Eagle Byzantium

After the news of the Patriarch's forgiveness came out from the monastery, the morale of John's army was greatly boosted. Many partisan soldiers surrounded John on horseback, and marched forward bravely with flags raised from the holy mountain of Assos, cooperating with the brown troops in Sicily. Get up and advance towards Oraro Terrace.

The artillery deployed around the platform continued to fire fiercely, but far away in the camp at Philippi, Gawain was also having a heated discussion with his staff on the current situation.

The biggest problem is that the Thrace region has not recovered from last winter's war. If Constantine Bertin and the Bulgarian rebels come again, even if they are defeated and repelled, this year's harvest will not be expected. , except for a few fortresses held by the brigade and the New Frontier Militia, most villages and small market towns will be looted and destroyed. If this happens, it will be more difficult for Gawain to mobilize a large force to counterattack next year.

"The Evros, Vileka and Arda rivers form a cross shape, between Thrace, Bulgaria and Macedonia. This is our blood vessel. Without these rivers, it is difficult for us to maneuver, and in the north However, there are forested mountains in the west and west. It is very dangerous to invade without enough food support. "Branas is more familiar with the situation here. He pointed to the sand table and analyzed Gao Wen's article. "If Thrace is expected to harvest this year, then we can conduct military operations within a radius of three hundred miles with these three rivers as the axis. Action. But now that Thrace has not fully recovered, I think a hundred miles would be good.”

Gawain sat on a chair, holding the hilt of his sword and listening carefully. Then he asked Branas a question, "If I shrink the front and abandon the siege of the Holy Mountain of Athos, will the enemy take the opportunity to attack the isolated fortress?" Saloniki is besieged? In addition, will the long front from Philipsburg to Adrianople to the imperial capital be cut off by the enemies from the north? "

"Your Majesty, you can leave a brigade to defend Thessaloniki. The food supplies in the city are enough to support such a military strength." Branas replied, "As for Adrianople, there is also a Hierapolis brigade. , another Opushkin brigade is stationed on the outskirts of the imperial capital The Nika Brigade is in Gallipoli, but it is difficult to maneuver due to lack of food. In addition, these three brigades are still newly formed, and their training and combat effectiveness are not as good as those of the three-wing field brigade. If you are caught in a bitter battle, many people will waver and even flee, so..."

Gawain raised his hand to show that he understood and there was no need to say any more. Then he stood up, looked at the sand table map for a while, and pointed the scepter at a certain position on it, "Fort Philip also must be garrisoned by a regular brigade, because it It is a very critical key, It can withstand attacks from Serbia and Bulgaria at the same time. With it, we can control the entire Evros River, so that the Bulgarian rebels from the north do not dare to go too deep - called the Hierapolis Brigade To hold on.”

"But Adrianople?" everyone asked in unison.

Gawain waved his hand, "I have a suitable candidate."

After the meeting, Gawain sat in the tent. In front of him, Birel stood there.

This general who was the infantry commander of the Pisidian Border Army was suddenly taken away by a "postman" ordered by Andodat during the Tripoli War. He was then placed under house arrest and interrogated, and was detained in his camp. A secret message sent by Matilda was found, which asked him to lead his team to "break away from the tyrant and return to Tuscany to defend the Holy See."

But his treatment was never carried out, and he was sent all the way to the camp at Philippi.

When Gawain winked, the little sunfish came over holding a money bag and placed it on the small table covered with gold at the corners, "I have no reason to doubt you Birel. We set out from Italy together as companions. I have lived through life and death in Antioch and Tarsus. In addition, I owe Matilda a great debt of gratitude. I feel uncomfortable with the current situation of being enemies, so these gold coins are a gift to you. Go back to Tuscany. But except for some of the 700 Lombard soldiers you brought out, most of them are here. With a family and a fiefdom, I think they won’t want to follow you.”

"I know that people will always be tempted by the devil like money and welfare."

"No, this is definitely not the temptation of the devil." Gawain said seriously to the bearded Birrell, "When we left our homes, it was to recover the tomb of Jesus and to find our own gospel. Milk is not just milk, Honey is not just honey, but milk is always milk, and honey is always honey.”

Birel shrugged his shoulders, sighed, and bowed to Gawain, "Please forgive me for not being able to kiss your chest according to the court etiquette." Then he came up to collect the money bag.

But soon, the little sunfish raised his eyes and brought out another plate with three money bags on it. Gawain placed them on the table one after another, with a heavy sound of gold coins, and then Barseliu Si raised his eyebrows, "Bilel has worked hard for commanding and training the infantry for so many years. This is an extra bounty for you."

Birel was stunned for a moment, his beard waving up and down on his lips, hesitant.

But before he could turn around, the little sunfish wearing a slim and slim-fitting palace robe silently brought out the plate again, with three bags of gold coins still on it, and placed it on the table in front of Gawain.

Gawain's hand passed through the seven bags of gold coins in turn, then stopped, and used his long fingers to twist a gold button from the plate, cutting it into a very exquisite octagonal shape, shining with luxurious light. It was originally placed on the plate. On the folded white silk cloak, there is also a gorgeous sword inlaid with diamonds. "My friend Birel, you were in the snow of Constantinople." You successfully commanded the infantry on the ground and made great contributions to our confrontation with the former emperor. This white-robed noble title is given to you. Even if you do not serve in my army, you will still get this honor. Go back Show off to your fellow villagers in Tuscany! Don’t forget your friendship with me, Birel, remember that you are a comrade of the Roman Emperor, not a subordinate.”

Birel lowered his head and obeyed the new emperor's request. He put the white robe on his body, tied it with a gold buckle, and put on the dagger.

After completing all this, there was silence in the camp for a while, and then Birel asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, you don't want me to go back, right?"

"Bulgarian bandits will soon attack in overwhelming force. The Adrianople Governor's District is short of people to organize and train the local border residents." Gawain crossed the fingers of his hands and said calmly and calmly.

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"Then I'll be the governor there."

Gawain then rustled out the letter of appointment that he had already prepared from the sunken wood cabinet next to the small table, and handed it over, "Very good, this seat is yours, Birel."