Eagle Byzantium

In the Grand Palace on the seaside of Constantinople, Godfrey, Baldwin, Peter, Gottschalk, and many noble counts from West Frank were wearing various animal sweaters of snow white, brown, and red. Collar, eye-catchingly embroidered in silk The smock of the cross, the smooth and beautiful armor, and the sword inlaid with gold and diamonds all appeared in the palace lined with porphyry columns. Most people were full of praise for this building that reflected the nobility and majesty of the Roman emperor and were full of excitement. A state of awe.

Alexios, who was sitting high on the throne, was also surprised by the bravery of this group of Frankish lords who he originally regarded as country bumpkins. "It would be great if Anna was still here. She would have recorded this historic event with a pen." Dramatic moment." The emperor thought of his eldest daughter a little sadly, although he had previously vowed in his heart to treat her as Apata Philotes and no longer worry about her or pray for her.

"Dedicated to the Most High Holy Apostle Emperor." Godfrey leaned on his sword and held a bouquet of flowers in his hand. On it was tied a booklet in which he and the other lords swore allegiance to the emperor, and walked up the steps. . Alexios stood up in a hurry, walked down two steps deliberately (the number was calculated by him in advance, so that he did not need to appear downgraded or make the Franks think he was too arrogant), and took over the Duke of Lower Lorraine. The flowers were presented, and then the whole scene froze for a moment, with everyone's eyes waiting. Finally, Alexios opened his arms and kissed each other's cheeks politely, very lightly, very lightly.

All Byzantine and Roman ministers, generals, court officials, and Frankish lords cheered in unison, "Please stay in this city for a while, and let me do my best as a landlord and entertain all the noble nobles at my daughter's wedding ceremony." man."

"Please ask His Majesty the Emperor to arrange a ship as soon as possible to send us across the strait. There is a lone army. It is also His Majesty's servant. He is fighting against the infidels there alone and saving the suffering believers there." Godfrey sincerely refused.

Alexios still maintained a smile, "I have mobilized troops to rescue the believers in Chivite and Nicaea who were trapped."

"I can't wait for Your Majesty, because according to reports from our people, there is no sign of sending troops at His Majesty's fortress in Xiaoya."

Fortunately, these words were said in a relatively low voice, which made the emperor feel quite embarrassed, "My fast horses are coming to report. Immediately Toulouse, Normandy, and the brother of the King of France will come with their armies. Then I will also send General Xin Ai , wouldn’t it be more appropriate to join you and attack the thieves?”

"Your Majesty, the kiss between you and me just now was a kiss of peace and submission, and it was also a kiss of alliance against the heretics. If your Majesty wants to send troops, they can come later. But I still say the same thing, the situation cannot wait. , If tens of thousands of pilgrims are slaughtered, I believe it will not only be us, but also His Majesty's dignity will be greatly damaged." After Godfrey finished speaking, he walked down the steps and supported him. He took Baldwin's arm and said loudly, "To show our sincerity in using the fleet, I am willing to take my brother as a hostage and keep him in your majesty's palace - we will travel along Asia Minor, from Nicaea to Antioch." All the fortresses and towns taken from the Turks and other pagans will be handed over to His Majesty unconditionally. I swear in front of the Lord that I will never break my promise!"

See the Duke of Lorraine. The emperor was secretly happy, but he still had to make a high profile, "There is no need for this. I can dispatch all the fleets on the left and right of the strait, and commandeer civilian ships from the Imperial Capital, Gallipoli, and Thessaloniki to assist you in transporting the army across the strait." Hai. In addition, not only do I not ask for hostages from you, I am also willing to take Prince John as a hostage and pledge it. Come to your army." This proposal was naturally strongly declined by Godfrey, and the two parties finally reached an agreement: the hostage exchange could not reflect the sincerity of both parties, so it was cancelled; the proceeds of the pilgrimage army along the way were to be returned to Emperor Comnenus; and the Emperor Auxiliary troops, ships, and supplies were sent to fully support the pilgrims.

Then, when all the lords bowed and exited the palace one after another, the emperor looked at the hermit who had established himself as the head of the palace with complicated eyes, and said to the great eunuch Nicodemia, "Keep your promise and give the five thousand coins to that man." Gold coins - In addition, I will add another three hundred coins for the hermit to transfer to Gawain, as a dowry for Apate Philotes... After all, I had planned the arrangements when she left. I didn’t even have time to give away my dowry..."

"Your Majesty..." Xiaoniao couldn't help but wailed, tears streaming down his eyes.

Alexios also tried his best to raise his face to prevent his tears from coming out. He looked at the paintings on the dome of the palace, the tapestries and curtains, but he still couldn't completely forgive Anna in his heart. Why was she so cruel, and why did she encounter such a cruel situation? After meeting the man you like , she stabbed the "poisoned dagger" into her father's heart without hesitation - like a nightingale temporarily perched on the canopy of a tree, she flew away without any shame or responsibility and wandered with a wild eagle. , not caring about the owner of the room at all.

"Nicdemia, don't get me wrong. That's just my duty as a father. From now on, I will still be the enemy of Gawain and Apat, as long as they dare to do the slightest harm to me. If anything happens, we will annihilate it cleanly and will not give Apate any chance."

Half a minute later, Diognis, Mikhail and Titicius, together with Andronicus Branas, who had just been summoned from Adrianople, walked out of the curtain and knelt down. Under the emperor's order.

"The situation in Asia Minor is assigned to you. Diogenes, you assist Branus, with 200 Pronian cavalry and 1,000 Tecopo archers, following Gawain; Mikhail assists Taitisius, with 100 Pronian cavalry and 4,000 infantry, following Godfrey and Bohemond. Not only will you cooperate with the pilgrims in the battle, but you will also shoulder the responsibility of supervision. I will order the fleet of Asasidus to assist you. I have already seen that Isaac and Branus are all useless with empty honors (Is it really okay for you to say that, Your Majesty?), I will transfer them to the west to serve, and the future of the empire's Ante and the restoration of Asia Minor will depend on you all present."

"Your Majesty, your servant does not want to follow Gawain." Diogenes bowed his head and requested loudly.

"Tell me the reason."

"After all, I have fought side by side with him, and I always lag behind him in everything. If I face him, I will definitely lose."

Alexius laughed and said that the guard was really a frank person. Then he fell silent, "In fact, in your and Mikhail's hearts, you still hope to continue to fight side by side with Gawain, rather than become enemies..."

Hearing this, Mikhail leaned down in fear, but Diogenes continued to be frank, "Your Majesty is right."

The emperor laughed a little desolately, "Forget it, you and Mikhail switch positions." (To be continued ~^~)