People in the Middle Ages, draw cards to get promoted

Chapter 602: Three Kings Meeting

The arrival of the King of Jerusalem at the front is big news.

Although they came with a small entourage, once the news spread, all the German Crusaders inside and outside the city of Semanude came to greet them. The atmosphere was very warm, even better than when the two kings came to Semanude not long ago.

After all, no matter how respected the two kings were, it was their first time to confront the pagans.

As early as the age of sixteen, Baldwin IV led 400 knights and defeated the tens of thousands of troops commanded by Saladin himself.

In the two previous victories of the Crusaders over Saladin, although it was Lothar who performed the best and won the most prestige, the supreme commander was Baldwin IV, who was nominally the King of the Eastern Crusaders.

Standing in the welcoming crowd, Philip, wearing a blue smock with the golden iris embroidered on the front of his collar, which was unique to the Gallic royal family, had a warm smile on his face, ready to welcome Baldwin IV.

Although he looked enthusiastic, he was already alert in his heart.

Lothar started out as a royalist party, and its rapid rise was inseparable from the support of the King of Jerusalem. Even now, the royalist party is still the core force among Lothar's supporters.

This means that Baldwin IV is fully qualified and capable of taking over Duke Lothar's estate.

"Oh, a leper abandoned by God, he wouldn't want to fight for the position of Grand Marshal, right?"

"Or is this someone that Losa's men have brought in to challenge us?"

Philip was unhappy in his heart, but he never showed it on his face.

Just as he was thinking about it, more than a dozen royal knights in dark red surcoats came into view, guarding a young man wearing a white suit with a golden Jerusalem Cross printed on it. The flying Jerusalem Cross revealed the identity of the visitor.

He organized his words and was about to go forward with a smile, when he saw Richard in a red robe striding towards the city gate.

"Hahaha, God, I heard that my uncle was seriously ill and had to force himself to deal with the pagan demons. I was worried and couldn't sleep at night. Today, I saw that my uncle was in good health, and I was relieved."

Baldwin IV was not intimidated by Richard's preemptive words, and said calmly: "Thank you for your concern, my body has not recovered yet, and I can't fight in the battlefield. I can't say I'm fine."

Although they were both from the House of Anjou, he had no good feelings towards Richard.

Not only was Sibylla's son assassinated by an assassin suspected to be instigated by the House of Anjou, but the more important reason was that when Saladin's army was approaching, he wrote more than ten letters in succession, begging the European monarchs to send troops to help.

But none of them were willing to move.

Now, when we are about to reap the fruits of victory, these people finally come.

Richard breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "No matter what, Uncle, you are able to arrive at the frontline when the war is about to begin. This is a great support to me. I seem to have seen the moment when the flag of the Crusaders is flying in Alexandria."

Philip also came forward and said with a smile: "Your Majesty Baldwin has come from afar and worked hard. I have prepared a banquet and fine wine to welcome your Majesty."

Baldwin shook his head. "Your Majesty Philip is right. I am not as healthy as an average person. I have already felt very tired after coming all this way. I just want to rest this morning. I can only reluctantly refuse your Majesty's kindness."

"Where does your majesty intend to stay?"

"It's the Governor's Mansion, of course."

He casually rejected the olive branches thrown by the two kings. Next, if Lothar is in good health, it would be good. If so, he will stand up on Lothar's behalf and fight this crucial battle.

Richard frowned, his eyes became dangerous, and he looked like a lion that was silently enduring. No one dared to look him in the eye.

Philip felt a little cold in his heart, but he just smiled and replied, "Since Your Majesty Baldwin is ill, you should rest early. I wonder if Your Majesty will be able to attend the military meeting tomorrow to unify the various Crusaders?"

Baldwin nodded slightly: "This is a serious matter, I will naturally attend."

Philip smiled and nodded, signaling his men to make way: "See you tomorrow then."

After watching Baldwin IV leave, Philip looked at Richard with a stern expression and said with a smile: "This King of Jerusalem really has some royal demeanor. But Richard, now that your uncle is here, you, as a younger generation, can't argue with the elders, right? After all, in terms of military talent, your uncle's record is much better than yours."

Richard snorted coldly: "No matter who is the Grand Marshal, he is the King of Anjou."

He was not a brainless reckless man who could not see through Philip's shallow attempt to sow discord. Right now, he was not as good as his uncle in terms of either military performance or prestige, so it would be very difficult for him to win.

"On the contrary, you have become a joke all these days, jumping around. I wonder what those lackeys crawling at your feet will do when they face their true monarch."

A considerable number of lords under Philip were from the Kingdom of Jerusalem, members of the Queen Mother's Party and members of the Duke's Party. Except for Duke Raymond of Tripoli who had to guard against Saladin of Damascus, most of them had gathered under his command.

Facing Richard's sarcasm, Philip still smiled, as if he had it all figured out: "Don't worry about that."

...

Inside the Governor's Palace.

As soon as Baldwin walked into the gate, he stumbled and was supported by Baron Godfrey who came to meet him. He couldn't help but asked anxiously: "Your Majesty, you are not well, why did you come to Egypt at this time?"

Baldwin smiled and shook his head, signaling Godfrey not to support him. After he stood firmly, he said, "Lothar is not only my most trusted minister, but also one of my few close friends besides you. Now that I have heard that his life or death is uncertain, how can I stay in the palace?"

After he finished speaking, he hesitated for a moment before asking, "How is his health?"

Godfrey looked heavy-hearted and shook his head, "I don't know either. Mr. Coors and the witches in Lothar said that Lothar is undergoing treatment and no one is allowed to visit."

Baldwin IV breathed a sigh of relief.

He was really afraid that Godfrey would open his mouth and tell of Lothar's death.

"It's good that he's still receiving treatment. Ms. Prajna, Ms. Jeanna, and Ms. Fulin are all very capable people. I believe he will recover."

Godfrey sighed and said, "Your Majesty, the treatment has lasted for more than half a month and there is still no improvement. Tomorrow is the Crusaders' military meeting. Even if Lothar can be rescued in the future, he is destined to miss this war."

He raised his head and said with some regret: "This should have been the battle for his coronation as king. He was so outstanding and had made countless contributions to God's cause. Could it be that in the end, the two foreign kings were the ones who enjoyed the fruits of victory?"

"If he can't make it in time, I'll do it for him."

Baldwin IV said calmly: "Sir Lothar has helped me a lot. This time, it is my turn to help him."

Although his voice was soft, his tone was firm.

"Sir Godfrey, after this battle, I will declare Lothar my first heir, and the fruit will belong to the one who deserves it the most."

(End of this chapter)