With the help of the Pope, Queen Sofia took over the Holy See very smoothly.
Although it was a little troublesome at first, everyone soon acknowledged her as the new Pope.
After all, she was his own daughter. The Pope could not deliberately target her and seize power from her. He could only do his best to help her.
This was another reason why Li Chengdao chose Queen Sofia as the Pope.
However, after Queen Sophia successfully took over the Holy See, the request for the 200,000 Crusader captives was sent to Lee Chengdao.
The reason why the Pope could tolerate Li Chengdao seizing power from him was closely related to these two hundred thousand captives.
Now that the Pope had made a concession, it was time for Li Chengdao to make a stand.
In the royal study of the Imperial Palace.
Li Chengdao looked at the letter sent by the Supreme Pontiff in his hand and frowned slightly.
The Pope's letter was about the 200,000 Crusaders and asked him to release them.
"Teacher, Wei Qing, do you think I should agree to Peter X's request?”
Li Chengdao threw the letter on the table and looked at Wang Gui and Wei Zheng.
He had never been an autocratic person, and it was his habit to ask Wang Gui and Wei Zheng for advice.
Both of them had already read the letter.
Therefore, upon hearing Li Chengdao's question, Wang Gui immediately said,""Your Majesty, these 200,000 captives cannot be released so easily. Letting them return to the Church is like letting a tiger return to its mountain.”
Capturing these 200,000 Crusaders had taken a lot of effort.
He felt that it would be foolish to let them go back to the Holy See.
"It's fine if they return to the Church. Now that the Church is under the control of His Majesty, they won't be able to cause any trouble if they return. However, we can't let them go so easily.”
Wei Zheng didn't really care about the Crusaders returning to the Holy See. He just felt that it was a pity to let them go just like that.
After hearing their conversation, Li Chengdao touched his smooth chin and suddenly said,""How about letting these two hundred thousand soldiers be the vanguard of the eastern expedition?”
Wang Gui and Wei Zheng immediately turned to look at him with surprise in their eyes.
Be the vanguard?
Li Chengdao smiled and said,""These 200,000 Crusaders are not weak.
Although they can't compare to the army of our Great Qian Empire, they are still slightly stronger than the army of the Byzantine Empire.”
"It's not possible to keep them, but it's a pity to let them go. Why don't we let them be the vanguard of the eastern expedition? In two months, the eastern expedition will begin.
With such a vanguard, the Empire's army would be able to greatly reduce their losses, which would also weaken the Church's strength.”
Li Chengdao spoke with confidence. Then, he paused and asked the two of them with a smile,"How is this plan?"
Wang Gui and Wei Zheng remained silent.
After exchanging a glance, Wei Zheng stroked his beard and sighed,""Your Majesty's thoughts are ever-changing, far surpassing this old minister's.”
"This plan is excellent."
Wang Gui was a man of few words, only giving four extremely high evaluations.
Li Chengdao's plan was undoubtedly the best solution. It could perfectly make use of these 200,000 captives.
.........
Back to Dragon Palace.
This was where the concubines lived.
After Princess Anna entered the palace and was conferred the title of Imperial Consort, she entered the Hui Dragon Palace and became the first and only empress in Li Chengdao's harem.
From a princess of a fallen country to a concubine in the harem, the change in status could not be said to be small.
Li Chengdao did not set any restrictions on Princess Anna.
Other than not being able to leave the palace, she was given all the treatment of a normal imperial concubine.
Even Empress Sofia could enter the palace to meet her at any time.
On this day, Queen Sofia went to the palace to visit Princess Anna.
"Anna, how have you been in the palace recently?”
As soon as they met, Queen Sofia asked Princess Anna with concern.
Princess Anna was wearing the luxurious clothes of a Han woman. She was dressed like a Han woman.
Her wide-sleeved flowing dress fluttered in the wind, and her appearance was exquisite and moving.
The blonde, blue-eyed Western woman was dressed in Han clothing. Not only did she not feel strange or uncomfortable, but she also had a different kind of beauty.
"Don't worry, mother. I'm living very well in the palace.”
Princess Anna smiled brightly.
After entering the palace for dozens of days, she looked much better and more beautiful.
Only then did Queen Sofia feel a little relieved.
She had always been worried that her daughter would suffer and be abused in the palace, so she found an opportunity to visit today.
"It seems that the emperor is a person who keeps his promises.”
Empress Sofia's beautiful eyes moved slightly. She thought to herself that her impression of Li Chengdao had increased a lot.
Princess Anna looked at her mother, who was wearing the Pope's robe and had a holy aura, with a complicated expression.
"It was all because of me that you had no choice but to become Pope, Mother.”
She knew that her mother had always been weak, but now, because of her, she was forced to become the Pope, listen to Li Chengdao's orders, and be controlled by him.
Therefore, she felt very guilty.
Queen Sofia's expression was gentle. She touched her daughter's cheek and said,"As long as you're fine, this is nothing.”
"And there's nothing bad about it now. I've become the Pope, and you're the Imperial Consort. You don't have to worry about losing your life anymore.”
"As long as I help the Emperor control the Church, he will not treat you unfairly.”
Queen Sofia had already accepted her fate.
Since he could not resist, he could only follow the arrangement of fate.
Princess Anna felt very upset. She felt very unwilling and ashamed of her powerlessness.
She was a very strong-willed person. She was supposed to be the one protecting her mother, but now her weak mother stood up to protect her. This hurt her self-esteem.
Perhaps she saw Princess Anna's mood, Queen Sofia took the initiative to change the topic and asked,""How does His Majesty treat you? Does he come here often?
This was to find out Li Chengdao's attitude towards Princess Anna.
After all, Princess Anna was now the imperial concubine. She wanted to know how their relationship was going.
Speaking of this, Princess Anna's face froze. After hesitating for a long time, she said awkwardly,""He hasn't been here once."
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