Frankish Kingdom, Aachen.
Pope Leo III experienced several thrilling assassinations under the protection of many papal knights and attendants.
Every time he was surrounded by dangers, he finally came to Aachen to see Emperor Charlemagne.
The Holy See has always been trying to find favor between the Franks and the Eastern Romans, but it was also wary of them using the Holy See as a tool for their use.
However, since Leo III became pope, the Holy See's foreign policy has changed.
What's more important is that Irina was doing The Queen of Eastern Rome was unacceptable to the Holy See, so the Holy See did not Hesitantly fell to the Frankish Kingdom.
Leo III personally crowned Charles and recognized Charles as the only emperor in the entire Western world after the Roman Empire.
The Frankish Kingdom also transformed into one of the kingdoms of Charlemagne's empire.
Charles He became the emperor of the empire and the king of the Franks.
Becoming the emperor of Charlemagne's empire was of great benefit to Charles.
At least he had a name and was orthodox.
Although he had less contact with Leo III after his coronation, he still needed the Holy See to do some face-saving work.
It also requires this brand to do some deception.
Therefore, in order to show his hospitality and respect, Charles personally greeted Leo III at the gate of the palace.
"Oh, dear Leo, what brought you here?
You know that since I came back from Rome last time, I have often thought of you, and I don't know when I will be able to meet you again to listen to the gospel of God."
Charlie faced With a smile, he walked towards Leo III with his arms wide open.
"Oh, your wise, wise, great and enlightened image has always been deeply in my mind.
I am very happy to see your Majesty again."
Leo III said and hugged Charlie.
As he walked into the palace, Charlie asked: "Your Majesty the Pope, you don't look good-looking.
You must have been tired from traveling all the way.
You also know that many places in Frankfurt are not as smooth and wide as the roads in Italy."
Leo III shook his head and said: "Your Majesty doesn't know something.
I encountered several dangerous assassinations on the way here, and I almost lost my life halfway."
Charlie was shocked and angry when he heard this: "Where were you assassinated?
Who has the courage to assassinate you?"
Leo III said: "East Factory" The Dongchang may not be known to many ordinary people, but Charlie must know about this organization, "the Dongchang of Western Qin" "Who else could be there besides this Dongchang?"
Charlie wondered: "His Majesty the Pope seems to have no grudges or relations with the Western Qin Dynasty.
Why do they want to assassinate you?"
Upon hearing this, Leo III stopped and looked at Charlie and said: "This has something to do with my coming to Aachen to see you this time."
"Oh" Charlie became even more confused, "Let's go in and talk about it later" A feast had been prepared in the palace, and Leo III was greatly satisfied with the warm reception.
He feasted on the table.
He was assassinated all the time.
He was so frightened that he never had a good meal or a good night's sleep.
He felt that he had lost more than ten kilograms, as if he had aged more than ten years.
Now that he was in Charlie's palace, he felt much safer.
At least he believed that even if Dongchang had all-pervasive abilities, he would not be able to penetrate into Charlie's palace.
The next day, Leo III, escorted by his attendants, came to the palace again from where he stayed to meet Charles.
After the two parties sat down respectively, Charlie asked: "Why doesn't His Majesty the Pope rest for a few more days?
I think your mental state has not recovered yet."
Leo III said: "Your Majesty, the situation is urgent and I have to seize the time.
The Western Qin State sent a large number of troops to attack Byzantium.
I believe you know it."
Charlie nodded: "I heard about it, but I don't know much about the specific situation now."
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Leo immediately introduced the current situation to Charles, and then said: "Your Majesty, in the entire Western world, Charlemagne's Empire and Byzantium are the two pillars, just like the two legs of a giant, and Some other small countries and principalities are too weak to support the larger Bureau, once one of the legs is cut off, the giant with only one leg will fall, and the reason why it has not fallen yet is because the leg is still lame and not completely broken, but you know , if we don’t do something, this leg will be broken sooner or later, although Byzantium is now What happened seems to have nothing to do with you and me, your empire and other small countries and principalities in the Western world, but the survival of Byzantium is related to the outcome of the entire Western world.
To sum up in one sentence, it is the loss of Byzantium, even if Charles The empire could not face the advancement of Western Qin alone.
Attack, once the Western Qin defeated Byzantium, I think it will not stop its westward advance.
We must find a way to protect ourselves.
The only way is for the entire Western world to unite against the Western Qin to stop it.
We must cut off its claws and fight it back."
Charlie's face became more solemn than ever before.
In addition to Charles and Leo III, there were officials from both sides in the hall.
The Frankish officials had never seen such an expression on Charlie's face.
