People in the Middle Ages, draw cards to get promoted

Chapter 489 Damietta Strategy
Egypt, Khamun village.

Outside the window, the rapid sound of horse hooves woke this Coptic village from its sleep.

Menes moved closer to the window and looked at the attire of Tongqing's army through the gap: "They are the guards of Governor Ibn. Why don't they even light a torch?"

"It seems that they are most likely defeated, otherwise they wouldn't be running in such a mess."

"I didn't expect it to be so fast!"

In the evening, this army had just passed through this small town. Unexpectedly, not long after, they fled in panic. The Crusaders' combat effectiveness was indeed as powerful as the legend said!

Menes felt as if a fire was being lit in his chest.

There was a sound of shouting and killing.

The defeated Ibn Governor's army seemed to have left some soldiers behind. After a while of shouting for death, the Crusaders, who were dressed very differently from the Saracen army, arrived at the village of Camon.

Menes carefully observed this crusaders he had never seen before - their clothes were very different from the Saracens, they did not wear veils or turbans, they looked like giant beasts wrapped in steel.

The fiery red horse is like a red ghost in the dark night.

The Crusaders, surrounded by knights riding flaming red horses, slowly passed through the village roads. The coats on their fronts were printed with distinctive crosses and eagle emblems, which made the Copts sigh softly.

"By God, they are Crusaders, soldiers of Christ!"

"Governor Ibn's army is no match for them at all. Will Damietta's ownership be transferred to the Crusaders from now on?"

"Will these Franks force us to join the army? My son and husband are still serving in Governor Ibn's army."

A murmur arose in the village.

The eyes of many Copts showed both hope and fear.

It was good that the Crusaders could drive out the Saracens for them and return Egypt to the embrace of Christ.

But who knows, if the jackals are driven away, tigers and leopards will come again?
Even if they are all Christians, who can guarantee that heretics are more merciful than pagans?

Although the Zoroastrian scriptures advocated the destruction of pagans, they also advocated tolerance of pagans when they expressed obedience. For hundreds of years, the rule of the Saracens was indeed tolerant.

On the contrary, the province of Damietta once served as the front line of the war with the Crusaders and suffered horrific military disasters. The Franks and Saracens almost destroyed the entire Damietta in this land that did not belong to them. The tower burned to the ground.

At this time, Menes opened the door and shouted in unfamiliar Gaulish: "Who is the noble King of the Dead Sea? The Guardian of the Holy Spear?"

King of the Dead Sea?

Jeanne, who was riding on a fiery red horse, quickly realized that the King of the Dead Sea should be the complimentary name given by the Copts to the Lord of Transjordan.

Jeanne waved her hand to repel the cavalry who were guarding her, and rode up to him: "The Marquis is right behind, do you have anything to do with me?"

It's actually a woman?

Menis had no idea that the Crusaders would let a woman serve as an officer or even a general, and he was a little at a loss for a while.

"I am the guardian of the holy spear personally appointed by the Marquis, and I am also the supreme commander of this cavalry team. If you have anything, you can tell me."

Jeanne's voice was very calm, without the slightest hint of urgency that a pursuer should have.

Chelinina has already brought Lothar's order. The enemy has already suffered heavy losses this time. The goal of annihilating the enemy's effective strength as much as possible has been achieved. As for annihilating the enemy's fleeing elite, it is just the icing on the cake.

"This is a conspiracy, my lady."

Menis reacted, secretly cursing his short-sightedness, and said quickly: "There is a dangerous silt ahead. It looks no different from the flat land, but as long as you step on it for a long time, the river water will cover your feet. ——If a cavalry passes through there, it will definitely get stuck in the mud!"

Jeanne frowned.

What the other party said may really become a reality.

In addition, Lothar had an order not to allow her to take too many risks. After thinking for a while, she still ordered: "Stop the pursuit, collect the corpses of our comrades, and after picking up the loot, we will return to camp immediately."

After giving the order, Jeanne looked at the Coptic in front of her and asked, "Are you interested in joining the Crusade?"

Menis had a look of surprise on her face and said quickly: "Of course, noble lady!"

In the distance, looking at the Crusaders retreating away.

Senmut felt a blockage in his chest and almost spurted blood. In this battle, he lost nearly [-]% of the military strength of Damietta Province. Governor Ibn also lost nearly half of his elite Mamluks. In the end, he wanted to make up for it. The wrong strategy also failed. Now, no matter how much Governor Ibn trusted him, his end would not be much better after he returned.

As the cavalry companies led by Jeanne returned to camp, Lothar also felt relieved.

After daybreak, he looked at the mountains of armor, weapons, and belongings piled up in the camp.

Lothar was also a little shocked. Last night, how many pagan troops did Jeanna and the others defeat and kill?
Lothar would not touch these supplies and ordnance lightly.

If those Copts are willing to cooperate with themselves and join their ranks, these ordnances can immediately arm tens of thousands of troops.

But he must collect the money looted from the enemy's corpses and exchange it for gold coins. Part of it will be rewarded to the meritorious ministers, and the other part will be used to upgrade the subordinates. Even if there is no elite material, at least he must first Let’s upgrade everyone to the full level.

At noon.The second army, belonging to the Baron of Argonne and other Transjordanian vassals, successfully passed through the pontoon bridge and reached the other side.

