People in the Middle Ages, draw cards to get promoted

Chapter 31 Jerusalem
Jerusalem is not a trading hub like Aleppo, Antioch, it is located between the southeastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River.

It is also nearly [-] kilometers away from the nearest coastline, away from commercial roads, standing high among cliffs, canyons and mountain gravels, enduring the heat and cold winter.

From the perspective of military and commercial value, Jerusalem is not a strategic location.

But religion has given it an extra sacred meaning.

Saladin tried to recapture Jerusalem and recast the crown of Patriarch in order to gain supreme prestige, subdue the domestic resistance forces, and even unify the Zoroastrian world.

The Crusaders defended it desperately, because it was not only their belief, but also the root of all ruling legitimacy.

After enjoying the luxurious life of oriental nobles, they could no longer adapt to the cold and humid Western Europe.

What's more, one radish and one pit. After their ancestors left Western Europe, they had already given up all claims and inheritance rights to the territories there.

In Jaffa, Cavalier Kevin introduced Lothar to Baron Godfrey who came to pick up his son.

This is a middle-aged man who is used to the sweltering heat in the east, with neat short hair, and a silk robe over a chain mail shirt.

As expected of Count Werner's friend.

When he learned of Lothar's identity, his attitude was even more enthusiastic than that of his long-lost reunited son.

When he heard that Lothar planned to obey his father's order and join the royal party.

He was immediately pleasantly surprised: "I knew that old fellow Werner would never have the heart to let his old friend fight alone. Look, he sent his most brave and combat-ready son to me!"

Baron Godfrey grinned from ear to ear, and patted Lothar on the shoulder fiercely: "I promise, His Majesty the King will be very happy to hear of your arrival."

Lothar showed a shy smile: "I am also very honored to serve His Majesty together with my father's robe."

He could feel the sincerity of Baron Godfrey, which made him wonder what kind of feats Werner, the country earl, had made here to win the favor of so many people.

The one who got the protagonist template should be Count Werner, right?
In the evening, they finally crossed the vast Gobi Desert and arrived at the holy city of Jerusalem.

This city looks completely different from the cities in Western Europe.

Some places in it are extremely narrow and small, but the huge fortress towering in the middle of the city is like the majestic fortress that Lothar has only seen in his life.

There are adobe buildings everywhere, domes, spires, Frankish and Arabic-style buildings, regardless of each other in the city.

After the first Crusaders captured Jerusalem, they carried out a brutal massacre, including Arabs, Jews, and all infidels.

Their wealth was looted, and the remaining buildings, including Zoroastrian temples and altars, were occupied by the Crusaders, and even directly converted into domed churches.

In the future, even after more than a hundred years, Jerusalem still retains distinctive Arab characteristics.

Pilgrims from all over the world gathered here speaking different languages.

This is the Holy Land of the Three Religions, covering almost all beliefs in Eastern and Western Europe, plus Central Asia and North Africa.

An endless stream of caravans and pilgrims, Jews, Persians, AKS Mus, Tianzhus, Turks... and even Song people from the far east.

Various beliefs and conversations in various languages ​​made Lothar feel as big as a cow.

If it is in the later generations when nationalism is booming, this place is definitely a source of chaos, and it is not a good place for development at all.

On the street, vendors selling spices, silk, vegetables and fruits shouted loudly, and the prices were mostly high. Even if the materials were transported here from the sea, the prices would rise sharply.

The serfs driving cattle, sheep and livestock followed their masters with low eyebrows.

The Jerusalem knights in blue burqas, the Templars with red crosses on white backgrounds, and the hospital knights with white crosses on black backgrounds, led sergeants and patrolled the city.

And knights from Tripoli, Antioch, North Germania, Anglo-Saxon, Aragon, the Two Sicilies...

Their coats of arms are varied.

In groups of three or four, get together and talk.

Obviously, the pace of war is imminent.

This prosperous, inclusive and peaceful scene in front of us will soon be gone forever.

Baron Godfrey pointed to the hill in the distance, where he could vaguely see a domed building with a cross standing on the top: "There is the place where Jesus was crucified, and I will take you and Berrian to worship later. , but now we must go to the palace first."

"Today is the time for the Great Council to be held. Most of the powerful nobles will be present. I will take you to identify people first."

Lothar nodded and said, "Everything is up to you."

The group stopped at the outer city of the castle.

"Lord Godfrey, you came just in time. Your lords are discussing matters, and you are the only one missing."

The guards were dressed similarly to Lord Godfrey and were apparently members of the Royal Order.

This is a guard army belonging to the royal family. Compared with the Jerusalem Knights, it has the word royal family, and its nature is completely different.

"I'll take two people in."

Godfrey pointed to the two people behind him, and then strode into the palace.

Banruo frowned slightly, she was used to being with Lothar, and subconsciously wanted to go in with him, but as soon as she took a step, she realized that it was inconvenient here.

Lothar smiled back at her.

The royal palace in Jerusalem is by no means a dragon's den and a tiger's den. He has come to show his allegiance to His Majesty the King, not to assassinate the King, so there will be no danger at all.

On the walls of the palace, there are exquisite reliefs everywhere.

