[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations":3,"chapter-the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-chapter-86":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Nation of Ten Thousand Nations",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2333054,4562,"Chapter 86: Siege! (6)","the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-chapter-86",86,"\u003Cp>Baldwin couldn’t stop cursing inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to curse William Marshal—good heavens, when he spoke to them about that prince of similar age, he used the words “shy” and “adorable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly wished to drag William Marshal from London and make him see for himself: could this man, charging across the battlefield like a wild boar, possibly have even one letter in common with “shy” and “adorable”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also wanted to curse Richard—yes, the red-haired Arthur was Henry II’s fourth child, who disguised himself as Arthur of Aquitaine, a common French knight, carrying an introduction letter from Marshal (the prince suspected Marshal didn’t know this letter was issued by Richard himself), crossing half the continent and several nations to reach Arasalu, solely to join this holy war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baldwin truly couldn’t understand why war held such immense appeal; as the future king of Arasalu, he knew well that most of these knights who came to fight for his father had no lands or titles to inherit—they came here intending to trade their strength, bodies, and lives: those who joined the holy war could atone for all sins and, upon returning, become honored guests of lords and kings, just like William Marshal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never truly fought the Saracens yet; people heard he had gone to Arasalu and fought for King Amalric I, and they assumed on their own that he was a knight of Christ, a pious good man. Some had mocked him for not securing his ransom immediately after capture, but now they either avoided the topic or considered it an example of honesty and steadfastness…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who was Arthur—or rather, Richard? He was born above all others; his elder brother, young Henry, had lived in his father’s court since leaving his mother’s arms, and above him were only two sisters, both of whom had poor relations with their mother—so he was deeply favored by his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and at just eleven years old, he was made Duke of Aquitaine and betrothed to Alice of France, daughter of Louis VII.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 1172, he became Count of Poitou and received the spear and banner emblem signifying his office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long ago, he had even fought against his own father with Louis VII’s support—apparently losing, but calculating the timeline, he likely had already packed his bags and fled from Francia to Arasalu before Henry II and Louis VII had reached a truce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, he held a title, lands, and wealth. And since his lands and titles came from his mother and his father’s enemy Louis VII, he had no fear they would be stripped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baldwin simply could not fathom why he had come here to fight a band of Saracens—could he possibly become the fifth king of the Holy Kingdom?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But clearly, Richard was enjoying himself; his weapon was not a longsword—though Saint Paul was said to have wielded one—this time Richard brought his favorite and most familiar weapon: a battle-axe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wielded it with traces of multiple weapons: slashing like a longsword, striking like a mace, swinging and flailing like a flail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wherever he went, he left behind a gruesome carnage that chilled the heart; and as if to make up for past regrets, he ran swiftly, dragging Baldwin and Cesar away from the main force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is he going?” Baldwin asked during a brief pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cesar shoved aside a crossbow bolt fired by a Saracen, breathing slightly hard, “He’s climbing upward—he… probably wants to…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked up together and immediately understood Richard’s intent—what else could he possibly do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to reach the highest level of the fortress, where a drawbridge connected to Fustat lay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you ask him how long his divine grace will last?” Cesar asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I asked others—he said it would last at least an entire Bai Zhou without issue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope he’s not boasting,” Cesar said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When people face a fierce and cruel enemy, they retreat, they flee—but some are stirred to savagery, or swept up by fear and despair, struggling desperately in defiance; they could feel the Saracens around them sinking into this same emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were anyone else, they might retain some reason, avoiding pursuit of those fleeing or surrendering—but Richard didn’t care whether his enemies knelt or raised swords; he shouted loudly, face flushed red, laughed when enemies charged at him—he was clearly the kind of “knight” the clergy praised: to him, the Saracens were not human beings, but beasts and devils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Richard killed them without guilt; indeed, as the clergy said, slaying these infidels was work for the Lord, a precious merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was faithfully fulfilling this vow, charging and slaughtering, leaving countless corpses behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when Richard suddenly wrenched free a Saracen who had been biting his arm, the space before him suddenly cleared—they had reached their destination: an open platform connected to a swaying drawbridge, with more Saracens surging toward them…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, people had also seen increasing numbers of Saracens rushing onto the drawbridge linking Laodai Island. They shouted angrily, determined to retake the fortress from the Crusaders—but they encountered a wall seemingly impossible to breach, and this wall was merely three young knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They said this because some had recognized the men standing before the Saracens: Baldwin, Cesar, and that… no, that Arthur of Aquitaine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amalric I immediately rose from his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his son was not rash or impulsive, and Cesar was always calm and cautious—but who knew? Perhaps a string of victories on the battlefield had given this young man a touch of unwarranted arrogance; he was displeased that Cesar had not stopped Baldwin—he hadn’t even considered Arthur of Aquitaine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Heraclius’s news made him realize he had again been misled by a father’s stubbornness and prejudice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it’s not Arthur of Aquitaine—it’s Richard?” Amalric I felt his head throb: “He concealed his name and identity to come to the battlefield—didn’t his father teach him how to respect