Chapter 167 Reconquista Movement

The relationship between Lothar and Leonard is very delicate.

The latter neither came for pilgrimage nor sent vassal taxes. He only verbally recognized Lothar's position as superior lord, and Lothar didn't seem to care.

The two of them tacitly acquiesced to the current situation and had no intention of changing it.

But Leonard’s fiancée, Lothar, must be saved.

Because this is a great opportunity for Lothar to enhance his prestige, gain political reputation, and regain legal territory.

How can a monarch gain the support of his vassals?

It's not enough to be powerful, you also have to be able to make peace for your younger brother.

In the eyes of many vassals, although Lothar has the ability to lead troops, as a feudal lord, he is weak and far inferior to the old Earl Leonard.

In the earldom of Transjordan alone, Count Lothar's strength even ranks third under the lord of Petra, Baron Argon.

Even if the vassals were ostensibly loyal to Lothar and had a certain favorable impression of Lothar, they were far from being loyal.

Otherwise, Zahn Aladdin would not have dared to first impose heavy taxes on the caravans passing through the New Habsburg trade route, causing the trade routes to be cut off, and then send troops deep into Transjordan to kidnap Leonard's fiancée.

This is a provocative move to not take Lothar seriously.

He was certain that the fragmented Earldom of Transjordan could not be integrated by Lothar to deal with him.

Jeanne's face was flushed, but her eyes were very clear. This level of alcohol could not make her drunk.

She turned the bottle upside down, took the last sip of wine, and said: "Sir, I know you have always wanted to recapture Port Ella. But I must remind you that there is no Crusader fleet in the Red Sea, and pagans can ride on it. Warships, raid Ella Port at any time.”

Lothar frowned and said: "Indeed, facing the Red Sea that is completely under the control of the Zoroastrian cultists, it is easy to capture Port Ella, but not easy to hold it."

He paused slightly: "But you can't stop eating just because you're afraid of choking."

"The Port of Ella is the trade hub from the Red Sea to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Occupying this port can provide me with a large amount of business tax, and the Port of Ella is also one of the key nodes in maintaining the New Habsburg trade route."

"Even if I have to deal with the attacks of Saracen pirates every day, I must keep this place in my hands."

Jeanne sighed softly: "After occupying the place, how to manage it is also a problem."

"Just leave it to Coors."

Jeanne was slightly startled and sighed: "That is indeed a talent who is good at deceiving people."

"It is true that a navy needs to be established, but the remaining money in the treasury is more than enough to build a merchant fleet, but if you want to build a galley fleet for offshore operations, it is far behind."

Just because Ayub's navy was not as powerful as the Crusader fleet, he failed to make progress in several sieges of Tripoli.

Norse robbers once raided and plundered the coastal areas of Fatimid Egypt in warships, but there was nothing they could do about it.

"It's too early to talk about occupying Port Ella. In short, this opportunity cannot be missed. At least we must regain the city of Alandre."

Lothar stood up and said solemnly to Jeanne:

"Jeanna, I don't doubt that you can bring me victory in this battle, but the victory must be beautiful and hearty, so as to show my strength."

Jeanne also rarely became serious: "I will."

"Like we used to do?"

Jeanne raised her head, with a hint of nostalgia in her light green eyes.

After a long time, the corner of her mouth curled up slightly: "Yes, just like what we have done before, my lord, I will definitely bring you victory."

The whole of Hebron has entered into intensive preparations for war.

The city guards loaded the siege equipment that could be pieced together onto the carriages, and recruited vehicles such as mules, horses, Bactrian camels, and carts - the dromedary camel was more suitable for riding, but as a pack animal it was actually inferior to the bactrian Hunchbacked.

The news that the war was once again ignited was like a beacon, burning throughout Transjordan.

During these ten days, Lothar only conferred six imperial cavalry.

The remaining four places were saved by Lothar for future canonization of meritorious officials.

After experiencing the losses in the previous war, the Hussars now had thirty-six men, while the Varangian Guards had fifty men due to less losses in the previous wars.

But there are still more than twenty Varangian guards who need to guard the blacksmith shop and printing workshop respectively.

Originally, only the blacksmith shop had this treatment.

However, the sales of Gwent made the printing workshop one of Lothar's most profitable industries.

