I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 179

< 179. Lead Me to the Light (4) >

“So, let me summarize what you’re saying.”

I looked at Marco.

He was trembling like a puppy meeting a tiger. I almost felt sorry for him.

The arrogance he showed when I first met him was nowhere to be seen.

“You’re saying you want to supply more grain to the Saracen cities?”

“Yes, to be more specific, it’s the supplies that were stockpiled for the Crusades.”

Marco handed me some papers and said,

“Didn’t Your Majesty order us to prepare supplies for the Crusades coming from Europe?”

“That’s right.”

A large-scale expedition involving nobles from England, France, Ethiopia, Italy, and Germany, as well as the Eastern Roman Empire.

We had to prepare places and food for tens of thousands of soldiers in advance.

“And you entrusted that to your maritime cities.”

“Yes, but the problem is that the supply chain was completed too quickly. Grain is already piled up in warehouses. Not only Venice but also Genoa and Amalfi are having trouble storing it….”

Marco said, sweating profusely.

“Saladin’s recent campaign has significantly increased grain prices in Damascus.”

“That must be the best situation for you to do business.”

I said with a smile.

The warehouses are full of grain, and the price has skyrocketed due to the war.

It was a situation that would make the merchants of the maritime cities go crazy.

“If the contents of this document are correct, Genoa and Amalfi were already selling off as much food as possible.”

It was more surprising that Venice had been quiet until now. I could roughly guess the reason, though.

‘Supplying food to the enemy!’

A situation that would make me and the Kingdom of Jerusalem look very bad. Balian, who had been silent beside me, opened his mouth.

“We must deploy troops immediately to stop them. Even if it means arresting the merchants….”

“That would be one way.”

I looked at Marco.

He was still terrified, watching me and Balian.

“But do you think it will end just by stopping the merchants?”

“Yes?”

Balian frowned, looking like he didn’t understand me.

“Even if we control the merchants of the maritime cities, we can’t stop the other Saracen merchants coming from the east of the Levant [the historical region encompassing parts of the Middle East].”

From Persia and Iraq.

Merchants from that side would load up on food and come to the Levant.

Then, it would only take a little more time for food prices to stabilize. The Arab merchants of this era are businessmen no less than the maritime cities.

‘They wouldn’t miss this opportunity to make money.’

After listening to my explanation, Balian asked,

“Are you saying we should just let the maritime cities supply food?”

“I never said that.”

I said with a smile.

There have been many similar situations in history.

For example, Germany and Russia.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Germany received natural gas from Russia.

Cheap natural gas imported through pipelines. Germany saved a lot of money through this, but there were also side effects.

As time went on, the pro-Russian faction in Germany grew, and they couldn’t easily respond to Russia’s tyranny.

Not only that.

The more you rely on cheap resource supplies, the greater the side effects when they are cut off.

“Instead of prohibiting food sales, there is one condition.”

I said.

“Do not charge more than double the existing food price.”

“Then the profit will be….”

“It would be more profitable than banning sales altogether, wouldn’t it?”

“···.”

Marco sighed deeply.

“If Your Majesty wishes, we will donate some of the profits to the royal family. Not only Venice but also other maritime cities will accept it. The higher the price, the more profit for the kingdom and Your Majesty, isn’t it?”

“Still, you shouldn’t overcharge for food.”

“Your Majesty is aiming for other Saracen merchants.”

Balian muttered.

“If the price stabilizes, other Saracen merchants won’t bother coming to sell food.”

“That’s exactly it.”

I nodded.

If there wasn’t a high profit, there would be no reason to come and sell food.

“And there won’t be a supply chain. If the supply from the maritime cities is cut off later, there will be more chaos.”

“As expected, Your Majesty has a plan.”

“It’s not that I had a plan. I just responded to the situation.”

I smiled and looked at Marco.

If Marco hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have grasped the situation in time.

I need to give the other maritime cities a stern lesson.

“For the time being, I will entrust the sale of elixirs only to Venice. I will give you as much quantity as Marco wants.”

“Oh, thank you so much, Your Majesty!”

Marco bowed his head with a surprised expression. Elixirs were already one of the most profitable products.

Giving the quantity only to Venice was a special favor.

I said.

“If something happens in the future, tell me. I will make sure to take care of the interests of Venice and your merchant guild.”

Come to think of it, there was something I needed to check.

“Speaking of which, there is one thing I want to entrust to you and the Venetian merchants this time.”

“If it’s work….”

“Check the atmosphere in Damascus. Everything from the market to the conversations in the back alleys.”

“Is there something you want in Damascus?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

There’s no need to act on my assumptions yet.

“I just have one thing to confirm.”

* * *

Damascus

“Salāh ad-Dīn! Salāh ad-Dīn!”

