Chapter 385 The Decider 3
Therefore, when the envoys from the north passed through the northernmost Clemondo Valley controlled by the Free Army and finally arrived at Mound City, they saw those who were hanging high on the wall in various forms of death. The tragic alien corpse could not help but stop and look at it for a while.
At the same time, Jiang Tian once again sent away two waves of religious-related representatives. One wave came from the once popular local church organization - the Cathars - from the southwestern provinces of the Kingdom, mainly centered on the greater Toulouse area/plains, seeking asylum and surrender to the Free Army.
Speaking of which, this Cathar sect can be regarded as one of the few heretical sects that can persist in the southern region outside of the mainstream universal church in the kingdom. Because, although it is one of the Christian sects, it originated from the Balkans and is a remnant of Manichaeism (Mingjiao) in the late ancient Roman Empire.
Because, after a series of events triggered by the resurgence of the Great Roman Empire, including several Western Crusades and the establishment of the Western Empire, they merged with other heretical factions, the Pauline and Bogomelites, who were expelled from Bulgaria by the Eastern Empire. , and eventually spread to the southern part of the kingdom with the establishment of the Rose Dynasty.
It also once flourished between the southern part of the kingdom and northern Italy. Its teachings were deeply influenced by the three-dimensional dualism of Eastern Manichaeism and the spiritualism of Nestorianism (the predecessor of Nestorianism). For example: It advocates that all things are animistic and each planet itself is the convergence of all spiritual intelligences (Gaia?)
It is believed that the God in the Old Testament is the incarnation of Satan and the creator of the material world. In the New Testament, God is the creator of good and spiritual realms, and human souls are asexual angelic spirits imprisoned in evil matter. They must constantly reincarnate to obtain salvation, and finally reach the side of good God.
Denies the mainstream theory of the Trinity, respects Jesus and identifies with his identity as a guide, but denies the sanctity of his body as a container, and refuses to acknowledge the symbolism of his resurrection and cross, believing that Jesus is in a state of continuous reincarnation (and The Buddhist perspective is similar).
Opposing most of the sacraments in life and emphasizing equality between men and women; because in the sect’s view of reincarnation, men and women will reincarnate each other, gender is just a physical difference, and spirit and innerness are the core, so sect women are qualified to serve as sect leaders and priests , and receive education and work.
Of course, as a former heretical sect, the Cathars also have some weird things; for example, they abstain from meat (except fish), and when they feel the end has come, they will hold last rites and then go on a hunger strike/cold; they condemn war and the death penalty, Sees reproduction as a moral evil and advocates abstinence.
Of course, the Cathars now are just a surviving underground organization; because, in the late Rose Dynasty, after the ecumenical pope from the Roman Orthodox Church repeatedly ordered conversions and doctrine changes to no avail, a campaign was launched against the Cathars and their Abigail's Crusade for Pius.
Then it evolved into a chaotic war between the large and small princes in the north of the kingdom, the Holy Kingdom, the Western Empire, and the Languedoc-Toulouse aristocratic faction in the south of the kingdom; the so-called War of the Faith lasted for a full ten years, and finally ended in Languedoc. The Toulouse aristocratic faction of the Gedok family ended in failure.
Therefore, as a large number of towns and villages were destroyed, the local population was systematically massacred and trafficked, and a large number of local noble families were cut off; the Cathars also completely went underground. The Rose Dynasty was also replaced by collateral families because of its decline and weakness in this war.
Then the newly-in-power Lily Dynasty established more provinces and crown territories in the south; and enfeoffed a large number of meritorious nobles at home and abroad. Therefore, the Cathar sects that follow today can only be regarded as small and medium-sized sects that exist in vast rural areas and barely maintain their inheritance;
However, Jiang Tian mainly values them for two things: one is equality between men and women, although it is religious, at least it can liberate some women from their traditional family status and become part of the social labor force; The religious group is also a qualified leading party.
However, the second wave of visitors that followed immediately after the Cathars was not so pleasant, and even a little unexpected. Because the other party turned out to be a member of the Orthodox Church in Rome, a ceremonial official from Romagna, the territory directly under the church; he claimed to be the emissary of the Universal Pope Clayman.
Although due to various influences from later generations, Jiang Tian actually lacked enough respect and affection for the head of this Western feudal sect; but out of curiosity and superficially basic diplomatic etiquette, he still wanted to hear about the people far away in the Western Empire. What tricks can the Supreme Church bring to itself?
As a result, the other party just relayed the official message from the Holy See in public with a arrogant look on his face. First, as a universal sect, he slightly agreed with the newly-rising civilian armed forces/Freedom Army and their efforts to eradicate outliers, and then he was seriously concerned about the persecution of the church in the kingdom.
