The New Year's party ended in a festive and tense atmosphere, and Randy, who had not slept all night, poured a sip of spirits to refresh himself in the early hours of the morning, and then began to gather the Norman army.

Just three days earlier, the Celtic army of 30,000 had already advanced eastward, and Randy authorized Artoria to let the Eastern European Frontier Military General Aven, who was in charge of this defensive line, and Joseph, the 3rd Hussar Regiment on the eastern border, obey Artoria's orders.

In this way, Artoria directly sits on 40,000 troops, against 100,000 Cuman iron cavalry, and will definitely not suffer a loss for a while and a half.

Randy then led his 60,000 Norman troops on the expedition, but did not recruit Rus, Poles, or other nomadic tribal armies, which disappointed the vassals who wanted to show their skills in front of the new emperor, so the next day Randy went out of the city, and when the Normans in the military camp on the outskirts of Crakkov had already begun to march, they found Randy who was changing his clothes, shouting that he wanted to serve his country.

Randy looked at the group with a smile on his face, muttering to himself.

Although he also wanted to continue the military reform and expand the army in the years when the situation in Eastern Europe stabilized, he also knew that the fierce Rus' and the Poles who were good at riding were very good soldiers, but they were only soldiers, in Randy's calculations he had an army of 100,000, plus some help from the Muscovites, it was easy and pleasant to fight against 100,000 Cuman nomads, if you add some irregular feudal levies, not only is it useless, but it will increase consumption.

But it's not good to hurt their hearts like this, Randy thought about it, and suddenly remembered such a good idea.

So he snorted, pressed his hands down, and said: "You don't need to be angry, I personally conquered the Cuman heresy this time to save the Grand Duchy of Moscow, but I did not recruit the local Rus' and Polish nobles, not because I forgot you, and it is not because I look down on you warriors. ”

The nobles were a little speechless when they saw Randy talking empty-handed, so someone asked, "Then Your Majesty, what is the reason?" ”

"It's because of this!" Randy took out the information from the Papal States half a month ago, shook his hand and handed it to Talleyrand, who was standing next to him.

"Please tell these gentlemen."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Talleyrand nodded, raised his hand to pick up the lens of his glasses, and read aloud at the document: "The news from the Holy See claims that no matter how evil the devil's minions, those infidels from Egypt have struck, the holy city of Jerusalem has fallen, and Innocent III has heard of it...... I heard ......"

Talleyrand frowned at this and turned his head to look at Randy, who nodded that he could continue reading.

"Hearing the rumors, he became ill and died unfortunately, and the countries of the European continent shared grief. Now the new Pope Gregory VII has ordered to convene the Crusaders and call on the countries of the European continent to join in the grand event, form a righteous Catholic coalition of our generation, spill the Holy City with blood, and restore Jelu! ”

The Polish nobles who believed in Catholicism did not say anything after hearing this, and some of them were in the mood to give it a try, and they converted to the Catholic faith under the baptism of the Nordic Order.

Fighting the Cumans was a way to gain glory and spoils, but how could it be compared to joining a crusader and plundering the infidels? Not to mention the legendary Jerusalem, the promised land of God flowing with milk and honey, when the Crusaders defeated Jerusalem and could be crowned king, so now that Jerusalem has fallen, the European countries have re-sent the Crusaders, so does this mean that we can also get our own territory and become the founding monarch after we go?

Thinking of these nobles' breathing, the sound of their breathing became heavy, and they were eager to immediately lead the army over to fight the infidels and take back all the gold and holy land.

At the same time, those Rus' nobles who believed in Orthodox Christianity also considered that Randy was inconspicuous before, so the Rus' nobles had the courage to ask him if he would convert to Catholicism after returning to the Norman Empire?

Randy asks them rhetorically, "Do you believe in God?"

The Rus' nobles replied: Of course!

So Randy said, "It's okay to believe in God."

I felt very comfortable at the time, but now it seems that this situation means something?

After all, one's own king is not the same as one's own faith, and this cannot be a joy in any way.

The Rus' nobles looked at each other, and they could see from their eyes that something was wrong, although the current Norman emperor implemented a policy of religious tolerance, but who knows what the future Norman emperor will be like?

