Eagle Byzantium

"Death or escape?" Finally, Shahnami asked.

The Vizier sighed, "The Sultan's blood is here, how can we talk about death? Take advantage of the opportunity to send my wife out by boat before the pagans seal the water gate."

"Is my husband okay?"

The Vizier shook his head to indicate that he was fine, and then he said seriously, "But before I prepare everything, my wife, you are not allowed to show any fear or confusion in the palace, and the same goes for the Sultan's children, understand?"

"Yes..." Shahnami lowered her head sadly.

But when the ship full of heads arrived at the port of Constantinople, Raymond and Hugh's army had just headed towards the other side of the strait.

Alexios was in high spirits today because he learned from the documents submitted that the Pilgrim Army, that is, the coalition forces of him and others, first killed nearly 3,000 Roman soldiers in Excelsior and then killed more than 4,000 Romans in the East Valley of Nicaea. Now Sulerman's army has lost more than half of its strength, and he himself has escaped with his life and is fleeing to his old nest, Konya.

On the other hand, his "delegation" of Isaac and Brennus also worked wonders. In fact, the emperor asked these two royal relatives to serve as "secular patrons of the monastery". Isaac went to the Cassandra Peninsula (where the holy mountain of Athos is located), and Brennus went to Moria. They were granted such titles and positions, and brought a group of tax collectors with them. They were all disciples of Buril and had royal certificates. The purpose was to collect taxes and people from these two rich lands, reduce the wealth of monasteries and temples, increase wealth to the treasury, and increase manpower to the army. Although these two were called "patrons", the emperor called his brother and son-in-law "big tax collectors" when he talked with the imperial ink official and the eunuch in private.

Isaac and Brennus did a good job. At least it was much brighter than their military careers. The money in the treasury was increasing, and the fleet and armaments were also being strengthened.

"Put all these abominable heads in the arena to be exposed for citizens and foreigners to see." Alexius closed the document book of Titius with satisfaction, then his eyes fixed on the copy of the guard, and then unfolded it in front of him.

"Rip" sound. The silk-bound document was immediately torn in two by Alexius, "It's pierced, it's pierced... Anna was pierced by that dirty barbarian!" The emperor saw this blunt word, his whole face was distorted, and then he grabbed the ink box fiercely. He smashed it hard on the column in front of him, and the purple color splashed. The supreme ruler of the empire stood up with a gasp, and then the imperial ink officer Meles next to him calmly gathered the copy that the emperor had torn open and put it into the box.

"Melais, tell me. How many troops are available for dispatch in the imperial capital, Gallipoli, including Chalcidon, Nicomedia and other fortresses?"

"Ten thousand soldiers can guarantee three thousand cavalry."

"Are there enough ships?"

"No problem."

"Very good, issue the transfer order now. Everyone go to Gallipoli fortress to assemble and wait for my action." The emperor pressed his finger on the document, and then kept rotating it, and the handwriting on it became distorted. "Now that we have achieved such a great victory, I am very happy in my heart, but I know more clearly that Gawain is becoming more and more difficult to control and more and more dangerous, not to mention that there is Apate by his side. It may be difficult for Raymond alone to subdue this group of people..."

At the same time. Raymond, who landed on the land of Chivite, and Hugh Capet, with the huge army they commanded, passed through the canyon without hindrance and came to the city of Nicaea. They set up a siege camp in the northwest of the city, and then joined the second lord meeting held for the siege.

One-eyed Raymond, with the trust entrusted by the emperor, stepped into the camp arrogantly.

But then he saw that no one stood up to greet him respectfully, not only Bohemond with his chin raised high, but also Godfrey, Baldwin, Gawain, and even the two Roberts and Stephen who followed him on the previous journey all lowered their heads, as if they didn't see him. In the end, only Taitius and Branas stood up and saluted him with their chests.

Hugh behind him, seeing this scene, couldn't help but sneer.

The angry Raymond found an empty seat and sat down.

"The Provençal and Orleans people are also here, and our siege force is one point more." Godfrey spoke, but his tone was obviously much heavier at the "one point".

"In fact, the previous fierce attack on Sultan Konya in the valley east of the city had already laid the foundation for the entire battle. That battle was thanks to the Holy Banner Cavalry Company commanded by my nephew." Bohemond half-closed his eyes, tapped his thigh, and said left and right.

"Uncle, it was a glorious victory of all the pilgrims united." Tancred, who was standing behind him, corrected modestly without any expression.

Then all the lords laughed knowingly, and Raymond and Hugh could hear that the connotation of this laughter was, "Get out of here, don't get involved in our merits."

But Raymond didn't get angry either. He leaned over and pointed at a monk who was wearing a cross and looked very high-ranking, "Le Mans, His Excellency Adhmar of Mans, the envoy appointed by His Holiness the Pope, come, come, help us form the Council of Cardinals for the expedition."

A correct version at 16-9 Book Bar!

"A meeting of cardinals?" Everyone present was stunned in their hearts. His Majesty the Pope sent this man to follow Raymond. What was he going to do? Everyone knew something about it, but no one said it out loud.

"Distinguished lords." Ademar, with a humble smile on his face, behaved in a very friendly manner, "This sacred expedition is thousands of miles away. What we have to face is not only sword conquest, but also churches and churches in various places. The reason why Your Majesty entrusts me to come here is to serve as His Majesty’s eyes and ears, so that the Ecumenical Church, the Orthodox Church, and your expeditionary corps can cooperate more closely.”

To put it bluntly, no matter how beautiful Ademar's words are, his responsibility is to monitor everyone, that is, to strengthen Pope Urban's control over the pilgrim army and believers. "You don't have to worry about your character and rank. My position is that of a priest, and your status will not be insulted." Ademar added.

At this moment, Bohemond suddenly raised his hand, and then stood up to speak, "Speaking of this, there is also a priest in our army. If a cardinal meeting is formed, who will preside over it?"

At this time, following Bohemond's words, all the lords and lords unanimously turned their attention to Gawain, and Ademar also stared at this blue eye. No matter how he looked, he looked like a man covered in dust. On the general, "Another priest? That's right, it's you, Your Excellency Gawain. Of course, before I came here, I did tell you about your deeds." (To be continued~^~)