Eagle Byzantium

At almost the same time as Titicius went ashore to the city of Atalia, the embarrassed Earl of Blois and his party first arrived in the city of Adana and were ridiculed by the people who stayed behind. Although they received some supplies, they were questioned by the followers. However, noise arose, so the Count of Blois did not dare to stay, and sternly ordered the knights and sergeants under his banner not to discuss any issues privately, because "their trip was ordered to negotiate with the Emperor of Constantinople about reinforcements." "of.

The next day, they passed the castle of Sichistra, a lord under Gawain, and also received food and wine. "I want to go to the city of Tarsus," this was the request of the Count of Blois. .

The Brotherhood of Brocades in the city agreed and sent a guide to the count, but some of them advised Stephen, "In Tarsus, the emperor has never been able to send qualified officials to govern (because it was surrounded and blocked by Gawain's territory). ,one It has always been an isolated enclave), and the city has no income (nonsense, even the shipping and farmland and workshops on the outskirts of the city are occupied by farmers in Gawain). Many of the soldiers guarding the city have fled. Sir, if you go, I’m afraid I won’t even be able to get supplies.”

The Earl of Blois was greatly embarrassed, and suddenly felt that he had no way out, but at this moment, a cavalry galloped from the city of Seleucia, holding a document and found him, "The great and wise purple princess of the empire, governor of the Seleucia country. Director of the Department of Agriculture, the entire leadership Her Highness Anna Ducasse, mistress of the royal court, almshouses, and colleges, sincerely invites you to come to her insignificant but hospitable territory, provide you with suitable food and resources, and can open the road to Constantine for you. The Road to Dimburg.”

To be honest, at the farewell banquet on the Orontes River, Gawain had told him that if things went wrong and Little Alexander Castle couldn't stay, he could retreat to his Seleucia, and he and Anna would both Warmly welcome.

Count Blois, who was moved by lamentation, summoned his wife, brother and others, "There are still many remnants of Turkic bandits wandering on the plateaus of Cappadocia and Konya, and the terrain is difficult to navigate. Everyone who traveled there should know that, so at the invitation of the Grand Duke of the Greek Empire... it was the hostess of Seleucia anyway, we took the flat road to Sicily and then passed there to go to the pilgrimage. emperor."

After the calculation was settled, Count Blois sent a messenger back to report the news.

Soon the palace of Seleucia became busy. The people who worked here were mainly women, most of whom were recruited from among the subjects and supervised by the cupbearer "Fat Staurachos". Therefore, the fat eunuch often complained about this group of rural people. The woman lacked etiquette education and necessary skills, and Anna responded: I have increased your salary, and you are responsible for teaching the smart maids among them, and then asking them to train others.

Sometimes, after the princess in purple has finished handling the agricultural affairs, she will personally gather the maids to give lectures: after three months, the Seleucia court has achieved a small scale, with German women working professionally in nurseries, and mixed-race women In the kitchen, Greek women were responsible for supervision of etiquette and palace hygiene.

However, when Anna was inspecting the preparations for the upcoming banquet for Count Stephen, when the ink master Agnes reported to her that there was still a lack of curtains to cover the hall, because there were some exquisite patterns on them, which were not the weavers of our court. capable.

Anna was very unhappy, saying that there was a lack of women with such dexterity, and the training time could not be as convenient as nursery and cooking skills.

"How about urgently summoning Mrs. Qise and that person? It is said that the latter is an expert in this field." The fat eunuch bowed behind the skirt of the purple-robed princess, smiled flatteringly, and suggested.

Anna also lowered her eyes and laughed. Sure enough, this was a good opportunity to suppress the blond girl. "If you go and summon her, why not hand over the weaver's workshop in the palace to her and ask her to serve me."

After the fat eunuch left, Anna summoned Birel, who stayed in the city and was responsible for supervising and training the civilian army, and met him in the hall at the highest point of the acropolis. "You will immediately send my guards and the trained soldiers Thirty people from the elite civilian army came out and lined up on both sides and around the hall, holding sophisticated weapons, halberds, swords and battle axes, as well as distinctive blouses and flags to reflect the majesty of our palace. "

"My Majesty, I must let the Count of Blois know about the power and prosperity of our country and the palace." The simple and honest Birel thought that Anna did this to give the Count of Blois some "color". , who came to show off the wealth of Seleucia, turned around and walked down the stairs with the sound of armor.

Soon the strong and mighty soldiers came to pay their respects one after another. Anna, who was sitting on the high chair, was instantly satisfied and kept saying to Agnes who was standing next to her, "This time I must show my mistress's power." Majesty, this solution will make you stronger in the following years.”

"You said the same thing last time, but you let the vixen escape completely. Now she still owns the four richest market towns in the country." Agnes couldn't help but want to criticize the princess for being naive in this matter. .

But Anna obviously had a chance to win, wagging her finger, triumphantly, "You don't know something, little sunfish..."

"Please don't call me such a nickname. This is simply a malicious ridicule to the oldest and most glorious Pulani family." Agnes closed her eyes and rejected Anna's nickname with aggrievedness. But she never dared to show resistance when Gawain shouted like this.

"Okay, let's put it this way. You have to know that a female fox like Cabeamia has never known the etiquette of being a human (the people in Anna's mouth refer to the nobles) since she was a child. She often climbs trees to pick leaves to write (purely Anna's imagination). When she grows up a little, she lives with a group of heretic men. She grew up in the wilderness and killing. She is just like a child adopted by foxes and does not understand any teachings of the holy apostles. So when facing me who grew up in the elegant purple palace, she always has a lot of tricks and deceives the kind and real me everywhere. But the widow is different. Although she was born in the wild Varyag on the other side of the ocean, she married into the Mesadini family very early. This family is as ancient and honorable as your Prani. In her heart, a good concept of hierarchy has long been cultivated. This is the result of being immersed in the essence of the empire's culture. So, does she dare to argue and resist anything when facing me, Anna Ducas? I asked her to work in the palace, which is just a verbal order." Anna talked endlessly and confidently.

At this moment, the fat eunuch rushed in and knelt down in front of Anna's throne. "Well, is he here?" Anna asked.

Stavrachos looked a little flustered, "He is here, but..." (To be continued ~^~)