"It's hard work, go and rest."

Lothar retreated the hussars, thinking to himself.

Hussein, who has been a local tyrant from generation to generation, and has obtained a lot of wealth through plunder, must have hidden a large amount of gold and silver in his home.

During this time, the construction of the new Habsburgs, the expansion of the production capacity of the blacksmith shop, the construction of public toilets, and the excavation of iron ore were all huge expenses.

In addition, the number of the city guards was as high as five hundred, and they were all standing troops, that is, soldiers who were out of work, and they were required to pay salaries.

If it weren't for the large gifts that the vassals had given when they came to the audience, Lothar would now have to worry about whether the wealth he had struck from Prince Zahir would be enough.

But relying on copying homes is certainly not a long-term thing.

He touched his chin and pondered, "Andreas, do you think the number of city guards is too much?" ”

Andreas hesitated: "My lord, the number of city guards is not much, but I think there are a large number of rabble among them, and it is good to kick them out." ”

Lothar nodded, "Then I'll leave this matter to you, and reduce the city guard to three hundred." ”

In addition to the 100 retained veterans, the remaining 200 city guards, Lothar is also preparing to wait for the new recruiting building to be used for transfer.

Andreas nodded, "My lord, I'll do it." ”

Even after the downsizing, a standing army of more than three hundred men was growing at a rate of two per day (one each for the Varangian Guard and the Hussars).

If recruited, the Varangian guard would number two hundred, and the hussars a hundred.

Add to that the city guards, including a hundred remaining veterans, and his standing army would be a staggering five hundred.

You must know that Lothar's father, the Count of Werner, only has a standing army of more than 100 in total.

In the event of war, Lothar could also recruit his vassals, knights, and peasants, and he could pull out an army of at least 5,000 men to deal with foreign enemies.

Therefore, even if 200 people are laid off, there will still be enough manpower.

But it's not enough to throttle, it's also necessary to open source.

Lothar had planned for this for a long time, so he asked, "How about Marles's side, the new manpower should be in place, how is the refined plate armor I asked him to build?" ”

Andreas reported: "Mr. Marles has completed two sets of refined plate armor and three sets of ordinary knight's full-body plate armor, all of which were delivered to the storeroom yesterday. ”

Refined plate armor is plate armor engraved with patterns and has made great efforts to enhance its appearance, and there is almost no difference in defensive power from ordinary plate armor.

"Pack them all up, and bring with you a hundred copies of the song of winter and hot summer that have been recently printed. Tomorrow, after Jeanne had brought back all the captives, and after the assembly of judgment, we would set out for Jerusalem. ”

Compared to Hebron, Jerusalem, which is only 40 kilometers away, is much more prosperous.

As the fighting subsided, pagan pilgrims and caravans, and the Crusaders of the Eastern and Northern Crusades returned, and Jerusalem regained its former prosperity.

The Crusader aristocracy living in Jerusalem was numerous, and they did not want to live in remote fiefdoms, but concentrated in the cities, where they were both wealthy and comparative.

A Song of Winter and Hot Summer, this book carries too many of Lothar's private goods, including the sale of grape purple clothes; Gorgeous, sturdy, flexible, and easy-to-maintain plate armor; and cutlery made of metal.

The aristocrats of this era, when eating, often only used wooden spoons, most of them were still hand grasps, and he believed that the "Westeros table manners" described in the book would definitely open the eyes of many nobles.

There is no demand, and the demand is forcibly created.

This should be the earliest marketing, right?

"Your Excellency!"

Ulm led a group of cavalry.

Lothar couldn't help but complain to Andreas on the side: "Look, today is really a special day, I think I should hold a special court meeting for this, instead of sitting here and wanting to take a nap, but being disturbed by people one after another." ”

It was the first time he had been relaxing in the mansion, and he had planned to spend some time with Pranya and Fringilla.

Andreas smirked and didn't answer.

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

After saluting Lothar, Ulm said, "Your Excellency, did you not authorize me to set up a country circuit court?"