Therefore, even though the members of the Free Army came from humble beginnings and made many mistakes. But the Holy See, out of compassion and magnanimity, is willing to grant to the misguided Free Army the opportunity to return to the grace and glory of the Supreme Lord, while clergy sent by the Holy See take over the dioceses at all levels.
After such a colorful rhetoric and discussion. Finally, it was briefly mentioned that as long as the members of the Free Army can take practical actions to get close to the Holy See, the Holy See will not hesitate to grant the leaders of the Free Army and below the status and titles of parish lords and church knights, and even the patronage of the parish.
If the Free Army can perform enough defensive feats to rival those of the Crusaders of all ages, the Holy See may even, at its discretion, grant it the authority to rule the Greater Provine region and even restore the ancient claim rights to the Duchy of Lower Burgundy/Provine... In short, He just used his own aura to make a fool of the boss.
Of course, Jiang Tian cannot be moved by such empty talk, but there is no need to explicitly reject it; although the contemporary universal pope is not worth a few divisions, he is still the supreme leader in the eyes of ordinary believers; he can call for a crusade , just passing the sect’s edict can cause a lot of trouble.
Therefore, Jiang Tian thought that the matter was too serious and he could not make a rash decision, but first delayed the decision and waited for the other party to do so. All in all, the most important thing is to strengthen one's own strength. As long as the Free Army is strong enough, it might be possible to imitate the emperor and visit Italy in the future, and even invite the Pope as a guest.
"What do you think of this matter?" Then, Jiang Tian said to Feius, the special consultant who came out from behind the scenes and was dressed like a peacock: "In other words, the identity of this self-proclaimed papal emissary can be Have you ever had enough authenticity?”
"Sir, I am just the most incompetent member of the royal family. If it were not for my status as my father's eldest son, I would have been..." Fayous replied respectfully: "However, I have met this emissary once. Then At that time he was still one of Titian's attendants at the Holy See."
"Then how much do you know about the current relationship between the Holy See and the current Caesar?" Jiang Tian then asked: "Do you think Caesar is aware of the Holy See's thoughts, or in other words, their position on this matter? , can we reach an agreement?”
"This current Caesar!" Feius said with a sighing expression: "I have long felt that I couldn't see through it, but my father was overconfident in his own judgment and position; but there is one thing that the Lord has not yet seen. Before ascending to the Holy See, he served as Caesar's teacher..."
After listening to Feius's introduction, Jiang Tian decided to allocate him an activity fund; let him have a good communication with the papal emissary, and explore the other person's background and bottom line. Although he was forced to join the Free Army, he seemed to adapt to his role quickly;
In a sense, this exiled former heir is really a jack-of-all-trades. In addition to his original teaching tasks, as a nominal ad hoc consultant, he basically knows a little bit about everything and can provide temporary support in all aspects of affairs.
And even if he is under someone else's roof, he still remains a romantic and flirtatious character; even if he is caught by his father, brother, and husband, he is still optimistic and open-minded. No matter what class or origin we face in daily life, we can always find topics that we are familiar with and forcefully get close to them.
Therefore, even though there are many people who hate and dislike his style, they have to admit that this Italian guy with no shame or integrity is a very qualified candidate as a ceremony consultant and diplomatic representative. However, the next visitors from the north were not so easy to deal with.
Because the other party is an envoy from the United Kingdom of Holy Britannia; a branch organization of the Knights of the Holy Thorn, one of the many armed monks (between legions and legions), the Tomahawk Knights (Aquitaine) The deputy leader of the regiment and also the border garrison officer Lisius:
"By order of the Grand Master, I hereby inform you!" Lisius, who had a beard like a lion's mane and looked powerful, was dressed in armor and held his helmet upright and said: "According to the latest revision of the Treaty of Limoges With additional terms, the United Kingdom will exercise suzerainty and protection over Ariege, the Oriental Pyrenees, Aude, Tarn, and Garonne provinces, and will attack all entities that dare to offend..."
"Then... I'll see you on the battlefield." Hearing this, Jiang Tian sneered: Now the choice between going south or going north has been answered. However, this group of visitors from the north was divided into two groups; as the envoys from the Holy Kingdom left, another group of people immediately asked to see them.
"The Lord Seal of the Royal Council and the Special Ceremony Officer, by order of the great King John," the visitor read out an edict in a serious manner. However, when Jiang Tian saw the other party, he couldn't help but laugh: "Long time no see, Senior Rafaro! Are you still working for others?"
