[Every kingdom divided against itself will be in desolation; every city or house divided against itself will not be able to stand; but if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?—

Matthew]

"Your Excellency Manuel, I suggest you pay more attention to your attitude. This is not Moria. Even if your father is Grand Duke Anastasius, you must understand that we are also noble ministers of the palace meeting.

, making any decisions is not something you, a junior, can just dictate."

Under the gorgeous purple domed hall, a gloomy atmosphere was shrouding, and on the high platform sat Roman nobles wearing tight-fitting long clothes, looking down at the young noble standing alone in the center of the hall.

At this time, Manuel looked at the stage without saying a word, with a sneer on his face.

Looking at this dazzling sneer, the nobles on the stage showed different expressions, some were fearful, some were angry, some were sarcastic, and some were contemptuous. They were the most powerful people in the city, but such a small country noble in front of them actually

Dare to laugh at them.

"It has been almost three years since I last visited your father. Manuel, your appearance has changed a lot," a middle-aged nobleman on the stage said lightly, "But although you have grown up, you are still childish and energetic.

I don’t know how to restrain myself.”

"We haven't seen each other for three years, but Mr. Gallias has not changed at all. He is still as old-fashioned and gesticulating about things he doesn't understand." Manuel twitched the corner of his mouth and smiled. "After you left, my father would still mention it from time to time.

You, I say that it is really appropriate for you to take over the position of Chancellor of Finance, as your financial management ability is comparable to Crassus' military ability."

In the hall, a sneer came from nowhere, and the supposedly serious meeting of nobles suddenly became comical because of Manuel's wonderful metaphor in front of him.

Lord Gallias couldn't help but lose his composure at being mocked like this. Just when he couldn't help but yell at the young man below him on such an occasion, a majestic voice suppressed all the commotion.

"Okay, at this time, don't disregard your dignity and argue with the juniors." A person sitting in the center spoke, and then all the nobles in the noble council couldn't help but keep silent.

The speaker was none other than the Patriarch of Constantinople, John X. As a patriarch, it was rare that he would attend this meeting this time.

"You are still exactly the same as when your father was young. Your Excellency Manuel, please give my regards to your father." The patriarch in black robes looked down calmly, "For your father's sake, don't let me say hello to your father."

In addition, you are also recommended by the Queen, so we have always been polite enough to you, but you must first learn to respect the rules of Constantinople and respect the elders, so that you can get the kindness of others in return. For polite children

We never skimp on guidance.”

"Simply put, I must listen to you, because the rules of Constantinople already belong to you, and you are the elders, the people I must obey. Is this what you mean, Your Majesty the Patriarch."

"In fact, it is true." Archbishop John nodded, "Of course we have our own reasons for rejecting your request. I hope you will cooperate. In that case, we will all save a lot of trouble."

"I don't understand what you are talking about." Manuel raised his head, looked at the nobles, and asked: "I have already given you the evidence I found.

I have reason to suspect that Sir Vartazes’ unexpected death is related to people in the inner court, so I request a thorough investigation. Isn’t this unreasonable? You didn’t say so when you gave me the authority to investigate this matter!”

"Manuel Comnenus of Moria! Pay attention to the attitude of your words. There is never right or wrong in matters in the court, there is only a balance of interests. The same is true for us asking you to investigate this matter. Vatazes

Everyone present has heard about the friendship between your Majesty and Grand Duke Anastasius. It is very...close, but I don’t want us to send

The people who came to investigate were influenced by these, and more importantly, the majesty of the royal family and the authority of the empire must not be damaged in any way. Without absolute witnesses, I and everyone here will never allow you to investigate the inner court without authorization.

.This is the bottom line, I hope you can understand." John X raised his voice, and everyone was silent.

Manuel looked at the nobles in front of him, his anger was palpable, but he already knew that nothing he could say would be of any use. He put away the Romfaya dagger as an evidence and faced everyone stiffly.

