People in the Middle Ages, draw cards to get promoted

Chapter 286 Conrad of Monferrato
Constantinople.

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

The passage leads to a prayer room, in which there is a simple altar with a crucified crucifix enshrined in the center.

On the wall, there is a mural of three oriental saints dressing Jesus.

Conrad knelt before the icon and prayed devoutly.

Conrad Aramichi, the second son of the border count of Monferrato, married the imperial consort of the purple princess of the Comnenos family.

He was deeply trusted and valued by the late Emperor Alexios, and was awarded the title of Imperial Caesar (Vice Emperor, often an honorary title).

However, after the emperor's mysterious and sudden death in the Brahena Palace, Queen Lagaia of the Dukas family took power and regent, and as a relative of the Komnenos royal family, he was gradually squeezed out of the center of power.

"Owner."

The young attendant stood behind him, presenting a letter respectfully.

"A letter from General Branas, who is preparing to raise his flag at Adrianople in response to Emperor Isaac."

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 former emperor was poisoned by the queen, etc., as a traditional ally of the Komnenos family, he should stand up at this time and help him win Constantinople with internal and external cooperation.

"Leso, life in Constantinople has exhausted me physically and mentally.

These Greek nobles seem to spend every day in the conspiracy and calculation among each other. Every time I walk on the street, I seem to be able to see through the high walls and see poisonous snakes in the secret room behind. Spitting out snake letters, spitting out plots soaked in venom. "

The attendant named Lei Suo smiled wryly, "Master, what are you going to do?"

Conrad's expression was full of exhaustion: "I'm planning to leave Constantinople, have you heard of Lothar of the Habsburg family?"

Lei Suo's expression changed slightly, and he forced a smile and said: "Of course, this is a new star who has become famous in the Holy Land, the Earl of the Transjordan Frontier, and at a young age, he is a crusader prince who sits at the same high position as his old master."

"The Earl of Aargau of the Habsburg family is not far from Monferrato. Some time ago, when my father joined the Lombard League, he fought against his father, and they won each other."

"What do you want to say?"

"My background is similar to that of the Marquis of Lothar. He is much younger than me. He has repeatedly defeated the pagans in the Holy Land and won countless feats and honors, but I am still wasting my time in Constantinople."

He said sternly: "I intend to imitate my father who followed King Louis (the father of King Philip of Gaul) to the Holy Land to participate in the great crusade cause, and also won praiseworthy feats for me."

The servant hesitated.

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

Conrad snorted softly: "Leso, don't indulge in the wealth of Constantinople. If you stay here any longer, sooner or later we will die like the late emperor. As for Madam—just do it for me." Leave her a letter saying that our relationship has broken down and we will get a divorce."

Lesso's eyes widened: "Master, divorce is a sin."

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

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

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

...

When Anna arrived in Limassol, Lothar had just awarded honors to a group of farmers, soldiers and knights who had performed outstandingly in the war, canonizing them as knights or giving them land, money and other rewards.

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

Many farmers and soldiers who got the money planned to have a good time in the city immediately.

As a military judge, Ned could only tell them to avoid contact with those unclean women, so as not to be infected with the difficult-to-cure venereal disease.

Lothar and Anna, who was wearing a luxurious purple robe, walked side by side on the city wall of Limassol, which has been taken over by Lothar's Black Eagle Banner.

"When do you plan to send troops out to formally recover Cyprus?"

"Isaac is dead." Anna paused slightly, and said with some doubts, "Right now, Cyprus is a piece of land. Haven't you ever thought of taking advantage of this opportunity to occupy more land?"

"We had an agreement."

Lothar frowned: "I'm not a perfidy."

"Anna, there's no need to test like this between us, right? My army has suffered heavy losses and is unable to march any further. Do I need to rely on magic to subdue those rebels?"

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

"As soon as possible, after seeing Basilisa earlier, I can return to Jerusalem."

"You can't wait that much?"

"Of course. Although I am appointed general of the military region, I don't intend to get involved in the power center of the empire - but you can rest assured that I will fulfill the duty of the general of the Limassol military region to guard the land and pay taxes to Constantine every year. Fort."

Anna was a little dissatisfied and said: "You will regret it when you arrive in Constantinople. It is the most magnificent city in the world. It is countless times stronger than your Frankish Paris, Aachen, and London. You can charge tens of thousands of dollars every day. the tax of a gold Suledus."

every day?

Ten thousand gold coins?

Rao had expected it a long time ago, but Lothar was still shocked by this number. What is the concept of a year's tax in Hebron every day?
Even if there is only one Constantinople left for the emperor of the Eastern Empire, it will be better than all the possessions of all the kings and emperors on the European continent.

"Anna, I know that compared with Constantinople, everywhere is like a backcountry."

Lothar paused, and said again: "But I'm serious, because of the Greeks' dislike for the Franks, I don't think developing within the empire is such a promising thing for me."

The conflict between the Franks and the Greeks has a long history.

Many Franks regarded the Greeks as cunning, despicable, liars like Jews; the Greeks also regarded the Franks as fierce, brutal, brutal and low-spirited robbers.

During the Second Crusade, the Greeks added lime to the flour to deliberately lead them astray to deceive the Germanic crusaders led by Emperor Conrad III.

As a result, the crusaders fell apart amidst starvation.

"What Greeks are imperial people!"

Anna emphasized, and then said: "Do you know Conrad of Monferrato? He is a Frank who married the princess of the Comnenos family and took the high position of Caesar in the empire."

Of course Lothar knew this person. In the history of his previous life, the defender of Tire, a legendary figure during the Third Crusade, was assassinated by Assassin's assassins shortly after he was elected as the king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

"Then he must be in a bad place in Constantinople."

Seeing that Lothar was not getting in, Anna took a deep breath, trying to maintain her good self-cultivation so as not to yell.

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

"You can let the original earl commander here come to see me, and I will deprive him of his title and all property according to the law, and grant it to you, and take him back to Constantinople for trial."

"So cruel?"

Losa was a little surprised and said: "At this time, shouldn't you be thinking about pardoning Turiados, so that those rebellious rumors can be determined?"

"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 border of the empire, the Bulgarians, Serbs, Hungarians, and Turks are all major threats to the empire, but their threats, combined, are not enough to come from the empire. half of the threat from within."

Lothar had no intention of worrying about the empire, and said: "I plan to keep Turiados, as my spokesperson in the Limassol Military Region, this place will be my pocketbook in the future, and I don't plan to make drastic changes here. change."

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

"Just, are you willing to trust him?"

Lothar said "hmm": "Since I dare to use him, there is a reliance that he dare not be obedient to me."

Anna was a little disbelieving: "The best potion master can't concoct a potion that controls people's hearts. I really don't understand where you have such confidence."

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

"Then shall we leave tomorrow morning?"

"it is good."

"Remember to bring your personal guard with you."

"why?"

"Bacelisa wants to see your subordinates, the army that I praised highly, possessing the military power of the ancient empire. They will accept His Majesty's review and reward."

Lothar suddenly realized: "You are talking about the Eagle Banner Brigade, right?"

It's a pity that the heavy cavalry company hasn't been formed yet, otherwise you, Komnenos and Dukas, must see what is called imperial cavalry.

Lothar thought to himself, and readily agreed to Anna's request. It was enough for the Black Eagle Banner, Varangian Guards, and Order Knights to stay in Limassol City for garrison.

(End of this chapter)