The curtain was lifted and the bell rang, and a happy Marlena came out with John's hand, ready to celebrate Alexios' great victory in the palace coup, so the emperor quietly called the messenger to withdraw, and took off Anna's diary and put it in the bag of her belt.

Before Marlena could speak, Alexios waved his hand, "Now the rebellious Myaulinus and many members of the Ducasse family are still on the way to escape, and there are many affairs in the imperial capital that need to be dealt with urgently. Therefore, I will immediately discuss with the little bird and the Imperial Ink Officer, as well as important matters in the outer court, and you and John will rest first. ”

Hearing the emperor's words, Marlena was a little stunned, but John's eyes embedded in his black skin were obviously shining, as if he was not very interested in his father's consolation at all, but held his adoptive mother's pink and smooth arm. The subtlety of this expression, Alexios did not see it, but it was taken in by the great eunuch standing on the side, but Nick Demia only coughed lightly twice, and did not make the next move, he who had been immersed in the court all his life, of course he understood what to suspect and what not to do.

In the outer court, Myles had respectfully prepared the scribes and pen and ink, "Is there any definite information about Caesar's escape?" The Emperor asked casually.

"He didn't cross the sea, because he was afraid of it himself, after all, the western part of Asia Minor was almost entirely the territory of the Tefris and the Sultan of Konya, so he was hurrying towards the west of the capital."

"He's going to go to that Stephen. Gawain's Red Hand? The Emperor asked, a little uneasy, "If that's the case." It's going to make it tricky. "After all, McAulinus. Ducasse is still qualified to claim power over the throne of the Empire. If you hook up with Gawain, a cunning brute, and even the whole world of the Catholic Church. It's hard to deal with.

The little bird laughed and shook his head, "If that's right, he should go to Brenus, or even the Norman leader Bohemond." ”

"Well, the two armies are connected from end to end." Alexios couldn't help but laugh when he heard the trusted eunuch judge like this, and his heart settled down, "This brother-in-law of mine thought that Brenus was Anna's fiancé. And Tetisius was born as his house slave and would support himself wholeheartedly. What's even more interesting is Bohemond's attitude, I can't wait to see this interesting play. ”

"Then, concerning Caesar's fields and workshops in Thrace, Gallipoli, and Macedonia, and the Plonian taxmen whom he had raised," the faithful Imperial Ink Officer, Myles, cautiously inquired of His Majesty's disposition.

The Emperor held his head high, as if his long-cherished wish had finally been fulfilled, "All of them have not entered the Imperial Property, and the monastery associated with Myaulinus. Monks larger than eight were to be dealt with in this way, and then distributed by the Grand Comptroller Beriel to our newly captured and surrendered barbarians (Pechenegs, Cumans, Bulgars, Abbagis, etc.) in exchange for their service and to save the treasury a great deal of assets. I did rely on mercenaries in the past. However, it was also out of expediency, and it was absolutely too late to reorganize the national defense force, which was mainly composed of military households, peasants and soldiers, at a time of national crisis. Now the Normans have joined the crusade. I also want to revive the Imperial Legion and conquer the territory of Liberty Minor. As for the Pronians. We will move them back to Asia Minor from the provinces west of the imperial capital, and still contract land for them. and have the right to tax. ”

"Your Majesty the Emperor is wise, as long as this group of Plonian landlords goes to Asia Minor, they will naturally fight to the death against the Konya Turks in order to keep their estate and taxes, and Your Majesty does not have to spend any military salaries to support them, and it will be difficult to receive benefits there anyway." The little bird immediately understood the emperor's deep meaning and echoed.

"Well, these more than 300 Plonian landlords can form an 'unpaid' army in Nicomedia and Bithynia to resist the Turks, and even if they are defeated, they can at least hold back the bastard dog Gilici, and when my legion can raise the flag and go on the expedition, this group of people and the expeditionary force from West Francia are all driven by the king." Alexios then smiled with satisfaction, "In addition, the treasury has been much richer in the last two years, and I can do it again." ”

"Naburiel"

"There's no need to chase after them, because to show Komnenos's leniency, and because the taxes and customs are still dependent on their people. Mercenaries and military nobles don't understand these chores. ”

"Your Majesty's Sister"

"Leniency, after all, it is my blood relative, and I have left her a few retirement granges, and if Theodora wants to enter the convent, she will also follow her. The children of Mycollinus were not to be harmed, either by exile or by monasticism. ”

It was not until midnight that Alexios, a little tired and high-spirited, came to Marlena's bed, and under the dim light, the glamorous chief lady, dressed in a light veil, lay on her side on the couch with affection, waiting for His Majesty's return.

"Looks like you're a little red?" The Emperor's somewhat cold hand caressed Malena's somewhat hot cheeks, the soft and burning touch, with fine beads of sweat, so he asked curiously.

"It's nothing, just now I used the Valyan-style bathing method in the bathroom to sweat and exercise, and with age, just like His Majesty's beautiful palace, it is also necessary to devote a lot of money and energy to maintain." Marlena explained coquettishly.

In this way, Alexios did not pay much attention, and the black silence fell around the dormitory, and the wind blew the curtains and flags, and made a whining and choking sound, like the laugh of the devil.

In front of the Gallipoli fortress, the army led by Yagfi and Mikhail, waving the purple battle flag of the royal family, was violently arrayed on the outskirts of the field, beating drums and provoking. In the small gate of the fortress, the local garrison, Grand Duke Altabasdos, accompanied by Caesar McAulinus, fled on horseback again and fled further west. Immediately, the Emperor's men took over the key to the St. George's Strait.

On the other hand, another army accompanied by the tax collectors and the officials, also led by the returning veteran Harold, entered Thrace and destroyed the pro-Caesar forces there. In addition, Harold adhered to the emperor's will and posted documents in various market towns:

"I have issued the Golden Edict, which decrees that the remnants of the Tevris, who had caused many calamities on the borders of the Empire, should have been completely exterminated, and that all heretics should be put to the cross and burned at the stake. But I have mercy on me, but anyone who is willing to give up heretical beliefs and reconvert to Orthodox baptism can rush to Fort Philip, Adrianople and other places to make a name and serve as a border guard of the empire. The rest of the heretical believers, insurmountable, are all exiled to the Danube and Wallachia, which is equivalent to exile, and the annual tribute is paid, and I can temporarily avoid capital crimes, but those who dare to cross the border will be killed! (To be continued.) )