Chapter 162: Longinus

"They will definitely go back and proclaim that you got their 100,000 gold coins for nothing, but gave them nothing," Kamal said.

"It seems they also know they are worthless."

Saladin's words made Kamal laugh loudly, and then he walked to the box and began to look at the gold coins inside, then he let out a disdainful chuckle: "No wonder they only said 100,000 gold coins." He grabbed a handful of gold coins in his hand. The gold coins here were either from Tripoli or Antioch.

In Jerusalem and surrounding areas, and even in Syria and Egypt, people were more willing to use Roman gold coins. This Roman gold coin didn't refer to the long-extinct Western Roman Empire, but the gold coins minted by the Byzantine Eastern Roman Empire.

The gold coins they minted, calculated according to the current weight unit, were about 4 grams each, with a pure gold content of about 85%. The most reassuring thing was that this number had basically not changed for decades.

But the right to mint coins had always been dispersed in the hands of every king and lord. After the Crusaders arrived in Jerusalem, they also began to mint coins separately, and then the Saracen Sultans and Caliphs also had their own craftsmen and mints.

Therefore, the gold coins circulating in the market were often of uneven quality, and the smallest gold coin might be less than 1 gram each. And the largest gold coin was only 8 or 9 grams, and the pure gold content varied, and the names were so complicated that it was enough to make an ordinary person dizzy—and this was just gold coins, which was why Isaacites could make the business of exchanging money flourish.

And the gold coins brought by these cunning Isaacites were actually the smallest and thinnest Antioch gold coins. This gold coin was minted by Prince Bohemond of Antioch after he returned to Antioch. But Antioch at that time had been turned into a mess by his mother and stepfather, and it was desolate everywhere. His mother was still raising money to redeem his stepfather_although this action was eventually stopped by the knights of Antioch.

But Antioch couldn't produce too much gold at that time, and Bohemond was eager to claim his legitimacy, so when he ascended the throne, he still minted some gold coins with his head as the pattern.

These gold coins were also the smallest and thinnest Kamal had ever seen, so thin that the portrait on them was almost invisible. He played with them in his hand and then threw them back into the box disdainfully.

Although it was said to be 100,000 gold coins, its value was actually only one-fourth or one-fifth of what was claimed, and there were many damaged coins inside, that is, gold coins that had been worn or trimmed.

Isaacites often did this. They cut off a part of the gold coin and then still circulated the gold coin to others according to the original value. The shavings cut off were re-minted and polished by them to become their property.

This was the puzzling thing about Isaacites. Since they had already made a deliberate gamble, why didn't they do it more thoroughly?

Did they think that as long as they shouted 100,000 gold coins, a person like Saladin would be fascinated and wouldn't do any verification, and let them pass?

Even if Saladin was the kind of villain who was greedy for money, he would be furious when he found that the goods didn't match the description and give them a good look.

But they wanted to play their little tricks.

Yes, Isaacites were like this. They always regarded themselves as the only smart people in the world and regarded others as fools. Saladin wasn't too angry. Why bother with a group of stray dogs without a fixed place? He kept them, also to see Cesar's methods. He hadn't seen the style of this child as a ruler yet.

Would he indulge these Isaacites, or strictly control them, or even strangle them?

Cesar was so wise and benevolent, but so far, Saladin had never seen a lord who could completely get rid of Isaacites and maintain the operation of a city only by himself and his subjects.

After all, Isaacites had their own survival "wisdom" in business. Although they would suppress, expel, or use more cruel and despicable means against useless "pagans" and even their own kind.

But on the surface, they always made a tolerant posture. For example, those who believe in the Isaacite religion are all Isaacites; those born to Isaacite women are also Isaacites; becoming a son-in-law of an Isaacite is even more of an Isaacite.

And as long as you become an Isaacite, you should help every Isaacite and get help from every Isaacite. This slogan sounds quite beautiful to outsiders, especially those poor refugees who have no reliance.

They also gathered a group of people around them because of this, so even if they were hated, looked down upon, and "persecuted" everywhere, they could always reappear in various places unknowingly.

In a city, perhaps there are no Isaacites, but there will definitely be Isaacites in another city.

And when Isaacites arrive at a place, they will definitely look for Isaacites, not deal with Christians or Saracens first, and some businesses that Isaacites do are indeed not handled by the other two.

No matter what, there will be poor people in a city. Even if there is no need to borrow money, someone will need to exchange money. Without Isaacites, who will lend money and exchange money for them?

