Chapter 120: First Battle (1)

For Philip, the Grand Master of the Templars, whether it was staying in Al-Azar or serving King Baldwin IV on a tour, it could be called a relaxed and pleasant errand—although this idea was simply blasphemy to him who came a few years ago.

And he just wanted to smile now, the kind full of sarcasm and bitterness.

He was the kind of most pious and firm knight. He had sworn an oath very early, and after fulfilling his duties and obligations, he would set out to the Holy Land to serve God—at that time there were many people like him. Although they had to marry and have children, govern territories, or hold positions in the court for the sake of their families and kings, as soon as an heir could take over his position in the secular world, he would not hesitate to abandon his title, property, territory, wife, and children, and head straight to Al-Azar.

Philip was especially respected in the Order, besides his own character and courage, it was also because one of the most important fortresses in his territory was donated to the Templars. Amalric I once wanted to exchange it for 15,000 gold coins, but he did not agree—although Amalric I was also the Lord of the Holy Land, he was more willing to hand it over to someone more pious—that is, the Grand Master at that time.

It was extremely ironic that not long after he handed over that fortress to the Templars—even though Amalric I had also repeatedly urged the knights of the Templars to hold this stronghold firmly, it was still taken away by the Arabs.

If the Templars of that fortress fought to the last moment, Philip might not have been so disappointed. But in fact, not long after being besieged, the knights inside surrendered to the Saracens—when Amalric I angrily hanged those twelve despicable cowards, someone hinted that he should ask for mercy, but Philip remained silent from beginning to end, expressing his attitude with silence.

Perhaps from that moment on, the Templars faded the last light in his eyes.

And when did this behemoth finally reveal the naked flesh, wriggling organs, and dirty meridians inside? It was probably the day he was elected as the next Grand Master. Lists, account books, contracts, and documents were placed in front of him one by one.

This poor organization that once needed two knights to share one horse had become a greedy beast that swallowed gold under the indulgence of the church and the king. He couldn't understand, Templars were not allowed to own private property, why would they still be so greedy?

By that day, the combined assets of the Knights Templar were enough to purchase a kingdom; their castles were spread not only across Syria, Xinan, and the Niluohe, but also across Falanxi and the Apennines. On their own lands, they were kings and popes, possessing their own laws and their own doctrines. They collected secular poll taxes as well as sacred tithes. They owned mills, wells, and manors, and they could appoint or dismiss city officials or clerics within the church as they pleased.

He felt deep disappointment and fear, but after reading all the documents, he didn't even dare to have the idea of clearing up this dirt. That meant he would offend the entire Order and the intricate dense spider webs behind the Order. How many lords, lords, and bishops were involved here was unknown, but he could also see that this snowball, which was getting bigger and bigger, was rolling down at an unstoppable speed, rolling all the way into the abyss or hell.

The young king probably didn't know that in the Templars, Grand Master Philip was the one who supported him. It was just that in order to ensure the peace and unity within the Templars, he didn't put this attitude on the table. But speaking from the heart, as a person willing to give everything for God, he was of course more willing to fight against the enemies of God, those pagans or heretics, rather than conquering Mleh for secular money.

Although the latter could also be said to be for defending the smooth and safe pilgrimage route. But this safety was originally one of the biggest and oldest sources of funds for the Templars—at the beginning, the founder of the Templars was just to ensure the safety of pilgrims who were as pious and simple as them, so they decided to establish the Order.

Before them, pilgrims often had to hire some unreliable mercenaries or merchants. And on the pilgrimage route, there were many things where mercenaries plundered pilgrims, killed them, or threw them in the wilderness. Merchants would trick them to a certain port and sell them directly to pagans.

Only after the establishment of the Templars did this situation gradually decrease.

People trusted them, were grateful to them, so they never skimped on the money and donations in their hands, but things in the world seem to be always like this, money and power were originally a monster that was difficult to subdue, and as long as humans gave birth to greed, they would inevitably be swallowed by them.

