Lothar's relationship with Renard's monarchy was delicate.

The latter did not come to the Hajj or to bring the vassal tax, but only verbally recognized the position of the superior lord of Lothar, and Lothar did not seem to care.

The two tacitly acquiesced to the current situation, and neither had any intention of changing.

But Renard's fiancée, Lothar, must be saved.

Because this is the perfect time for Lothar to increase his prestige, seek political reputation, and regain de jure territory.

How can a monarch gain the support of his vassals?

It's not enough to be strong, you have to be able to do things for your younger brother.

In the eyes of many vassals, although Lothar has the ability to command troops, as a feudal lord, his strength is weak, far inferior to the old earl Renard.

In the Earldom of Outer Jordan alone, the strength of the Count of Lothar is even ranked third below the lord of Petra and Baron Argonne.

Even if the vassals owe allegiance to Lothar on the surface and have a certain affection for Lothar, they are far from loyal.

Otherwise, Zahn Aladdin would not have dared to first go to the caravan passing through the New Habsburg trade route, extract heavy taxes, cut off the trade route, and then send troops deep into Transjordan, and rob Renard's fiancée.

This is a provocation not to take Lothar in mind.

He was convinced that the divided counties of Transjordan could not be integrated against him by Lothar.

Jeanne's face was red, but her eyes were very clear, and she couldn't get drunk with this level of wine.

She turned the bottle upside down, took the last sip of her drink, and spoke, "My lord, I know you've always wanted to reclaim Ira Harbor. But I must remind you that within the Red Sea, there were no crusader fleets at all, and the infidels could take battleships and raid the port of Ella at any time. ”

Lothar frowned, "Indeed, in the face of the Red Sea, which is completely under the control of the Zoroastrians, it is easy to take down the port of Ella, but it is not easy to defend it. ”

He paused slightly: "However, people can't stop eating because they are afraid of choking." ”

"The port of Ella is the trade hub of the Red Sea to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and the possession of this port will provide me with a large amount of commercial taxes, and the port of Ella is one of the key nodes in maintaining the new Habsburg trade route."

"Even if I have to deal with Saracen pirates every day, I have to hold it in my hands here."

Jeanne sighed lightly: "And after taking it, how to govern it is also a problem. ”

"Just leave it to Coors."

Jeanne was stunned and sighed: "That's indeed a talent who is good at demagogy. ”

"The navy is indeed to be formed, but the surplus money in the treasury is more than enough to form a merchant fleet, but if you want to build a galleys for offshore operations, it is far from it."

The Ayyubids were not as powerful as the Crusader fleet, and several sieges of Tripoli failed to make progress.

The Norwegian bandits, who had taken warships and raided the coastal areas of Fatimid Egypt, were helpless to do so.

"It's too early to talk about taking Al Gil now, in short, this opportunity must not be lost, at least to recover the city of Alandre."

Lothar stood up and said solemnly to Jeanne:

"Jeanne, this battle, I don't doubt that you can bring me victory, but to win, you must also win beautifully, win heartily, so as to show my strength."

Jeanne also rarely got up: "I will." ”

"Like we used to do?"

Jeanne looked up, a hint of remembrance in her pale green eyes.

After a long time, the corners of her mouth hooked up a little: "That's right, just like we once did, my lord, Your Majesty, will definitely bring you victory." ”

The whole of Hebron has entered an intensive preparation for war.

The city guards loaded the beyond-armies into wagons that could be put together, and collected vehicles such as mules, horses, Bactrian camels, and carts - dromedaries were better for riding and were actually inferior to Bactrian camels as pack animals.

The news that the flames of war had been ignited again spread like a beacon throughout Transjordan.

During these ten days, Lothar had only canonized six Imperial Cavalry.

The remaining four places were accumulated by Lothar and left for the canonization of heroes in the future.

The hussars, having experienced the attrition of the previous war, now had thirty-six men, while the Varangian Guard had suffered less losses in the previous war, and had gathered fifty men.

But there are still more than 20 Varangian guards, who need to guard the blacksmith shop and the printing workshop.

Originally, only the blacksmith shop had this treatment.

But the popularity of the Gwent brand made the printing workshop one of the most lucrative industries in Lothar's hands.

In addition, engraving printing can not only be used to print books, but also can be used to dye cloth fabrics, once leaked, the loss is great.