He saluted and then turned around and left, leaving only the gloomy conference hall where the nobles were discussing.

…

"Everyone is silent, what are you still discussing now." Archbishop John once again spoke to suppress the commotion of the nobles. "How can a junior mess you up? You guys, you are too sharp.

A sharp knife can easily break if you use it with the wrong force. Don't worry about him. As long as he keeps things out of his reach in principle, let him check it out!"

"I'm just afraid that the queen's move is to lure the wolf into the house, and Komnenos of Moria is not peaceful. In my opinion, that kid is a dangerous element of the empire. Even though he performed brilliantly in the war to suppress the Bulgars before,

But if he becomes an enemy of this country, the more powerful he is, the more dangerous he will be to us."

"What we are discussing today is not to find out whether Manuel is more useful to us or more dangerous." John X interrupted, "Because the Duke of Serbia and Princess Odosia broke off their engagement, now

The relationship between His Majesty Alexei and Queen Dukarina is tense, and the Vatazes matter urgently needs a neutral and capable person to give a reasonable explanation to all parties, so we still need him."

"Ignoring his identity just for his abilities is like releasing prisoners on death row, arming them, and letting them charge into the battle. But how do you know he won't turn his weapons on you?" Another noble said with a sneer.

"Don't forget that the man who turned our motherland from a republic into a head of state was also a young man favored by the Senate."

"But you and I are not Cicero, and he is not Octavian Caesar. Watch your words, Sir Cornil."

At this time, a nobleman who had been silent just now spoke up and said: "But Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Patriarch, we are worried that what Manuel said just now actually caused turmoil among the people a few months ago."

The Patriarch shook his head slightly, "It doesn't matter what those little people believe or say. What matters is that everyone here is important. We manage this country for His Majesty. If our actions intentionally or unintentionally damage the emperor's dignity, it will be of no benefit to the country.

But now, a stable political situation is the most important thing."

"Yes! What the Patriarch said is true." As soon as he finished speaking, another noble immediately echoed, "Under such circumstances, the stability of Constantinople is more important than anything else."

"But the death of Vartazes has made the nobles in Epirus and Moria very unhappy, especially now that we can't give them an explanation." The slightly worried nobles still hesitated.

But the nobleman in front of him sneered: "What's there to explain? Do we still need to please them? A group of Ducasse and Comneni family settled down in a distant place. They really thought they had as much energy as they did back then. Now they really

“My biggest enemy is the Latins in the north and the dirty Georgians.”

"According to intelligence from Cilicia ahead, two brothers, Alexai and David Komnenos, are making moves in the east with the support of the Queen of Georgia. In addition, there is intelligence that the Chardia and Kherson military districts have already

There are many nobles who are having secret affairs with them," said a nobleman in charge of military affairs.

"This is impossible! How dare they do this and rebel now! How dare they collude with the descendants of the tyrant Andronikos." A certain nobleman was obviously shocked by the news.

"With all due respect, you think so because you are in Constantinople. After all, from the walls of Theodosius to outside the Holy Palace, there is no one who has not torn the flesh and blood from the tyrant's body, but the Komnenos family is in the east.

The prestige of several military districts is still very high. Especially Emperor Isaac's in Bulgaria

After the defeat of Georgia, the centrifugal force of those Anatolians greatly accelerated." The military nobles looked at a pair of incredible eyes and replied, "Even the Turks can take advantage of the situation. With the support of the Georgians, the two

What’s so hard about Komnenos trying to make waves?”

"Nonsense! The food in the East has always been supplied by Thrace, how dare they do this! Is this completely an exaggeration?" There were still nobles who were unwilling to believe such a thing and said angrily.

But the scolded nobleman was not angry. Instead, he stood up and showed his extremely tall figure. There is no doubt that this nobleman is a battle-hardened soldier and a real general. Even though

His status is not high, but he still cannot be underestimated by other nobles. "I am not exaggerating.

