kingdom of nations

Chapter 258 Saladin's Day (Part 1)
When Saladin awoke, it was around 3:30 a.m. The sky was still a cobalt blue, and the crescent moon and stars, like pearls and mother-of-pearl, hung high in the black velvet dome. Their light came from thousands of miles away and fell on Saladin's bedside, as if paving a glorious yet illusory road for this new king.

He slowly sat up, gazing at the tranquil yet magnificent scene.

No matter how skilled the craftsman, how ingenious the scholar's ideas, or how exquisite the man-made creations, they can never compare to the nature that God has bestowed upon them.

In that instant, his mind was clearer than ever before. He seemed to hear the prophet's admonition again. Saladin looked up at the sky, but was disturbed by the shadow cast on the wall.

After Saladin rejected the Assassins' pleas for peace, the atmosphere in Cairo suddenly became tense. Guarding his door and corridors were all people who had received prophetic guidance. They were fervent and resolute. Even a slight breeze that tried to pass through their defenses without permission would be fiercely seized by them. And any slight sound, even the breathing of bricks or the trembling of vines, would arouse their extreme vigilance.

The head eunuch walked in.

He knelt down three steps away from Saladin, prostrating himself devoutly at his feet, touching his forehead to the cold stone bricks.

Saladin did not speak to him, but went straight off the bed and into the bathroom next door. Except for the three coldest months, Saladin never bathed in warm water.

He believed that giving his body some stimulation would actually help him to think more quickly and strengthen his body. Water flowed down from the top of his head, from his forehead, jaw, shoulders, chest and back to his bare feet.

He was purifying himself, not just his body, but also his soul. For Saladin, it was more like a trial and torture, allowing him to remain clear-headed each day.

He had once entered Apol's castle and lingered in Caliph Adid's palace; he knew all too well how unrestricted power and human weakness could corrupt a former warrior and king.

He is now the true owner of Egypt, but he is unwilling to use the title of Sultan in his official capacity. In his letters and self-designations, he only uses the title of "Victor" (which is second only to Sultan). He mints coins, but does not use his own image; instead, he uses the name and image of the Abbasid Caliph.

He has always maintained that he is merely the adjutant and commander-in-chief of the Abbasid Caliph—of course, no one would bother to find out where this so-called Abbasid Caliph is.

But each time he referred to himself in this way, it was a warning, a reminder to Saladin that he had not yet fulfilled his vow to God—any slight or slackening would cause him to lose his original intention on this long road.

Saladin stretched out his arms, and the chief eunuch and two servants dried his hair and skin, helped him change into a loose white round-necked robe, and then put on a black robe, which was still not made of silk, but of thick cotton cloth, and tied a belt—a wide black leather belt, with a silver buckle on which a scimitar was hung.

Saladin covered himself with a small round hat, then wrapped a long strip of cloth around it. Finally, the chief eunuch brought him a black, sleeveless wool cloak. This was probably one of the few changes Saladin made after becoming Sultan, but he still refused to wear any gold jewelry; he wore only a silver ring on his hand.

Throughout this process, Saladin remained silent. After returning to his room, the chief eunuch lit a brazier for him. He sat cross-legged on the carpet, closed his eyes, and meditated until he had recited the scriptures three times. Only then did he slowly open his eyes and ask, "Have the children all come?"

He asked, "The visit of the Assassin leader Sinan earlier made me realize that my sons might not have the courage and boldness that I thought a warrior should have. I was disappointed by their cowardice, so I ordered all the boys to be gathered around me and raised."

Even if some of them are still infants.

They lived in a palace with Saladin, no longer surrounded by fragile, fickle, and passionate women, but by their father and the most trustworthy, resilient, and powerful warriors.

Saladin's greatest concern was, of course, for his eldest son, Efdal, hoping only that his previous behavior was merely temporary and had nothing to do with his true nature. "I dined with Efdal, Usman, and Aziz."

He was referring to his three eldest sons: the eldest, the second, and the third.

He then named several other ministers.

