Although William had already done seventy percent of the matter about Ezzo II's possession of the Lombard Iron Crown, when he looked carefully at the golden orb Duke Crown on the other party's head, he couldn't help but have some doubts in his heart: "Since he claims to have the Iron Crown, with his proud personality, why not carry the Iron Crown on his head?" ”

William speculated that it was possible that Duke Ezzo II of Lombardy had hidden the Lombard Iron Crown in Milan, or that the Iron Crown was still owned by the Sallian royal family of the HRE Empire, but it was not crowned at the time.

Although it was only a trivial possibility, William was determined to get his hands on the Lombard Iron Crown, which was once used by Charlemagne to crown him as king, and it was a symbol of Italian dominance.

"Looks like I'm going to have to go to Milan anyway!" William couldn't help but think in his heart.

After Duke Ezzo II of Lombardy finished his tirade, William just nodded slightly and didn't say anything, just now he didn't hear what the other party said clearly, but looking at the other party's arrogant expression, it would definitely not be a soft submission.

"I don't know who this is?" William asked, looking at the deferential governor of Genoa, Manfrido.

"The most noble and great Norman king, ruler of England and France, His Majesty William the Great Conqueror, Governor of the Republic of Genoa, Manfrido. Doria would like to express my sincerest respect to you! ”

Unlike the previous arrogant expression of Duke Ezzo II of Lombardy, the governor of Genoa, Manfrido. Doria was much more submissive.

William was pleased with the deference of the Doge of Genoa, and asked him with a smile: "Your Excellency the Doge of Genoa, you have suffered an irreversible defeat, I have taken the north of the Nice region, and the road to Genoa and Italy is still open, I wonder if you are willing to submit to me, offer me your loyalty, and accept my canonization?" ”

"His Majesty William, the most noble and great, the Viceroy of the Republic of Genoa, Manfrido. Doria is willing to offer you eternal loyalty on behalf of all the families of Genoa! When the governor of Genoa heard this, he immediately fell down on one knee and swore allegiance to William.

Being able to obtain William's canonization was a windfall for the Republic of Genoa, which meant that Genoa would become part of the Norman Empire, allowing Genoese merchants to move freely within the Norman Empire and be protected by William abroad, which was something they could only dream of.

It would be a pity to lose Nice, a rich city on the Ligurian coast, but after all, it was only a Genoese colony, and the loss of Nice was not a fundamental injury.

"Very well, Your Excellency Governor Manfrido, I am glad that you can recognize the general allegiance to me, and I accept your loyalty. Come forward and get down on your knees! William said with a cordial smile to the Doge of Genoa.

"Your Majesty." When Manfrido, the governor of Genoa, heard this, he immediately stepped forward, prostrated himself at William's feet, and said respectfully.

"I have made you Consul of Genoa for life, and I will rule over the city of Genoa and the surrounding territories, seaports, and islands, and from now on your commerce will be under my protection, both at home and abroad, and if anyone dares to harass you, he will be my enemy!" William stood up, drew his long sword, and gently squeezed it three times on the left and right shoulders of Manfrido, the governor of Genoa, and said solemnly.

"Your Majesty, the army of Genoa will be at your disposal, the treasury of Genoa will be open to you, the merchant ships and shipping routes of Genoa will be at your disposal, everything!" Manfrido, the governor of Genoa, kissed the jewel of the ring on William's finger and took the oath.

The Lombard Duke Ezzo II and the others in the audience looked at the shameless appearance of Manfrido, the governor of Genoa, and they didn't know how much hatred they had in their hearts, so they couldn't help but look at each other with disdain.

After the canonization ceremony, William looked at the Duke of Lombardy and others and asked, "His Excellency Manfrido, the Governor of Genoa, has sworn allegiance to me, and I don't know what you think." If you are willing to pledge your allegiance to me, I will exempt you from punishment! ”

"Long-winded, this is impossible, you despicable bastard will die of this heart!" Ezzo II waved his robe and shouted a loud scold.

"Shut up! Stupid losers, fools who don't want to accept reality, hum! "William's face turned red with the anger of Ezzo II as an illegitimate child, since he eliminated Guy. Morality. After the rebellion of Ivrea and the unification of the Duchy of Normandy, I have never heard anyone dare to insult him like this, and now the other party has poked his scar again, how can this be endured?

"Guards, drag him down and put him in the dungeon!" William waved his hand to the guards beside him.

"Yes." Upon William's orders, several well-armored guards stepped out, grabbed Ezo II's shoulders and arms, and escorted him down, despite the shouting and insults of the other party.

William said that William would not immediately hang Ezzo II, Duke of Lombardy, who had insulted him, but he would not be punished in any way, and after that, Ezzo II would be tortured by the penal law and finally die in the dungeon.

"What about you? I'd like to hear your answers. William calmed down slightly and asked the crowd again.

The nobles present were all hesitant, on the one hand, they were afraid of the fate of Ezzo II, and they did not want to anger William, and on the other hand, they were really unwilling to submit to him, after all, they had only just gained independence from the rule of the Holy Roman Empire, why should they submit to the brutal rule of the Normans again?

The people present did not give William an answer for a long time, which made him completely lose patience: "I already know your answer, guards, please let them go down, and treat them well." ”

"Yes." More than a dozen guards appeared outside the door again, escorting these Italian princes and nobles down.

Unlike the Duke of Lombardy, who had insulted him before, he did not press these Italian princes into the dungeons, but treated them well, and led them into Italy with Duke Ezzo II of Lombardy.

These are the trump cards in William's hand, the trump cards that make Lombardy and the Italian states jealous.

Treat enemies as cruel and ruthless as winter, treat friends as warm as spring, and Genoa Governor Manfrido was the first Italian prince to take refuge in him, and William not only enthusiastically pushed him to eat and undress, but also arranged him in the first position on the left side of his head, which can be described as extremely courteous.

In his hands, Manfrido, the viceroy of Genoa, was a typical example of a golden city.