In the Middle Ages, people drew cards to be promoted to nobility.

At this time, the distant Austrian border area.

In the palace in Vienna, the red-robed witch nestled in the arms of the high-spirited Count Leopold. He waved a letter in his hand and said with a smile:

"Ha, I was indeed right about this Lothar. He is a capable person. Coupled with the connections left by his old-fashioned and serious father, this investment is definitely a good deal."

"What's up with him?"

The red-robed witch blinked in confusion.

"He has gained the attention of Baldwin IV and been granted a Greek castle. Now he is writing to me, hoping that I can fulfill the original agreement."

"Greek castle?"

"Has he been enshrined in the territory of the Eastern Empire:"

"No, no, no, I mean, I don't know where it is, but judging from the name, it must be an ancient castle that was left behind when the Greeks ruled the Holy Land."

"Anyway, it's something to be happy about."

Immediately, he put his hands behind his back and said with a serious expression: "Unfortunately, my departure to the Holy Land has to be postponed again. His Majesty the Emperor has issued a recruitment order to me."

"If I still want to plan to separate the Austrian border area from Bavaria and upgrade it to the Principality of Austria, I'm afraid I will have to answer the call."

Count Leopold was not a very pious man, but he was obsessed with going to the East to conquer the East, make a great name, and seize the rich wealth of the East.

It would be great if we could get a fiefdom in the east.

And if Lothar can gain a foothold in the Holy Land, he will be a powerful aid to him.

…

County of Aargau.

Eagle Fort.

Count Werner opened the wax seal on the letter and carefully read this letter from the far away Mediterranean.

Unknowingly, this man with a cold personality, as cold as a stone, had a rare smile on his face.

Otto looked at the smile on Count Werner's face with some confusion and asked: "Father, what happened to make you so happy?"

Count Werner immediately suppressed his smile and threw the letter to Otto: "I knew that you stole those two wine glasses and gave them to Lothar. He made it clear in the letter."

Otto's expression changed drastically: "He wrote this letter specifically just to betray me?"

"Ah."

Count Werner couldn't hold back and laughed.

He patted Otto on the shoulder, looking inexplicably pleased: "Losa is already a baron, and is highly valued by His Majesty. Maybe next time he comes back, the title he holds will be more prominent than you and me."

Otto had a look of envy on his face, but then he became worried: "I would love to see that one day, but Saladin... that was a terrible pagan king."

Earl Werner nodded and said: "Indeed, luck played a big part in why we were able to defeat him in the first place. Now that he has integrated most of his forces, he is even more difficult to deal with."

It was already noon when Lothar came out of the palace.

Leonard ran over in a ruthless manner and took the reins of Nissaan's war horse: "Lord Saint! What did your Majesty tell you?"

Lothar stopped and his face became serious: "I warn you, Leonard, don't call me this title again. The Son is spiritual, and I am just a secular lord."

"Yes, yes, my lord."

Leonard was startled by Lothar's sudden anger.

"Leonard, I know you always use this title on your lips out of awe of me. But you have to know that no one will like a living Son, whether it is Jerusalem or the more distant Papal City. .”

Leonard seemed to have thought of some terrible possibility, and a large amount of cold sweat broke out on his forehead: "No, sir, I understand, I will never call you such a name again."

Lothar nodded: "Next time, your head will not stay on your neck safely."

He jumped onto his horse, and without waiting for Leonard, he rode and led the team to Constance Manor.

Halfway through, a hooded man suddenly jumped out.

Lothar instinctively drew his weapon and pointed it at the opponent.

The man whispered: "Sir, I don't mean any harm. Please come with me. A big shot wants to summon you."

The hooded man only showed his chin covered with green stubble. He did not have any coat of arms or anything on his body that could prove his identity.

"What kind of big shot needs to be so secretive in the Holy Land?"

"You don't need to be on guard, we are by no means your enemies."

"Ah."

Seeing that Lothar was indifferent, the man sighed and said, "You can bring your witches and some of your guards. Please forgive my Lord for having no choice but to be unable to meet you in public. When we get to the place, you will know where it is." A big shot."

