Faced with Guo Kanghe's explanation, Joanna didn't know what to say.
"Don't you, don't you give it a try?" She was too surprised and didn't care to hide it, so she stammered and begged.
"I, I can do it myself. Let a prestigious young noble marry me, and then we can obtain a strong enough claim." After she finished speaking, she was afraid that the two of them would misunderstand, so she pointed at Guo Kang and said, "He That’s it.”
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Tuo Huan and Guo Kang looked at each other, and the two of them burst into laughter.
"You girl, you still dream of being a princess!" Guo Kang said with a smile.
"Do you know why my grandfather and the others didn't take care of my mother and let her choose her own husband?" Tuo Huan also asked with a smile.
"Huh?" Joanna obviously didn't expect it either.
"The territories that your mother can claim are Hungary and Naples. In our grand strategy, these are places that are directly managed by counties. These are no longer needed." Tuo Huan explained: "So, Only my grandfather would think that she has no influence anymore. Mr. Guo Di also suggested that we just do well and let her live her own life."
"When fighting for territory, you put forward your own claims in order to gain enough legitimacy. But think about it, starting from Clovis, what were the origins of the earliest nobles? Where did their titles come from?" He spread his hands: "Is there any higher legitimacy than Rome itself?"
Joanna was speechless for a moment.
"Don't be nervous, it's okay. After all, you have helped me Anda so much." Tuohuan teased: "Besides, you have asked him for a marriage, do you still treat yourself as an outsider? No need."
Guo Kang blushed at what he said, but he just laughed and didn't seem to take it seriously at all.
He could only lament that it was fortunate that Theodora was not here. Otherwise, Brother Tian might not even know if they would fight on the spot...
"Since this matter has been brought up, I will explain it to you seriously." Seeing that he didn't speak, Tuohuan took the initiative to explain: "If you understand, you can tell others so that everyone can understand our attitude. "
"Of course, I haven't read many books. If you really want to know the truth, you have to ask him." He pointed at Guo Kang: "However, Italy is very important to us, so my mother has forced me to read relevant books since I was a child. .I still remember quite a few of those instances.”
"At the beginning, the Ostrogothic Kingdom occupied many areas of Italy, so Emperor Justinian sent Belisarius to attack the barbarians and regain their homeland. Belisarius fought some victorious battles, repelled the Goths, and forced them to submit. .”
"But after that, Roman officials imposed exorbitant taxes in Italy, trying to make back the expenses of the previous war. The generals and governors also enriched themselves one after another, taking advantage of the opportunity to take over the lost land, and even took advantage of the legions. There were also many nobles and senators, Claiming that a large area of local land still belongs to them, they took the opportunity to forcibly occupy the industry.”
"Under the repeated bullying of these tax collectors, reception officials, and returning senators, the Italians, who once welcomed the Roman army, soon became dissatisfied and would rather allow the barbarians to continue to rule. Later, Belisarius was transferred because he could not be trusted, and the East The Gothic army took the opportunity to fight back again. This time, most people sided with the barbarians, and the garrisons in various places were in chaos because of the incompetence and selfishness of the generals, resulting in the loss of the territory they gained."
"Later, Justinian sent the more trusted Narses to lead his army back to Italy. Narses successfully defeated the Ostrogoths. However, when news of the death of King Totila of the Ostrogoths spread After it came out, Italians were sad instead of happy."
"This kind of thing happened again and again in different places. When the Roman army returned to North Africa and defeated the Vandals, the Moors came to welcome them. But after a while, they also began to rebel."
“According to records, many local specialties, such as red pottery and olives in North Africa, and Italian wine, survived even during the barbarian invasions. However, they were hit more severely in this era, and even directly Disappeared."
"These people have done more damage to the people's livelihood in the province than the barbarians. The Italians and Moors were originally the residents who supported the empire the most, but within a few years they began to rebel everywhere. How can this kind of rule achieve its goals?"
Joanna nodded, admitting that he had a point.
"The subsequent rulers often made this mistake." Tuo Huan said: "The Anjou family tried to control the Kingdom of Sicily, but they couldn't even control their own soldiers, and were eventually kicked out of the island."
"It stands to reason that at least the emerging dynasties can do a lot better in this regard. But in Europe, I have never seen this phenomenon." He shook his head: "There are too many such lessons, but it seems that no one has Think seriously."
"When my grandfather arrived in Naples with his army, the locals told him that as long as someone drove away the current king-even the Hungarians came to do it. If we hadn't attacked, Lajos might not have left. My own My hometown is run like this, I don’t know what to think.”
"You see, what the locals care about is not such an empty name, but real life. The king's name is not necessarily easy to use. That's why we think that there is not much to support a puppet king with claims. Necessary. We don’t need this name to add legitimacy to ourselves.”
