Constantinople.

In a mansion adjacent to the House of Augustam, in the narrow corridor, only a few candles were burned.

The corridor leads to a prayer room with a rudimentary altar and a crucifix in the center.

On the wall hangs a mural of the Three Saints of the East, dressing Jesus.

Conrad reverently knelt before the icon and prayed.

Conrad Alamici, the second son of the Border Count of Monferrato, married the imperial colt of the Purple Princess of the Komnenos family.

He was trusted and respected by the Emperor Alexios, and was given the title of Caesar (Vice-Emperor, often an honorary title).

However, after the emperor's mysterious death in the palace of Brachna, Empress Lagaia of the Ducasse family took over as regent, and as a relative of the Komnenos royal family, he was gradually pushed out of the center of power.

"Master."

The young squire stood behind him and respectfully presented a letter.

"It was a letter from General Branas, who was ready to respond to Emperor Isaac and raise the flag of rebellion in Adrianople."

Conrad only glanced at it, then threw the letter on top of the candle and burned it.

The content in it is nothing more than that the emperor was poisoned by the empress and so on, as a traditional ally of the Komnenos family, he should stand up at this time and help him take Constantinople and the like.

"Resso, life in Constantinople is exhausting.

These Greek nobles seem to spend their days in the intrigues and calculations of each other, and every time I walk down the street, I seem to be able to see through the high walls and see in the secret room behind them, there are poisonous snakes spitting snake letters, spitting out venom-soaked plots. ”

The attendant named Resso smiled bitterly and said, "Master, what are you going to do?" ”

Conrad's expression was full of exhaustion: "I'm going to leave Constantinople, have you heard of Lothar of the Habsburgs?" ”

Rayso's expression changed slightly, and he forced a smile: "Of course, this is a new star who has become famous in the Holy Land, the Earl of the Transjordan Frontier, who is young, and sits in the same high position as the old master of the Crusader Prince. ”

"The Habsburg county of Allgäu is not far from Monferrato, and some time ago, when my father was in the Lombard League, he fought against his father, and they won and lost."

"What do you want to say?"

"I come from a similar background to the Marquis of Lothar, who is much younger than me, who has repeatedly defeated the infidels in the Holy Land, and has won countless feats and glories, while I am still living in Constantinople."

"I intend to follow the example of my father, who followed King Louis (the father of King Philip of Gaul)," he said, "to join the great crusade in the Holy Land, and to accomplish a laudable feat." ”

The squire hesitated.

Glancing at the luxurious silk robe on Conrad's body, he said with some reluctance: "What about the lady?" ”

Conrad snorted lightly: "Resso, don't indulge in the riches of Constantinople, if you stay here, sooner or later we will die like the emperor." As for Madame, she left her a letter for me, saying that our relationship had broken down and that we had divorced. ”

Rayso's eyes widened: "Master, divorce is sinful"

"That woman is a heretic, and she has neither loyalty nor affection for me, and I am willing to tell it frankly, even in the presence of the priest."

Catholic Church does not allow divorce, but if there is conclusive evidence that the wife is unchaste, she is eligible for divorce.

However, whether the divorce process can be completed depends on whether the church agrees, that is, the church needs to accept its accusation of infidelity against his wife.

…

When Anna arrived in Limassol, Lothar had just awarded a group of peasants and knights who had distinguished themselves in the war, canonizing them knighthoods or giving them land, money, and other rewards.

This kind of public commendation meeting not only gave glory to the soldiers, but also gave them real wealth.

Many of the peasants and soldiers who got the money planned to have a good time in the city as soon as possible.

As a military judge, Ned can only instruct them to have less contact with those unclean women, so as not to be contaminated with the incurable flower willow disease.

Lothar walked side by side with Anna, dressed in a rich purple robe, on the walls of Limassol, which had been taken over by Lothar's Black Eagle Banner.

"When are you going to send troops out to officially reclaim the island?"

"Isaac is dead." Anna's voice paused slightly, and she said with some doubts, "Now that Cyprus is scattered all over the country, haven't you thought of taking advantage of this opportunity to occupy more land?" ”

"We had an agreement."

