Chapter 221 The bloodless opening of the city of Antioch
Go north! Go north!
This is a simple declaration, but its implementation actually involves various complicated preparations.
If it was the period of the ancient Roman Empire, then the departure of a legion would mean preparing a large amount of logistical supplies, ensuring smooth roads, and preparing a base camp in advance.
But now is the 12th century, an era that is about to usher in the High Middle Ages.
In this generation, Europe as a whole lacked experience in mobilizing large-scale corps.
The assembly and operation of the army have become layers of subcontracting, and the feudal social system itself has become a military system.
The knight recruits the free people in his manor, plus the followers and retainers he hires, to join the lord's army.
The small lord will bring his own knights, the knight's followers, and the levies brought by the knight to join the big lord's army.
With such layers of subcontracting, the feudal system is not only a relationship of personal dependence, but also a hierarchical system of military construction.
In wartime, if you want to sort out soldiers with different functions, you need to temporarily organize them into cavalry, heavy infantry, crossbowmen, etc.
You can imagine the tightness of the organization of such a model.
Thus, in order to deal with some more urgent and urgent wars, religious knights and mercenaries are particularly important.
Because the area where Ghaires is now is no longer Transjordan, the island of Cyprus, the County of Tripoli, and the remnants of the Second Kingdom have not completed the transformation of their social systems.
In addition, the main force of the kingdom is still confronting Saladin on the southern front, and there are a lot of limited border frictions, and it cannot mobilize too many standing troops to go north.
Therefore, the army he assembled actually had the flavor of a feudal system.
The core ones are actually the two infantry companies brought by José, with a total strength of less than 300.
Then there were some Italian soldiers provided by Conrad. In order to mobilize these people, Isabella promised to abolish certain commercial franchise monopolies, and roughly gathered 400 people. come over.
On the Cyprus side, although Gallis is the head of state, due to time constraints, in fact, Cyprus does not even have a basic military system.
Gerlis directly called for a number of volunteers to participate in the Garris army in their own names. This group of volunteers numbered 600 people.
After piecing together these 1,300 men, Gairis established a military advantage over the scattered princes of Tripoli.
Coupled with Gairis's reputation in the city of Tripoli, he obtained the obedience of the princes of Tripoli and began to assemble an army from those small lords.
Four words are enough to describe the regiment under Garris: a rabble.
Of course, this is not the case for Garris's own army. In fact, almost all the armies of the Frankish lords, including Leonard, are like this.
Precisely because everyone is almost the same "rabble", as long as a small number of elite cavalry launches a charge that is strong enough and forward-looking enough, these "rabble" will easily collapse.
The stronger the knight's manor and fief, so the stronger the knight, the easier it is for the infantry to become a fish. The more the infantry is a fish, the more they need to rely on knights to fight. The more they rely on knights to fight, the stronger the knight's manor and fief...
In Before completing the transformation of the social level, Garris actually has no good way to reshape the army, so he can only make do with it for now.
These mixed troops gathered a total of three thousand people.
Gairis did not ask the Tripoli princes to send out as many people as they wanted.
But these lords or lord heirs are required to go north with the army.
The purpose of this is naturally to kill the chicken to scare the monkey.
Nowadays, Garris has not succeeded in establishing a unified political power, but is like an oasis island, sowing different seeds.
The Transjordan region has the deepest level of reform because Gaelis has been cultivating it for the longest time and most of the early followers of Gaelis stayed there.
In the true sense, the original tax collectors and feudal lord groups were cleared away, and a social state of parliamentary autonomy and democratic centralization was entered.
Cyprus transformed into a church state after dealing with Isaac. Although there were no noble lords, it was not a long-term solution.
As for the Second Kingdom, since the territories of Tire and Beirut were the original territories directly under the royal family, some reforms that were not particularly deep could still be carried out.
In the County of Tripoli, Garis is completely unable to reform the social system and lacks enough work teams to go deep into the countryside.
The only choice is to cooperate with the original feudal lords and complete the integration of the forces of the Crusader countries before considering reforms.
The food has to be eaten one bite at a time, and the road has to be walked step by step. There is still a place where the princes of Tripoli can be used, so we can only find a way to surrender it first, and then think about how to transform it.
Gehlis is different from other reformers. His greatest feature is not how powerful his personal force is.
