At the moment Aigron put the crown on Haidee, the Grand Duchess Ioannina was officially announced, and the principality she ruled was also born.
As far as the legal system is concerned, the Principality of Ioannina is the territory sealed by Aigron, and Haidee is also his highest-ranking vassal and is also under his protection.
Of course, in the 19th century when "rituals and music collapsed", the so-called legal system did not have much sanctity at all. It was just an excuse that could barely fool people. Aigron didn't have much attachment to the principality he created. It just needs to temporarily find a shelter for itself and its supporters without angering any party.
On the day of the founding celebration, Aigron, after canonizing Haidee, also conferred a group of meritorious ministers as vassals. They added some of the nobles that Aigron had previously granted, plus those military nobles left over from the imperial era ( For example, Ney's son Michel Ney, Duke of Elchingen), together formed the core group of his men.
In order to further win over these people, he also deliberately divided some fiefs for them in the principality. Although these fiefs are not large, and they have no civil rights and are just land assets, this grace is enough to make these people grateful. .
The establishment of an entire system of emperor-lord-vassal meant that 22 years after the disastrous collapse in 1815, the empire had been restored in the remote Ioannina region.
Of course, this is not a restoration of the ancient medieval system, and Aigron has no interest in picking up those outdated gadgets again. He is just following the rules of rule established by Emperor Napoleon and temporarily adapting to local conditions.
In this region of Ioannina, which has experienced long-term wars, religious conflicts and ethnic vendettas, his attempts to promote "universal suffrage" and representative democracy are nothing more than seeking fish from a tree. The locals have been accustomed to the Sudan's high pressure for thousands of years. A bloody ruler cannot be interested in the revolutionary creeds of freedom, equality, and fraternity. In order to establish an effective system, he can only create a hierarchy, and then use his core base to suppress other groups.
After a series of operations, Aiglon stabilized himself internally, and the newly born Principality of Ioannina also gained a firm foothold. Next, it was time for him to get busy externally.
His most important task at the moment is to win external recognition for the Principality of Ioannina.
He doesn't have to worry about Austria. As long as he completes the deal, Metternich will definitely not mind recognizing the principality. With him interceding, the British side can easily get it done. There is no need to worry about Turkey either. The Sultan is in a state of distress, in order to keep the empire alive. , he must be willing to compromise - anyway, since he wants to cede Greece, he doesn't mind losing one more Ioannina.
In this era, due to lack of strength, Prussia kept pace with Russia in diplomacy, and was even regarded as a half vassal of the Russians. Their influence on European affairs was very small, and Aigron did not need to care what they thought.
What remains is the attitude of France and Russia.
France, ruled by the Bourbon family, hated Bonaparte, the former usurper and rebel, and it is estimated that he would never recognize the Principality of Ioannina no matter what; Russia is more subtle.
On the one hand, the Romanov family also hates the Bonaparte family; but on the other hand, the Russian Empire is definitely happy to see Turkey be further weakened, and it is also happy to see an additional Orthodox independent country in the Balkan Peninsula.
Therefore, on the day of the founding celebration, Egeron wrote a letter in Haidee's name and prepared to forward it to His Majesty the Russian Tsar Nicholas I through the Austrian Embassy.
The wording in the letter is very sincere. "Haidee" said that after converting to Orthodox Christianity, she has felt the mercy of God and the power of Christianity. She will respect the Lord's will and turn Ioannina into a country that will always respect Orthodoxy. , and in the letter, she praised the Tsar as the guardian of the Orthodox faith, and promised that if one day the Russian Empire needs to fight the Turks again, the principality, even if it is small and weak, is willing to fight side by side with Russia for the Orthodox faith.
The wording in the letter was quite courteous. Although Aigron didn't like to use such flattering words to others, he was a man who could bend and bend. Since the situation required it, he didn't mind saying it out - anyway, it was Haidee who said it in name.
Of course, Eggron would not be stupid enough to think that the Tsar would change his view of him just because of a letter, but he believed that under the current situation, the Russian Empire had already reaped sufficient benefits, and under the pressure of the Western European powers, the Tsar would choose to retreat temporarily. ——In this context, the surrender of the Principality of Ioannina is enough to meet the political needs of His Majesty the Tsar.
