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

The sky is clear.

The sun is strong.

Camel bells jingle.

After Lothar and his party entered Yanbu, by chance, they traveled with a group of Kurdish caravans.

The leader of the caravan was currently conversing with Lothar in Kurdish. His Kurdish had been perfected, and the two could communicate smoothly.

Strong mental strength means strong learning ability.

Coupled with Prajna, a good teacher, Lothar is now proficient in Arabic, Latin, Gaulish, and Germanic languages, except for Greek.

Old Hassan, how did you, a majestic chief, become a caravan leader?

There was a hint of helplessness on Old Hassan's dark face: Rauf wants us to hand over fifty pack horses, fifty camels, and provide thirty young men equipped with bows and arrows this year.

Our tribe is too small to afford such a heavy tax. We can only hope that this trip can earn enough money to buy slaves and pack animals.

Lothar frowned and said, Why don't you want to move away?

If the nomadic tribes cannot bear the heavy taxes, they can just move their families. Why should they continue to be Rauf's dogs?

We really want to leave, but where can we go?

Old Hassan looked gloomy: To the north, we have to cross the Huer Desert, which is called the place of death. We finally got here from there. The slightly fatter pastures to the east are also owned; to the west, the Crusaders Devil... I'm not talking about you, there are good and bad Franks, but Lothar the Butcher is definitely an out-and-out villain.

Lotha the Butcher?

Lothar's expression changed slightly.

Jeanne almost couldn't help laughing.

Lothar explained: Where did you hear Lothar the Butcher? As far as I know, Count Lothar is a benevolent lord who treats the lower class civilians very well. Even heretics can get good treatment, which is better than what you are doing now. This is much better.”

Old Hassan had a suspicious look on his face: I heard it from the imam. He is a highly respected elder. A saint who can communicate with the Holy Fire will definitely not deceive us.

It is said that any Zoroastrians who survived under his command had to convert to Christianity in order to survive.

All right.

Imam is a Persian term for a Zoroastrian cleric.

Lothar didn't say anything more, just said: Old Hassan, since you want to bring the caravan to do business in the Crusaders' territory, you might as well go and see with your own eyes. Find out whether I am lying or your imam is deceiving. about you.

Old Hassan was silent for a moment and said, I will go and have a look.

He said this, but the way he looked at Lothar was obviously more wary.

Lothar knew that it was no longer convenient for the two groups to go together, so he said hello to old Hassan and separated at the fork in front.

…

Old Hassan watched Lothar's back go away, and suddenly said: Let's take a path instead.

He didn't lie. The salt, cheese, and cured meat transported in the caravan were the most important goods in their tribe.

If they couldn't sell for a good price and couldn't get enough slaves and pack animals, they would have to send more young men from the tribe to serve under the brutal lord Rauf.

For the tribe.

He must be cautious.

Even the most valuable goods in his eyes were not even comparable to a set of specially customized high-quality plate armor in Lothar's eyes.

…

Lothar and his party continued on the road.

As if aware that he was not in a good mood, Cellinina took out a chocolate bar and handed it to Lothar.

Thanks.

Nothing... Sir, do you need me to deal with the enemy's leader for you?

Chelinina hesitated, but said.

Lothar was slightly startled, then shook his head.

No need.

Once Rauf dies, his territory will immediately fall apart and fall into a state of leaderlessness. At that time, he will only be eaten by his surrounding neighbors.

Jeanne rode the bloody horse and frowned: Keeping him is just like a piece of fat on your lips, right?

right.

Seeing that Jeanne's face didn't look good.

Lothar knew that she was recalling the border residents who died of being impaled on the border.

Even though she usually seems out of character, she is still a hateful person at heart.

Don't worry, I won't let him go.

Zayn can forgive.

But Rauf must die. Just not now.

It only takes two days via Vodikh and Tabuk.

Lothar could already see the Crusader flag flying over Ma'an Castle in the distance, as well as the black-and-gold lion coat of arms of Baron Isaac here.

Fringilla let out a sigh of relief: We're finally home.

This round trip is really boring.

Lothar sat on the horse and suddenly said:

Chelinina, if you were asked to lead troops to attack the enemy, what would you do?

I?

Cellinina was a little confused.

During this journey, you should have a certain understanding of the terrain and climate here.

Facing drought, thirst, scorching sun, poisonous snakes and scorpions, poor logistics, and the enemy also has geographical advantages, what will you do?

Chelinina was silent for a moment, feeling that being a general commanding troops was still too difficult for her now.

Especially with Jean Na Zhuyu in front.

She tentatively said: I will try to assassinate the enemy's leaders and use the sword to force them to provide supplies, hostages, and soldiers for our army.

Rauf's rule is far from as stable as it seems. Taking old Hassan as an example, the leaders of many tribal chiefdoms may not be willing to surrender to him.

I think using this method to divide and disintegrate them might work.

After saying that, she looked at Lothar with some anxiety.

very nice.

Lothar held back her smile and looked at Jeanne: Tell me what you think.

Jeanne said: Miss Cellinina's approach is actually very reasonable, but she did not take into account the most important point, which is your reputation.

Raouf is very smart in this regard. He stands with the Zoroastrian priests, avoids the important and takes the easy, and easily messes up your reputation.

Perhaps the fact that Rauf's rule has not collapsed until now is also due to your Excellency.

Lothar said helplessly: Chelinina, do you understand your problem? As a military officer, you must consider the problem more comprehensively.

Cellinina said thoughtfully: I understand.

Speaking of which, I thought my reputation wasn't that bad. At least, in the eyes of the Saracen civilians at the bottom, it should still be pretty good.

Lothar laughed at himself.

But how can the lower-class civilians he bribed have any say?

The massacres of pagans carried out by the Crusaders in the Holy Land made the image of the devil wearing the mark of the cross deeply rooted in people's hearts.

Even if someone knew the truth, would people be more willing to believe his words or the imam in the Zoroastrian church?

He offended the Saracen nobles by dividing the land, and offended the Zoroastrian priests by leading people to convert. He offended two groups of powerful factions at once.

Sir, do you regret it?

What do you regret?

Lothar was a little confused, but then he reacted: Are you talking about breaking the deep-rooted tax farming system? Or are you going to kill all the Saracen leaders in one go?

Both.

Of course I don't regret it.

Although those pagan local chiefs have the right to speak, if we don't take things from them, how about we take money from the serfs and free people who don't have much money in the first place?

Lothar snorted coldly: And those priests, you don't know how much land and money a temple has. I even want to suppress the Catholic churches, let alone them.

Normally speaking, it is most appropriate to pull one faction and fight another faction. This will make the enemy more willing to communicate secretly with Lothar, hoping to be reused by Lothar after the war.

It can also divide the enemy and reduce Lothar's resistance when attacking.

Jeanne's face was full of smile: My lord, you have chosen a more difficult path.

Lothar's face showed a trace of unruliness: If I want to pursue perfection and be willing to compromise, I am now the regent of Jerusalem, or a barbarian general in the Eastern Empire, constantly expanding my power, and trying to be like the queen. Dear Fangze, you have reached the sky in one step.

Again, I'm already cheating. Is it possible that I still have to kneel down and beg for food?

Besides, this little notoriety is nothing, there is not even a siege net.

No one pointed at my nose and scolded me: Your bad reputation is known to everyone from Ireland to Khitan.

It's just a piece of cake.