The beaches, olive trees, and blue sea water contrast the cliffs covered with green plants. This is Crete, located in the Aegean Sea. This is the source of ancient Aegean culture. It entered the Bronze Age as early as 2800 BC. In 2000 BC, the slave state was established on the north shore of the island with the city of Nosas as the center, with magnificent palaces and temples. Stone sculptures, gold, silver products, jewelry, pottery production and frequent maritime trade.

From the Roman era, this was the territory of the Roman Empire. Until Venice occupied Crete in 1205. Because of the important strategic location of Crete, it became an important stronghold of Venice in the Mediterranean. For this reason, in the following hundreds of years, the peaceful Crete was no longer calm with the decline of the Roman Empire.

Especially with the rise of Ottoman Türkiye and the fall of the Roman Empire, the clouds of war have always enveloped this land.

In order to compete for the hegemony of the Mediterranean, Ottoman and Venice broke out many wars. In 1645, the Ottoman launched an attack on Crete. In the next three years, the Turkish army occupied the entire island except for the capital Heraklion. Although it was besieged by the Turkish army, which had overwhelmingly superior in numbers and could not receive support from local residents, the Heraklion defenders still persisted for 21 years with maritime support from Venice!

Until now, the Venetians are still resisting!

In history, this war was called the "Fifth Weitu War". It lasted for twenty-four years. In the summer of 1667, the Turkish army made a comeback after receiving reinforcements and attacked the city of Heraklion for two years and four months. The city finally fell on September 5, 1669. More than 100,000 Turkish troops died in this siege alone, and nearly 30,000 defenders died.

And now Heraklion City is still holding on.

However, the situation has changed now. After the Ottoman offense at the Battle of Saint Gotthar last year, they were finally able to re-invest all their strength into the war in Crete. In the past year, continuous aid troops have reinforced from the Ottoman land to Crete.

Twenty years ago, after the city of Lasis was occupied by the Ottoman Empire, this city of Hebin, which was adjacent to the Cretan Sea, became the base for the Turks to attack the city of Heraklion. Even if Spinaronga in the north was still controlled by the Venetians, it still did not prevent the Ottoman Empire from stationing the fleet here.

In fact, the best fleet station in this area is the Port of Olus, protected by the Spinallonga Peninsula, but the entrance to the vast bay is guarded by Spinallonga Island, and the Venetians on the island are still resisting tenaciously.

Perhaps, the fortress would be captured soon, and the Ottoman naval generals thought so, but in fact, the Venetians on the island resisted until the early 18th century.

Although time has entered January 1666, Crete is still sunny, with Turkish merchant ships moored in the harbor, carrying a large amount of supplies and troops mobilized from all over the country. For the Ottoman Sultan and Great Vizi, it is time to end this protracted Cretan War!

In sharp contrast to the busy merchant ships, the laziest Ottoman Navy in the harbor was the laziest Ottoman Navy in the port. Eight years ago, in the Third Battle of Dardanelles, severely damaged the Venetian fleet, recovered the islands of Tenedos and Limnos, and thus opened up the maritime transportation line that provided supplies to the Chania Expeditionary Force, the Ottoman Navy became "do nothing". It is undeniable that if there were no sea support, the city of Heraklion would have been defeated long ago, but it was clear that the Ottoman Navy was well aware that the fortress artillery in Heraklion would bring greater casualties to the fleet, and the siege at sea was obviously not suitable for them.

"Aren't these people worried that the Venetians would attack them? It's so stupid."

"Captain, that's because the Venetian Navy has almost disappeared since the Battle of Dardanelles. The Turks didn't care about their little ships at all. Sneak attack? Without the ships, did the Venetian row the gondola and attacked them?"

Albertono nodded with contempt in his eyes. In fact, Venice is not just the sharp boats left. There are hundreds of various merchant ships in the hands of Venice's merchants. However, how could those merchants be willing to sacrifice their ships and crew in a hopeless naval battle?

"Hey, so, the Turks will one day win the war."

Michelle glanced disdainfully:

"If the nobles and men are allowed to work together to fight against the Turks as they are now, the world of Christ will sooner or later fail."

"Who knows? This is not something we can control."

Alberto said casually.

"I hope they will fail here, after all, the Venetians have resisted for so long!"

"God blessed, but now the Turks have mobilized troops from all over the world. I am really worried that the Venetians can defend the city of Heraklion!"

In fact, in the mouths of the Venetians, they did not call the city of Heraklion the city of Heraklion, but called the island and city "Chania". But for other Europeans, they would rather call it his original name.

"Morosini can definitely defend the city of Heraklion, there is absolutely no suspense!"

Perhaps because of being a Christian, he would rather believe that Morosini could defend Heraklion and resist the Turkish attack.

"That's not necessarily true. After all, the Turks have freed up their hands now. Now they have been sending additional troops here. Soon, they may surround the city of Heraklion. At that time, waiting for the Venetians will be a crushing defeat. In fact, this ending has long been doomed. After all, compared to Turkey, Venice is too weak. This war has lasted for more than ten years and has long exhausted the power of Venice."

When Alberto spoke, his tone seemed a little helpless. After all, this was a well-known fact. Even they convinced themselves and accepted the Turks' employment. After all, this was a war that was doomed to fail.
Chapter completed!