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

The Ibelin family owned many manor properties in and around Jerusalem.

This place outside the city is the most peaceful.

Large areas of olives are cultivated outside, which is the main source of maintaining the oil pressing workshop of the Ibelin family in the city.

Lothar, led by Kevin Knight, walked straight into the quiet room at the deepest part of the manor.

My lord, the earl has arrived.

come in.

Baron Godfrey's face looked really bad. Seeing Lothar coming, he forced himself to sit up. His usually straight spine now looked a little rickety.

Lord Godfrey.

It made you laugh.

It's really funny.

Because Baron Godfrey's old injury was on his third leg.

This is something that would be very sad to happen to anyone, but to outsiders, it always seems a bit funny.

Lothar held back her smile and consoled her: Don't worry, Bishop Uldin will be here soon. He is my man. Not only does he have superb medical skills, but he also has a strict manner of speaking.

This can finally explain why Baron Godfrey, who is still relatively young, took great pains to bring Balian, an illegitimate son, to the Holy Land and inherit the title.

Legalizing illegitimate children is easier said than done.

I have to thank you, Lothar.

Baron Godfrey's expression was a bit complicated. Bishop Uldin was now the bishop of the Alandre diocese, and he was nominally considered a prince.

This kind of person is just a follower who was supported by Lothar.

Unknowingly, the son of his former best friend has become a great figure in the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Lothar teased: What relationship do we have? You are too distant to say so.

Ah.

Baron Godfrey couldn't help laughing and said: There will be many people against you in the palace meeting tomorrow. Raymond may not stand up, but he must be one of the people who oppose you.

Lothar was slightly startled and chuckled: One Jerusalem cannot accommodate two great vassals, right?

Baron Godfrey had a complicated expression: The confrontation between the two powers, in his view, will probably push the kingdom further into the abyss of division. Moreover, he has always opposed any behavior that may intensify the situation in the Holy Land.

Lothar said sternly: Saladin wants to regain Jerusalem, and there will be a battle between us - but he may indeed stay out of it.

The County of Tripoli is located to the north of Jerusalem. If he sells the territory in the south, including Jerusalem, and makes peace with the pagans, there is really no need for Count Raymond to become an enemy of Saladin.

In short, he and his supporters will oppose you.

Don't worry, I have many supporters. Petra, Tih, Zugar, Shao Keba, and the lords of Sanoril will all support me.

Although not all of Lothar's vassals were his loyal supporters, quite a few were dissatisfied with Lothar out of jealousy or being too tied to Leonard.

But there is a statue of an angel, and this part of the malice is already very slight.

In addition, Lothar's attack on the Sinai Peninsula this time gave most of the benefits to the vassals under Runfei.

Seeing that Lord Petra and the second son of Baron Argon, who followed Count Lothar, both got the Barony of Tihe, and the second son of Baron Zugar, who was the second to join the army, also got the Diocese of St. Catherine.

Which boss is more promising to follow?

Is this still a choice?

Bundling interests is sometimes more reliable than holding a banquet and confiding in one's heart.

Baron Godfrey frowned: But you still need more supporters - I have a few friends who hope you can support their second sons.

Lothar was startled for a moment, then smiled: Welcome.

Once I can establish a border jurisdiction, I can legitimately continue to expand my territory. By then, they will all be granted territory.

Baron Godfrey showed a satisfied look: It would be great if you could understand. As long as you agree to take in their second son and give them a territory in the near future, they will be willing to support you.

Lothar agreed readily: That's no problem.

Only you can offer such a bargaining chip.

Baron Godfrey's scattered territories were no weaker than a powerful earl when put together, but he did not have the title of earl, and the vassals under him could only be knights at best.

The power of a lord cannot be measured by his title.

But a baron's vassal can never be a baron.

By the end of the Middle Ages, as the centralization of monarchical power continued to strengthen, only the king or the monarch of an independent principality could confer earl-level vassals.

Lothar smiled and said: Don't worry about how much burden this will put on me. This is when I am short of talents.