"It's not that I look down on your bloodline and family." Tuohuan scratched his head, comforted, and then said: "But if you think about it carefully, no matter how strong your family's bloodline and legal basis are, you can have Emperor Justinian Is it strong?"
Joanna shook her head blankly.
"I think our current generals are all capable people. But have any of them performed at the level of Belisarius and Narses?" he asked again.
Joanna was at a loss, and Guo Kang next to her shook his head.
"Look, even they failed in that situation. What conditions do we have to ignore the most critical factor?" Tuo Huan finally said.
"You mean, the legitimacy of the nobles' rule is irrelevant, the most important thing is the attitude of ordinary people?" Joanna tried to confirm.
"Of course." Guo Kang agreed: "Back then, Master Ji Han Liu was pursued in Jingzhou, but he still insisted on protecting the people from fleeing. His subordinates reminded him that the pursuers were likely to arrive soon, and he could not resist under the current situation. Mr. Liu replied that doing great things must be based on people. Now that the people have come to rely on him, how can he have the heart to abandon everyone and leave."
"The pursuers are coming. Will they kill and rob these ordinary people? There is a huge difference between Siris's armies." Joanna thought for a while and commented.
"Yes. The army chasing him has quite a European civilized style." Guo Kang said euphemistically: "So when the locals heard the news, they immediately fled."
"Well……"
"Although he was still defeated later, these actions also allowed him to gain the support of many people. Therefore, although he often failed, he could rise again. This incident has been passed down."
"If we can have this spirit, I think we won't need to consider those complicated blood relationships and legality." Guo Kang finally said: "To appease the suffering people and crusade against the guilty rulers is itself a kind of legality. Sex. When we started our own business, we didn’t rely on the nobility."
"I understand what you mean." Joanna showed a clear expression.
"However, you haven't directly ruled Naples for a long time. Propaganda and appeal to the locals, and preventing local lords from coaxing them into fighting against you. Do you still need people to do these things?" She keenly discovered other spaces: " This kind of work is trivial, but valuable. After all, we still have some connections there, so we can still help."
"This... is fine." Guo Kang hesitated and said.
"It seems that there are a lot of Italians in the metropolis." Tuo Huan thought for a while and said, "We can select smart people from them and go back to promote them. If you are good at it, you can really help organize them."
"They already have many organizations." Joanna told him: "My mother and I do have contacts with some organizations. If necessary, we can go and help."
"That's it." I really didn't know before I took off my love: "Then we can give it a try? If their network has influence in their hometown, then at least they can do publicity and obtain information."
"These should be no problem." Joanna nodded: "Neapolitans and Sicilians like to stick together. The organizations they formed spontaneously often have contacts with the upper class and seek their asylum."
"Some nobles will use them to do some shady jobs. They will sometimes blackmail the nobles in order to get better conditions for themselves. Anyway, these people should be used to this kind of work."
"Isn't this just the underworld?" Guo Kang frowned: "To be honest, I'm a little worried about these people."
"If we really intervene in Naples, we will definitely have to re-establish grassroots organizations. Will these gang members take the opportunity to get involved and usurp our control of the local area?"
"Are you planning to establish a legionary estate and re-divide the territory?" Joanna replied: "That way there is no need to worry. When rebuilding, just put them aside."
"I still understand this matter. They are active because in most European countries, there are no people other than priests who go to the villages to organize organizations. You have established organizations directly, so what are you afraid of?"
"What she said is right." Tuo Huan said: "On the contrary, we are the messiest in Dadu. I guess it's because no one has been rectifying it since your grandfather. In other places, there is not such a big problem."
"Do you have any idea about this?" He asked Joanna: "Can you help us restrain these people?"
"This is very troublesome." Joanna said frankly: "These people are not in the same group, they only have a loose alliance with each other. Not only my family, but other Italian businessmen also often interact with them. Even some influential people The same goes for foreign nobles."
"By the way, do you remember the French princess who came to seek refuge before?" She asked: "When she comes here, she can get support from some people in the city. I definitely can't control these people."
"This is indeed troublesome..." Guo Kang sighed helplessly: "Forget it, we can't rush this matter. Let's talk about it slowly in the future."
"If I can help, I will do my best." Joanna promised.
She walked to the door and said goodbye to the two of them. In the car, "Khitan" Damiano seemed to be waiting impatiently. At his urging, Joanna had no choice but to tell Guo Kang to come see him if anything happened recently. Guo Kang thought there was no problem, nodded in agreement, and she left in a hurry.
"Oh, I feel like I'm going to be busy again lately." Tuo Huan stretched out and sighed.
