Eagle Byzantium

Hearing this decisive answer, Anselm's smile froze, but he did not dare to say anything, "If we transport physical objects, the ship will suffer a lot if the voyage is too long."

"I'm sorry, the prohibition in Seleucia and Cilicia is very clear. It is strictly forbidden for coins made of gold and silver to flow to any country."

"But this is the sacred tithe."

"Dear Patriarch, I have not resisted the tithe, but gold and silver currency are as important in the political body of the entire country as blood is in the human body. If it is lost, the country will be weak and collapse. Don't talk about gold Silver coins, even the saffron copper coins we cast ourselves, will also be strictly prohibited from being circulated by merchants for a period of time, because the war is about to start, and the soldiers' rewards and salaries will cost a lot of copper coins." Gawain looked grim and unambiguous.

At this time, it was Wright who smiled, shrugged and rubbed his hands, and came to smooth things over, "It's better to do this. The tithe must be paid, and Seleucia's coins cannot be lost. It will be winter soon for ships carrying physical objects, and it will be difficult to cross the sea." Go to Rome. Just give the tithe to Lord Anselm for overall planning and use it to build Catholic churches throughout Seleucia and Cilicia. Wouldn’t this be the best of both worlds? "

"Wright's plan is good. I agree with it. What about you?" As soon as Wright finished speaking, Gawain directly pressed his patriarch and said, "When the time comes, all the tithes will be given to you. I will not be responsible for financial supervision."

"Yes, yes." Anselm could only lower his ostrich head in approval.

"In return, my dear Patriarch, you must consecrate weapons for my army in the upcoming war, and please write a letter to the Apostolic Church in Fanka City now to express the good-neighborly and friendly attitude of both parties. "

"But Your Highness the Grand Duke, I don't know how to use Armenian script." Anselm didn't know what medicine was in Gawain's gourd, so he hurriedly declined. But Gawain didn't care at all whether he knew the Armenian script or not, "It doesn't matter. Many of the Orson family know this script. You just need to hand over the seal and sign it when the time comes."

Anselm was stunned, and then Gawain ignored him and started talking and discussing with several officers around him, as if he was not the Patriarch of Seleucia at all, but just a person carrying stationery or supplies for the Grand Duke. Like a young man in the saddle, the Patriarch swallowed a few mouthfuls of spit and looked at the autumn scenery. Looking at the majestic Lamplun Mountains, he couldn't help but hurriedly tighten his shawl tighter, because the wind was a bit cold, and no one paid attention to him. Only the eagle was chewing food, with its shining eyes. With a little curiosity, looking at his bald head was like looking at a bird egg...

On the second Sunday in October, the gates of the great mountain castle Fanka opened. Amidst the loud trumpets and cheers, Prince Reuben wore a brand-new golden crown, rode a striking white horse, and waved towards The people bowing and kneeling beside the city walls and roads greeted him. Behind him were many people wearing smocks. The Royal Guards Cavalry with chain armor, each of them showed an arrogant look under their iron helmets. When they reached the foot of the castle, groups of Armenian civilian army soldiers who had been mobilized also waved flags Under the guidance of their respective leaders, they joined Prince Ruben's large group.

They were about to pass through the fertile plains of Eastern Cilicia sandwiched between the Sanus and Philamis rivers, and then pass through the Armenian Pass to accept Edessa, Samosata and other "surrendered to themselves". The key to the castle.

During this period, Prince Reuben went extremely smoothly. Under his exquisite diplomatic skills imitated from Constantinople, the lords such as Fell and Cusus who originally surrendered to the Normans were willing to come to his side anyway. Taprunzi also successfully persuaded the consul of Edessa, "Barak the Greek", to change his banner at the castle and join the family of the Kingdom of Ruben. It is said that even Tancred's lair, Samosata, Many Armenian and Greek dignitaries recognized and hoped to serve themselves.

Taprenz had previously "sent" a cipher message to the city of Vanka, saying that as long as the prince mobilized a large army to respond, he would be able to eliminate the Norman forces without any obstacles and march Marash to Edessa. Many castles were given to the prince.

While the iron was hot, Reuben immediately mobilized a force of 10,000 people, ranging from nobles to civilians, including 3,000 cavalry, and began to gallop towards the Ammonos Pass to cope with the entire "big tide anyway" , it was worthwhile for him to face the Norman Bohemond alone, and he knew that if it were not for the support of the Armenian lords, the Normans would not even be able to reach the city of Antioch with their small strength.

What's more, the Holy See in Rome over there personally canonized me as a "State of Brothers". I followed the people's will and took over some territory, which was very moral and moral, both publicly and privately.

Not only the city of Rome, but also Constantinople, Prince Ruben also sent an emissary to inquire about it beforehand: As a result, the emperor in the camp in Nicaea personally supported his action and even sent two hundred pounds. Gold, to support great achievements.

The only thing worth worrying about is Gawain. He has one brigade in Seleucia and two brigades in Syria Gate, both of which are relatively close to Reuben's territory. But at this moment, when the army was dispatched, Reuben had nothing to worry about - Emperor Komnenos had ordered Gawain's army to go north and gather in Cappadocia to prepare for a battle with the Danishmond Turks. Gawain himself had previously sent diplomatic letters in the name of his patriarch and John, the Patriarch of Antioch, saying that he was willing to settle disputes with the Kingdom of Reuben and "jointly develop Cilicia". He also said, "I killed the Calegos brothers to avenge the Armenians" to invite favors. It seems that he was afraid that he would be attacked by Reuben's army after going north.

But Prince Reuben was still not at ease. Before he sent out his troops, he "knocked" Gawain: Under his secret instructions, the cavalry of the Armenian nobles attacked several villages belonging to Polybius Blachamios (a Ginat noble loyal to Gawain), killed many innocent villagers, and occupied the land. But then Gawain's envoys only came to spend money, asked for the bodies to be buried, and asked both sides to survey the border and sign a guarantee treaty of non-aggression.

"Gawain is incapable, he will be quiet for the time being." Reuben was secretly happy, so he asked someone to send back the "guarantee treaty", and then he was eager to lead his army to his supply center Castabala.

The huge city of Castabala is located in the triangle where two rivers meet, surrounded by fertile plains and hills, and is also the granary of the entire Reuben Kingdom. After getting supplies from here, Prince Reuben only needs to continue moving forward for three or four days to reach his destination and intimidate the entire Edessa area.

After the second Sunday, the prince handed over the castle, which was a mixture of plains and rivers, to the Armenian noble Mamikonian to guard. He then led another brave noble, Saliki, as the cavalry leader, broke camp outside the city, and slowly and calmly continued to advance towards the Amonos Mountains. (To be continued ~^~)