"Lord Conrad, it's an honor to meet you."

Hans drew a cross in front of him.

He realized who the man in front of him was, in the world of yesterday's great ship, Conrad was the savior of the Holy Land, and was eventually elected king of Jerusalem, but he was assassinated shortly after taking this position.

Conrad smiled and said: "It's funny to say, I left Constantinople because I was inspired by the Count of Lothar, but I didn't expect to pass by him because of this." ”

Hans smiled: "My lord is willing to resolutely give up the eminent position of Caesar in the empire in order to protect the Holy Land, and your piety is really embarrassing to me. ”

Conrad laughed, "It's just a title in vain, I have two squires with me, and some followers, they are all pious and warlike warriors, many of whom were members of the Latin Cavalry Company of the Empire (Western knights hired by the Eastern Empire), if Grand Master Hans can introduce me." I would love to join the Royal Knights in the service of His Majesty the King. ”

"Sir Conrad is so revered that he is willing to condescend to the Royal Knights?"

Hans was a little surprised.

Conrad straightened up: "I did not come to the Holy Land for money or fame, but only to protect the Holy City and fight against the infidels. ”

Hans drew a cross in front of him again: "Praise the Father." ”

If it weren't for the fact that there was such a person in history, Hans would have thought that Conrad was telling a lie.

In fact, Conrad is also very helpless, the imperial Caesar is just a name, although he has also been a general of the army several times, but he does not have his own territory, and he cannot be compared with those real nobles with real power.

All his power and position depended on the imperial power, and since the death of Emperor Alexios, the accession of the regent Lagaia, and the repeated rebellions of the Komnenos, his position in Constantinople has become increasingly awkward.

This is also one of the reasons why he just slapped his ass and left.

If you don't have real estate, you don't have money.

If you don't have money, you don't have soldiers.

It is said that the status of Caesar in the dignified empire is respected, but in fact it is not as good as a local earl.

With his identity, if he fights in the whirlpool of power in Constantinople, he will be uprooted as a remnant of Komnenos one day, and he doesn't know how to die.

It is not a good choice to return to the Marquis of Montferrato, his father died some time ago, on the way to the Holy Land, and the territory is inherited by his brother.

His choice is also based on multiple factors such as devotion to the gods, his own character, and the consideration of pros and cons.

The attendants, servants and guards who followed him added up to less than thirty people, and the so-called imperial Caesar was really aggrieved to do it, so it was better to come to the Holy Land and use his martial arts and strategy to gain a reputation.

After all, he was of noble birth and high status, and if he performed some meritorious deeds, he could easily obtain a piece of territory—just as in history, after saving the Holy Land, he was elected king of Jerusalem by many nobles of the Holy Land.

Hans was a little puzzled and said, "I am naturally willing to introduce Lord Conrad, but I don't understand, you obviously have other more suitable channels." ”

"You mean Princess Isabella, right?"

Princess Isabella is the child of the former king Amarric and Maria Komneen, the daughter of Amarric's wife, and is also supported by the knights, and is used to compete with the Duke of Sibylla for the succession to the throne.

It's just that the heir designated by Baldwin IV is, after all, Sibylla's son, so both in prestige and fame, is a big cut behind Princess Sibylla.

Conrad smiled bitterly: "I have divorced the princess of Komunen, after all, she is an Orthodox Christian, and we don't get along well. ”

By divorcing Princess Komnenos and saying goodbye without saying goodbye, he has completely offended the Komnenos family, who are still one of the largest princes in the empire, although they have been pushed out of the political center.

But now they were too busy to take care of themselves, and they couldn't find Conrad's trouble.

Divorce?

Hans was a little stunned.

No wonder Conrad seems so down, if he can have the support of the Komnenos family, Conrad will at least have to bring hundreds of elite soldiers to the Holy Land.

"Knight Hans, I have learned about your way of governing the army, although the number of royal knights is small, but it is well-trained and disciplined, among the imperial legions, except for a few, it is difficult to have such a powerful royal knights."

Hans modestly said, "You have overdone it. ”

Conrad said: "This is by no means an exaggeration, I have served as the commander of the imperial army many times, and in my eyes, you are definitely a very outstanding commander. ”

Hans hurriedly waved his hand: "This is not my credit, the Royal Knights were originally in the hands of Baron Goldfrey, and later handed over to the feudal lord Lord Lothar whom I served, and improved the method of military training, I just stood on their shoulders." ”

"You're too modest."

