Eagle Byzantium

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The reason why Betos said this is because Ragusa, as a maritime commercial city-state, is sandwiched between the Byzantine Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Zatar, Venice and the Italian countries. In order to protect itself, it must walk on thin ice and be cautious. Therefore, this city has to pay double tribute taxes every year, one to Emperor Alexios Komnenos, and the other to Prince Constantine Bertin. Fortunately, this time, the red-hand Dalian team that came from Bari was so kind that it was beyond his expectation, so how could he not be happy?

The calm sea pushes beautiful white powder back and forth on the gray limestone. The city of Za'tar is located on an island made entirely of this rock. It is connected to the land by only an extremely narrow promontory, just like the stomach and esophagus. like a picture. In addition, there is a circle of hills on the mainland, which protects Zaha very safely and prevents the harsh north wind from overturning the ships in the harbor. There are four strong small fortresses standing on the hills. As for the monarchs, Tandine Bodine's palace is in the city. The spire of the chapel caught the setting sun, and ships of all sizes were moored throughout the harbor. Bodin held his hands together, imitating the dress of a Byzantine prince, and stood in front of the window sill of the palace building, watching this with pleasure. The state of abundance is contentment.

Constantine Bertin was of Slavic descent and the leader of the Glory Tribe. When the Byzantine Roman Empire suffered a disastrous defeat in the east, he took the opportunity to lead the Slavs in Lasnia and Croatia to rise up and conquer the Normans. The battle between man and the empire was fought at both ends. After Alexios was exhausted, he took over the entire territory of Rasnia and Bosnia. From then on, he became a thorn in the side of Emperor Komnenos.

But after hearing that Gawain came ashore, Alexios wanted to protect his daughter. In order to protect the empire's territory, he immediately sent two imperial officials as couriers, carrying a large amount of gold and silver utensils, as well as precious silk carpets, to the Za'tar Palace and asked Bodin to send troops to trap the Red Hand Company.

"Well, Archduke Brennus will also bring his army later. Cooperate with me in the south?" Bodin read the letter and looked at these bright gifts.

"There is no mistake. In addition, the entire city-states on the Dalmatian coast have responded to the emperor's call to defy the emperor's rebellious minister Gawain. As for the Western Patriarch, please don't worry, Your Majesty. His Majesty the Emperor will explain everything. "The two court officials assured politely, "As long as this matter is successful, His Majesty will grant His Royal Highness the title of Caesar - Lasnia Caesar (Tsar)."

Upon hearing this condition, Bodin's eyes lit up. He was not very interested in these gifts, because the Za'tar Kingdom was already very wealthy and he didn't care about this small amount of money. However, the title of "Caesar" bestowed by the Roman Emperor was a truly valuable thing. This also meant that Bodin had achieved a status comparable to that of the former Bulgarian Tsar Simeon. In the future, his glory would be enough to shock the land and the people. ocean. What a satisfying result it would be to outshine the competition, those vulgar "frogs" in the swamp - the Venetians.

So Bodin nodded, expressed his willingness to comply with the emperor's arrangement, and sent Alexios' imperial envoy away.

Then Burdin summoned the cardinal minister, Radomir, known as the "Wise Man", and asked proudly. "Congratulations to me. I didn't expect that the title of Caesar and Czar would come so easily, as long as I blew the horn to recruit warriors. It would sail briskly into my arms like a sailboat returning from the city harbor."

Radomir, who had a long white beard, expressed caution. "Your Highness, you must know that you are now the actual ruler of two lands. Even the emperor of Rome has nothing to do with you, so why do you need to be recognized by the other party? What's more, Emperor Komnenos has always been a treacherous and clever man. Character, he just wants to use these illusory titles to trick us into killing each other with that man named Gawain, so that he can benefit from it. "

These words reminded Bodin that he had been a soldier for most of his life. The minister's loyal advice really made him suspicious, and he thought secretly, "According to the spy report from Constantinople, Alexios Comnenus is gathering The army is marching towards Adrianople, are they really planning to destroy me and Gawain at the same time?”

At this time, a gatekeeper noble also came in hurriedly, "It is said that it is Stephen Gawain, the general manager of the Red Hand Company and the commander of the Imperial Archonis. The letter sent to you has been checked and is not poisoned." sign."

Burdine said nothing and took it, but his fingers were immediately stuck with the saliva licked by the loyal poison-testing nobleman on the letter. The stickiness made him extremely disgusted and angry, so he awkwardly changed his hand to hold the letter and held it. Shake out the roll.

"The most glorious king of the land of Lasnia and the sea of ​​Dalmatia, His Excellency Constantine Bertin.

Your servant Gao Wencheng is frightened and pays you the utmost respect.

Please do not doubt my sincerity, for the Bible says that those who disparage themselves will be praised, and so it is.

