Making Rome Great Again or how I was born as Constantine IX, Emperor of the Romans ch 26 (Historical Fiction SI)

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The leaders agreed to meet on a small sandbank not far from their fleets. Pietro the Second refused to leave the safety of his ships, while Svetoslav Suronja would not set foot on a Venetian vessel. An invitation to get on Xiphias's ships was politely refused. Neither trusted the neutrality of Xiphias's fleet enough. Pietro feared arrest, Suronja insisted on negotiating on Croatian land.

An open pavilion had been set up in the middle of the island, Chi-Rho banners fluttering in the northern wind. A brazier glowed nearby, providing warmth to Constantine, who sat wrapped in a heavy tunic cloak on a raised dais. Behind him stood Miroslav, imposing as ever, flanked by the Strategoi. The Army of the West stationed themselves not too far from the Croatian Army, in full view of the Venetian fleet and the Croatians. Both fully aware that whoever would act up, the fist of Rome would be wielded.

Shouts echoed across the sandbank in both Croatian and Veneto as the boats reached the shore and the parties disembarked. Suronja arrived with more men, though Pietro's contingent was better armed and equipped. Constantine remained seated, waiting for the two leaders and their entourages to approach the pavilion.

"What do we know of these two?" Constantine asked, glancing back at the Strategoi.

"Pietro is a snake in borrowed robes," Dalassenos said, his disdain barely concealed.

"Yes, he's Italian. But what else?" Constantine snorted.

"The Emperor granted him commercial privileges six years ago in exchange for his help transporting troops," Xiphias said quietly. Nikephoros Xiphias, black bearded and blue-eyed, had a gaze that seemed to pierce through the distance as he spoke.

"His father was a true Republican, or so they say. The last Doge tried to turn Venice into a monarchy and his father challenged that." Taronites added. As the Domestikos, he had access to detailed reports on their neighbors, courtesy of Constantinople's vast intelligence network.

"So Brutus's son comes to us now," Constantine remarked as the Doge came into view. Pietro looked middle-aged, the epitome of a Venetian aristocrat with his high cheekbones and long beard. He had taken the time to change into ceremonial attire: a deep red silk robe trimmed with pale fur at the sleeves. On his head rested the horned cap of his office, lined with gold, while a heavy golden chain adorned his chest. Practicality had not escaped him, though as thick brown boots dug into the sand, and chainmail gleamed faintly beneath his robe.

"Quite. If Brutus had been a merchant," Dalassenos muttered dryly.

Constantine turned his attention from Pietro to Suronja. The King of the Croats and Dalmatians was tall and broad-shouldered, his thick eyebrows lending him an imposing presence. He remained dressed for war, wearing a bright mail shirt that fell to his knees, secured with a belt at his waist. A straight sword rested in a leather scabbard at his side, its intricately decorated hilt a mark of status.

Suronja's men, though poorly equipped with round shields and plain iron helmets, carried themselves with a suspicious, defiant air. Unlike the Venetians, who wore the finest chainmail and lamellar armor, the Croatians' distrust seemed to serve as their armor against their more polished rivals.

The two parties approached the pavilion in a formal procession, their guards halting at a respectful distance from the tent. Taronites and Dalassenos, the senior Strategoi and Magistros to Xiphias, left Constantine's side and moved to meet Pietro and Suronja, each heading toward their respective delegations.

Constantine observed with interest as the Venetian party appeared to be delayed by something, prompting Taronites to pause and inspect the matter. Meanwhile, Dalassenos was the first to reach the Croatian party. He looked up toward Constantine before calling out in a booming voice:

"I present Svetoslav Suronja, Reges Dalmatie et Chroatie!"

The Croatian King stepped forward and offered obeisance to Constantine. The Caesar straightened in his seat, accepting the bow on behalf of the Emperor. From his vantage point, Constantine noted Pietro's expression darken, his eyes narrowing at Suronja's barely concealed eagerness. Yet, the gesture did nothing to inflate his ego. He was well aware that Suronja needed Constantinople's support to secure his throne.

Suronja rose, meeting Constantine's gaze.

"How fares the Emperor?" he asked, the exchange of pleasantries customary.

"The Emperor is well," Constantine replied evenly. "He is restoring Christian and Roman dominion over lost lands." He left it at that, unwilling to reveal any details of his uncle's campaigns.

"Christ blesses him to lead. May he conquer evermore," Suronja replied with a tone of reverence. Constantine gestured for him to sit, and the Croatian King complied, a self-satisfied smile crossing his face. He seemed convinced that his display of loyalty had earned him favor.