Saladin crossed the city to the cheers of the public. The citizens were still chanting his name, but the atmosphere was quite different from when he set out.

“Look at that. The citizens of Damascus still support you, brother.”

Al-Adil approached Saladin and said,

“So why don’t you let go of your anger? We didn’t lose the battle.”

“But we didn’t win either. Kerak had to be captured no matter what.”

Saladin said. His gaze was still fixed ahead.

“Now the citizens will try to find someone to blame for the failed expedition. We must pass all responsibility to Abul-Heyja and Masud.”

He said.

“We must turn the citizens’ anger towards Aleppo and the Franks [a historical term for Western Europeans, particularly the French, during the Crusades].”

“I will tell the poets and scholars. The arrows will not turn to you, brother.”

“And send a letter to Baghdad.”

“But the Caliph has never sent proper support. Now….”

“The reason the Caliph hasn’t stepped in is because I was strong enough. Now that I’m bleeding, the Caliph will try to take action.”

“Then it’s like poisoned water.”

“If you’re dying of thirst, shouldn’t you drink even poisoned water?”

Saladin chuckled.

“Even if it’s poisoned, there’s no guarantee you’ll die. You just have to overcome it.”

At that moment, a boy jumped into the procession and stood in front of Saladin.

“Who is that!”

“Can’t you step back!”

The Kurdish guards shouted, brandishing their spears. But the boy was still standing there with a terrified expression.

“It’s okay, there’s no need to shout at a child.”

Saladin said, getting off his saddle. He approached the boy.

“What’s your name, boy?”

“I, I am Kijam al-Mulk, the son of Salahman. Commander of the great warriors.”

“There’s no need to give me such a long title. So, why did you stand before me, Kijam al-Mulk, son of Salahman?”

“I, I want to give this to the Sultan.”

The boy hesitated and reached out his hand.

A mirror with gold decorations in his small hand.

“That looks like an expensive item. Why are you giving me this mirror?”

“My father died fighting for this jihad [a religious duty of Muslims to maintain and spread Islam]. I want to join the army and fight the Franks, but….”

The boy said, sobbing.

“My mother and other relatives all say I’m too young. If the Sultan receives this gift and allows me….”

“So you were trying to bribe me.”

Saladin replied with a faint smile. He stood in front of the boy.

“If your father was martyred for the jihad, he will surely go to heaven next to the Prophet at the Last Judgment [the final assessment of humankind].”

“I want to go to heaven with my father! So I fought in the jihad….”

“To become a warrior, you need strength and muscles. You can’t fight the infidels with just will.”

Saladin reached out and stroked the boy’s hair.

“Take good care of your mother now. There will be plenty of opportunities to fight for the jihad later.”

Saladin gestured, and a guard walked over with a money bag.

“I can’t just receive a gift.”

Saladin took out a handful of gold coins and put them in the boy’s hand.

“Is it okay to receive so much money….”

“Yes, it’s a gift for a great Muslim. It’s also a thank you for your martyred father. Go now. Listen to your mother.”

Saladin got on his horse, and the procession began to move again.

“He’s a very ambitious child. He will become a great man in the future.”

Al-Adil came to his side again, but Saladin said nothing.

By the time they arrived at the palace, Al-Adil noticed that Saladin’s eyes were red.

“He was still a child.”

He muttered to himself.

“He was a child who didn’t even know the difference between Islam and the infidels. And that child said he wanted to die for the jihad.”

“Brother….”

Saladin left his brother behind and went into his office alone.

* * *

Baghdad

The Dome of the Believers

Castrated eunuchs strolled through the garden, watering the flowers. Colorful birds fluttered, beautifully illuminating the garden.

An oasis in the middle of the city.

Only one person could enjoy this luxury, the Caliph [a supreme religious and political leader of an Islamic state]. The leader of all Muslims and the one who conveys the words of Allah.

“Caliphate An-Nasir (Representative of Allah), Sultan Salāh ad-Dīn has sent a letter.”

“So he’s finally back in Damascus. Does he say he needs my help?”

“Yes, that’s right. The scribes have directly confirmed the letter and reported to the Caliph….”

“He didn’t even pretend to listen to me, but as soon as he’s in danger, he sends a letter right away.”

Al-Nasir said with a smile.

He strolled through the garden with his attendants, enjoying the fragrance of the flowers.

“If we’re not careful, the entire Syria could fall into the hands of the Franks, Commander of the Believers.”

The old servant bowed his head and said.

“Then the hands of idolaters and polytheists will reach even here in Baghdad.”

“Why would the Franks bother coming all the way here to Baghdad? I don’t think they would be interested in universities, schools, and academics.”

Al-Nasir asked.

“But it’s an opportunity to put a leash on Saladin. Until now, Saladin’s popularity has been higher than mine, the Caliph, in Syria, hasn’t it?”