Under Aigron's deliberate arrangement, he took his fiancée Teresa to visit the cemetery he built on the outskirts of Mesolonghion.
This cemetery will be used to bury all his men who died in the war, and to commemorate all those who sacrificed for the cause of the Greek War of Independence. Lord Byron is among them.
Of course, the entire core of the cemetery commemorates (or brags about) his personal achievements.
He is not a person who likes to brag, but right now, his greatest capital is his reputation, so of course he will not miss any opportunity to show off.
Furthermore, considering his achievements, it is not just a boast.
After seeing all his arrangements, Teresa was very happy. She almost wanted to open her heart to her sweetheart, and they were so close, which meant that the previous little turmoil had disappeared.
However, Aigron also knew that now was not the time to lie down and celebrate. He still had too many important things to do.
In the afternoon after returning from an inspection of the cemetery construction site, he called his confidant and favorite, the Count of Monte Cristo, to come to him.
"Your Majesty, what are your orders?" As soon as he saw Aiglon, the Count of Monte Cristo saluted respectfully.
"Edmund, what do you think of the current situation in the army?" Aigron got to the point directly.
"From what I can see personally, the morale of everyone is high, and their physical strength and energy have been fully rested and restored." Edmond Dantès replied immediately.
He vaguely understood that His Majesty asked himself this question, which meant that the short period of peace was coming to an end.
"Very good, it seems we have rested enough." Aigron nodded with satisfaction. "Then, let's start a new march."
Then, he clenched his fist and waved it hard, as if to demonstrate, "We have dealt heavy blows to our enemies continuously, but they still control a large area. So we should take advantage of their chaos.
,Keep punching hard!"
"Like other colleagues, I am always ready to do everything for you. Wherever you point us, we will march!" Edmond Dantès gave a timely compliment.
Seeing how well-behaved the Count of Monte Cristo was, Aigron couldn't help but laugh.
Then, he expressed his inner thoughts.
"I am going to march north, mopping up the remnants of the enemy along the way, and march as far as I can, all the way to Ioannina."
"I understand." Edmond Dantès nodded. In essence, he didn't care where His Majesty wanted to march, he would follow it to the end anyway.
However, an idea soon came to his mind
Ioannina?
He seemed to have a very vivid impression of this place in his mind.
He soon understood that the bandit leader Isaac Palaiologos he had recruited before was from Ioannina and was the former pasha of that place.
Therefore, if we march towards Ioannina, Isaac Valleolo and his former bandit men can serve as the best guides.
What's even better is that in order to attract people's hearts, when His Majesty first came to Greece, he awarded Isaac Valleolo as a member of the Knights of Fontainebleau, which means that the other party will never fail to work hard.
Edmond Dantès understood it instantly.
"Okay, Your Majesty! I will go and have a good talk with Isaac Valleolo. I think he will be very happy to lead us into his former hometown."
"I believe so too." Aigron nodded lightly.
In fact, in addition to having a guide who is familiar with the local conditions, his decision also has a deeper plan.
Now that he has cleared western Greece and taken control of Messolonghion, if he wants to continue to advance, there are only two roads in front of him: either go all the way north to the Albanian region, or go all the way east to liberate Greece until Bulgaria.
until.
It is true that from the perspective of propaganda significance and practical significance, the latter is better, but there is another unexpected factor that must be taken into account. The Russian Empire is about to enter.
The Russian Empire is now gathering along the Danube River. If it marches, this seemingly indestructible steam roller will roll all the way southwest along Romania and Bulgaria. If it marches all the way east, it is very likely that it will fight with the Russian Imperial Army.
Come across...
Although both sides were enemies of the Ottoman Empire, this was certainly not a meeting of allies.
Although based on the information he has received so far, it seems that the Tsar has not issued an order such as "Duke Lechstadt must be eliminated." However, it is necessary to be on guard against others. The Bonaparte family and the Romanov family have a deep hatred.
Like the sea, if the two armies collided rashly, there might be a "misfire", and the huge Russian Empire army might be able to easily destroy his weak legion.
Therefore, he could only choose to march north, while continuing to win victories to increase his reputation, consolidate and expand the occupied area; while carefully keeping a distance from the Russian Empire's army, and then find ways to use checks and balances among the great powers to rely on them to control the Russian Empire.
Fear of expansion pulled Russian troops back from the Balkans and Istanbul.
Eggron knew that it seemed like he was constantly winning and his future was bright, but in fact he was still walking a tightrope. His capital was too small and he was definitely not allowed to squander it easily through gambling.
Fortunately, this young man has remained calm and has not been dazzled by victory. He can still make rational judgments.
Of course, there is no need for Aigron to explain all these thoughts to Edmond Dantès. The other party is just an executor. He alone makes all decisions on strategic issues.
"Your Majesty..." Just as Aigron was deep in thought, Edmond Dantès seemed to have thought of something.
"What's wrong?" Aigron asked.
"Excuse me, does the executed Ioannina Ali Pasha have any living relatives?" Edmond Dantès asked cautiously, "I mean, if there is one, we can let him
This relative cooperates with us and uses his banner, which will make our task easier."
Edmond Dantès thought that his considerations were very logical. After all, although Pasha was defeated and his head was missing, it was only 5 years after his defeat in 1822. He was in Joa.
There are bound to be many old tribes left in the Nina area, and they will have a certain appeal among the people.
The Ioannina region is already considered Albania, and there are quite a few differences between the local people and the Greeks. It would be difficult to impress them simply by using the banner of "liberating Greece".
Therefore, if we can find a relative of the pasha as a puppet and then use his banner, we will surely be able to gain further support from the local people and will also be conducive to their advance.
However, what Edmund did not expect was that when he thought it was logical, His Majesty showed a strange expression, as if he had heard something ridiculous.