However, his momentary triumph was interrupted as the Venetians approached. Pietro led his party forward, flanked by two men carrying a heavy chest between them. His expression was calm, almost serene, as Taronites announced him.

"Pietro the Second, Doge of Venice, dux Veneticorum!" Taronites proclaimed.

A flicker of irritation crossed Pietro's face at the introduction, while Suronja's satisfaction was barely held in check. The moment passed quickly, Pietro's composure returning as he gestured to his men, who set the chest down before the pavilion.

"I bring gifts to the Emperor," Pietro began smoothly, his voice as polished as the glassware within the chest. "Fine glassware, crafted by the artisans of the Republic. I trust His Majesty will find pleasure in the wealth that Venice offers to the Empire."

Constantine leaned forward, blinking, as bright clear vessels caught the brazier light. Despite himself, Constantine could not help but be impressed. True, he had seen clearer and purer things in his past life. But those were industrial, mass-produced goods. The jewels inside the chest were all hand-crafted, meticulous pieces of art that would have taken glassmakers a lifetime to make. The glass vessels were masterpieces of Venetian craftsmanship, their surfaces impossibly clear and polished to a brilliance that seemed to amplify the brazier's light. Each piece was delicately blown into elegant, flowing shapes: long-necked carafes, fluted goblets, and wide bowls with rims so fine they appeared almost weightless. The clarity of the glass was so pure it seemed as if the vessels were carved from solidified air. Suronja, seated nearby, stiffened at the sight. His expression darkened, a flicker of unease and resentment crossing his face, the simplicity of his own gestures now feeling inadequate against the dazzling display. He shifted uncomfortably, his jaw tightening as Pietro's self-satisfied air only deepened.

"The Emperor thanks the Doge for his gifts. They shall be accepted with gratitude," Constantine replied simply, careful not to offer excessive praise to Venice.

Pietro bowed, though not as deeply as Suronja had earlier, a subtle but deliberate gesture that did not go unnoticed. Xiphias's brow twitched in irritation, but Constantine chose to ignore it. "Take your seat, and let us begin," he commanded. Pietro inclined his head in acknowledgment before settling into the seat opposite Suronja.

The atmosphere grew tense, almost crackling with unspoken animosity. Suronja made no effort to conceal his disdain, his eyes burning with barely restrained anger as he glared across the table. Pietro, by contrast, remained composed, his calm demeanor only serving to needle the Croatian king further.

"Why has Venice attacked Croatia?" Constantine asked, cutting through the tension like a blade.

"The Narentines have preyed upon our ships, and the cities along the coast sought our aid," Pietro replied smoothly.

Before Constantine could respond, Suronja erupted, slamming his fist onto the table. The sharp sound echoed through the pavilion, startling even the Strategoi.

"Your aid?" Suronja spat, his voice rising with fury. "You dare claim to be of service? You call yourself Duke of the Dalmatians! You did not sail with kindness, Venetian, you came to dominate the Adriatic!"

Inwardly, Constantine was momentarily taken aback by Suronja's bluntness, though he kept his face impassive. Pietro, however, remained composed, his expression calm, even faintly amused. He leaned back slightly, folding his hands. "The title of Duke was granted to Venice by the cities who sought our protection," Pietro replied smoothly. "I did not claim it, I accepted it though only out of politeness. After all, it is only the Emperor who can grant such things."

"Yet you accepted it all the same," Constantine said frostily. "And not only that, you attacked without even asking for the Emperor's blessing, Doge Pietro. This does not imply the actions of a loyal vassal."

Pietro's lips curved in the faintest smile, his composure unbroken even as the chill in Constantine's tone hung in the air. He bowed his head just enough to acknowledge the rebuke, but not so low as to seem cowed.

"The necessity of the situation demanded swift action," Pietro responded, his voice steady and unyielding. "Every ship lost at sea is not only a loss for Venice but also for Constantinople. Revenues shrink, trade routes falter, and commerce suffers. We acted to preserve what enriches us all." He gestured toward the chest of gleaming glass vessels. "This is but a sample of what Venice provides. We transport silk, spices, porcelain, and perfumes from the Queen of Cities to the Italian markets, and in return, we bring wool, ironwork, glass, wines, and oils from Italy and the Germans. These are the lifelines of prosperity, shared by Venice and the Empire alike."

Pietro turned his gaze to Suronja, his calm demeanor now sharp with disdain. "And yet, revenues for the sustaining of Empire are not only lost to pirates but to him," Pietro said, his voice tightening with righteous anger. "He taxes our ships, taking wealth not just from Venice but from Constantinople itself. We provide the Empire a service, but what does he do? Take away money from both the Queen of Cities and Venice!"

Suronja leaned in, eyes wide and brows furrowed. "So this is what's it is all about!? Money!"

