kingdom of nations
Chapter 62: Little Fishes
Chapter 62: Little Fishes (Part )
Baldwin, Heraclius, and even the Knights Templar disapproved of Cesar's decision. But to Cesar's surprise, even Amalric I hesitated and didn't agree immediately.
But from the perspective of others, Amalric I would not suffer any losses from this move, but would only benefit.
First: Even though Cesar's status can be said to be equal to any knight now, he is still a child after all. This means that if Amalric I sends him as an envoy, it will undoubtedly be a humiliation to the other party.
But when the Knights Templar of Tortosa intercepted and killed Amalric I's allies and the messengers of the Eagle's Nest, wasn't that a naked contempt and mockery of Amalric I?
The king only regretted that he could not see their expressions in person.
Second, what Cesar was planning was indeed very likely to succeed.
Don’t say that Amalric I was ready to attack the city. As long as they had a little bit of common sense, no lord or knight would be willing to attack a solid and well-prepared castle.
The castle of Tortosa was not even built by the Knights Templar. Baldwin I used the dowry of his third wife to build many castles, and Tortosa was one of them. After it was transferred to the Knights Templar, the Knights Templar continued to repair and reinforce it in the following decades.
Although the castle in Tortosa cannot be compared with the Fort of Santa Croce, it is also an unshakable rock mountain. Moreover, before the Knights Templar in Tortosa set out to intercept and kill the Saracens, they knew that they would inevitably be rebuked and attacked by Amalric I.
Before this, they must have stockpiled enough food, water, and other supplies.
Even the king was unsure how long the siege would last. Three days, ten days, a month, or even a year—this kind of thing was not unheard of.
He also knew he couldn't possibly hold out for more than three months. Cesar walked through the camp, seeing only charcoal about to burn; Amalric I saw only the abyss about to swallow every last coin he had. Even the conscripted peasants received daily wages, albeit modestly, but considering their numbers...
Not to mention the mercenaries, the long siege will make many people lazy. They will quietly leave, or just do their own things, or more likely ride out and rob nearby merchants and pilgrims.
If this happened in a pagan city, such behavior might be encouraged. However, within the sphere of influence of Alasarus, merchants and pilgrims were also protected by Amalric I. The king did not want to wait for them to come up and complain before he could deal with the matter in a hasty manner.
Thirdly, what was also hidden in Amalric I's heart and never said out loud was that he had vaguely felt that between Cesar and Baldwin, it was Cesar, not his son, who held the dominant position.
He was very worried that after his death, a powerful and influential official who would be unchallenged would appear in the court of Alasar.
If Cesar had not been unable to produce any identification to prove that he was the son of an earl or a grand duke, the king would not have tolerated him staying in Alasar even if he had made such an oath.
Now he took the initiative to propose to negotiate with the brutal and hungry beast. Isn't this a good thing that suits Amalric I's wishes?
But what good would it do Amalric I to have the same doubts as the Templars? His position was secure, he was well-liked, and his future was bright and smooth. He was not a bishop who could, by such sacrifice, bring the people to their knees and then drive them into rebellion.
Moreover, this was not a matter of penance or prayer. If he failed, he would certainly be a clown. Even if he succeeded, would those ignorant people understand his meaning? They might even think that their little saint had betrayed them and deliberately took away their opportunity to make money.
Amalric I did not know that about seven hundred years later, someone would say that: when all the evidence points to one answer, no matter how incredible the answer seems, it is the only correct explanation.
But now he has begun to believe that Cesar is indeed a kind-hearted and loving person.
He would certainly prefer to keep such a good man by Baldwin's side, by his possible second son, and even by his second son's descendants - even if he became a powerful minister, so what? As long as he did not think of usurping the throne, until his death, the person sitting on the throne of Alasar would still have the bloodline of Amalric I.
But when the king thought about the siege that might last for a long time, he couldn't help but hesitate. This was not a battle that would cause Alasar to suffer serious injuries, but it would also cost him a lot of skin and flesh.
He planned to launch a second expedition against Egypt within three years. For this expedition, he needed to be fully prepared and would never allow himself to be like the first time, where he won but returned to Alaska empty-handed because he was deceived and was laughed at by countless people.
In the end he agreed to Cesar's request.
However, he prepared a herald, a herald, and four attendants for Cesar. They carried the flag of Amalric I and followed behind Cesar, looking worried but still majestic. This was the configuration that a king's envoy should have.
Cesar was also a little surprised. He thought that Amalric I would just call a guide for him and then throw him out, letting him walk into the Castle of Tortosa alone.
What he could not have expected was that just after he left the camp and walked a short distance towards Tortosa Castle, he saw a familiar figure on the edge of the rolling hills.
"Geoffrey!" he cried in surprise, but the Templar just nodded at him boredly.
The Templar was followed by a sergeant and two attendants, holding the familiar black and white flag. He was dressed very formally, wearing a helmet, chain mail, a tunic, holding a spear, a sword and a dagger.
When he came over, Cesar discovered that there were four sword-and-shield infantrymen behind him - the heavy infantrymen of the Knights Templar we mentioned before. They received the same rigorous training as the knights and could play a huge role in siege warfare.
"Didn't they say the Templars wouldn't get involved?" Cesar asked.