This heretic, whose name is Aziz, has made a complaint against me against Lord Adnan of the village of Abdu, and I have brought him back to you without knowing what to do. ”

Lothar was amazed: "Adnan, I remember the name, on the second day of my arrival in Hebron, he presented me with three fine horses and a season of taxes. ”

Ulm was stunned: "My lord, shouldn't I bring him back?" ”

Lothar shook her head and said, "No, of course you should, that's why I want you to open a circuit court, I have to let these heretics know, and there is someone who can control the tax collectors who ride on their heads." ”

He looked at the infidel named Aziz.

The nose is blue and the face is swollen, but it is miserable, and it is obvious that he has just experienced a severe beating when he came.

"Aziz, I am lord of Hebron, Lothar von Habsburg, and since you are willing to accuse the head of your village against my Rangers, you must have heard my name. I heard from my border inspector that your wife was raped by Adnan, is there any proof of this? ”

On the side, the cavalryman named Senmut talked to Aziz for a while, and replied: "My lord, he said that he has no evidence, but this matter is not a secret in the village, and many people know about it. ”

"Did you send someone to verify?"

Lothar looked at Ulm.

Ulm embarrassed: "I'm sorry sir, I'm afraid of alarming this Adnan. ”

Lothar shook her head and said, "No need to apologize, it's normal for you to have concerns. ”

Many of the villages of this era were quite closed, and it was impossible for a foreign face to ask for news.

Lothar looked at the infidel, his clothes disheveled, with many marks on it that looked like he had been torn by the branches of a tree as he ran.

Just looking at the face, Lothar believed nine points.

But he still said: "Aziz, I have to warn you, if you are making false accusations, once it is verified, I will sentence you to hang." ”

"My lord, he said that he swore in the name of the Holy Fire that if he said a lie, the corpse would be pecked by vultures and never thrown into the flames. ”

Lothar bowed slightly.

He only asked programmatically.

If there is no real grievance, who would think of accusing a pagan lord of the "master" in his village against him?

As a model of buying horse bones, Lothar attached great importance to this matter, and he said: "Ulm, you immediately go to the city guard to find someone from the village of Abdu, or who has relatives there, to find out whether this matter is true or not, and if it is true, immediately lead your troops to attack this Adnan's mansion." ”

Ulm took the order.

Senmut also translated these words to Aziz.

Aziz immediately fell to his knees, his voice choked and thanked him repeatedly.

Before he came, he had already considered that Lothar would hang him indiscriminately, and he also considered that Lothar would use him as a bargaining chip to blackmail Adnan.

I didn't expect things to go so smoothly.

Even if there is a language barrier, Lothar can feel the sincerity of the other party.

He smiled, "Don't be grateful, Aziz, you, as my people, have an obligation to protect you while enjoying the taxes you contribute. ”

Lothar ordered someone to take Aziz down and find a room to rest in.

Andreas opened his mouth and closed it again.

"What are you talking about?"

"My lord, I understand your thoughts, but wouldn't it be too intense to move two pagan 'heads' in a row in one day?"

He carefully sorted out his words, and did not say the greatest concern in his heart.

Lothar smiled, "It's fierce, I'm hoping that they will join forces to start a rebellion, and I have a reason to wipe them out." ”

Although these pagan leaders have money, they cannot be converted into military power in a righteous and bright way.

If the opponent is not a heretic, but a group of Western European lords, even if they spend money and mercenary groups, they can cobble together a large army of tens of thousands of people.

But there is never an if.

"A group of stinky fish and rotten shrimp, do you really want me to spend a few years, or even more than ten years, slowly grinding with them? I don't have that kind of leisure. ”

Lothar muttered to herself.

"But if you want me to see it, as long as the division is famous, there is no possibility for these people to unite at all."

Don't be afraid, don't be afraid.

But if it really starts, it will consume the development potential of the whole of Hebron.

(End of chapter)