Chapter 78

He wrote in the document: "... Do not think that the Caliph al-Adid and the Grand Vizier Shawar, whom you revere and fear, are the monarchs and prime ministers expected by your gods, and do not think that they still possess supreme glory, firm confidence, and endless armies. You cannot get protection from them, just as the turtledove in the nest cannot get the help of the hyena."

"In fact, I once came here and ruled you like your monarch, just like Caesar and Alexander once did."

"I rely on piety and faith in the only true God, and this true God is also worshipped by you—my bloodline can be traced back to the most noble and respectable one, the saint I look up to is also followed by countless kings, my territory is incredibly vast, and my army is incredibly powerful—my oath is engraved on the bronze monument, written in gold. You have seen how I once promised you."

"Now I have come again, with my army. As soon as you see me, you will know that if I am willing, I can strike your city walls with swords and burn your houses with fire. I can destroy everything, but in the name of God, I am willing to have mercy on you!"

"People of Bilbeis! As long as you are willing to open the city gates, I can promise you that as long as you are willing to surrender and willing to serve me as the master of Bilbeis, I will always respect you and love you. You can live as before, and even be more peaceful and prosperous than in the past!"

"May God bless you and me."

Of course, the people of Bilbeis did not immediately believe Amalric I's words and were willing to surrender.

They also went through repeated discussions and deliberations. Bilbeis was indeed a military fortress and had once been sufficiently disciplined and strict, but that was when it was governed by the Kurd Saladin. Since those two Zengi military generals were forced to leave Egypt and return to Damascus, this city had also suddenly become loose and sluggish.

Unsurprisingly, replacing Saladin was a complete fool, because he was the nephew of the Grand Vizier Shawar that he obtained such a good position. He didn't care about the life or death of this city at all, only wanting to gather enough wealth as soon as possible and then leave this city that could face the Frankish army at any time.

But the people of Bilbeis were also quite clear about the character of these people. When he wanted to run away, they detained him. Looking at the money and treasures he wanted to take away, these people were silent.

Did they really want to hold on? They could certainly hold on, as long as they did it according to Saladin's previous arrangements, but they didn't think the Caliph al-Adid would thank them for their sacrifice.

Moreover, Amalric I had also occupied this city. At that time, this city did not suffer cruel slaughter and looting—of course, their tribute was still paid. That time hurt their vitality, and it took several years to gradually recover. Unexpectedly, they immediately ushered in this bad news again.

"If Amalric I is willing to keep his promise..." one person said in a low voice. When everyone looked in the direction of the sound, he was silent again. After all, they were Saracens, subjects of the Caliph al-Adid. To hand over the city so easily, wouldn't it seem very cowardly and incompetent?

But thinking of the Caliph al-Adid living comfortably in Fustat and the villain Shawar beside him, as well as what his nephew had done in this city, these people felt they were more hateful than that group of infidels.

"We need a careful negotiation."

"Yes, negotiation, we need negotiation. For our people and this city." They were not all cowards, but they all knew very well that the ultimate goal of Amalric I's long-distance expedition this time was not Bilbeis, but Fustat, which meant that no matter what, he had to take Bilbeis.

Otherwise, could he attack Fustat while guarding against Bilbeis stabbing him in the back from the rear?

"He will spare no cost. As long as he can take this city, we can certainly resist and make this city unable to find a living person again. But..." That would not be good for Bilbeis. The Caliph al-Adid would not even shed tears for them, but would only happily sell this city for a good price again.

Moreover, once Amalric I felt that he could not take Fustat, then Bilbeis would definitely be the only guarantee that he would not lose his fortune. He would indulge his soldiers to plunder wantonly in this city. Women would be raped, children would be sold as slaves, and men would be killed—or all would be killed.

Their shops, their libraries, their palaces, and their temples would all be burned down and turned into ruins. All valuable things would be transported back to the Saracen road or divided on the spot.

"Amalric I will also demand money."

"But at least Bilbeis is still there, right?"

The first person to speak said firmly, as long as Bilbeis is still there, money is just water rushing in the river. The empty reservoir will be filled again when storing water; but if the entire reservoir is destroyed, no matter how much money there is, it will only flow through here without a drop left, flowing to other places, and will not stay here.

His speech caused a slight echo and imperceptible nodding.

——————

Bilbeis being willing to submit was, of course, the thing Amalric I most wanted to see.

"Tomorrow is the city entry ceremony, children," he looked at Baldwin and Cesar happily, "Dress yourselves up beautifully, follow me, and enter Bilbeis together."

——————

Damascus has always been known as the "City in Heaven." Saracen poetry says, "If there is a heaven on earth, Damascus must be in it. If heaven is in the sky, Damascus must be as famous as it."

But for those who came to Bilbeis for the first time, even if Bilbeis could not compare with Damascus, it was a city of silver.

People here painted the city walls with chalk and drew flower and grass patterns on the walls with green paint; then built their temples with white marble, and then used green stone and glass mosaics to piece together geometric patterns of niches and lintels; they wore large white robes and wrapped headscarves. The men—of course, only men here—kept sideburns, their hair was mostly dark, and their faces were gray-white or brownish.

