After listening to Justinian's answer, Muzphius still did not completely give up his concerns, but asked: "Wouldn't it be better to hand me over to the Latins? I'm afraid they will pay you more."

At this time, Muzfius's voice had completely softened.

At least he already believed Justinian's answer to some extent, and did not continue to ask questions. After all, everyone has their own secrets. In any case, Justinian should be trustworthy at present, even though the other party's real purpose is Muzfi

Us still hasn't figured it out.

"Please, I am also a citizen of the empire. I have money but no life to spend on doing such a thing. If I take you back to Epirus, it will be much better to be rewarded than to be a hungry mercenary."

"Justinian shrugged and joked, Muzphius said this at least shows that he no longer has the same doubts about himself.

"But it's too dangerous to go to Constantinople..." Muzphius still expressed his concerns. When he killed Alexios IV, who led the Crusaders to usurp the throne, he might be ruined.

He would definitely die in the hands of those Latins. He really couldn't understand what Justinian's intention was.

And Justinian did have his intention in doing so. At this time, the Latin Empire established by the Crusaders came out in force, and Emperor Baldwin's younger brother Henry swept across the Nicaea Empire in Anatolia, but Baldwin I would

The Battle of Adrianople shortly afterwards was defeated by the Bulgarians and fell into chaos. That would be their best chance to escape to Epirus.

On the contrary, if you take the southern route, you will most likely be intercepted by the Venetians and be in danger.

But now Justinian knew that he had to convince Muzphius first, and he could not tell him that he could predict the future.

"If we take the southern route, it would probably be more dangerous now that Boniface controls the Peloponnese and Macedonia." Justinian asked casually.

And when Justinian said that name, Muzphius' shoulders trembled reflexively.

The Marquis of Monteferrat, Boniface, the leader of the Fourth Crusade, was a nightmare figure. It was he who led the army to conquer Constantinople. He should have become the emperor of the Latin Empire.

Yes, but because of Venice's fear of him, Boniface failed to obtain Constantinople but instead obtained the Salonika area and Athens and Corinth in the south to establish the Kingdom of Salonika.

Muziphius, who was imprisoned in the castle, only knew about this now, so he couldn't believe it.

"Are you sure this is really the case?"

"Of course, this is what I overheard when Alexius III was talking about it. You are all very afraid of that person, aren't you?" Justinian lied again, but it seems to have a significant effect so far. Compared to

It's easier to convince the other party based on fear.

"Now that Constantinople is much safer due to its emptiness, it is easier for a large number of refugees to flow to Bulgaria because of the war. Now do you think my decision is more reasonable?"

Muzphius was silent for a while. Unexpectedly, even the heartland of the empire like the Macedonian Peloponnese was carved up by the Latins, and he actually felt a sense of powerlessness in his heart.

"Then... let's follow your plan, but we are penniless now. What's more important is where to find a ship to go to Constantinople." Muzphius agreed to Justinian's plan, but

Still a little worried, Venice has a monopoly on navigation. How can they get on board?

"You can rest assured on this. I'm ready. Let's get on the horse first. It's not appropriate to stay here for a long time."

Justinian had already made a plan. He took out the locket and rotated the lid to collect all the belongings of the other party. In addition, the short bow of the Turkic cavalry was also adopted by Justinian for his own use.

Holding the horse, even though it was a little untamed, Justinian still calmed the horse. He let Muzphius sit in the back and he sat in front and drove the horse. They must leave here quickly or else they will be

It would be troublesome for the Turkic army to find out.

"Drive!" Justinian shouted, and the horse galloped, carrying the two of them, and disappeared into the distance, leaving the place that was about to usher in a bloody storm.

…

A seaport on the west coast, this is not a traditional important trading center. It used to be just a transit point for transporting grain from Anatolia, but now it has become a secret place for smuggling by Genoese merchants.

Here, Genoese merchants made a fortune from Eastern trade.

However, businessman Phillips couldn't be happy when he looked at his bills. In the past two years, the Venetians have controlled a large number of Byzantine islands, and all the monopolized commercial and trade profits belong to Venice, causing Genoa to suffer heavy losses every year, and many Genoese

The businessman is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Although Phillips can still rely on this port to support him, it is only a matter of time before the Venetians take control of Constantinople and suppress the Genoese people. He has to worry about this. Today, his business transports very few goods.

.

He sat on the edge of the port, calculating the accounts and frowning, while his men were transporting goods. "Damn Venetian!" Phillips couldn't help but hammered the table and cursed, and at this time a money bag fell on

in front of him.

Subconsciously, he raised his head and saw a young man less than twenty years old standing in front of him, looking at him with a smile.

But Phillips, who was in a bad mood, didn't have a good look on his face. "If you have anything to say, please tell me." He weighed the weight of the purse and guessed how much money was in it.

"Can you send us both to Constantinople?" Justinian asked. This was a place he had accidentally learned from the villagers who delivered the wine. Smugglers are often more powerful and more critical than anyone else.

The thing is that the other party is a Genoese.

"I'm afraid this little money isn't enough for two people to go to Constantinople. Who are you, going there at this time?" Phillips glanced at the young man in front of him and the middle-aged man in a cloak behind him, as if he had something to say.

asked thoughtfully.

This made Muzfius, who had covered his face, feel a sinking heart. Although he was blinded, he would still be recognized if he thought about it. He subconsciously took a step back.

But Justinian said without changing his face: "We are mercenaries who followed His Royal Highness Henry on the expedition to Nicaea, but my uncle was injured and blinded, so he left the army alone."

"Oh, deserter! No wonder..." Phillips said mockingly. In his opinion, the other party wanted to leave on his black ship because he was a deserter.

"But this is really not enough. We are not having a good time these days. It is not too much to shed a little more blood in the city called the heart of the world that has just been looted!" Phillips was convinced that the other party could only agree to a profiteer's promise.

He raised his price with a face on his face.

Justinian frowned slightly, took out a silver wine glass from his arms and placed it on the table, "Is this enough?"

Phillips, whose eyes were brightened, quickly took it in his hand. He could see at a glance that the silver wine glass was of very good quality. It was not only very good, but also an old thing. It seemed that the mercenary who didn't know the goods snatched it and used it as ordinary silverware.

But in fact it was because this was the only thing on Justinian that was the least valuable.

"Can we get on the ship now? I hope to set off as soon as possible." Justinian asked.

"Of course, but you can't even hope for a good bed on this kind of ship." Phillips put away the money and silver wine glass and still waved his hand impatiently.

Justinian didn't bother to say anything and walked towards the plywood with Muziphius. Looking at the backs of the two of them, Phillips said to himself. "It's incredible that someone would go there at this time.
Chapter completed!