"Die, or run?" Finally, Shah Nami asked.

Vizier sighed, "The Sultan's blood and bones are all here, how can he talk about death?" While the pagans had not yet sealed the water gate, they took the opportunity to send his wife out by boat. ”

"Is my husband okay?"

Vizier shook his head to indicate that it was all right, and then he said solemnly, "But until I have all ready, Madame, you are not allowed to show any fear or confusion in the court, and the same is true of the Sultan's children, understand?" ”

"Yes," Shahnami bowed her head sadly.

But when the ship, loaded with heads, arrived in the harbor of Constantinople, Raymond and Hugh's army had just headed for the other side of the channel.

Alexios was in high spirits today, for he learned from the documents he had submitted that the Pilgrim army, that is, his alliance with the others, had killed nearly 3,000 Roma soldiers at Exero and more than 4,000 Roma in the Valley of Nicadon.

On the other hand, his "assignment" to Isaac and Brenus also had a miraculous effect, in fact, the emperor asked these two imperial relatives to serve as "secular patrons of the monastery", Isaac went to the Cassandra Peninsula (where the holy mountain of Athos is located), and Brenus went to Moria, who were given such titles and positions, and went with a group of tax collectors, all of whom were protégés of Beriel, with royal certificates, for the purpose of taxing people on these two rich lands and reducing the wealth of monasteries and temples. Increasing wealth to the treasury. Add manpower to the army, although both of them are called "patrons". But in private, when the emperor talked to the imperial ink officials and eunuchs, he called his younger brother and son-in-law "big tax collectors".

Isaac and Brynus are doing a good job. At least much brighter than their military careers, the money in the treasury is increasing, and the fleet and armament are being strengthened.

"Put all these hateful heads in the arena and expose them to the sun for citizens and foreigners to see." Alexios closed Tetisius' booklet satisfied, then his gaze fixed on the Catcher's book, and then unfolded it in front of him.

The sound of "tearing" and the silk silk edging book was immediately pulled in two by Alexios. "Poked, stabbed Anna stabbed by that filthy brute!" When the emperor saw this blunt word, his whole face was distorted, and then he grabbed the ink cartridge and smashed it on the pillar in front of him, purple colors splashed, the supreme ruler of the empire gasped and stood up, and then the imperial ink official next to him, Meles, remained silent at all, and calmly put away the emperor's torn book. It's in the box.

"Meles, tell me how many soldiers and horses are available for dispatch in the imperial capital, Gallipoli, including Tsarsidon and Nicomides?"

"Ten thousand soldiers. It can guarantee that there are 3,000 cavalry inside. ”

"Are there enough boats?"

"No problem."

"Very well, now the order is issued, and everyone will go to the fortress of Gallipoli to assemble and stand by. Wait for my actions. The Emperor's finger pressed against the paperwork, and it spun continuously. The handwriting on it twisted into shape, "Now with such a big victory." I am very happy in my heart, but I know better that Gawain is also becoming more and more difficult to control and more dangerous, not to mention that there is Apat by his side, fighting for the tiger. It may be difficult to subdue this group of people with Raymond alone."

At the same time, Raymond landed on the land of Civet, and Hugh. Capet, along with their vast army, made their way through the gorge to the city of Nicaea, where they set up a siege camp northwest of the city before joining the second council of lords for the siege.

The one-eyed Raymond, with the trust entrusted by the Emperor, stepped into the camp with a swagger.

But then he saw that no one got up to greet him respectfully, not not only Bohemond, who had his chin raised, but also Godfrey, Baldwin, Gawain, and even Robert and Stephen, who had been the only ones on the previous journey, bowed their heads as if they did not see him. In the end, only Tetisius and Branath stood up and caressed their breasts to salute him.

Hugh, who was behind him, couldn't help but sneer when he saw this scene.

Dismayed, Raymond found the vacant seat and sat down.

"The Provençals and Orleans have also come, and our siege strength is a little more." Godfrey opened his mouth, but his tone was noticeably heavier than that of "One Point".

"In fact, the onslaught against the Sultan of Konya in the valley east of the city has already set the whole battle, and that battle is thanks to the Holy Banner Cavalry Company commanded by my nephew." Bohemond said with his eyes half-closed, tapping his thighs left and right.

"Uncle, it is a glorious victory united by all the pilgrims." Tankred, who was standing behind him, was expressionless and modestly corrected.

Then all the lords laughed knowingly, and both Raymond and Hugh could hear it, and the implication of this laughter was, "Get out of the way, and don't get mixed with our exploits." ”

But Raymond was not angry, he leaned over and pointed to a monk beside him who was wearing a cross and looked very high-class, "Le Mans, Lord Ademar of Mans, the envoy appointed by His Holiness the Pope, come, come, help us to form the Council of Cardinals." ”

"The Council of Cardinals?" Everyone present sighed in their hearts, what is the Pope going to do when he sends this person to follow Raymond? Everyone knew something in their hearts, but no one said it.

"Ladies and gentlemen." Ademar, who was full of modest smiles, behaved very amiably, "This sacred expedition is thousands of miles away, and we have to face not only sword conquest, but also the coordination of churches and believers in various places, so Your Majesty has entrusted the contemptible people to come, hoping to act as your Crown's arms and eyes, so that the cooperation between the Ecumenical Church, the Orthodox Church and your expeditionary corps will be more intimate." ”

To put it bluntly, no matter how beautiful Ademar's words are, his duty is to monitor the people, that is, to strengthen Pope Urban's control over the pilgrimage army and the faithful. "In terms of rank, don't worry, the contemptible position is the rank of the priest, and it will not insult your identity." Ademar added.

At this moment, Bohemond suddenly raised his hand, and then stood up to speak, "Speaking of which, we also have a priesthood in our army, if the Council of Cardinals is formed, who will be the presiding officer?" ”

Now, with Bohemond's words, all the lords and lords unanimously turned their eyes to Gawain's body, and Ademar also stared at this blue eye, no matter how he looked at it, it looked like a general covered in dust, "Another priesthood?" That's right, it's you, Lord Gawain. Of course, before the contemptible man came, His Majesty did confess your deeds. (To be continued.) )