The more Philip knew, the more painful he was, but he couldn't do anything to bury the entire Templars. Sometimes he had to fight with Raymond and Bohemond—for those warriors in the Order who still retained pure ideals.

When he followed Amalric I on the expedition to Egypt, he even thought about dying on the battlefield fighting against pagans, but it was a pity that although he was injured, he still survived on the battlefield. Until Amalric I was assassinated, Fustat was burned, and they had to retreat to Gaza, he still didn't seek the opportunity to sacrifice for God.

He had been warning himself that this was a very terrible thought.

Suicide had always been a big mistake that the church repeatedly stated must not be committed. This meant betrayal of God, especially the act of self-destruction in the name of martyrdom. Even if mortals could not perceive and judge, in the eyes of God, no crime would be covered up, and his soul would be cast into hell and could not be freed until the end of the world.

Therefore, when Raymond, Count of Tripoli, hoped that he would stay in Al-Azar, he just accepted it silently, and there was not much unhappiness in his heart.

Of course, until then, he still did not regard the young Baldwin IV and the black-haired attendant by his side as equals to himself.

Although he had heard the name of that black-haired attendant, at least two older knights in the Templars—Geoffrey and Walter—had praised him, and even wanted him to enter the Templars—even if the Order only allowed nobles to become knights, if that teenager was willing, they would always have a way to mediate.

However, they were all refused.

Judging from Philip's observation during this period—the emotion between Baldwin IV and Cesar could be said to be clean and sincere enough. Baldwin IV trusted Cesar and cherished him, and Cesar did not live up to this kindness. What surprised Philip most was that their attitude toward each other could even be said to be equal.

This was a bit strange. They all knew that Cesar's background was not very good, and a kind superior might humbly treat someone he recognized, but a subordinate would find it difficult to calmly accept this gift—some would be flattered, while some would instead give birth to some annoyance—arrogance born from inferiority was not uncommon.

But he hadn't found this emotion in Cesar yet.

Philip once heard that some people were born with knowledge, just like getting the teachings of saints before they were born, and Cesar seemed to be such a person. At his age, perhaps he could become a good servant, a good attendant, perhaps a good knight, but this time when he served Baldwin IV to Bethlehem, he found that he could actually do things that his peers couldn't—this city was still as peaceful and harmonious as usual.

Don't underestimate this peace and harmony. Even for Al-Azar, in the days when Amalric I passed away and Baldwin succeeded to the throne, the Shengcheng had been in turmoil for several months. The past order was disrupted. Everyone was like beans rolling in a hot pot, panicked and at a loss. They didn't know what they should do, nor what they shouldn't do.

They busied themselves everywhere, prying and probing, wanting only to know how the future would unfold. Unable to determine what might happen next, they could only imagine the worst-case scenarios and worry deeply over them. If that were all, it might have been fine, but they would also commit many foolish acts, attracting more people with ulterior motives to blackmail, extort, and swindle them...

During that period, the knights of the Templars, Hospitallers, and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre were busy for a while, and the gallows outside the city were always full of guests, until Baldwin completed the anointing and coronation ceremony, and Princess Sibylla also married Abigail, the son of the Prince of Antioch, and the people's emotions gradually calmed down.

Although Bethlehem was only a small city, there were Christians, Isaac people, Saracens, merchants, craftsmen, and officials here, as well as Bishop Andre who originally ruled here on behalf of the King. The Order of the Holy Sepulchre here had always listened to his orders—as long as the new master here, the Bethlehem knight, couldn't hold back the teenager's impulse and made even one reckless act, even if he was well-intentioned, Bethlehem would have to be in turmoil for a while.

Outsiders would only think that this teenager was too cowardly. Only Philip, who had also been a lord, knew how difficult it was to appease every force in this city in such a short time.

If he could always be like this, Philip felt that the prospects of Al-Azar might not be so bleak.

Especially when he served Baldwin IV on a tour, seeing that the young couple did not regard this tour as a hunt or a play, but seriously met with subordinates everywhere, reviewed knights, and checked the armor, weapons, and horses in the warehouse, a glimmer of hope rose in his heart.