Guo Kang was noncommittal.
This place is on a small slope, not far from the civilian area. Looking around, you can see row upon row of houses, obscure narrow streets, and the tall Theodosian city wall in the distance.
Looking up, a big bird is soaring in the blue winter sky.
"What's the date today?" Guo Kang suddenly remembered and asked.
"Which calendar?" Tuohuan said, "According to the Julian calendar, it's December 3rd."
"It's not a special day."
"yes."
***
After everyone left, only Theodora was still discussing things. Cao Jian had nothing to do, so he said goodbye to his grandma and went out for a walk.
He walked out of the monastery, walked for a while, came to the edge of the commercial district, found a tavern, and walked in.
"Where's your boss?" he asked the young Russian man who was looking after the store.
"It's in the backyard. Please wait a moment." The waiter obviously recognized him and greeted him quickly, put down the account book in his hand, and disappeared behind the curtain at a trot.
Not long after, a sturdy man stuck his head out.
"Master? Please, please, come here." He opened the curtain and called Cao Jian in.
The two walked all the way to the backyard, and Cao Jian asked bluntly: "Has Andre done anything recently?"
"Some of us have been keeping an eye on him." The strong man Ross said: "Since the last time you mentioned it, he and Master Gregory have been visiting people everywhere."
"Did you go to Li's house again?" Cao Jian asked in detail.
"Yes." The other party nodded: "Mr. Li must have been busy recently, so he has been away from home, so they went there several times. Maybe they met two or three times."
"Alas..." Cao Jian sighed, but still nodded and praised: "Well done, Victor. I will give you half the reward next time."
"Thank you, Master." Victor bowed slightly and then asked: "Now, is there anything else we need to do?"
"You should be able to see the current situation." Cao Jian tried to keep a calm expression, but there was still some worry in his eyes: "Since the past two years, my grandparents wanted the Russians to be eligible to be formal legionnaires. The father and son have been moving up and down. I guess they have already prepared a lot of backup plans. "
"I don't think you need to be afraid of them, young master." Victor frowned and pointed out: "You are the heir of this family. Although Grigory is very cunning and has a bit of reputation among the Russians, he has never fought. A famous battle. Most of his current status is because he is the son-in-law of the Cao family. And Andre is even further away - he is an outsider. The two of them cannot compare with you. "
"That's what I said..." Cao Jian's eyes wandered, and it was obvious that he didn't have much confidence: "Now it is time to recruit Russians as soldiers, and they will not miss this opportunity. Gregory's family is in Ryazan and Suzdal have influence, if they can take this opportunity to further enter the legion, my successor will have no practical significance."
"After all, Andre's mother is my grandparents' favorite biological daughter. And I have no blood relationship with them at all. If he performs well, then I guess there is no need for his existence."
Victor was silent for a moment, not knowing how to answer.
"Who are Daoxing and Ziming?" Cao Jian asked again without saying anything.
"Oh, your brothers and sisters didn't do anything." Victor replied: "I think they may not know about it at all."
"They and Mr. Guo probably didn't think so much. They are carefree..." Cao Jian sighed again, and finally said: "Then we should follow Elder Peter's suggestion. Those people are ready. Is it done?"
"We have already selected them before." Victor said: "We also used black market channels to purchase some weapons in advance so that they can adapt and train. Now, at least we have some foundation and can pass the assessment."
"Okay." Cao Jian nodded: "Then I will make an appointment with Mr. Guo now. Without further ado, tell him and gather the people immediately. I will take them to report to the military camp tomorrow for him to review."
"So fast?" Victor was a little surprised.
"It won't work otherwise. Grigory will definitely put his own people inside and actually control this army. So we must be faster than him." Cao Jian analyzed: "We can only wait until he convinces his grandparents and finalizes the candidates. Create established facts on Mr. Guo’s side and identify our people. In this way, even if he starts to take action, he will not be able to ask for the exclusion of the people Mr. Guo has already recruited. He will definitely not dare to treat the Guo family like this .”
"It could have been earlier. Let them stop being lazy," he said.
"Don't worry, even if we beat them, they will gather on time." After Victor promised, he couldn't help but ask: "But, as for Mr. Guo, are you sure he will help?"
"He should have always wanted to speak for me, I can tell. Unfortunately, grandma doesn't seem to want him to get involved too much, and he doesn't know the specific situation." After Cao Jian finished speaking, he shook his head with a wry smile: "We It’s normal for outsiders to not understand the messy things going on at home.”
"Okay, I'm going to work now. You should also work quickly." He patted Victor and urged.
"May the Holy Mother bless you, Master." Victor nodded and strode away.
(End of chapter)
