"It is true that I am not of noble birth. If I had not saved His Majesty Muzfius, I am afraid that all of you here would not know me. But I think there is nothing shameful in this, because those who fight hard to become emperor are far better than those who are born. The generation of kings. The latter is the legacy of their ancestors, while the former requires great talent and strategy. I don’t know what the Merinoson family looks like to laugh at me. In the past, when the Macedonian emperors were in power, you received the emperor’s favor, and in the blink of an eye you were flattered by the emperor. Emperor Muning, as a result, his descendants are unworthy and trapped here, but they only know how to brag. I think there is really no need for the Merinoson family to continue to exist."

After saying this, Justinian glanced at the many nobles present, and everyone was silent. Rather than scolding the Merinoson family, he was knocking other people present. Although everyone felt that The arrogance in Justinian's words made them a little uncomfortable, but in their hearts they had to admit that what this young man said did make sense.

Perhaps it was really because they were too attached to the family that the empire had been depleted of talent for hundreds of years and only knew how to scheming with each other.

"you--!"

The Merlinoson messenger's eyes widened after being so humiliated. Although he was a collateral descendant, he had never been treated like this before. But as soon as he said a word, Phokas next to him kicked him again. On the stomach, the pampered noble man immediately felt so much pain that he couldn't even bend over.

"Push them down, there is no need to pollute the courtyard here."

Seeing that Justinian was about to kill him, the panicked nobles hurriedly came forward to plead for mercy. However, the messenger of the Merinoson family, who had been frightened by what had just happened, no longer showed any arrogance, and began to bow his head tremblingly despite the pain. beg for mercy.

"Your Highness Justinian, please calm down."

After all, the Merinoson family is a very old family. It was prominent as early as the Macedonian dynasty. Later, it was a strong supporter of the Komnenos family in their fight for the throne. Although their influence is not as good as before, it is still well-known in the aristocratic circle. Existence. In both public and private matters, the nobles all hope to resolve the conflict at this time. After all, things harm their own kind!

But Justinian snorted coldly and directly rejected the nobles' request: "As the governor of Moria appointed by His Majesty Muzphius, and Merinoson is my wife's vassal, but He dared to do the following and even question my engagement with Irina. This is not only an insult to me, but also an insult to my wife. I will never let him off easily."

As soon as he finished speaking, the heavily armored knight stepped forward, picked up the tied-up private soldier of the Merinoson family, and sent him to the execution ground.

Seeing this scene, the nobles at the bottom of the steps were also anxious. If they really executed the Merinoson family, the other party would definitely not give up. But if there was another civil war, they really couldn't bear it now. After all, The long-lasting civil war severely weakened the vitality of many princes.

At this moment, as peacemakers, it was almost time for the two Earls Bunonius and Talanit to meet, so they finally came out and "persuaded": "Your Highness, the Merinoson family did have it, but Please forgive these people for the sake of their merits in guarding Thessaly!"

"How can this be done?" Justinian, who pretended to be furious, showed no mercy at all. Instead, he called Salius and said, "Why are you still lingering here? Hang him on the city wall and then send the body to Larry. Sa.”

There was an uproar when this statement was made. It should be noted that it is a great humiliation for a noble to be executed in front of him. If this is true, the Merinoson family will never give up. The nobles expressed their opposition. They are not only trying to protect the Merinoson family now, but also

It was to preserve the dignity of fellow nobles.

"Your Highness, please think twice!"

"After all, the Merinoson family's crimes are not punishable by death!"

At this time, even Phocas stood up and said to Justinian: "Your Highness, now is indeed the time to employ people. Our war with the tyrant Mikhail is not over yet, and soldiers, horses, money and food are in short supply. How about

Give them some punishment and spare them! Everyone present, what do you think of this?"

Having said that, the originally humble nobleman was suddenly regarded as a life-saving straw by the princes of Thessaly, and he quickly agreed.