, Cilicia is still a relatively loyal military region to the empire. If their intelligence is not trustworthy, then I don’t know what to believe. Queen Tamar of Georgia already has a grudge against the empire because of previous events, and the invasion has already

There is no suspense anymore. If someone says that when we are talking about

By that time, Trebizond has ushered in a new owner, and I will believe it." The general said coldly, "This information has been written into a separate report and submitted to you, but I guess you don't have time to read it. As for

What you just mentioned about Thracian grain, unfortunately, with the development of Kherson

, the food there is almost self-sufficient, and in Chardia, just the smugglers trafficking Egyptian and Sicilian food through the Black Sea every year is enough to make a group of people rich. The Latin merchants connived by His Majesty have actually made us understand the East.

It is difficult for the military region to have any economic control."

After hearing such news, all the nobles looked ugly. They did not expect that the situation in the East was so corrupt.

"Then how should we deal with it? We can't just watch the military region fall. This will cause an uproar." Qing Galeas was worried. He was not willing to experience the turmoil he experienced more than ten years ago a second time.

But the general shook his head, "I'm afraid not. His Majesty has ordered all the border guards to assemble in Adrianople without any movement to guard against the coming Crusaders."

The noble hall suddenly became quiet, and the nobles who were originally aloof looked at each other in confusion.

This news is so horrifying. Ever since Emperor Alexius I wrote to Pope Urban, the century-long disaster has not stopped. The Latins occupying the magpie's nest are simply a nightmare. For the first time

There was Bohemond, the second time there was Reynold, and the third time there was Frederick the Redbeard.

Lie, no one dares to imagine what the fourth time will be. More importantly, there are rumors claiming that this Eastern Expedition is an out-and-out conspiracy. The Latins and the fugitive prince Alexei Angelet Jr.

There is collusion. From this point of view, the war in the east is not that important in comparison.

"This is an unprecedented crisis!" In the center of the high platform, Patriarch John murmured, but he was helpless in his heart. It was obvious that the situation was now extremely dangerous, but the battle between the royal party and the rear party was still raging in the city.

Although these Constantinople nobles strictly adhere to neutrality, it also means that they cannot influence the current situation. Looking up at the domed hall with paintings of Roman sages, the tired-looking Patriarch let out a slight sigh.

…

…

…

A secluded and deserted place——

"Your Excellency Manuel, Your Excellency Manuel, please stay."

"Is it necessary for me to continue to stay here? I think it might be better for me to take my troops back to Moria now." Manuel Komnenos said coldly, directly rejecting the eunuch behind him.

To persuade him to stay. He is a descendant of Emperor Isaac Komnenos. The purpose of this trip is to have great ambitions, and he is not here to accept this anger.

Behind him, the eunuch said patiently: "Then what do you think the queen should do? According to the order given by the palace, you have been given enough power that night. Forgive me, I am riding in the city with a large number of cavalry that night.

You are the first one who is not a rebel, so even with such support, are you still not satisfied?"

"If I had taken one step faster, I would have prevented those people from being killed and silenced. Otherwise, if there were witnesses and evidence just now, those guys would have absolutely nothing to say. But it's too late to say anything now. This period of time is enough.

The people behind the scenes have cleared up the evidence." Manuel said coldly, "This is the result. I can only say that I have failed the queen's expectations."

"No, no, no, your Excellency, do you really think that those two corpses prove that the killer was silenced and his body was destroyed? It's too simple." Seeing that Manuel's tone softened slightly, the eunuch said with a smile.

.

"What did you say?" After hearing the news, the young Duke immediately cheered up.

"The queen asked the old slave to tell you that in fact, the assassins had already moved their residence last night, so that all attempts to silence them were in vain. Instead, they suffered a big loss. They sailed a warship in the early morning and disguised themselves as

The imperial navy left Constantinople and headed north to the Black Sea," the eunuch said.
To be continued...