Chapter 111: Bethlehem (6)

Jacques walked out of this mansion that originally belonged to him, and when he looked back, the high rooms were still brightly lit—I really don't know if having such a master is a good thing or a bad thing for Bethlehem.

However, for this task Cesar gave him, Jacques couldn't say he was confident, but he didn't feel it was difficult—after all, from the beginning, this was something "they" had discussed.

If the new master of Bethlehem were a knight in the usual sense—brutal, dull, insensitive, they wouldn't have brought the dispute with the Saracens to the table at all. But clearly, he was a youth with a delicate mind and a sharp brain, worth them trying.

Unlike knights, as merchants, they rarely despised a young person for no reason.

Of course, older people are often respected and trusted because they are rich in experience, but young people also have talents that older people don't have—decisiveness and keenness.

As merchants, this talent is quite important—they are like seagulls soaring above the sea. War, plague, and famine are the cyclones and storms covering the sea surface. As soon as they smell the ominous breath coming from the air, they must immediately decide whether to run away, hide, or take the opportunity to plunder power and wealth in the storm.

Jacques returned to his current home. This mansion was slightly smaller than the previous one, but in terms of gorgeousness, comfort, and pleasantness, it was no worse than the former. As soon as he walked into the gate, servants brought rose water to wipe his face, hands, and wash his feet. He changed his clothes, stepped into slippers, and walked slowly into the restaurant behind the courtyard.

LeGao was dining in the restaurant.

He was the Isaacite merchant who had just bought the batch of soap at three times the price, and he was also Jacques's father-in-law.

LeGao was different from people's imagination of Jewish merchants. He was an active, nimble, and slightly short middle-aged man. When he saw Jacques, he didn't care much about these cumbersome formalities, just waved his hand and told him to sit beside him. Servants soon brought Jacques today's dinner, a stewed duck with oil, and some figs and bread.

Saffron was added to the stewed duck. The expensive spices dyed the soup into a beautiful golden yellow. Ginger and onions were also added to the soup, and the fragrance was pungent, but Jacques really had no appetite. He urgently wanted to report to his father-in-law about the Bethlehem Knight, but LeGao interrupted him, "Wait until you finish eating, don't be too eager, we still have time."

And then he continued, "Although many of my people like to talk about things while eating, this is both detrimental to the deliciousness of the food and easily leads to indigestion. And when full, the dull brain will also make them make wrong choices.

We should strictly follow the teachings of the saints. Do everything with concentration and full attention. Now let us enjoy this plate of duck."

They finished the whole dish in silence, and then casually had some figs and bread.

Finally, they talked about the Bethlehem Knight, the new King of Al-Asar, Nur ad-Din of Aleppo, and Shirkuh and Saladin of Egypt, "If others heard our words, they would surely laugh, thinking we were all crazy. We are just two humble merchants, and I am an Isaacite, and you are my son-in-law, but how many things in the world have grown from small buds, blossomed, and borne fruit?"

"Sometimes, looking at them, it's as ridiculous as them looking at us. Jacques, you must remember, you can despise anyone, but you must never ignore them, especially those small, lowly, and easily forgotten ones...

Even if those high and mighty big figures say they can't stir up any waves, sometimes, a nail can damage a warhorse, a warhorse can cause a knight to fall to his death, the death of a knight might indicate the failure of a battle, and the failure of a battle might cause the destruction of a kingdom... Hey!

Just like our great 'Light of Faith' (Nur ad-Din), he is a Sultan, a master of kings, a dictator who inspires awe, but so what? He still can't beat time. The light God casts on him is fading. He can't even avoid the invasion of cold now.

Alright," LeGao withdrew his scattered thoughts and said: "Did he really say that?"

"Yes," Jacques said: "The Bethlehem Knight is very keen. He immediately read the important message from the Saracens' reaction."

"Such a youth, with such a background, and now the new King of Jerusalem is his close friend and brother, and thanks to the grace of the previous monarch, he has Bethlehem. If you say he has no ambition, no idea of creating a career, tell anyone, no one will believe it."

"But I see he is also a cautious person," Jacques said, "He didn't go crazy with joy or make any decisions immediately. He told me he needed more definite news, and if I could get it, tell him—I said, Nur ad-Din's 'definite' information," he emphasized the pronunciation of the two words 'definite'. "He can promise on behalf of the King that we can get a reasonable reward."

"Ha. What a generous promise," LeGao said unhappily, "But don't I know them? When they use you, they always seem kind, generous, and reasonable, as if they don't care about your identity and faith at all. But once they don't need you, or need a scapegoat, we will be thrown out to those hungry wolves."

However, he soon calmed down. He began to consider the authenticity of this promise. He had heard of Baldwin and Cesar. The latter even had the title of Little Saint, and the former was also known for being gentle and fair.

The problem was right here.

Could a gentle and approachable youth suppress the unruly ministers and generals underneath?

LeGao heard that the new King had a regent by his side, who was his father's cousin, and his sister had entered into a marriage contract with Abigail of Antioch.

If this pair of newlyweds could have a healthy and lively heir, a boy, in a year or two, then the existence of this new King would be dispensable.

Even if everyone said that he had received the blessing of the saints, the holy spear bestowed by Saint George had once lasted for three days and three nights without dissipating, and he walked in battle and fought without stopping—this could of course gain him the support of the knights, but for his ministers and generals, this was not a good thing.

But for LeGao and Jacques, perhaps it was an opportunity.

"What we are plotting might be exactly what this new King needs urgently," LeGao said. Jacques knew what he was referring to—when a young person faces elders who are older, more experienced, and better known than him, how to prove that he is better than them? Of course, it was achievements.

And as the King of Al-Asar and the commander of the Crusaders, was there anything that could prove himself better than a war?

The more intense their struggle and the more fierce their tilting—the stronger our new King's desire for a great victory will be. As long as he can open the way for Christians and seize territory, those who love to point fingers will immediately be speechless.

Jacques's throat moved slightly. He looked forward to such a future, but couldn't help but feel nervous.

Sitting in this mansion were just two merchants. They were the hyenas of the King, the money bags of the lords, and the stewards of the knights, but they were not respected at all, especially his father-in-law, an Isaacite, and the Bethlehem Knight had always been gentle, otherwise they wouldn't even talk to him personally.

Even if he was rich, brave, and full of wisdom.

For this reason, he had to violate the laws of the Isaacites and marry his daughter to a Christian, which was Jacques, because he needed a spokesperson who could walk to the front of the stage.

Although Jacques was a smart young man, he still couldn't compare with his father-in-law in experience and courage. He could be said to be convinced by his father-in-law. Even if the plan LeGao proposed this time was simply shocking, he still joined without hesitation, without considering what kind of ending he would face if the plan was leaked.

(End of chapter)