I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (5)
* * *
England
London
“Emperor Friedrich is probably saying something like that.”
I looked at the man sitting across from me.
A thick gray beard and a seemingly magnanimous face.
It was exactly like the illustrations I often saw in Last Crusaders.
Heinrich the Lion.
Emperor Friedrich’s cousin and the Duke of Saxony and Bavaria.
A feudal lord who ruled over a larger territory than Friedrich’s direct dominion.
‘He’s now been pushed aside by the Emperor and exiled to his mother’s family in London, though.’
Emperor Friedrich attacked Heinrich, citing his failure to assist in the Italian expedition.
Other feudal lords, eyeing his land, joined in.
He lost all his land.
But there were still many lords in Germany who followed him.
His eyes are full of vigor.
It’s hard to believe he’s a fugitive.
Maids and servants bustled about, carrying food to the banquet hall.
Heinrich said, tearing off a piece of meat.
“Friedrich isn’t one to easily forget a grudge. Master Gongja’s words are probably right.”
He asked.
“I heard that Master Gongja personally commanded the army and defeated Friedrich. I heard that you made him kneel before you. Is that true?”
“Emperor Barbarossa (Redbeard) knelt before the Holy Cross, not me.”
Hearing my answer, Heinrich burst into laughter.
Pieces of meat flew everywhere.
“Of course, that’s how it would be. It wasn’t Gongja, but the Holy Cross that he knelt to. Friedrich would have to say that to protect his honor.”
He pounded the table.
Joy and excitement erupted like a fountain.
“It’s like screwing a goat and then saying it was a beautiful maiden. And everyone else pretends not to notice. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s not a bad analogy.”
I laughed and replied.
“I regret not seeing that sight myself. Just imagining it makes me feel so good, it’s a shame.”
“When you return to Germany, you’ll be able to see the Emperor’s expression.”
“I’m no longer a Duke. I’ve lost all my land and am hiding at my in-law’s place. What kind of Duke has no land to rule?”
“….”
I looked at him.
Duke Heinrich had high stats.
Politics, administration, military, art, and so on.
In some areas, he was even higher than Emperor Friedrich.
He was a builder who expanded German territory and founded numerous cities through the Eastern Colonization movement.
He was also the one who founded Munich in Bavaria.
“And now my father-in-law is suddenly leaving on a crusade. Who will help me here in London?”
He lowered his head.
“Do you really think Henry II will go on a crusade? He’s always been a man of hidden intentions.”
“He won’t be able to retract what he’s publicly declared. Being excommunicated by Rome now is like a death sentence.”
I said.
And Henry II was sincere.
‘But this isn’t a good situation for Heinrich.’
Having lost his territory and fled to his in-laws, his father-in-law is now going on a crusade.
His most powerful ally is about to disappear.
“Let’s get straight to the point.”
This is where I come in.
“I’ve heard that you’re gathering funds and troops here in England.”
I looked at Heinrich.
He didn’t avoid my gaze either.
“I might be able to offer some modest help. I’ll give you some of the donations collected in England.”
I said.
“That should be enough to raise an army. And I’ll continue to provide support funds after that.”
“Don’t ask what the future will bring, but accept all that today gives as a gift.”
Heinrich grinned.
“That’s what Horace of Rome said. But nothing is ever truly free.”
He asked.
“I suspect you want something from me, Master Gongja?”
I nodded.
His political skills are maxed out, so it’s easy to talk to him.
“Two people with a common enemy can be called friends. Isn’t that our situation right now?”
“You’re asking me to keep the eagle from looking away [remain vigilant].”
“That’s right. That alone would be a sufficient price.”
I nodded.
Heinrich was Emperor Friedrich’s biggest rival.
The best card to keep the Holy Roman Empire in check.
Of course, I have to give him a boost first.
“I don’t defy the Lord’s will like some people. I simply follow it.”
Heinrich smiled and extended his hand.
I shook his hand.
“But there’s one condition.”
“A condition? Tell me anything.”
“You’re probably aware of ‘Saint Tokens’.”
“You mean the paper you use instead of money. I’ve heard of it. It was quite an interesting thing.”
He nodded.
“You’ve packaged it well. Using that paper is the same as supporting the Saints. That way, the Roman Papacy can avoid accusations of being greedy for money.”
He asked.
“What does that have to do with the condition you mentioned?”
“I’ll give you some of the funds in the form of Saint Tokens. I want you to use them like money in Germany.”
I said.
What Saint Tokens needed now was trust.
‘The belief that they are widely used.’
The more confidence people have, the more they will spread throughout Europe.
Then Jerusalem could sit back and reap enormous profits.
What if it spread throughout Germany?
“The same goes for when you regain your territory later. Use as many Saint Tokens as possible….”
“Use them. That’s what you’re saying. So that as many people as possible can use that paper money. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Oh, dear.”
Heinrich replied.
He looked at me and stroked his beard.
“I feel like I’ve fallen in front of a lion while trying to avoid a fox [exchanged one danger for another]. Using paper to support the army.”
“Saint Tokens can be exchanged for gold at any Knights Templar branch. They’re practically gold coins.”
“But that would also increase the power of the Knights Templar. And behind them are the Roman Papacy and Jerusalem. Isn’t that right?”
