"At the moment, the combined garrison of the Empire in the cities of Thessaloniki and Fort Burgas is less than six thousand, and in Constantinople, sheltered by the walls of Theodosius, there are not only the Phoenix Legions, the garrison legions, but also a large number of peasants and mercenaries, and I think anyone sitting in my position will scoff at this arrangement. Perhaps, this will become a laughing stock. John said to the noisy crowd with a flat face, "I can tell everyone present that today, the garrison will definitely be disbanded, and your glorious achievements will be recorded in the history books of the empire, but the establishment of the garrison will no longer exist." ”

"Your Highness! Constantinople is the Empress of All Cities, the capital of the Roman Empire, the seat of the Great Holy See, the heart of the Patriarchate! How can it be compared to Thessaloniki and Burgas! In the crowd, another general shouted, "There is no point in such a confrontation, Constantinople needs a garrison!" ”

"Constantinople needs a garrison!"

"Constantinople needs a garrison!"

The atmosphere was warm again. So John was silent again.

After a long time, he smiled and turned his gaze to the general who had just spoken, and asked, "The Empress of Ten Thousand Cities?" The capital of the empire? Do you know how many times the income of the silk industry in one region of Greater Greece is what Constantinople is now? Before the last peace treaty, the Ottoman fleet was still showing its might in the Sea of Marmara, do you know how much attention the Ottoman fleet would have attracted from the control of Burgasburg on the southwestern coast of the Black Sea? ”

"You, keep saying that for the Empire, for the sake of Constantinople. The garrison should not be disbanded, you are all experienced soldiers, and I think each and every one of you knows that it is more beneficial to secure the flanks of Constantinople and the current economic center of the empire, or to continue to pile up bloated troops on the small tactical width of the walls of Theodosius, isn't it? ”

"Your Highness! Constantinople must not fall! This is a symbol of empire! ”

"Of course, Constantinople cannot fall. But what exactly can be done to take the defense of Constantinople to the next level? You should know that. John regained his feet at the top of the square and said indifferently, "I may be able to say bluntly, even a few years ago, when the empire was in danger, corruption was rampant within the garrison, and there were not a few people who were in the camp and dogs!" Are you really thinking about the future of the Empire? ”

"This restructuring has touched your interests, so that you can no longer grab money as a commander, and you want to force the palace in front of me? Just thinking about resisting? In the final analysis, this can be regarded as a simple personnel transfer, but why can it stir up such a big wave? ”

"Which of you will tell me?"

"Your Highness......"

The general who spoke just now was about to argue, but was stopped by John.

"Shut up! If you dare to say that you don't have a penny in this garrison legion, I will cancel the legion restructuring on the spot. Right now, see no! That's the dome of Hagia Sophia, that's the statue of Constantine the Great. Do you dare to stand here and swear to the Lord and the Emperor? ”

"I ......"

"Of course you don't dare! What about you? And you? ”

John nodded at the generals who had just shouted the most fiercely, but none of them dared to raise their heads to meet him.

"And you, you are obviously meritorious, you are obviously better than them, why, are you still willing to be their accomplices and help them stop the progress of the reform?" John's emotions suddenly became excited, "You are the hope for the future of the empire, and each of you has a chance to replace them!" As long as you are willing to stand up! ”

"Tell me, should the restructuring be carried out or not?"

"Tell me!"

Now the entire Constantine Square fell silent.

But the silence was quickly broken.

In the crowd, a young soldier pushed away several comrades in front of him and stood in front of John: "Your Highness, I support the reform. The bloated size of the garrison was indeed a disservice to the Empire, and if it made the Greater Greek region more stable, it would bring more revenue to the Empire, which was much better than stationing troops in Constantinople. ”

"You ......"

Most of the generals looked at this young man with hatred in their eyes, as if they wanted to eat him alive.

"Smart people. Rare. John clapped his hands, "What's your name?" ”

"Publius Titus."

"Publius...... I've heard General Giovanni mention the name. He has a very good opinion of you. John didn't have much of a conversation with the young soldier, he continued to turn to the crowd, "This is the first, what else?" ”

"Your Highness! It can't be reformed, otherwise, Constantinople will definitely fall into chaos! ”

The general, who was a little older, stepped forward again. He was also apparently quite prestigious among the superior officers of the legion, and it can be said that he was the number one person who opposed the reform.

"Chaos? Do you want to ...... Mutiny? ”

"No ......"

"Well, you don't have to rush to deny it. There's a reason why I didn't let Giovanni disarm you all and send them to Constantine's Square. John looked at the general sarcastically, "Of course you can resist, in any way you want. It's just that if the resistance fails, you also need to bear the corresponding consequences. ”

"Your Highness, I am ......"

"Morey! Come here. You, pick up your weapons! John still smiled. But in the smile, there is something weird.

"My Guardian Knight. Also a secular knight of Constantinople to be proud of. Defeat him. ”

"Your Highness, why should I challenge the martial arts of a secular knight? We are talking about the restructuring of the garrison corps......"

"I'll say one last time, pick up your weapons."

John finally restrained his smile and was replaced by a murderous aura on his face.

"Your Highness......"

"Morey. Kill him. ”

"No...... Your Highness! Your Highness! Temple ......"

After the neck is severed, the carotid artery is hypertensive, which causes blood to splash at a height of tens of meters.

And then fell on the armor of every soldier in the vicinity.

"You have to make it clear that from beginning to end, I'm not negotiating with you, I'm telling you that the restructuring will start today. Am I clear enough? ”

"Publius is a smart man, but he's obviously not." John wiped the blood from his face, "I told you. The reform of the garrison corps is a bill approved by His Majesty, discussed and decided by the Imperial Council, and has been promulgated. Within the empire, the absolute authority of the bill, no one can trample on. And this man, who has challenged the majesty of the empire again and again, died so simply is simply my mercy. ”

"Now, who is against the restructuring?"

……

"Her Royal Highness the Princess, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is fine. Although there was a little episode, I have to say that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's performance was wonderful. ”

"You see, I know that your worries are unfounded."

"Your Highness, it wasn't you who asked us to ......"

“……”

Sophia's eyes suddenly sharpened.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, I'll go first."