Eagle Flag of Epirus

The White Tower in Thessaloniki was originally the exclusive office of the municipal officials. After the arrival of the Genoese, the strong insistence of the Macedonian nobles made it a place to entertain Doria's family.

A bored Andrea Doria was looking at the city that his native country had always coveted, and despite the war-torn condition, Thessaloniki was still second only to Constantinople on the Aegean coast. The metropolis, staring at the crowd on the street who were welcoming Moria's army into the city, the Genoese man was silent until the door behind him was pushed open, and the attendants led the person he wanted to see into the room.

Justinian and Antonia saw the man in front of them again. The last time they met at sea, the final curtain ended when the other party was **** and left on the boat. However, at this moment, the man looked at them with a surprisingly flat gaze.

"I'm here to see you... my elder brother." Antonia, who was naturally uncomfortable with this kind of gaze, only felt uncomfortable for a while, and she ducked her eyes to look at her brother.

But Andrea ignored it.

"Long time no see, Your Excellency Justinian." His eyes didn't stop at his sister, and Andrea greeted Justinian in the tone of an old friend he hadn't seen for a long time. If someone who doesn't know it sees this scene, they will think it is a touching reunion, but Justinian will not forget a series of unpleasant things that happened when the two met on the Golden Horn.

"It's been a long time indeed. In my expectation, I thought that our meeting this time would be much earlier than now." Justinian also replied indifferently.

And Andrea also heard the overtones, ordered the servants to step back, looked at Justinian, and explained: "The Doria family will only choose the most worthy investment object, the reason why I am here, presumably you You can also guess. And until now, in those people's assessments, you have not been the best person."

The gentle words of the Genoese aristocratic youth were as arrogant as they could, and the more insipid they were, the more silent contempt they could see.

Of course, Justinian would not be irritated by such remarks. He knew the temperament of the Genoese too well. Historically, when they signed the "South African Macro Treaty" with the later Mikhail VIII eagle.

"But you still chose me in the end, not Dukas of Epirus, didn't you?" He said sharply, who could see the clue at a glance. Just to take back her sister, Andrea Doria could not use such a big battle to interfere with the battle in Thessalonica at the risk of a war with Venice. It can only be said that everything has the shadow of high-level intervention in Genoa. They have noticed the edges and corners of themselves in Moria and Macedonia, and want to find exotic goods.

"Yes, the fact is clear at a glance. Being able to talk so easily and neatly is also the reason why we think you are more suitable for us than other collaborators." Seeing Justinian spread the words, Andrea stopped beating around the bush.

"We were indeed more optimistic about Mikhail Dukas before, even after you found the princess and the patriarch, a co-governing emperor with no legal flaws is more suitable for Genoa's investment. However, it must not be Let's not admit it, we still overestimate the 'Noah' of Epirus."

"Looking at it this way, your sister has a much better vision than you." Justinian smiled half-jokingly, using this method to ease the inner tension of the Genoese girl beside him. And Antonia stared closely at her brother, and seemed to be afraid of something, completely different from before.

But Andrea ignored Justinian's run, but said: "Our contract with Epirus has been trampled on by the other party, and those who break the contract will be punished."

"Is it because he colluded with the Venetians?" Justinian asked. Genoa and Epirus could eventually part ways, and it was obvious that only those in Lagoon City would benefit from the push-pull.

Andrea didn't deny it, "Of course it's more than that, but anyway, the result was that the plans of the big men in the mother country were completely ruined, and all the previous investments were sunk. Even before that, the Genoa's fleet was destroyed by that Mikhail. Put it together and help him take Corfu, and he backhanded it as a gift to the Venetian."

"Ha, it's ironic, if you didn't do it then, maybe Theodore Ducasse would be your next choice." Disguised as a Latin, attacking Corfu to lure Prince Agrinion out to assassinate, Don't ask any more questions, I think it was the handwriting of the Genoese, but instead they smashed their feet. Justinian smiled sarcastically.

And Andrea also retorted with meaningful words: "Indeed, but it also allows you to earn Agrinion and a bride of noble blood. And that finally makes us determined to support you in dealing with capriciousness. Dukas, Lord Justinian."

"Haha, this may be seen as a kind of embarrassment turned into anger."

"Whether it is Genoa or the Doria family, everything follows the rules, not likes and dislikes. This is the thinking of businessmen, and it is also the thinking of our bones. Choosing you has nothing to do with Epirus." Andrea A face of calm.

And this remark, Justinian believed, it was indeed in line with the other party's style, but the young man in front of him, who was about the same age as him, said such cold words, even if he was a little moved. As Antonia said, the city of Genoa is a monster that alienates people.

"That's the best way. I'm happy to accept the friendship of my friends from Genoa. If there is nothing else, I think Your Excellency Andrea, you can go back and do business." Justinian nodded, wanting to end the two sides. conversation.

