After sending the steward on his way, Norn sat in the hall, deep in thought.
Despite the Genoese steward's grand promises, Norn knew that the money might come with more trouble than it was worth. Although Venice was just a small city-state with a modest population, its thriving commerce allowed it to raise nearly ten thousand mercenaries, not to mention its fleet that dominated the Eastern Mediterranean.
Though Genoa had been making strides in recent decades, it still lagged far behind Venice in strength. If he agreed to partner with the Genoese, he feared he'd never have a moment's peace again.
"Forget it, forget it, I'll deal with it later," Norn shook his head, turned, and walked out of the study. Today was Uncle Otto's day off, and he usually came back to the manor to visit. Norn had to hurry to greet him.
Norn and the other knights rushed to the manor gates and, sure enough, saw Uncle Otto approaching on horseback in the distance.
"Uncle Otto, you're back?" Norn waved from a distance, his sharp eyes quickly noticing some new decorations on Otto's person.
"Thanks to you, Norn, I've been promoted to a Grand Knight," Otto happily ruffled Norn's hair.
"Really?" Norn smiled joyfully. Now his uncle was one step closer to obtaining the letter of indulgence, and he could go home sooner.
Meanwhile, an envoy from Saladin arrived at the court of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
"Your Majesty, the Sultan sends his greetings," the envoy, dressed in a gold and red brocade robe, spread his hands and bowed slowly.
Baldwin's face, hidden behind his mask, remained calm as he gave a slight nod.
"What fresh nonsense does that scoundrel Saladin have now?" Reynald, the Duke, who was seated to the envoy's left, didn't care that this was a diplomatic occasion and was chomping on a piece of pork. "It's not like he's having a son and wants us to pay him congratulations, right?"
This crude joke drew laughter from many of the nobles.
"Reynald! That's exceedingly rude!" A middle-aged man in a blue robe with the Jerusalem cross embroidered on his chest stepped forward from the envoy's right. He glared at Reynald and retorted, "He is an envoy of a nation, not a jester in your court."
"In front of the infidels, why bother with etiquette?" Reynald shot back, "Rather, you, Raymond of Tripoli, as a Christian, seem quite accommodating to these heathens."
Raymond stepped forward and said bluntly, "Compared to you, a mad dog, I'd rather coexist with the infidels. At least they don't indiscriminately slaughter civilians."
"They're just infidels!" Reynald flung the pork in his hand and strode up to Raymond, glaring at him.
"They have converted to our Lord!" Raymond was equally defiant, his scars writhing on his face as he moved, giving him a fierce appearance.
The hawks behind Reynald rose to their feet, and the doves behind Raymond began to argue.
Seeing the two major figures of the kingdom on the verge of brawling in the court, Baldwin finally raised his right hand to stop them.
"Silence!" The royal herald bellowed, finally quelling the anger of the two factions and making them return to their seats.
"What is your purpose here? Speak!" Baldwin gently said to the envoy.
As if the previous farce hadn't happened, the envoy still replied in an elegant tone, "Your Majesty, I bring a gift of peace from the Sultan."
"Sixty thousand gold coins, in the hope of restoring peace with your kingdom."
This caused the previously quiet court to buzz with chatter again. The nobles whispered to each other, carefully weighing the pros and cons. After all, sixty thousand gold coins was equivalent to the kingdom's annual income.
"Your Highness, more than half the kingdom has been ravaged by war, and the people are displaced. The kingdom needs time to heal and rest," Raymond stepped forward, his eyes filled with concern. "Moreover, the kingdom's army has suffered heavy losses and needs to be reorganized."
"Impossible! Saladin has just suffered a major defeat and lost a great deal of military strength. Now is the perfect opportunity for us to expand the kingdom's territory," Reynald jumped out and shouted at Raymond, "Miss this chance, and in two years Saladin will come back stronger. The outcome will be uncertain, and the kingdom will face another crisis."
"Silence!"
It took a while for the noisy court to return to quiet.
Baldwin spoke calmly, "Saladin offered sixty thousand gold coins. Is the only demand to conclude a peace treaty?"
"As wise as you are!" The envoy bowed deeply again, "To show sincerity for peace on both sides, the Sultan hopes you will cease construction and dismantle the castle at the mouth of the Yabok River."
"Hah!" Baldwin let out a scornful laugh, "Sixty thousand gold coins, Saladin thinks he's got a good deal."
"Sixty thousand gold coins can only buy a single brick of the castle," Reynald laughed loudly, his jowls shaking with every chuckle.
Even Raymond, who had been in favor of peace, did not agree.
Because the kingdom's nobles were well aware that the location at the mouth of the Yabok River was of vital importance. To the west lay the kingdom's important port, the city of Acre.
To the east was the region of Outrejordain. To the south was the kingdom's capital, Jerusalem.
To the north were the Golan Heights. If the kingdom successfully built a castle there, it would not only allow them to tax the frequent caravans, increasing revenue and influence, but also act as a thorn in Saladin's side—it was only a day's journey from Damascus.
The envoy looked up, still maintaining his composure despite the unfavorable situation, "How about one hundred thousand gold coins?"
This number was tempting, but compared to the kingdom's needs, it was insignificant.
"If that's all, then tell your Sultan this," Baldwin straightened up and said, "Use that money to build his tomb!"
"Does Your Highness not fear another war between our nations?" The envoy, no longer smiling, asked seriously, "Though my Sultan has been defeated, he can still muster tens of thousands of troops in Damascus. Your kingdom, on the other hand, can hardly gather four thousand soldiers now."
Reynald clenched his fist and roared, "Under the Holy Cross, my Lord's army is invincible!"
"Invincible!" The entire court shouted in unison.
Baldwin stood up and walked to the envoy, "Then let Saladin come! I can defeat him once, and I can defeat him again!"
The envoy tried to say something more but was cut off by Baldwin's wave, "Show him out!"
After the envoy was escorted out, Baldwin returned to his throne. The nobles below were excited; after all, they had just defeated Saladin at the Battle of Montgisard, and their morale was high. But Baldwin was well aware that the gap in strength between the kingdom and Saladin was still enormous.
"Reynald, send out the order to mobilize the kingdom's army," Baldwin paused, looking at both Reynald and Raymond, weighing the pros and cons before finally speaking, "I will personally lead the troops to provide support around the mouth of the Yabok River."
"Grand Master Odo, please send more men and complete the construction of the castle as soon as possible," Baldwin continued, then, thinking of a small but extraordinarily brave figure, added, "Let Knight Otto be in charge."
"Otto? Could it be..." Grand Master Odo seemed to guess something.
"That's right! It's a test!" Baldwin waved his hand, dismissing everyone and sitting alone on the throne.
Baldwin wanted to watch the sunset, but his already blurred vision made it impossible.
"This damned leprosy!"