Since the Accounting: A Chronicle of the Roman Khanate

Chapter 474 The old Greek rich man’s response
There is still one hour left before the founding of the Song Dynasty
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"I still think these Greeks are unreliable, Your Highness." After leaving everyone, Sir Louis whispered to Princess Jeanne next to him: "It's not just those Greek rich people. Even this woman who came here out of nowhere also gave me a feeling of something wrong. Feel."

"I can't explain why. But when I first learned how to ride a horse, my grandfather told me that I can't ignore my intuition. If something feels wrong, there is something wrong nine times out of ten - he himself was the same. I relied on this to escape from the English." He explained: "This guy must have some intention and want to use us to do something."

"You don't need to feel it. Of course I know that she has other intentions. Otherwise, why would she come to us?" Princess Jeanna shook her head and said: "This kind of cooperation is originally about everyone getting what they need. If she doesn't want anything, I still have to feel weird.”

"When I first came here, I had contacts with those Italian businessmen." She explained a few more words to reassure her subordinates: "This Greek woman was just an ordinary member of a theater troupe at the beginning. Later, A Florentine business family sponsored them, and she took this opportunity, relying on her eloquence and a little luck, to gain the patron's favor and gain admission to the upper class."

"This person is very discerning and very capable. When I first came here and held a banquet with Italian businessmen for the first time, she set her sights on me." Princess Jeanne thought about it and said: " After the banquet, she came to my door and promised me that as long as I gave her authorization, she could contact a group of Greek rich people to provide me with more financial support, and by the way, it would also make my actions here more convenient. .”

"Such people are actually businessmen, but they only sell interpersonal relationships and various convenient channels. You have never been to a big city like Paris before, otherwise you should have had some contact with them."

"So that's what it is..." Sir Louis probably understood: "Other than myself, everyone from a noble background is doing this kind of thing."

"Aristocratic women do have an advantage in this regard. As for her..." Princess Jeanna thought for a while: "She should be an ordinary commoner."

"According to her own statement, her mother has been running a large theater troupe in the city for a long time. In Greek society, this form of entertainment is more important than ours, and the competition is more fierce. If you want to do a good job in this business, It is inevitable to have to deal with the local gangsters in the city, and it is normal to have a wide network of contacts."

"When I came here, the Roman Emperor organized a group of people to greet me. It is not difficult for those who are interested to know the news. Her mother probably learned about my situation from local officials and wealthy businessmen, and felt that I was a suitable candidate for refuge. . But to come directly to express my goodwill is too risky for such a smooth middleman, so let her test my attitude first. "

"We hope to gain some profits, but the risks are very high and it takes a long time. Isn't it strange that these people are looking for us?" Another knight also speculated: "Rome is so rich, but they are still the local snakes here. Is it possible that there is still a lack of business and you have to come to us?”

Princess Jeanna heard this, thought about it, and shook her head: "If we take it seriously, they really don't have a good business."

"You see, although they have money and connections, under the Roman system, there are only two ways to gain status: either by meritorious service in war, or by doing well in major projects such as cultivating fields, digging for mineral deposits, and building water conservancy projects. . But these are not what this group of Greeks are good at." She analyzed.

"What business is the most profitable? In fact, it is not the business of buying and selling goods that they are doing now. I have dealt with those Italians before and know what they want most. Investments in kings and nobles are the most profitable. .”

"When we were at war with England, the King of England was at a disadvantage, so he borrowed heavily from everywhere. The Italian bankers knew that he did not have such a high ability to repay debts. Even if he won the battle, he would not pay back the money seriously. The family gave him a loan. In the final analysis, it was not because this kind of high-risk investment in the country had the highest returns. Some families can even gain political power and are called true aristocrats."

"Look at these people again. In the previous Greek dynasties, they could have provided officials to the dynasty, thereby maintaining the noble status of the family. With the power given by Rome, is it still worried that the family will not benefit? In this case, even You don’t have to do business by yourself anymore.”

"But now, the situation has changed. The Roman Khanate is different from the previous imperial courts. They have always liked to train their own officials and do not rely on these Greeks to help them rule, so they do not need to cooperate with these people."

"You guys haven't been here long, so your feelings may not be obvious yet. When King Wu and I got married, we discovered this problem." She gave an example: "Several of his entourage all claimed to be Dongfang Officials of the Ming Dynasty. But when I chatted with them later, I found that they were neither nobles nor local priests. Some of them were not even ordinary people, but came from peasant families."

"At first I wondered if these people were fake. Later I found out that they were actually real." She said with some emotion: "I didn't expect at the time that the differences between different places were so big."

"The system of the Roman Khanate should be the same as that of the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, because of the poor performance of these older generation nobles during the decline of Rome, many people did not trust them. Even capable ordinary Greeks I tend to receive a better education from the Khan's court, and then look for an opportunity to make contributions. Because among the old nobles, ordinary young people have no future."

