Jerusalem is not like Aleppo or Antioch, the trade hubs; it is located between the southeastern corner of the Mediterranean and the Jordan River.
The nearest coastline is nearly fifty kilometers away, far from trade routes, standing tall among cliffs, gorges, and mountain rocks, enduring the invasions of scorching heat and harsh winters.
From a military and commercial value standpoint, Jerusalem is not a strategic location.
But religion bestows upon it an added sacred significance.
Saladin attempts to reclaim Jerusalem, to reforge the Great Shepherd's crown, to gain supreme prestige, suppress domestic resistance, and perhaps even unify the Zoroastrian world.
The Crusaders fiercely defended this place, as it is not only the heart of their belief but also the source of all ruling legitimacy.
After enjoying the luxurious life of the Eastern nobility, they have become utterly unaccustomed to the dank and moist Western Europe.
Moreover, each one has their place; since their ancestors left Western Europe, they have long abandoned all claims and inheritance rights to their territories there.
In Jaffa, Knight Kevin introduced Losa to Baron Godfrey, who had come to meet his son.
This is a middle-aged man accustomed to the Eastern heat, sporting a short, neat haircut, wearing a silk cloak over a chain armor shirt.
Truly a friend of Count Werner.
Upon learning of Losa's identity, his attitude became even more enthusiastic than if he were welcoming his long-lost son.
When he heard that Losa intended to follow his father's wishes and join the King's Faction,
he was at once filled with joy and surprise: "I knew it, that old fellow Werner certainly wouldn't let his old friend fight alone. Look, he sent his most brave and skillful son right to me!"
Baron Godfrey laughed heartily, giving Losa a firm pat on the shoulder: "I assure you, His Majesty the King will also be delighted to hear of your arrival."
Losa smiled shyly: "I am also honored to serve with my father's comrades under His Majesty."
He could feel Baron Godfrey's sincerity, which made him curious about what remarkable achievements Count Werner had accomplished here, to earn such admiration.
Surely, the protagonist's template should belong to Count Werner?
By evening, they finally crossed the vast Gobi Desert and arrived at the Holy City of Jerusalem.
This city appears completely different from Western European cities.
Some parts seem extremely cramped and narrow, but the towering fortress at its center was like a grand fortification Losa had never seen.
Everywhere there were buildings made of earthen bricks, with domes, spires, Frankish and Arab architectural styles interspersed within the city.
After the initial Crusaders captured Jerusalem, they committed a horrifying massacre; Arabs, Jews... all heretics were wiped out.
Their wealth was looted, and the remaining buildings, including Zoroastrian temples and altars, were occupied by the Crusaders, and some were directly converted into domed churches.
Even after more than a hundred years, Jerusalem still retains significant Arab characteristics.
Pilgrims from all over, speaking different languages, gather here.
This is the Three Religions Holy Land, encompassing beliefs from across Eastern and Western Europe, plus Central Asia and North Africa.
Swarms of caravans and pilgrims; Jews, Persians, Aksumites, Indians, Turks... even Song Dynasty people from distant East.
The various beliefs and languages spoken made Losa's head swim.
In a later era of burgeoning nationalism, this place would definitely be a source of chaos, not a place for development.
Street vendors selling spices, silk, and vegetables shouted their high prices, as goods, even when transported here from the coast, saw a steep price increase.
Peasant slaves herding cattle and sheep kept their heads down, obediently following their masters.
Jerusalem Knights in blue cloaks, Templars in white with a red cross, Hospital Knights with black and white crosses, leading soldiers patrolled the city.
And knights from Tripoli, Antioch, Northern Germania, Anglo-Saxon, Aragon, the Two Sicilies...
Their heraldry was variegated.
Gathered in small groups, they conversed with each other.
Clearly, the footsteps of war are approaching.
The prosperity and inclusive peace before them are about to become a thing of the past.
Baron Godfrey pointed to a hill in the distance, where a domed building with a cross atop it could be seen: "That's where Jesus was crucified. I'll take you and Berian to worship there later, but for now we need to head to the Royal Palace."
"Today is the Grand Council meeting day; most of the powerful nobles will attend. I'll take you to meet them first."
Losa nodded: "I will follow your arrangements."
The group halted at the outer castle.
"Lord Godfrey, you arrived just in time; the lords are already in session, only waiting for you."
The guard dressed similarly to Baron Godfrey, clearly also a member of the Royal Knight Order.
This was a chapter of the Royal Family's Imperial Guard, distinctly different from the Jerusalem Knight Order with those two royal words.
"I'm bringing two people in."
Godfrey pointed to the two people behind him, then strode into the palace.
Prajna frowned slightly; she was used to staying by Losa's side and instinctively wanted to follow him, but as she stepped forward, she realized it was inappropriate here.
Losa turned back to smile at her.
The Jerusalem Royal Palace is no dragon's den; he is here to pledge allegiance to His Majesty the King, not to attempt assassination, so there is no danger.
The palace walls were covered with exquisite carvings.
The filigree windows cast bright rays of light through their gaps.
