kingdom of nations

Chapter 282 Three Requests (Part 2)

As the governor of Damascus, Lazis's demands were not excessive, except for a few people—some were fanatical believers who thought that only by sending all the infidels to hell could they have fulfilled the task God had entrusted to them; while others enjoyed the killing and derived ulterior motives from this cruel act.

But most people, even the Templars, were no longer as frenzied as they had been when they conquered Arathal. They whispered among themselves, then looked at the king, which was considered an agreement to the first request.

“And the second request?” Baldwin asked.

"The second request is that after the peace treaty is signed and the promises are made, you must swear an oath on the True Cross, using your faith and honor to ensure that you will not break the oath, and at the same time, you will also set a rule for the knights under your command."

This request immediately sparked a flurry of discussion in the tent. It was Damascus—a city that had haunted countless Christians, a city they had never possessed, even though it was so close. Yet it was such a formidable fortress—like Eleanor, the Duchess of Aquitaine, who became the wife of both Louis VII and Henry II—wealthy, beautiful, and possessing unshakeable military strength.

If it were any other city, the Crusaders wouldn't care whether it was engulfed in fire and destroyed, just as they would be happy to see an ugly old woman, Isaac, tied to the stake.

Aside from warning himself to be more careful when entering conquered cities in the future, even Patriarch Heraclius felt no psychological burden—the deaths of thousands of infidels did not move him, but only made him feel relieved.

At that moment, Baldwin made the final decision: "I agree," he said, turning to the people in the tent. "Now that you have agreed to the first request, what's wrong with taking an oath? It's like going up to a devout monk and asking him to kiss the cross and swear to remain chaste for life and serve God. Would that be putting him in a difficult position?"

“We are just…” a Frankish knight said, then stopped abruptly.

They just felt a little humiliated, after all, the Saracens were the defeated side, and they were the victors. It was absurd for the victors to listen to the losers.

But Baldwin knew that Lazis's request was not unfounded. The Crusaders' reputation had never been good before. They had even plundered Constantinople, the capital of their ally, the Byzantine Empire—after being treated with great hospitality—to the point that the people of Constantinople had to drive out their own reinforcements before they could even defend themselves against the enemy.

During their attack on the Holy Land, they frequently broke their promises, reneged on their oaths, and even distorted the truth.

Lazis's demand that they swear an oath under the True Cross was not because he believed their oaths, but because he wanted them to check and balance each other. This was not something to be said casually in a tent, something that could be retracted or fabricated afterward.

They will swear an oath before everyone's eyes to the most sacred thing in the world. If they break the oath, it is hard to say whether a devout monk or a knight with ulterior motives will rush out to severely reprimand them or file a complaint with the church.

Since Baldwin had said so, even though some people were still somewhat unwilling, they had to rationally remain silent.

"Now, tell me your third request." Baldwin stared sternly at Lazis, hoping he would understand that his presence here was largely due to his and the Crusader Knights' leniency.

If his demands are too harsh, some knights and lords would rather owe the Isaacs a debt than not get revenge, and at that point, even he might not be able to stop them.

“The third request is…” Lazis raised his eyes and glanced subtly at the people around the king—the lion was staring intently at another lion: “We hope to have the person we desire appointed as the next governor of Damascus.”

Upon hearing this request, Raymond snorted and laughed, while the others' gazes shifted from a hint of admiration to utter mockery and ridicule.

These mocking remarks and ridicule were, of course, directed at Lazis. When Lazis made this request, their first thought was that Lazis was planning to sell out the entire Damascus for his own benefit.

This war was initiated by King Arazarus, just like the wars of Bilesbeth and Fustat. Once the city’s inhabitants finally succumbed or went to hell, the city would belong to the lord who started the war. Vassal states and mercenaries had no right to usurp the throne, and the allies who came from afar would not stay here. To rule the city meant that they would have to spend the next few decades in war against the Saracens.

Of course, they were guaranteed a share of the victory, which was often compensated by the king with spoils, promises, or territories elsewhere.

They also wondered whether the king would entrust the governance of the city to the Knights Templar or the Knights of the Good Church, which was a common practice, just like Bethlehem—originally governed by Bishop Andrei, the priest of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, on behalf of the king.

Or perhaps it was one of his trusted ministers. After all, the king rarely left Arazari unless on a distant expedition, so the guardian of the Holy Sepulchre would be a figurehead. But Damascus was so important that the person had to be a brave and skilled warrior to fight against the forces surrounding Damascus, whether they were Saracens, Turks, or Armenians…

The Saracens, in particular, are currently weakened by fighting amongst themselves, but once any one of them becomes the alpha wolf or grows slightly stronger, they will turn their attention to Damascus.

