Since Constantinople was the capital of the Roman Empire in the fourth century, it quickly became the economic, political, religious and cultural center of the European continent, and was one of the most prosperous cities in the world.

However, today's Constantinople is no longer in its former glory, the Fourth Crusade greatly destroyed this "empress of all cities", countless treasures, religious relics, bronze statues of Constantine the Great, the cross of Jesus and countless other precious items flowed into the palace of the Doge of Venice, so that it has not been restored to this day, and the whole city is no longer prosperous.

The galleys with the flag of the Papal States entered the Golden Horn, where the Emperor of Constantine was already waiting, accompanied by Sultan Ellis, the Patriarch of Constantinople.

"Your Majesty," Bishop Gregory disembarked and recognized the emperor at a glance, after all, the purple robe was worn only by the emperor in the Roman Empire, and the emperor was tall and stood at the forefront, looking very imposing.

Seeing the papal envoy get off the boat, the emperor did not seem very happy, which made the bishop chuckle in his heart, and just about to say something, the emperor suddenly said.

"The Holy Envoy must be very tired when he comes from afar, so please go into the city to rest first."

After speaking, he signaled to the guards on the side, and the bishop could only salute and follow the guards out of the port.

Seeing that the bishop had already left, the emperor said to the sailors on board: "You have worked hard from afar, so get off the ship and go into the city to rest, we have prepared a welcoming ceremony for you." ”

Hearing the emperor say this, everyone was also very happy, after all, the days on the ship were not as comfortable as the days in the city, and they got off the ship without warning.

Seeing the crowd entering the city with their shoulders hooked, the emperor waved his hand, and someone unloaded all the items on the ship and drove the ship to the imperial fleet.

"Your Majesty, is this okay?" Calvo was worried, and was frightened by such a bold approach by the emperor, even if he had an opinion about the pope.

Although it is not the Middle Ages, the influence of the pope is still very strong, and it was not until the Reformation led by Martin Luther that this influence was slowly weakened.

"Are you scared?" The Emperor glanced at him, his tone calm.

"He's unkind, don't blame me for being unjust."

"Since he's in such a hurry, don't blame me for making this decision."

In fact, the emperor himself was not ready to break with the Pope, the strength of the Catholic Church is too terrifying, even if it can't be twisted into a rope, if it weren't for the recent Anglo-French defeat in the Battle of Agincourt, the French army was unable to interfere in international affairs, and the Iberian Peninsula did not have a unified country, but divided into multiple kingdoms such as Castile and Aragon, the power was very scattered, and there was no leader who could convince everyone, the emperor might not dare to tear face with the pope.

But the price of tearing up with the pope is that there is no way to get support from other Catholic countries, such as France, Aragon and other countries, there is no interest entanglement with them, just symbolically send some troops to deal with the pope, and now there is not even these, but it doesn't matter, anyway, the emperor does not rely on them to win the victory now.

A few days later,

The bishop felt that something was wrong, and although he had been entertained with good food and drink for the past few days, he had not seen the emperor since the first day, as if he had forgotten it.

"I'm tired, I want to see Your Majesty." Although he was anxious, the bishop remained polite due to his long-standing cultivation.

"Your Majesty has something to do, and there is no way to see Your Excellency at the moment." The guards were also very polite.

"Oh... When will I be able to see Your Majesty? ”

"I don't know when Your Majesty will be free."

The bishop held back the uneasiness in his heart, he didn't think that he would be in personal danger, but guessed that the emperor must be trying to delay time, thinking of this, the bishop disdained in his heart, the general trend is unstoppable, the differences between the Eastern and Western churches are destined to be made up in his hands, no matter how much the emperor delays time, he can't change this fact, the bishop thought so in his heart.

After a few more days, just when the bishop could not resist forcibly asking to see the emperor, he was finally summoned by the emperor.

At the emperor's behest, he went to Hagia Sophia and saw the emperor and the patriarch praying vespers in the church.

He sneered, "Is Your Majesty so reluctant?" In that case, what else do you want me to do? Resist the Ottomans yourselves! ”

After speaking, he was about to leave, and at this time, the emperor said unhurriedly.

"Not really, Bishop." The Emperor spoke slowly.

"It's just that the state has been busy lately, and you know that if you want to deal with the Ottomans, you have to go all out."

Hearing this, the bishop's face softened slightly.

"In that case, let's talk about the sacraments..."

"Don't get busy, Bishop." The Emperor interrupted him.

"We can talk about this later."

The bishop's face turned unkind, "What does this mean?" ”

"The meaning is very simple, everything will be discussed after the war, and you know, we don't have the energy to discuss these things during the war."

Where the bishop is not clear, this is the emperor's prevarication, he just does not want to fulfill his promises, he deceived the pope and everyone.

He forced his composure and said to the emperor: "Since your majesty has made a decision, I should go back and report to the pope." ”

"No need, just ask the bishop to deign to stay with us for a few more days, let the patriarch accompany you, and save you from being lonely."

The bishop was speechless in shock, he had thought of many endings, such as a referendum, a delay, etc., and he had even thought of how to refute the emperor so that he and his subjects would renounce his ridiculous faith, but he was clearly ill-conceived.

Seeing the emperor leave, the bishop fell to the ground, he knew that his mission was over, he could not become St. Gregory anymore, not only that, but he might even be slandered as the culprit who caused the great schism between the East and the West, the emperor would not let him go, the pope would not let him go, his life was over.

Late at night, Constantine was still immersed in his work, and after working for a long time, he straightened up, stretched a big slump, and then went to the balcony, looked at the moon in the sky, and thought for a long time.

"Lord, forgive me if I am guilty." A cross on his chest, he muttered.

"For the sake of the empire, even if I am broken to pieces, I will not hesitate to do it, and the foundation of the empire must not be destroyed in my hands."

Turning around, he leaned over again and began to review the documents.

The night is getting thicker and thicker, and it seems that there is only Constantine in the whole heaven and earth, and every day has been the same since his accession to the throne.