Eagle Byzantium

When the guard warrior slowly pulled out Sigma's sword, the cold light passed through the slightly fluttering curtains and fell into Anna's eyes. The purple-clothed princess laughed, "What's your name? A righteous and brave man who participated in the expedition." ?”

"Sigma of Barneville used to be an independent castle knight, but now he is a free man." Then, the sword was closed and returned to Sigma's hand.

"Since you don't belong to any lord, are you willing to hold your sword for Seleucia's cause now?" Anna raised her chin slightly, "Like the Grand Duke of the Empire, I can canonize you with territory and titles. As for the bathhouse As long as you want those women, I can give you the best ones at any time."

"Yes, I will kill many heretics to repay you and the Grand Duke for your kindness!" Sigma's eyes lit up, then he reversed the sword and lifted it up, and immediately stood next to Anna's shoulders, as if he would immediately He became the most loyal subordinate of Princess Ziyi in a long time.

The rest of the knights and sergeants were talking a lot. Some were envious of Sigma's timely surrender, but others were uneasy about the current situation because of the constraints of the Holy War and their former loyalty to the two counts - because everyone under the bell tower Everyone knew that the princess in purple came blatantly to buy their strength.

Seeing the hesitation and embarrassment of this group of people, Anna's next behavior became even more blatant. She walked out of the carriage directly under the guidance and support of the guards and slaves. She had purple fluttering clothes, a petite body, and a tall white The bell tower is in perfect contrast with her. She can skillfully use the local language of Blois, so she openly confronts the murderous Frank knights and sergeants on the opposite side, talking endlessly,

"Some of you are from Normandy, and some are from Blois. The previous oath cannot bind you. Why? Think about it. Thirty years ago, my empire hired many Saxon warriors to serve as The former emperor or my father's guards had to make a living because the land in England where they were located was invaded by your ancestors. They lost their fiefdoms and had to make a living, right? Later, my father and the Norman lord Robert... Guiscat During the war, they all held deep hatred against the Normans and fought brilliantly in various battles. Therefore, no oath was valid without a foothold. The sword required money and land. Only then can you exert the passion that burns it. Now you have all lost your home due to debt, and your lord has deceived you, saying that he will ask for reinforcements from my father and bring you to Asia Minor, but he cannot give everyone a stable settlement. ”

"Perhaps, we can sell our force to the Emperor of Constantinople." In the crowd, a knight named Gaudi suddenly said, stroking his chest, and several people immediately responded, "Yes, let's fight with Bro Count Va, serves His Majesty the Emperor."

Anna's lips curled up into a smile, and then she stretched out her hands, "That's not bad. You must have this idea in your mind, right? The emperor's salary is distributed to mercenaries once a year, and the income should be enough for you. You have all the necessities of life, but what about your wives and children who are far away in your hometown? In the end, you can only gather on the outskirts of the imperial capital. In the outer camp, find a stupid and rough country woman like the Paulists (Anna's resentment) to live out your life, while your wife in your hometown can only be forced by life to crawl into someone else's bed, and your children will be killed. Masters from all walks of life are mistreated, working as coolies, and without education and upbringing. Let me ask you, do you still expect to be granted a fief by the emperor? "

After saying this, Anna rolled up her sleeves and her tone became sad, "When you came to Seleucia, you may have wondered why all kinds of people, including Slavs, Saracens, Paulists, and Germans, were willing to live in this land. They farmed and served for me and Gawain for no other reason than we could secure their land, where they were unquestionably 'chosen' but my father's empire had a different system of taxation and ownership of the land. morning It was determined by the Golden Book a long time ago that whichever Roman noble belongs to whom, how can you still have a share? Unless you want to be a mercenary for the rest of your life, it may be difficult to tell because there is very reliable information. , if you are incorporated into the army of Constantinople, you will soon be thrown into the terrifying area of ​​​​Pavlagonia, and fight against the most powerful Danish Monde Turks. As a front-line The troops were consumed."

The purple-clothed princess spoke conclusively, but everyone was wavering. Anna felt it was time to join the "reserve team" for the decisive battle. She instructed Count Reinstein to step forward again, holding a contract-like document in her hand:

"Everyone, if the warriors are willing to accept the contract with the Grand Duke and the Purple Princess, they will immediately be able to enjoy the gospel real estate in the city of Tarsus and the Cappadocia region, which will exist as a 'border fortress Jinat'. Specifically, Your responsibilities are as follows - the ownership of the swords, shields and armors you originally owned will remain unchanged. If the princess in need will provide you with free equipment, especially mounts and their armor - but correspondingly, you We must gather under the banner of Seleucia, march towards the pagan territory, defend the occupied castles and borders, and protect the military immigrants of Seleucia. Of course, in return, Seleucia will give you a large number of fiefdoms. , here is the gospel pension contract. Please note that only your property has "shadow land", which means that after your lifetime, this "shadow land" can be passed on to your heirs. ”

After hearing such a contract, everyone present was shaken violently. It was a naked transaction, completely different from the impassioned jihad vows made by the Pope: We will sacrifice our lives for Her Royal Highness with swords in exchange for the fiefdom and the land. , but it seems that the crusade against the heretics in Anatolia does not violate the oath made at the beginning. But what is Tarsus? Isn’t that the territory of the Greek emperor of the same faith?

"Tartsus is the capital city sandwiched between East and West Cilicia. My father has now burned down all the territory he occupied on the plateau and retreated. It is very dangerous for this city to be left without an owner. So. You seize it first and let me manage it on your behalf. The workshops and commercial taxes that will be revived in the city will of course be taxed. Take a considerable part and give it to you as a salary." After Anna said this, she returned to the carriage, "I will leave the signing of the contract to the ceremonial officer Reinstein and the cupbearer Staurachos. It's done. The rest of you, follow me." After that, the widow over there also said to Qise, "Let's go too..."

Afterwards, only this group of people and two plenipotentiary officials of Seleucia were left in the entire bell tower area. "What, have you figured it out? I will never go against the ambition of His Majesty the Holy See and treat Anatolia." The conquest of the Holy Land will be as glorious as the conquest of the Holy Land." Reinstein sincerely placed a stack of contracts on the temporary office table and followed the instructions. (To be continued ~^~)