Chapter 38 Internal and External Troubles
The ancient city of Sparta, the capital of the Achaean vassal state in history, was later capital of the vassal state of Achaean. However, with the overthrow of the Latins in Molia's rule by Justinian, it has now become a new capital of the Molia Military Region. All the new administrative agencies formed by Justinian were moved here, and all the surrendered Byzantine nobles were moved here.
The new wall was designed and built by Western European craftsmen hired by Justinian. The fortress structure from the Gaza Strip was used in this first-sized city. Although it is not as solid as a solid city, it has become quite impressive for more than a year.
However, at this moment, Mistrasse was not an ironclad surface. Now Molia's rebellious vortex has also been affected here. These days, the panic situation has intensified all the time.
"This is the thirteenth time. God, those traitors who surrender to the Latins will go to hell!" In the congress hall, the Byzantine nobles, full of resentment, cursed loudly.
Neusky, who was in charge of the meeting, said nothing, frowned and listened to everyone's complaints. This was also impossible. In order to facilitate management, Justinian moved all the Pronier nobles to Mistrasse, and these nobles no longer assumed military service obligations. Instead, they used the land tax of their fiefs as a shield money to recruit soldiers from the civilian class. The advantage is that the number of troops in Molia increased, but the disadvantages are also obvious. The lack of small and refined troops has made the border unstable. Not long ago, the Latin nobles found that their intentions were ill-behaved, and several Byzantine nobles in the north who once supported the rebellion of Leosgrace openly rebelled and sent troops to harass them many times.
But in this regard, Neuski, who was appointed by Justinian to preside over Molia's big and small matters, was at a loss. Although there were several small princes, the Latins were behind the scenes. If he was not careful, he would give the other party a verbal explanation. But if he continued to endure, he would be afraid that the anger of the nobles in the city would sooner or later on. Thinking of this level, this Varangi man, who had always been rough in form, couldn't help but sigh.
The guys in front of me didn’t come to solve the problem at all, they were just asking for trouble!
And just then, an unhappy voice suddenly sounded and suppressed all the noise in the hall, "Is everything over? I think it's almost time to complain so much. Go over and over again, can you tell me about those rebellions that violated my territory by the complaints?"
I saw a man walking out from behind Neuski, glanced at all the nobles present with disdain and oppression, and said coldly:
"I didn't call you here today to complain like a grudge."
The person who was talking, pressing his sword in his hand and looking forward, a sudden pressure arose, which made the other nobles in the seat dare not say it directly, although they were dissatisfied with each other. The man in front of him was the guard of Grand Duke Anatasius, the captain of the iron-armored cavalry, Salius. Everyone present still remembered the bravery of this person who severely damaged the Venetians in Fort Wiscari, let alone his special identity as the chief of the autocratic guard, the nobles did not dare to act rashly for a while.
After a moment of silence, a nobleman finally stood up, "What can we do? Lord Salius and Lord Justinian summoned us to promise that as long as we give up the actual control of the fief, we could still get taxes on the fief. As a result, we had made great concessions first, the shield money and then the fief tax. But now the rebels are striking, and these losses are still passed on to us. This is really unacceptable! If Lord Neuski still can't give us a suitable solution, then please allow us to return to our own fiefdom and summon troops to guard the territory, which is good for us all."
As soon as this statement was spoken, it immediately attracted a lot of praise from others, and the nobles responded to it and expressed their agreement.
"That's right, it's right. Instead of doing this, let's do it."
"Yes, after collecting so much shield money from us, even a small group of mobs can't deal with it. Isn't this a joke!"
The nobles who took advantage of the situation to fan the flames became confident in time and wanted to take the opportunity to force Neusky to delegate power. However, at this time, Salius beside him stood up again and said with a stern voice:
"Whether you move to the fiefdom or shield money, these are the orders given by Lord Justinian. If you have any questions, why didn't you say it directly? Now, what do you want to do when Lord Justinian is away? Then you also want to follow the footsteps of Leosgrace?"
Zalius's shouting once again made the Byzantine nobles present silent. The name Leosgrace is undoubtedly a shadow in everyone's heart, and Justinian relies on this shadow to completely suppress all of them. Whenever someone is dissatisfied with Justinian's actions, he will no longer have the courage to resist when he thinks of that person's fate, even if Justinian is not in Molia now.
The entire chamber fell into a dead silence again, and no one said anything. The nobles looked at each other, and the awkward atmosphere made Neuski no longer useful to say it at this time. The stalemate talk continued until the end. Finally, as Neuski announced his dissolution, the Moria nobles, who were full of resentment and cursing, left the hall, leaving only Neuski and Salius.
"You are completely helping you!" The man of Valangi couldn't help complaining. He had already wanted to reach a compromise with the nobles, but he was completely broken up after talking to Salius.
But Zalius, who had no expression, said lightly: "I only obey the orders of Lord Justinian. At this time, the mission given to me by the Grand Bus of Anastasius, and serving Lord Justinian is also my mission. Since you do not have the orders of Lord Justinian, you have no right to make your own decisions."
"But the situation has changed on the same day. Everything should be done cheaply. If this continues, it will happen sooner or later. Don't you see that?"
"But that can't be good at making a claim. All of this is the accumulated effort that Lord Justinian arranged and must not be wasted." Salius said coldly. Although he, like Neusky, did not understand Justinian's intention to deprive the jurisdiction of the noble fiefs, he always remembered the original instructions of Grand Duke Anastasius.
"You... OK, I won't tell you anymore. Today, the person who sent food to Nafplion is coming. I will solve those things first and don't argue with you."
This was the first time he met someone who was more rigid than himself. Neusky was almost outraged. This was almost the unity of Byzantine nobles who chose guards. But he had no choice but to use the man in front of him. Neusky didn't know what to do for a moment.
Lord Justinian, what are you doing! The man who walked out of the hall muttered to himself in his heart.
Chapter completed!