The inn in the village of Biyes is very distinctive. Perhaps influenced by the commercial republics and later the Ottomans, the interior was set up in a very different way from the traditional Roman inn.

Divided by marble columns and fine textured wood, with beaded curtains separating the doors and windows, this blend of Eastern and Western architectural techniques would have been so extravagant that it is hard to imagine in a small village of Epirus that it is impossible to imagine such a scene in a small and unremarkable village in Epirus.

After the attendants put down Sophia's shoulders, they led several heavily armored horses to the manger. If in the camp of the Phoenix Legion, such war horses are carefully fed with special forage, and in special periods, even the horses are wronged.

"Morey, let everyone take turns to rest and be on guard in turn. At first glance, those militiamen are cannibals who don't spit out bones. ”

"Yes, Your Highness."

After a short rest in the afternoon, in the evening, Sophia and John's sleepiness had eased a little.

It's just that the group of militia dressed people who went out to collect taxes gave John a very bad feeling.

The people who hold the lowest level of power dare to act so boldly and recklessly, and it is no wonder that the port of Yavel has not been repaired for so long.

I am afraid that this thriving scene is also filled with the blood and sweat of the people of Biyes Village little by little.

"This is the Empire...... If the territories, bureaucrats and local rulers after the recovery are like this, the empire will still not be able to change the outcome of its demise! ”

The title of governor of Epirus hung vacant for so long, and the situation of local secession can be imagined. Perhaps in every fortress or town, there was a governor, consul, count, baron, and the like who were not recognized by the empire. The whole of Epirus is no different from Greece in the time of the city-states.

Although John was extremely disgusted by this phenomenon, he at least knew that this situation was not a matter of one or two days, and that there must be mutual concealment or protection between the separatist forces, and only the civilians at the bottom were the objects of exploitation.

As for the militia I encountered in the morning, I am afraid that it is only the tip of the iceberg. More than a dozen thugs with poor equipment and little actual combat experience dared to open their mouths like this, and no one would believe that there was no shelterer behind them.

However, Sophia did not seem surprised by this phenomenon, and in her eyes, Epirus was only slightly more serious.

"It can't be generalized, at least Greece and Achaea also provide stable tax revenue, security, and trade. Your Majesty has asked us to be a governor here, probably to exercise your abilities in this area. Sophia continued to work on the decipherment of the manuscript, which had already cost too much money. After officially taking over Epirus, I'm afraid there won't be much time to deal with.

"While it is clear to me that bureaucratic corruption is almost inevitable, it should not be in the newly restored territory of the Empire."

Sophia raised her head and glanced at John, who was quite indignant, and asked with a smile: "It is precisely because of the recent recovery that some local people who have private soldiers and claim to be nobles will be given opportunities. Because during the Ottoman rule, the status of the common people here was also oppressed. Now it's just a change of people who have come to oppress. Their identity has not even been recognized by the church or the royal family. The kids are just messing around......"

"I even doubt that this group of bureaucrats on one side has imperial citizenship. If they were bound by imperial law, they should have known full well that such an act could not escape being burned at the stake. ”

"If there is really a power politics to establish and consolidate the future rule of Epirus...... It is indeed necessary to make an example of the chickens and monkeys. ”

This opportunity came surprisingly quickly.

Sophia was about to extinguish the candle and rest when there was a rush of footsteps outside the inn.

Between the sound of metal rubbing, it was easy to tell that the people were fully armed, at least equipped with a certain amount of armor, and there was no need to guess to know that it should be the group of people who felt that they had not eaten enough in the morning and came to the door again.

Fearing a possible head-on conflict, John asked, "Sophia, are you in your room?" ”

"There's no need for that, the first thing they have to do if they come prepared is to gather us together."

The hall of the inn was already full of people at this time, and as expected, there was still such a group of people coming, but the officer who had led before also stood in the back row at this time, and in its place was a middle-aged man who looked to be less than forty years old. Looking at his clothes, he looks more like a wealthy Latin businessman, with a lot of gold jewelry and gemstones on his body that are visible to the naked eye.

In terms of temperament, it has nothing to do with the word real nobility.

"Morey, what's wrong?"

John took Sophia and calmly went down the stairs to the hall on the first floor.

Morey didn't open his mouth to explain, and the middle-aged man who was dressed quite luxuriously took the lead in standing up: "Merchants from afar, I am the archon of Bijes of the Roman Empire, and you can call me the honorable Daryani." ”

Sophia's smile seemed to be struggling, and John, even though he was in front of her, could still feel her shoulders fluttering.

"So, Mr. Daryani, Venerable One, is there anything wrong with coming from afar so late?"

"Something is wrong with your cargo. There are some goods that the empire does not allow to trade! ”

"Questions?"

John pretended to be calm and asked, "Our goods are coming from the right route, only some silk woven clothing, how can it be ......?"

Of course, this group of "businessmen" has their own minds. The linen woven sacks on the backs of a few heavily armored horses contained not commodities at all, but some sand, gravel and hay bales. Combined, these things are not as valuable as a long dress on Sophia's shoulders.

"The laws of the Empire have changed a lot lately, but unfortunately, you have violated the most undesirable parts!"

This so-called "archon" is full of confidence. To have this kind of courage when the two sides are almost equal in manpower, if it is not for the care of a higher level, I am afraid that there is a mental problem.

"Sophia, what do you mean?" John turned around and asked in a low voice.

"What do I mean? I think it's interesting. Sophia didn't know where the spirit came from again, "A small village has emerged as an archon, and it's still a great consul...... I'm afraid he has to have ten or eight local governors on his head, right? If you touch it like this, you will soon be able to find the king of the kingdom of Epirus, right? ”

"Then look at it, local bureaucrats who entertain themselves...... Oh no, what the hell can the great nobles play. ”