The hollowed-out windows cast bright light.

Godfrey sat down at a long table with the two of them, and introduced them in a low voice: The man in the red cloak is George Lin of Edessa, an earl with only a title left, and his current fief is in A card near.

The tall, thin man with disheveled red hair was Count Leonard. He used to be the Duke of Antioch, but he was taken away by the Arabs along with the father of the Count of Edessa.

So he is now "Count of Otre Jordan", which means "Count of the Jordan River".

He was one of the most powerful men in Jerusalem. He was brave and good at fighting. He was one of the most important commanders in the battle of Mengiza, except for His Majesty. "

Godfrey lowered his voice: "This person is also a key player in the queen mother's party headed by Queen Mother Agnes. He wants to marry Guy of Lusignan to marry Princess Sibylla."

"The one in the red burqa is Raymond of Châtillon, Earl of Tripoli, Prince Tiberias, Regent of Jerusalem, who once single-handedly brokered Princess Sibylla's first marriage."

"He formed a small alliance with many nobles.

Roger of Maureen of the Knights Hospitaller is its strongest supporter.Let's call it the Jazz Party.

Gerald, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, was once firmly on our side.

But as you know, His Majesty's condition is getting worse and worse. Captain Gerrard has recently gotten very close to Leonard of the Queen Mother's Party.

In particular, Leonard is more radical in dealing with heretics, and he hit it off with the style of the Knights Templar. "

Lothar frowned, and Godfrey thoroughly analyzed the three forces in the palace in a few words, and none of the three parties was more confident than the other.

The three-legged confrontation is the most stable situation, but also the most difficult to make peace.

"My lord, which party are you in?"

Godfrey said without thinking: "The Ibelin family is only loyal to His Majesty."

Lothar asked: "What if His Majesty dies?"

Baron Ibelin's face showed a trace of seriousness: "Lothar, I must remind you that talking about this topic is already a great arrogance and offense to my subjects."

Lothar smiled and said, "But if I don't make it clear, how can I advance and retreat with you?"

Godfrey was silent for a moment, then quickly said in a very low voice: "Then support the next king. After the king dies, the throne will definitely be inherited by the son born to Princess Sibilla and her ex-husband."

Lothar asked, "Which party is Princess Sibilla?"

"The Queen's Party."

Lothar pondered: "So we are actually on the same front as Earl Leonard?"

"No, the Ibelin family never makes decisions in advance."

Godfrey paused slightly, and said in a deep voice, "We are only loyal to His Majesty, and never do unnecessary things."

Lothar suddenly realized.

Check it out!

This is true wisdom.

It is different from wall grass.

If the Ibelin family is only loyal to the king, they will not suffer from party disputes and can better preserve their strength.

In addition, the influence of the Ibelin family in the Holy Land can be said to be deeply rooted.

Baron Ibelin, who is prominent and loyal to the king, is the object that any new monarch must win over and trust.

As for who is the new king?

Let you fight.

At this time, in the main hall, King Baldwin's heraldry officer strode forward and shouted loudly: "His Majesty the King is still resting, and the regent will temporarily preside over this issue."

Raymond nodded slightly to the herald officer, stood up and said, "Today's topic is whether to open the holy treasury in Jerusalem and repair the city wall of Jerusalem!"

The hall suddenly became a mess.

Lothar was a little puzzled and said, "Now, His Majesty the King, you have to discuss with your subjects even to build a city wall?"

Godfrey explained: "The key to the big treasury is in the hands of His Majesty the King, the Knights Templar, and the two Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller. He alone cannot use it."

"And this money does not belong to His Majesty the King. It was deposited by King Henry II of England to support his military expenses for the next Eastern Expedition."

Losar language is blocked.

"Ah this."

Sure enough, the issue met with firm opposition from the very beginning.

"Henry II did not fulfill his obligation to support the jihad until his death. We should use this money for granted! The purpose is still to protect the holy land!"

"That's right, Henry II is indeed dead. But his son, Richard the Lionheart, is still alive. We still expect him to lead the army to support the Holy Land. How can we embezzle this money?"

The nobles chattered loudly.

The noble party, the queen mother's party, and the king's party are only rough divisions. In fact, they will advance and retreat together except when they involve fundamental interests, and they will express their opinions at ordinary times.

For example, now, Gerrard expressed his agreement to build the city wall, but Earl Leonard expressed his opposition. The money should be used to arm the pilgrims, reproduce the original Battle of Mengisa in the field, and defeat Saladin.

Roger, the head of the Knights of the Hospital, believed that the money should be kept and used to urge Henry II's son, Richard the Lionheart, to leave for the Holy Land as soon as possible to support.

There are also a few small nobles who think that this money should be used to hire mercenary regiments in the Apennines and Germania regions. This money is completely enough to get five or six large mercenary regiments with a size of thousands of people, and they will continue to fight for a year.

Someone even proposed in a whimsical way that the money should be used to hire Hawthorne's killer to assassinate Saladin.

"That's enough, show your hands now!"

Raymond of Châtillon slapped the table and said loudly: "Those who agree to repair the city wall of Jerusalem and strengthen the city defense raise their hands, and everyone else puts it down!"

(End of this chapter)