"These families did not become wealthy businessmen because they wanted to run businesses and gain money; and because they could not become nobles, they had no choice but to become wealthy. In fact, they did not lack money, or even influence, they just lacked a name. Number and opportunity. This is what they want from us. The Greek woman must have seen this, so she dared to guarantee me. "

"So that's it. If they are willing to help today, they will probably show off their strength." Another knight said: "I don't know if there will be a conflict."

"I guess so." Princess Jeanne concluded: "Although the Greek woman just assured me that she had communicated with them and they promised to obey my leadership, everyone knows that these Greeks are ruthless. A cunning guy. Without this kind of character, there is no way he could have survived their years of civil strife."

"I estimate that they will bring out the servants this time, because on the one hand, they want to give me a showdown, and on the other hand, they have to compete with each other. However, when they agreed to cooperate with us, they must have already planned how to bribe us. My men rebelled and took actual control of the Crusaders. Fighting among themselves and then annexing each other is what these people are most used to."

"So, of course I know that these people have evil intentions, and I also know that what the Greek woman said cannot be trusted. I have to meet them in person and let them know who is the leader."

Seeing how confident she was, several knights no longer had any doubts.

They rode all the way to a fountain square in a wealthy area.A large group of people gathered there, all carrying weapons.Some were still wearing chainmail and riding horses, waiting.

Princess Jeanne asked a middle-aged knight to stay where he was, and asked Louis and another knight to go around to the opposite intersection. After she entered, she gave the secret signal and came to help.

"There are so many people, how can we help?" A young knight felt guilty.

"You just follow Sir Louis. Don't think about any tactics, just chase that flag - the one standing behind the fat man who looks the richest." She pointed to a few Greeks on the steps in the center of the square. : "Put down your helmet, pick up your sword, and charge towards that place. Do you understand?"

"I understand." The young man nodded repeatedly.

"Take out the royal flag." She ordered again.

Sir Louis dismounted and carefully took out from his bag a flag of gold fleurs-de-lis on a blue background.The young knight handed him the spear he was carrying.After lassoing, the knights respectfully raised the flag and handed it to her.Princess Jeanne rolled up the flag and asked them to go to the opposite side to prepare.

When the two men were gone, she tightened her burqa to cover her armor.After a few more minutes, he estimated that time was enough, so he nodded to the middle-aged knight and drove forward alone.

The Greeks in the square were crowded together, talking and quarreling with each other, and few noticed her.She used her spear to drive away those who blocked her path, and headed toward the center.There was a row of wooden chairs there, and several people in gorgeous clothes were sitting there talking.

Halfway through, a thug stopped her and asked her who she was.Princess Jeanne did not answer, but continued to move forward on her horse.The thugs were dissatisfied and picked up their weapons one after another, shouting at her.

"In such a big place, is there not a single person with eyes?" Princess Jeanne shouted: "With so many people in gorgeous clothes, no one knows etiquette. At least send someone here who is worthy of talking to me. What?"

When the thugs heard this, they looked at each other, feeling a little guilty, and began to wait for someone to speak.And a few people in gorgeous clothes also noticed this.A man dressed as a butler whispered to the master, quickly drove away the crowd, and trotted over.

"Princess, princess, please come this way." He pointed to the central position: "The masters of our families have been waiting for you for a long time."

With that said, he took Princess Jeanne and went to meet those people.

Several wealthy Greeks stood up, and the leader, a middle-aged man wearing a gold-decorated hat, said: "Welcome, although you are a little late, Your Highness the Princess."

"According to the previous agreement, our Kaspiros family has gathered together, and the same has happened to everyone else." He spread his hands and gestured to the others: "Now, it is your turn to fulfill the agreement."

"Of course. I hereby declare that I will accept you as my courtiers." Princess Jeanne pulled out her sword and pressed it a few times.The wealthy men did not kneel down and take the oath according to the procedure, but only bowed to express their acceptance.

However, she did not dwell on this, but continued to announce: "Now, gather your men and follow me to the north to gather at Prince Wu's Mansion."

As she said that, she looked left and right at the group of Greeks around her, and added: "Just bring your guards. For the other spectators, just let them go home."

"No, we should go to the Colosseum first." Mr. Kaspiros immediately refused: "You should give a speech to the audience over there. There is no response at all from the palace. You must call more people and defend yourself. Order in the city. When the time comes, we will take everyone to the South District to quell the rebellion, so you can just wait and feel at ease."

"I'm not discussing with you, Mr. Kaspiros, and all the 'distinguished' gentlemen." Princess Jeanne paused for a moment and put two words with somewhat contradictory meanings together: "Last time we It’s already been agreed, and you agreed just now. In that case—”

She flicked her spear and unfolded the flag: "I, Jeanne of France, am your master. You should obey my orders and not treat the lord like a fool. Remember!"