Conrad laughed, "However, the Count of Lothar is indeed a master of military training, and his hussars are famous, and the shield guard has won the championship in the Constantinople athletic competition. ”

He knew the value of the Athletics of Constantinople, which was by no means comparable to those held by some country lords.

"To tell you the truth, I have heard of the Earl's policy in Transjordan, the Count of Lothar not only recruited and settled a large number of lords, but also built water conservancy on a large scale, reduced taxes for the lords, rented farm tools for free, and basically treated some heretic lords equally."

Conrad's eyes were full of doubt.

The exploitation of the people under their command by the Crusader lords was very serious, especially the pagan ones, and they could be overwhelmed by a high "unbeliever tax".

But the more this happens, the harder it is to gain their loyalty.

But the lords don't care about the so-called loyalty of these untouchables, and if they dare to rebel, they have their own butcher's knives to deal with them.

Even the so-called "compatriots" have a hard time living well on this land.

The rule of the entire Crusader kingdom over the Holy Land was more like a colonial regime, only superficial, never going to the bottom.

"But how long will it take to pay for such an investment?"

Conrad had a heartfelt doubt that such a huge amount of money could be piled up in gold coins, and even if it wasn't used for pleasure, it should be used to expand armaments and recruit more soldiers.

Invest in the land to engage in construction, if the territory falls, won't it all be reduced to other people's wedding clothes.

This is also the reason why most of the nobles engaged in exploitation in the Holy Land to accumulate wealth for themselves and their families.

Even if the Holy Land fell one day, they would be able to return to Europe with a great deal of wealth.

If you have money and a noble title, you can regain a fief for yourself when the time comes.

"I don't know, this may be a loss-making business, but adults are not businessmen either."

Hans considered the language, he was not a man of words.

"He just wants his people to be a little better off and not have to be fed all day long because of the heavy taxes, and it's clear that my lords don't think he's going to lose his territory."

Conrad was slightly stunned.

"It's a pity, I really want to see with my own eyes what kind of young hero your family is."

Conrad's eyes showed a hint of yearning.

He had seen many young knights and nobles in Constantinople, but there had never been such a man as Lothar, who was more like a character depicted in a legend, and he had always wondered if there really was such a person in this world.

Perhaps the legend is exaggerated.

But after coming to the Holy Land, I found that all this was not only not exaggerated, but because of the distance, it was not detailed enough.

Hans smiled, "There will be a chance." ”

He sighed lightly: "Saladin, the pagan king has solved his own troubles, sooner or later he will return his eyes to the Holy Land, my family will rush back, and when the time comes, there is a high probability that we will be able to fight side by side together." ”

Conrad laughed, "I'm looking forward to that day." ”

Hans got up and said, "Go, I will take you to your majesty, and he will be glad to have the service of such a pious warrior as you." ”

When I left the tavern, the temperature was not so hot.

Now that autumn has arrived, the temperature in the Holy Land has gradually become pleasant.

Ascetics wearing red crosses are preaching in the streets to pilgrims who have just arrived in the Holy Land.

It is true that the theological level of St. Lazarus was not very outstanding, but the poor preferred these ascetics.

Because they not only preach, but also spread medicine.

Conrad said, "I heard that the monks of the Order of St. Lazarus have recently developed an ointment for wounds called Lazarus Elixir, which heals much faster as long as it is applied to the wound, and it is also very effective in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. ”

Hans nodded, "Yes." ”

It was precisely because of the development of such an instant potion that the reputation of the Order of St. Lazarus was further expanded.

During this time, more and more people joined the Order, and they could be seen almost everywhere on the streets of Jerusalem.

"Such an effective potion should be promoted to the army, a big war is about to break out, these potions"

Conrad didn't finish, but Hans understood what he meant.

This precious potion should not be wasted on civilians.

It's not that Conrad is indifferent and ruthless, but he feels that things are prioritized, and the safety of the Holy Land is undoubtedly the most important thing in this current situation.

"Among the pilgrims, there are not many people who suffer from external injuries, and what is really used on them is usually some ordinary potions, and the stock of Lazarus potions is quite sufficient, so the lord does not need to worry."

Hans knows the inside story.

The Lazarus Elixir was developed by Father Ulding and the little witch Nisya, and the leaves of the Tree of Life were used in the recipe, so it had this immediate effect, and the yield was actually not low.

(End of chapter)