Saladin's breakfasts were always very simple, because the Prophet forbade them to drink alcohol. Therefore, Saladin mostly drank milk, spring water, or a mixture of the two, adding sugar and salt to the water.

A merchant offered him a new product from Cyprus: a type of sugar about the size of a finger, crystal clear, and more like some kind of mineral than a condiment.

This candy was very popular with women and children. However, after inquiring about its price, Saladin did not include this special candy on his purchase list, as the merchant had hoped.

But the merchant returned shortly after, this time offering an astonishingly low price. Saladin assumed the merchant wanted some privileges or protection in his kingdom, so he questioned him and decided that if the merchant wasn't too greedy, he would grant his request.

Unexpectedly, the merchant said that it was because someone who had once done him a favor had asked him to do it, and that it was nothing compared to Saladin's past magnanimity.

During his more than ten years of military career, Saladin captured countless nobles, Turks, Christians, and even Saracens who became his prisoners.

But how could he not know who this person is?
Everyone knows that Cesare, the landless count who served King Arrassal, saved the life of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I and was thus able to marry a princess—although this princess was now an illegitimate child because his mother's marriage to his father had been declared invalid—but she also received a considerable dowry—Cyprus.

And what Cyprus is most famous for today, and which has quickly become popular throughout the Mediterranean region and is spreading rapidly inland, isn't it rock candy?

Saladin remained silent for a moment before readily accepting the reward. Some might say that this reward was meager compared to Saladin's past generosity, but Saladin knew very well that Cesare did not equate this simple gift with a return—because Saladin was the kind of person who, once he approved of someone, would favor them in many ways and be willing to share good things with them.

Kamal saw Saladin's finger linger over the stack of rock candy for a while and guessed that the Sultan must be thinking of the young Christian knight. If things went as they expected, perhaps they would meet on the battlefield in a month or two.

When that time comes, the young knight will inevitably fight the Saracens for his king and God. Will Saladin forgive him? As before—but what if the young man refuses, or even dies on the battlefield?

"What are you thinking about?" Saladin suddenly asked. Kamal hesitated for only a moment before saying, "I'm thinking about that young man."

Saladin laughed. He didn't need to ask to guess what Kamal was thinking. "If he hadn't fought so hard, I would have looked down on him."

We fight for our respective beliefs, territories, and honors, just as tigers and lions tear each other apart in the wilderness. The victor can obtain the flesh and blood of the loser and continue to live, while the loser can only become a pile of bones in the wilderness.

We are no different from them; we have no room to retreat or shrink back. I admire him and value him. If he is willing to come to me, I will gladly accept him, even if he is unwilling to convert, it is not a big problem.

But if we were on the battlefield, and he stood opposite me, hoping to use our past feelings to steal or beg for victory, I would find it unbearable.

This is blasphemy.

Do you understand, Kamal? I'll look at him with regret, like seeing a crooked tree branch. The only thing I might do is swing my sword and cut it off.

“I believe he’s not that kind of person, but I just feel a little disappointed,” Kamal said.

"Father, who is that person you're talking about?" his eldest son asked curiously.

Although Saladin had been disappointed in them, he never showed it. In front of his children, he was a kind father. Apart from being strict with them in prayer, studies, and martial arts, he was very lenient with them in terms of clothing, food, and shelter. For example, the three children were now wearing blue, yellow, and green clothes with silk trim and a little embroidery.

If they were adults, they would have been reprimanded by Saladin, but for now they are still being treated leniently by their father.

“He is older than you,” Saladin said, “but younger than me, yet he is a praiseworthy young man. In my opinion, no one is more faithful, steadfast, and pure than him. His heart is perfectly matched with his body. And the revelations he has received from the prophets are so profound and perfect.”

He was able to protect over a hundred knights at a time, allowing them to repeatedly charge through a camp of tens of thousands without a single one being seriously wounded or killed.

"Wow!" The children exclaimed in surprise, their eyes shining with admiration, like twinkling stars. "Could you call him over? Let us meet him and have him be our teacher."

Saladin chuckled softly. “I would love to, but it’s unlikely, son. He’s a Christian.”

(End of this chapter)