But Andrea obviously wouldn't allow Justinian to muddy the water like this and get away with it. "Justinian-kun, we can't tolerate the appearance of a second Mikhail Dukas. While we show our sincerity, you also need to do something to make us believe it."

Huh, sure enough I'm here waiting for you!

Justinian sneered in his heart and didn't care, "Mikhail Dukas's main force has been destroyed by me, at this time he is just a dead bone in the grave, I think even without your help, I can handle it enough. He. I don't think Genoa deserves my sincerity in a matter like this."

"But what about the Venetians, and Henry of Constantinople. Even a cunning little fox is not a lion, and in a situation surrounded by enemies, unnecessary toughness will only make you torn to pieces. Fragments." Andrea looked at Justinian's figure about to leave, and warned in a serious tone.

Justinian stopped.

"Do you know why the Bulgarians withdrew their troops halfway through the first World War and abandoned the Epirus, so you could easily win?" Andrea Doria told Justinian a surprising message: "Flanders Henry returned to Constantinople from Nicaea three days ago, and once again assembled his army to attack the rear of the Bulgars. You should be glad that he did not take you as his target this time. But next time, when he A self-proclaimed orthodox Romanian emperor heard that the princess of the Purple House and the Patriarch of Constantinople were in Thessaloniki, where do you guess his army will be pointing? And the same is true for the Venetians, the previous small fight Small troubles may not make them care, but after this time, I think no arrogant merchants and nobles will allow a behemoth from Macedonia to Peloponnese to compete with them for the inheritance of Rome. In fact, you have no other choice. Now, Lord Justinian. The sea no longer belongs to the Romans. Three days of chariots and one day of ships. The surge is an extension of Italy. If you don't have the strength at sea, you can't stand in the moment, let alone recover. Constantinople, the only way to survive is to cooperate with us."

"What if I refuse?" Turning to look at the blond aristocratic young man who was also staring at him, Justinian with a stern expression did not succumb as Doria expected.

"Then we may become enemies. You must know that there are many people in Genoa who are trying to win over the Latin emperor." The specious warning is always more deterrent, the Genoese man said blankly.

"Then forget it!"

Contrary to Andrea Doria's expectations, Justinian flatly refused. He did not expect that the person in front of him could say no to him after he had said so clearly. Even Antonia on the side was surprised that Justinian would make such a choice. Although Genoa is by no means a kind, but from Justinian's point of view, this is indeed the most powerful ally.

And Justinian continued calmly: "To be precise, let me explain a little more, Andrea. I never exclude any allies, that's fine. But I won't accept any threats. , we can cooperate, but I will never make any promises. I only accept investment, but no one can make me give in. Equal relationship, in exchange for equal feedback. This is my answer. I absolutely Don't be controlled by anyone!"

"Is this your answer!" The handsome blond man's handsome face was gloomy and terrifying, he never expected such a result.

Andrea walked away, "It seems that I can only go back and tell the adults in the Senate about this regrettable result. They had high expectations for you." He looked at Justinian Antonia, who was beside her, looked even colder.

"Go back with me, Antonia, Uncle Constance is disappointed in you."

Speaking of which, the young noble Genoese clapped their hands, and two of the attendants outside the door walked in and wanted to take Antonia away, but Justinian reached out and stopped him.

"I think it's up to her to decide whether Antonia will stay or not!"

"I am her elder brother. As long as she is not married, of course I am qualified to make this decision for her." Andrea said coldly, and the two attendants immediately raised their hands and tried to push aside Justinian. But they forgot the other side in front of them. In addition to holding authority, they were more familiar with the sword on the battlefield.

I saw that Justinian pushed and retreated easily, UU reading www. uukanshu.com made the outstretched hands of Andrea's servants as if they were knocked down by the air and had nowhere to relay, and they stumbled and fell directly. The Genoese struggled and were about to have a seizure, but their hearts trembled when they saw the cold light flashing in Justinian's lake blue eyes at that moment.

This is not only the aura of the superiors, but also the Weiya condensed after the experience on the battlefield, no one dares to step forward for a while.

"Antonia is my ally and a guest of Rome. I think she has this qualification. As I said, an equal relationship brings equal feedback." Justinian turned a blind eye to the Genoese and pushed away The door, and the servants waiting outside, although standing by their swords, did not dare to move. Because in addition to the Genoese standing outside at this time, there were also Turkic warriors with bows and swords, and it was Arslan who brought his subordinates over in time. In the face of these elites of hundreds of battles, the Genoese who are used to fighting at sea are naturally difficult to deal with.

"Then farewell, Your Excellency Andrea." Justinian took Antonia out of the room, leaving only the other side's back.

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