Chapter 32: Jerusalem
Jerusalem was not a trade hub like Aleppo or Antioch. It was situated between the southeastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, nearly fifty kilometers from the nearest coastline, far from major trade routes, perched high amidst cliffs, valleys, and rocky hills, enduring scorching summers and harsh winters. From a military and commercial perspective, Jerusalem was not truly a strategic key point. But religion endowed it with an extraordinary sacred significance.
Saladin sought to reclaim Jerusalem, to reforge the crown of the Grand Patriarch, thereby gaining supreme prestige to suppress internal opposition and even unite the Zoroastrian world.
The Crusader states, on the other hand, desperately defended it, not only because it was the heart of their faith but also the root of all their ruling legitimacy. Having enjoyed the luxurious life of Eastern nobles, they could no longer adapt to the cold, damp climate of Western Europe. Moreover, positions were limited; after their ancestors left Western Europe, they had long since renounced all claims and inheritance rights to their lands there.
In Jaffa, Knight Kevin introduced Lothar to Baron Godfrey, who had come to meet his son. This was a middle-aged man accustomed to the Eastern heat, with neatly cut short hair, wearing a silk outer robe over his mail shirt. Truly a good friend of Count Werner. When he learned Lothar's identity, his attitude was even more fervent than towards his own long-lost son.
When he heard Lothar intended to follow his father's wishes and join the King's party, he was instantly overjoyed. "I knew it! That old fellow Werner would never have the heart to let his old friend fight alone! Look, he has sent his most valiant son to me!" Baron Godfrey couldn't stop smiling, clapping Lothar hard on the shoulder. "I guarantee, His Majesty the King will also be very happy to learn of your arrival."
Lothar showed a modest smile. "I am also greatly honored to serve His Majesty alongside my father's comrade-in-arms." He could sense Baron Godfrey's sincerity, which made him curious as to what great deeds Werner, that country count, had accomplished here to win the favor of so many. 'Perhaps Count Werner was the one with the protagonist template?'
By evening, they finally crossed the vast desert and arrived at the Holy City of Jerusalem. The city looked entirely different in style from those in Western Europe. Parts of it appeared extremely cramped and narrow, yet the enormous fortress towering in the city's center was as majestic a stronghold as Lothar had ever seen. Mud-brick houses were everywhere, with domes, spires, and buildings of Frankish and Arab styles intermingled throughout the city.
After the initial crusaders conquered Jerusalem, they carried out an atrocious massacre, slaughtering Arabs, Jews… all infidels. Their wealth was plundered, and the remaining buildings, including Zoroastrian temples and altars, were occupied by the crusaders, some even directly converted into domed churches. Even after more than a hundred years, Jerusalem still retained significant Arab characteristics.
Pilgrims from all lands, speaking different languages, converged here. This was a holy land for three faiths, encompassing almost all beliefs from Eastern and Western Europe, plus Central Asia and North Africa. An endless stream of merchant caravans and pilgrims: Jews, Persians, Aksumites, Indians, Turks… and even Chinese from the distant East.
The cacophony of various faiths and languages made Lothar feel overwhelmed. If this were a later age where nationalism had flourished, this place would undoubtedly be a source of chaos, not a good place for development.
Along the streets, vendors selling spices, silks, fruits, and vegetables hawked their wares loudly. Prices were mostly steep; even goods transported from the coast would see a sharp price hike upon arrival here. Serfs, driving cattle and sheep, followed their masters with downcast eyes.
Knights of Jerusalem in blue surcoats, Templars in white with a red cross, and Hospitallers in black with a white cross, led their soldiers on patrol within the city. There were also knights from Tripoli, Antioch, Germania, England, Aragon, and the Two Sicilies… their coats of arms were a myriad. They gathered in groups of three to five, conversing.
Clearly, the footsteps of war were drawing near. This prosperous, inclusive scene of peace was soon to be a thing of the past.
Baron Godfrey pointed to a hill in the distance, where a dome-shaped building with a cross atop it could vaguely be seen. "That is where Jesus was crucified. I will take you and Balian to pay respects later, but right now, we must first go to the royal palace. Today is when the Great Council convenes. Most of the powerful nobles will be present. I will take you to get acquainted with them first."
Lothar nodded. "Everything according to your arrangements."
The party stopped at the outer bailey of the castle.
"Lord Godfrey, you've arrived just in time. The other lords are in discussion; we were just waiting for you." The guard was dressed similarly to Baron Godfrey, clearly also a member of the Royal Knights. This was a household guard unit directly affiliated with the royal family, entirely different in nature from the general Knights of Jerusalem, despite the addition of "Royal" to their name.
"I'm bringing two people in." Godfrey gestured to the two behind him and then strode into the palace.
Banu frowned slightly. She was accustomed to being by Lothar's side and instinctively wanted to follow him in, but after taking just one step, she realized it was inappropriate here.
Lothar turned back and gave her a reassuring smile. The royal palace of Jerusalem was hardly a dragon's pool or tiger's den; he was here to pledge allegiance to His Majesty the King, not to assassinate him, so there would be no danger.
