Eagle Byzantium

Of course, Durazzo's dilemma soon spread across the ocean to the Italian Holy See, whether it was Tuscany, Rome, or Bari.

As for the Pope in Ravenna, he probably overslept in the courtyard garden and made no sound at all.

Anselm of Bari was overjoyed and asked the priests to organize a celebration for all citizens and called on wealthy businessmen to donate one-thirtieth of their property, while ordinary citizens donated one-fifty to the local big bank. , used to support the emperor’s military pay and logistics.

The attitude of the Holy See in Rome wavered again. They publicly expressed softening remarks, saying that as long as Gawain did not harm the many ecumenical church properties on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea, they were willing to negotiate peace with the New Roman Empire and live in peace from then on, and promised The many Slavic kingdoms on the east coast of the ocean were no longer encouraged to embrace the Roman Catholic Church.

The Pope of Tuscany suddenly fell ill because of a mixture of anger and disappointment, but he still instructed his palace deacons and cardinals to concoct a large number of edicts full of gunpowder, some calling on countries to reinforce Du Lazzo, and some asking for Countries confiscated "The Great Hospital of Seleucia for Reverse Birth," and others committed persistent mental attacks on Gawain and Anselm.

But these are like mist, unable to withstand the sharp spear blades extended by the emperor's cavalry in reality.

In mid-October, neither the rebellion of the remnants of Dukeria in the newly conquered territory nor the frequent feints of the Sicilians in the Epirus region could stop Gawain's determination. His three brigades were first stationed in Lake. Nidus (the ancient name of Ohrid, now restored) prepared for three days, and then arrived at Petlay Castle (now Tirana, the capital of Albania) on time, only thirty-two miles away from the seaside city of Durazo.

At the same time, even though one brigade was left to contain the Epirus side, General Acropolites also led his Opushkin brigade to advance to Petlay in time to join the emperor's army.

Gawain sent envoys to send letters inviting a decisive battle, but they were all rejected by the Venetians and Sicilians in the city.

"I only have four brigades plus some cavalry, forbidden troops, and artillery troops. The total number is about the same as yours. Why are you so reluctant to go to war?" The emperor expressed his incomprehension towards the other party's fear and caution.

After a pause, the emperor added, "Then I will attack them."

So the imperial soldiers and military servants beside the emperor's camp were first sent out to explore the best place to attack Durazzo. The final location of the camp happened to be the five terraces surrounding the east and northeast sides of the city of Durazzo, and the Ishmi River flowed through the five hills and ran directly across the promontory where the Durazzo Castle was located. It flows into the Adriatic Sea.

There is a bridge across the river, and the southeast side that the bridge leads to is a large wilderness suitable for fighting. This bridge is also the seaside of the ancient Egnadia Avenue.

That's right, Emperor Gawain's camp is exactly where Emperor Alexios was stationed sixteen years ago.

The enemy troops in Indulazuo City did not dare to leave the fortress too far, so they did not have any large-scale resistance to the emperor's military operations. They only conducted several small-scale outpost battles. On the central hill, overlooking the wilderness below.

The Normans were deployed here at that time. They had already lost nearly ten thousand soldiers due to shipwrecks and plagues, and the city of Durazzo was still firmly in the hands of Alexios' generals, threatening Guiscat and Bo. Himond's retreat was such that after the arrival of Alexios's army, Guiscat ordered the bridge to Durazzo to be demolished to prevent the retreat from being attacked by city soldiers. Moreover, they were arrayed in the wilderness, while Alexius was arrayed on the mountains, and the terrain was also at a disadvantage.

At that time, the Normans were really a "sad soldier".

But even so, Guiscat still relied on the skilled Calabrian archers and the brave Norman knights to charge with spears and defeat Alexios. The emperor was hit by two flying spears and fled back in panic. Ohrid suffered the second greatest humiliation in his life, and this wilderness was soaked in the blood of Roman soldiers and nobles (the first was of course Philomelon).

"Sixteen years later, I will make Durazzo known to the world again." Gawain held Agtilius's bridle, the purple cloak tied to it took off, and said silently in his heart.

On the large round seaside tower of Durazzo City, all the generals of the Eastern Expedition Army stood on the crenellations, looking at the Roman Emperor's army coming from all over the mountains and plains with horrified eyes. They started the campaign last year and turned around. After traveling a full five hundred miles, they swept through Isaac Komnenos, Constantine Bertin and the Mosheian rebels, and now they are in front of all the enemies:

On the central platform, riding a bronze horse is the emperor who successfully usurped the throne. He is the blood of the Varyag barbarians, but he is the husband of Baselisa of the current empire. Now he is wearing a purple cloak that symbolizes his status, surrounded by people. Noble attendants in white and blue robes, and teams of custodial soldiers armed with heavy and bloody long axes guarded him, standing under the banner of the empire's double-headed eagle commander. On both sides and in front of the platform, the emperor's cavalry officers roared loudly and spread out in a fan shape all over the heights, holding gorgeous and sharp weapons and flags.

There are two terraces on each side, and many soldiers are already busy building camps on them. Light artillery has been deployed first, and the muzzles have been measured and aimed to block the passing passage. Many chariots were pushed into the passage between the platforms, crowding the passage and controlling it.

It seems that this bloodthirsty emperor is determined to destroy Durazzo's troops before he is willing to do so.

So everyone felt great fear.

"Line up the nitre spears on the top of the city. If Gawain dares to cross the river in front of us to attack the city, we will completely shoot all the nitre spears and destroy his army." The Venetian officer encouraged everyone, and then he turned to the battlements near the sea and pointed to the endless sails on the sea. "There is enough food and supplies, and they are continuously transported from behind us. What we lack now is the fighting spirit to pick up swords and fight the enemy. Everyone, if we can't hold on to Durazzo, our hometown will be poisoned by the tyrant, our faith will be trampled by the tyrant, and his iron hoof will soon penetrate into Italy!"

So everyone also took up their courage. The Venetians guarded the castle, while the Hungarian garrison and the Sicilian Normans advanced to the other side of the bridge, dug a fort and set up camp to form a corner with the castle.

A correct version in 16-9 Book Bar!

And they also had more than a dozen cannons of various colors, rumbling and shooting at the hill where Gawain set up camp.

Gawain would not be passive at all. When his artillery positions were set up, he quickly launched a return fire.

On the flat ground between Durazzo and the terrace, smoke and white fog caused by artillery shells continued to rise from the ground all day long.

The emperor was not in a hurry to attack. Gawain certainly knew that his naval power was insufficient and he could not trap Durazzo to death because the most powerful Venetian fleet was floating on the sea behind him. However, his goal was not to trap the city, but to trap the ships - as long as I did not withdraw the siege, the Venetians had to stay here and float on the sea!