eastern european eagle

Chapter 645: Capture of Baghdad

"That's good. I'm glad I traveled with you to various countries. I learned a lot more."

Talking about the trip twenty years ago, the two seemed to have returned to the past, and everything seemed to have happened just yesterday.

"This expedition to Mecca is to free the empire from the pagans. The logistics must be done well, and we are not afraid of spending money."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. If you are short of money, I will use my own property to make up for it." Such words made Peter laugh.

"Not really, not really. Just make sure the supplies are transported. As for the rest, you don't have to worry about it."

"obey"

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In faraway Baghdad, the Meccan side had already taken control of the area, and his prestige rose again as a result of his expansion of territory.

In order to intimidate his subjects, he followed the advice of the officials around him and carried out a large-scale purge of local Christians. Many Baghdad officials and local nobles were implicated and received light punishments or even beheadings. A large amount of wealth and land was confiscated and then donated to the nobles who supported Mecca.

This move caused resentment in Baghdad. Although there were few Christians in Baghdad, there were some. In order to regain their property, some people decided to ask Romania for help.

"The pagans are living in debauchery, and the people have long been complaining. Please ask the governor to send troops to Baghdad to protect God's people."

Looking at the people kneeling on the ground, the Syrian Governor, Duke Argo, who had already sent troops, thought this was an opportunity. He thought Mecca would take the opportunity to expand its strength, but he didn't expect them to start an internal conflict first.

"In that case, we must hurry up."

The Duke ordered the entire army to set out for Baghdad. Because this expedition was to fight against the infidels, the rewards were very generous, not only could they obtain local land, but also varying amounts of monetary rewards.

Mosul, located near the Roman border, is the town that has benefited the most from the friendly coexistence between Romania and the local people in the past 20 years. Not only do the residents have a good impression of Romania, but many Romanians have settled here for a long time, including personnel from the intelligence department of the Roman Empire. They had already controlled the officials of Mosul in advance. Therefore, when the Romanian soldiers arrived at the city gate, the local officials and people, instigated by the intelligence personnel, opened the city gate and lined up to welcome them.

When people saw the neatly-dressed and high-spirited Romanian soldiers marching into the city, they were not worried but relieved instead, because only a strong army could guarantee security in such turbulent times. With the protection of the Romanian army, Mosul would naturally be away from the war.

The Governor led his army to rest in Mosul for only one night, and then quickly advanced southward along the river the next day, spreading rumors at the same time. With the help of intelligence personnel, the slogan "Romania will eliminate rebellion and help local people regain peace and tranquility" quickly spread throughout the Mesopotamian region.

You have to know that the Romanian army had left a great impression on the local people. In addition, the army led by the governor was so powerful that the towns they passed through offered almost no resistance and opened their gates to welcome them.

The army had a smooth journey and soon approached the city of Baghdad.

The governor stationed there never expected that the Romanian reinforcements would arrive so quickly, but he was not too panicked. He believed that the Arab occupation of Baghdad was a foregone conclusion, and if he showed goodwill, Romania could only recognize their sphere of influence, which would be the best outcome.

So he sent an envoy to the Romanian army. But the governor refused to see the envoy and detained him. This made the governor of Baghdad realize that there was something wrong.

At this time, he wanted to make a final effort. He stood on the top of the city wall and shouted to the Romanian commander below the city, sincerely expressing his willingness to form an eternal alliance with Romania. But the other side responded directly with artillery. War was inevitable.

The Duke did not give the enemy any time to buffer and launched an attack on Baghdad on the second day. Although the Romanian army suffered heavy casualties from the siege for several days, it made it even more difficult for the backward Arab army to support it.

Baghdad had been free from Arab rule for more than a few hundred years, and had gained a lot of benefits from trade with the West. The local nomadic nobles felt bad about the arrival of the Arabs. When he had to weaken the control of the city to defend the city with all his strength, some nobles strengthened private contacts and persuaded some priests in the city.

In the early morning of the sixth day after the siege, while the tired rebel soldiers were still sleeping, these officials led an army of several hundred people composed of their own guards and slaves to raid the west gate of Baghdad. Because there were some missionaries mixed in the team, the rebel soldiers guarding the gate were at a loss for a moment and the gate was soon captured.

When the governor learned of the change in the city and led his troops to reinforce the city gate in a rage, the Romanian army had already rushed into the city under the guidance of local officials. After a day of fierce fighting in the city, the rebels were defeated, the governor was captured, and the Romanian army entered Baghdad.

After more than a thousand years, Mesopotamia returned to Roman control. The local situation had changed a lot, and those nobles also said that they only wanted their property and then obeyed the Roman court.

The Duke is preparing to erect a bronze pillar in Baghdad to commemorate the recapture of Baghdad. Like Emperor Trajan, the revival of Rome should be remembered, not forgotten.

The local rule was also relatively relaxed. Some local officials and nobles continued to assist Rome in managing the local area. At the same time, an Orthodox church was built in the center of Baghdad and the Archbishop of Baghdad was appointed to manage it. The local people were also ordered to be exempted from taxes to win the hearts of the people.

Of course, the most important thing is that the occupation of this place interrupted the Arab tribes' idea of ​​reappearing. They can only rely on the desert and the meager agriculture to survive, and this time, no one will help them, and everything can only rely on Allah.

(End of this chapter)