"Yes, it is true. His Highness Justinian, Mikhail Dukas is still a threat to us outside. No matter what, the Merinoson family has always been loyal to Prince Theodore, and will continue to stand by His Highness.

From your wife’s side, please consider this and take the punishment lightly!”

Following Phocas' words, the nobles spoke in unison.

Looking at this scene, Justinian's eyes flashed with a trace of imperceptible pride. It should be noted that when they were discussing entering Macedonia, these people were still refusing in every possible way, but now their appearance has completely changed.

Finally, Justinian also said "impatiently": "Well, for the sake of other people, I will be lenient, but death penalty can be avoided, living crime cannot be escaped, and the Merlinoson family must pay the price." After that,

, he pointed to a noble guard captain who was tied up on the ground and asked his men to loosen their bonds.

"You set off immediately, return to Larissa to see Count Merinoson, and inform him that he will hand over 100 pounds of gold within three days as a fine for his fault, and provide 300 riders and 200 horses at my disposal. Originally, this is

reward for suppressing the rebellion,

There will be a town belonging to him under the territory of Agrinion, but now it will also be used as a mortgage. All the princes present have guaranteed it for you. If Merinoson still persists in his persistence, he will seclude himself from others. In three days I will

A large army will inevitably come to the city."

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of all the nobles on the scene changed slightly. Only then did some people come back to their senses. After some words, they turned out to be Justinian's bargaining chip to blackmail Merinoson. Awakening

Some of the people who came over looked ugly. The intention behind Justinian's words was obvious. Punishing Merinoson was untrue and blatant.

Shameless extortion and kidnapping are real - 100 pounds of gold and 300 cavalry are not a small amount. Merlinoson will definitely feel heartbroken if he hands it over, but if the other party doesn't hand it over, as the guarantors, they will have to bear this for no reason

If the loss is serious, then he will definitely bite the bullet and go to Thessaly with Justinian to denounce the Merinoson family.

With nothing but white teeth, he tore off a large piece of flesh. Justinian's tricks made the nobles suffer the entire loss of being dumb.

Seeing the nobles looking at him, Justinian said calmly: "Does this person here think it is feasible?" Speaking of Moria, the little fox gestured to Salius again, and saw the heavy armored cavalry dragging them again.

The Merinoson family's private soldiers started and headed outside.

Now the nobles of Thessaly had to agree even if they didn't agree. They were all more or less related by marriage to the Merinoson family, and they really couldn't do anything to save him.

So several prominent princes came forward to vouch for him: "We have no objection to His Highness's decision. If Count Merinoson fails to accept the punishment as promised in three days, we are willing to accompany Your Highness to Larissa to crusade in person."

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Justinian stopped dragging his feet and ordered Salius and the others to escort the Merinoson envoy and his party first.

"Back off!" Without a blushing face or a heartbeat, Justinian dismissed many nobles, leaving only Hendelier, Bunonius, and Talanit. Phocas and Sarius were left behind.

The two of them escorted the members of the Merinoson family and left the noble hall.

…

…

…

"What's the effect?" After everyone left, Justinian looked at the people behind him and asked. From beginning to end, everything was planned by them, and what they wanted was to force out the stingy Thessalians.

"General, but it should be enough to deal with people like Merinoson. It's just that this time we have to offend a large number of people." Count Bunonius replied. He and Merinoson's father were old acquaintances, and he was impressed by his ability.

Geometry couldn't be clearer. Although Merinoson was reckless and stupid, his foresight and hesitancy meant that he did not dare to raise the flag of rebellion. It was just that Justinian was very risky to do so. A slight mistake just now might lead to the death of Thessalonians who had just surrendered.

Benefit and separation of heart and virtue.

Justinian nodded. He understood what the old count meant, but now he had no choice. After entering Agrinion, he learned that Theodore's treasury had been occupied by the parricide Romanus.

The squandering was almost over - the Genoese who once stayed here sold a large number of Cuman slaves to him. Therefore, at this time, he had to do anything to raise military expenses.

