In the Middle Ages, people drew cards to be promoted to nobility.

In the afternoon, the sun is just right.

The scattered light spots passed through the fan-shaped leaves of the cultivated palm trees in the courtyard and fell on the new book in Lothar's hand.

The exquisite illustrations in the new book depict the witcher Van Helsing fighting a naked vampire.

It's a serious fight!

This is the current hardcover version of the witcher novel, and many illiterate nobles are willing to pay for the illustrations in it.

Life is back on track.

Temporarily far away from the war and the turbulent extraordinary world.

Lothar, whom Jeanne nicknamed the Tsar, was currently lying on a soft bed covered with a thin printed blanket and engraved with a lion. On his hand was a glass of wine chilled in the well.

He lay in a paralyzed posture, picking up the wine glass and taking a sip from time to time.

He is really relaxed now!

You also have to take it easy.

Although Lothar now only occupies one-third of the Sinai Peninsula, some time ago, he wrote a letter and sent it to Baldwin IV, clarifying his intention to establish the Sinai frontier jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

In the final analysis, I still want the false name of vassal lord.

This needs to be recognized by the Kingdom of Jerusalem, otherwise it can only be called the Margrave of Brandenburg. In the empire, he is still called Count Mark.

It has no legal effect.

It is worth mentioning that Berlin, the famous capital of the Second and Third German Empires, is still a wasteland.

The person who ruled Brandenburg was not the Hohenzollern family that was familiar to later generations and established the Second German Empire, but Count Albrecht of the Ascanian family.

He was originally the Duke of Saxony. Due to his defeat in the war, the Welf family, where Henry the Lion belonged, seized the Principality of Saxony and its title.

The Hohenzollern family now rules the County of Sauron in Swabia and the County of Nuremberg in Bavaria, and is considered an old neighbor of the Habsburg family.

A false reputation is useless to others, but not to Lothar.

Moreover, it was not just in name. After establishing the border area, it actually gave Lothar the legal basis to declare war on the pagans alone and launch a crusade.

When the Brandenburg Border was first established, the territory was not as large as it is now. It was only through repeated attacks against the Wende and other pagans that it expanded to its current territory.

pity.

Baldwin IV asked him to calm down. His recent performance was too eye-catching. Within the kingdom, many nobles believed that Lothar should be summoned back for questioning.

This is still a win.

Princess Sibylla once said that Lothar should not be far away from Jerusalem, the center of power.

Because once you stay away, you will suffer all kinds of criticism from your political opponents.

Now, Lotharian's position as the grand leader of the Royal Knights has a tendency to be unstable.

The Queen Mother's Party, which had gradually recovered its vitality, began to stir up troubles and wanted to compete for power with the Lord's Party. The Royal Knights, who were currently uninvolved, was their target.

But Lothar didn't care.

As a prince, he was the king and emperor in his own territory. He had soldiers and money, and most of his vassals supported him.

No one can do anything to him.

However, the establishment of the Sinai Border Region can only be postponed for the time being.

Jeanne brought a plate of watermelon cut into segments, came to sit down next to Lothar, and stretched out comfortably: Such sunshine is really suitable for a good sleep.

Click.

The sound of Fringilla chewing a chocolate bar sounded: Sir, you don't care about this woman. How can you be lazy all day long, the noble chief knight?

You have the nerve to say it.

Lothar complained silently in her heart.

Don't talk nonsense, I have serious business.

Jeanne finally lay down in a comfortable position, picked up Lothar's half-empty bottle of wine, drank it all in one breath, and then said:

Cools wrote in. He's doing a pretty good job at Phil Orne.

He estimates that by the time Phil Aoun is completely settled, the annual tax and expenses should be able to reach 3,000 Suludes.

Currently, Phil Aoun has formed a standing city guard army of 200 people. In wartime, it can provide up to 1,500 levied peasant soldiers.

When Jeanne said this, she couldn't help but said with some pity: It's a pity that your reputation is so famous. Before our army arrived, the local leaders of Filhorn abandoned their land, manors and mansions, carrying their gold with them. The silver treasure has gone to live with relatives.

It's indeed a pity.

Searching homes can be addictive.

Without the selfless support of those local leaders, Losa would not have been able to carry out such large-scale public construction such as building water conservancy projects, public toilets, and opening up wasteland.

He said: When Phil Orn is basically stable, we will return to Hebron. There should be no more wars in a short period of time.

It is said that there will be no war.

In fact, this was because Lothar didn't like being a robber.

Otherwise, with the current weak strength of his neighbor Rauf, even if Lothar does not want to occupy new territory, sending a team of cavalry to his territory to burn, kill and loot every once in a while is a good source of wealth.

Frankly speaking, if you hope to farm and graze cattle in the rubbish land of Transjordan and Sinai Peninsula, you will die of poverty.

