Eagle Flag of Epirus

"This is... Royal Manor? The fastest update" the young man dressed as a nobleman muttered to himself indifferently.

Sitting in the carriage, Justinian watched it getting closer and closer to the Royal Manor, with a hint of coldness in his eyes. I saw that this large-scale manor directly occupied most of Rusnina's fertile fields, and it was not unproductive. Among them, the farms, mills, barns, garages, stables and other facilities are eye-catching and complete. The farmers working on Tianlong are all tenant farmers belonging to Mikhail Dukas alone. In a sense, this was similar to the peasant situation that the serfs or the Emperor Justinian tried to maintain during the time of Emperor Justinian I. There was no personal freedom at all. And Justinian knows better what the so-called royal estate actually is. This vast estate is the result of the Dukas family’s long-standing enclosure in Epirus, and this terrible phenomenon is precisely The chief culprit who endangered the entire empire.

Sadly, this kind of thing has been ignored by the public since the Plogna system replaced the military district system. And this has also led to the rise of military aristocrats like the Dukas family, even if they are ugly, they will not have the slightest fear. The nominally existing military region has existed in name only. The land that the military region should have acquired has been taken over by the nobles, and the free peasants can be incorporated into the army, making it a "combination of soldiers and farmers" and the backbone of the empire. However, in the past, the army soldiers who made great military exploits in the past have now become peasants who pay land tax and head tax to the country honestly. Most of them have become tenant farmers of the nobles of the local military area. The shrinking source of income has directly led to the aging of equipment and training, and the reduction of combat effectiveness. .

This is where the Pronian nobles can be used, but Justinian knows better than anyone that this is a choice for drinking poison to quench thirst. Roughly imitating the Western fief system is equivalent to abandoning the traditional imperial taxation system. This allowed the Komunin dynasty to take up the bulk of industrial and commercial taxation. As a result, the empire wanted to rejuvenate but was killed by the Venetians and Genoese. Strangled his throat. And more importantly, the privileged sea of ​​Pronian nobles' absolute dominance over the local people has led to local centrifugal tendencies and intensified division and separatism. This ghost will entangle the empire for its entire life until it is destroyed together with it.

And now, the order Justinian wants to rebuild is precisely the "military region system" of the past. The system of military-political compatibility and the integration of soldiers and farmers can not only basically solve the difficulties of soldiers and military expenses, but also enable the Byzantine Empire. The unorganized state of the current population flow is under control, and more importantly, the tax system will be re-established. The empire will no longer rely so much on the profits from East-West trade, so that it has the capital to slowly recover its vitality. . It just seems easy. In fact, the enemy Justinian will face will be a behemoth. So far, the military aristocracy within the empire is in the ascendant, and even the official positions of the empire are basically military titles. The function of civil servants has long ceased to exist. Even if they did, they would merge with the old nobles, occupy a large amount of land, strengthen the control of the peasants, and form a huge opposition force, which is bound to be the enemy that Justinian will face in the future. The thought of this made Justinian's heart even more cold.

"Are you thinking about something, Justinian?" Antonia Doria, who was sitting by the side, also seemed to be aware of a strange question as he watched Justinian frowning.

Justinian just shook his head and said, "It's nothing, I'm just thinking about some other things, and I'm a little distracted." Of course, he can't tell others what he is thinking, because once anyone knows it will be first. Time thought he was a lunatic, and if he was a little more careful, he would realize what a terrible thing Justinian had been brewing in his heart. And the nobles of Epirus are afraid that Justinian will be regarded as a confidant and he will soon come after him. After all, he is no longer a petty little boy, but a prince of Moria.

On the other side, watching Justinian’s expression without any fluctuations, Antonia seemed to be a little bit ignorant and unintelligible: "Although I still don’t understand you, maybe you and I will find out that we seem to There are similarities. But for the time being, as a cooperative friend, I still hope to give you a piece of advice. Before the strength is stable, don't be arrogant. According to the slang of my hometown, a truly brave person is certainly to be like A lion dared to show its teeth, and at the same time, like a fox, knows how to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. I just provide you with an opportunity, and you can only decide what to do. I don’t want you to make mistakes. decision."

The girl’s blatant words are already a very obvious reminder, and Justinian also seemed to have a touch in her heart. He took a deep look at Antonia beside her, and realized that the mist on the girl’s body was deeper. Now, and what secret she has hidden, Justinian still knows nothing. But undoubtedly, Antonia Doria's words really awakened him. Before his own strength was fully accumulated, any rash actions were unwise, and this time he wanted to stop the Genoese and Mikhail Dukas. Dealing on the Black Sea ~www.ltnovel.com~ He must not rely solely on himself, because if that happens, even success will become the target of public criticism. And who can help him? Just as Justin Nemesis was slightly thinking about it, not far away, a commotion came from the crowd, and the surrounding nobles followed their prestige to make way for such a vigorous guard of honor in the rear, and a face appeared. The familiar flag was in Justinian's field of vision, and Justinian, who had a flash of light in his mind, gave a knowing smile subconsciously.

Surrounded by the guard of honor second only to the royal family, a man familiar to Justinian was heading for the upcoming martial arts competition. No one else, it was Theodor Ducas, Prince of Agrinion who arrived not long ago.

There was an instant decision in my heart, and the prototype of a plan was formed at this moment. Justinian immediately attached to the ear of the Genoese girl next to him, and said solemnly and in a low voice: "After mixing in, I have a plan."

While looking at Justinian earnestly, Antonia Doria nodded slightly: "Are you sure you are ready? If you decide, I will do my best to help you complete. But the premise is not to forget what you promised me before."

"Don't worry! After entering, I hope you..." Justinian, who said with confidence, showed his plan to the girl and the girl in front of him, already with a lot of confidence.

On the other hand, listening to Justinian’s plan with a subtle expression, the Genoese girl looked at Justinian’s serious look and couldn’t help but smile subconsciously. It seemed that her eyes were right. It's really clear at one point.