Ch.202The Fire of Greece (2)

I arrived at the place where the craftsmen were gathered.

As soon as we arrived, the craftsmen spotted the Megas Doux and approached us with proper respect.

The Megas Doux raised his hand to acknowledge their greeting and then introduced me and Alexios.

“The legitimate Emperor of Rome has returned. This is Emperor Alexios and his guardian, Gurkhan.”

In short, it meant we were important figures.

Understanding this immediately, the craftsmen bowed.

“It is an honor to meet such noble persons.”

“We are humbled by your visit.”

Alexios also raised his hand to acknowledge their respect.

After accepting their greetings, I asked a question.

“Which among you craftsmen knows how to make Greek Fire?”

I asked in fluent Latin.

The craftsmen, being scholars themselves, could understand, speak, and write Latin.

They looked at the Megas Doux with surprised expressions.

As I’ve mentioned before, a nomad from the East speaking Latin was shocking enough.

That’s why the craftsmen couldn’t help but look surprised.

Additionally, the fact that I, coming from the East, knew about Greek Fire made them even more astonished.

Of course, since Alexios was beside me, they assumed he might have told me about it.

But even considering that, they couldn’t help being surprised because Greek Fire itself was a weapon classified as top secret.

This powerful weapon had been deployed in wars, and enemies were aware of its existence.

However, in the Middle East, this weapon was known as “flames from hell” or “unquenchable fire.”

So they were naturally confused when I openly asked about Greek Fire.

They looked at the Megas Doux as if asking whether it was okay to speak about it.

Seeing the craftsmen’s hesitation, the Megas Doux nodded, indicating it was fine to talk.

“This is approved by His Imperial Majesty. You may speak.”

With the Megas Doux’s permission, the craftsmen immediately turned to me.

“All craftsmen here know how to make Greek Fire.”

“I see. Then can you tell me how to make it?”

“As you are the guardian of the Emperor and have the Megas Doux’s permission, we can certainly tell you. However, since the formula might leak outside, may we provide it in writing?”

I nodded at the craftsman’s words. It seemed security was tight for this secret weapon.

Of course, by modern standards, this level of security would seem easily breachable.

Anyway, the craftsman pulled out something hidden in his garment.

When I received it, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

“So these were the ingredients that couldn’t be identified in modern times.”

“What do you mean?”

The craftsman tilted his head and questioned me.

Realizing I had misspoken due to being too absorbed in the formula, I fumbled with my words.

“I was just saying how fascinating it is that such unique ingredients are used.”

Despite my explanation, the confusion didn’t leave the craftsman’s face.

But having doubts about me, the Gurkhan and guardian of the Emperor, wouldn’t resolve anything.

“I understand, Gurkhan.”

I nodded at the craftsman’s words.

Then I looked at the Greek Fire formula in my hand.

The ingredients were truly unique.

As predicted in modern times, petroleum and coal tar extracted from petroleum were the main ingredients.

From a modern perspective, it might seem strange that people from ancient Greece used petroleum and coal tar.

But ancient civilizations had been using petroleum and tar for a long time, and there was much historical evidence to prove it.

In ancient Egypt, it was used in mummification.

In the Middle East, where there are significant temperature differences between day and night, there are records of petroleum being used for heating since ancient times.

Since it had been used for such a long time, it wasn’t surprising that petroleum and tar were among the ingredients of Greek Fire.

More importantly now, I needed to recruit these craftsmen and bring them to the Great Capital.

So I subtly made a proposal to them.

“Are you satisfied with your life on Crete?”

At my question, the craftsmen immediately looked to the Megas Doux.

After all, he was their actual leader.

Faced with this awkward situation, the Megas Doux naturally had to step forward to resolve the tension.

“Speak truthfully, and I won’t punish you.”

Though he said this, it implied that speaking out would lead to unfavorable consequences.

This left the craftsmen with two choices.

One was to say they were satisfied with life on Crete and continue under the Megas Doux.

The other was to express dissatisfaction and leave Crete.

The craftsmen were in a situation where they had to choose one of the two.

So I smiled and made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.

“The reason I ask is because I believe Crete doesn’t treat its craftsmen with the respect they deserve.”

The Megas Doux looked at me with a surprised expression.

