After capturing the Tatar Isthmus, Manuel immediately sent the captured enemy general, the Tatar noble Ahmed Duoduo, to Theodosia for Badars to preside over the interrogation, attempting to extract information about the Khanate from him. He himself garrisoned the Isthmus region and began to observe the defensive fortifications constructed by the Tatars there, considering how to maximize their improvement and utilization.
When he ascended the fortress on the Isthmus and gazed towards the mainland, he was surprised to find that the narrow Isthmus, barely 270 pule rong (8 kilometers) wide, had two trenches dug more than half a pule rong (15 meters) deep on the side facing the mainland. The outer trench even connected the Black Sea and the "Corrupted Sea" water systems. Although what he knew in his previous life was similar, to confirm the details, he specifically brought in several Tatar engineers and inquired about the situation of these trenches.
After a detailed interrogation, Manuel finally understood that due to the historical experience of mutual attacks among nomadic peoples, rulers of Northern Crimea had been fortifying this Isthmus defense line since the tenth century. After the Golden Horde was established, the controllers of Northern Crimea began digging trenches in the Tatar Isthmus region to reinforce and deepen the defense line, including the Crimean Khanate. However, Haji Giray had only occupied this area for a short time and only managed to repair and reinforce the outer defense line. If he had known that this time the enemy of Northern Crimea came not only from the mainland but also from within the Peninsula, he would probably have invested more military funds into the inner defense line.
In addition to these trenches, there was also a sizable fortress next to the western part of the Tatar Isthmus, which was the main fortification Manuel had faced before. Although its overall height was not particularly high, it had a watchtower nearly 1 pule rong tall, and the materials used were likely high-quality lime and stone, making it quite sturdy. It differed from the common wooden castles on the Tatar steppes, and its style was somewhat similar to the Western Europe fortresses Manuel knew, such as the series of castles and fortresses built by the Genoese in Theodosia. After asking the captured engineers and those who had defected to him, he learned that this fortress was built by Giray's ancestors, who had invited Genoese military engineers to assist them, and that there were many such fortresses in the Northern Crimea region.
After settling the captives and stationing the troops, Manuel led his followers to the military camp. "I wonder if things are going smoothly in Akmechet?" After resolving the situation here, Manuel couldn't help but become curious and sent someone to inquire.
At the same time he sent someone to investigate, Patniko was leading 2,500 soldiers in the final assault on Akmechet.
Akmechet (Акъмесджит or Aqmescit) means "White Mosque" in Tatar. In the modern era of Manuel's previous worldline, it was called Simferopol and was the capital of Russia in the Crimean Peninsula. It and Karasubazar (Карасубазар, historically now Belogorsk), about 225 stadia away, were both important trade centers and transportation hubs on the Peninsula. Akmechet focused more on fortress defense, so although it was not as prosperous as the slave-trading hub of Karasubazar, its location closer to the center of the Peninsula caught Giray's attention. He built additional fortifications there, deliberately supporting and strengthening the town.
This is why Patniko only launched his final assault on it now. To save cannonballs and military strength, counting the time before he arrived to command, Theodoro had besieged it for over a week. It is worth noting that taking Karasubazar only took the Principality about three or four days. Fortunately, its defensive works were still relatively new, so it would not be difficult to take it down with regular, efficient artillery bombardment.
Under the Theodoro Principality's regular, multi-day artillery attacks, the fortress, which had only recently been reinforced, was already showing signs of falling apart. Furthermore, as the besiegers, the Principality had driven the Tatar soldiers into the town, preventing them from utilizing their Good at cavalry strength. The Crimean defenders could be said to be on the verge of collapse.
And after Patniko ordered a full-scale assault, Theodoro soldiers quickly mobilized nearby civilians. With the help of siege equipment, some quickly scaled the poorly protected fortress. Although this brave warrior was swiftly cut down by the reacting defenders, it further encouraged the attackers. Soon, in less than 1 hour, large numbers of civilians and Theodoro militiamen seized the fortress towers, cutting down the stubbornly resisting defenders.
Finally, after a number of civilian soldiers exceeding the defenders climbed the tower, the town's commander, leading the remaining soldiers, surrendered, and Akmechet formally changed hands.
"Easier than I thought," Patniko thought pleasantly as he led his troops into the city, observing the Tatar citizens who either came out to welcome them or hid in their homes or mosques in fear. "But it still took a week. His Highness should have resolved his situation by now."
Upon reaching the city center, he specifically sought out the local guild hall and, through "harmonious" negotiation, politely took up residence inside.
At the same time, Manuel dismissed most people in the military camp, leaving only a few trusted attendants. Then he took out a quill, spread out a map, and began to make marks on it.
"The navy has blockaded the coastline of the Crimean Khanate, Kozlov has surrendered, and I have already taken the Tatar Isthmus. If General Patniko is successful, he should have also taken Akmechet and Karasubazar by now. In that case," Manuel marked on the map, "the Crimean Khanate's main strongholds on the Crimean Peninsula, only their capital Bakhchysarai, remain. I hope the Golden Horde army gives us some strength so that we, Theodoro, have time to stabilize the situation in Northern Crimea. I'll write another letter to my father later, asking him to closely monitor the Kuba region and hold Phanagoria." After doing all this, he let out a long sigh, then a flash of inspiration struck him, and a wild plan came to his mind, "Should I lead a large army to the mainland to disrupt the Crimean Khanate's supplies? It seems feasible."
Meanwhile, in the Khan's palace in Bakhchysarai, the capital of the Crimean Khanate and the Khanate's last large stronghold on the Peninsula, several elegantly dressed women were in the palace, comforting their children with their servants. "Nur, don't cry... And Dauletiar, as the eldest brother, you must set an example. Don't worry, these Kafir will definitely retreat. Who will look after Haydar?"
These women, troubled by the besieged capital and their children, were all Haji Giray's wives, and these children were his offspring. At this time, they were also in a panic, unsure of what to do. Little Aisha, who was about to turn 10, stayed by their side, helping to care for her younger brothers, forcing herself to comprehend everything.