"Your Majesty...did I say something wrong?" Edmond Dantès asked boldly.
Is this destiny?
A strange sense of joy made Aigron couldn't help but laugh.
"No, no, you didn't say anything wrong. I think it makes sense. Edmund, your question inspired me." Aigron shook his head gently, "But the reality is a little bit different for us.
Difficulties. Because as far as I know, the Pasha himself and his three sons have been executed by the Sultan's order, and their relatives were captured and used as slaves in Istanbul. This is the Sultan's usual practice against traitors. Nowadays
, his only living direct relative is a granddaughter..."
"And he was left in Istanbul!" Edmond Dantès understood instantly.
Then he was a little disappointed, because if it was just a granddaughter, her appeal would be much smaller and she was in Istanbul. If her banner was used, she would be beheaded by the Sultan immediately...
"Okay, Your Majesty, it seems that my idea is difficult to realize." He smiled sheepishly.
However, the young man seemed to add something meaningful.
"Her name is Haidee. If I remember correctly, she should be about ten years old now."
Edmond Dantès was stunned. He didn't understand why His Majesty knew so much in detail, and he didn't understand why His Majesty specifically mentioned this point.
Since his own idea could no longer be realized, what was the point of paying attention to that little girl?
"What...what do you mean?" he asked boldly again.
"Edmund, I think you have come up with a very good idea, very valuable." Aigron suddenly laughed again, and then said softly, "Although we will face some obstacles if we want to realize it, it is not impossible.
accomplish"
After a moment of pause, he no longer pretended, "We now have friends in Istanbul. Through these friends, we can buy this Miss Haidee as soon as possible and then transport her to us."
"After she is brought to us, we can use her banner to recapture Ioannina!" Edmond Dantès shouted excitedly.
"And you are the best person to carry out this task." Aiglon looked at Edmond Dantès with bright eyes as if he had made up his mind.
Then he deliberately lowered his voice, "In this case, Edmund, I won't hide it from you. My so-called 'friend in Istanbul' is actually the Austrian ambassador. I think if he comes forward to spend money to buy an inconspicuous
As for the young slave girl... no one will pay attention, right? The Sultan will also be happy to be a favor."
This is not a random guess by Agron, because in the original work of "The Count of Monte Cristo", Edmond Dantès, who has become a large merchant, paid a sum of money to buy Haidee.
Now, he plans to realize the reincarnation of history again on this historical line where there have been divergences.
This is not only his practical need, but also a kind of bad taste that belongs only to him.
Then, Aigron clenched his fists, and the originally relaxed atmosphere suddenly became tense.
"Since we are determined to act, we must do it quickly! The sooner the better! Edmund, it just so happens that I have to have private contact with the Austrian Ambassador. Go to Istanbul in person and bring back Miss Haidee for me."
Although Edmond Dantès was a little shocked, he quickly came to his senses.
His Majesty approved his plan and asked him to implement it. This was because he trusted himself as always, and he could never betray his trust.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" He agreed loudly, "I will bring her safely!"
"Then, it's up to you." Aiglon stretched out his hand, and then reached out to pat the other party's shoulder, "Once she comes to me, I will make her Grand Duchess Ioannina, and you will be
Her guardian. Then, in her name, we march to Ioannina!"
"I understand!" Edmond Dantes was also excited.
There is no doubt that if you bring this little girl to your side, whether your Majesty makes her the Grand Duchess of Ioannina or makes her something else, she will be just a puppet and will not have any independent decision-making power.
His Majesty will not allow her to make arbitrary decisions.
However, this also means that His Majesty will blatantly grant a great nobleman with "substantial foundation".
Since His Majesty came to the island of Monte Cristo, he has conferred many noble titles. Edmond Dantès himself was favored and became the Count of Monte Cristo, and his friend Andre Davout also became the Count of Monte Cristo.
Marquis of Bandu.
However, these titles are currently only common among Bonaparte's supporters. In other European countries, "Count of Monte Cristo" or other titles are not recognized at all, nor do they have any actual territory under their jurisdiction.
This is like issuing a currency that is only circulated internally. Although it is not unjust and justified, it is always a bit short-tempered.
But if a Grand Duchess of Ioannina is canonized and finally established... the situation will be very different, which means that His Majesty will become a true benefactor, a lord above the lord.
If he was canonized indiscriminately, it would certainly be difficult for everyone to recognize him, but if it was the granddaughter of the late Ioannina Ali Pasha and his only surviving bloodline, it seems that it is not impossible according to the principle of inheritance.
Of course, things will not be that easy. If you want to make it a reality, you will inevitably face huge resistance. But since there is hope, after all, for the disputes between the powers, a mere Ioannina will not be able to weigh in the balance.
, now they are most troubled by the Tsar.
Yes, that’s how it should be!
For a moment, Edmond Dantès was ecstatic.
He was more excited and full of expectations than His Majesty.
He was very happy that his Majesty's suggestions were copied by His Majesty, and he actually came up with such a plan.
This means that I have made a contribution again.
But now is not the time to be arrogant, he must fulfill His Majesty's wish and get things done.
"Haidee..." He read the name again.
He didn't know why, even though he had never seen this child before, and had never interacted with her in the slightest, he felt a strange sense of familiarity in his heart at this moment.
"When can you leave?" Aigron's question interrupted his thoughts.
"If you need me, I'll be there right away." Edmond Dantès replied quickly.
"No, there's no need to be in such a hurry..." Aigron smiled and waved his hand, "Just prepare yourself. I'll leave tomorrow. I will write a letter to Mr. Ambassador with Teresa, and you will go there as the messenger to deliver the letter.
.”
After he finished speaking, he reached out and patted the other party's shoulder.
It goes without saying that we have a heavy responsibility on our shoulders.