The walls of the royal palace were covered in exquisite relief sculptures. Bright light streamed through the latticed windows. Godfrey led the two to a long table and sat them down, then began introducing the attendees in a low voice: "That one in the red cloak is Joscelin of Edessa, a count with only a title left; his current fief is near Acre."
"That tall, thin man with the unruly red hair is Raynald of Châtillon . He was once the Duke of Antioch, but his territory, along with that of the Count of Edessa's father, was seized by the Arabs. So now he is the 'Count of Oultrejordain,' meaning 'Count beside the Jordan River.' He is one of the most powerful men in all of Jerusalem. He is brave and skilled in battle, and was one of the most important commanders, aside from His Majesty, in the Battle of Montgisard."
Godfrey lowered his voice further. "This man is also a key figure in the Queen Mother's Party, led by Queen Mother Agnes. He is intent on matchmaking Guy of Lusignan to marry Princess Sibylla."
"That one in the red surcoat is Raymond, Count of Tripoli, Prince of Tiberias, and Regent of Jerusalem. He single-handedly arranged Princess Sibylla's first marriage. He and various other nobles have formed a small alliance. Roger des Moulins of the Knights Hospitaller is his most stalwart supporter. Let's call them the Nobles' Party for now."
"Grand Master Gerard of the Knights Templar used to be firmly on our side. But as you know, His Majesty's illness is worsening, and Grand Master Gerard has recently grown very close to Raynald of the Queen Mother's Party, especially since Raynald is more radical in his approach to the infidels, which aligns perfectly with the Templars' style."
Lothar frowned. In a few words, Godfrey had clearly analyzed the three factions within the hall. None of these three parties had the certainty of defeating the others. A tripartite confrontation was the most stable, yet also the most difficult situation to resolve.
"Baron, which party do you belong to?"
Godfrey replied without hesitation, "The Ibelin family is loyal only to His Majesty."
Lothar pressed further, "And if His Majesty passes away?"
A grave expression crossed Baron Ibelin's face. "Lothar, I must remind you, for a vassal to discuss such a topic is already a great transgression and offense."
Lothar smiled. "But if it's not made clear, how can I advance and retreat alongside you?"
Godfrey remained silent for a moment, then said very quickly in an extremely low voice, "Then we support the next king. After the King passes, the throne will surely be inherited by Princess Sibylla's son from her first marriage."
Lothar asked, "Which party does Princess Sibylla belong to?"
"The Queen Mother's Party."
Lothar mused, "So, we are actually on the same side as Count Raynald?"
"No. The Ibelin family never makes decisions prematurely." Godfrey paused, then said solemnly, "We are loyal only to His Majesty and do not engage in superfluous actions."
Lothar understood. 'Look at that! This is true wisdom.' Unlike a weather vane, if the Ibelin family remained loyal only to the king, they wouldn't be caught in partisan strife and could better preserve their strength. Furthermore, the Ibelin family's influence in the Holy Land was deeply entrenched. A prominent baron loyal to the king, like Ibelin, would be someone any new monarch would need to win over and trust.
As for who the new monarch would be? Let them fight it out.
At that moment, the King Baldwin's herald strode into the great hall and announced loudly, "His Majesty the King is still resting. The Regent will preside over today's council."
Raymond nodded slightly to the herald, then stood up and said, "Today's agenda is whether to open the Jerusalem Holy Treasury to repair the city walls of Jerusalem!"
The great hall instantly dissolved into chaos.
Lothar asked, somewhat puzzled, "Does His Majesty the King now have to consult his vassals even for repairing a city wall?"
Godfrey explained, "The keys to the Great Treasury are held separately by His Majesty the King and the Grand Masters of the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller. He cannot access it on his own. Moreover, this money does not originally belong to His Majesty. It was deposited by King Henry II of England as funds for his next Crusade."
Lothar was speechless. "Ah, this..."
As expected, the proposal was met with firm opposition from the start.
"Henry II died without fulfilling his obligation to support the Holy War! We are perfectly justified in using this money! Our purpose is still the noble mission of protecting the Holy Land!"
"Indeed, Henry II is dead. But his son, Richard, known as the Lionheart, is not yet dead! We are still counting on him to lead an army to support the Holy Land. How can we misappropriate this money?"
The nobles began to argue vociferously. The Nobles' Party, the Queen Mother's Party, and the King's Party were only rough divisions. In reality, while they would act in concert when their fundamental interests were involved, they would otherwise express their own opinions.
For example, now, Gerard expressed agreement with reinforcing the city walls, while Count Raynald objected, arguing the money should be used to arm pilgrims and replicate the Battle of Montgisard in a field battle to crush Saladin. Grand Master Roger of the Knights Hospitaller believed the money should be preserved to urge Henry II's son, Richard the Lionheart, to hasten to the Holy Land with reinforcements. A few minor nobles suggested using the money to hire mercenary companies from the Apennine Peninsula and Germania; the sum was entirely sufficient to procure five or six large mercenary companies of over a thousand men each, capable of sustained combat for a year. Someone even fantastically proposed using the money to hire Hashashins to assassinate Saladin.
"Enough! We will now vote by show of hands!" Raymond slammed the table and announced loudly, "Those in favor of repairing the walls of Jerusalem and reinforcing the city's defenses, raise your hands! Everyone else, lower them!"