Heinrich smiled.
“Alright, I’ll accept Master Gongja’s proposal. Am I in a position to be picky?”
He asked.
“But if these ‘Saint Tokens’ are to gain trust, they’ll need a tremendous amount of funds. Do the Knights Templar and Jerusalem have that much money?”
That’s a sharp question.
If you can’t exchange paper money for other coins, its credibility will plummet.
Matching the value of paper money with gold.
That’s the core of the gold standard.
“You don’t have to worry about that. We’re already making a tremendous amount of money just in England.”
I shrugged.
The donations collected from all over England alone amount to a considerable sum.
Who knew that comet and earthquake prophecies would generate such lucrative profits?
“The Knights Templar branches have also been holding the money of pilgrims and nobles until now. Funds for exchange will always be maintained.”
And we’re planning to make a lot more money in the future.
“You’re telling me not to worry and just use them. Are you that confident?”
“I wouldn’t have made the proposal if I wasn’t confident.”
I smiled at the Duke.
“What business is more profitable than selling water in this world [an easy and obvious profit]?”
* * *
Same time
London
“Is this the elixir that’s been in the oak barrel for a month?”
Marco said, putting down his glass.
“It’s like a meadow is unfolding before my eyes. It’s like drinking sweet honey.”
“The taste is subtly different for each tree. And it also depends on what kind of wine was in the barrel.”
The old priest said.
The two passed through a warehouse full of oak barrels.
The warehouse was already filled with dozens of workers.
They were all carrying oak barrels, cutting wood, or charring it.
The London branch of the Knights Templar.
The priests walked through the aisles, supervising the work.
“Just a few weeks makes this much of a difference. I wonder what it will taste like after a few years.”
“We need more trees to make more of this elixir. Considering how long it takes, we need to work as much as possible.”
The priest said, shaking his head.
“It’ll be difficult right now. The Knights Templar branches are all rushing in, so the tree inventory is completely depleted.”
Marco said.
His face was flushed with intoxication and excitement.
“I and Venice will try to get more logging permits.”
Marco pointed to the oak barrels.
“By the way, aging. We can sell the old ones for even more.”
“They’ll probably keep buying it even if we charge the weight of the bottle in gold. They might even buy more.”
The old priest nodded.
“That Master Gongja knew all this is amazing. I’m just amazed. Storing the elixir in barrels that used to hold wine gives it this taste.”
“Archangel Michael himself told us about this holy water. Who knows what will come out in the future?”
Marco nodded and said.
“It’s something that will feed Venice for hundreds of years.”
“And even the holy city of Jerusalem.”
The priest said.
“But there are also many who are dissatisfied.”
“Dissatisfied with the elixir? Who on earth is saying that?”
“I heard that this was said in the Palace of Paris. That all of France’s money is being drained because of the elixir.”
“It was probably Philip who said that. There’s no way the king would just sit back and watch this gold mine.”
“If he steals the recipe or bans the import of the elixir….”
“He’ll be excommunicated. Laying hands on a gift given by the Lord.”
Marco said.
He shrugged and added.
“Not only His Holiness the Pope, but all the believers in Europe will rise up immediately. What could be more frightening than that?”
“I wish things were that simple.”
The priest said.
“But Master Gongja will take care of it, won’t he?”
* * *
England
Canterbury Cathedral
“Henry, King of England. Do you repent and reflect on the sins you have confessed?”
“I repent of all the wrongs I have committed, turning away from good and doing evil.”
Henry II said.
He was wearing a rough sackcloth shirt, not ceremonial robes.
Hundreds of people watched the king.
Among them was Queen Eleanor.
She stood across the cathedral with the other nobles, watching her husband.
“May Jesus Christ, the Lord of the world, have mercy on me.”
Monks holding whips walked towards the king.
“Merciful Lord Jesus Christ, through the death and resurrection of the Son, reconciled the world to you….”
The king knelt before everyone.
Only the priest’s voice echoed in the silence.
“Having sent the Holy Spirit, the Saints, and Baldwin Gongja of Jerusalem to forgive sins, through the ministry of the Church, grant forgiveness and peace to this sinner.”
The king said to the hesitating monks.
“What are you hesitating for? Start now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The monks lashed the king’s back with whips.
The sharp sound of leather echoed through the cathedral.
The king flinched each time the whip struck.
Bright red drops of blood flowed down the wounds.
“Ah, Your Majesty.”
Some of those who saw the sight burst into tears.
Eleanor watched the scene with a calm expression.
Only the sound of whips echoed in the silence.
An eternity seemed to pass before the whipping finally stopped.
“Your Majesty! Come this way.”
The nobles rushed to support the staggering king.
Henry II looked towards the cross as if he couldn’t see them.
“Becket. You must be satisfied now.”
He staggered, but did not lose consciousness.
“How is the troop recruitment going?”
“Fifty knights have arrived from Warwick. Also, two hundred archers….”
“A total of three hundred, including cavalry and knights, have departed from Norwich.”
“Three hundred archers have completed their expedition preparations in Woodstock, according to Your Majesty’s orders.”
The reports of the vassals continued.
Henry II nodded silently.
He muttered in a small voice.
“There’s still a long way to go. There’s still a long way to go.”