In the alley outside the wealthy area in the north of the city, a group of people in armor and burqas gathered at the crossing, discussing and waiting.

A short time later, a plainly decorated carriage came and stopped at the entrance of the alley. Odosia jumped out of the car, turned around again, and respectfully held out her hand to greet her. Then Princess Jeanne stepped out of the car.

The group of waiters immediately greeted her and bowed to her. Princess Jeanne looked left and right, but was a little strange: "Why are you the only ones?" The mercenaries didn't come? ”

"You mean the Genoese?" A strong man with a barrel helmet with a large lion carved on the top of the helmet took the lead and replied, "They have come, on the other side of the road." ”

"Well, we'll get them over there first." Others chimed in.

"It took me a long time to convince the Genoese merchants to hire them." Princess Jeanne said helplessly: "What are you bombing them for?" ”

"These guys are unreliable, Your Highness the Princess." Another said: "It's okay to let them serve as a façade, but if there is a real fight, these cowardly people are simply useless." If there's anything you need to do, we'll help you get started. ”

"We have too few people, and we have to have some professional soldiers to help." Princess Jeanne explained, emphasizing: "We are engaged in a difficult but great undertaking, which requires us to withstand all kinds of tests. In these little things, let go of excessive pride as well. ”

"This time, we are weak after all, and we need to invite as many people as possible to help. I'll get some Greeks over later. I know what you think, but right now, we really need their help. ”

"What are we to do, Sir Le Bornay, you say?" She said to the strong man holding the helmet: "Do you also want to give up the honor of your ancestors for the sake of your stubbornness?" ”

"Well, I see, Your Highness. Then I won't take the lead next time to chase them......" Le Borne thought about it, and found that there was no reason to refuse, so he had to say: "However, is it really useful to find so many people to make up the numbers?" ”

"yes, where did you find the Greeks?" A tall, lanky knight next to him also asked.

"Hasn't Miss Odosia been helping me get in touch before?" Princess Jeanne said: "I have made contact with a number of well-known families here, who have agreed to give us sponsorship and have promised to send people to join us. ”

"There was chaos in the city now, but the Roman Khanate did not react. This is the time for us Crusaders to show ourselves and gain the trust of everyone. I have sent for them to inform them, and they will soon be coming with us to maintain order in the city. ”

"Tonight, the first day after the triumph. Over there at the Colosseum, a car race is being held, and the rich and idle people in the city are there. After the game, they will also hold a celebration. We took this opportunity, with their help, to call on the people, and we should be able to get the support of many people. ”

"But aren't we going to help put things down?" Leborne wondered: "Pull these people to help?" Are you sure? ”

"yes, that's not going to work."

"I heard that the chaos is in the southern district, and the place is full of poor Rus' people. How could the Greeks beat them......"

Everyone questioned again.

"Don't make noise, don't make noise." The tall and lanky knight waved his hand, and then explained to Princess Jeanne: "Your Highness, we are not saying that we have to look down on the Greeks. It's just that you also know that in these days, the Greeks who can fight are all in the Roman legions. These people out there ......."

"It's true that we have fewer people now, but more people are not necessarily a good thing. Even if these people are willing to help, they are a bit of a drag. Just let them pay for it, I think it's better not to bring them with you. He said bluntly.

"I don't expect them to do anything, but we have to get the word out." Princess Jeanne reminded: "It is not the 11th century anymore. Just say, 'I'm going to fight in the Holy Land for the guidance of my faith,' and I'm afraid everyone will take you for a fool." ”

"But those of us really need more support. Achieving merit and being rewarded in the East is indeed a dangerous but effective direction. That's true for me, and it's the same for you. Like you, Louie—" She looked at the tall lanky knight, "If you could really get help, would you still be afraid of your fiefdom-grabbing brother?" Even, if we can accumulate more strength here and fight back, then do we need to look at the faces of those English? and those which have been cut off and given to their own will be returned to you. ”

After listening to her words, many people calmed down.

