People in the Middle Ages, draw cards to get promoted

In the dark hall, more than a dozen candles were burning on the iron lamp stand full of uncleaned candle tears.

The bedroom of Baldwin IV has always been like this, because few people come to it, and leprosy can also cause patients to be sensitive to light, so it looks a bit gloomy.

The king's personal servant, holding the demon-blocking golden sword, bowed at the door: "Everyone, please come in."

In the hall, Baldwin IV had a somewhat thin body, leaning on a recliner and sitting in front of the lampstand.

The facial features and contours of the young king who took off the mask looked exceptionally soft, and he could vaguely see a delicate appearance somewhat similar to Princess Sibilla.

Coupled with the fact that he doesn't have a beard, he looks younger than Lothar.

"His Majesty."

Lothar drew a cross in front of him and greeted him.

He was obviously surprised by Lothar's sudden visit.

But after returning the gift first, he nodded slightly: "Ms. Jeanna, Ms. Banruo, and Ms. Fringila, it's a pleasure to meet you three."

"Everyone, please take a seat."

He put away the books spread out on the table, and his demeanor was calm, appearing a little elegant and indifferent: "Mr. Lothar, what's the matter for you to come here on purpose?"

Lothar said with a smile: "Of course I have an audience with His Majesty. Seeing that you are in good health, I am much more relieved."

With a smile on his face, Baldwin IV took a deep look at Lothar: "To be honest, I think I still understand you. There is no need for such empty words between you and my ministers."

Baron Godfrey laughed kindly: "Some time ago, Lothar wrote me a letter. I thought he was going to invite me to Hebron as a guest. Then subsidize a group of craftsmen who build the city."

He paused slightly, and said again: "At least you have to be polite."

Lothar said with some embarrassment: "No way, building the city is an urgent matter. The New Habsburg is my hub connecting Hebron and Transjordan. Although the initial investment is a bit large, once it is completed, it will be able to serve me well. Provide a steady stream of financial and taxation."

He changed his tone and complained: "You two should also know that I, the imposing Earl of Jordan, only have two fiefdoms of Hebron and the barren Jogrysburg, and even the vassals under my hands are stronger than me. .”

This refers specifically to Baron Argonne of Petra, and former Count Reynald of Transjordan.

Baldwin IV said softly:

"Okay, don't say anything about complaining. The situation between me and Godfrey in Jerusalem is not much better than yours. Just say what you have to say."

Lothar coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, I have published a new book. I hope you and Lord Godfrey can help me spread it throughout Jerusalem in a short time."

He put the song of winter and summer on the table.

On the cover, there is a giant dragon with black and white stripes fluttering its wings. Because there is a real reference, it is drawn vividly.

There are also some illustrations of important characters inside. Although they are all black and white stick figures, their painting style is much stronger than the popular religious paintings of this era.

"If the quality was comparable to that of "The Witcher", I think it would naturally become popular without the help of the two of us."

Lothar nodded and said, "Of course the quality is guaranteed."

Godfrey was a little puzzled: "Lothar, I don't understand if this little thing is worth your trip?"

Because of the low literacy rate, Lothar's original "The Witcher" made a small profit, but the printed commemorative "Bible" sold better.

But this benefit is nothing compared to maintaining an army.

"Also, in the book, I promote many of my businesses, the most important of which is plate armor. This is about the armor shop I plan to open in Jerusalem. If it can make plate armor popular, I think , this sum is enough for me to maintain a standing army of 500 men."

Godfrey laughed and said: "I have seen the half-body plate armor worn by your hussars. The scene of the iron knight Ms. Banruo charging on the battlefield is still fresh in my memory. I don't know where you are better than Milan's blacksmith craftsmanship." A more skilled armorsmith, but the price of this plate armor must definitely not be low."

Lothar nodded and said: "Of course, but it's worth the money. I think, instead of letting those knights spend all the money in their pockets on women and drinks to buy plate armor, it is more important for them and us." It's a good thing."

Godfrey nodded and said, "It's no problem. If you need a shop, I can spare a few for you. Anyway, in my hands, I can't make much money."

Lothar thanks again.

