Norn lay sprawled outside the classroom window, keeping a close eye on his newly recruited advisor and tutor, Leonardo, worried that he might say something inappropriate that could harm the young students.
Fortunately, Leonardo, standing at the podium, was very dedicated. He spoke eloquently to the students below, covering everything from the distribution of constellations to the characteristics of flora and fauna, reciting Greek epics and singing Latin poetry. It had to be said that Leonardo's knowledge was truly extensive. No wonder, despite being penniless, he still had tavern maids who liked to seek him out for "private lessons" at night.
"Master Leonardo, has Baron Norn truly been blessed by the Lord?" Togo, who was also attending the class, raised his hand excitedly and asked Leonardo.
"Why do you ask, little Togo?" Leonardo replied kindly.
"Otherwise, how could the baron have discovered the 'holy water'?"
Leonardo smiled gently, "Rather than saying Baron Norn was blessed by the Lord, it would be more accurate to say he discovered the treasure that the Lord prepared for humanity first."
Hearing this completely different perspective, including Norn, all the children present stared at Leonardo curiously.
"The Lord created light, air, continents, stars, animals, humans, and rest in the first seven days. Everything came into being at the Lord's command, but only humans were created in His image. Doesn't this precisely indicate that humans are the most favored children of the Lord?"
"The Lord has compassion for humanity and will send His Son to redeem our sins," Leonardo continued, making the sign of the cross and speaking with a serene expression. "But the Lord does not spoil humanity. He will admonish us when we err. Of course, He will also rejoice in our growth."
"But we grow every day, yet we don't see the Lord's blessings," a child questioned, puzzled.
"That's because human growth is not just about the body; it's more about exploring the world," Leonardo said, delighted by the child's question. "Individuals will eventually die, but future generations can draw on the wisdom of their predecessors to grow better. Isn't this the Lord's blessing to humanity?"
Looking at the hopeful children, Leonardo continued with hope in his voice.
"The mysteries of all things lie within the Lord's thoughts. As humans, the most favored children of the Lord, shouldn't we also seek to understand these mysteries and uphold the Lord's glory? Naturally, the Lord will bestow His blessings. Just like Baron Norn, who discovered the treasure left by the Lord for humanity and used it to benefit the world, sparing people from the suffering of disease. Isn't this the Lord's blessing to humanity?"
Hearing this, Norn was deeply shaken. These believers were really good at spinning a yarn! He himself had merely invented alcohol, yet they could still link him to the Lord. If he hadn't received a modern education, he might have believed it himself.
But seeing the inspired children, Norn stroked his chin thoughtfully, as if he had caught a flash of inspiration: to pursue science in the name of demonstrating the Lord's glory.
"Alright! Let's end today's class here. Go home and think about what the right way to explore the world is. We'll discuss it again tomorrow."
After assigning the "homework," Leonardo packed up his things and slowly walked out the door.
As he passed Norn, Leonardo playfully winked at him and then spoke kindly, "My lord, if you want to attend the class next time, just come in. It's not very convenient to listen from the window."
Norn felt like a student caught sleeping in class by a teacher who had appeared out of nowhere. He could only give an awkward smile. But this also made Norn respect the old man. This old man in front of him might be one of the pioneers of this era, bravely exploring the truths of the world.
"Master Leonardo, well done," Norn sincerely complimented the master this time.
"Not at all," Leonardo waved his hand. "My lord, just settle the teaching fee."
Norn rolled his eyes: Well, even a master is human and needs to eat.
"Norn, there you are," DeMol ran over from the side. "A steward who claims to be from the Genoese trading post is looking for you."
By the time Norn reached the hall, a very well-dressed merchant was already waiting.
"Good day, Baron Norn!" The merchant, dressed in a red fitted doublet and wearing a feathered round cap, bowed gracefully.
"Welcome. Steward," Norn looked at the Genoese merchant curiously. He didn't recall having any business dealings with him.
"Apologies for the intrusion, my lord," the steward replied ingratiatingly. "I come on behalf of all the merchants of the Genoese trading post to discuss a business deal with you. A big one."
"Oh?" Norn drew out the word, now intrigued.
The steward, anticipating Norn's reaction, deliberately paused, waiting for Norn to speak first.
But Norn wasn't going to fall for it and remained silent.
After a while, the steward finally couldn't hold back and slowly uttered a word: "Spices."
Norn's expression immediately became serious, and his eyes sharpened. The spice trade in the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the entire Eastern Mediterranean was almost entirely controlled by the Venetians, earning them profits like mountains of gold every year. These profits allowed them to build huge fleets and hire countless mercenaries, continuing to trade with both swords and goods.
Norn had no doubt that if anyone tried to take a bite out of their pie, the wealthy and well-armed Venetians would tear them to shreds.
"William! Show the steward out!"
"Please, my lord, hear me out!" Seeing William's threatening look, the steward quickly said, "Do you really want the Venetians to keep monopolizing the spice trade and dealing with Saladin?"
"Wait," the last few words clearly intrigued Norn, who waved William to stop. "Go on!"
The steward straightened his clothes, which had been tugged out of place, and said with a serious face, "My lord has just returned from the Montgisard battlefield. I believe you have captured many supplies from Saladin, including military equipment from the Apennine Peninsula, and even siege weapons."
Seeing Norn's silence, the steward continued, "Yes, all sold by the Venetians to Saladin. Only they would do business with the infidels."
"If that's all, you can leave," Norn sneered. "It's common knowledge that Venetian merchants sell goods to the infidels. The Pope has even threatened excommunication, but those Venetians remain unmoved."
"But we Genoese, as believers in the Lord, would never do such a thing," the steward tried to add weight to his words by making the sign of the cross.
"Humph!" Norn snorted. He trusted these merchants' integrity about as much as he trusted Saladin to lay down his arms and surrender.
Undeterred by Norn's sneer, the steward smiled tolerantly and said, "My lord may not trust our integrity, but surely you trust profit."
"Unlike the Venetians, who trade with the Slavs, Byzantines, and Saracens, a third of our Genoese income comes from the Church every year," the steward explained. "We can't afford to lose our biggest client for Saladin's sake."
"For you, it would be much more advantageous to let us Genoese control the spice trade. At least we won't sell extra goods to Saladin," the steward added honestly, facing Norn's skeptical gaze. "At least not for the next ten years."
"Of course, compared to the Venetians who only pay a meager annual tribute, we can offer much more."
"Why don't you go to King Baldwin then? Why come to me?" Norn looked at the relatively honest merchant and questioned again.
"It seems my lord hasn't realized your own power yet!" The steward's lips curled slightly. He felt Norn was almost persuaded.
"Your lordship's wool trade network spans the Anatolian plateau, Aleppo, and Damascus. These wool merchants can sell more than just wool," the steward finally revealed his purpose. "If you share this channel with us, we are willing to offer a substantial amount of gold nominals as a token of our gratitude."
"Cough, cough," William, who was drinking, choked on the number. Everyone else in the room was taken aback by the figure, and even Sassan, with her usually cold expression, looked at Norn with some anticipation.
But Norn's eyes narrowed slightly, and his fingers began to tap the chair rhythmically, as if he was thinking something over.
"I'm sorry, but I need a few days to think about it."
"Of course," the steward bowed deeply again, removed his hat with his right hand, made a wide arc, and finally placed it over his heart, as if he were facing an emperor rather than a ten-year-old baron.
"If my lord could deign to favor us within five days, the trading post has more gifts to offer."