Many of these people were forced into exile because of the war with England. There are quite a few who stand in the wrong line and are squeezed out by competitors. In order to get a chance to turn over, they are willing to go to a distant place to gamble.

After saying this, the crowd stopped raising objections. Princess Jeanne turned around and thanked Eudothea, who returned the salute, got into the carriage again, and left first.

"Charles, go and call those mercenary leaders, you have to act with them later." Princess Jeanne continued to command, "Jacques, you're in charge here. ”

"Huh? I? The strong man holding the helmet said unexpectedly, "Won't you come along?" ”

"I don't know why this time, something happened suddenly, so our plan can only be rushed." Princess Jeanne said, "Take the knights, and the Genoese here, to the northwest, to the residence of King Wu." You should remember the time when you were asked to find the way before. ”

"I remember." Jacques nodded: "Who to go to?" ”

"It's not an answer." Princess Jeanne commanded: "Take the Genoese there, enclose the house, and let them deliver the prince and princess." ”

"Louie, bring my horse here. Take two knights and come with me to the Greeks. She turned her head and ordered, "Those people promised to bring someone to help." Let's go and see how big a cow they are blowing this time. ”

"Are there enough of us?" Louis hurriedly asked, "The Greeks have always been cunning, don't deliberately deceive us." What if they had an ambush? ”

"What are you afraid of?" Princess Jeanne scoffed: "Didn't you know just now that the Greeks are very sexual? I have heard that the predecessors of the Crusaders were able to defeat the Greek army of 100,000 in one fell swoop by recruiting a few hundred wandering knights and mercenaries in the port. We respect the Romans, not these greedy and short-sighted Greeks, afraid of what they do. ”

"If these people set up an ambush, for whatever purpose, you will follow me. Got it? ”

"Understood, understood." Louis gained confidence and turned back to lead the horse.

"Well, Your Highness, I have a problem too." Jacques hurriedly followed suit, "You asked me to go over there, but they don't know us." What if not? ”

"They don't recognize me either." Princess Jeanne spread her hands: "However, during the triumphal ceremony before, I went there to participate in the ceremony, and I observed it by the way. They don't have much power here, so the guards are also empty, and there are few people. There are so many of you that they dare not resist. Let the two men come out, and bring them to meet me. ”

"Then, what about Queen Wu over there?" Jacques, who looked rough, became attentive and asked again.

"Leave her alone, just leave her in the house." Princess Jeanne shook her head: "She looks like a very high-born, well-educated person. With a high claim power, he is nominally detached, but he has no strength. ”

"No matter what, you have to be careful not to hurt these people, or we will be at a disadvantage." "But don't be afraid of them," she advised. It is precisely because of the absolute superiority in force that we can have the leeway to do so. ”

"Yes, I remember." Jacques nodded and answered.

"The one who is really cunning is Her Majesty the Queen. The Greeks couldn't match her. Princess Jeanne lamented: "In this disadvantaged environment, she still holds even the title in name. We offered to give her a fief in exchange for her dissolution of the marriage, but she refused. ”

"As a result, she really survived all these years, and even took the initiative to attack and use stratagems to rob my daughter. No wonder the merchants always said that the Seris were more cunning than the Greeks, but that they were too wealthy most of the time to take advantage of the lesser profits. ”

"It's a pity, like all Greeks, these elaborate schemes are useless in the face of strength." Princess Jeanne smiled: "Does she still think that I must play some palace fighting with her within that set of rules?" Actually, I'm ready. ”

"When I came into contact with the envoy of the Ming Dynasty, I hinted at him. The old cleric did not reject my plans, they clearly only cared about King Wu and his title, and other actions would not interfere as long as they did not touch the basic principles—I even felt that the messenger was expecting my actions. She told the crowd: "When this side is over, I will go and talk openly about it to the Roman court and the envoys of the Ming Dynasty." They will not object to the established facts. ”

"Now, let's snatch the prince and princess directly and let her cry there alone." She happily finished announcing, jumped on her horse, couldn't help hiding her mouth and laughing a few times, and rode away with a look of revenge.

(End of chapter)