Godfrey sat down with the two at a long table and introduced them in a low voice: the one in the red cloak is Georgelin from Edessa, an earl with only a title. His current fief is near Acre.
The tall, thin man with a head full of messy red hair is Count Reynard. He was once the Duke of Antioch, but he, along with the father of that Count of Edessa, had their territory taken by the Arabs.
So now he is the "Count of Oultrejordain," meaning "Count by the Jordan River."
He is one of the most powerful people in all of Jerusalem, brave and battle-hardened, and was one of the most important commanders, second only to His Majesty, in the Battle of Mongisa."
Godfrey lowered his voice: "This person is also a key figure in the Empress Faction led by Empress Angenis, intent on matching Guy of Lusignan with Princess Sibilla."
"The one in the red cloak is Raymond of Châtillon, Count of Tripoli, Prince of Tiberias, Regent of Jerusalem, who once orchestrated Princess Sibilla's first marriage."
"He has formed a small alliance with many nobles.
Roger of Morin from the Hospital Knight Order is his strongest supporter. Let's call it the Noble Faction.
Gerard, the Grand Master of the Templar Order, was once firmly on our side.
But as you know, His Majesty's condition is worsening, and recently Grand Master Gerard has been getting close to Reynard of the Empress Faction.
Especially since Reynard's more aggressive stance towards heretics aligns closely with the style of the Templar Order."
Losa frowned, and with just a few words, Godfrey had thoroughly analyzed the three forces in this hall, where none were certain of victory over the others.
The triad stand-off is the most stable yet hardest to reconcile situation.
"Lord Baron, which faction are you with then?"
Godfrey replied without hesitation: "The Ibelin Family is loyal only to His Majesty."
Losa pressed: "What if His Majesty passes away?"
A trace of heaviness appeared on the face of the Baron of Ibelin: "Losa, I must remind you that discussing this topic is a great transgression and offense for a subject."
Losa smiled and said: "But if we don't clarify things, how can I stand together with you in this?"
Godfrey paused for a moment, then quickly said in an extremely low voice: "Then we'll support the next king. After the King's death, the throne will surely be inherited by Princess Sibilla's son from her first marriage."
Losa asked: "Which faction is Princess Sibilla?"
"Empress Faction."
Losa mused: "So are we actually on the same front as Count Reynard?"
"No, the Ibelin Family never makes decisions in advance."
Godfrey paused, then solemnly said: "We are loyal only to His Majesty and do nothing extra."
Losa suddenly understood.
Look!
This is true wisdom.
Unlike those who sway like grass in the wind.
If the Ibelin Family is loyal only to the King, it won't suffer political factional strife, allowing it to better preserve its strength.
Moreover, the Ibelin Family's influence in the Holy Land is deeply rooted.
The prominently placed and royal-loyal Baron of Ibelin is someone any new ruler would want to win over and trust.
As for who the new ruler will be?
Let them fight over it.
At this moment, in the main hall, King Baldwin's herald walked briskly and loudly announced: "His Majesty the King is still resting, and the Regent King will preside over today's session."
Raymond nodded slightly to the herald, stood up, and said: "Today's agenda is whether to open the Holy Vault of Jerusalem to repair the walls of Jerusalem City!"
The main hall instantly descended into chaos.
Losa wondered: "Now even to repair the city walls, His Majesty the King has to discuss it with the ministers?"
Godfrey explained: "The key to the Great Treasury is in the hands of His Majesty the King and the Grand Masters of both the Templar and Hospital Knight Orders. He cannot use it alone."
"Moreover, this money does not belong to His Majesty. It was pre-deposited by King Henry II of England for his next Eastern expedition's military expenses."
Losa was speechless.
"Ah, this..."
Indeed, the agenda was met with firm opposition from the outset.
"King Henry II never fulfilled his obligation to support the Crusades until his death. It's rightful for us to use this money! The purpose is still to protect the Holy Land, a noble mission!"
"That's right, King Henry II indeed passed away. But his son, the one known as Richard the Lionheart, is still alive. We are still hoping for him to lead an army to support the Holy Land, so how can we divert this money?"
The nobles chattered noisily.
The Noble Faction, Empress Faction, and King's Faction are just broad classifications. In reality, they only advance and retreat together on matters of fundamental interest, usually expressing their individual opinions.
For example, right now, Gerard agrees to reinforce the city walls, while Count Reynard opposes, suggesting the money should be used to arm the pilgrims and recreate the outdoor battle, replicating the Battle of Mongisa to defeat Saladin.
Roger, the commander of the Hospital Knight Order, believes the money should be reserved to urge King Henry II's son, Richard the Lionheart, to promptly move to support the Holy Land.
There are also a few small nobles who believe the money should be used to hire mercenary groups from the Apennines and Germania. This money is enough to secure five or six large mercenary groups of over a thousand each, for a year's continuous combat.
Some even whimsically suggest using the money to hire Hawthorne's assassins to assassinate Saladin.
"Enough, hand vote now!"
Raymond of Châtillon slammed the table and loudly said: "Raise your hand if you agree to repair the walls of Jerusalem and strengthen the city defense, everyone else put them down!"