Eagle Byzantium

Ask for some monthly tickets

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The light boat carrying the widow's letter quickly arrived at the dredged port pier in Bari a month before Christmas. At the same time as it arrived, there was also a Venetian long galley with a Venetian on its deck. The city-state sent to the port of Candila, the colony of Crete, to fulfill the general Governor Molito Rosso, as well as the guild representatives and mayor of Ragusa City, Andrea Betos holding Bertin's letter, and a mysterious guest: who was originally exiled to Asia by the emperor. On an unnamed desert island in the Adriatic Sea, Idorus, the dean of St. John's Cathedral in the former imperial capital.

The first two are all dressed in rich clothes. The new governor of Chania is cleanly shaved. He has a Venetian's unique high chin, gray and calculating eyes, and the black soft hat of the ruler on his head. He is full of energy. boat ladder bridge Walking up and down, there were several attendants behind him; while Betos had the majestic long beard of an Orthodox nobleman, hung an icon pendant, and wore a silk robe obtained from the royal warehouse in Constantinople. The servant behind him Holding his staff and flag.

As for Idorus, he was now like an old farmer, being carried down by two people on a rickety shoulder carriage. His body had been severely damaged by the long-term exile, but Gawain and Diognis both Half-kneeling on the pier, he saluted the respected patriarch, then personally took over the carrying pole and carried Idorus into the St. Nicholas Cathedral amidst the strong voices of the onlookers.

"We have already reached an agreement on the division of interests in shipping." After some negotiation, the Venetian Rosso shook hands with Gawain politely and coldly, "According to the decree of the city-state Senate, I have full authority to lease an appropriate number of merchant ships to you. , and there are three warships patrolling around your port to guard against the attack of Norman bandits and protect our common rights and interests. Of course, the cost of these three warships will be borne by you."

This kind of tone is normal for the Venetians. They are a people who will never act on a whim in business. Hundreds of years of hard work in the sea and waves have made everyone mature and prudent; of course, the Venetians will not let anyone make money. opportunities, not to mention that Barry City is only doing secret parallel import business. Even if the emperor of Constantinople knew about it, it would not be a big deal. Venetians who had started selling wood, iron, and salt to the enemies of the Byzantine Empire three hundred years ago and were angrily rebuked by the emperor would not be surprised by this.

So after weighing the matter, the Venetian Senate quickly ordered a small colonial governor to discuss the matter with Gawain. Maximize the leverage of benefits while minimizing risks.

Then, after carefully reading the terms, Betos, the Zatar envoy from Ragusa, also agreed to send wood and food to the city of Bari. "Cities on the coast are almost invulnerable to enemies. "The army captured." This is what Betos said. He knew that Gawain and the city of Bari were in the coming year. It was certain to face a Norman invasion.

"Yes, not only because of the port and fleet, but also mainly because of the support from the allies." Gawain held the hands of the two envoys and said very enthusiastically. He is also very comfortable in diplomatic agreements and knows how to win the cooperation and favor of his friends in terms of their interests, and then he tries his best to invite "new friends" to a grand banquet.

"Honorable Grand Duke, I would rather see the defense of the city of Bari and the situation of the defense first - don't get me wrong, the Venetians are always on the side of the empire and you, and have no idea of ​​spying in secret. Instead, they want to protect me. Bang's investment will not be lost, I hope you can understand," the calm Rosso then asked.

The land near the cathedral has been carefully distributed by Gawain to the people in the city. Farming for maximum self-sustainability, he would then host the church with pilgrims. He was entrusted with full authority to Idorus, and he collected festival fees and sold fragments of holy relics to make huge profits.

The streets and trade markets of Bari City have begun to show vitality. Many ships from cities on both sides of the Adriatic Sea have come to Bari City to berth in the good winter weather and carry various goods through here. It is then transported and sold to the interior of Italy. Since the deposit required by Gao Wen is relatively low, it is conceivable that the throughput will become more prosperous in the summer and autumn next year, which is suitable for shipping.

When Gawain accompanied the two envoys to the city wall, it could be seen that several simple bridges had been built on the swamps and rivers outside the city of Bari. The nobles and people who came to the land of St. Nicholas on pilgrimage rode on mules and horses. Donkeys, carrying luggage, come and go on it From time to time, in the square at the entrance of the church, there are neatly dressed vendors selling pilgrim souvenirs, "enamel vessels inlaid with small fragments of saints' bones", colorfully decorated sermons of St. Nicholas' miracles, and so on. Stuff, good income.

Rosso and Betos, along the other side of the city wall, looked at the fort where Barry's civilian army, which had now grown to nearly 2,000 people, was training hard. After the Aversa raid, Gawain's red-hand company regained its momentum. Not only the Greeks, but also anti-Norman people from Saracens, Lombardy, and the entire southern Italy rushed to attach themselves to the archduke and expel them. After capturing Casa in the city, Gawain organized the city and surrounding villages into different teams and used square flags of different colors to coordinate command.

Seeing this scene, Rosso couldn't help but nod. "It's a pity that Venice is surrounded by forests and swamps, and it can't support farm and village production at all. The canoes are our fields, drifting without support."

"Speaking of this, in addition to leasing three warships, there is another business for your country." Gawain took the opportunity to get close to Rosso, "Amalfi City previously handed over 8,000 silver coins as a reward for rescue, and I plan to purchase weapons from your country."

This sentence surprised Rosso for a while, "What did you say, purchase weapons?" Because in his impression, ships, weapons, shields, and armor basically rely on the craftsmen of the city-state to produce them by themselves, or get them from battlefields. But this Grand Duke, as an official general of the Byzantine Roman Empire, actually wanted to "purchase weapons" from Venice openly.

Then Gawain calmly asked Rosso to meet his needs - "I heard that your country is planning to build a large military workshop."

Gandira's new governor was surprised. The barbarian duke was right. This year, with the agreement of the entire Venice Senate, the entire city-state began to build a huge military workshop in the hidden Arsenal in the lagoon. According to the understanding of later generations, it can be called an "arsenal", which adopts the advanced mode of division of labor and cooperation (for example, warships, the main body is manufactured by the large military workshop, and low-tech cables and other parts are contracted by private docks) and assembly line operations. However, this military workshop is only partially completed now, but it can also be seen that the news of this duke is still very sensitive.

"I need your stone-throwing machine and porcupine crossbow." Gawain then spoke bluntly. (To be continued ~^~)