Chapter 558: Peloponnese Peninsula
The war banner of the red lion reached the gulf of Corinth for the very first time.
Julian watched his front with no expressions underneath that helm he is wearing, while his engineer corps prepared their boats and logs building up a temporary passage to the city of Patras.
There is a much shorter way to bypass this gulf, that is through the natural passage south of Athens but there is a problem with that, as the Caesar is not at war with the Duchy of Athena yet, there is no legitimate excuse or cause belli to attack it either as it is an imperial tributary, though not a very faithful one, and thus it is not very polite for Julian to march six thousand armed men through the Duchy’s territories, which might be interpreted as something bad and cause some diplomatic turmoil.
There is a fortress, shielding a small village behind Julian’s back, but surely that fortress is incapable of shielding the troopers who are attempting to cross the river now.
A group of soldiers, most likely the city guards of Patras, have formed up on the bank of the river opposite Julian, with weapons in their hands and definitely no positive intentions. But Julian is not afraid of these men, for he knows that these city guards who are either recruited from foreign mercenaries or their own citizens are totally incapable of a fight after being well fed for so many years mainly focusing on order and stability inside the city, thus he ordered his troopers to simply ignore these guards and continue crossing the river.
Finally, after a long standoff, a messenger came back on boat, reporting to Julian that the city council of Patras saying that the city council has allowed Julian’s army to land on the river bank next to Patras, but neither Julian nor his army can enter the city.
Julian ignored the messenger.
A few hours have passed, and Julian has already landed five hundred of his finest men on shores standing face to face with the city guards, a man claiming to be the senator of the city council arrived by Julian’s side with a few men, saying that the troops is allowed to spend their night in the fields outside the city, while Julian and the officers are allowed to enter the city to receive their heart warming hospitality.
Julian ignored the senator.
By nightfall, Julian has already landed half of his troops, around three thousand men on the river bank over numbering the city guards by a lot, with some troopers going around with saws and axes cutting down woods pretending that they are going to assemble a siege tower. Then it seems like the Roman governor of the city finally could no longer wait there casually with his backside on his cosy chair anymore, as he and a large group of delegates came out of the city, leaving the gates wide open, and came to meet Julian via boats.
Julian did not ignore the governor this time round, he gave a cold humph and lodged a series of questions and threats leaving the later having cold sweat flowing down his cheeks and back.
"It is getting late, I cannot see the flag flying above the city, do tell me governor, is it the flag of the Saint Marco or the double headed eagle?"
The governor sensed vaguely of what is about to come to him, though he has no choice but to answer. "It is the flag of the double headed eagle, your highness."
"Tell me, since the flag is flying above the city, then does it mean that this city belongs to the Roman Empire?"
"Yes, of course this city belongs to, and shall be forever faithful to the empire, the senate and the people, your highness."
"Oh, I see, so this city does belong to the Roman empire." Antonius opened his mouth as if he has come to realisation, then suddenly threw his whip right onto the face of the governor, leaving a line of dark red mark and yelled in an aggressive tone. "Then! If this city belongs to the Roman Empire, then why the heck are you trying to stop my troops from entering the city! May I know what do you actually mean through your actions? Are you trying to mean that my troopers are not Romans, or have you decided to submit the city to the Venetians in exchange for rewards from your new masters?"
"I... I..." The governor had no time or mood to care about the bone thrilling pain on his face by the whip. "I... Your Highness... I... No..."
"Caught in your own words!" Julian yelled pointing his fingertip right towards the old governor. "Only liars stammer, because they are trying their best to think of an excuse to save their own arse! Fine, since you are incapable of proving your innocence to me here, then I shall take it as you have committed the crimes of disloyalty, dishonesty, and treason of the state! Astynomia, tell me, what are the penalties for such crimes?"
"By death!" The judicial officer replied without making a face.
"Fine, then I shall declare that the governor of the city of Patras shall be given an honourable execution for his long service towards the Empire, although not a very faithful one!"
"Aye sir!"
Two guards grabbed the governor by his arms, and dragged the man out of the place, leaving a puddle of unknown liquid and a trail behind.
"Where is the vice governor of the city?"
A skinny middle-aged man came out of the group of delegates and bowed down. "It is me, your excellency, it is me, I have done no acts of treason to the state, I ... I am loyal! Yes, I am loyal to the state, to the Caesar, to the people, yes, most importantly I am loyal to the Caesar! Please do trust me your excellency! I still have a family to feed!"
This poor old man is on the verge of emotional collapse.
Julian nodded his head. "I trust you."
"Really?"
"A commander of the army does not repeat his words."
"Thank... Thank you! Your!..."
"Do not thank me first, for I still have to verify your capabilities to determine if you are still fit to accept your post... I will propose to the honourable Caesar to promote you as the new temporary governor of Patras, and you shall be the de facto new governor once I found out that you are capable, honest, and most importantly... sound."
"Sound... Oh yes, I get you, I get what you mean your excellency! Do not worry about it! I give you my promise, the promise of a gentleman!"
"I do not trust your words until you have proven to me through your actions." Julian stood up from his chair, walked to the man and looked right at his eyes. "I shall assign the job of confiscating all the wealth and properties of the former governor to your hands, how you deal with that wealth is entirely up to you, for I have more urgent stuff in my hands... I only want one thing, that is the city of Patras shall be loyal to no one but only the legitimate Caesar of the Roman Empire, his Majesty Antonius De’Ricci, do you understand me?"
"Yes, yes, of course, I promise you that every single citizen of Patras and the surrounding towns shall be entirely law abiding and loyal citizens of the Caesar from today onwards! I swear with my life!"
"Good, remember too, the city needs to abide by the laws of taxation set by the Caesar’s government in Thessaloniki as well, and you are required to submit your taxation report and the money to Thessaloniki, not Constantinople! If there is anyone from Constantinople claiming that he is here to collect taxes, tie him up and send him to my camp."
"Yes of course, your excellency."
"With that I am done with Patras, I shall leave five hundred men as garrisons to protect the city, and do not disband those city guards, for I will choose a few of my commanders to lead and train them into real capable warriors."
"Can’t you stay in the city for a day or two to receive our warmest hospitalities, your excellency."
"No, for I still have Venetians to hunt, and Roman lands to recover."
Julian rose up from his seat, leaving the group of delegates there looking at one another.
The entire army led by Julian acted like they are one, demolishing all the things they have built since they arrived in Patras, prepared themselves and embarked further inlands of the peninsula.
An hour later, the purple royal standards representing the house of Palaiologos is being tossed over the wall, what replaced it is a brand-new flag of the scarlet lion.
From this day onwards, the influence of Thessaloniki is officially spread into the Peloponnese peninsula.
