Russians. Yemen, though she owns most of the Arabian peninsula is hardly able to retake a castle taken by shiite muslims on the southern coastline and so apparently lacks any force of concern. And Persia is like a Middle-Eastern France, barely deserving its name, and cannot realistically hope to pose any threat. This war is another Napolitan-Turkish solo.
And going back to the European France, the farce that the previously powerful empire had become is finally put to an end, the lands now directly administered by the Savoyard lord.
A few naval battles occur in the Indian Ocean between the Napolitan Fleet O'Sudd and fleets of the Ottoman coalition. Persia's so-called navy, less than ten times smaller than the Napolitan armada stands no chance, and Persia can not even annoy Leandro's forces anymore.
Naval superiority is also a given in the Mediterranean. Movement through the Hellespont becomes impossible for the Ottoman armies, and Gallipoli falls within little more than a month to the Army of Greece.
By now the Fleet O'Sudd had reached its destination, the waters outside Mumbai, an Indian city that had passed to Ottoman ownership. The Fleet was carrying the majority of the Army O'Sudd, with the aim of taking the city, and begun unloading troops on the port and around the city.
The Ottoman garrison stood no chance. Like Gallipoli, Mumbai falls in 34 days.
Yemen's own problems, combined with Sicilian military victories, lead them to pursue white peace. The Ottomans Thus lose all hope of foreign help.
The fleet the Ottoman navy had stationed in Mumbai, no longer in friendly port, try to scramble out but fall right in Fleet O'Sudd's waiting arms. No Turkish vessel escaped the onslaught.
Now all that was left to force a peace was a show of strength; something to show the Ottoman Sultan that more than their overseas holdings were in danger, that his country's heartland in Asia Minor was also under threat. Enzo Tonelli was tasked with delivering that message to the sultan, accompanied by the Army of Greece.
The negotiations did not go as well as hoped.
Enzo then decided to use the old trick of luring diplomats to his side of the straight where they may be more easily convinced. At around this time the Emperor of Constantinople publicly declared he wanted nothing to do with any of this.
Tonelli hurries to meet the Turkish diplomatic force that arrives in Gallipoli. After a rough first round of negotiations he decides to show them around eastern Thrace as well...
...and then takes them back to Gallipoli to see them off as they go inform the Sultan of their agreement. Or he would have, had a diplomat of similar rank been among the Turkish dignitaries! It would appear he would have to wait for a second Turkish diplomatic mission.
The Mongols, after talking it out with the Russians, contact Leandro for a white peace by themselves. All other fronts are now closed.
In time, the Ottomans have prepared a second mission, this time lead by Giyasuddin Semiz. They meet with Tonelli on Gallipoli, and following exhausting talks a similar tour as with the first mission is decided upon.
Negotiations in Thrace are harsh. Both sides, despite being already exhausted by the initial discussion in Gallipoli engage in yet another round of draining talks, which almost immediately devolve to a chaotic conversation. Tonelli is barely able to keep an edge.
Finally, he takes Semiz back to Gallipoli and sees him off; this time, he felt, something had been accomplished, even if the previous confrontations between the two men had been inconclusive.
And it had indeed been so.