"If Your Majesty can convert to Orthodoxy......"

Although no one spoke, they were able to understand the meaning in the eyes of themselves and the other Rus' nobles.

"Or did we convert to Catholicism?"

Some people who are not afraid of going to hell after death have begun to have such ideas.

Regardless, the nobles eventually accepted Randy's explanation.

Catholics do not say anything, and Orthodox Christians do the same, Jerusalem is the place of Christ's martyrdom, which is non-denominational.

Randy immediately made a decision, ordered the nobles to quickly return to the territory to reorganize the army, meet in Krakov, and go south to Crimea, where the Norman Empire has leased a port city in the vassal state of Zaporizhzhia Khanate, and establish a large port base and fortress group there, while the Black Sea Fleet is also actively preparing for construction, plus the alliance with the Eastern Roman Empire, if the situation allows, it can also temporarily borrow some ships of the Eastern Roman Black Sea Fleet, plus the fleet transferred from the Baltic detachment in Northern Europe.

"Your Majesty, will you participate in this crusade?" A Polish nobleman asked.

"Of course, my devotion to Jesus Christ is exemplary."

Speaking of this, the surrounding nobles, whether they believe in Catholicism or Orthodox Christianity, all laughed, indeed, Randy's faith, at least his apparent belief is indeed very pious, touching, up to sixteen points of piety value can be described as excellent, in the eyes of the vast majority of people, this slightly absurd emperor can indeed be called a model of piety.

But what the actual situation is, everyone understands!

"But, Your Majesty, aren't you still going to fight against the Cuman heresy?" Someone asked again.

"It's just some local chickens and dogs, I can sweep them all at once, and when the time comes, I will lead the crowd back, and all the soldiers and horses are almost fully equipped, and they are just on the road together."

When Randy said this, he exuded a strong self-confidence, which made the nobles half-convinced, believing that it came from Randy's proud record of winning a hundred battles, and doubting that the Cumans had an army of 100,000 and had just defeated the Slavs in Moscow, and the emperor was too conceited to maybe something would happen.

But in this case, even if someone thinks so, they won't say it.

Randy spent all the taxes in December on Krakow, and built the capital into a giant city, with the royal guard barracks, large fountains, four-story giant walls, and hundreds of thousands of fertile fields outside the city, all of which made the nobles see the strength of His Majesty Randy, and it was definitely right to follow such an emperor.

The nobles dispersed, Randy took out his pocket watch and looked at the time, it was already noon, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly, he had wasted so much time.

"Baron!" Randy calls to Talleyrand.

"Yes, Your Majesty, everything has been packed up, and some things that cannot be taken away have been handed over to the Royal Consulate according to your orders."

Talleyrand, who has recently been canonized as a baron, seems to be bursting with self-confidence and enthusiasm for his work, which makes Randy feel very satisfied.

"Okay, let's leave too, I'm afraid the army outside the city has already set off."

However, just as Randy prepares to leave, there is another knock on the door.

Sonia looks at Randy, and after receiving an affirmative answer, she walks over and opens the door, where she sees Joan of Arc holding Maria's hand.

"Hello, Miss Sonia!"

Joan of Arc smiled and greeted Sonya, the warm feeling made Sonya, who was born as a killer, ashamed of herself, and lowered her head and got out of the way without saying a word.

"Joan of Arc, why are you here?" Surprised, Randy walks over and takes Joan of Arc's arm and lifts her to a chair.

"Randy, I'm not weak enough yet." Joan of Arc shook her head.

"I thought you were gone......"

Randy smiled bitterly, "It's not the nobles who are making trouble, Baron, you go first, I want to talk to Sister Joan of Arc." ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Will it delay business?" Joan of Arc asked, frowning.

"You're the right thing!"

"You...... Alright......" Joan of Arc's face flushed slightly.

After flirting with no one around them for a while, Joan of Arc continued, "This time there is something to discuss with you." ”

"Is it about Mary?"

"Yes, this kid is a little lonely and wants to ask you to find something to do."

"Really? Maria? Randy turned to ask Mary.

