Chapter 524 Andalusia

"We can't hold on for a few days if this goes on. Why haven't the reinforcements come yet?"

The mayor was anxiously waiting for reinforcements in the city hall, but unfortunately he was disappointed. The Roman army broke through the city gate and occupied Cordoba.

At this time, the Roman army had occupied most of Andalusia. The Duke of Argau announced military management. According to the will of the Roman emperor, this is the province of Spanish Bania. Because the Sultan of Granada gave his country to the Roman Empire, he was made a duke and went to Constantinople on a certain day.

The other party actually openly divided the land, and the nobles whose fiefdoms were in Andalusia were not happy. They rushed to the south in a hurry to try to save their property. But because they had to follow the large army, the speed was very slow. They were very anxious.

The local Moors began to convert to Orthodoxy. Following the Hungarian Patriarch, the Antioch Patriarch, the Jerusalem Patriarch, the Roman Patriarch, and the Moscow Patriarch, the Iberian Patriarch was also officially established. Responsible for Orthodox affairs on the Iberian Peninsula.

In the square of Cordoba, citizens watched the Roman general read out the order from Constantinople. These foreigners easily decided their own fate.

"Citizens of Cordoba, by the grace of God, the great and invincible Emperor Peter has decreed. The Iberian Peninsula is the homeland of Rome. To show your majesty's love for the people, the people of the province of Spain will be exempted from taxes for one year from today."

Exempting taxes for one year, this gift is unmatched by other countries. Especially for these nobles, they would like to scrape out sparks from the land, not to mention tax exemption.

"In addition, if local residents do not want to be loyal to the empire and the emperor, they can leave. Those who are loyal need to convert to the church and speak the imperial language. In return, you can take the official selection exam."

"Sir, do you mean the official exam?" asked a citizen.

"Yes, most officials in the empire are selected through exams. As long as you and your family have not committed a crime, you can take the exam."

Stanisa explained the empire's exam policy in detail, and many civilians were moved. They thought that they would live their whole lives like this, but they didn't expect that they had already started the examination and selection, and there was no distinction between identities. Although officials have a term of office, it is better to achieve class crossing.

"Who among you has traveled through Iberia and is very familiar with every city and every corner, and also knows the various nobles in Iberia? His Majesty will invite him to be a consultant. Of course, this is paid, and if he is willing to become a subject of the emperor, he will be given a manor."

As soon as the messenger finished speaking, many people in the field immediately raised their hands. When the Roman army first came in, they were full of fear; but when they left, these people watched them go away with respectful eyes.

Compared with Cordoba, Seville's acceptance is much higher than here. The local Jews and Moors easily accepted the change of dynasty. Although they were still ordered to convert, the means were much gentler.

Whether you can become an official, a general or a senator does not depend on your background or your race, but on whether you have made enough contributions to this empire and whether you are capable of taking on this important task! Whether you are poor or rich, a commoner or a noble, a Greek or other race, Rome will put equal opportunities in front of every citizen. Whether you can become a senator or a senior official of the empire depends on your own continuous efforts! Such a declaration moved the local civilians, and they began to pledge allegiance to the Roman emperor in groups, just to get the opportunity to be promoted.

After a short-term occupation, Seville quickly recovered. Due to its geographical location, it has become a transit port between the North Sea and the Mediterranean. Goods from England and the north will enter the Mediterranean through here.

Moreover, the local tax policy is more reasonable than that of Castile, and the burden of the people has already accounted for a lot, which increases the centripetal force of the region.

————Dividing line————

Just as the Roman army was reforming in Cordoba, the army led by the southern noble Estrada was on the way to attack, and their vanguard had arrived at La Solana.

Estrada rode a horse and walked in the middle of the team. Two days of rapid marching made his old body a little bit exhausted. He looked at the equally exhausted soldiers around him and made up his mind: when they arrived in Manzares, he would let the army camp and rest to ensure that the soldiers could fight the Romanians who attacked Cordoba with vigorous fighting spirit and abundant physical strength tomorrow.

Just as Estrada was thinking about various possible plans for the army to fight the Romanians in his mind, the messenger came galloping from the south.

Looking at the anxious eyes of the messenger, Estrada took the message from the other party and felt a little uneasy. Then he glanced at the content of the letter. The words "Cordoba fell" immediately made his heartbeat and breathing stop in an instant. Regret, sadness, self-blame, fatigue... all kinds of negative emotions surged into his heart, and he felt dizzy and fell off his horse.

"Sir..."

"Master..."

The anxious calls woke Estrada up. Looking at the guards and soldiers gathered around him, he subconsciously clenched his right hand. The letter was still in his hand! He hurriedly said, "Don't worry, I'm fine! It may be because of too much fatigue..."

"Sir, it seems you need to rest well!" The captain of the guard said with concern.

"Yes, I need to rest for a while! Alfonso, you let the soldiers continue to march, I will rest for a while, and I will catch up soon."

Alfonso looked at his father lying on the grass, and then looked at the messenger who stood by and remained silent. He was very confused, but he did not ask any questions, but obeyed the order.

The soldiers returned to the team under his urging. Estrada closed his eyes and rested under the protection of the guards. But no one knew that at this moment, his heart was turbulent:

The Romanians broke through the city of Rome, how was the situation of the people in the city? What siege method did they use to occupy such a strong Cordoba so quickly?

Countless thoughts emerged in Estrada's mind at the same time, squeezing his already dizzy brain, forcing him to force himself to calm down and try his best to sort out the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

After a long time, he opened his eyes and called Alfonso with a firm look, asking him to notify the troops to stop advancing after arriving in Manzares and wait for his next instructions.