Moreover, Isaacites are well-informed—just like this group of guys from Bethlehem, their source of information is needless to say, it must be their own kind in Damascus—they must have been paying attention to the war outside the city long ago and trying their best to inquire about the identity of the captives.

Once they heard that one of the Christian knights was the master of Bethlehem, they immediately sent a message to the Isaacites in Bethlehem—they didn't know the friendship between Saladin and Cesar, just thought they found a good opportunity for speculation.

Although Saladin entered Damascus city, under Kamal's persuasion, he still stood in the position of an onlooker and didn't have the idea of taking Damascus for the time being. If he did so, the other Fatahs around him would inevitably attack him together.

If he didn't want to fall into this quagmire of Syria now, he would always have to leave.

But before leaving, he glanced at the box of gold coins, "Catch those Isaacite merchants who buy and sell news and hang them outside the city wall," he ordered, and Kamal received this order.

According to the ability of this former Sultan's minister, those Isaacites would probably never see the sun of the next day.

When Le Gao and other Isaacites were driven out of Damascus, they lost their mules, 100,000 gold coins, their gorgeous silk robes, rings, belts, necklaces... even shoes, everything considered valuable by Saladin's soldiers was taken away.

They only wore a thin linen robe, walking on the road in a miserable state, but Saladin's soldiers didn't take off the small hats on their heads. They also lost the opportunity to disguise themselves as Christians for this reason. The passing Christians and Saracens avoided them with disgust as soon as they saw them, as if they were carrying plague or feces.

Le Gao was about to loudly accuse Saladin of greed and ruthlessness, but as soon as he looked up, he saw the dozen or so corpses hanging on the city wall. Even though they were far apart, he could still feel them staring at him fiercely with a pair of white eyes. These faces, he knew them all, were the Isaacite merchants in this city, as well as their sages.

Out of care for their own race, as soon as they discovered that the Knight of Bethlehem, Cesar, had become Saladin's prisoner, they immediately sent a message, telling him to rush to Damascus as soon as possible.

Saladin's speculation was correct. If it were other lords, even if the subjects had paid all their money, food, and even lives for him, they wouldn't feel guilty.

But anyone could see what kind of person Cesar was.

When he was still a servant with no future, he gave a huge asset that would make a count move to all the poor people in Jerusalem.

And he had always firmly stayed by the side of a leper, also because he was grateful for the care of Amalric I and Baldwin IV for him. To repay this kindness, he even lost several opportunities that others thought were once in a century.

Interestingly, after his origin was proven, people changed their words, no longer saying that there shouldn't be a servant of unknown identity and slave origin beside the king, but instead saying that the only heir to the Count of Edessa shouldn't stay beside a leper.

This also belongs to sowing discord, but it still received the approval of many people.

These people included a large part of the children and their parents who once surrounded Baldwin IV. Although they had now become knights and "the chosen ones," betraying their master, even if it could be explained—such as lepers being considered "punished by God" by the church—was still an indelible and colorful stain on their resumes.

And Cesar's existence was like a white paper setting off this stain, making them look even more unbearable. But if Cesar also left Baldwin IV, their mistakes would not be remembered by people at all times.

Would Cesar do that? He wouldn't. Their despicable behavior was more like a helpless struggle.

After Le Gao contacted this Little Saint a few times, he found that his good name was not intentionally created. He was indeed a good person.

His brain moved fast, and he didn't expect to get the same return as Amalric I. Although they had already received rewards in the previous matter (Nur ad-Din), he still felt that his family's right to speak in Bethlehem was not enough.

Le Gao even planned to marry his daughter, niece, or nephew to the Knight of Bethlehem, just like Jacques. Even if Cesar didn't publicly betray his original faith, in the hearts of Isaacites, he was an Isaacite.

Think about it again, Cesar's kinship with the King of Jerusalem, maybe they would also have an Isaacite king in the future.

Now his ambition was broken. The Isaacites swallowed the curses and condemnations back into their throats and walked forward. Fortunately, Syria at this time was no longer so cold. He walked staggeringly, moving his steps with difficulty.

His soles had long been not so thick because of being pampered, numb, and every grain of sand and stone would make him feel painful.

And at this time, a team of people ran from the front. His companions immediately pulled him to the side of the road and crawled down. Their dress showed that they were Isaacites driven out. Who knew if disturbing the knights riding would get a whip?!

They were penniless now and couldn't afford the pain and high fever brought by this whip.

Fortunately, those Christian knights were indeed full of worries. He didn't even notice the group of Isaacites crawling on the side of the road. They went straight to the city gate, took out their identity certificates and passes, and after reporting, were quickly brought to Saladin.

This time it was finally the envoy of Jerusalem.

