In 105, Epirus formally concluded an alliance with Bulgaria, which meant that it completely broke with the Holy See and the Latin Empire.

Mikhail solemnly entertained the arrival of Grand Duke Ivan and his entourage, and agreed that the two countries would jointly fight against the Latins. However, the only disagreement between the two sides was Bulgaria's territorial claim to Macedonian Thrace. And although they knew that Muzi

However, the Bulgars had always coveted the throne of the Roman Empire, and Ivan Asen did not give Mikhail any more conditions for assistance.

Although they broke up somewhat unhappily, after three days and three nights of bargaining, Mikhail had no choice but to give up his previous demands and agreed to give up territorial sovereignty in Thrace. The Bulgars agreed to start the spring next year.

Promise to launch a general attack on Boniface.

At this point, the alliance between Epirus and Bulgaria was finally completed and the agreement was signed.

But in fact, both parties were not satisfied, and were wary of their new allies. The agreement between the two was more of a blank check, just to bundle the interests of the two together to face the threat of the Latins.

And after all this is over, there will be no need for the Bulgars to stay here.

"Your Majesty Mikhail, thank you for your hospitality these days. I am glad that in the end we can put aside our old grudges and fight against the Latins together. I hope we can have a happy cooperation." Ivan Asen, who stayed for several days, received a letter from his uncle, Tsar Kaloyan.

, the war with the Latins was put into a passive position because Henry of Flanders rushed back. He had to rush back to Sofia, otherwise it would be very dangerous once the Macedonian area was closed. He took his guards Ivan Asen in front of the city gate with him.

Mikhail said goodbye as he saw him off.

"I am also looking forward to cooperating with Tsar Kaloyan, Your Excellency Ivan. I wish you a safe journey." Mikhail said with a smile. Although the alliance with Bulgaria was not very satisfactory to him, he got Muzfi

Wusi's golden seal edict is enough, at least now the threat from his north will be greatly alleviated.

"His Majesty the Despot...not to be precise, it should be His Majesty the future Emperor. Although I am an outsider, I still want to remind you to be wary of His Majesty Muzfius and the boy next to him, otherwise you will make a fool of yourself.

Farewell. Farewell, Your Majesty Mikhail." Ivan Asen lowered his voice to remind the man in front of him, and after saying that, he took the Bulgar hussar beside him out of the city gate and galloped away.

Looking at Ivan Asen's back, Mikhail also showed a thoughtful expression. He did not take it lightly because of his youth. Tsar Kaloyan entrusted him with such an important matter.

He must have great trust in this Ivan Asen, and his words really touched his heart.

Accepting Muzphius was indeed an adventure. Although he sent Muzphius to a monastery, the blind man was not in trouble, but he agreed to the other party's request and canonized a castle in the south to Justinian.

Ivan Asen's words couldn't help but make him regret that he accepted Muzfius' conditions too hastily.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?" The generals who had changed their names seemed to see that Mikhail was worried about this.

However, Mikhail shook his head at this time and said: "Forget it, let's go back!" He did not easily believe Ivan Asen's words, because the Bulgars themselves were not trustworthy, and what's more, the man named

Justinian's young man may be able to be used for his own purposes, not to mention that without his noble status, he cannot make any waves.

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On the other side, Justinian, who was wearing a conical helmet and mail armor and was fully armed, walked into the monastery to see Muziphius for the last time. He never expected that this man would agree to such harsh conditions.

, but asked Mikhail to give him a reward and became the lowest military noble.

At this time, the military district system had not been completely disintegrated. As early as the early 11th century, the number of military districts increased to 46. At that time, each military district could generally provide a tolma (legion) of troops, with a number of between 20,000 and 30,000.

Each legion is composed of 5 dorongaros (similar to a battalion). Each battalion contains 5 bands (similar to a company). The quota is 56 infantry and 00 cavalry. In addition to the regular army, the empire also often

With the wealth in their hands, they drove foreign allies or mercenaries to fight for themselves. But now it is no longer what it used to be. After Romanus IV was captured at the Battle of Manchecott, the fate of the empire took a turn for the worse.

The main force of small and medium-sized farmers could no longer afford long-term expeditions and many exorbitant taxes, and began to decline day by day. The scene of the decline of Republican Rome a thousand years ago was once again staged in the East. The decline of the small and medium-sized peasant class meant the shaken Tema system and the failure of the generals.

Aristocracy also promoted the further feudalization of the entire society, making it increasingly difficult for the country to operate under the rule of the imperial power. With the rise of the Pulonian system, the rise of military aristocrats and the encroachment of public lands made the local army already vulnerable and incomplete.

Although Justinian received the military rank of Bandon, the army he could mobilize was only a little over a hundred men, and the fiefdom was a barren castle once built by the Normans.

But no matter what, Justinian was very grateful to Muzphius for what he had done. He thought that the other party would leave him in this cold monastery to live out his life.

"You're here..." Although Muzphius couldn't see anything, he still heard the sound of Justinian's footsteps.

"It's me, His Majesty Mikhail ordered me to take up my post tomorrow." Justinian told Muzfius after a long silence.

After hearing this, Muzfius was not surprised. Instead, he smiled and said, "I just can't wait any longer. The hidden dangers will be eliminated so soon. But that's fine. If you stay here, it will be dangerous."

Become a victim."

"But are you really willing to do this?" Justinian hesitated for a moment and asked. He didn't understand why this man would accept such harsh conditions. In history, Byzantine emperors entering the monastery meant saying goodbye to all worldliness and becoming power.

Why did Muzfius, the loser in the struggle, swallow his anger so easily? They clearly had enough cards in their hands to continue the negotiation.

However, Muziphius asked, "Then are you really willing to become a mediocre little nobleman and end your life by dying on the battlefield?"

Muzphius's question went straight to the bottom of Justinian's heart. He knew that he could not get ahead with his current small role, and that meant that the possibility of finding the fragments of the Ark of the Covenant would be slim. He stared intently.
Chapter completed!