These people stood vigilantly in the shadows, behind the guards of Bilbeis. These guards all came from families in the city. Although they were also Saracens, they had already negotiated with Amalric I. The Christian King would respect their faith and power, and they would offer Bilbeis and provide supplies and help to the Christian army in the subsequent siege of Fustat.

Compared with these people, the most excited were, of course, the Christians in the city. Although they were allowed to live in this city and continue to retain their faith, the price was heavier taxes and various restrictions. In terms of clothing, travel methods, and signing contracts, they were all inferior to the Saracens. What made them most intolerable was that in the eyes of the Saracens, they were the same as the Isaacites, with no difference.

The Isaacites hid and hid. They might be the most unlucky. Compared with the Saracens, they feared the Christians more. The Saracens only needed them to pay taxes obediently, while in front of Christian lords and kings, they were fat pigs waiting to be slaughtered.

The Saracen nobles in this city personally led the horse for the King, while others knelt under his horse's hooves. They kissed Amalric I's robe one by one, then retreated, hands crossed on their chests, terrified, until the last knight's golden spurs disappeared in the dust before they got up, mounted their horses, and followed this winding and slender team away.

They went to the Afif Palace in the city. In the Saracen language, this palace means chastity, but now the Saracens in the city mention it, they will only contemptuously call it "Haram," which means "violating religious law," but the actual meaning refers to a prostitute—because this palace has changed several owners, including the Caliph of Fatima, his Grand Vizier, the Kurds of Zengi, and the previous and current Christian King Amalric I.

"I am so glad that this place is still the same as before," Amalric I exclaimed.

The Saracen nobles beside him could only bow their bodies humbly, lower their heads, and dare not say anything.

Since this palace was originally built for the Caliph, it naturally adopted the style and laws of the Saracens—this palace covers a vast area (relative to other buildings in the city), and like other palaces of the Caliph, the innermost building is surrounded by several courtyards, and between the courtyards are lush dense forests—all fruit orchards, dates, pomegranates, or figs. Birds perch on the branches, and beasts walk among them, drinking water between ponds and streams.

They walked through doors one after another. The pillars of the porch were all white marble. The oak doors inlaid with copper strips were carved with flowers, pushed open by four black slaves. The wind blew a warm breeze that made people comfortable—frankincense and sandalwood burned in brass fire pans that two people could embrace, and servants waved ostrich feather fans, making the whole corridor full of sweet fragrance.

The porch was like this, and there was no need to mention how luxurious the palace was. The guests were seated—the Saracen nobles apologized to Amalric I again because they did not have time to prepare the chairs and long tables that the Franks were used to. There were only Saracen carpets, cushions, and low tables here, but they prepared a wide couch for Amalric I. The couch had ivory armrests and pure gold feet, which were worth a lot of money.

The King smiled and sat down, indicating that he didn't care. Baldwin and Cesar sat on both sides, while the knights lazily dispersed, either sitting or leaning, and some just stood. Cesar felt a bit strange. He observed the surroundings and found that some parts of the wall were hung with silk carpets in a nondescript way—there were many tapestries in the castle, but these silk carpets could be seen at a glance that they were temporarily moved from the ground to the wall.

He immediately remembered that Heraclius had once said that the walls of the Caliph's palace and the walls of the temple were often decorated with gems carved with scriptures—this kind of gem might just be some more gorgeous marble, but if you were determined to chisel them off, not only would you not be able to repair them completely in a short time, but it would also be difficult to find the same stone and craftsmanship in the future...

Did these guys still want to welcome the Caliph or another Saracen ruler here? Speaking of which, it was really possible. Cesar thought of this and realized that he had missed many conversations.

However, when he listened carefully, he found that there was nothing worth paying attention to—villains are always similar, whether they are Saracens or Franks. They tried their best to please and flatter the King, and made oaths that they would do their best to give him and his army full support. They even wanted to bring gold, armor, and weapons immediately. They not only wanted to support Amalric I in terms of money, but also wanted to become the King's vassals.

Cesar looked up and met Baldwin's eyes. Did they hear something wrong?

What were those people saying? Were they saying that after Amalric I conquered Fustat, they were willing to serve him as master, and after he "returned" to the Saracen road—he was, after all, the master of the Holy Land—the new Caliph would rule here on his behalf—and that new "Caliph" promised to pay an annual tribute of 200,000 gold coins to the Saracen road.

"Only," the young man who was about to become the new "Caliph"—clearly a puppet pushed out by these Saracens, clearly, he was not drinking but was already intoxicated by power—actually pointed at Cesar and said: "If you allow, my master, you can take away everything in Bilbeis or Fustat, but can you leave this young man to me?"

He stood up: "I want to keep him by my side. Although he is a Frank, it doesn't matter even if he is unwilling to convert. I will let him be my sister's husband and let him be my Grand Vizier..."

His companion almost jumped up and grabbed his arm tightly to stop him from saying more, but Amalric I had heard it all clearly. He looked at Cesar with a smile.

"Look, our little friend is really popular. How about it?" He asked: "Do you want to go with him?"

(End of chapter)