Lothar frowned, "I'm not a treacherous. ”

"Anna, between us, we don't need to be tempted like this, right? My army has suffered heavy losses and cannot afford to march again, so should I rely on magic to subdue the rebels? ”

Anna was obviously satisfied with this answer, and a bright smile appeared on her face: "Then have you decided when to go to Constantinople with me?" ”

"As soon as possible, after meeting Barcelissa earlier, I will return to Jerusalem."

"You can't wait?"

"Of course. Although I am made a military general, I have no intention of getting involved in the center of power in the empire - but rest assured, I will fulfill the responsibility of the Limassol military district general to defend the territory and pay taxes to Constantinople every year. ”

Anna was a little dissatisfied: "You will regret it when you arrive in Constantinople, which is the most magnificent city in the world, countless times stronger than you Frankish Paris, Aachen, and London, and can collect tens of thousands of gold Suledes in taxes every day." ”

Every day?

10,000 gold coins?

Rao had expected it, and Lothar was still shocked by this number, what is the concept of a Hebron tax for a year every day?

Even if the emperor of the Eastern Empire had only one Constantinople left, it would be better than all the kings and emperors of the European continent.

"Anna, I know that compared to Constantinople, everywhere looks like a backcountry."

Lothar's tone paused slightly, and then he added: "But I tell you the truth, with the Greeks' disgust towards the Franks, I don't think that developing within the empire is such a promising thing for me. ”

The Franks had a long history of conflict with the Greeks.

Many Franks regarded the Greeks as cunning, contemptible and Jewish-like liars; The Greeks also considered the Franks to be fierce and brutal bandits.

During the Second Crusade, the Greeks deliberately led them down the wrong path by mixing lime with flour in order to deceive the Germanic Crusaders led by Emperor Conrad III.

As a result, the Crusaders fell apart in starvation.

"What Greeks, it's the Empire!"

Anna emphasized, and added, "Do you know Conrad of Monferrato?" He was married to a princess of the Komnenos, a Frank who sat on the throne of Caesar in the Empire. ”

Lothar certainly knew of this man, the defender of Tyre, a legendary figure of the Third Crusade, who had been assassinated by the Assassins of Assasin shortly after being elected king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

"Then his situation in Constantinople must be very bad."

Seeing that Lothar's oil and salt did not enter, Anna took a deep breath and tried to keep her good cultivation from scolding.

"Baselisa has decided to split Cyprus into the Limassol Military Region in the southwest, the Famagusta Military Region in the east, and the Nicosia Military Region in the north, and you will take over as the general of the Limassol Military Region."

"You can have the former Earl Commander here come to me, and I will strip him of his title and all his property according to the law, grant it to you, and bring him back to Constantinople to stand trial."

"So ruthless?"

Lothar was a little surprised, and said, "Shouldn't you think of pardoning Turiados at this time, so that those rebellious heralds can be decided?" ”

"Only blood can restore the majesty of the emperor."

Anna looked solemn.

"It seems that Isaac's rebellion has caused you a lot of trouble."

Anna's expression darkened: "I have to admit that this is true, on the borders of the empire, the Bulgarians, Serbs, Hungarians, and Turks are all major threats to the empire, but their threats, combined, are less than half of the threats from within the empire. ”

Lothar didn't have the idea of worrying about the empire, and said: "I plan to keep Turiados, as my spokesperson for the Limassol Military Region, this will be my money bag in the future, and I don't plan to make drastic changes here." ”

"Since you have interceded for him, it is naturally not difficult to save his life."

"Just, you're willing to trust him?"

Lothar said "um": "Since I dare to use him, he will not dare to rely on me." ”

Anna said with some disbelief: "The best potions master can't concoct potions that control people's hearts, I really can't understand where you got this confidence." ”

"You don't have to worry about that."

"And we're leaving tomorrow morning?"

"Okay."

"Remember to bring your personal guards."

"Why?"

"Barcelissa wants to see the army under your command, which I praise and possess the military might of the ancient empire, and they will be reviewed and rewarded by His Majesty."

Lothar suddenly said: "You're talking about the Eagle Banner Brigade, right?" ”

It's a pity that the heavy archer company has not yet been formed, otherwise you must be the people of Komnenos and Ducasse to see what the Imperial armored cavalry is.

Lothar secretly said in her heart, and readily agreed to Anna's request, it was enough for the Black Eagle Banner, the Varangian Guard, and the Religious Knights to stay in Limassol City.

(End of chapter)