Damascus.

Saladin's court was a beautiful garden, with a vast rectangular courtyard separated by a royal passage separating two large pools of clear spring water.

The marble walls of the palace are engraved with a full set of Zoroastrian scriptures, as well as the poetry and aphorisms of the sages and scholars, inlaid with gold, ivory, all kinds of ornate utensils, porcelain, showing the rich wealth of the owner here.

Syria and Egypt, the two most central territories of Egypt and Arabia, are among the richest places in the entire West Asian region.

In the court, two black-robed warlocks are casting spells, relaying the words and deeds of Renard, the former king of the Dead Sea, in a rippling picture of water.

At the head of the city, the Crusader soldiers were indignant.

You can clearly see the expression on Renard's face, a slightly distorted expression of anger, and the fingers of the chainmail gloves, even buckled into the rammed earth walls.

It took a long time for him to let go.

He spoke slowly: "Indeed, as the lord of Calleburg and Montreal, it is my duty to protect the pilgrims, and all the previous dereliction of duty and mistakes are indeed my mistakes. ”

A strange smile appeared on Renard's face: "If your army wants to pass, just escort Her Royal Highness the princess away." ”

"Or does your army think that in this small fortress, hundreds of sergeants are a big problem for your army? Do you need to wait for us to throw our weapons under the city, tie our hands together, and go out of the city to surrender, so that you dare to enter the country with confidence? ”

Renard's response was a mess.

Since the peace treaty was signed, he has seldom even plundered caravans, and even if he did, it was difficult to find evidence.

It's not uncommon for a caravan or two to disappear in the middle of nowhere, and no one knows if it's the Bedouin nomads who come and go, or the occasional cameo bandit.

In his previous assault on Jerusalem, Saladin was unable to exert all his strength due to the poor climate and logistical conditions, as well as the threat of the King of kings from the east.

At present, Sassanid Persia was attracted by the enemy from the east, and Saladin, who had just quelled the civil strife of the remnants of Zangi and had the help of the caster, was sure that he would reclaim the Holy Land, and that all he lacked was a reasonable excuse for going to war.

The Saracen generals under the city were speechless for a moment.

They wanted to provoke Renard, and with the greedy and reckless nature of the "King of the Dead Sea", it is likely that he would take risks in order to kidnap Princess Basma and extort a high ransom.

This gave them an excuse to go to war.

But never thought that Renard didn't take the bait?

"There are hundreds of people, so naturally they are not in the eyes of our army."

Renard smiled: "Since it's not, your army will go." Count Lothar, the lord of Transjordan today, has always been known for his justice, and any pilgrim or caravan can cross the border safely as long as they pay taxes and tolls. ”

Reynard paused slightly, and sneered, "I just don't know if he will allow such a large 'escort team' of your army to pass through his territory." ”

Obviously this is not possible.

The general of Saracen, who had been defeated by Lothar's men, knew better than anyone that he had defeated Lothar of Zahn and Rauf the Impaler, and that his power was among the best in the Crusader King's kilometres.

His thousand-elite, when he enters Lothar's territory, will only be swallowed in one bite.

"It seems that Renard's strength has weakened, and even his temper has improved, which is a bit of a thing."

Saladin was a little emotional, and he smiled and greeted the black-robed mage beside him: "Your Excellency, please pass my order to Camille, since Renard has promised us to cross the border, ask for a document with his seal, and ask him to escort my sister out of Renard's territory, and then return." ”

"By the way, be sure to warn him not to harass and loot civilians, and to put my sister's safety first."

Looking at the Saracen cavalry in the distance, the crusaders at the head of the city were angry, aggrieved, and had a sense of happiness for the rest of their lives.

Including Renard, he was even a little happy, looking forward to this Saracen cavalry rushing to the territory of Lothar, Baron Argonne and others, causing them a lot of trouble.

As for losing face, that's really a loss.

He could even feel his new wife, looking at him, the "brave" Crusader general, with doubts and puzzled eyes.