In order to help Justinian, Counts Bunonius and Talanit deliberately sent wrong information to Merinoson in Larissa, making the reckless and stupid opponent think that Justinian was putting down the rebellion.

He spent a lot of his strength and was unable to suppress the nobles of Thessaly, so today he

Taking the initiative to bump into him. Justinian used this as an excuse to blackmail the dishonest Thessaly nobles. He originally didn't have much hope for Prince Theodore's subordinates, so he could really treat him

What is useful is the golden Helen Pei, the food to fill the stomach, and the weapons and horses necessary for the battlefield.

"But the reaction of the nobles present today confirms my guess. If the war between Rusni and I starts again, I'm afraid not many people will be willing to support me." He could see that these old people who had just surrendered

The nobles are still worried that their newly rising self will not be able to defeat the nominal co-emperor Mikhail Dukas. At the critical moment, most people here are unreliable.

"There is nothing we can do about this. Prince Theodore is dead. Even if Her Highness Irina is recognized by most people, her determination to be loyal has been greatly reduced by this change." Hendrel shook his head.

He shook his head. Today, there have been divisions among the nobility. Only a few of them are willing to support Justinian, while most of them are still wavering.

"Then what do you want to do next, Your Highness?" Talanit, Count of Tambei, asked Justinian about his future decision-making direction.

Justinian was silent for a moment and expressed his thoughts to the elders in front of him:

"I will grant the fiefdoms after the victory to those old nobles with meritorious service as promised, but they must pay tribute and taxes, and these lands cannot be hereditary. I have the right to take back any unauthorized transactions found."

"This has been agreed before, I think there should be no problem." Hendril replied.

"Also, all debt slaves in Agrinion must be liberated, and the cultivated land occupied by soldiers who have been out of work due to long-term battles must also be returned." Due to the war, Justinian knew that many nobles had lost their jobs during this period.

The front was tight and the rear was tight, and many of the defenders of Pebble Castle suffered greatly. Since he had established his rule, he would not let it go.

Hendelier also knew this. In fact, Prince Theodore had heard about it when he was still alive, but he had been undecided. But now that the rebellion has subsided, many nobles have been liquidated, so it is understandable that they have freed up their hands to deal with this matter.

Both of these are internal affairs issues. As the Secretary-General, Minister Hendelier noted that internal affairs reforms can be carried out at any time.

And Justinian expressed his last thought, "I plan to go to Larissa in person in three days to subdue the Merinoson family to establish their power, and then directly send troops to Thessalonica to attack them."

Mikhail Dukas and his allies."

After telling this bold plan, Hendelier and others were noncommittal, "Today's defense in Epirus is empty, why don't we take the opportunity to send troops to Rusnina?" In their view, avoiding the truth in tactics is a waste of time.

is the wisest choice.

But Justinian shook his head and said: "The terrain of Epirus is too dangerous and the land is very barren. Those who support Mikhail call it Noah and will never be surrendered so easily. Once

If I attack there, I will most likely fall into a quagmire. If Mikhail comes back to rescue me, I will be in a passive position. Only in Macedonia can I

Only by defeating it in one fell swoop can we have hope of victory." There is another point that Justinian will not say out loud, that is, Princess Eudocia and the others are all in Thessalonica, and he cannot take them.

Taking risks, although he doesn't know what the situation is in Thessaloniki today, Justinian believes that the situation is by no means optimistic - he cannot delay it any longer.

"So that's what you think." Bunonius and others pondered for a moment, and found that Justinian's words did make some sense, and then said: "Then what do you need us to do?"

"Help me raise food and supplies. Even if they are unwilling to send troops, let these nobles provide money and food. After I leave, I will settle the Albanians in the city that Merinoson was deprived of. They will listen to you.

Guys, Agrinion and Thessaly will then be entrusted to you."

Justinian reminded in a deep voice that although he had not been working with the elders in front of him for too long, he also realized that the other party was someone he could trust. Moria had Neusky in charge, and this
Chapter completed!