However, the surrounding Greeks were unmoved, and many even burst into laughter.Kaspiros just scoffed and shrugged.

A short man next to him, who was also wearing a silk robe, scolded directly: "I think you are crazy. Give you some face, do you really think of yourself as a princess? Bah! You don't even know whose territory this is. , Dare to order us around here!"

"So what about the princess? Who doesn't know that your Valois family is about to be subjugated by the English?" Another Greek rich man also mocked: "A barbarian still boasts that he is like a noble person. My ancestors When he was an official in the Macedonian dynasty, your ancestor Cape was still a tribal leader." "Okay, okay, don't argue with her." A rich man with a gray beard came out to flatter him: "She is also our guest. , everyone, please calm down.”

"Yes. Michael!" Kaspiros also shouted back: "You lead the people, please first ask the princess to wait here and calm down."

"Yes, sir." A strong man wearing a breastplate behind him immediately responded and moved forward.Next to it, a group of thugs and helpers also happily gathered around, preparing to drag Princess Jeanne down.

However, while they were talking, Princess Jeanne held the flag between her legs, picked up the whistle on her waist, blew once, then dropped the whistle and jerked the reins.The warhorse man stood up, raised his front hooves and kicked twice, knocking back the leader of the servants, Michael, who was approaching with a lewd smile.He kicked the horse's belly violently, and the horse immediately jumped up, raised its hind legs and kicked again. The chest of the thug behind him was dented, and several people behind him were also knocked to the ground.

Princess Jeanne took advantage of the situation and drove her horse forward.The war horse jumped onto the central platform, and the rich man who was closest was cut down by her sword.The horse galloped non-stop, knocking out the frightened Mr. Kaspiros and the chair behind him.

A thug next to her picked up a spear and rushed forward. She ducked past him and ignored him. She turned around and rushed towards the short rich man who had made the rude remarks. With the help of her horse power, she chopped down the guard in front of him with a sword.The rich man turned around to run away, but Princess Jeanne dropped her sword, leaned out, grabbed his robe, pulled him back, and dragged him a few more steps back to the center of the stage.

The other rich men didn't react quickly either. When they saw her killing someone, they fled in all directions.Princess Jeanne waved the flagpole and tripped a person next to her.She jumped off the horse, trampled the unfortunate guy who couldn't get up to the ground, then dragged the short rich man over, pulled out the dagger, put it on his neck, and shouted: "Whoever comes here again, I will kill them." !”

The other Greeks hesitated, and those in front stepped back one after another, but those behind were still pushing forward instinctively, and they fell into chaos for a while.However, the gray-bearded rich man did not know when he got up in front of the crowd. He didn't even have time to dust himself off, and shouted: "Mr. Nicholas has been kidnapped! Go and save him!"

"No, no, no!" The short Mr. Nicholas was so frightened that he shouted repeatedly. Seeing that the other party's servant did not listen, he couldn't help but cursed in an even angrier tone than before: "Marris, you... Son of a bitch! Everyone, hurry up and stop him!"

At this time, the servants of the Nikolao family hurriedly tried to intercept the Makris family thugs who were preparing to attack.However, before the two sides started fighting, there was also a noise from behind.

"F, the French are coming!" someone shouted in panic.

"What?" Even the cunning Mr. Makris didn't react.

However, he didn't have to wait too long.On one side of the square, Sir Louis and the young knight had already rushed over.The thugs and helpers did not dare to stop the running horses. Only the few Greeks on horseback rushed to intercept them.

Sir Louis did not evade, but raised his lance and charged forward.The leading Greek thrust his spear at him. He turned slightly to dodge the tip of the spear, and the other man was dismounted by him almost at the same time. The thick lance directly opened a hole in the man's breastplate, killing him on the spot.

The Greeks following him came from the right. Seeing that the distance was too close, he crossed the body of the gun and smashed the horse's leg with the handle of the gun.The horse staggered and fell out with its rider.

The third man was on the left, looking over at his neck with a knife.Sir Louis dropped his gun, raised his left shoulder, bent to the right, and withstood the blow with the enlarged armor plate on his shoulder.He smoothly pulled out the ax from the right side, turned around and swung it out, hitting the Greek on the lower back.The enemy's upper body folded sideways, rolled down, and was dragged away by the horse.

The young knight behind them slashed at the oncoming thugs.The people who rushed up stabbed him several times, but they failed to penetrate the armor. Instead, many people were chopped down along the way.The others immediately retreated to both sides at a faster speed than they could rush over, not daring to stop him.The two of them actually fought their way in and rushed to Princess Jeanne's side in one breath.Master Makris turned around and tried to run, but was chopped down with an axe. The family thugs fled in all directions.