But Garris could really upgrade the brains of some people in the old society.
Do you believe in the Kingdom of Heaven?
Do you want to be resurrected?
Then come and listen to Garris...
Use eternal life in heaven as a mortgage in exchange for partial concessions from the ruling class.
This is a compromise, but it is also because of this compromise that in just 2 years, Garris has created a business with a total population of more than 500,000 people and a total of more than 10,000 soldiers in various places.
When Garris goes to integrate the Principality of Antioch and completely integrates the fragments of the Crusader countries, the population within the control area can even exceed 700,000.
This number has exceeded the heyday of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the past.
......
In the ruthless trick of fate, Bohemond has gone from its former glory to today's decline.
A month ago, he led five thousand soldiers and embarked on the journey south, confidently looking forward to victory.
However, to this day, there are only a few loyal retainer knights left around him, and the power of the past has faded away.
The Levant is a paradise for adventurers, where dozens of noble lords have died and countless knights have climbed to high positions.
Bohemond thought of the time he spent with Leonard, and what his mother once said:
“In this chaotic world, the only way to rely on people like Renard is to Only a strong man like Germany can protect the safety of his family, even if he is just an insignificant hired knight at first.”
Once upon a time, the high-spirited Bohemond looked down upon him, and his expression was always contemptuous.
At that time, Bohemond always scorned his mother's views. Why did she have to devote herself to a knight of humble origin?
However, now, Bohemond still has difficulty understanding how Leonard did it.
How to keep track of his whereabouts? Shouldn't Leonard be in Antioch?
Or maybe there was a spy around him who informed Leonard of his army’s movements?
However, doubts cannot prevent reality from pressing on. For Bohemond at this moment, his first task is to find an ally who can help him regain power and destroy Leonard.
Several thick stone pillars stand in the hall, supporting the roof.
In the hall, a throne is placed at one end of the long table. The seat is inlaid with dark agarwood, and the backrest and armrests are inlaid with exquisite reliefs.
Gerys occupies this position unquestioned.
Opposite him, in the audience, Bohemond, who was so arrogant a month ago, showed a flattering smile.
Today, Bohemond's clothes can be described as extremely miserable, like a bereaved dog.
“From now on, there will no longer be the Principality of Antioch, only the Count of Latakia in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and the city of Antioch will become a direct jurisdiction of the royal family.”
Bohemond’s That charming smile froze. Although he was willing to pay any price to defeat Leonard, the price was too high.
Faced with such a huge sacrifice, he had to weigh it again and again.
“Do you still have a choice?”
"Reynard has already controlled the situation in Antioch. The kingdom has paid such a high price just to help you regain your position as prince?"
"Bohemond, you said that besides being the former Antioch, Besides Prince Ke, what else do you have?”
“Just give... Latakia, okay? I, I’ll give Latakia... to the kingdom.”
< br>Listening to Bohemond's stammering words, Garris couldn't help but chuckle.
"Who is Latakia? Since it is not in your hands, if I want to get it, I can just do it myself. Why do I need your support?"
If we are talking about France, we also need to consider superficial aspects such as legal inheritance.
So in the fiery land of the Levant, "the one with strong soldiers and horses is the emperor" has become a truth.
Not to mention that the kingdom itself is the suzerainty of Antioch. The suzerainty personally intervened when there was civil strife in Antioch. It is your blessing for Antioch. Who will get Bohemond as a lost dog? Too much talk?
“Two choices.”
“One, you take Latakia and attach it to the kingdom, and you can still be considered a noble.”
"Two, keep your title of Prince of Antioch, but you have no land, and no one takes you seriously anymore."
Gairis's words were to throw out the truth.
Now he really only has these two choices, either surrender to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, regain the fief and become a count with his own fief, or say goodbye to the power of the past completely.
Is it possible that I can still expect to inherit the position of Prince of Antioch after Leonard dies?
It’s not like Leonard has no descendants. Leonard’s eldest son and his half-brother is now serving in the Eastern Empire.
Once Leonard throws himself into the arms of the Eastern Empire, the Eastern Empire will be happy to take back Antioch.
Under this heavy pressure, Bohemond succumbed helplessly.
He slowly lowered his head, looking at the stone floor, and said in a voice like a gnat: "I...I promise."
...