Therefore, in this battle, counting the hundred remaining veterans, the elite standing army that Lothar can take away is only one hundred and fifty people.

In the field, Lothar was confident that he could easily defeat ten times as many enemies, but it was not enough to storm a castle.

So in this battle, Lothar still plans to make a surprise move.

It's just that we still have to put on a posture of attacking in a big way.

In addition to the 150 elite standing army, the streamlined city defense army also has as many as 200 people, and in this era, it can be regarded as an elite sergeant in armor.

Of the two hundred men, Lothar intended to leave only one hundred to garrison Hebron, and the other hundred to go into battle with the army.

In addition, it was the peasant soldiers recruited by the Imperial Cavalry, although they had only been trained in a short queue, but Lotha was pulling them, and they were only intended to be a show.

Now, he can't afford to storm a city.

In the afternoon.

Lothar is in the hall of the lords, discussing with Jeanne a strategy to break the city.

"Your Excellency!"

Hans, with a dozen soldiers in red and white robes, strode into the hall of the lord.

He issued a call-up order, and Hans, who was serving in Jerusalem, naturally had to hurry back.

Lothar stood up and patted Hans on the shoulder: "What are these?" ”

"Your Excellency, you have seen them, they are all warriors who fought with me against demons at the beginning, and they are also members of the Royal Knights, who have fought bloody battles against heretics under your leadership."

Of course, Lothar knew them, and he had deliberately brought Fringira to give them a "hint", but now it seems that it was his villain's heart.

Because a mere "hint" would at most make the knights appreciate Hans's kindness, and not denounce him to the church, so as not to become Hans's best friend.

But Lothar doesn't regret it.

Be careful, once Hans is found to be a werewolf, in the powerful Middle Ages, Hans has only one way to escape.

Even with Lothar's prestige, it will suffer a heavy blow.

Because the werewolves of this world, as they grow older, sooner or later they will be completely engulfed by animal nature.

A man who has killed werewolves and dragons with his own hands will not be able to recognize Hans's identity?

At that time, some of the nobles who have long been disgusted with Lothar are likely to incite such conspiracy theories.

"Of course I know who you are, Alexandres, Adrian, Adolf, and Joseph. I can name each of you. ”

A warm smile appeared on Lothar's face: "Don't forget, I am the Grand Master of the Royal Knights. ”

The knights and sergeants whose names he named immediately showed flattered expressions.

"Your Excellency, you remember our names."

"Of course, you're all great warriors, but what I want to know is, what you're here for?"

They spoke, "My lord, we want to swear allegiance to you and fight together against the infidels. ”

"We long to continue to fight under your command and to achieve feats, instead of being idle in Jerusalem."

Lothar nodded, "It's an honor to have your allegiance. ”

He drew his sword from its sheath.

The knights fell to their knees in a ceremony to pledge their allegiance.

Lothar has no idea of changing jobs for them for the time being, it depends on their performance in this battle.

The knights of the edict were required to equip the plate armor produced in the blacksmith's workshop, as well as the land that Lothar had given them to administer, and this was not for nothing.

"You should know me, as long as I make meritorious contributions in battle, I will not be stingy with a knight's title and fief."

Complete the canonization ceremony.

A knight had a hesitant look on his face.

Lothar spoke, "Alexander, do you have any requests?" ”

"My lord, if we do a good job in this battle, will you reward me with one of your Gwent cards?"

Alexanders had an embarrassed look on his face: "I'm sorry, my lord, I know this is abrupt. ”

Lothar said with interest: "It doesn't matter, if you have achieved enough merits, I will naturally not be stingy with such a little request." ”

The crowd suddenly showed a look of surprise.

Send these people away.

Hans was a little embarrassed and said, "My lord, you shouldn't know how popular the Gwent card is in Jerusalem during this time. ”

Lothar couldn't help but laugh and said, "Indeed, just looking at the account books presented to me by Curles, I really can't imagine that a knight would make such a request when he pledged his allegiance to me. ”

By evening, the army was ready.

Coors also returned from Jerusalem.

"Curs, you and Andreas stayed in the castle of Hebron during this time, if nothing else, the remnants of the powerful in those places are likely to take advantage of the opportunity to cause chaos."

"It's their last chance."

"Moder, you take the people, take care of the grain and baggage, and we will leave for New Habsburg tomorrow morning."

Lothar ordered.

(End of chapter)