At the same time, he cannot be a fanatical believer or a foolish mob. There will still be 65,000 or even more Saracens in Damascus. If he is not prepared to kill them all and plunge Damascus into a period of emptiness that lasts for several years or even more than a decade—like the Arazarus of the past—they must leave behind someone who can appease them.

So, is Lazis using his first request to achieve his third? Although he will inevitably lose all his original power and status, even being a puppet is better than being a commoner who can be exploited at will.

"So who do you want to be the governor of this city?" He was sure that if Lazis could say that, there must be a candidate.

As for this candidate... Baldwin also thought that Lazis would volunteer himself, or recommend a scholar respected by the residents of Damascus. Lazis could do it, but a scholar could not.

Saracen scholars held far too important a position in their community; he wouldn't even leave a single scholar in the city. With one present, he could easily become a minister, general, or even a leader... He couldn't take that risk; Baldwin wasn't that naive.

“We hope that Cesar, the Knight of Bethlehem, the Earl of Edessa, and the Lord of Cyprus, will be the governor of Damascus.”

Upon hearing this, many people in the tent thought they had been cursed by the devil and turned into deaf people. Some even felt a sudden darkness before their eyes, thinking they had also become blind.

They didn't expect it at all.

In the final battle, King Arazarus and his knight Cesar charged like lions into a herd of buffalo, roaring and charging, crushing countless valiant Saracen warriors under their holy light.

César's awe of these Saracens even surpassed that of the king (who willingly became a foil to his presence). As the man who laid the foundation for the Christians' final victory, they believed that even if the Saracens did not hate this young knight, they would at least hope that he would disappear from their sight as soon as possible. Now they actually wanted to make César their governor. Were they crazy?
Or is it brewing a new conspiracy?
At this point, whether they loved or hated Cesar, they instinctively wanted to refuse the request.

But before the king could refuse, Lazis spoke first: "Don't you trust your most trusted minister and brother?" Then he added, "He defeated us fair and square, without using any tricks or harming a single innocent person."

Whether scholar or warrior, dying at his hands would not be considered unacceptable. We have long heard of his deeds in Arrassa, Bethlehem, and Cyprus. He is a benevolent and tolerant ruler, and he has already shown us what he will do when he acquires a new territory.
Whether for Christians, Isaacs, or Saracens.

"What about the rest?"

"There are still 65,000 Saracens in the city. They can learn about the situation in other cities through letters and merchants, and they know how their kinsmen are being wantonly bullied and humiliated. We don't mind paying more taxes, but your lords can't be like our Sultan or Caliph..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone in the tent knew the adjective he was about to use. Although they didn't want to admit it, they had to say that before the religious conflicts escalated, whether in Syria, Asia Minor, or Egypt, whether it was the Sultan or the Caliph, the local pagan rulers did indeed maintain a tolerant attitude towards Christians.

Just as the Knights of Good Faith were founded because several Christian merchants petitioned the Fatima Caliph, who then ruled the Al-Arisa road, to build a hospital on the main road to the Holy Land, providing shelter and medical treatment for all pilgrims. The Caliph granted their request, leading to the hospital and the subsequent birth of the Knights of Good Faith.

Such a situation was not seen in Christian-occupied cities and countries. Temples were demolished, or if they were not, they were converted into churches. Saracen "scholars" were expelled, and pagans were not allowed to hold public ceremonies, including the five daily prayers. They were frequently subjected to unjustified bullying, being cheated, insulted, and falsely accused.

Even without converting, Christian knights could still be highly valued by the Sultan. Conversely, a Saracen could only ever be a servant and sacrifice in the Christian army, never able to rise to the position of minister to the king.

While the king was still pondering, Raymond stood up impatiently—his heart ached as if it were being soaked in vinegar.

"But we don't have the position of governor here."

“Now we have it.” Lazis: “We know that Damascus belongs only to the victors, and as the defeated, all we ask for is a truly tolerant and benevolent lord… My lord,” he turned to Cesar, “you have stayed in Damascus twice.”

I hosted you on your first night, and I admitted I treated you poorly. It was a test, but you were undeniably mistreated.

He suddenly drew his scimitar, and everyone immediately became alert. Some knights even began to pray quietly, and Cesar also grasped Baldwin's hand.

Baldwin didn't think Lazis would attempt an assassination at this moment—and sure enough, Lazis didn't point the knife at anyone except himself—he turned his wrist and slashed a bloody wound on his face, so deep that his tongue and teeth could be seen as he continued to speak with difficulty.