Renard was a little surprised that he was not as angry as he expected, and his face had already been lost after the king had withdrawn the titles of Earl of Transjordan and Lord of Hebron by the king's own hands that day.

Therefore, once people give up their bottom line, there really will be no new bottom line.

It's a big deal that you're going to plunder my territory, those villages just got ravaged a few months ago, and there's not much left.

If it weren't for the "gift money" he received from his vassals by marrying a new daughter-in-law, he wouldn't even be able to maintain the hundreds of standing troops in Calleburg, let alone rebuild those villages.

Saladin motioned for the two casters to cut off the frame.

Takiddin, Saladin's nephew, a fat white man with big shoulders and a round waist and a fat face, coughed lightly: "My lord, we have captured the head of the rebellion, Saleh, do you want to interrogate him personally?" ”

Saladin was silent and bowed slightly: "Bring him up." ”

Tajiddin immediately shouted: "Bring the rebellious Saleh forward to reply." ”

In contrast to the spirits of Lothar when they first met him at the hotel, Saleh was now covered in blood, and his torn armor had been stripped of him, leaving him in tattered silk underwear.

He raised his head and looked at the man he had already hated, and he sneered: "Rebel Saladin, what do you see me doing, and want me to kneel in front of you and ask for your forgiveness?" ”

Saladin frowned, but his tone remained calm: "I have treated you well enough, and your mansion in Damascus, your maids, gardens, delicacies, and fine wines, have never lacked you, so why have you betrayed me?" ”

Saleh's face showed a hint of sarcasm: "Saladin, by virtue of your father's emissary, you sat in the position of the prime minister of Fatimid Egypt, and betrayed my father, and you are unwilling to pay even a small tribute, I ask you, is my father not treating you well enough?" Why did you rebel against my father, and imprisoned his son, and took his city? ”

Saladin was silent for a moment.

Tajidin said secretly, my uncle is really dizzy, what is there to argue with the remnants of Zanji, can it still be said that the black is white?

What he meant was that his side belonged to the black.

"Oh, I'm speechless, rebellious."

Saleh stiffened his waist and sneered: "You'd better kill me, otherwise, I'll continue to fight you." ”

"I'm not going to kill you, Saleh."

Saladin was silent for a moment, then spoke: "There are still several Kurdish tribes north of Armenia, and I have appointed you the position of Governor of Georgia and sent you to unite the Kurdish tribes. ”

"Ha, Saladin, Georgia is also your territory? Why don't you make me the governor of Constantinople and let me run away to the land of the Greeks as emperor? ”

Saleh leaned back with a smile.

Georgia was once part of the Eastern Empire, and is now an ally of the Eastern Empire in the East, and Queen Tamara, from the royal family of Bagration, is often referred to as the female ruler of the Eastern Empire.

"The wolf king, you should have the ability to dominate the wolves everywhere."

Saladin didn't laugh, but said in a flat tone: "You want to be my enemy, and if you don't have a force that is truly loyal to you, what are you talking about?" Do you really think I have you in my eyes? ”

From the beginning to the end, Saladin was only fighting against the opposition, whose interests were suffered.

Saleh is nothing more than a down-and-out prince, a wretched creature with a so-called "righteous name", but in fact there is not much power of his own except for a few supporters.

Saleh was silent for a moment.

Sneered: "Oh, Saladin, you're showing your hypocritical, ridiculous demeanor again, aren't you?" Do you think that in this way, others will no longer call you a despicable rebel, a villain who is about to tear up the contract he has just signed and wants to start a war? ”

"You'd better kill me, or I swear I'll be your worst enemy!"

"Huh."

"Perhaps."

Saladin did not mean to be angry, he raised his hand to his chest: "May the Holy Fire bless you, brother." ”

"Phew!"

Saleh sneered.

"Takiddin, send Prince Saleh to his 'domain'."

Takiddin looked at Saleh's hateful eyes, and said in his heart, does his uncle have something to say, and he wants to get rid of this guy halfway?

"Don't be cranky, just take my orders literally."

Facing Saladin's wise and calm eyes, Takidin was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly said, "Yes, my lord." ”

(End of chapter)