On the streets of Jerusalem.

In a smoky, sweaty and hormonal tavern, Otto was holding a wooden wine glass and watching with interest as a duel was about to begin.

Two knights from the Continent, still swearing at each other in country slang with a local accent.

Otto couldn't even understand what they were saying—he guessed it was Gaul with a Castilian or Navarre accent.

These Crusader knights from Iberia were as rare in Jerusalem as North Germanic crusaders like Ned.

The onlookers applauded and heckled enthusiastically, looking forward to a battle of iron and blood that would please them.

This is nothing new for Otto.

Knights may draw their swords against each other over any trivial matter.

Some are for the honor of the lady they like, and some are just for a quarrel.

And not only knights.

Duels between civilians, and even clergy, often took place in battle, fighting against anyone who defamed their honor.

It is not uncommon for battle monks to be dressed in monks' robes, wielding flails and war hammers on the battlefield.

In many local court trials, it is often used to judge who is guilty of a duel.

It may sound unfair, but it's much more reliable than throwing people into the water to see who rises and falls.

Although the Pope has repeatedly stated in public that the duel violates the spirit of "non-violence" of the Catholic Church, and although this spirit does not come from nowhere, in recent years it is said that in the Papal City there is indeed an argument that judicial duels should be forbidden.

But it is estimated that just like the so-called "bow and crossbow ban", it will eventually be reduced to a dead letter.

He stuffed a date into his mouth, chewed it thoroughly, and the fierce sweetness greatly satisfied his taste buds.

For Otto, dates are a rare delicacy.

As for the later generations, in the eyes of the Donghua people, the disadvantage of being too sweet and greasy is the biggest advantage of this era.

In this day and age, any condiment is a luxury!

Otto reluctantly stuffed the last date in his hand into his mouth, rubbed his somewhat sticky hand on his body, and secretly sighed: "It is said that there are countless date palm trees in the territory of Lothar, and you should bring more when you leave." ”

At this time, the two knights had already begun to push and shove, and even their respective subordinates and companions had a tendency to draw their swords against each other.

In this era, there are duels, heads-ups, and group fights.

It's just that Lothar hasn't met the latter yet.

The people of the Holy Land in the tavern, or the native knights, couldn't help but let out a burst of boos.

The tavern keeper walked out with a war hammer: "Gentlemen, please refrain from it, if your battle has caused me damage, I will claim compensation from you according to the law." ”

"Ha, that's it, what age are you still playing traditional duels, why don't you have a Gwent card?"

Someone whistled.

Some people also joked: "Look at their muscular barbarian appearance, you can know where they play to understand such high-end goods as Gwente." ”

As soon as these words came out, they immediately attracted a burst of approval.

It was as if the knights, armed with swords and mounted spears, had gradually become obsolete in duels in the jousting arena.

In fact, these newly arrived "foals" in the Holy Land have long been regarded by the Jerusalem as barbarians who only know how to wield the sword.

The martial spirit of the Franks did reach the wealthy East, and there was a gradual decline.

The Germanic tribes, who once inhabited the bitter cold land, were driven south by natural disasters in a poor manner, destroying the rich (and indeed poor) empires.

And during the First Crusade, he went on an expedition and dealt a heavy blow to the torn Saracens.

The poorer you are, the better you can fight, and those who wear shoes are afraid of bare feet, which is true.

Then.

The tavern doors are open.

More than a dozen knights, heavily armed and brightly armoured, were the first to step into the tavern.

They walked with heavy steps, their armor bright enough to show their faces.

The red and white robes of the same color made them look not as showy as ordinary knights.

It was immediately recognizable as a high-end "full-body plate armor" from the city's largest armor workshop.

Otto's eyes widened.

Among these knights, there were several familiar faces, all of whom he had brought from Allgäu.

But after changing into a new outfit, he was a little unrecognizable.

The knights stood on either side.

The atmosphere became solemn.

People realized that a big man was about to come out.

The next moment, a young man dressed in red and white ******** tied with a black cloak embroidered with a dragon's head embroidered with gold thread strode into the tavern.

"It's the Count of Lothar!"

