After a while, an attendant came back and handed a note to Count Raymond.
He spread it out and took a look, and a trace of surprise flashed across his face. Then he raised the note high and motioned for everyone to come closer and take a look: "His Majesty the King agreed!"
...
After the court meeting, Lothar immediately came to the king's bedroom.
Before Lothar could speak, Baldwin IV said, "You think it's strange too, right?"
"But going north is a move that goes with people's hearts."
"Not only Count Raymond can see Saladin's intention, Leonard, Hugo, Georgelin... many people can see that this is not a conspiracy, but a conspiracy."
"If when you were fighting with me, your territory of Yogurtsburg was attacked by infidels, would you have the mood to immediately take your soldiers and return to Yogurtsburg to rescue?"
Lothar was silent.
This is human nature.
For many people, although the safety of the Holy Land is important, it is not that important compared with their own territory.
"Let those who deserve to go back, and let those energetic Crusader knights go north to clear the court, so that we can better integrate the power of Jerusalem."
"I see."
Baldwin IV added: "Also, I met Saleh, this little guy... Even though he is much older than me, I still think he is a vigorous young man. I made an agreement with him. Covenant, promising to return Aleppo to Saladin after his defeat."
"This time the army goes north, it is also an opportunity for him. Perhaps he can mobilize resistance forces, cooperate internally and externally, and end Saladin's rule over this."
"Syria is the most important horse breeding ground for Saladin's army. Without Syria, the threat of his Mamluk cavalry will be greatly reduced."
Lothar thought for a moment and asked: "Sir, the assassins of Assassin whom I met yesterday were able to stimulate their potential and increase their combat effectiveness by taking some kind of magic potion... We don't have similar ones. Something?"
"Magic potion..."
Baldwin IV chuckled and said: "The magic potion is not far away from us. The incense burning in this room is made of frankincense and myrrh, which can alleviate my illness."
"Your Majesty, I have always had a doubt. Those wizards have such mysterious and powerful power, why do they surrender to the secular king?"
"If they want to assassinate the king, how should we respond?"
Baldwin IV was a little confused and asked: "Didn't your two witch ladies tell you?"
Lothar shook his head. Neither Prajna nor Fringilla were orthodox witches in this world, so naturally they would not understand these secrets.
He raised his hand and pointed to the gold edges inlaid on the tables and chairs, the golden reliefs on the window frames, and the statues of holy angels on the cabinets...
"These are all artifacts made of magic-blocking gold, which can limit the magic power of wizards. If the arrows are made of magic-blocking gold, they can even easily penetrate the defenses of wizards. They do have powerful power, but the secular power It is also very dangerous for them.”
"The vast majority of wizards are travelers and potion experts. They travel like ordinary people, using their long lives maintained by magic to live the life they want - they are two completely different types from humans. The species no longer possesses the human desire for power and wealth.”
Lothar thought thoughtfully: "So, wizards prefer to be detached existences rather than truly dedicating themselves to fighting in the field of power?"
"Yeah, that's too dangerous for them."
"In other words, they think what they get is too great compared to the risks they take."
Baldwin IV paused slightly and then said: "As for why they would join the service of the secular monarch, maybe you know better than me."
"love?"
"Yes, but not entirely."
"For example, the materials for making potions, the construction of wizard towers, and the guards to protect their own safety...these are the rewards they can get from the world."
Lothar suddenly realized.
...
Leave the king's chamber.
Lothar returned to his post.
Jerusalem today is extremely chaotic.
It has been decided to go on an expedition. Although it has been prepared for a long time, it is still a huge project.
The nobles need to count how many levies formed by pilgrims need to be led, and how many mules, horses, and pack animals need to be used to transport baggage.
Where can I get supplies along the way?
Departure ceremony.
Waiting for a series of things that are both tedious and necessary to do.
...
The preparations took three days.
In the early morning of the third day, it was the day for the army to set off and head north.
Early in the morning in Jerusalem, the temperature begins to rise.
Lothar used a brush in the stable to clean the furs of Nissaan's war horses and Arabian horses. Saleh sent ten fine and tall Arabian horses.
Fringilla stood on tiptoes, worried that the water would splash on her beautiful long dress - in the palace, this beauty-loving girl finally no longer needed to wear a hijab.
But her snowy white hair still needs to be covered up.
"Sir, do you think my dress looks good?"
Lothar nodded perfunctorily: "Yeah, it looks good. I have seen Princess Sibylla wearing something similar, but she looks far less noble and beautiful than you."
Lothar's perfunctory behavior was not just perfunctory.
He would quickly organize a set of reasonable compliments in his mind, which made his perfunctory words rarely cause Fringilla's dissatisfaction.
"Tch, can that old woman who has given birth to a child be comparable to this princess?"
The corners of Fulin's mouth couldn't help but raise, and her face showed a look of excitement and satisfaction.
Prajna picked up a brush and helped Lothar clean the horse.
He said: "Model has sent a letter. Blacksmith Malus found a piece of good-quality iron ore near Hans's fief. He hopes that we can purchase some tools and equipment to send back."
Lothar frowned and shook his head: "Forget it first, let them prepare for war and be ready to respond to my call at any time. To be honest, I am not sure about guarding the villages around Yogurtsburg. It is too early to start mining now." .”
Prajna shook his head and continued to clean the horse: "Go and tell Hans yourself, I just brought you a message."
Lothar was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay, I understand."
He thought for a moment, raised his hand to wipe away the splash of water on Prajna's cheek, and said sincerely: "You are also very beautiful today. Even if you are not dressed up, you are still much better than all the women in this world."
Prajna's face was expressionless, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, and he said: "Compared with this little vampire? Who is more beautiful?"
Fulin keenly caught the key words, and came over and said: "Yes, sir, please evaluate, who is more beautiful, me or this stupid big guy?"
Lothar's hands didn't stop moving, but she felt weak in her heart.
This is a question that only a fool can answer.
At this time, Hans shouted: "Sir, it's time to set off for the expedition ceremony. As His Majesty the King's guards, we have to stand at the very back!"
Lothar hurriedly responded: "Okay, here we go!"
Thank you Heavenly Father!
Thanks Hans!
Thank you, His Majesty the King!
ps: There is one more chapter, which must be posted before twelve o'clock. If I break my promise again, I will be a dog!
