"Indeed." Alexius pondered for a moment, then affirmed Manuel's judgment. "So, the next question is, who will be responsible for conquering these two strategic locations? Ah, Patniko, you're here. Perfect, we're discussing how to deal with Akmechet and the Tatar Isthmus. What do you think?"
Patniko, who had just returned from assigning troops to occupy various places in Northern Crimea, immediately ran into this problem. He thought carefully for a while and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, in my humble opinion, among these two strategic locations, the most urgent one is still to take the Tatar Isthmus. Although Akmechet serves as a transportation hub in the center of the peninsula, its scale is ordinary and it is not irreplaceable; as for the Tatar Isthmus, as the only passage connecting the peninsula and the mainland, the sooner we take it, the better."
"Good!" The prince and his son applauded his conclusion together. Patniko, greatly encouraged, continued, "Therefore, in my humble opinion, we should let the most capable among us conquer this Isthmus." As soon as he finished speaking, he turned his head and looked at Manuel with great anticipation.
At the same time, Alexius also stared at Manuel with an approving gaze.
Why are you looking at me? Wait, they're not going to make me commander again, are they? Manuel sensed something. With his self-awareness of his military capabilities, he knew that his current command ability was at most upper-middle level.
"Father, General Patniko, what is this…?" Manuel chuckled foolishly.
"Yes, the high-level officials of the Principality have unanimously decided that you will be responsible for taking the Tatar Isthmus." Alexius walked up to him and patted him firmly on his left shoulder.
"Ah? What unanimous decision? It's clearly just you, Father, who decided! I'm not being modest, General Patniko, you should say something too…"
"Your Majesty is absolutely right!" Patniko expressed unconditional support for Alexius's decision.
"You're kidding me…" Manuel was speechless internally.
That afternoon, Manuel personally led the Principality's four thousand soldiers and horses to the only passage between the Crimean Peninsula and the mainland: the "Tatar Isthmus." In his previous life's timeline, it was known as the Perekop Isthmus in modern times, less than 8 kilometers long; to its east was an extremely shallow bay mixed with salt and fresh water. Due to the extremely low water level, the lowest point was less than 3 meters deep, making it more like a swamp than a lake or bay. In summer, it emitted a putrid smell, earning it the local name "Rotten Sea."
This Isthmus, due to its dangerous and difficult-to-attack nature, has always been valued by the nomadic tribes controlling Northern Crimea, who have repeatedly repaired and reinforced it. Their emphasis indeed played a significant role, as exemplified by Prince Dawlat Berdi, who, in the year before last, contended with Haji Giray for Northern Crimea. He managed to defend it for several months against overwhelming odds, relying on this natural barrier.
However, this Isthmus defense line had a huge flaw: due to historical inertia in Northern Crimea, its rulers paid considerable attention to the side of the Isthmus defense line facing enemies from the mainland. This is why Dawlat was able to hold off Giray for so long. But as for the side facing the peninsula, because the peninsula lacked a history of internal explosions, the Muslims did not pay much attention to this side, so overall, its defensive capability was far weaker than the side facing the mainland.
Furthermore, Haji Giray had only resided in Northern Crimea for a short time. Repairing the defense line he personally destroyed during this period was a troublesome task. Due to time constraints, insufficient funds, and the fact that Northern Crimea had historically rarely been attacked by enemies from within the peninsula, he and other Khanate high-ranking officials subconsciously relaxed their efforts to repair the internal defense line.
Who knew that now there was a Theodoro Principality planning an internal explosion against them! By common sense, shouldn't such a small state simply change its suzerain and continue to live peacefully? What are they trying to do by uniting with the Golden Horde to attack them? Since the early 8th century, Northern Crimea had ceased to be the land of Christians or Goths. What are these Goths trying to do now? The Tatar nobles were utterly bewildered by this.
Most of the high-ranking nobles of the Theodoro Principality also did not understand, but a minority led by Manuel was very clear: to seize strategic depth as a buffer and to obtain grassland pastures to cultivate cavalry. And "plus a little bit of territory control complex," this was another small reason that only Manuel himself knew and was too embarrassed to mention.
Speaking of which, although Giray's main forces were fighting the Golden Horde army, and only 2,500 garrison soldiers were left in Northern Crimea, due to the importance of the Isthmus defense line, over a thousand of these 2,500 men were stationed in the Isthmus area. Furthermore, Tatar nomads are not as fragile as conscripted soldiers from Christian countries. If the Tatars were to call upon local potential soldiers, it is very likely that the conflict would eventually devolve into a counter-insurgency or a war of attrition. In addition, knowing that Theodoro had launched a surprise attack on them, Haji Giray would certainly send elite troops to support the local defense line, and at that time, the Theodoro Army might very well be pushed back into its own capital.
To avoid this situation, after confirming that he temporarily held the advantage, Manuel personally led the Philaka Legion, the city defense army, and a number of militiamen directly to the Tatar Isthmus.
When they arrived near the Isthmus under the cover of night, it had been less than a week since Theodoro launched its surprise attack, and the information from the scouts indicated that although the Isthmus defenders generally knew the news, they were not yet prepared. Upon learning of this military situation, Manuel, full of ambition, planned to have the entire army launch a frontal assault on the defense line.
However, before he could issue this order, he was dissuaded by Tukharovsky, who was accompanying him. This was because most of the soldiers were still fatigued from the hurried march, and if they attacked at this time, it would be an advantage for the enemy, who would be well-rested. Even if they could capture it, Theodoro would suffer heavy losses.
"That makes sense." Manuel pondered for a moment, then affirmed his statement. "Hmm, will the enemy think the same way?" He suddenly had a good idea and immediately summoned his generals to discuss its feasibility.
"Your Highness's strategy can be tried," Tukharovsky said, agreeing after a moment of thought.
"However, it would be more secure with a few brave individuals," Ioannis Seler cautiously suggested.
"Should we use the Filaka? I don't think it's enough," Manuel said worriedly.
"Well, gentlemen, as for brave individuals? I might have two good candidates here," Tukharovsky immediately stated.
"Alright, tell me," Manuel gestured.
"Your Highness, these two are, one is a Turk named Suleiman," Tukharovsky paused, having spoken too quickly, "the other was accidentally discovered among the commoner militiamen, named Staurakios Posadas."