His face had always been They all carried majesty and strong self-confidence, but what they saw today made them realize the seriousness of the problem.
Charlie calmed down and took a deep breath and said to Leo III: "Leo, this matter you are talking about is not a trivial matter, otherwise I would not come here in person, and I want to think about it carefully and it is rare for you to come here."
Aachen, just stay here for a few more days, I will let you accompany you to play around here, I will think about it for a few days before replying to you."
Leo expressed his understanding.
He knew that this matter could not be rushed.
Anyone would need to think carefully about it.
He stood up and said: "Okay, I will wait for your reply.
If you have one and decide, I will send someone to notify you."
Me, I will rush over immediately."
For five days, Leo III did not wait for Charlie's reply, which made him unable to sit still.
He was ready to go to the palace again to ask for Charlie, but he felt that this was too rude, so he finally endured it.
At this time, Charlie was still a little undecided.
He was unwilling to be an enemy of Western Qin from the bottom of his heart.
To be precise, he was unwilling to be an enemy of Zhao Ziliang.
The impression Zhao Ziliang had on him on the wall of Shanzhou City was too great.
It’s profound.
Over the past few decades, he has been taking Zhao Ziliang as his example and goal.
He admired that oriental man, and now this man has reached the age of eighty-two, but he already knows that the prince who came to Aachen a few years ago is actually Zhao Ziliang.
This man still looks old, energetic, and strong, as if time has passed It walked around him without leaving any traces on him.
In the past, Charlie always thought that he did not need to be afraid of Zhao Ziliang.
He only regarded him as an idol to worship and a target to surpass, because Zhao Ziliang was in the East and he was in the West.
They were people from two worlds, but now the Eastern world and the Western world There was an intersection, and the invasion of the Eastern world into the Western world was in full swing, and it was impossible for him to avoid it.
He has to face it, because he is the emperor.
Frank does not need a weak emperor.
Only a fearless emperor can lead Frank to become stronger.
Charlie finally figured it out and finally overcame the obstacles in his heart.
He took a deep breath, looked at Einhard who was sorting out official documents for him and asked: "Einhard, Prince Zhao Ang who came to Frank before is really Zhao Ziliang pretending to be "?"
Einhard put down what he was doing and stood up and replied: "Yes, His Majesty the Emperor's real Zhao Ang has been enthroned as king in Xinjing, but Zhao Ang, who came to Aachen back then, is presiding over the entire Middle East at the Holy Mountain Castle in Palestine The military and political affairs in the region, I believe it is him who lives in the Royal Palace of Constantinople now.
The princess and I saw the real Zhao Ang with our own eyes back then."
After receiving confirmation from Einhard again, Charlie was deprived of the last trace of luck in his heart.
He asked: "I am very confused and curious.
Zhao Ziliang is already over eighty years old.
Why does he look like this?"
He also has a youthful appearance, abundant energy, firepower and a strong body just like young people.”
Einhard said: "Your Majesty, I have always been curious about this issue.
Ever since I arrived in the Western Qin Kingdom, I have been looking for people to inquire about it whenever I have time.
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It turns out that many dignitaries in the Eastern world like to stay in beauty because They have this condition, which they call health preservation.
I heard that there is a kind of practitioner in the East called Taoist priests.
They admire nature and they have magical methods.
The method can delay the aging of one's body and appearance, but it is difficult for ordinary people to obtain this magical method.
Even if it is obtained, not everyone can succeed because it requires concentration, sufficient time and high talent.
In the East, It is rare to hear that emperors and kings can succeed because their time and thoughts are spent on handling state affairs."
After hearing the first paragraph, Charlie became more active, but Einhard's subsequent words were like a bucket of cold water that sobered him up.
He thought about it and asked: "You have been to Western Qin, and you have the deepest understanding of Western Qin."
"Compared with Charlemagne's Empire and Western Qin, which one do you think is more powerful?"
Einhard couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard this, and said: "Your Majesty, there is really no comparison.
Just in terms of territory area, the territory of the Charman Empire is not as large as that of the Western Qin Kingdom.
The combined area is no smaller than the Charlemagne Empire, not to mention the huge Western Qin Kingdom, the Eastern Tang Kingdom and its dependent countries, the entire eastern world is controlled by the Zhao Dynasty."
Charlie had been to the East, but he only had a quick glance and a glimpse, and never saw the entire Eastern world.
There was no Western Qin Kingdom at that time.
Now when he heard Einhard say this, he just felt a sense of powerlessness sweeping over him. , this is a feeling he has never had before.
"If Charlemagne's Empire goes to war with Western Qin, wouldn't there be any chance of winning?"
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