People in the Middle Ages, draw cards to get promoted

Chapter 194 Returning
On the streets of Jerusalem.

In a smoky tavern full of sweat and hormones, Otto was holding a wooden wine glass, watching with great interest an upcoming duel.

The two knights from continental Europe were still using rural slang full of local accents, cursing each other.

Otto couldn't even understand what they were saying—he guessed that it was probably Gaul with the accent of Castile or Navarre mountain people.

These Crusader knights from Iberia are as rare in Jerusalem as the North Germanic Crusaders like Ned.

The onlookers applauded and booed enthusiastically, looking forward to a battle of iron and blood that would please them.

This is nothing new for Otto.

Knights may draw swords over any trivial matter.

Some are for the honor of the lady you like, and some are just for a quarrel.

Not just knights.

Duels among commoners, and even priests, often go into battle with anyone who slanders their honor.

It is never uncommon for combat monks to wear monk robes and wield flails and war hammers on the battlefield.

In many local court trials, the outcome of a duel is often used to determine who is the sinner.

Although it sounds unfair, it is much more reliable than the "divine judgment" of throwing people into the water to see who will rise and fall.

Although the Pope has stated several times in public that duels violate the spirit of "non-violence" of the Catholic Church. Although the origin of this spirit is unknown, in recent years, it is said that the ban on judicial duels has indeed been proposed in the Pope's city.

But it is estimated that, like the so-called "bow and crossbow ban", it will eventually become a dead letter.

He stuffed a date palm into his mouth, chewed it thoroughly, and the intense sweetness greatly satisfied his taste buds.

For Otto, dates are really a rare delicacy.

As for later generations, in the eyes of Donghua people, the shortcoming of being too sweet and greasy is actually the biggest advantage of this era.

In this era, any seasoning is a luxury!
Otto reluctantly stuffed the last date palm into his mouth, rubbed his sticky hand on his body, and secretly said with emotion: "It is said that there are countless date palm trees in Losar's territory. It’s time to bring some more.”

The two knights had already started to push and shoved, and even their respective followers and companions tended to draw their swords at each other.

In this era, there are duels, singles, and group fights.

It's just that Lothar hasn't met the latter yet.

The holy land people in the tavern, or the local knights, couldn't help booing.

The tavern owner came out with a warhammer in his hand: "Gentlemen, please restrain yourself. If your battle causes me losses, I will demand compensation from you according to law."

"Ha, that is, in what age are you still playing traditional duels, how about a Gwent card?"

Someone whistled.

Someone also joked: "Looking at their muscular barbarian appearance, you can see how they understand the high-end Gwent card."

As soon as this remark came out, it immediately attracted a burst of approval.

It seems that knights holding swords and lances have gradually become obsolete in fighting duels in the arena.

In fact, these newly arrived "foals" in the Holy Land have been regarded by the people of Jerusalem as barbarians who only know how to use swords, which has a long history.

The martial spirit of the Franks has indeed gradually declined in the wealthy East.

The Germanic tribes who lived in the bitter cold land in the past were driven south by natural disasters in a poor attitude, destroying the rich (and actually poor) empire.

During the First Crusade, Lao Shi went on an expedition and dealt a heavy blow to the divided Saracens.

The poorer you are, the more you can fight. It is true that those who wear shoes are afraid of bare feet.

At this time.

The tavern door was open.

More than a dozen knights in full armor and distinctive armor stepped into the tavern first.

They walked with heavy steps, and the armor on their bodies was so bright that their faces could be seen.

The red and white burqas of the same color make it appear that they are not as ostentatiously dressed as ordinary knights.

People immediately recognized that this was the high-end "full body plate armor" produced by the largest armor workshop in the city.

Otto's eyes widened.

Among these knights, there are several familiar faces, all of whom he brought from Argau.

But after changing into a new outfit, he couldn't even recognize it.

The knights stood apart.

The atmosphere became solemn.

People realize that a big man is coming.

The next moment, a young man wearing a black cloak embroidered with a dragon's head embroidered with gold thread, a young man strode into the tavern.

"It's Count Lothar!"

People started talking in low voices.