As everyone was stunned, he said in a voice that was no longer so clear, “I should cut off my tongue to apologize to you, but you will still need me afterward—I will tell them that I have brought them a respectable and good man, but after everything is settled, I will leave here, leave Damascus, and exile myself to the boundless desert.”

“Treat him,” Baldwin said calmly, then turned to Lazis. “Since you have a repentant heart,” he said somewhat reluctantly, “then you should not have tainted this sacred meeting with your blood. As for what will happen to you in the future, that will depend on Cesar’s judgment. If you act on your own again, it will show that your arrogance and pride still remain in your heart and should not be forgiven.”

A monk hurried over to treat Lazis. The wound, though gruesome, was actually less serious than an arrow wound, and it healed quickly. Cesar handed him a handkerchief to wipe away the remaining blood.

"And my second trip to Damascus... was with gratitude, and I received gratitude in return."

Lazis nodded dejectedly. Cesar bluntly rejected his kidnapping, and instead brought out ministers led by Kamal from Apollo, as a favor he had done for the Saracens—Kamal was even a friend of Lazis.

At that time, he led only a hundred or so knights to fight against thousands of pursuers and even won. Even though he collapsed from exhaustion, it was not a disgrace, but rather an absolute honor.

To this day, bards still sing this story in various castles.

The fact that Saladin and his generals were moved by such a feat means that the Saracens would not regard it as a defeat either.

The subsequent favor was not given by him, nor by the people of Damascus, but by Saladin. Regardless, Cesare did indeed recuperate in Damascus for a considerable period.
“Damascus cared for you like a mother cares for her child, even if they were merely obeying Saladin’s orders, but I still hope that those few days could be exchanged for a little bit of your mercy…”

"Is Cesare the only one among the Crusaders who will be remembered?"

A disgruntled voice rang out, and people looked over, not so surprised to find that it was Raymond.

Bohemond smiled and lowered his head. He knew that Raymond was the most likely person in the entire tent to be indignant. In the Crusades, or rather in the Roman and customary law of the Franks, there was almost no concept of a governor.

Just as France today is still composed of a single supreme ruler, the king, and his vassals, there is no single dictator who concentrates all power in the Christian kingdom.

The king is neither a sultan nor a caliph; he has no right to summon a subject at will and then hang him. Of course, there is no position like governor that can be taken away or abolished at any time.

So how does a king handle a new territory? Generally, one can refer to the practices of the previous kings of Arazarus.

The first Godfrey was unwilling to accept the crown, as he always called himself the guardian of the Holy Sepulchre. Therefore, after his death, his kingdom was handed over to his brother, Baldwin I.

However, Baldwin I was the ruler of the County of Edessa at the time, and instead of merging Edessa with Arrassa, he gave Edessa to his cousin Baldwin II.

Baldwin I had no heir, so Baldwin II became King of Arrassal. He then handed Edessa over to another male relative, Josephine I, who was Cesare's great-grandfather.

Therefore, if the new territory is large enough, the original king may go there to become king and leave his territory to his male heir. If he has a son, it will be his son; if he does not have a son, then it will be another male relative.

The problem is that Baldwin, the current owner of Damascus, has no sons. Therefore, the two most likely candidates to become the lord of Damascus are David and Cesar. Don't forget that they also have a right of inheritance to Alassa Road and all of Baldwin's territories, and they are both undeniably related to King Baldwin by blood.

But whether from the perspective of blood ties, reason, or emotion, Cesar is the one who is closer to Baldwin than David can even compare to him—in Baldwin's eyes, only Cesar can stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

Even though David already had Melsin, how could that isolated enclave compare to the wealthy Damascus? Moreover, even setting aside the perspective of a father, David was an invaluable candidate from the standpoint of a general. Those so-called bad habits that Raymond had criticized countless times had now become bargaining chips in the fight for the position.

Was his David not upright? Was he not kind? Was he not courageous, fearless, humble, and devout?

Moreover, the distance between Damascus and Tripoli is much closer than between Bilbao or Bethlehem, not to mention Cyprus...

At that time, the father and son can support each other. Even if David is attacked by the Saracens, he can send reinforcements.

In the future, they could even connect Damascus and Tripoli together. The original Count of Tripoli, Raymond IV of Toulouse, had to fight his way to Tripoli after missing out on the crown of Arrassa, which allowed him to establish himself in the Holy Land.

Every subsequent Count of Tripoli longed to acquire more territory, and this was a golden opportunity.

But the Saracen only took a step back: "I know David of Tripoli, who is also an admirable enemy."

But we only want Cesar.

We will not trust any Christian except him, not even you—that's why we're making this a condition here; otherwise, we would rather have a mad and glorious death than linger in prolonged torment.

(End of this chapter)