Aiglon does not ask the Tsar to accept him, he only hopes to stabilize him and make everyone look good. As long as the Russian Empire acquiesces to the existence of the principality, even if it does not establish diplomatic relations, then even if France, the Bourbon family, has any opinions , and it can't change the entire situation.
This is the last step in the journey. As long as this step is completed, he will be done.
Aigron is full of confidence in this, because now that he has reached this step, there will not be too many variables.
Before, he was an unlucky guy who was unfortunately crushed by disaster, but he gritted his teeth and persevered, survived the most difficult time, and finally found his own route along the river of history, and after a lot of hard work on his own Got a little space.
When he thought of this, he couldn't help but feel confident and proud.
However, he also knew clearly that after the Principality of Ioannina changed from "non-existence" to "existence", the long river of history had bifurcated in front of him and flowed in an unknown direction. There was not much left for him to learn. For guidance, from now on he can only rely on himself to fight against the unknown fate.
He is not afraid, but is even happy - because this means that from now on he is no longer a scum destined to be unknown. He has already stepped onto the stage of history. Even if he is overthrown by stormy waves due to bad luck in the future, at least he It can also leave traces in history books.
To him, this is the meaning of his existence.
No matter what kind of storm meets him, he will only face it with a smile.
After handling the affairs of the principality, Aigron handed over the remaining affairs to his confidants such as Father Faria, the Count of Monte Cristo, the Duke of Elchingen, etc., and then he took Teresa south from Ioannina. , heading towards the Peloponnese Peninsula.
In order not to cause unnecessary commotion, the two of them deliberately kept a low profile and did not release any public information, and the only servants around them were Chanel.
However, there is still great unrest throughout Greece, so they naturally have to follow with a large group of guards. Andre Davout, Marquis of Lepanto, continues to serve as the captain of the personal guard, responsible for the protection of the unmarried couple.
After several days of hard work, this group of people took a boat and arrived at the port of Mesoni.
Last time, Aigron took a boat from the Island of Monte Cristo to the Peloponnese Peninsula, and it was here that he landed. Although only a few months had passed since he landed in Mesoni, the whole world seemed to have changed. appearance.
At least for Egron, his world is very different.
The last time he came here, Aigron had someone forcibly commandeer a hotel as his place to stay, and this time when he came back, he naturally stayed there again.
Returning to the place where she had lived for several months, Chanel happily cleaned the room for the two owners, while Agron and Theresa also happily moved in.
After they officially checked in, Panos Colokotronis, who had already been notified by him, also came outside the hotel and paid a visit to Agron and Teresa.
Of course Aigron and Teresa were happy to meet their ally, so they met him together on the rooftop balcony.
"Mr. Leader, congratulations!" As soon as he saw Aigron, Panos congratulated Aiglon with a cheerful face. "Please also allow me to congratulate Her Highness the Grand Duchess of Ioannina."
When Aiglon held the celebration of the founding of the principality, he naturally did not forget to send someone to inform his allies, so Panos certainly knew about it at this time.
Although the establishment of the Principality of Ioannina means cutting off some land that originally belonged to Greece, for Panos, it is not a loss to be able to exchange such a small price for the independence of the Greek country.
And for Greece, which is full of things to do after independence, it really does not have the energy to argue with the Bonaparte family over this matter - after all, its mortal enemy Turkey is still alive.
"On behalf of Grand Duchess Haidee, I would like to thank you for your congratulations." Aiglon replied seriously. "I hereby assure you that the Principality of Ioannina is willing to remain friendly with Greece from generation to generation as an interdependent ally. If necessary, after Greece becomes independent, the two countries can sign an alliance to advance and retreat together."
"If that's the case, that would be the best!" Panos' eyes lit up.
For Panos, what he is most worried about is that after the success of independence, he will have to face the unwilling Turkish Sultan. If he can continue to form an alliance with the Bonaparte family, it will be tantamount to getting strong support to ensure the independence of Greece. Security afterwards.
"I will convince my father to agree to this covenant." Panos immediately gave a positive response, "In addition, he is also willing to discuss with you from a positive standpoint regarding the border demarcation between the two countries. .”
