Eagle Flag of Epirus

"Please weigh, how many years is Constantinople prepared to suffer the humiliation of foreign invaders? Is it ten years or twenty years? Or longer? And the current empire can really rely on its own power to expel Latin?” Constance Doria’s rhetorical question interrupted most of the people’s dissatisfaction. The Romans who looked at each other knew better than anyone that the power of the empire has been exhausted in decades. It is true that it is impossible to regain lost ground without relying on external forces. The fastest update, but really as Prince Theodor said before, the conditions in Genoa are still unacceptable to most people. After all, after the Venetian turmoil, most Byzantines have a natural feeling for outsiders. Be wary, Genoese are also Italians, so naturally they are among them.

But even so, the voice of opposition was weaker because of Constance Doria's words. After all, regaining lost land and expelling Latin talents is an obvious top priority. And Epirus wants to prove its legitimacy and must hold this banner firmly.

And just listen to the old man continuing to say: "In Italy, every businessman knows that every extra gold coin earned has an increased risk of bankruptcy, but no one will give up doing business because of the risk. Similarly, we only hope to get the imperial tax exemption. Privileges and a settlement in Galata, Constantinople as compensation, I really don’t think this is excessive."

"But this requirement is still too harsh, isn't it? I'm afraid it's called taking advantage of others, and I don't think there is any problem. As an ally of the empire, your actions like this may only make us chill." After listening, Theo Prince Dole said coldly. He knew that the words of the old man just now wanted to change the subject, so he chose to hit the key point and shift the focus of the dispute to the harsh conditions of the Genoese.

After all, Genoa itself received the trade privileges granted by the empire in 1115. Although the empire and Genoa were also in conflict with each other, they have always retained the effectiveness of this treaty. By virtue of this Genoese merchants enjoy the right to tax exemption in the entire territory of the empire. , And the Republic of Genoa only needs to provide part of the annual tribute to the imperial government. This in itself has made many people of Byzantium condemned, and if it further inherits that part of the Venetian privileges, it means that Genoa can escape the high taxes of all kinds and compete with the native Byzantine merchants. have more advantages. This is unacceptable to many nobles. The tax-inclusive system adopted by the Roman nobles today cannot bring them enough income to pay huge expenses. Therefore, the industrial and commercial tax in the realm is already necessary for them. Indispensable existence, if Genoese merchants rely on tax exemption to squeeze their industry down, they will not tolerate it anyway.

And his words immediately aroused the resonance of countless nobles. They hated the locust-like Venetian merchants for smashing the bones and sucking the wealth on their territory, and now if Genoa becomes the second gold-sucking leech, they would rather refuse it. The so-called aid.

On the other side, Justinian, who had been kneeling down on one knee, watched all this with cold eyes. Although he could only hide his identity as an outsider, he could only be silent, but bystanders were clear so that he could more easily see the thoughts of these people at the moment. Although the two sides have already had conflicts, it is a pity that most of the opponents are doing it for their own personal gain, and they are not really aware of the hidden threats that Genoa provides.

I'm afraid that other conditions are just a cover. The Genoese initially valued Galata's lease. As long as they control there, the declining Byzantine navy can no longer prevent Genoa's merchant ships from entering and leaving the Black Sea. And once the Black Sea Channel falls into their hands, the empire whose fate is dead by a thread will probably have the last lifeline to hand over. This is the only thing that Justinian will stop anyway.

However, at present, the situation is the most favorable. With the help of Prince Theodor, the nobility within Epirus has split, and Mikhail’s authority as the co-ruling emperor has not yet reached. The real emperor, so this alliance may only be abandoned halfway.

At this point, Mikhail, whose face was already ugly and impossibly, could not be more clear, but he was helpless, because although he claimed to be the emperor, he did not have the power to suppress the internal aristocracy at all. In name, he was nothing but power. It's nothing more than acting for the power of Muzfius. When he thinks of this, this man is even more jealous at this moment. But one thing is certain, in any case, this man can't suppress the nobility's objections.

Could it be that he can only choose to suspend the alliance with the Genoese? ! Mikhail Dukas felt a sense of powerlessness. If that happens, his authority will be frustrated~www.wuxiahere.com~ and his previous efforts will become a joke.

However, at this time something unexpected happened.

Constance Doria watched all this and suddenly said: "What Prince Theodore said is indeed not unreasonable, and His Majesty Mikhail has indeed negotiated with us before. Since you are on this matter. There is still some hesitation, so the alliance between the two countries has to come to an end for the time being. But despite this, our country is still willing to take the lead in expressing its sincerity in cooperation."

Sincerity? !

The people present couldn't help but stunned. Neither Mikhail Dukas nor Prince Theodor or Justinian understood what the other party meant.

Just listening to the other party's next words, the entire field was silent for a moment, no matter whether it was aristocrats or civilians.

"As a free gift to show the friendship between the two countries, the Republic of Genoa will send a fleet to assist your country in regaining the lost ground in Thessaloniki. At the same time, the Republic will also be willing to bear part of the military expenditure to ease the pressure on your country. After Thessaloniki returns to His Majesty’s hands, I believe you will be able to reconsider our previous proposal."

Seeing this scene, everyone couldn't believe their ears. The Genoese actually offered such generous terms, but they didn't ask for anything, so that even the unprepared Emperor Mikhail could not believe it was true. of. But Justinian, who was wearing armor and knelt on one knee, looked at the old man in the distance with those blue eyes, and the assassin showed a low expression on his face, as if he already knew something. ...