"Well, actually... that's right," Geoffrey scratched his chin, "but have you seen my horse?" "Yes." A Percheron, dark brown, very strong and beautiful. With small ears, a long neck, and four slender and powerful hooves, it was obvious that it was a good horse worth at least fifty gold coins.
"This was given to me by Amalric I."
Facing Cesar's puzzled expression, Geoffrey said without shame: "There is also a box sent by the prince. In the box there is a Damascus knife inlaid with gems, two gold cups, a set of ivory chess pieces, and a necklace of gems and gold..."
Geoffrey counted them one by one.
Didn't Cesar know what these were? Baldwin had taken out each of these things and examined them with him. They were the prince's favorite gifts from his childhood.
They followed Amalric I to the outskirts of the city. As a retainer, of course, it was impossible to carry too much luggage, but a small box was allowed. So Baldwin packed up his favorite things and brought them along with his clothes and weapons.
Judging from the quantity and content described by Geoffrey, Baldwin may have given him all his private collection.
"I didn't want to agree, but he gave me so much." Geoffrey estimated that there were at least a thousand gold coins - he glanced at Cesar at the same time - this child's value was really getting higher and higher.
Cesar felt a lump in his throat, unable to speak. He had to admit that, in the beginning, he had some intention of exploiting Baldwin, and he had no desire to stay with him. His thoughts and ideas were independent, mature, and even a little arrogant.
He was also very clear that he was not a nine-year-old child, at least not in his soul. When he saw a real nine-year-old child showing his purity and nobility before him, he felt ashamed.
After waiting for a long time, Geoffrey heard him say, "Please... Sir, if it is possible, please keep these things well and do not sell them or give them away. I will be very grateful and I will redeem them for three times the price."
"What are you talking about?" Geoffrey glanced at him sideways. "The Knights Templar don't have any private property. I will only hand over the prince's donation to the Knights Templar, and then the Knights Templar will use it to help poor pilgrims..."
"If a Templar Knight had said this a hundred years ago, I would have believed him. But now..." Cesar said bluntly. After all, Geoffrey wasn't a very obedient man. "Then give me some relief. I'm an Isaac slave, a humble servant. Even though I'm a squire now, I don't have much savings..."
When you see a weak, pitiful, helpless, but... a devout Christian like me, shouldn't you give me some alms?
I don't ask for much, just give me what Baldwin gave you."
He spoke rapidly, but Geoffrey could hear every word distinctly, and the Templar sighed with great protracted and incomprehensible force—a peculiar peculiarity of some dwarf or clown—who could expel for long periods a rather unseemly and foul-smelling gas.
But no matter what, with Geoffrey around, many of the arguments and tools César had prepared could be put aside.
After several days of trekking, when they arrived at the territory of Tortosa Castle, they met several soldiers who were exploring everywhere - they hoped they were not here to set fire - they first saw the flag of the Knights Templar, and then the flag of Amalric I. While they were alert, they could not help feeling worried.
After all, the Knights Templar of Alasarus had said before that they would stand in an absolutely neutral position. Seeing the two flags at the same time, the Knights Templar of Tortosa Castle could not help but worry that the Grand Master would eventually change his mind and join the king in fighting against them.
They quickly brought Geoffrey and his group back. Although the ten-year-old child behind Geoffrey was the envoy of Amalric I, they just thought it was a different way of humiliating him.
Thanks to Geoffrey, they were able to easily meet the Grand Master of the Castle of Tortosa, Walter de Lemesnil, who was described by Geoffrey as arrogant, rude and rude, as well as several other Grand Masters of the Knights - the Grand Master of the Knights was a position in the Knights Templar, and generally had ten Knights Templar under his command.
Walter didn't even look at Cesar, and ordered someone to bring a chair to Geoffrey. Geoffrey reminded him that there was an envoy from Amalric I here. The other party immediately became furious and shouted.
"I consider you my brother, yet you are using others to humiliate me. Whether you are blinded by the glitter of gold or deceived by vain promises, I will strip you of your cloak, drive you out of the castle, and then throw this shameless dwarf into the basket of a catapult and throw him directly into the camp of Amalric I!"
Geoffrey and César had anticipated this situation. Geoffrey did not show any panic, but said calmly, "You regard me as a brother, and of course I regard you as a brother, Walter, but please, for the sake of our past friendship, listen to me and finish what I have to say—"
The Knights of Alasar have decided not to interfere in the matter between you and Amalric I. I came here today without any orders from the Knights; it was entirely my own will.
Please do not underestimate this messenger. Although the gem is small, it shines brightly and is better than a pile of stones.
Even if you are far away in Tortosa, you should have heard of the name of the little saint. Moreover, he and Prince Baldwin have sworn an oath before God to be each other's guarantees. This is the same as the oath we swear before God to be true brothers, and there is no falsehood in it.
He has not yet been knighted because of age, not because of any defect in strength or character. I can testify for him, Walter, that he is qualified to speak to you face to face."
Walter hesitated. Clearly, he had heard of the young saint, but he hadn't yet realized that Amalric I's son had sworn an oath to the child. What did that mean? It meant that, like Rodrigo the Knight of Castile, he could, if necessary, force Baldwin to swear an oath, or swear on his behalf and demand that he abide by it.
This may include a permanent territory, a war, even interference in the selection of an heir, and even the ownership of the holy land that the church has always dreamed of.
(End of this chapter)
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