Eagle Byzantium

The core city of the so-called alliance proposed by the emperor was of course the city of Bari, plus Ancona, Foca and other children. Among them, Ancona was originally a city loyal to Emperor Alexios, but now it was transferred to Gawain's account; and then Gawain also returned Talking freely to Raonix: "This city alliance is not just focused on the Adriatic Sea. Cities such as Amalfi and Naples on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Genoa in Liguria and other cities can join! We don’t dislike our friends There are many financial and commercial concessions among the alliances. Of course, as long as they are willing to provide assistance to the empire, they can also set up commercial port areas in the imperial capital or other islands and cities in the empire, and use the tower for the exclusive purchase rights of bidding materials. Once the request is made, everyone will get benefits and convenience. If the Palermo palace approves, everyone will no longer have to fight each other, and the various commercial city-states can return to Sicily to continue doing business, and your palace can continue to collect commercial taxes. "

Raonix did not give an answer on the spot, but he said that the possibility of the king agreeing to this plan is quite high.

Gawain was very satisfied, and generously gave Laonix ten pieces of purple-dyed silk clothes with gold thread borders. "They are made of shell dye from Tyre, and one piece can be worth as much as The price of thirty pieces of ordinary silk clothes.”

In fact, in private, Gawain continued to bribe the envoy, and his attitude was very different from that of the Venetian Ledger. He understood that many Sicilian figures, including Laionicus, were once subjects of the Roman Empire. Now as long as the country is revived, their centrifugal force against Norman rule will increase, and by then sending troops will be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

As for whether there is really a lasting peace with Sicily?

"Are you kidding..." The emperor had already begun to formulate a long-term plan in his mind.

The schedule of recovering Sicily cannot be delayed for too long. If it is delayed any longer, it will really be wiped out by Norman rule. In addition, Gawain knows that the resilience of the Normans is terrible, and he cannot let Simon or Roger take advantage of the opportunity to become a new enemy. Climate - When the fleet is formed and the situation in the east becomes clear, his first priority will be Sicily.

As for the "Italy plus city alliance", Gawain just wanted to build a "pro-Roman vassal city-state group" on the other side of the strait, so that in the future, his military operations in Italy would not only have access to roads and springboards, but also rely on The fleets of these cities strangled Venice and blocked it. This was called a strategy of defeating each other.

While the emperor was chatting on horseback with the Sicilian envoy, a new colorful tent was set up in Basilisa by Lake Ohrid, with a banquet lined up outside. The slaves and female officials were preparing exquisite and delicious wine, meat and pastries. But Anna Baselisa in the tent was using a harsh and vicious tone to impose harsh truce conditions on the Venetian envoy Ledger.

"In the past, your city was a viceroyalty. In the past, my father needed your strength to grant you some trivial powers, but you used these powers to do evil. Now I am announcing the withdrawal of the title of 'Grand Noble' and the salary of the Venetian Consul. Gold, in addition to abolishing all previous treaties signed by Venice and the Empire and John the Tyrant. If your country is still obsessed with using any item in the abandoned treaty for any diplomatic or military occasion, it is tantamount to declaring war on the Empire. "

Ledger's face turned blue and he felt like he was suffering from a fever. The sun was shining brightly outside and the people outside were laughing and joking, but he was feeling timid and depressed sitting in the chief seat inside.

Then Anna pulled out another memo from Agnes and continued to read: "You have brought a plea for peace, hoping that the Roman Empire will sheath the sword that is ready to kill you. This is good. But we need It's about sincerity - Venice must pay an indemnity totaling 1.2 million Byzantine gold coins for five years so that the empire can consider reopening. Let you sail to Egypt and the Levant. In addition, Venice must compensate the empire for 60 galleys. The country will only retain 30 for navigation and self-defense, and the city-state’s military workshops must be suspended. We will Send an inspection team to your country to strictly prohibit your country from engaging in any affairs that may threaten the empire, such as the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction, artillery and ships. "

Ledger's cheek muscles were stretched and twitching. He crossed his fingers to support his excited chin, and said to Baselisa in a tone that tried to suppress his anger, "This is simply dismembering and destroying our city-state. I hope your Majesty can Show me the memorandum of diplomatic terms to the court of Palermo. Diplomacy requires fairness."

"Where does fairness come from in diplomacy?" the little Baselisa at the desk waved and shouted, "The hope of fairness was shattered first when my two giant cannons of lion and bear roared. The walls of Razor fell earlier."

Agnes, who was beside her, was also holding the dossier and sneered at Ledger, "If the envoy doesn't want to hear any more, I can arrange to end the meeting early, let the envoy have a meal, and then take the boat back to the lagoon."

Ledger moved his hand to cover his face, then pinched the bridge of his nose in distress, maintaining a respectful tone and begging Basilisa to continue speaking.

"Your country can restore an office in the imperial capital and maintain communication with the lagoon every year to facilitate the payment of compensation and the provision of imperial tribute." Anna thought she was very generous, and added, "The merchants of your country have collected money from various places. Exotic birds, animals and pets can also be handed over as tribute for my pleasure. I want to build a zoo in the new palace. "

After narrating this small request, Anna began to talk about the issue of territory. She proposed that "The Venetians must withdraw from Rhodes, Crete, Modon, Corfu, Zara and other seaport strongholds recorded in the terms. Because these places and their customs are sacred and inherent territories of the empire."

When Ledger finally stood up tremblingly, he felt that the energetic little queen in front of him seemed to have been talking endlessly for half a century. It was hard to imagine how he had endured the past ten days or so. Anyway, everyone All kinds of humiliating and destructive demands pierced his head and heart like countless sharp swords, causing him to sweat profusely and his feet were numb. Finally, two imperial guards supported him, let him walk up the steps, and took the hand. Anna handed him the peace treaty text.

"Sign." Anna said, and the ink controller Agnes put the reed pen dipped in ink into Ledger's hand.

Ledger held the pen, his hand tilted, and it almost slipped and fell.

Agnes stepped forward, solemnly stretched out her hands, and without saying a word, firmly held the old noble's hand and the reed pen again. The whole atmosphere solidified, and the empress of the empire slightly lowered her beautiful and wise brown eyes to look at it. Ledger.

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The corners of Ledger's mouth were twisted in great pain. He stared at the tip of the pen and the lines of text on the treaty document, feeling dizzy and dizzy.