Looking at them was like seeing himself when he was young, himself who had not been hit by the heavy reality, with such simple and enthusiastic thoughts.

The current Al-Azar might need such a king and minister. Even if Baldwin was still suffering from chronic illness, so what? If Baldwin could have a descendant in the future, or if his sister Princess Sibylla could have a child with Abigail, this young attendant would become the most powerful, most pious, and most credible regent in the future, as long as he didn't change his original intention.

"You have been watching us," Baldwin: "Is there anything you want to say to us?"

Philip certainly couldn't say that looking at them reminded him of himself in the past and himself now, "Don't you feel bored?"

Although Bethlehem was a small city, its wealth and prosperity could almost be compared to Al-Azar. But after leaving Bethlehem, other small cities and fortresses were lackluster.

Especially those small castles used only for military purposes, standing on high towers or walls and looking out, one could only see endless yellowish-brown sand, or gray-green wilderness, and a clear blue sky.

Knights lived in the castle, and what they saw were only vulgar maids and laundry women. The number was not large, and most of them were very ugly, either thin as a stick or stout, because of the torture of life, and they were no different from men, sometimes even more vulgar and vicious.

Merchants also rarely visited these castles except for a few fixed days, because they would not fight with Saracens or others, which meant they had no loot and spoils, and could not get ransom.

Since this was the case, even if merchants came to the door, they couldn't make a few deals, which was meaningless, only wasting food and water.

In such castles, supplies were fixed. Food and water were very precious, and of course, they couldn't afford dwarves and musicians for fun.

If the knights stationed here were not armed monastic organizations like the Templars or Hospitallers, they could still use alcohol to pass the time. But if these knights had religious nature, besides prayer and training, knights could hardly find other entertainment.

And walking between these fortresses and castles was also difficult, with sand and dust filling the sky, dry air, scorching days and freezing nights, and there were also dangers brought by getting lost, lack of water, and diseases, not to mention Baldwin IV was still a patient.

Philip even prepared for Baldwin to fall suddenly, and then they had to return to Jerusalem immediately, but the worst situation ultimately did not happen. They walked all the way here, the Macabu Castle in Banias.

This castle did not belong to the Crusaders originally. It was built by the local Saracens. Later it was captured and expanded by the Crusaders.

It was in a very critical strategic position, above the Sea of Galilee, facing Damascus to the north, overlooking the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley, and on a clear day, one could see Al-Azar.

What was comforting was that the Templars here did not neglect their duties like the twelve stupid guys who were hanged. Although the conditions of this castle were difficult, there were no major omissions from the big picture, and some minor problems that were harmless did not need to be paid attention to.

"How could it be," Baldwin said, "I saw these... Grand Master, everything here is meaningful."

Although Cesar had been taking care of him, under the objective conditions, the young king still couldn't avoid chapped lips and rough cheeks, especially those red spots, which began to become obvious again, but his eyes were so bright, full of vitality, and the excitement and pride that could not be faked in his words.

He said so, and the Grand Master of the Templars couldn't help but feel a heartfelt joy, but he still remembered his duty, so he reminded: "Then, we should go back tomorrow."

The Macabu Castle in Banias was already the peak of the northern defense line of Jerusalem. Further ahead was the territory of the Saracens. Not to mention they had been out for three full weeks. Regardless of what it was for, they were ready to return.

"You are right," Baldwin said, he felt a bit regretful, but he also knew that it was indeed time to return to the Castle of the Holy Cross.

Although the Shengcheng had the Patriarch Heraclius, not everyone could be suppressed by him.

"Who is that?"

Cesar, who walked over, suddenly asked.

Macabu Castle was just a small castle with only one wall, and they were standing on an arrow tower on one side of the city gate. Looking out from the crenel, they could see a lightly armed knight galloping over. Philip narrowed his eyes and found that he looked flustered, his cloak was crooked, stained with blood, and his face suddenly changed!

And before he could drink and ask, he heard this knight shouting loudly: "Enemy attack!"

(End of chapter)