Because it was essentially saying I was going to take the craftsmen away.

In modern terms, it would be like a company coming to a subcontractor and poaching their best talent.

In such cases, the subcontractor would have no choice but to lose their key personnel to the company. Otherwise, they might not receive work from the company.

Of course, in modern times, such behavior might face social criticism.

But as I keep mentioning, this was the medieval era, ruled by power.

Even if I openly took people away, as long as the Megas Doux of Crete was less powerful than me, he would have no choice but to lose his craftsmen.

So I continued speaking shamelessly.

“Many Greek intellectuals, philosophers, architects, merchants, and others have already migrated to my city, the Great Capital. They now own the grandest houses in the splendid central city and can live abundantly for generations with the money I provide.”

The craftsmen swallowed hard at this.

In truth, as Greek Fire craftsmen, they were treated as valuable assets by the country.

But that treatment was merely “valuable” within the Byzantine Empire.

They didn’t receive the grand houses and generational wealth I was talking about.

From what I knew, all they could get was tax exemption provided by the Byzantine Empire and a small olive farm of about two pyeong.

This was a folk tale, so I wasn’t sure if it was true.

But judging by the craftsmen’s expressions now, it seemed the tale was accurate.

“I offer you this opportunity. Will you follow me?”

At my words, the craftsmen looked at the Megas Doux.

The Megas Doux was giving them a fierce look, as if saying he’d kill them all if they followed me.

I smiled and looked at Alexios.

Understanding my gaze, the fake Alexios immediately pressured the Megas Doux.

“The craftsmen who make Greek Fire are national assets. I, as Emperor, am trying to transfer these assets to Gurkhan, but you, the Megas Doux of Crete, not only reject my decision but also intimidate my subjects, these craftsmen?”

The Megas Doux immediately waved his hands at Alexios’s words.

“H-how could that be, Your Majesty? I was just thinking of the country…”

“It seems your patriotism is tainted with self-interest.”

At the fake Alexios’s words, the Megas Doux had no choice but to keep his mouth shut.

After all, thanks to his control over the craftsmen, he could exert influence even in Constantinople, the heart of the Byzantine Empire.

In other words, the craftsmen were his means of accessing central power.

If he lost such assets to Gurkhan, he would be reduced to just the Megas Doux of Crete, one of the large islands in the Aegean Sea.

Of course, considering Crete’s role in securing naval supremacy over the entire Aegean, his position wouldn’t completely collapse.

But if the central government no longer gave special attention to Crete, he might naturally be pushed out of central politics.

Noticing this, I smiled.

After using the stick, it was time for the carrot.

“As the guardian of the Emperor, I will appoint you as Megas Doux with influence over the entire Aegean Sea.”

At my words, the fake Alexios nodded, indicating he had no objections.

The Megas Doux’s eyes began to sparkle at the words of the Emperor and me.

“Is… is that true?”

Megas Doux meant the admiral who could command the navy throughout the Roman Empire.

In modern terms, it would be like the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy.

Doux was a noble title, equivalent to a duke in Western Europe.

So, the Doux of Crete was literally the Duke of Crete, having influence only over the island of Crete.

But if he became the Megas Doux, commanding the navy of the entire Byzantine Empire, he could maintain some influence in the central government even without the craftsmen.

Therefore, the Doux had no reason to hold onto the craftsmen anymore.

“Indeed. This will be certified by me, the Ecumenical Patriarch and the legitimate Basileus of Rome.”

The fake Alexios made grand promises.

But with me backing him, they didn’t seem false.

So the Doux immediately accepted our proposal.

“The craftsmen are originally Your Majesty’s subjects. No one would stop Your Majesty from doing as you wish with them.”

It was hard to believe this was the same Doux who had been gritting his teeth in refusal just moments ago.

The craftsmen could only blink and stare at the Doux.

“All of you, follow Gurkhan. This is an order.”

He was even forcing them to follow me.

As a result, even the craftsmen who had wanted to stay were now forced to leave.

From my perspective, this was a good thing.

So I welcomed them with a smile.

“My empire is vast. As the Khan of the Ulus, I sincerely welcome you.”

At my words, the craftsmen knelt.

And they expressed their gratitude and pledged to migrate to the Great Capital.