Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 626 - 399: Stability

Early morning the next day

Losa held a grand entry ceremony, with hundreds of elite armored cavalry encircling Losa, a Crusader Prince whose name resounded even in Baghdad, as they patrolled the entire Semanud City.

The citizens cast fearful and cautious glances, not daring to meet his gaze.

Soldiers like Abdullah, who understood both Coptic and Saracen languages, shouted loudly along the streets: "All Christians and heretics, listen well, from today onwards, Semanud City will return to the embrace of Christ, our Lord. All Christians will only need to pay half of the usual taxes for the next year, and heretics need not worry, our Lord allows you to continue as before, no one will be massacred, and no one will be forced to convert..."

After the entry ceremony, Losa returned to the Governor's Mansion.

With this move, the situation in Semanud City could be said to be temporarily stabilized.

As long as there wasn't a large-scale riot on the first night, the people of Semanud wouldn't easily rebel again.

It's not excessive optimism, but Semanud City is dominated by the citizenry, which naturally has a propensity for compromise.

Those with nothing to lose are most prone to oppression but also most likely to rebel because there is nothing left to lose. In contrast, the citizenry, those who wear shoes, find it hard to resolve decisively to revolt even if their interests are harmed.

...

At this moment, Losa was engaging in pleasant conversation with the Bishop of Semanud City. This Bishop had previously been in contact with Losa's "Shadow of Darkness" in private and was warmly received by Losa.

"Most Reverend Bishop, from today onwards, half of the Holy Fire Altars in Semanud City will be handed over to you for management. No one will demand the merging with the Coptic Church or the Public Church; you can continue as before, pledging allegiance only to me."

The Bishop, full of delight, said: "Praise Heavenly Father, praise the Duke blessed by Heavenly Father, I believe all Christians will be enthralled by your achievements, and every Coptic will rejoice for the restoration of true faith in Egypt."

Losa replied with a smile: "This is the duty of every devout Christian, to expel the heretics and reclaim the Patriarchate. Most Reverend Bishop, I am only worried now about whom to appoint as the Archbishop of Alexandria in the future?"

The Bishop, stirred by Losa's promises, assured repeatedly to wholeheartedly encourage the Copts to enlist and contribute taxes to support the Crusaders' campaign.

Seeing off the Bishop.

Sometimes heresy is more hateful than paganism.

During the end of Eastern Rome, they tried unifying the churches in exchange for Latin assistance, only to meet strong opposition from the Eastern Orthodox Church in Constantinople.

They preferred accepting Ottoman rule rather than bowing to the Latin people.

Though the massacre and pillaging by the Fourth Crusade at Constantinople played a role,

Losa believed the key factor was the extensive privileges given to Venetian and Genoese merchants in Constantinople, which included special districts, vast colonies, and numerous tax exemptions for Latin merchants.

Local merchants were required to pay taxes for business whereas foreign merchants were exempt.

How could such a country win the support of its people?

This was why Losa remained vigilant towards the funding from Latin merchants and resisted the establishment of trade stations.

Such treaties are not to be signed casually.

Latin City-States, founded on naval power, indeed have the capability to deploy a large fleet to enforce debts militarily.

Therefore, for the Coptic Christianity, Losa had no plans to revert them to "true faith"; providing them with a more lenient environment would garner their support.

"What a big appetite this guy has."

"The problem is not his big appetite, but if he has the courage, transferring half of the Holy Altars and certain properties from the former Fire Worship to them will force the Coptic Church to stand against Fire Worship."

"Now, he's compelled to follow us."

"Kurs, how do you think we should rebuild the administrative system in Semanud City?"

Kurs hesitated for a moment, then sighed: "My lord, I fear that we must rely on the locals."

Following the route of urban aristocrats may not work.

Loyalty among subordinates is essential, but mere loyalty without capability is inadequate.

Being an effective urban aristocrat differs completely from being a rural one.

A Crusader Knight loyal to Losa but full of muscle is evidently inadequate for a role that requires a nimble mind to avoid being deceived by cunning citizens.

Coincidentally, Losa's army, like most armies of this era,

is composed of Heavy Armored Archers from Eastern Rome, well-educated but merely possessing literacy, cartography, military manuals—a set of military skills, perfectly suitable as military instructors.

But if they are directly involved in city management,

if citizens self-govern—are these freshly conquered territories reliable?

Losa needs a decisive victory—to completely defeat Adil, crushing the Saracens and Copts.

If only one side remains, even the fence-sitters must incline towards...

Likewise, regardless of how Losa structures the administrative system now, if the battlefield is lost, the citizens of Semanud City will immediately rise in rebellion.

""

"They have likely surrendered without incident."

The garrison at Bules Port, upon receiving news of Semanud City's fall early in the morning, were still in disbelief,

...

Buhayra.

A considerable force had already assembled here.

War is eternally destructive.

Many civilians were displaced, frightened by the brutal reputation of the Crusaders, fleeing from the chaos of war to this city, with refugees filling the streets and alleys.

Adil, on the one hand, was providing relief to the victims, while on the other, amplifying the brutal image of the Crusaders, simultaneously stirring their courage to reclaim their homelands, recruiting the strong among them into the cannon fodder battalions.

These landless civilians had representatives standing up daily, pleading for Adil to dispatch troops quickly, whereas the aristocrats who had lost territories to the Crusaders were much more subdued. Once they lost their lands, they lost most of their wealth and military strength; at this moment, they resembled beasts without claws, afraid that Adil might find any excuse to strip them of their rights.

"Master Shemir, when will our King arrive by ship?"

Black Robe Mage looked...

"Your Majesty has his considerations."

"I just received military reports; the gateway of the Central Delta has fallen, Losa has occupied Semanud City."

"Isn't this a good thing?"

Adil said solemnly: "Master Shemir, if we're truly speaking of the current clash of war, it falls on your shoulders; we are ordinary people."

Shemir looked deeply at Adil, the confidant of Saladin and lion of the Ayyubid family, before saying, "The magic consultant team of His Majesty will defeat the Crusaders on an extraordinary level."

"Master, if so, I am reassured."

Adil let out a sigh: ""