"Losing!" Maria replied in good spirits, but Randy still thought the guy was stupid, and maybe didn't even understand what Randy was saying.

"And she also said that you have shown her a lot of books on various aspects of knowledge, and she has learned them very well, maybe this child can help some."

Of course, Randy understands the potential of this silly-looking little nun, and even Enides admits that this entourage "Idiot Genius" has +2 fertility, brutality +1, management +1, and imperial scientific research progress +5%, which is an attribute that even Enides admits, plus the little nun is such an idiot, she will definitely not do things behind Randy's back, and Randy sometimes even thinks that the little nun Maria is more suitable to follow him than people like Talelang.

"But won't you be lonely? In the beginning, I just wanted this kid to be by your side and to relieve your boredom. ”

"But she seems to prefer to be around you, and as for loneliness or something, I think I should find something to do too."

"Isn't it enough to dominate the affairs of women's monasteries throughout the country?" Randy asked.

"Actually, I can't do anything about it."

"Why? Don't they listen to you? The murderous intent on Randy's face flashed.

"It's not like that, maybe I'm not naturally suited to this kind of management, it was like that when I was in Northern Europe, it was better without me, but if I did, it would make things worse and make it difficult for the monastery mothers, so in the end I gave up and let them manage it themselves."

"That's ......"

Randy looked at Joan of Arc's attribute table, and naturally knew that Joan of Arc's management attributes were very bad, even worse than Artoria, who had made a lot of progress now, and it was really difficult for her to let her manage these things, but what else could Joan of Arc do?

"Randy, if you can...... I want to go back to the army," Joan of Arc said, plucking up her courage.

Hearing Joan of Arc say this, Randy was a little disappointed and held Joan of Arc's hand tightly: "Originally...... I do want to train you to be the commander of the Empire, just like Artoria, but your body ......"

"Even if you go to the battlefield to fight, can't you lead a good army just by relying on your command ability? Just like you. ”

Hearing Joan of Arc say this, Randy blushed a little, after all, personal heroism was very popular in the Middle Ages, and there were not many emperors who didn't dare to fight in person.

"But even so, the march, the long journey, the bad weather in various places, no more than in the palace, is very bad for your health."

Although very unwilling, Randy's statement makes quite sense, and Joan of Arc finally nods.

"Since Maria is with me, send a few more maids to your help." After Randy finished speaking, he delayed a little longer, found a few maids who were usually honest and dutiful to give Joan of Arc, to see if it was too early, and had a light meal with Joan of Arc, and did not catch up with the Guard Knight until the afternoon.

Randy took a moment to catch up with the main force in front, it was not early, it didn't matter if the game was won or lost, everyone was already very tired, and it was just time to set up camp to eat and rest.

After Randy lulls Maria to sleep, he looks at the map by the light of the fire.

Sonya, on the other hand, was leaning against the pillar not far away, looking at Randy with a short sword, her expression a little distracted.

"I'm really worried!"

Randy sighed that despite the speed of the Norman army's march, coupled with the ease of inland shipping and baggage, and the recently built road network, combined with the excellent physical strength of the Norman soldiers, the soldiers could travel at a very alarming rate of fifty miles a day.

But it's still too far away!

The distance from the Grand Duchy of Moscow is too far......

From Krakow through Minsk, Smolens, and finally to the Grand Duchy of Moscow, the distance adds up to more than 1,200 kilometers, that is, 2,400 miles, in order to conserve physical strength, it is impossible to march 50 miles a day, that is to say, to reach the Grand Duchy of Moscow, it will take at least two months, if you take into account the weather conditions, it may be worse, after all, it is still January, and the weather in the subarctic zone of Eastern Europe is very bad.

Thinking of this, Randy sighed, thinking to himself: Could it be that the other party can't wait to rescue himself, and he has already been eliminated, right? Although it is normal for the medieval siege to be fought for three years and five years, but the other side has an epoch-making weapon like black powder, although Moscow is the capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, but according to the intelligence transmitted by the espionage, it is just a stone city wall five meters high and three meters thick, if you lead the army to attack, I am afraid it will not last for a week. ”

(End of chapter)