Antioch, through the ages There were more than fifty large-scale conquests, and it is difficult to say the right and wrong. However, historians have all noticed that it was this ancient battlefield that determined the rise and fall of many dynasties.
In the second year after the three-pronged Crusaders gathered in Antioch and marched south to recover Antioch, the Seljuqs saw that the situation was over and abandoned the holy city of Jerusalem.
I don’t understand why everyone is talking about Guy being trapped in Harding, as if this ancient battlefield is destined to be doomed for us.
Now I embark on the journey from Tripoli and begin the Northern Expedition. The Levant will finally be unified.
Wherever our religion and our troops go, the people welcome us wholeheartedly. It can be said that we have the best time. How could this state of great vitality and all things competing for growth suddenly change and become our burial place? No matter what, I have the advantage in this battle!
Antioch (owned by Antakya, Turkey in the 20th century) is located on the east bank of the Orontes River and in the northwest Levant. Its geographical location is extremely important.
Its special geographical features have made it the focus of many wars in history.
It is located on the main road connecting the east coast of the Mediterranean and the inland areas. It is an important node of the Silk Road and the spice trade. Controlling this place can control the key channel of East-West trade
The city It is surrounded by mountains, with the Nuer Mountains to the north, the Scipios Mountains to the south, and the Orontes River to the west. The terrain is difficult, easy to defend but difficult to attack, and has always been a battleground for military strategists.
As the capital of ancient Syria, Antioch was a prosperous commercial center during the Hellenistic era and the Roman Empire. It has the reputation of the City of God, and its rich resources and developed economy attract various forces to compete for it. .
Around Antioch, the dispute between the Arab Empire and the Eastern Empire lasted for more than four hundred years!
The former City of God has also declined. A majestic city has returned to the ruins of the frontier due to the endless war.
In August 1188, once again, someone wanted to target the city of Antioch and march north.
The army had been assembled long ago, and the logistics reserves were prepared by Gareth after hearing the news about Leonard.
Everything had actually been prepared long ago, so after Bohemond arrived, the entire army set off.
It's just that Garris and his army didn't walk very far along the coastline before they turned directly to the east and inserted themselves into the mountain pass, heading towards the area controlled by Saladin.
After the first day of march, Bohemond approached Gellis. At this moment, Gellis was inspecting the camp to ensure that the arrangements of the posts were reasonable and that there were no problems with food distribution.
"D...Duce."
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"I, aren't we going to Latakia?"
< br>
Hearing that Bohemond actually asked this question, Garris felt that the reason why this guy became the Prince of Antioch was simply because his mother was the female prince of Antioch. It was nothing compared to this person's talent and hard work. No connection.
Even if a tethered dog were in that position, it might be better than this guy.
“When did I say I was going to Latakia?”
Hearing what Garris said, Bohemond’s eyes widened.
"Then...then where are we going?"
"Go north along the valley and go straight to Antioch."
When Antioch was mentioned, Garris couldn't help laughing.
Looking at Garris's smile, Bohemond felt very baffled by it.
This guy still hasn’t realized what is going on in the city of Antioch.
……
As the army passed through the wilderness of the area controlled by Saladin and arrived in the river valley in the eastern region of Antioch, Bohemond felt that something was wrong.
This place is peaceful, and the people in the village have peaceful faces, and they seem to be completely unaware of Leonard's name.
When Gehris and his army arrived at the city of Antioch, Bohemond's doubts became more and more serious: there was no trace of war on the walls of this ancient city.
Gaillis walked to the city gate with confidence. The city gate that was originally closed due to the approaching army actually opened on its own when Bohemond arrived.
The officials appointed by Bohemond rushed out to greet him and reported to him about Leonard's rebellion.
Bohemond looked at Garris in disbelief, and Garris responded with a friendly smile.
“Antioch belongs to me.”
At the same time, the troops who had been on standby poured into the city like a tide. Taking the agreement signed by Bohemond, they quickly lifted the original The city guards were armed and took over the city defense.
This is why Garris waited for Bohemond, and why he took Bohemond north even if he promised to cut a piece of Latakia.
If Antioch never fell from beginning to end, then whoever controls Bohemond would have the opportunity to directly attack the city without blood.
This is indeed a gamble, but if you lose the bet, you won't lose much, but if you win, you can directly capture the city of Antioch.
