Eagle Byzantium

It was a sunny day outside the heavy gray curtain, but candles were still burning in the damp and cold emissary. Gawain opened the stalemate, "Then the signers have made an agreement, and I can also promise to use force if necessary." To ensure the security of Cyprus. Now tell me, what is the deal?”

"Yes, yes, dear general, you must understand that the following is also the personal opinion of Grand Duke Rapsomartes. Cyprus is an island with very poor agricultural land because it is very short of water. Although the central mountains and rivers can provide irrigation, But it is limited to the land around the capital Nicosia..."

"Get to the point as quickly as possible. What can I give you and what can you give me in return?" Gawain has always been dissatisfied with this roundabout approach in negotiations.

"We hope that your country can provide Cyprus with sufficient wheat by fleet - and in return, we use olive oil and wine in exchange. You have to know that Cyprus' wine is the best in this land and sea. "

Gawain raised his hand to reject, "I don't agree."

The emissary was immediately stunned in embarrassment, but Gawain continued to express his thoughts, "Wine is a luxury product in the city. Now that the military in Seleucia and Cilicia is booming, neither residents nor soldiers are suitable to import this wine." commodities. What I need is the copper, lime and stone from your island.”

The other party smiled again, "Of course lime and stone are easy to deal with, but this copper..."

"As reciprocity, I can also cut down the timber from the Taurus Mountains for you. As we all know, your Grand Duke's fleet is short of such materials. Egypt and the Levant do not produce them, and the construction and maintenance of the trade fleet can be said to be It is the foundation of Guidao's survival." Gao Wen took the opportunity to expand the content of the trade agreement and increase his bargaining chip.

The acting emissary also found it profitable. At least there was no harm done, so he agreed, but he was still a little unwilling to give up, "Really don't need the grape wine from our island?"

Gawain laughed and said that throughout the Mediterranean, the Venetian city-state had always monopolized the wine business, and they sold Rhineland wine to the Balkans. If I get involved in taking the wine sellers from Cyprus to the Apennines, it will definitely damage the trusting and cooperative relationship between me and Venice so far. It is not cost-effective. "But in the Seleucia fleet trade, I will not accept you. The trade agreement just submitted is about mutual exemption of tariffs for merchant ships.”

"Why?"

"Because our fleet is small and Cyprus's fleet is large and exempt from each other's tariffs, it is actually very beneficial to you. It will be easy to dump all the goods to Seleucia. In this way, my territory will become your Grand Duke's free blood-sucking Colony." Gawain's words made the emissary sweat a little - General Stratigos. He may be said to be a barbarian with brown hair and blue eyes, but his sense of business and vision are simply better than those of professionals in the imperial capital, and he is not willing to give in to others.

"Okay then. We will provide you with a specified quantity of copper bars, and you will have to import a specified quantity of wheat to Cyprus. In addition, lime and stone, as well as your timber, can be traded freely without any upper limit. . Your merchant ships can enjoy duty-free treatment when they come to our port three years ago, and our merchant ships can be discounted as three ships when they dock at your port.”

Gawain read the revised business agreement in detail again, finally nodded in approval and signed it in green ink. He stamped the seal and shook hands with the Cypriot envoy to seal the deal. "I swear in the presence of St. Obermonus and St. Nicholas that from this day on, this business agreement will display its sacred brilliance, just like the brilliance on gold coins that will never wear out!"

Three days after signing the trade treaty with Cyprus, when Gawain was leisurely strolling in the nursery behind the church, the military servant Muzafi'ad-din walked in, knelt down in front of him, and said that God had blessed the general. News from the front line came : Fort Colle'Adio has been captured.

Originally, Asba was "framed" by Gawain and was a "rebeled" character. There were insufficient preparations and soldiers. Only a few Jinat landowners who were related to him joined the resistance camp. In addition, Shang Gawain won over most of the Jinat, so he was passive and isolated from the beginning.

But it is said that the brave Aspar resisted until the last moment: he stood on the battlements of the fortress and shouted to Nika Kallegos, saying that Gawain's wanton attack on us was a violation of the imperial decree and the emperor's authority. Trample on him, he wants to establish himself as king here, you follow his banner, and when His Majesty the Emperor's chariot comes in the future, you will all be guilty!

But the blind veteran was not moved by his words at all, and continued to direct the siege with Branas. Finally, the city gate was smashed open by the battering ram, and the German vanguard from the Guardian Brigade rushed in with two-handed swords. In the chaotic bloody battle, the seven local jinats who followed Asba... Most of the nobles, their families, and slaves were killed, and the corpses were piled up in the small fortress. Asba himself rode a horse and armed with a spear, broke out of the city gate, and then Nikka Kallegos received a report from the scout: Asba said Ba was escaping toward the deeper and steeper valley to the north, so he sent his Qingqi to pursue him.

Finally, Leo Kallegos led about thirty cavalrymen and found traces of Asba in a cave covered by long grass on a mountain peak. He was hidden here by tenant farmers who were loyal to him. Leo captured him. After occupying the tenant farmers, they forced them to find the road in front and back, and then blocked them inside.

"The Seleucid Jinat have forgotten their glory and are all cowards." Aspar killed his mount in desperation, held a Cretan bow and arrow, stood behind the rock at the entrance of the cave, continued to resist, and shouted at Leo.

"I understand your wish, Lord Aspar, but you chose the wrong time and method - my father will not bury the Calegos family with you." Although Leo was heartbroken, he could only command the soldiers to continue the siege.

Finally, Aspar, who was desperate, shot all his arrows and was tied up by Leo's soldiers. "Leave me to Gawain, I want to see how he will deal with me!" But immediately, Leo drew his sword, cut off Aspar's head, and held it in his hand.

"I'm sorry, if Gawain puts you on the emperor's side out of affection, you will definitely create a new rift between the Calegos family and Gawain." Leo raised his hand, facing Aspar's miserable and bloody head, looking at the dead man's half-closed eyes, and said, "Father said that the truth of the rift is not important, what is important is that Gawain will take the opportunity to slaughter our family. If you want to blame someone, blame you for being too stupid. You couldn't resist Gawain's provocation and chose to make trouble at the wrong time. Even the emperor of Constantinople didn't support you, so don't blame Calegos for using your head to save himself."

A correct version in 1619, 1 book, 1 forum!

Of course, Leo would not tell Gawain about this situation. He just presented his head to the city of Lamas. (To be continued ~^~)