Godfrey's face showed a hint of a show-stopping smile: In this case, we will surely give Lord Tiberius a surprise at the palace meeting tomorrow.

Early the next morning.

Lothar wore no armor and only wore a light silk shirt.

Fringilla went out with Chelinina early in the morning. Since she had a new friend, the arrogant little girl became like a follower.

Prajna asked: Do you want me to wait for you outside the palace?

Lothar shook his head: Forget it, it's daytime now, so there shouldn't be any danger. Besides, I'm not sure when I can come out today.

Okay, then I'll wait for you at home.

Lothar's heart warmed slightly, and she squeezed her hand gently, then turned over and jumped on the horse, leading two winged cavalry, and ran towards the palace.

At the palace gate.

Very unfortunate.

He met Raymond.

Count Raymond wore an exquisite plate armor with a red background and a hollow yellow cross printed on the chest. He was riding on horseback and said condescendingly: Count Lothar, I have to thank you for giving me this plate armor. It's really It’s beautiful and practical.”

Lothar nodded slightly: I hope it will be as indestructible as our friendship.

Raymond hummed: It depends on what you do next. You are an ambitious young man, but the kingdom can no longer afford the trouble of young people like you.

Lothar frowned: I don't think I did anything wrong by attacking the territory of the infidels, weakening the enemy, strengthening myself, and preparing for future wars.

Raymond snorted coldly: How arrogant. What is the difference between what you did today and what Leonard of Chatillon did yesterday?

Lothar said calmly: Of course there is a difference. Leonard is just a brainless fool. He was so arrogant that he invaded the pagan holy land when Saladin still had to deal with domestic chaos. This happened to give Saladin the opportunity to divert internal conflicts. channel.

Leonard expanded into Hijaz, once threatening the Two Holy Lands of Zoroastrianism, and ultimately suffered a major defeat.

If Lothar continues to expand southward, it seems that it will indeed follow Leonard's old path.

Today is different from the past, Lord Raymond, and I am not Leonard.

Raymond looked cold: Losa, are you sure you want to stand on the opposite side of me?

Sir, you know me. I am not willing to be your enemy, and I have never wanted to separate the kingdom.

Lothar's tone was humble, but she didn't show any sign of shrinking.

Oh, it's good for young people to have courage, but even if your father is in front of me, he doesn't dare to disobey my will.

Raymond snorted: Let's wait and see at the court meeting.

Lothar continued without being humble or condescending: I hope the result will not disappoint you.

The empty hall was now filled with nobles from all over the world.

Lothar and Count Raymond walked into the hall one after another, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

Baron Argon was the first to come to Lothar and said respectfully: Good morning, sir.

Lothar and Count Raymond were like two whirlpools, each quickly attracted a circle of nobles and gathered around them.

He was greeting these nobles with a normal expression. When Earl Raymond looked at them, he smiled and nodded to him.

Earl Raymond's expression became even colder.

He went straight to the empty throne, the throne that belonged to him alone as the regent.

The court meeting begins.

He looked around and people fell silent.

In terms of prestige, Raymond is already the top among the many nobles in Jerusalem.

In his opinion, Amalric and others from the Queen Mother's Party were just a bunch of clowns, and they had never caught his eye.

The first thing is that bandits have been raging on the pilgrimage road in Galilee recently. As the nearby lord, Hugo of St. Omer, you must receive three lashes and order you to eliminate them as soon as possible within a week.

Raymond looked down at the nobleman who had a solemn expression and said yes respectfully. He nodded slightly and said, Since you have agreed, there is no need for further court discussion on this matter.

Hugo of St. Omer was his vassal.

Do you want to show justice by attacking your own people first?

There was a smile on Lothar's lips.

Raymond looked at Lothar again and said solemnly:

The second thing is about Lothar, Count of Transjordan, who repeatedly provoked border conflicts. Not only did he show no intention of repenting, but he tried to petition His Majesty the King to establish the Transjordan border jurisdiction and grant him the legal right to attack infidels at will.

As soon as the words fell, the sky filled with boiling water.