John suddenly remembered the minor nobles of Epirus who were still under house arrest.

Ducasse-Komunen. With the exception of the speculative establishment of the Epirus autocracy during the Fourth Crusade, which proclaimed itself the Dukas-Komnenos, John had the impression that this group of daring nobles had done nothing right. He prefers another name for the family.

Angelos.

This was a common phenomenon of the aristocracy after the weakening of the empire. The great nobles loyal to the royal family remained steadfast in their faith and devoted themselves to the empire. There are always some exceptions, though. The privileges that accompanied the nobility did not guarantee absolute loyalty to the empire.

"Mr. Reper. Wronged. ”

On the outside, the Golden Kwai Manor, where Ripper Ducasse-Comme was imprisoned, was beautifully decorated, with expensive gold, silver, and carved ornaments. In fact, this canary cage can better dissipate a nobleman's will to resist and soften his edges and corners.

Despite the loss of power, the Ducasse-Komnenos still held authority in Epirus. Although now, the rulers of this family who have been put on the table have all been replaced by puppets carefully selected by John.

"You are ......"

"Introduce yourself, Pedro. Pedro Othello Kelderón. ”

"Do we know each other?"

Reper knew that the people who could be put into the manor by the guards and communicate directly with him were probably confidants of the royal family, and although he was reluctant, he poured a cup of hot tea for Pedro.

Pedro also sat down unceremoniously. The Golden Blossom Manor itself is the property of the royal family, and his trip is just to negotiate on behalf of Sophia: "Generally speaking, it is not a good thing to know me, and most of the people I am willing to meet are the lifeblood of me, nothing more." ”

Ripper's hand trembled slightly, then changed to a smile.

The Ottomans had also threatened themselves more than once, and this Pedro was much kinder than him.

"So, Mr. Pedro. What are you doing to visit me, a prisoner? ”

"On behalf of Her Highness Sofia Valleologo, I have come to negotiate with you."

"If I'm not mistaken, I probably don't have the right to refuse this negotiation."

Pedro smiled and took a sip of tea: "It's smart, but it needs to go through the motions." On behalf of you and your family, give a good head to the other magnates of Epirus. ”

Ripper was alarmed, "What do you mean? ”

"Literally, although the Ducasse-Komnenos family has been puppeted by His Majesty John, you are still the supreme ruler of this family on the surface, aren't you?" Pedro spoke slowly and calmly, but there was a hint of invincibility everywhere, "The empire needs to maintain His Majesty's rule, and it also needs a stable source of income, and since this is completely in conflict with the interests of the nobility, it is natural that there will be a trade-off, right?" ”

"I want to know, what do you want me to do? There's no need to beat around the bush, and I don't have the right to resist anyway. ”

"That's negotiable." Pedro put down the teacup and said indifferently, "Hand over all the lands of the Ducasse-Komunens family, from now on, including the Ducasse-Kommnens family, the local nobles who originally ruled Epirus and were not personally appointed by His Majesty will no longer have fiefs and no longer receive tax exemptions, and the vast majority of the lands of Epirus will be directly ruled by His Majesty and the Universal Church." The local nobility only retains the title of nobility, and other privileges are taken back together. ”

"Recycling privileges? This little emperor's appetite is really not small...... Isn't he afraid of killing himself in one bite? ”

"It's not something you need to worry about, as long as you agree on behalf of your family." Pedro smiled, "I just help His Majesty and Her Royal Highness the Princess pass on this message, only deal with problems, and don't ask questions, which is the best habit as a courtier." What do you say? Mr. Ripper Ducasse-Komunen? ”

"Do you want me to be a shield for these two little kids? Is this completely pitting the local aristocracy and the royal family? ”

"Local aristocrats? It's just a leech lying on the empire and sucking blood. Besides, there are no two sides...... What capital does the local aristocracy still have to negotiate with the royal family? Do you think that your Ducasse-Komnenos family was still alive in the time of the tyranny of Epirus? Pedro calmly looked at Reper, who was gradually unable to control his anger, "The local nobles were completely stripped of their military power by His Majesty within a week after the fall of Fort Combrigne, what capital do you have to resist?" You can only bow your heads in front of the royal family! To keep the name of nobility is to give you the greatest respect, after all, you have also been brilliant. ”

Looking at Pedro's expression, Ripper gradually clenched his fists, and his muscles flare up, but as a prisoner, he was helpless.

What difference does it make if Ducasse-Komnenos's brief glory has long been shattered and he has become an Ottoman lackey, or he has survived under the rule of the Empire? Moreover, the Komnenos still rule Trabzon, and if the empire expands again in the future, there may be a chance for Dukas-Komnenos to regain the throne of Epirus.

"You said long ago that I am powerless to resist."

"Very well, then, I wish us a happy cooperation. The empire will thank you for your help......"

Pedro had just gotten up to leave, when he suddenly turned to Reper and said, "Your youngest daughter, Evely Ducasse-Comneen, will be sent to the center of Fort Combrigne tomorrow, beside Her Highness Sophia. You don't have to worry, Your Majesty and Her Royal Highness the Princess will take care of your daughter. ”

"You...... Is this a hostage? ”

"Oh no, no, no, how can you think that? Your daughter is a witness to the friendship of the Ducasse-Commnos and the Valleologos family, and a symbol of the loyalty of the nobles to the Palaiologos dynasty, what a great thing your daughter is! As for the hostages...... How could the empire have resorted to such a subordinate? Heavenly Father is watching us. ”

……

"Your idea?"

Sophia didn't even bother to raise her eyebrows, and shook her head while lying on the bed looking through the manuscript of the eldest princess Anna.

"Then why did Pedro send her over and leave without saying a word?"

"If we want to control the nobles, we should have some chips in our hands, that's normal, right, Evelei?"

Cowering in the corner of the room, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl looked at Sophia with fearful eyes: "Your Royal Highness Princess...... I...... When can I go home? ”

"Huh? Isn't Fort Combrigne much more beautiful than Chrysomania, whether it's Ducasse-Comunens or Valleologo, it's just a code name, this unscrupulous little boy in front of you, the co-emperor of the empire, the current crown prince, the future master of the Holy See, what are you not satisfied with living in such a court? ”