My red-handed company, totaling 6,000 men, first crossed the Adriatic Sea and arrived at the city of Ragusa. However, it already owed a total of 16,000 sous of silver coins to the ships of Venice and Amalfi. Food was also in trouble, and the entire army was miserable. Even if they spent all their money to collect grain from various islands and cities, it would not help. But this is just the beginning. The Red Hand Dalian Team hopes to pass through this area peacefully, arrive at His Majesty's Imperial Capital, and then start the next expedition to the Holy Land, so we urgently need your help. The Dalian Team will arrive in Lagu in ten days Stone between Sa and Za'tar , waiting for your generous supplies, I will praise you in front of the Holy See for your charity and selfless help to believers. If you are unable or unwilling, then the Dalian Army may make inappropriate emergency actions in Bosnia.

In the name of Christ, please take care of yourself.

Respect and love you Gawain Russell. "

What's going on? Burding immediately fell into the boundless black ink, as if there was a giant squid waving its tentacles full of suckers in front of him, spraying wildly at him, blinding him from sight and hearing. He immediately handed the letter to Radomir, who was also stunned, "Judging from Gawain's self-description in the letter, the Red Hand Dalian Company lacked supplies, but I have not heard that they have robbed Ragusa and other towns. The information is too much now It’s unclear whether this is the truth of Gawain’s troops or a trick on his part—should we send out scouts to investigate?”

Bodin was very angry when he heard this, "Of course we have to conduct reconnaissance. Thousands of this guy's soldiers and horses will definitely march through my territory in a big way, and they will probably be accompanied by looting. Regardless of Constantinople's Whatever your attitude is, letting him go his own way will be a lifelong shame for me, Lord Bertin."

"But will the attack on Gawain lead to attacks from other expedition lords and the hostility of Pope St. Peter in Rome?" Radomir was still cautious.

So Prince Zata walked back and forth on the floor of the palace twice, obviously thinking, and then he said, "I have recently recruited about four hundred Pechenegs. They are all good at riding and shooting. Recruit some unbelieving bandits from the forest of the Wa River to cause some trouble for Gawain first. Anyway, without a banner, who can identify them clearly? You and I will lead the real legion and approach the Stone Valley. We will act according to the opportunity! "

Soon on the next day, hundreds of Pecheneg cavalrymen carrying barbarian flags and thousands of bandits, hunters and woodcutters from the Sava dense forest were shouting and shouting with all kinds of rude and barbaric tactics near the city wall of Za'tar. With the battle cry, Bodin stood on the tower and waved to encourage them. Bodin's court officials kept scattering shining coins like rain under the city wall, "It's all for you, take this money and do something with it." It’s the right thing to do.”

On the other side, the ten days Gawain mentioned in the letter were actually just a smoke bomb. He personally wore the holy armor, brought a hundred chain-mail brotherhoods on horseback, and took out 500 "newly baptized" "The Cavalry Company" advanced rapidly on the winding coastal mountain road. Finally, when the front of the mountain suddenly opened up, under the brim of the helmet, the eagle-like light blue eyes saw Stone, which has crisscrossing freshwater streams and a regular valley.

All the cavalrymen also shouted excitedly. Gawain pulled out the horse-head scepter from his belt and shouted to the brothers behind him, "There is a Slavic Wubao camp below, which should belong to the local indigenous people. I need four The Brotherhood of Brocade and eight Cumans are going to act as scouts to investigate the truth. Who is willing to take the initiative? "

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"I, Bramson Wolfgang, am willing to stand out and fight for the Archduke!" A middle-aged brother wearing a simple chainmail, a Tuscan sheepskin cape, and a red-handed cross sword smock The cavalryman, with a slovenly beard, a quiver and a crossbow hung on the saddle, and a Swabian sword on his shoulder, made a generous request.

"Very good!" Gawain immediately threw him a money bag. After Bramson reached out to catch it, he and the other three rode down the hillside. Eight Cuman cavalry armed with bows and arrows and lasso were accompanying behind. About a stone's throw away also descended the hillside, acting as backup and cover.

In the Slavic Fortress over there, the alarm bell rang in an instant, and many strong men roared onto the short Dalmatian horses, armed with various weapons, and rushed out of the fort gate. Find out.

Gawain looked down and saw that outside the shooting range in front of the castle gate, Bramson skilfully halted the horse, and then formed a star-shaped squad formation with the other three comrades, with himself at the forefront. "Eye", and the eight covering Cuman cavalry also flexibly and cunningly lowered themselves in a bush on the side of the fort gate, shouted to the horses to hold on, and began to take out their bows and arrows and wait, like forbearing hunters. General.

Then, facing the several Slavic warriors who rushed out, Bramson loudly spoke the Rathnian dialect (he was a bankrupt knight from Mittersill, Austria, who moved around as a mercenary in various Italian states, so Being familiar with Bohemia and Dalmatia) requires the other camp to give up resistance and negotiate for surrender as soon as possible.

But the bell rang again from the tower of the camp. Upon receiving this signal, a dozen Slavic warriors in the wilderness rushed over on horseback, raising their spears and shields! (To be continued ~^~)