By evening, the number of Crusaders on the river bank had reached nearly 2, all crowded into a narrow temporary camp. When the last Crusade team crosses the river tomorrow, he will continue to march.

Next, Lothar's primary goal is to first lay down a strong city and fortress as a fulcrum for his attack on Egypt.

This fulcrum, Lothar, has long been considered, and it is the base camp of Governor Ibn and the capital of Damietta Province - Port of Damietta.

That city has a permanent population of more than [-] and is busy with shipping. It is one of the most important cities in the Delta region (Lower Egypt).

By simply capturing this city and establishing a firm foothold, Lothar's southern crusade would be considered a failure.

In the future, if the Crusaders still have supplies, they can continuously land here from Europe and the Kingdom of Jerusalem, without having to take a long land route.

But to capture the Port of Damietta, you must first occupy more than ten fortresses and fortresses along the way. This does not include the small wooden forts found in many villages. If you really attack all the way, it will take too long, not to mention the losses. It is bound to be very disastrous.

at dusk.

The guard came to report: "Sir, headed by Mahmud, the leader of Tinis, and many Coptic chiefs from nearby villages, they send you gifts and hope to be summoned by you."

After receiving Lothar's permission, some Copts wearing robes and headscarves carried heavy gifts into the tent.

Among them, a roll of extremely thick cashmere carpet is the most impressive.

Lothar did not approach this roll of exquisite cashmere blankets rashly - he had heard in his previous life that Europeans would give blankets stained with smallpox virus to native Indians. Although he was not afraid of this early biochemical weapon, it did not represent his soldiers. They are also immune.

"I'm going to open this gift."

Prajna naturally knelt down and untied the exquisite tapestry.

A bright and attractive woman's face was revealed inside - her long black hair was wrapped in a blanket, soaked with sweat, and stuck to her milky white skin. At this time, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she looked timidly like a deer. With Prajna.

Lothar was stunned for a moment and thought to himself, this gift is really unique, but it is a pity that he is not lucky enough to receive it, nor does he have the interest to receive it.

Facing Jeana's teasing eyes, Lothar ordered: "Take her down, and then I'll make you a maid for Jeana. You need someone to clean your clothes and put on your armor anyway."

Jeanne's eyes swept over Prajna subtly, and nodded: "There is indeed such a person missing."

"Let the chiefs come in and see me."

Lothar sat back on his throne, thinking in his mind: "Mahmud, this is a typical pagan name. It seems that the person who came to see me is a convert who has surrendered to Zoroastrianism."

"Salute to the great King of the Dead Sea, Guardian of the Holy Spear, Protector of Hebron, His Highness Lothar."

As soon as they entered the door, these Coptic leaders spoke unfamiliar Gaul and saluted Lothar.

"God bless you. Are you here to contribute to the great cause of Christians conquering Egypt?"

Lothar looked solemn. Although the Copts have been in the status of second-class citizens for a long time, it has been almost half a century since the Saracens conquered Egypt.

Perhaps because the Saracens implemented a relatively tolerant religious policy, many Copts still retained their Christian beliefs, but at the same time, it also meant that they did not have much resistance to the rule of pagans.

Lothar is also very aware of this. The slogans he keeps preaching - saving Egyptian Christians and recovering the Alexandria diocese are only for the Crusaders; in fact, the Copts most likely do not need his rescue.

All the Coptic leaders looked at Mahmoud at the same time, waiting for his translation.

After Mahmoud finished translating, he said to Lothar: "We are willing to provide the Crusaders with wheat for three thousand warriors to fight for a month, and send one thousand soldiers to join the Crusaders."

A smile flashed in Lothar's eyes.

Yes, the Copts do not need his rescue, but he has defeated Governor Ibn, and the province of Damietta is about to fall into his hands. These Coptic leaders have to ask him for help. Place your bet.

Lothar made a sign of the cross in front of him, with a pious look on his face: "Thank you for your understanding and righteousness, I grant you exemption from taxes this year."

As Mahmoud translated, the Coptic leaders showed joy and expressed their thanks respectfully.

Lothar added: "You don't have to worry that my rule will be too harsh. I am even willing to make the Saracens in Egypt continue to adhere to their old beliefs. I swear this in the name of God."

After receiving the promise, Mahmoud was overjoyed. He quickly leaned down and saluted respectfully: "All Copts will be grateful for your kindness and generosity."

Copts account for the vast majority of Egyptian Christians, but there are also many Catholics and Orthodox Christians who have deep conflicts with each other. When the Saracens ruled Egypt, they took advantage of the conflicts among Egyptian Christians. , making it impossible to unite.

The Copts who converted to Zoroastrianism, represented by Mahmoud, were worried that Lothar would ban Zoroastrianism in Egypt.

Egyptians who still believe in Coptic Christianity are worried that Lothar will enforce Catholicism in Egypt.

But Lothar is not stupid either. Religion is always just a tool in his hands.

Just because he planned to rob the Saracen clergy did not mean that he would ban Zoroastrianism in Egypt.

Compromise with each other, obtain Egypt at the minimum cost, and then firmly control this country through the thousands of loyal vassals that you canonized, like the tree of life rooted in the ground, is the best solution at the moment.

(End of this chapter)