Eagle Byzantium

More than 100,000 pilgrims in the Chivit camp volunteered to cross mountains and rivers to transport food, wood and wine for the army besieging the city. Among them, Peter and Gottschalk organized a team of 10,000 people, calling themselves the "Nicaea Pilgrim Armed Group", divided into four teams, deployed along the way, and even transported heavy equipment and boats for the large company.

In advance, Gawain sent out his confidential officer Andeodate to draft this transportation plan, which was delivered to the hands of the chief priest and the chief bowl by Pegasus. Gawain's idea was that the transportation route needed to pass through the mountain road of the castle of Parkard, so it was necessary to "divide, disassemble, mark, and assemble", that is, to divide the 10,000 logistics support troops into four teams, and deploy them in the port, pasture, mountain pass and the passage under the city, and let Andreev Yeergo assist and guide, and the sailors participated in the process, disassembling and packing food and other supplies, including "Porcupine" archery machines, stone shooters, and even Slavic light boats (because Gawain considered the difficulty of being besieged on the lake and needed a fleet), on two-wheeled carts and four-wheeled ox carts, and marked each part with detailed numbers, so that it would be easy to transport to the camp and reassemble again.

"For the little kingdom of heaven, the city of Nicaea is glorious!" Anyway, Gottschalk and his group of believers were so encouraging, and people also responded, without regrets, and carried out the tense and heavy tasks with high enthusiasm.

There were also women in strange clothes, who continued to hold the "holy goose" and "holy badger" in cages, urging them in a stern voice, accompanied by the sound of drums, trumpets, and flutes, which spread from Chivite to Nicaea over mountains and ridges.

"Little kingdom of heaven? Is this bastard, General Sibo, a little crazy?" Peter, who was in charge of the general coordination in the tent, muttered unhappily.

However, despite Peter's dissatisfaction, the slogan of "little kingdom of heaven" worked wonders. In just two days, the important materials and equipment of the Dalian team were transported to various siege fortresses very well and smoothly. "Very good. Now Gottschalk, you and Diogenes, with some light cavalry and the support of the armed regiments, will be deployed on the cliffs, paths and swamps on both sides of the camp. Anyone who attempts to enter the city must be arrested. There are only two types of people who still want to go to Nicaea. One is our army, and the other is the spies of the Sultan of Konia's army." Standing on the earthen rampart where the catapult was being carried and built, Gawain made the arrangements with satisfaction, and then he continued. "Andreev, you and a company of sailors, with hooks, bows and arrows, tinderboxes, and thirty Slavic light boats, will build a protruding waterside fortress along the junction of the south side of the camp and the lake, and try to cut off the external connection of the water gate in the city."

"Your Excellency. There are no thirty ships left. Although we have tried hard, there should be less than twenty intact ships in the future."

"That's fine. Samuel Fa. The siege equipment will be entrusted to you, and there are also ship repairs, camp construction, and analysis of the defense of Nicaea."

Looking at Gawain's command on the earthen rampart, the camp was in full swing and in order, and Agnes Plani in the scarf was hiding at the side of the tent door and spying, "This barbarian is quite capable and capable."

"In fact, Gawain Russell is very smart. He just lacks etiquette and book education." Anna, who was sitting at the table behind and assisting Gawain's confidential officer in handling documents and letters, said approvingly with a pen in hand. Then Stavlachos, who was serving beside her, handed her drinking water mixed with nectar, and then from time to time handed her a small mirror (given by Lady Goldhild. Anna had written a special letter of thanks yesterday), which reflected Anna's sweet night of the previous two days. Because of the kiss, her lips were still a little swollen, and Anna's face turned red again. She was still thinking about how to use the green bottle. This made Agnes Plani, who looked back at her, very unhappy - she vaguely knew what happened between Gawain and Anna, but she couldn't stop it. She was jealous, and the annoying fat eunuch became more proud and arrogant during this period.

"Wait, Gawain. There will be a time when you will ask me for help in terms of siege equipment and boats." Agnes had not forgotten the harsh words she had said to Gawain before, but in the passive state, she seemed to take the initiative to serve the Red Hand Dalian Team.

By noon, the craftsmen had gradually configured several stone-throwing machines and aimed them at the city walls and towers on the east side of Nicaea. In addition, the "porcupine" archery machines were arranged along the west side of the camp. The stockades to block the enemy's attack were also ready. At the back of the camp gate, Diogenes was leading the lightly armed Pecheneg riders and the armed regiments with simple weapons to move towards a farther place, and set up sentries closely to echo each other. In the training ground of the camp, various infantry companies were training in different areas, and the sound of killing was deafening, preparing for a deadly battle with the Turks.

Sometimes, even Taitsius seemed to be in a dream. The situation changed too quickly, and he felt a little overwhelmed and dazzled. Previously, when he was in the Tomb of Basil, his team and the Gawain Company were each lined up in a spear formation and fought desperately. Now they have become friendly forces fighting side by side.