Now, this "City of God" has been opened without blood and has fallen into the hands of the "Son of God".
It was only at this time that Bohemond finally realized that his city of Antioch was actually safe from beginning to end. Leonard did not conduct a decent siege of Antioch at all, but retreated directly to the hills between Antioch City and Latakia to prepare to ambush him.
"Then...how do you know all this?"
Gairis pointed to his head, and then the meaning contained in it was unspoken.
Since then, Antioch has remained the same Antioch, but the city's destiny has changed and veered off track.
It can be said that Leonard took Latakia without a single blow, and Garris took Antioch without stopping.
Bohemond did nothing and just gave two big cities for nothing.
It can only be said that the artifact has no owner, only the virtuous can occupy it.
Bohemond, who wanted to understand all this, was speechless.
For Gareth, it's a different story.
To be honest, every time he walked into these ancient cities with thousands of years of history, Garris felt unreal. In other words, he was a little surprised by the wealth of the Crusader countries.
This city was founded by Seleucus I Nicator at the end of the fourth century BC. It has a history of thousands of years. It was an important node for countless merchants and an important ruling center of the Roman Empire.
It is rumored that during the time of Augustus, the city may have had as many as 250,000 people.
Today, the city still has a population of more than 30,000, its prosperity still exceeds that of Tire and Tripoli, and its wealth is comparable to the income of the British royal family.
And if you can control the entire territory of Antioch, it means that you can support thousands or even tens of thousands of troops.
For this reason, Leonard felt that as long as the three remaining Crusader countries were united, they could assemble an army strong enough to compete with Saladin and even protect themselves.
Of course, Leonard, who was in Latakia, did not expect that the city of Antioch that he had longed for had already been conquered by Garris.
He is still training his army, preparing to devour Antioch, and then he is thinking about sending his troops south, defeating Gellis head-on, and then going to have a life-and-death fight with Saladin.
……
Akka, Saladin finally saw the light again.
Due to the smallpox plague in the first half of this year, the large-scale offensive he planned to launch against the Northern Crusaders in the first half of this year was interrupted.
As for Saladin, although he did not leave Acre and fled to Egypt.
But he also locked himself in the palace of Akka, minimizing going out to avoid plague infection.
Such an action was very effective, at least he survived safely.
The plague in the city, because of the immediate news from my friends, did not cause particularly serious damage after completing the isolation as soon as possible.
After confirming that the minor epidemic had dissipated, Saladin also began to handle intelligence work quickly.
This piece of information comes one after another about the great changes in Cyprus, the change of power in Tripoli, and the rise of Leonard in the north.
Saladin was speechless for a moment.
His general attack on the Kingdom of Jerusalem was like knocking down a domino, triggering various chain reactions that he had not expected.
He could feel that the remaining Crusaders were uniting and things were getting tricky.
When the three northern countries plus Cyprus are completely united, it will be a big trouble for Saladin.
The name Garris appeared in Saladin's ears more and more frequently, making him pay attention to him.
When I first heard about Gairis, it was probably in Transjordan.
As far as the current situation is concerned, Saladin feels that maybe he should pay more attention to Transjordan.
It's time to organize your troops and pull out the poisonous snakes behind you.
However, it still takes time. After all, most of the volunteers in his army have returned to their respective hometowns with rich spoils of war.
After witnessing the benefits of the war, the people all expressed their desire to participate in the war. They sought wealth and fame.
Secondly, because the Levant region fell into war last year, food prices in the Mediterranean region increased, and the sales profits of wheat produced in the Nile region were also better than before.
These news excited Saladin. At least he could be sure that he should be able to assemble a large army again in the second half of this year so that he could continue to use troops against the Franks.
In this case, what should he do?
Saladin turned his attention to the north, one was the Eastern Empire of the Romans, and the other was Masyaf Castle near Antioch.
Now Saladin has formed an alliance with the Eastern Empire in order to fight against some Muslim countries in the north.
On the other side of Masyaf Castle, there are the best assassins of this era.
I just have to ask my former mortal enemy for help, tsk...
"I hope they can accept this goodwill, just don't be ignorant of good and evil."
Saladin must admit that if he only relies on assassins, he can weaken the opponent's strength by removing the opponent's leader.
As a Sudanese leader, he must consider it.
(End of this chapter)