the hosts and the king here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I doubt he was ever the obedient kind,” Heraclius replied with sarcasm. “A few months ago, he was fighting his own father with sword and lance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And according to what I’ve heard, he still hasn’t earned his father’s forgiveness. Henry II was furious—he forgave his two other sons who betrayed him, granting them lands and castles, but swore to punish Richard severely. He probably doesn’t even know Richard has come here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think Baldwin has already figured it out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He must have. So he must stay by Richard’s side.” In this war, Death never cared how young, noble, or wealthy a man was—his scythe swept across the battlefield like reaping wheat, treating all equally—even if you wore a crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the prolonged siege that lasted most of the Bai Zhou, many knights and lords had already died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were struck by stones, their necks broken; others had arrows pierced through their skulls and fell instantly; some fell from their horses and were trampled under hooves, crying out as they met God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, the king received another grim report: a lord’s siege tower had collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Amalric I was crafting various siege engines, this lord, too, had been busy—he suddenly conceived a plan, drew up blueprints, paid out of his own pocket, and demanded his craftsmen build an incredibly sturdy tower: it looked truly solid, surrounded by oak palisades, covered in thick ox hides, standing dozens of fa-chi tall and about ten fa-chi wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something went wrong—the tower wobbled as soldiers pushed it toward the wall; before they could lower the drawbridge, its excessive weight sank it into the mud beneath the ramparts, then it began to tilt. If it had fallen toward the wall, it would have been fine—but it didn’t. It toppled the other way, sending those below into panicked flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beams, pillars, floorboards, sacks filled with sand—all the contents inside—rained down like hail, burying everyone within, including the overconfident lord himself, along with nearly twenty knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This ridiculous mistake drew mockery from the enemy and crushed the morale of their own side. The king was furious but had no words to say—after all, the lord was dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there was a young knight he had favored—he had planned to promote him to a higher rank; the knight had already learned of this news from Amalric I. Perhaps because of this, he sought to earn merit quickly—when a siege ram had cracked a gap in the temporary wall outside the gate, he became wildly excited upon seeing the enemy through the fissure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouted loudly, urging others to widen the gap—but suddenly, several spears shot out from within, piercing his chest instantly. He died on the spot. Worse still, those vile Saracens hurled grappling hooks from the wall, snagged his chainmail, hoisted his body onto the ramparts, and cruelly desecrated his corpse—his head was severed, placed in a trebuchet, and flung beyond the walls, while his naked body was hung upon the battlements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, everyone burst into loud weeping; only much later was his body lowered. They sewed his head and body back together, dressed him in his finest garments. His face still bore anger and terror, yet he remained brave and fearless—the king had decided to bury him on the most sacred slope, where he would ascend to heaven and join the saints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inevitably, the young knight’s death made the king begin to worry about his own child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long time, he could not see him or know where he had gone—even though Laodai Island was merely a fortress, it could not be taken in a moment, especially with a wooden bridge, across which Saracens were reinforcing the garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights fought the Saracens for a long time before finally burning the wooden bridge; gradually, some began to climb onto the platform where the drawbridge hung—they had not even known the prince, Cesar, and the “Arthur of Aquitaine” were there, and were startled when they arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even counting from Chen Shi (9 a.m.) to Wu Hou (2 p.m.), they had held and fought for half a Bai Zhou; the platform was so crowded with corpses they had to toss them—either their own or the Saracens’—down into the tower’s base or into the river. Three young warriors, two of them squires, even under the saints’ favor, were drenched in blood, utterly exhausted; once relieved, they collapsed to the ground and fell into deep unconsciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Cesar awoke, he found everything silent. He nearly leapt from his bed in alarm—but a familiar hand immediately pressed him down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heraclius nodded, struck a flint, and lit a candle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just been treating Cesar—but Cesar’s wounds were not severe; he was merely drained of strength—he had to guard both Baldwin and Richard, who might be Henry II’s son… while also fighting the Saracens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bore the burden of three men. He was the last to wake. Heraclius could not complain about Baldwin, but he could complain about Richard—unfortunately, this careless fool, though sharp on the battlefield, was a standard idiot off it—he couldn’t read Heraclius’s glances at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baldwin… and Arthur?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was just here…” Heraclius said, then suddenly wore an expression of intense annoyance—he heard heavy footsteps, and the tent flap was thrown open. “Arthur” dragged Baldwin inside; both had bathed and changed clothes. “Arthur” no longer pretended—he wore attire befitting his true identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A white silk shirt, a sleeveless crimson velvet coat, a golden belt, orange tight breeches, and brown leather short boots; on his chest hung a large golden cross, set with rubies, resembling a reliquary that could be opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, I must apologize, friend,” he said sincerely. “I concealed my name and identity because I wished to come to the holy war as an ordinary warrior—I am Richard. Son of Henry II, King of England, Duke of Normandy, Count of Anjou, and Duke of Aquitaine, and of Eleanor, Queen of England and Duchess of Aquitaine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second, I thank you for your aid and protection—you saved my life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally,” he asked earnestly, “I have a fine marriage prospect. Would you care to try?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2022,"2026-06-20T20:58:34.857Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8d6c3728142a6efece9ded3685c7cddb1dffbc613dda622e949b4bd7bb5ee38c","the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-chapter-87","the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-chapter-85",168,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-cover.jpg"]