"Once reinforcements arrive, General Tititisius's troops and my infantry will go out of the camp and line up to defend bravely. I will lead my elite troops to ambush on the north side of the battlefield, waiting for an opportunity to defeat the enemy." This was the agreement reached between Gawain and Tititisius. Then he was worried, "I just don't know whether Godfrey's efforts to deal with the Normans have worked, and whether my letters have worked. You know, in besieging the city and defeating the reinforcements, and finally defeating the enemy, the Norman cavalry will also play an immeasurable role."

Bohemond opened and read Gawain's letter immediately. "Gawain, this bastard, has the nerve to ask me to borrow troops? He also wants to borrow the Holy Banner Cavalry! He said he wants to defeat the invading Cornea. Reinforcements from the Sudan are the best option, so the credit goes to him." The Duke of Apulia thought about whether the deal was worthwhile, but Gawain's confession in the letter made him even more suspicious.

But yesterday Godfrey also sent an envoy, carrying generous gifts and letters, telling him a more noteworthy message, "The Greek emperor in Constantinople sent two counts, Robert and Stephen, to lead the army. Crossed the sea and besieged the city of Nicaea, but kept the highest-ranking Raymond and Xiu in the palace, spending every day with money, gifts and The beauty came to bribe them - it is said that the emperor is bribing these two people, or one of them, to serve as the leader of all pilgrims. Once this matter is finalized, you and I will be in a very embarrassing position. Therefore, let's work together to get it. Go down to the city of Nicaea, then divide the merits equally so that these two have no merit, then get rid of them and continue to march towards the Holy Tomb freely. "

"Godfrey's statement may not be unreasonable..." Bohemond was hesitant again.

"How about we instigate Robert of Normandy to attack the city first with his troops and test the defense of Nicaea. Then depending on the situation, we will decide whether to send the Holy Banner Cavalry to Gawain. Anyway, this group of warlike people It is completely useless in a siege." This was Tancred's suggestion.

"Why Robert of Normandy?"

"Because he is recognized as the stupidest."

Sure enough, when Bohemond said a few nice words and sent some money the next day, Robert of Normandy ignored the persuasion of another serious Robert and took dozens of selected cavalry - among them With several brave knights and chain-mail servants on horseback, Bohemond appointed 300 Calabrian and Sicilian light soldiers to serve as cover. Under banners, they approached Constantinus in Nicaea. Mu's Gate.

The Gate of Constantine Tim was specially strengthened by Ibn Maimon during this period. The vizier divided the entire city into three defensive areas, which could be defended independently or supported by each other through the streets. : One of them, Attaberg named Jigasadin, led the army to defend the main gate, with a total of one thousand soldiers. ; Hajib commanded 3,000 men and guarded various side gates on the north side; Toulun, a nobleman from Khorasan, led 1,000 soldiers to guard the new gate (east gate); the rest, the old and the weak, were sent to guard the new gate (east gate). Watergate was relatively peaceful; in the end Maimun personally took charge of mobilizing all parties in the meeting hall of the Sultan's palace.

The reason why Maimon deployed the defenses in this way was because the north side of the city of Nicaea had a longer wall and more gates, so he gave Hajib more troops to prevent him from being unable to cope with it. As for the Gate of Constantine, Maimon was completely at ease. "In fact, Jigasadin only brought 300 men with bows, arrows, boiling oil, and ballistae to hold it. The remaining 700 men were actually used as mobile weapons." The reserve team is here to use it," Vizier said with confidence, because of this. The city gate has two layers of heavy iron gates, as well as tall and protruding gate towers on both sides like fortresses. Inside, Maimon also followed the engineering wisdom of the Crescent Sect and built a new wall battle channel that is closed to the city gate. , forming a "killing place" like a urn city.

At the third hour of the morning, when the sun was at its strongest, Gawain, who was holding a sundial and looking at the earthen ramparts, heard the thunderous shouts of the Franks over there, "What? Could it be that Godfrey and the others are greedy for credit?" Come on, have you started attacking the city? Muzafi Adin, hurry up and go to the camp over there to find out the news."

Soon, the Turkic army servants came back on horseback and reported to the Grand Duke who continued to stand on the fort, "It was not Lord Godfrey, but the Normans over there who suddenly attacked and disturbed the Franks."

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"When did Bohemond become so stupid?" Gawain wondered.

On the high tower of Nicaea, the Greek residents who were forced to assist in the defense were controlling the ballistae one by one under the supervision and coercion of the Turkic scimitars, and fired violently at the pre-marked area under the city. Spears and flying stones roared into the Norman siege array, causing dust and flesh to fly everywhere. One of the bravest knights under Bert's command had his neck broken by a stone before he could ride a hundred steps away. He died under his horse. People were knocked down one by one, including Bert. Including the Calabrian soldiers supported by Hemond, at first people still held up their shields and tried hard to cross the ditch and climb the city wall. But then behind the curtain wall, Rohm's archers began to appear.

"Force us under the wall, so they can't shoot us!" Robert was indeed brave. Despite the constant arrows, he was still on horseback supervising the battle, and he personally wielded his sword and approached the wall of Nicaea. (To be continued ~^~)