"It's a long story, but since my hometown was sacked by a group of Ottomans, my people and I have been homeless. Can you come to Constantinople...... It can be counted as luck, and for now, we hope to be able to become part of the empire. Vasika's words were sincere, Zhou Heng didn't know how much he was drinking, but he still raised his glass and drank the crystal clear wine.

The heroic Slavs also "returned to color".

"Truth be told, what the Empire lacks today is good soldiers like you and your men. I have convinced my father that in the future, you will serve in my regiment......"

"It's an honor."

The two of them raised their glasses again and drank them all.

This is not a formal palace banquet at all, but more like a carnival after a long absence.

"Again, General Giovanni, the Empire will always remember you for your excellent performance tonight."

Giovanni, who came from the merchant republic of Genoa, like Sophia, had always had little affection for the complicated court etiquette, and this kind of banquet made him feel that the nobles of the empire were approachable and worth getting along with.

"My knights and I have formed an army to reinforce the empire at our own expense, so we don't need to be grateful."

Some of the other knights who accompanied him nodded their heads. In addition to the sailors leased to the Navy of the Republic, the horses, equipment, and ships are all solved by them at their own expense, and the expenses seem to be huge, but for aristocratic merchants like them, they can't actually hurt their bones, they are more in pursuit of glory, and they are also to be able to save a thousand-year-old empire.

It is worthy of the real Jingluo......

Zhou Heng sighed in his heart, and clinked glasses in the air with Giovanni and other knights.

After three rounds of drinking, Constantine, who had dealt with the follow-up affairs, hurried over, because he had already greeted his son to receive the guests in advance, and everyone just got up and saluted, and after waiting for Constantine to take his seat, everyone was a little restrained and restrained, and continued to promote the banquet.

"Mr. Giovanni, last question...... Why did you arrive in Constantinople by boat into the Golden Horn, and end up behind the Ottomans? And also...... How could Sophia be with you? ”

"Oh, it's thanks to the princess."

"Sophia?"

Zhou Heng turned his gaze to his sister, who was looking down and peeling a grape.

"That's right, the princess saw us on the bow of a Clark galleon, and immediately told us that Constantinople was facing a siege. My men and I were all hoplites and infantry, and staying on the walls of the city to watch the play was completely useless, so I changed my thinking. Giovanni took a sip of his wine and continued, "After the princess showed me a map of Constantinople, I asked the princess to take my men to the Fountain Gate, and to go out of the city and go around to the rear of the Ottomans. Using the mobility and destruction of the cavalry, even if we were not numerous, we could easily break the Ottoman defenses. ”

"Beautiful tactics indeed! No wonder your father has a lot of praise for you! Zhou Heng exclaimed.

"Your Majesty?" Giovanni turned his gaze to Constantine on the throne.

"That's right...... From the very beginning, I believed in your genius tactical level. Constantine laughed and said, "I'll tell you the truth, although we haven't been together for more than half a day, I will give you a legion." ”

"Legion?"

"This legion is small in number and has just been formed. Responsible only to my Prince John. Constantine paused, then continued, "My original intention was to inject about a thousand men into this legion. After all, the empire's military resources have long been depleted, and a large part of it is barely maintained by mercenaries at this time, but this will cause a greater burden on the empire's economy. Giovanni, you are from Genoa, and you are not only brave in battle, but also extremely intelligent. The Vasika Knights, on the other hand, possess the usual and terrifying fighting ability of the Slavs. If you two can command this legion, I believe that he will soon become the sharp sword of the Empire, and will strike fear into the hearts of the infidels! ”

Constantine's words almost made everyone in the audience have a huge shock. A legion that does not belong to the emperor means that they have more freedom and greater mobility. And according to what Constantine just meant, I'm afraid that the configuration of this legion will definitely not be bad.

"Giovanni, Vasica, their own people, must be more comfortable to use. The troops you brought with you were directly incorporated into the new legions. "With a stroke of his pen, Constantine injected a thousand fresh blood into this legion.

"Not only that, but draw five hundred men from the garrison of Constantinople and join the new legion, in addition to the cavalry, the class of arms John you choose."

Constantine continued. At this time, Zhou Heng was so excited that he was about to jump up, but he was pressed into the position by Sophia next to him.

"Also, the Ottoman prisoners of war captured today will be given priority to provide reinforcements for the new legion until the number of men is two and a half thousand."

"Two thousand five hundred?!"

This time, not only Zhou Heng, but everyone including Giovanni and Vasika were shocked by Constantine's generosity. The number of troops in Constantinople at the moment is obvious to all.

Two thousand five hundred, that's more than a quarter of the army!

"Giovanni was the commander of the corps, and Vasica was his deputy. Within a month, an effective combat effectiveness will be formed. Be smart when picking prisoners, don't stuff anyone into this legion. Remember, they will be the elite of the Empire! John, this legion, I leave it to you! ”

"Yes, Father!"

Zhou Heng finally seized the opportunity, jumped up from his position, and then thanked Constantine.

Two thousand five hundred! This legion is absolutely capable of changing the outcome of any battle.

"Alright John, name the new legion. Come with me to church tomorrow and let the Patriarch personally bless you! ”

"Phoenix Legion!" (Phoidas are not phoenixes in Eastern mythology.) "Phoenix" as an immortal bird, symbolizing eternal life)

Zhou Heng almost blurted out. He had already conceived the name, and this battle was Phoenix's first step from the raging flames.

"Hahahaha, Phoenix Legion! I know what you mean! ”

Constantine was clearly in the mood to celebrate the victory with the knights present.

"By the way, father, since we have just defeated the city of Edirne and the Ottoman army on the Hungarian border, we should prepare for the next step." Zhou Heng was not completely drunk, and before his consciousness was completely confused by the stimulation of alcohol, he simply made arrangements for the next step.

"Send a copy of the battle report to the White City, let Hunyadi lead the crusaders to recover some cities, and father, you can take the opportunity to lead the army to take Athens!"