Eagle Byzantium

Degganli Pass, a branch canyon in the northeast, after going 50 li deep, crossing the turbulent Sakarya River, the oncoming ochre-yellow and dark brown rocks, sand, layers of folded gullies, ruins and statues left over from ancient times, caves where saints once lived and practiced, lifeless dark green shrubs dotted on them, goats grazing everywhere, and tents occasionally inhabited by Greeks whose lives have been Turkified and nomadic, and their women are all Carrying wine jars filled with strong liquor, coarse wheat cakes, and eggs, standing on both sides of the mountain road, dishevelled, shouting and hawking, the Red Hand Company, which formed several long columns, and Gottschalk's "Pilgrim Armed Group" behind, about 12,000 people, were staggering, and the scout cavalry carrying bows and small shields, riding relatively short Turkic horses and Thessalian horses, were searching on various hillsides, not only to avoid enemy troubles, but more importantly to find meadows, streams and springs.

Serious problems have already appeared. The war horses from the Po River, which were supported by Duchess Matilda before, have begun to die or get sick because of the unsuitable climate and harsh environment of the plateau and mountains.

Many cavalry companies that lost their beloved mounts could only cover their cloaks like infantry, carry lances, shields or axes, and march on foot.

"Now I finally, finally understand why the little bird lived in this area and preferred to castrate itself and enter the Palace of Brahena to serve the emperor." Gawain stopped riding and took Sabina, who was more adaptable, to Anna, who was carrying a kite shield for him.

"Is there anything wrong with serving the emperor? Many boys in Brasilon, Paphlagonia, Phrygia, and Armenia were castrated at an early age and sold to Constantinople to serve as palace slaves or nobles' slaves. However, many castles and outstanding border warriors also emerged here. The Komnenos family rose from the Castle of Castamonu in Paphlagonia." Anna, holding the shield buckle in her hand (the shield almost covered most of her body), answered. The wind blew her originally fair cheeks a little red, but the little girl was in high spirits. After all, her dream in the palace had come true. Accompanying the barbarian over mountains and ridges.

"Because there are mountains here and there, life is too difficult. Boys born here probably can't be raised. Going out to be slaves is also a way out." Gawain did not object to Anna's statement.

"Compared to slaves in other places, they have fairer skin and more beautiful eyebrows. They are also very hardworking in learning skills and arithmetic, and are deeply loved by the nobles in the imperial capital. There are a hundred such boys in the Prani family." Agnes, who was walking on the other side, also said.

"Then your grandfather is really lucky." Gawain said sarcastically.

Agnes was choked again. But she didn't dare to fight back. She was afraid that Gawain would suddenly get angry and remove her oyster seeds in the name of "revenge for the Paphlagonia boys", which was almost as cruel as castration of boys.

"Big barbarian, now we stay here and wait for the opportunity; or continue to march north to find the target?" During the rest, looking at the desolate scene all over the mountains, Anna, sitting on the shield, was a little panicked, so she asked Gawain about his strategy.

So Gawain analyzed for her, "The scouts have told me the results of the battle in Dolilaem, and now Godfrey and his men continue to follow the plateau in the Conia area. Heading towards the Cilician Gate, they are preparing to attack Antioch as soon as possible. But Godfrey specifically asked Baldwin and Godhild to take a detachment to wander in the north to prepare to meet us. So we have to continue marching north, because Dolilaem, which exists as a node, has mostly been occupied by the troops sent by your father. Even if we break through, the marching conditions in the Orles Gorge are still very difficult. We don't need to suffer twice. The wisest choice now is to take down the Turkic castles and strongholds in this province along the way, and fight to support the war. As long as we reach the coastal corridor where Heraclea is, it will be much easier to obtain supplies, and then we will act according to the circumstances."

On the barren hillside. The Dalian Corps and the Armed Corps issued a new "Supplementary Regulations of the Dalian Corps Military Code Inspired by Saint Michael and Saint Nicholas": Gawain divided all the money in stock, including the dowry donated by Anna from the imperial capital, among all the companies. In addition, the General Manager of the Asiatic March also clearly told everyone that from now on, the Dalian Corps would no longer receive any money. Whether it was Bari, Venice or Amalfi, their money would not be able to enter this damn mountainous area.

Therefore, the new supplementary regulations are:

The castles and towns along the way must hand over part of the food and fodder to the Dalian team free of charge, and the rest will be purchased by each company with money;

Castles that dare to resist will be ruthlessly attacked and looted by the Dalian team;

Fortresses loyal to the Sultan of Konya will become the priority targets of the Dalian team;

Fortresses loyal to the Paulicians will be given priority to peaceful negotiations;

Of course, these supplementary regulations are just Gawain's diplomatic means: Brasilon is mainly the territory of the Paulicians; and Paphlagonia in the east, from Ankara to Amasya, is considered the territory of the Turks. Gawain's Dalian team may seem aggressive, but it is very cautious in marching in Brasilon and will never cross the red line. In other words, his main target is: the Paulicians.

A few days later, in the wilderness below the largest military town in the Brasilon region and the main entrance and exit of Fort Carradio, all the troops of the Great Company and the Armed Corps put on their armor, raised their flags, and deployed their troops in a show of force.

The Paulists in the military town had received the news that the Great Company was coming along the way. After they defended the city wall, they received the letter sent by Gawain.

It said that he was the commander-in-chief of the army of Asia and the Grand Duke of Armenia appointed by the Emperor of Constantinople. Now, he was ordered by the Emperor to clean up the entire Bithynia, Brasilon, Paphlagonia and Trebizond. So please inform your governor, Her Excellency Cabeamia Helicochil of Sinop City, to surrender as soon as possible, provide food and fodder for the company, and organize believers to serve the emperor and me, and serve as the vanguard of the attack on Theodore Gabuas of Trebizond (the Byzantine general of the previous dynasty, who later split the Trebizond area).

The believers hurriedly sent Gawain's documents to the coastal port of Heraclea, and then put them on the speedboat, along Amasra, and then to Sinop at the top of the protruding land of the coastal corridor.

The correct version can be found in the 16-9 book forum!

In the city, Cabeamia was holding the letter in her hand, shaking with fear. She was originally a little sad that Gawain would not come to her territory, but now this plague god actually "came again" with more powerful weapons (at least that's what Gawain boasted in the letter, he said he had 25,000 soldiers). (To be continued ~^~)