The people whispered.

In the eyes of the vast majority of people, this Count of Lothar is a great man in the Holy Land.

Even an old nobleman like the regent Raymond, a prince equivalent to half a king, in their eyes, is not as legendary as Lothar.

In just a few months, he jumped from a knight to a baron, and such a high position as the Earl of Transjordan did not rely on marriage, but on military merits, which is really rare in the world.

The young nobles, surrounded by knights, looked around.

The invisible majesty oppressed the crowd so much that they were speechless.

Otto opened his mouth...... Is this the power of my brother in Jerusalem today?

It's horrible.

How the hell did he do it?

yes, how the hell did he do it?

This is not only Otto's doubt, but also the doubt of all Jerusalemites.

Lothar walked straight to Otto: "You follow me to my territory, there may be a few small battles to be fought in the near future, and you follow me, which can be regarded as a rise in knowledge." ”

Otto nodded subconsciously, feeling a little faceless in his heart.

"I'm your brother, so you talk to me in such a commanding tone?"

Lothar said helplessly: "Brother, come with me to Hebron to help me fight." ”

Otto was satisfied, and his vanity was greatly satisfied: "No problem! ”

Lothar looked at the two knights who were just about to duel, and said, "The Holy Land is in danger, if you are brave, it is better to take it to the battlefield to fight the infidels. ”

"I have no right to interfere with your sacred duel, this is the right given to you by the Father, I am just giving you a suggestion."

The two knights nodded sneeringly, looking at the back of Lothar leaving, and couldn't help but have a thought in their hearts.

The great nobles should be like this!

…

After receiving Otto into the palace for a pilgrimage, Lothar offered to return.

Jeanne said, "Do you need to be in such a hurry? ”

"Although Hans has taken charge of himself, the port of Ayla has just been taken, and it is when the undercurrent is surging, and you are not there, I am really worried."

Although Lothar himself is not a talent in internal affairs, he knows at least one thing, that is, it is easier to win over civilians, and there are more civilians.

Kill the most and eat the most.

After the arrival of Lothar, the interests may be damaged, so the original vested interests who are the most resistant are resistant.

No matter how generous this group of people is, to win over the poor and support new vested interests - to put it bluntly, it is to fight local tyrants and divide the land.

In addition, under Lothar's command, the new group of knights who accepted allegiance could be assigned to a place to guard a village and town for him, as well as a manor estate.

Lothar always believed that his greatest wealth was not these territories, but the growing number of loyal and reliable soldiers who had been systematically transferred.

Lothar now has five territories: Hebron, Port Aylah, the Diocese of Aramdelor, Jogrusburg, and New Habsburg.

There is no doubt that the potential of the port of Ayla and the new Habsburgs is the greatest.

If the former is open to trade and can collect a large amount of commercial taxes, the merchant ships of the Red Sea will transport an endless stream of goods from East Africa and Tianzhu to him.

The new Habsburgs, on the other hand, will produce a large amount of fertile land that can be cultivated, but its original commercial hub is somewhat insignificant due to the rapid acquisition of the port of Ayla by Lothar.

The inland trade route through Montreal is only secondary to the sea trade route.

Hebron was also the first capital of King David and the largest source of revenue under Lothar.

Especially after the purging of the largest local chiefs, the tax that can be contributed to him here is tentatively estimated to be around 30,000 gold coins per year.

Next, it only takes a period of development to wait for the peasant troops under the command of these edict knights to be trained.

His strength will swell to the extent that he can match the title of Count of Transjordan and not even inferior to the Count of Tripoli.

Under Lothar, the importance of the infantry, which was dominated by peasants, was in fact unquestionable.

Lothar did not develop infantry at first, because he was limited by the situation at the time and could not do anything about it.

It's like the Saracen armored infantry who was crushed with little to no effect in the strategy of driving sheep and devouring wolves.

They were also brave warriors, but they were swept away by their own scattered levies.

Who really thinks that the infantry is useless.

Lothar's sworn enemy in the mock war, the son of Philip, Duke of Burgundy, and Charles the Bold who had his head split open by the Swiss halberdiers, has something to say.