In the eyes of most people, this Earl of Lothar is a great figure in the Holy Land.

Even veteran aristocrats like Regent Raymond, who are equivalent to half a king, are not as legendary as Lothar in their eyes.

In just a few months, he jumped from a knight to a baron. A high position like the Earl of Transjordan is not based on a marriage, but a knighthood for military exploits, which is really rare in the world.

Surrounded by the knights, the young noble looked around.

The invisible majesty oppressed everyone to the point of being speechless.

Otto opened his mouth... Is this the current power of his brother in Jerusalem?

It's terrifying.

How on earth did he do it?
Yeah, how the hell did he do it?
This is not only the doubt of Otto, but also the doubt of all Jerusalemites.

Lothar walked straight to Otto: "You follow me to my territory. There may be a few small battles to be fought recently. If you follow me, you can also increase your knowledge in advance."

Otto nodded subconsciously, feeling a little embarrassed again.

"I'm your brother, you just talk to me in this tone of commanding servants?"

Lothar said helplessly: "Brother, come with me to Hebron to help me fight the war."

Ottoton felt satisfied, and his vanity was greatly satisfied: "No problem!"

Lothar looked at the two knights who were about to duel just now, and said, "The Holy Land is in danger. If you are brave, you might as well take it to the battlefield to fight against the heretics."

"I have no right to interfere with your sacred duel. This is the power given to you by the Heavenly Father. I just give you a suggestion."

The two knights nodded lazily, looking at Lothar's leaving back, a thought could not help but arise in their hearts.

Great nobles should be like this!

...

After receiving Otto into the palace for an audience, Lothar proposed to return.

Jeanna said, "Is it necessary to hurry?"

"Although Hans is already on his own, Port Ella has just been taken down. It's the time when the undercurrent is surging. I'm really worried because you're not here."

Although Lothar himself is not considered a talent in internal affairs, at least he knows one thing, that is, it is easier to win over and there are more civilians.

The one who kills eats the most and occupies the most.

After the arrival of Lothar, the interests may be damaged, so the original vested interests are the most resistant.

Let the generosity of this group of people be generous, to win over the poor and support new vested interests-to put it bluntly, it is to beat the local tyrants and divide the land.

In addition, under Lothar's hands, the new batch of edict knights who have accepted allegiance can be assigned to places to guard a village and town for him, as well as manor real estate.

Lothar always believes that his greatest wealth is not these territories, but the increasing number of loyal, reliable, and powerful soldiers who have been transferred through the system.

Now, Lothar has five territories under his hands, namely Hebron, Ella Port, the Bishopric of Alandele, Yogliusburg and New Habsburg.

Among them, there is no doubt that Port Ella and New Habsburg have the greatest potential.

If the former has a smooth trade route and can collect a large amount of commercial taxes, the merchant ships in the Red Sea will transport an endless stream of goods from East Africa and Tianzhu to him.

New Habsburg will produce a large amount of arable fertile land, but its original commercial hub status, because the port of Ella was quickly acquired by Lothar, it seems a bit insignificant.

Compared with the sea route, the inland trade route through Montreal is only secondary.

And Hebron, as the first capital of King David, is also the largest source of taxation under Lothar.

Especially after the elimination of the largest local leaders, the tax that can be contributed to him here is initially estimated to be around [-] Suledes gold coins per year.

Next, it only needs a period of development, waiting for the peasants and soldiers under the edict knights to be trained.

His strength will swell to the point where he can match the title of the Earl of Transjordan, and is not even inferior to the Count of Tripoli.

Under Lothar's command, the importance of infantry with farmers and soldiers as the main body is actually beyond doubt.

Lothar did not develop infantry at first, because he was limited by the situation at the time and could do nothing.

It's like the Saracen armored infantry who was defeated after almost no effect in the strategy of driving sheep and wolf.

They were also brave warriors, but they were rushed away by their scattered conscripts.

Anyone who really thinks infantry is useless.

Lothar's nemesis in the simulated battle, the son of Philip, the Duke of Burgundy, the bold Charlie whose head was split by the Swiss halberd soldiers, has something to say.

(End of this chapter)