He turned to Constantine, indignation in his eyes. "Caesar, this merchant does not understand loyalty, duty or honour! When the Emperor waged war against the Bulgarians, my father, Stephen, allied with the Emperor. Croatian men rode out to meet the bastard Samuel in the field. For Rome, we fought while Venice grew fat on their island, doing nothing!"

True enough, Stephen Držislav actively allied with Rome during his uncle's early reign. In 986, Roman and Croatian forces defended Zadar from Samuel's armies.

"Yet that was your father, not you," Pietro countered softly. "If you were so mighty a king, surely, you could have brought the Narentines to heel yourself, no?"

"That-!" Suronja choked, face red.

Constantine had enough however. He sat up on his chair, eyes quiet. "Cease," he said simply. Pietro and Suronja paused, the quiet voice of Caesar straining their hearing. Biting his lip, Suronja sat back, whilst Pietro raised his head.

"Both of you have given me much to think about," Constantine admitted. Suronja's eyes widened with hope, whilst Pietro tensed. "I declare a recess. Calm your tempers, my lords, then I will call for you again." 

At that, the two men bowed their heads. They could live with that. Suronja appealed to the blood and honour that his House and People gave to Rome. Pietro however appealed to the fact that he was responsible for making sure Rome had coin to spend on its armies and parties. Both important.

Constantine however, pondered. As the two men left the pavillion, the Strategoi were quick to talk.

"Pietro is worse than a snake," Dalassenos spat. "He is making it look like we owe him!"

"That was clear," Taronites added. "But it is not as if he is wrong. Venice transports much of our goods to the Latins."

"But is the Emperor willing to overlook the martial service that the Croatians have done for us?" Xiphias asked. "They bled with the Emperor at Zadar, fighting the Bulgarian Tsar. If we ignore that, our allies might think twice before sending men to fight for us. What use is fighting with Rome if Rome abandons its friends?"

"No, the choice is clear here," Constantine said, after a moment's silence. "Our point in coming here is not just to restore order in the Adriatic but primarily to remind both Venice and Croatia that their disputes are little in the face of the Emperor's authority. Authority that both have challenged. We must remind them, my lords, who they owe their allegiance to."

"And what does the Domestikos think?" Dalassenos finally asked. "The Emperor?"

Constantine spoke.

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"The Emperor has decreed that order be restored to the Adriatic," Constantine's voice rang out beneath the pavilion. Suronja and Pietro watched him intently, their breath held as the Domestikos delivered his judgment. "To Venice, the Emperor demands that all claims on the Dalmatian Theme be rescinded, and that the captured islands be returned to Suronja's dominion. The fleet shall remain to ensure compliance."

Pietro's mind raced, ignoring the look of barely concealed glee on Suronja's face. A fleet was a threat aimed at the heart of Venice. The loss of the islands themselves would be a massive loss of prestige for not just himself but Venice. Pietro fought to keep his expression neutral, though the tension in his jaw betrayed his frustration. Constantine continued, his gaze shifting to the Croatian king.

"In exchange, however…" Constantine's tone grew sharper, his attention now fixed on Suronja, who hesitated.

"As Venice attacked pirates, and did not engage Croatian forces, they shall not be penalized and owe no payment to Croatia for no lives were lost. Furthermore, the taxes Venice owes to Croatia shall be capped. Furthermore, the Doge shall be awarded titles in recognition of his service."

Both men begrudgingly nodded. The Venetians disliked the Croatians but they despised the pirates. While his own personal ambition of a Venetian Sea would not be realized, the Patricians would be pleased that they no longer owed absurd taxes to Croatia of all places. This would not be an utter victory for him, but it would be one for Venice. Suronja, meanwhile, concealed his irritation. The raids had weakened some of his more rebellious vassals thankfully but the reduced revenues would hurt his court.

"But my revenues?" Suronja pointed out.

Constantine's expression remained calm, his voice steady as he replied, "The Emperor wishes to ensure long-term stability in the Adriatic. To that end, Constantinople will invest directly in Croatia's future. Roads, ports, mines, and more shall be financed with Roman coin. A Logothete will be sent to survey and judge where resources are best spent."

Suronja blinked, leaning back in his seat as he weighed the offer. The tolls on Venetian ships had long been a cornerstone of his revenue, funding his court and military. Every ruler with a coastline relied on them. But this...this was something different. Roman investment?

"What sort of investment?" he asked slowly, his voice cautious.

Pietro's eyes flicked between the two, suspicion gnawing at his composure. This was not charity; it was strategy of some sort. He could feel it.