"The leader of the mission is just a knight," Kamal whispered.

Saladin allowed him to stay by his side. These days, they had been together, with friction from time to time, which could be said to be a run-in that this pair of monarch and minister must experience.

Fortunately, Saladin was not a harsh person, and Kamal was also very sensible. The speed at which they became familiar was much faster than they imagined.

Kamal felt that Saladin was a frank and fair monarch (the former is rarer than the latter), and Saladin felt that Kamal was a sensible minister. Although Kamal would often mock himself as just a prisoner, the power he held in Damascus city had vaguely exceeded his puppet friend.

The leader of the Jerusalem mission was actually just a knight without a fief and surname, dark-skinned, thin, and long. Kamal couldn't help but be stunned.

According to Baldwin IV's importance to Cesar, even if he didn't come in person, he should have sent a duke or count at least.

"Longinus?" Saladin asked.

Longinus was also surprised when he saw this Saracen clearly. He of course remembered Saladin. Although he didn't report his name, the other party saved his life. If not, he would have just been "chosen" and would have died in the hands of several Christian knights who were also "chosen."

It was just that he would never have thought that the despicable guy who had been cursed and scolded by Christians countless times, who had betrayed his monarch and faith (referring to his turning from Nur ad-Din's general to Caliph al-Adid's Grand Vizier), was the Saracen who had beheaded the sinner and saved him under the moonlight.

Although Cesar had long known that the one who saved Longinus outside the cathedral was Saladin, after thinking about it, he temporarily didn't tell Longinus about this. He wasn't sure what reaction Longinus would have, and as the closest servant beside him, Longinus, who didn't want to take back his name, had a weak foundation. Many people would start from him, wanting to pry open a gap.

And after all, this was still a matter between him and Saladin. Although given Longinus's behavior at that time, Saladin would also save him, but Saladin's identity was so sensitive that it was hard to say that no one would use this to set off a wave.

What woke Longinus from his astonishment was the guard's low scolding. He knelt down, but his heart was surging and hard to suppress.

He heard the person above saying with a smile, nonchalantly, about his identity, "He is Longinus," Saladin said to Kamal, "When Cesar was still a small servant, he followed Cesar. At that time, people called him the slave of slaves, but he didn't care. This is a person with sharp eyes and a clear head."

Saladin said appreciatively, "And his mind is firm, and he will not be shaken by other people's gossip. I now understand why the King of Jerusalem, Baldwin IV, would send him. The ministers around him might not hope that Cesar returns to Jerusalem."

Saladin's familiarity made Longinus feel creepy, but also had a bit of disbelief and ecstasy.

Before he set off on the King's order, there were people saying that this was just a trap set by the Saracens. How could Saracens treat a group of Christians so mercifully? Even if he had treated the dead Sultan Nur ad-Din kindly, were there no Christian knights among those merciful ones who treated Saracen captives kindly?

The one they treated kindly was still a living person, not a dead person.

That's right, Christians looking at Saracens is completely different from Saracens looking at Christians. They are more harsh and narrow-minded, even if they attach such importance to the last rites, they don't believe that Saracens will make such a big return because of Cesar's good deed.

Not to mention that Saladin was not Nur ad-Din's son, he even betrayed Nur ad-Din before this.

This kind of statement was rampant. Baldwin IV knew their intentions, some were indeed out of jealousy, but more people were worried that he would go to Damascus in person because of worrying about Cesar's safety.

People's worries about his accession were indeed once held, but this worry disappeared after the great victory in the Battle of the Sea of Galilee.

They expected him to become another Amalric I or even Saint George, hoping he could give them more hope and victory in the coming years—as mentioned before, a short lifespan is not a big shortcoming for a king. Isn't there still more than ten years?

But if he risked himself for Cesar, what if that Saracen shamelessly detained him? Wouldn't they have to pay a ransom for the King? Even if he was executed by the Saracens—that would be a big blow to the Crusaders and even the entire Christian country.

But they also knew how stubborn and arrogant this young king was.

If it weren't for the persuasion of Queen Mother Maria, the tactful persuasion of Patriarch Heraclius, and Count Joscelin III of Edessa still being alive—he might have handed over an important position, such as the position of Grand Seneschal, to Cesar long ago.

This was indeed a position that should be held by the King's blood relatives and confidants. But the problem was, a sixteen-year-old king was already amazing enough. Did they still have to have a sixteen-year-old Grand Seneschal?

This made those ministers in their fifties hard to accept, led by Count Raymond of Tripoli and Prince Bohemond of Antioch.

