Eagle Byzantium

It is for this reason that Gawain took the initiative to negotiate peace talks with the Venetian city-state when he besieged the city of Prusa. Later, in order to help John stabilize Crete and Rhodes, Venice allocated almost 60% of its naval power and almost half of its The mercenary army stayed in both places. In the imperial capital, although John promised that the number of settlers in Venice could reach 10,000 men, the number and armed forces have now failed to reach the ideal level.

Just like the Chinese Go strategy, Gawain voluntarily gave up the corner where he didn't have an advantage, allowing the opponent to get in, while he pulled out, so that he could concentrate more powerful force to attack the enemy's weak spot on the other side.

This weak spot is the land of East Thrace that Mero just mentioned. The coast here starts from the north of Constantinople and reaches the location of the Mesembrian Bay. It is curved and gentle, and the Euxine Sea (Black Sea) is It is very shallow, which is especially conducive to the movement operations of offshore vessels such as "Skua" and "Sunfish".

What's more, Anna had also laid a spy network here in advance to instigate or was instigating rebellion against the local Plonian nobles.

Therefore, the only obstacle before Gawain now is: how to eliminate the interference of the Pope.

"I have a plan." At this moment, Maglendius Plani, who had always been calm and sophisticated, suddenly spoke, attracting everyone's attention.

Everyone knows that although he and Ibn Maimon are both imperial mentors, the latter is mainly active in the fields of book translation and tax law formulation. This person has only one responsibility, which is to provide advice: he is the one who is most familiar with the original text. The internal affairs and customs of the Eastern Roman Empire's military affairs have now of course changed, and they have naturally become John of Constantinople's most terrifying enemy.

Maglendius's subsequent plan won unanimous approval from everyone.

At this time, Gawain pulled out the sword of phosphorus and sat back on his seat, "Summon the military judge Algieli!"

Algieli, who was wearing a crimson cloak and a black robe, walked in. Gawain gave him the sword directly, "I will form the task force immediately by selecting three detachments from the Red Hand Brigade and the Guardian Brigade, and strengthening it with cavalry. , artillery and shooting corps, commanded by the great count Merlot, gathered in Bithynia and waited. And you take this sword and go to Sinop, Amisus, Pravel, and the ports of Trabzon to complete the number of light ships specified in advance, and then the entire fleet. Gather in Sinop and wait for my order. Once the order arrives, we will set off from the sea without hesitation!”

"As ordered." Algieli bowed and took the sword of phosphorus fire, turning it aside.

"Giovanni, you and Reinstein will immediately allocate one-third of the next year's taxes from the jurisdictions of Iconium, Caesarea, Cappadocia and Trabzonte and send them all to Sino. Go to Pucheng to make cold-proof jackets and leather boots for soldiers’ armor.”

"As commanded."

"My wife Anna, you and the Imperial Ink Officer will then go to the city of Prusa with me, and will be responsible for the frontline military affairs and military station logistics with me."

"Yes my husband."

At this time, Anna was pregnant for the third time, but she still worked tirelessly, which is awe-inspiring.

"Also, let Brenus and Roland do a good job in building the local synagogue and recruiting and training the civilian army and sailors. Don't let the Venetians or Sicilians take advantage of the situation."

On the third week after the First Fast, the Tarsus Imperial Guards holding high the colorful tasseled "Antian Royal Umbrella" and the "Red-Hand Seven Ridges Battle Flag" surrounded Gawain, Anna, and Maglendius. , Agnes, Hetomiya, Muzafiadin and a whole other honor guard team began to march towards the city of Prusa along the military road on the plateau.

Almost from the moment Gawain left the city gate, intelligence spies from various forces began to move around frequently.

The most nervous one was, of course, John of Constantinople.

Gawain had four or five regular brigades, plus thousands of border troops on the other side of the Marimara Sea. The empire, which had lost naval fortresses such as Nicomedia and Chalcedon, could not rely on Venetian ships. Outside the ship, there is no water force that can effectively resist the "Jaguar" ship group. If Gawain is willing, he can cross the sea in half a day and lay siege to the narrow gateway area in the south of the imperial capital. Lipoli.

This is the place where Gawain became famous. He once successfully resisted pirates here. Now that he returns to his old place, it should have a special sacred meaning for him.

So at first, John thought that Gawain would attack Gallipoli first.

John, who is waiting nervously, will pay close attention to Gawain's movements through the intelligence system every day. Ten days later, Gawain's guard of honor and the royal guards had arrived at the city of Dolilaam to rest. They were only about two days away from Prusa.

But at the same time, John's nerves were affected by another major piece of information: a mixed task force from Tarsus entered the Kartarimon Fortress on the edge of the Bosporus. This fortress was almost as big as Constantine's. The fort is across the sea, and was previously captured by Gawain's side after the fall of Prusa. In addition, Gawain's side is said to have gathered nearly a hundred light ships in the city of Sinop, and seems to be preparing to brave the severe weather that will come in the future to sail.

"They want to use this group of ships to transport this task force, disembark on the land next to the imperial capital, bypass the Gallipoli Fortress, attack us, and create panic." At the imperial imperial meeting in front of the screen, John pointed out Seeing the map table's judgment, he had overturned his original conjecture.

"But does Gawain actually dare to ignore the mediation order of the Patriarch of Rome?" Aksepokos was greatly puzzled. Could it be that the Varyag's barbarism was about to show off?

After finishing speaking, Taticius stood by the table, watching all this without saying a word.

The emperor asked him to speak, but Titishius remained silent.

So the emperor ordered him to speak, and the words that finally came out of Titishius' mouth made everyone present feel heavy, "Gawain will take the initiative to negotiate with us soon, and will set a sophisticated trap for us. We will be in a passive and embarrassing situation both militarily and diplomatically."

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John turned pale, took two steps back, and leaned against the screen.

"When you were in Prusa City, you said you would win space and time for me, and now you say we will be passive again. What is going on!" The emperor finally couldn't hold back his disappointment and despair, and roared.

Titius's tone was still calm, but more desolate, "Because I didn't expect that David, the builder of Georgia, and Theodore were so vulnerable. Now Gawain can turn around and deal with us with all his strength, the situation is not optimistic."

"Then what do you say? What should I do?" John felt that it was difficult to breathe, his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked around.

"Prepare large warships in Gallipoli..." Titius raised his face and said so.

The implicit meaning was that John should seize the opportunity to abandon the capital and escape.

A punch hit Titius's face quickly, and he staggered back immediately, touching the scar on his nose that had already been lost, and some blood actually flowed out.

This punch was thrown by the furious John.