Lothar thought for a moment, nodded and said, "You can lead the way."

Along the way we came to a shabby hotel.

Lothar recognized the man in black robe standing at the door of the hotel at a glance.

"Abdullah!"

Lothar's face was full of surprise: "Are you the so-called big shot?"

Abdullah also had a smile on his face. Meeting again after a long absence is always a joyful thing.

But he shook his head and said: "I am not a big shot. The one who wants to see you is my young master."

He pointed inside: "Follow me."

Following his guidance, Lothar saw a young man wearing a silk coat and an open chest.

He wore a lot of expensive decorations on his body, showing the luxury unique to Eastern nobles.

Apparently, this was also a Kurdish nobleman.

"I am Ismail Melik Saleh, son of Nur al-Din, King of Syria, true master of Aleppo."

Lothar looked at the man with dark skin and sharp eyes in front of her, and wondered: "Saleh, aren't you already dead of illness?"

This Saleh was the successor to King Nureddin's throne after his death.

Saladin has been under house arrest in Aleppo, and news of his death was reported only a few years ago.

Lothar knew this because Saladin had been loyal to King Nureddin and then rebelled. Crusader nobles often used this matter to question Saladin's character.

In fact, Lothar felt that if there was another Eastern king, Saleh would not just be "under house arrest".

"It's just a substitute."

Saleh said coldly: "If it weren't for that, I wouldn't be able to escape Saladin's control at all. This rebellious man wants to imprison me for fifteen years like my father imprisoned Leonard! Even until I die!"

Nur al-Din of the Zanji dynasty, the father of the man in front of him, once captured Count Leonard alive and imprisoned him for fifteen years.

During this period, Leonard's first wife died of illness, which also caused Leonard to lose the title of Grand Duke of Antioch.

That's why Leonard hated the Zoroastrians so much that he even repeatedly attacked pagan caravans passing through his territory, causing chaos in a good trade route.

From a long-term perspective, it would be more beneficial to him to maintain this trade route.

If Leonard discovers that Noureddin's son is in Jerusalem, he will not care about the overall situation and will immediately lead his troops to chop Saleh into mincemeat.

"Then, respected King Saleh, you can tell me your purpose of coming."

"I want to take back Aleppo, and even the whole of Syria, which is occupied by Saladin's minion Savoddin. I seem to hear it wailing and calling me all the time."

Lothar smiled and said: "I can understand your mood, but I don't understand, what is the use of you looking for me, I am just a little baron."

Saleh hummed softly: "I know your status is not prominent, but you are highly valued by your king. I want you to introduce me to Baldwin. In return, I am willing to give you ten beautiful female slaves. A Damascus scimitar."

Lothar readily agreed: "I will convey your idea of ​​meeting my king, but I do not guarantee that His Majesty the King will agree to meet you. At the same time, I hope that your thank you gift can be converted into something else."

Saleh said proudly: "What do you want? As the Lord of Aleppo, even though I am living in exile, my wealth is still far beyond the imagination of a Frankish barbarian like you."

Lothar pointed at Abdullah and said, "I hope to gain Abdullah's allegiance."

Saleh was silent.

Abdullah looked surprised and hesitated to speak.

After a long time, Saleh shook his head and said: "No, Abdullah is my loyal warrior and trusted minister, not a slave of Ghulam. I have no right to order him to be loyal to an infidel."

Lothar could clearly see Abdullah let out a sigh of relief.

He sighed secretly and had to say: "The war is coming. I want war horses, or gold and silver coins. Only these two can increase my strength in a short time."

"No problem, I will give you ten good horses. Is this enough?"

Lothar nodded and said: "Of course, thank you for your generosity, Lord of Aleppo."

Lothar paused slightly and then said: "Abdullah is a very outstanding warrior. You made a wise decision."

Saleh laughed and said: "Of course, if I can exchange gold and silver for a warrior like Abdullah, I am willing to spend everything I have."