He did not say that he would send a set of refined plate armor to Godfrey, because he did not prepare a set for Baldwin IV - after all, the production capacity is limited, and Baldwin IV does not show up, so there is no way to advertise to him .

Lothar said again: "One more thing, Your Majesty, if I want to regain the lost territory in Transjordan, will it be considered as tearing up the peace treaty with Saladin?"

The lost ground here refers to the Bishopric of Ella Port and Alandelle.

They all belong to the legal territory of Transjordan. After Leonard's original strategy of sailing on dry land failed, they were pushed back by the army led by Adil and took them away.

Baldwin IV was silent for a moment, and said: "If he wants to count, then he can."

"But Saladin probably won't be able to get away now. He's focusing all his energy on dealing with the internal rebellion. That little fellow Saleh has done a good job, and the rebellion in Aleppo can be considered massive."

"In addition, the King of Kings in Sassanid is said to have brought troops to the border in person to question why he stopped the war with us. He is in a state of desperation right now."

Lothar asked: "So, it just doesn't count, right?"

Baldwin IV frowned: "Well, but where do you have the military power to attack the two fortified cities?"

Lothar said: "The defenders of these two cities are limited. In the castle of the Bishop of Alandele, there are only 300 defenders. I plan to give it a try."

Baldwin IV nodded and said: "Yes, after all, you are also a famous teacher, but don't wantonly loot villages and massacre civilians like Leonard."

"I swear in the name of my heavenly father, I will not do this."

Godfrey said with a smile: "I think so too, Lothar is an upright knight, more chivalrous than most knights I have ever seen."

Sitting aside, the corners of Jean Na's mouth curled up slightly.

He muttered in his heart: "Yes, even though I want to break the peace treaty, I am still a good knight."

Lothar asked again: "Your Majesty, how is the development of Uldin's order?"

"Absorbed some pilgrims, and the total number expanded to 50. I bestowed on him a church at the foot of the Temple Mountain as the residence of the Holy LS Road Redemption Mission, and it is considered to be on the right track."

"Where's Hans?"

"He was leading a hunt for a group of evil heretics... In the cellar of a tavern, they discovered the rituals performed by the heretics to a tampered image of the Father."

Baldwin IV stood up and pulled out a yellowed book from the bottom of the bookshelf.

Lothar picked up the book, and before he got close, he smelled a stale smell. He tried to open it, and his brows immediately frowned.

The content is described in Greek, and there are many illustrations painted inside.

These illustrations composed of simple lines, even just looking at them, can feel a strong sense of evil and weirdness.

Baldwin IV said in a deep voice: "This was found from heretics."

"They would gather at night in a cellar and make a profane communion out of the corpses of babies they got from nowhere, tear them up, and wrap them in flour."

"Their leader, a man who called himself a bishop, bewitched the believers to sacrifice their own daughters and had sex with everyone in public. After the baby was born, they would chop the baby up and drink it with wine."

"If Hans hadn't happened to catch one of their believers, I can't imagine that such sins are still hidden in holy Jerusalem."

Lothar said in a deep voice, "Is that 'bishop' a liar?"

"No, the evidence shows that he does have some kind of extraordinary evil power. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that it is just a trick to deceive fools."

Baldwin IV paused slightly, looked at the three ladies behind Lothar, and said earnestly: "If we can get the help of the three spellcasters, these demons who distort the Bible will be brought to justice soon."

Prajna nodded slightly.

Fulingira looked at Lothar: "If your lord wants us to make a move, we will definitely not refuse."

Jeanna frowned deeply: "Using a child as a sacrifice is an unforgivable sin, and no one with a conscience will allow this to happen."

Lothar also said happily: "Leave this matter to me."

Fringila has no human concept of good and evil at all, she is willing to follow Lothar blindly, even if Lothar asks her to massacre the city, she will not refuse.

It's different for Prajna. Although she doesn't care about many things, it doesn't mean that she doesn't have the concept of good and evil and right and wrong.

It's just that if Lothar forces her to do something that violates her concept, she may not refuse, but she will feel uncomfortable and disgusted.

Jeanne was not at all.

Lothar guessed that no matter how close he was to her, she would definitely refuse when he asked her to slaughter the weak against her will.

This is not a bad thing.

Because Lothar didn't want to see himself degenerate to that point in the future.