"What I just said is the most optimistic estimate. The Ottomans are still an enemy that cannot be underestimated. Any contempt and arrogance will lead to a disastrous defeat. Every step must be careful and cautious."
"You are right, Janos. We just analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the Ottoman army, but this time we are the attacking side, and the final decisive battle will inevitably be fought against the Ottomans in the wilderness. How can we win?"
"This requires meticulous planning, observing the movements of the Ottomans, adapting to local conditions, and acting according to the times. We control Giurgiu (a Wallachian border city) and Belgrade, and can threaten the Ottomans from both directions simultaneously. Given that the Ottomans recently suffered a disastrous defeat at Belgrade, they probably won't rashly attack this place. My initial idea is to have Vlad provoke and attack the Ottomans. If the Ottomans are enraged, they will certainly gather their army to counterattack. Vlad will hold Giurgiu, and we can secretly send some elite troops and supplies into Giurgiu city first, then use this sharp knife to bleed the Ottomans. When the time is right, we will decide the war in one battle, then cross the Danube River and go straight to Constantinople—Giurgiu can be reached via Varna to Constantinople within fifteen days of normal marching."
Laszlo was overjoyed, clapping his hands in admiration and praising, "Excellent. You are truly the bane of the Ottomans, Janos. I didn't expect you to have considered this step already? Tell me honestly, how long have you had this plan?"
"Ten years. Ten years ago—when the late Emperor chose to support Vladislav II's ascension, I commanded the siege of Giurgiu. The geographical location of that city is excellent; it is naturally a strong fortress that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It's just that the Wallachian did not pay attention to the city's defenses. After I entered the city, I briefly repaired the city walls. If the city walls are renovated and expanded before the war begins, that place will be a second Belgrade!"
"Good, very good! I'm not worried about Vlad. He knows best how to infuriate the Ottomans, hehe." Laszlo smiled mysteriously. Janos was still a bit confused. He thought that although Vlad was mentally unstable, he certainly wouldn't provoke the Ottoman for no reason. After all, isn't it good to be alive?
But Laszlo was different; he knew what Vlad would do. The infamous "Impaler" moniker was backed by tens of thousands of Ottoman Turks cruelly impaled on stakes. These stakes stood like a forest outside Giurgiu, eerie and terrifying, enough to traumatize anyone who saw them.
This is the origin of Vlad "Tepes."
"Speaking of which, how is the progress in Wallachia?"
"Vladislav II's servility towards the Ottomans has aroused public indignation among the Wallachian nobility. I had no trouble inviting him to Transylvania as a guest. Now Vlad is clearing out the remaining resistance, and Wallachia will soon be pacified."
"Very efficient." Laszlo was a bit surprised. He had only just given the order, and Janos had already taken it. How could it be so fast?
Unless he had already left troops on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia...
That's right, Janos owned half the land of Severin, and Severin is a border county of Wallachia.
The mystery of how the Wallachian regime could be overthrown so quickly was solved—after multiple interventions, Janos had long since left a back door. As soon as the order arrived, within a few days, the Hungarian Border Guard had already reached the Wallachian capital. How could Vladislav II, whom Janos had helped to ascend, resist him? He surrendered very straightforwardly.
"Janos, your plan is very good, but a wise man does not prepare only one plan. I still hope to defeat the Ottomans head-on in a field battle, so... Matthias, go to my study and get the King's Seal—the Hungarian one, don't get the wrong one, the Bohemia one looks different! Cough cough."
Matthias hurried towards Laszlo's office, wondering as he walked, why would Emperor need the seal now?
Janos, however, quickly understood Laszlo's intention and couldn't help but feel a little moved.
"Emperor, you are going to..."
"I am going to give you the King's Seal. Of course, I will take it back at the appropriate time. Before that, you are allowed to act on my behalf in Hungary, allowed to mobilize all resources, accelerate preparations for war, and consolidate border defenses. You and I both know that this war is for the future of Hungary, so I must ensure victory!"
Janos's eyes widened, his lips trembling slightly. There was much he wanted to say, but in the end, it only turned into a single "Thank you, Emperor."
This heavy trust gave Janos more motivation and strengthened his resolve to defeat the Ottomans and serve the Emperor.
Matthias brought the King's Seal and personally handed it to Janos.
Matthias was astonished, never expecting his father to receive such trust from the Emperor. A reigning monarch entrusting his seal to a subject is quite rare in history.
Matthias, of course, did not know what Laszlo was thinking.
Not to mention Janos is already 68 years old, his abilities are recognized by everyone, his reputation is resounding even among the Ottomans, and his decades of unwavering dedication—he deserves this trust.
Well, Laszlo just likes super tools like Janos, and he even tried to transform Matthias into the next "Janos ProMAX Royal Upgrade Version."
Although being a hands-off manager has risks, professional matters should still be left to professionals... Moreover, as the monarch of three countries, Laszlo is usually overwhelmed with affairs. If it weren't for a professional team of advisors, and subjects like Janos and Frederick who can handle things independently, how could he possibly govern such a vast and complex country?
Oh, and Iri, though this rebellious subject is outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant towards Laszlo, and cold in his attitude, under his rule Bohemia is flourishing, having completely emerged from the shadow of the Hussite Wars. The Czech culture and national ideology are beginning to break free from German influence and bear fruit, potentially laying the foundation for future national independence and secession from the Empire... This is the catalyst for future Czech independence—although the Hussite Wars failed, the Czech at this time already clearly realized that they were not part of the Empire and the German. They began to try to break free from German control and influence, and this is something Laszlo could never accept. He must reintegrate the Czech into the German family, even if the process will be cruel and bloody. The Empire cannot lose Bohemia!!!
Ahem, of course, all this will happen after the decisive battle with the Ottomans.
"Alright, Janos, I won't delay you. You must intensify preparations. I will try to seek more help later. I hope we won't truly fight alone."
"Please rest assured, Emperor, when you return to Hungary, I will present you with a powerful army and achieve victory over the Ottomans for you!"
The conversation ended there. Laszlo was about to return to the palace to rest when Frederick found him.