Coupled with the engraving printing technology, it can not only be used to print books, but also be used to dye cloth and fabrics. Once leaked, the losses will be huge.

Therefore, in this battle, counting the 100 remaining veterans, the elite standing army that Lothar could take away was only 150 people.

In a field battle with these people, Lothar was confident that he could easily defeat ten times the number of enemies, but it was not enough to storm a castle.

So in this battle, Lothar still plans to make a surprise move.

But they still have to assume the posture of launching a massive attack.

In addition to the 150 elite standing troops, the streamlined city defense army also numbered 200 people. In this era, they were considered elite armored sergeants.

Of these two hundred people, Lothar planned to leave only one hundred to garrison Hebron, while the other hundred would all go with the army to fight.

In addition, there were the peasant soldiers recruited by the order of the cavalry. Although they had only undergone a short period of formation training, Los Angeles held them just to show off.

Now, he couldn't afford the loss of attacking a city.

In the afternoon.

Lothar was in the Lord's Hall, discussing the strategy of breaking the city with Jeanne.

"grown ups!"

Hans strode into the Lord's Hall with a dozen soldiers wearing red and white robes.

He issued a conscription order, and Hans, who was serving in Jerusalem, naturally had to rush back.

Lothar stood up and patted Hans on the shoulder: "Are these?"

"Sir, you have seen them. They are all warriors who accompanied me to fight against the demons. They are also members of the Royal Knights. They fought bloody battles with the heretics under your leadership."

Of course Lothar knew them, and he even brought Fringilla to give them "hints", but now it seems that he has a villainous heart.

Because a mere "hint" would at most make the knights appreciate Hans' kindness and not report him to the church, but they would not become Hans' close friends.

But Lothar had no regrets.

There is no big mistake. Once it is revealed that Hans is a werewolf, in the powerful Middle Ages, Hans has only one way to escape by feigning death.

Lothar's reputation will also suffer a heavy blow.

Because the werewolves in this world, as they grow older, will one day be completely swallowed up by their beastly nature.

How could a man who had personally killed a werewolf and slain a dragon not be able to identify Hans?

By then, some of the nobles who have long disliked Lothar may instigate such conspiracy theories.

"Of course I know who you are, Alexander, Adrian, Adolf, and Joseph. I can name each of you."

A passionate smile appeared on Lothar's face: "Don't forget, I am the grand leader of the Royal Knights."

The knights and sergeants whose names were called by him suddenly looked flattered.

"Sir, you actually remember our names."

"Of course, you are all excellent warriors. What I want to know is, what is your purpose here?"

They all spoke one after another: "Sir, we want to swear allegiance to you and fight against the infidels together."

"We long to continue to fight and gain merit under your command, rather than sit idle in Jerusalem all day long."

Lothar nodded and said: "It is an honor for me to gain your allegiance."

He drew his sword from its sheath.

The knights knelt down and took the oath of allegiance.

Lothar has no idea of ​​changing jobs for them yet, it depends on their performance in this battle.

The knights of the order need to be equipped with plate armor produced by the blacksmith workshop, and the land assigned to them by Lothar for management is not for nothing.

"You should understand me. As long as I achieve meritorious service in battle, I will not be stingy with a knight's title and fief."

Complete the canonization ceremony.

A knight had a hesitant look on his face.

Lothar said: "Alexanders, do you have any requests?"

"Sir, if we achieve meritorious service in this battle, can you reward me with one of your Gwent cards?"

Alexandres had an embarrassed look on his face: "I'm sorry, sir, I know this is very abrupt."

Lothar said with great interest: "It doesn't matter. If you achieve enough achievements, I will naturally not be stingy with such a small request."

Everyone suddenly looked surprised.

Send these people away.

Hans was a little embarrassed and said: "Sir, you probably don't know how popular Gwent was in Jerusalem during this time."

Lothar couldn't help laughing and said: "Indeed, just looking at the account books that Coors presented to me, I really can't imagine that a knight would actually make such a request when he pledged his allegiance to me."

By evening, the army was ready.

Coors also returned from Jerusalem.

"Kors, you and Andreas are staying at the castle in Hebron during this period. If nothing else happens, the remaining powerful people in those places will most likely take the opportunity to cause trouble."

"This is their last chance."

"Model, take the people and guard the food and supplies. We will set off for New Habsburg tomorrow morning."

Lothar ordered.