Hearing that Cesar was trapped in Damascus, they even prepared to accept the order happily even if the King wanted to send them. But what they didn't expect was that after a night of thinking, the King of Jerusalem didn't say he would go to Damascus in person (which made many people breathe a sigh of relief) but didn't send any important noble as the leader of the mission, but appointed a knight Longinus who was managing the city for the Knight of Bethlehem, and let him lead a group of knights to Damascus immediately.

As for what huge power the King granted him—almost saying he could act on his behalf—these were all small things.

The lords really had no reason to refuse, and could only watch Longinus, who was anxious, accept the power, seal, and documents granted by the King without hesitation, and set off with the knights.

And when Longinus walked in and saw this person, he was still worried that this might really be a trap set. He didn't fear death, but he was worried that if the Saracens found that their conspiracy couldn't succeed, they would pour their anger on his master.

He had nearly 300,000 gold coins of notes beside him, as well as the promise made by the King of Jerusalem. Don't forget, although Sultan Nur ad-Din's body had been returned by them, there were still several Emirs and Fatahs captured in the Battle of the Sea of Galilee.

They were also waiting to be redeemed by their clansmen or kings in the castle of Jerusalem, but now Aleppo was in a mess, and no one cared about them. But if they could be taken out to exchange for Cesar now, Baldwin wouldn't have the slightest hesitation.

But the atmosphere in the hall was not as tense and insidious as Longinus thought. Especially facing Saladin, this Saracen—when he didn't know his identity, he saved his life because he saved a Saracen girl, killed a dangerous enemy for him, and saved him from that dry well.

Longinus finally understood why Cesar was silent when he finished telling this.

It turned out that this person had long known Cesar, and looking at the posture and tone, there was a certain amount of contact, especially between the words of the other party, as if he regarded Cesar as a cute junior.

He stood stiffly there, and began to rejoice that Saladin only allowed him to see him alone before. He had no other people around him. Although those Christian knights were loyal to the King, they might not all be willing to guarantee for Cesar.

If they knew this, it was hard to say that they wouldn't speculate wildly after returning, making it a handle to attack Cesar.

"The things you worry about won't happen," Saladin said calmly, looking at Longinus's eyes full of anxiety and uncertainty. He smiled, "Now you can go see your master. He woke up, but slept again, and then woke up two or three times—the time of waking up is slowly getting longer, but it can be seen that he is still a bit weak.

Go talk to him. Maybe he won't recover so quickly and can return to Jerusalem with you, but at least it can let you feel a little relieved, and he also needs a familiar person to serve beside him."

Longinus heard this and was extremely grateful. He didn't take out the things Baldwin IV gave him. This Saracen had beautiful qualities like his master. The words spoken from his mouth would not have many false components, let alone be easily ignored and abandoned one day in the future.

He could trust him, so he just bowed deeply to Saladin with gratitude and exited the room. Outside, there were naturally servants leading him to Cesar.

"Do you know him, or do you know everyone around Cesar like the back of your hand?"

It was very rare that Kamal glanced sideways at his future monarch. Although he knew he shouldn't say that, in his opinion, Saladin's behavior was really... a bit wretched.

Saladin stretched his spine happily. He did remember Longinus. After all, Longinus's face was quite conspicuous among many knights and left a deep impression.

But he finally left an impression on this servant, or when he performed the good deed outside the cathedral in Gaza, perhaps it was Cesar's teaching, or he was influenced by what he saw and heard. This knight's actions indeed surprised him.

Kamal heard Saladin's narrative and couldn't help but nod frequently. They admitted that among the Crusaders, perhaps there were people worthy of respect, but more were some despicable villains who bullied the weak and betrayed their friends.

At that time, Longinus was just a wandering knight, and his master was just an ordinary servant, not even a knight, let alone that he didn't know he had been chosen at that time.

Under such frustration and blow, he was actually able to summon the courage to save a Saracen girl and face three chosen knights for her. This courage was indeed worthy of reward. Even if he was a Christian, he could occupy a seat in the Sultan's court.

"Lions are not followed by hyenas, and swans do not fly with vultures when they soar," Kamal said sincerely, but then he sighed, because he had already understood how Saladin would let Cesar return to Jerusalem.

If he took Cesar away now, whether in Egypt or Aleppo, Cesar would not be convinced, and would even feel resentment and hatred. Plundering and taking in were two completely different concepts.

And this child born with high character was destined not to survive in such a turbid world. "Saladin, what if he dies young in those conspiracies?"

Saladin looked at Kamal, still smiling, but the cold light in his eyes seemed to have explained everything.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 163 =====