Unless it is like the Bird Manor in Hebron, which has natural fertilizers and manure, the income from farming is relatively high, comparable to the fertile soil in Gaul.

But benefits cannot be calculated this way.

Agriculture is the foundation. Only when agriculture develops smoothly, Lothar's rule will be more stable. The common people at the bottom will be more inclined to create humans, and the number of newborns who can survive will greatly increase.

A larger population means more tax revenue and more soldiers.

It's like New Habsburg, which was originally a negative asset owned by Lothar, but has just turned a profit.

But as the population continues to accumulate, a lonely castle or village in the past is now tending to build a new city.

It is foreseeable that in the future, this place will become a land commercial hub that is at least as good as Hebron and Ella Port, and has even higher potential.

But these are long-term plans, and it is difficult to make qualitative changes in the short term.

From this point of view, the short-sightedness of noble gentlemen is not unreasonable.

Today, we are plowing deeply and investing in the territory. The territory may be taken away one day. It is better to rob it cleverly, hold the money in your hands, and be ready to run away at any time.

…

Just as Lothar was planning to return to Hebron to retire.

A new piece of news forced him to stop his salty-fish mode.

His new neighbor who already borders Egypt, Adil, led an army to the border and claimed to have talks with him!

Lothar was actually a little surprised that Adil would interfere with his expansion.

Despite their large territory, the Ayyubid and Sassanid dynasties actually governed local areas no differently than the eastern rule of border areas.

Most of the great empires of this era can be called bulk.

Strictly speaking, even Saladin of the Ayyubid dynasty was actually a vassal of the Sasanian King of Kings, but could the Sasanian king control Saladin?

Apparently not.

Adil only brought 2,000 people with him, but he did it in a big way. He probably didn't mean to fight with me. I guess he wanted to negotiate with me, my new neighbor, to show his strength and let me know that he was there. I can’t afford to offend Egypt, who is sitting here.”

Lothar quickly judged Adil's purpose and ordered: Jean, lead a team of winged cavalry, let's go meet Adil.

No problem, but only the Hussars?

Lothar said helplessly: Otherwise, I will also go out with all my troops and hold an armed parade? Our family is weak and cannot afford such a waste.

Some of the Knights of the Order are in their respective fiefdoms, and some are serving as officers in the Black Eagle Standard Corps.

Moreover, their speed was slow, and Lothar's trip was not for fighting, so he had no intention of taking them with him.

It doesn't make much difference if you bring it.

The gap in hard power between the two sides is too great. Egypt's current population is estimated to be several million.

The population of Alexandria, Cairo and other big cities alone is several times the total of Lothar's entire territory.

In terms of foundation, the entire Kingdom of Jerusalem cannot be compared with Egypt.

The location of the meeting was set at the border between the Barony of Tich and the Saracen Territory of Garat.

The loyal Baron Tich, Lothar's order knight, Bolvar, wanted to lead his Petra knights to escort Lothar, but he refused.

As a Knight of the Order, there is no doubt about loyalty, so there is no need to do some face-saving projects.

At the time agreed upon by both parties.

Lothar and the accompanying hussars lined up on the hillside, waiting silently.

After a while.

There is smoke and dust in the distance.

The black-armored cavalry were so densely packed that the edges could not be seen, sweeping forward like a torrent capable of swallowing the world.

The khaki color of the desert is gradually covered by black.

The hussars looked at this scene and couldn't help but become nervous.

The war horse snorted and scratched the ground uneasily.

Jeanne whistled: It's so majestic. I don't know when you will be able to do it. You are escorted by thousands of elite armored cavalry when you travel.

I'm afraid that will have to wait until I conquer Egypt. The position of the governor of Egypt is no less valuable than that of a king.

He lightly clamped his legs on the horse's belly and ran forward first: Let's go, let's go see this Savoddin.

Arrive at the tent set up in front of the cavalry formation.

Lothar could clearly see the guards around Adil, many of whom were holding weapons made of magic-blocking gold.

Count Lothar, long time no see.

Adil wore a golden cloth mask and a black cloak. This man, whom the Crusaders called Savodin, greeted Lothar with his hand on his chest, and then handed him some water.

Thank you.

Lothar made a sign of the cross in front of him and drank the water without hesitation. According to the teachings of Zoroastrianism, there is a rule that you cannot harm the person who drinks the same bowl of water with you.

Although this kind of gentleman's agreement has always been to guard against gentlemen and not against villains.

But even a villain must value his reputation.

Lothar also smiled and said: I heard that not long after you arrived in Egypt, you suppressed the rebellion of the Nubians in the south, and the entire Egypt was stabilized by your thunderous means.

I'm right, Zahir is nothing compared to you.

Adil coughed slightly, remembering Lothar's last provocation in front of Zahir.