Constantine's voice did not waver. "The Logothete will survey and prospect. Once the works are complete, the revenues generated shall be shared: sixty percent to the Croatian crown, forty to the Emperor."

Suronja focused on what he would gain: pure Roman gold flowing into Croatia. Roads would be built, mines expanded, farms enlarged. The Crown would profit handsomely, and his rule would be strengthened. But Pietro saw it differently. He was a merchant, business was his lifeblood, and he understood the deeper implications. If these investments materialized, they would indeed bring Croatia development. Yet that infrastructure would be built with Roman coin, managed by Roman officials, and tied inexorably to Constantinople's interests.

Suronja wasn't gaining independence; he was tethering his kingdom's future to Rome. His people's prosperity would orbit around Roman control, not the Croatian Crown. Pietro leaned back in his chair, his sharp merchant's mind piecing together the puzzle. His gaze caught Constantine's, and for a moment, the air between them shifted. Pietro looked into those eyes and saw something unmistakable: hunger.

His estimation was correct.

The Domestikos was dangerous.

"Does Venice accept the terms offered?" Constantine's asked softly.

Pietro's mouth opened slightly, then closed again. His mind churned, calculating. Finally, he gave a slow nod, keeping his face unreadable. What could he demand here? The removal of the fleet? The Patricians voted for the removal of the pirates, not war with Rome. Anything else was a bonus. This was still a victory, but not overwhelmingly. Venice still got what it wanted. He needed time. Time for Venetian profits to soar, to gather strength. Eventually, the Empire would be distracted by something else. And by the time Constantinople would be strained, he would strike. For now, he would swallow the concessions. "Venice accepts."

Constantine's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. He turned to Suronja who nodded slowly. "Croatia accepts." 

The deal was made. 

​"We are not done, however. I would like to speak with the both of you, separately." 

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A/N: In summary: 

Venice pays less taxes to Croatia (Their ships have to pass by Croatian waters), and Pietro personally gets honours from Constantinople. In exchange, Venice returns the capture Narentine islands to Croatia. 

Croatia will find less tolls from Venice (Which was the biggest sore point for the Venetian Patricians) and in exchange gets development from Rome. But what Suronja misses is that Croatia's economy will now revolve around Constantinople. 

Rome achieves stability in the Adriatic. While Venetian political ambitions are curtailed, for the moment, the economy is safeguarded. 

Now, why would Pietro sign off on this? Formally, Venetian casus belli was to destroy the Narentines, not seize territory. OTL, Basil really did not care because he was too busy fighting the Bulgarians. With the Bulgarian Empire not a thorn, Venice cannot really do anything here but fulfill their casus belli. Secondly, Venice still enjoys something the other Italian merchant states droll over. In 992, Emperor Basil II signed a treaty with Doge Pietro II which granted the Venetians exceptional trade privileges in Constantinople, and in return Venice would transport imperial troops to Italy when necessary and support the Empire navally. This was one of the reasons why Roman presence in the Adriatic declined and made Constantinople dependent on the Venetian Navy. This treat Venice will safeguard jealously since it granted them a unique position to control East-West trade. Pietro has ambitions, yes, but he is not an absolute monarch neither would the other Venetian Patricians love him for endangering their special relationship with Rome. OTL, he got away with it because Basil was too busy. Now, he really can't so he has to take the L, for now. 

Suronja on the other hand...I really cannot see anything else for him to do but to accept whatever Rome demands. He literally owes his rule to them. So, yes, he will jump whatever height Constantine demands of him. 

There are going to be questions about this, firstly, this sort of arbitration is rather...unique in the sense that it isn't heavy handed. You would expect Basil to be utterly crushing in his demands but despite his reputation as a soldier-emperor, Basil is also a shrewd administrator. Money and influence is a weapon to use as much as armies and unironically, money and influence is literally cheaper to wield. To bring Croatia to Roman control, there is no need to send armies when we can model their economy to revolve around us. Even if Suronja wasn't the king, and his brothers were in charge, they still would have no choice but to trade with Rome because we sit directly on the Silk Road, and we ourselves a producers of goods. 

I had written and re-wrriten this part many times because I was trying to find a balance of a good compromise that will assure stability until we can bring South Italy and Sicily to order. By the time that both are secure, the Roman Navy should be expanded to the point we can throw our weight around. Constantine does have plans for Venice though. A direct annexation is out of the question. But regions we cannot directly control...well, we can always make puppets out of. That sort of planning wouldn't be too out of the ordinary for Basil nor the Strategoi since this is what the other Makedonian Emperors did in the Levant. 

Also, apologies for the silence. I was in Manila trying to get an American visa and I got fucking rejected lmao. Oh well. I will try again next time.