At the moment, Greece is not officially independent yet, so the border between it and the principality is out of the question, but once it is officially independent, this will become a thorny issue for the two new countries.
In the history of the Balkan Peninsula, after various countries got rid of the rule of the Turks, it didn't take long for them to fight over the demarcation of their borders. Two Balkan Wars were fought, and no one knew how many lives were lost.
In order to avoid this problem, Aiglon must resolve the border issue as soon as possible - while his allies still have control.
At the moment, both he and Panos' father Theodoros Kolokotronis enjoy great prestige. If the two of them determine the boundary, it will be enough to eliminate the hidden dangers of future disputes to the greatest extent - and, in order to allow This negotiation should be concluded smoothly as soon as possible, and Aiglon is also willing to make positive gestures and concessions.
For him, ensuring that the favorable situation continues is more important than taking over a few more poor and dilapidated villages or mountains. Anyway, Ioannina is not his family's ancestral property.
As long as the demarcation negotiations are concluded and an alliance is signed at the same time, the friendly relations between the Principality of Ioannina and the Kingdom of Greece will be confirmed, and both new countries will have a safe and stable external environment.
"Your father, when can you find time to meet me?" Aigron asked.
"Where did you go with that!" Panos replied with a laugh. "My father is willing to see you at any time, as long as you are free."
"Then, how about we meet in Sparta in five days?" Aigron suggested.
"I happily obey." Panos smiled and nodded, "The last meeting in Sparta opened the door to our success. This time we will draw a successful conclusion to this great cause."
"Independence does not mean that everything will be fine, my friend." Aigron kindly reminded him, "People are willing to sacrifice for a great cause, but no one can accept sacrifice all the time, especially after the success of the independent cause, their attention It will definitely be transferred to our daily lives. If we cannot give them peace and prosperity at that time, we will also lose the support of the people and eventually our prestige and power."
"Of course, I understand this!" Panos nodded seriously, "Don't worry, my father has also made a plan. After the establishment of an independent country, he will try his best to serve the well-being of the people until each of us enjoys it. Until the time of peace.”
In the plan of the Panos father and son, Greece will become a kingdom after its independence, and Theodoros Kolokotronis will serve as the prime minister of the kingdom. Considering that the candidate for the king has not been decided yet, he will also temporarily act as the supreme head of state.
No one wants to lose the hard-won power easily, and there are too many things waiting for them to do next.
However, Panos is full of confidence in this - after all, the most difficult time has been passed, so what is there to be afraid of?
As long as they have this young man as their ally, all obstacles in front of them will be easily overcome.
"Okay, now that you have confirmed the date, I will go back later and tell my father the news and let him prepare for it." Panos stood up and saluted Aiglon and Teresa. Say goodbye.
Finally, he said another blessing.
"These are my personal words... Your Majesty, and Her Royal Highness the Princess, I wish you both a long life together and a happy life."
Due to various considerations, Panos has always called Aigron "Mr. Leader" officially, but now he doesn't have so many scruples in his private capacity.
He was full of admiration and love for the young girl and boy, and sincerely hoped that they could be happy.
Not long ago, Aigron had announced the news that Teresa had "rushed" to Greece. Now everyone knows that the unmarried couple has been reunited, and naturally knows that they will get married soon.
"Thank you for your blessing." Aigron and Teresa thanked them at the same time.
"My blessing is not just verbal -" Panos replied with a smile, "Don't worry, I have already made arrangements. Once the Turks withdraw from Athens, we will send people to the Parthenon." The preparations for the temple ruins will definitely satisfy Her Royal Highness the Princess..."
Teresa was naturally delighted. "I believe you can handle this, sir! And you will be the guest of honor at the wedding."
"Your Highness, this is my honor." Panos bowed slightly to Teresa, then turned and left with a big smile.
Soon, only the boy and the girl were left on the balcony.
Aigron looked up at the sky and saw that it was already dusk.
"My dear Theresa, do you know what I miss most about Methoni?" During a moment of silence, Agron suddenly asked Theresa with a smile.
"What?" Teresa asked slightly confused.
Then, looking at the playful light flashing in the young man's eyes, she seemed to react. "Yeah! Stop talking!"
