The Eagle of Eastern Europe

There had been a heavy snowfall in Kemplonga recently, and Mircea and Peter took advantage of this to go hunting in the nearby forest.

Hunting is a must-have activity for every member of the nobility. It can not only exercise skills, but also catch some game. Whether it's flying in the sky or running on the ground, it all depends on whether you can do it.

Mircea holds a bow and arrow and aims it at the wild boar in front of him. Whoosh! It hit the target, but the wild boar endured the pain and ran away.

"What a shame." Mircea looked at the escaping wild boar, then looked at what Peter was doing.

Peter was unhurried. He took the matchlock and put the gunpowder and projectiles into it. After seeing the target, he fired directly, and the target fell directly with only one breath left.

"This is really powerful. I didn't expect that a small musket could exert such power."

Although he had seen the power of muskets, Mircea could not help but marvel.

"Father, with this, you don't have to be afraid of the Ottoman cavalry."

The father and son discussed the power of muskets. Facing the Ottoman cavalry, powerful crossbows and muskets became the best choice.

On this day Peter shot two wild boars and some rabbits, while Mircea shot a bear whose hibernation had been interrupted. You must know that bears are very scary, although winter is their weakest time. But it was also a narrow escape.

Mircea was seen holding a spear and avoiding the bear's attack by moving flexibly. Peter also picked up his musket and hit the bear in the back.

It was enraged and was about to pounce, but Mircea saw the right moment and pierced the bear's heart with his spear. After fluttering for a few times, it quickly lost its vitality.

On this day, both of them gained a lot.

The prey was taken back to Kemplonga by the entourage, while Mircea and Peter spent the night in a hunting lodge in the forest.

The two of them sat on the ground beside the warm campfire. Delicious food is cooking in the pot. At first glance, a scene of a loving father and a filial son appears in front of him.

"It seems that Ivan will not have a good time this winter."

Ivan is the current Tsar of Bulgaria. Just like the Eastern Roman Empire decades ago, he and his brothers are also at odds with each other. There is no way to face Osman.

"Now Tervono is in danger, and he will definitely flee to Nicopolis after the city is broken."

Faced with the Ottoman offensive in the new year, Mircea began to speak his mind.

"Currently, there are many people in Vidin supporting Wallachia. After taking this opportunity to enter Vidin, they will send troops into Varna. Then the two armies will take advantage of the Ottoman attack to surround them from the rear."

Judging from the current situation, this is the best way. The division of Bulgaria into three was an opportunity not only for the Ottomans, but also for Wallachia.

This can be regarded as a version of the snipe and the clam competing for the fisherman's profit, but the timing must be mastered. If the timing is wrong, then Osman may come directly to Wallachia.

"Father, we still have to be prepared. Since we have decided, we must face Osman. It is best to push forward."

Peter stated his idea. Only three countries in Bulgaria were not enough, because northern Bulgaria was dominated by plains, and the Ottoman Sipahi could exert its greatest power. To gain security, Wallachia would have to advance to Sofia, preferably to Plovdiv, a city on the banks of the Maritsa River in the Upper Thrace lowlands, the gateway to the Rhodope Mountains.

"So, what about Serbia?" Mircea asked the second question.

The Serbian Empire had become Moravian Serbia, with its capital at Krusevac. After the Battle of Kosovo, the country had become an Ottoman vassal. And if you want to fight against the Ottomans, then this place cannot be bypassed no matter what.

"Since they are allies of the Ottomans, we can solve it together. But we must also guard against Hungary."

Belgrade, the former capital of Serbia, is in the hands of Hungary. With this city, it can attack the Balkans when advancing and protect Hungary when retreating.

If Wallachia annexes Serbia again, the border with Hungary will grow again. The border with the Ottomans will also increase, which is really a dilemma.

“Since you are so bold, wouldn’t it be better to go to Thessaloniki?”

Peter did not expect Mircea to be bolder than him. If he attacked Thessaloniki, all Ottoman expansion starting from Murad I would be absorbed by Wallachia. I don't know if those pagans will agree.

"No matter what, father, we must win. Osman can lose ten times, but we cannot lose once."

This is the crux of the matter between the two sides. Osman can lose ten times due to his size, while Wallachia cannot lose even once.

In recent years, Wallachia has worked hard to attract immigrants and annexed Moldova, all in order to increase its size and deal with the Ottomans.

"Actually, if the Ottomans can be defeated in one battle, then the Balkans will belong to Wallachia, but the probability is very low. After the armistice, they will still have to face pressure from Hungary and Poland."

Peter used branches on the snow to draw the situation in the Balkans. Three mountains were obstacles in front of Wallachia.

"Poland is currently busy with Lithuanian affairs, and the King of Hungary will not send troops easily after the defeat. I think it should be safe now, but they will force us to continue attacking the Ottomans so that they can gain more benefits."

Peter's analysis impressed Mircea, but at the same time he had to admit that Wallachia had no allies.

"It seems that we can only rely on ourselves." Mircea made the final conclusion.

After enjoying the prey, the father and son looked at the sky. Winter nights are always so clear and the stars can be easily seen.

"Child, do you know? After our ancestors seized the land from the Hungarians decades ago, they began to face the threats of those pagans. For this reason, our ancestor Basarab had to improve relations with Hungary and put his own The son was sent to Hungary.”

"In the following decades, the Hungarians were always capricious. When Bulgaria and Serbia were crippled by the Ottomans, they took the opportunity to send troops to gain some benefits. However, despite the size of Hungary, everyone dared to be angry but dare not speak out."

In the words of Mircea, the decades of history of Wallachia are recounted. From its founding to independence, and then to oppression by the Ottomans and Hungarians, successive Grand Dukes were not without resistance, and resistance was useless.

His father, Radu, the ruler of Wallachia, came into conflict with the Kingdom of Hungary. Despite the victory, he had to bow his head in the end.

Going further, during the rule of Vladislav, Wallachia once controlled Vidin, but Hungary snatched it away. It would be no exaggeration to say that Hungary and Wallachia had a deep hatred.

"Father, Wallachia will definitely take revenge." Peter comforted beside him. It was said to be a consolation, but it was actually an oath, because Wallachia had grown a lot under its governance.

"Yes, I know!" said Mircea.