This time, the rich men could not stop the resistance.The thugs and gangsters no longer obeyed orders and just ran around.Princess Jeanne shouted again: "Don't leave! Everyone kneels down! Put your hands up!"

No one listened to him at first, and everyone rushed to the exit at the other end.The Greek rich man who had previously accused her of being of poor blood ran the fastest this time, and at some point he was leading the way with several servants.

However, the last knight she left there was also killed.The most luxuriously dressed rich man immediately became a target.Several servants were scattered in an instant. The knight swung his hammer and smashed his head open with one blow.The fleeing thugs ran back in panic and huddled on the street corner, daring not to move.

Seeing that they all settled down, Princess Jeanne and several knights looked at each other, swung the dagger, slit the neck of the short rich man who was being held hostage, threw it aside, and took a few steps back.The rich man who was stepped on by her was still trying to get up. The young knight took hold of the sword and stabbed him down.

"One, two...oh, and the one who was killed. Five people, all together." Sir Louis nodded and turned back to report.

Princess Jeanne nodded.

"Listen, now, these ungrateful betrayers have been executed by me!" She shouted to the Greeks: "However, their family is still very powerful, and these people will definitely vent their anger on you, not Let it be easy for you. The Roman Khanate will also track down the rebels, think about it, who will become the scapegoat in the end!"

"However, I can provide you with asylum. I am from the French royal family and have my own title and nobility. The Roman Emperor has promised me to gather people here to prepare for the pilgrimage. Now that the main criminals have been brought to justice, all you need to do is By making meritorious deeds, you can wash away the charge of being a coercion. It’s up to you to choose how to do it!”

"I, we are loyal to you, princess!" The thugs in the front row agreed without much thought.

"Yes, yes, we are all loyal!" The other thugs and helpers, who had no intention of accompanying their former boss to death, all responded.

"Okay, then I'll see how you perform." Princess Jeanne nodded and raised the flag in her hand: "Remember this flag and follow me!"

With that said, she picked up the sword on the ground, carried the big flag, jumped on the horse, and left surrounded by everyone.Sir Louis followed her, while the other two knights tacitly agreed to stay at the end, driving away those who were about to fall behind, and slowly left the square.

After they walked away, in several nearby mansions, someone carefully opened the windows and looked back and forth.In the center of the square, Mr. Kaspiros, who was lying on the ground, suddenly raised his head and looked back and forth cautiously.

At the corner of the street, two figures climbed over from the wall and ran over in a hurry.

"Master, master, are you okay?" They quickly helped Kaspiros up and became concerned.

"Nonsense, how could it be okay? I was almost trampled to death by a horse!" Mr. Kaspiros said angrily: "Fortunately, I pretended to be dead, so I didn't end up dead."

"Yes, Master Makris and the others were all killed. This thief is so abominable." A servant said quickly.

"All dead?" Kaspiros looked at the corpses next to him: "Have you counted them?"

"Yes, fortunately, we reacted quickly and quickly jumped over the wall to hide. The French people didn't notice us, but we kept looking over here." Another servant explained: "I saw it with my own eyes. That All four masters were killed."

"Good death!" Kaspiros breathed a sigh of relief: "After suffering all night, it is a good thing..."

The two servants looked at each other in confusion, but Kaspiros did not explain much and threatened: "Of course, this barbarian woman cannot be let go. I have to show her some color!"

"Forget it, sir, I guess there are all French people outside!" A servant quickly dissuaded him.

"Yes, if they are just these few people, how dare they do such a big thing." Another servant also said: "Besides, the other people on our side have also been taken away by them. Now it's just the two of us. .”

"They all ran away? This group of people are eating everything in and out." Kaspiros was quite dissatisfied, but maybe he thought that he was also pretending to be dead, so he couldn't continue to complain, so he just complained.

"Master, let's talk about other things. There are only three of us now. Aren't we even more incapable of defeating them?" Seeing that he didn't speak, the servant reminded again.

"I'm not a barbarian warrior, so what's your ability if you can beat me." Kaspiros argued forcefully.After saying that, he thought for a while and waved his hand: "Let's go, help me to the Yamen of the Ministry of War!"

"Why don't you go home and hide?" The servants were a little surprised: "What are you doing there?"

"Guodaus and I are old acquaintances." Kaspiros claimed: "Let Guodaus go talk to her!"

"Yes, sir." The servants responded quickly and prepared to leave.

"Hat, hat!" Kaspiros reminded quickly.

"Oh, yes, hat!" A servant hurriedly ran two steps, retrieved the luxurious hat from under the table, patted it, and put it on Kaspiros' bald head.The two held him and quickly escaped from another way.

(End of this chapter)