Lotha, before I met you, I didn't find anyone among the Franks who could speak as eloquently as the Greeks.

Let's get down to business, Governor Savodin, what are you going to talk to me about?

Adil's face was slightly cold: You have already reached the door of my house. Now come and ask me what I want to talk to you about?

In the tent, the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Do you mean there is a big desert across the door from your home? Savodin, you have the whole of Egypt, are you still afraid that I will pose a threat to you?

Lothar sat on the chair with a relaxed expression.

The expression on Adil's face became gentle again: I will not look down on you, Count Lothar. After all, you have defeated me with your own hands.

Is the peace treaty signed by my king and Saladin still valid?

certainly.

Lothar smiled and said: So, let's maintain the status quo. You continue to stabilize your Egypt, and I continue to increase my strength. We all know that sooner or later, you and I will have a battle.

Adil added: But not now.

However, you can no longer expand to the Sinai Peninsula, otherwise I will lead my cavalry and trample you to pieces first.

Lothar smiled and said: I really have no intention of continuing to expand, but for your threat, I just want to say that you can try.

Adil snorted coldly: Do you think I am a waste like Rauf?

Lothar shook his head and said: I will never look down on you, but I naturally have my confidence - to be honest, it will cost a lot to take so many cavalry on this trip, right?

The great desert of the Sinai Peninsula is Lothar's barrier.

The projection of force in the Levant region is limited. There are deserts everywhere here. If a large army is deployed, the risks and losses are extremely high.

Adil smiled and said: It's not much. This trip is just the terminal here. It is also one of my plans to shock everyone along the way.

Okay, that's it. When you and I meet on the battlefield in the future, I won't hold back.

Adil smiled and said, Me too.

The two looked at each other and smiled, each running towards their own camp.

…

After returning to Port Ella.

Otto told Lothar that he had received a letter from Count Werner asking him to return to Europe to fulfill the engagement.

The next day, he set out gloomily.

Lothar sent him off in person.

Looking at the depressed Otto, he comforted him: Be more open-minded, haven't you always envied me for my power? Your father-in-law is already old, and several of the people who are at the front of the line of succession are not in good health. Maybe one day I can go to Luo Duke Lin’s crown will fall on your head.”

The Duke of Lower Lorraine is much more majestic than the Count of Transjordan.

Where can such a good thing come from?

The vast majority of heirs cannot wait their entire lives to inherit the title.

Otto shrugged: But I also thought about it. Lothar, you are indeed stronger than me, more courageous, and luckier. I can't compare with you.

But revitalizing the Habsburg family is not your business alone. I should also pay something.

Lothar patted him on the shoulder: Yes, revitalizing the Habsburgs is our common wish. I once had a dream that our Habsburg family was elected as the king of the Germans. The emperor can only elect a king, and must be crowned by the pope before he can be called an emperor), occupying Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, the Lowlands, Lombardy, Venetia, Iberia, and the entire world has our territory .

Is this a divine revelation?

That's it if we accomplish this great thing.

Ha, Lothar, let us work hard together.

He held out a chainmail-gauntleted palm.

There was a snap.

Their palms touched and then held each other.

Lotha, I will never forget what you said.

On his face, he had the same gentle smile as when he watched Lothar leave home and embark on the Eastern Expedition: May Heavenly Father bless you and have a prosperous military fortune.

Lothar also became serious: May Heavenly Father bless you and spread your branches as soon as possible. On the day of my coronation as king, I will invite you to watch the ceremony with my father. I hope that by then, I can see Habu The next generation of the Fort family.”

boom.

Otto punched Lothar on the shoulder: Why is the crown so good? If my father hears your flirtatious tone, he will definitely beat you up.

Lothar said arrogantly: He is a count, and I am also a count. Why should you beat me?

The smile on Otto's face gradually disappeared.

Recalling the time when Lothar and I made mistakes, we were beaten together and slept in a stable together. Looking back at Lothar now wearing gorgeous plate armor and a dragon-headed cloak, I can't help but feel a little sad.

He was a little reluctant to let Lothar go, and he couldn't worry that Lothar, with such ambitions, would sooner or later join a new round of war.

Okay, it's getting late. If we don't get on the road, we won't be able to reach New Habsburg before dark. Didn't you say you still want to stay there for one night?

Lothar urged.

Okay, I'm leaving.

Wait a moment.

Lothar threw out a heavy money bag: Take these - Argau is a poor place, spend more money to support the place, don't let your father-in-law look down on you.

Otto hesitated for a moment, then put the money bag into the saddle bag.

gone.

He made a sign of the cross on his chest, and then, without looking back, he took the two knights who were escorting him and galloped away to the north.

Lothar watched his back disappear behind a sand dune before turning and leaving.

Tomorrow is a new week.

He planned to do some ideological work on Fringilla tonight and ask for Cellinina's cookie box.