Water Margin people

Chapter 1621 Soldiers and Bandits

Jerusalem.

The Crusaders who arrived in the holy city were extremely excited. They held up the cross and other holy objects and walked barefoot around Jerusalem and prayed. Finally, they bowed down in front of the Holy Sepulchre.

However, these Crusaders were far from elite. Their armor varied, and many of them wore homemade armor, which looked very messy.

Apart from being in high spirits, they were also slovenly and even extremely dirty.

After three days of frenzied worship, the biggest problem arose. The city of Jerusalem was very small, with a city wall of only ten miles, and it was very difficult to support an army of 50,000.

But these Crusaders who had sailed across the ocean didn't care about that. They were already hungry on the ship, and now they still weren't hungry in the holy city, which made them angry.

Many people started smashing things in the city. According to them, they came to defend the holy city and brought God's will. As believers, those shops and civilians should give everything unconditionally.

At first they just robbed food, then gradually they also took money, and finally women were raped.

When Baldwin IV arrived outside Jerusalem, the city was already in wailing, and the road was filled with victims fleeing the city.

Baldwin IV had a gloomy face. He had long anticipated what the Crusaders would do, but he did not expect these people to be so excessive.

"His Majesty!"

William, along with a group of nobles and masters of the knights, came to the outside of the city to welcome Baldwin IV.

"How do you manage the city?"

Baldwin IV was furious and scolded William and others.

Ever since the first generation of Crusaders conquered Jerusalem decades ago and repeatedly massacred the city, Jerusalem has been completely reduced to ruins. After decades of governance by their family, it has grown to its current size and restored its former prosperity. But now everything has been destroyed by the arrival of more than a dozen armies.

"Your Majesty, the army is running out of supplies and is somewhat out of control!"

William looked at Baldwin IV and said that it was not that he was unwilling to take charge, but that there were not only church leaders in the Crusaders, but also many nobles. These people had very high status and looked down on the people of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and refused to accept their management.

"Come on, follow me into the city!"

Baldwin IV snorted coldly.

As soon as he entered the city, Baldwin IV saw several men with lewd smiles on their faces walking into a house, while a woman's terrified screams were heard from the room.

"kill!"

Baldwin IV gave the order in a cold voice.

"Your Majesty, should we talk to the Archbishop and the nobles?"

William whispered to Baldwin IV that these people were crusaders sent by the Empire and the Church. If they killed them, it would likely anger the other side.

Several knights behind him immediately rushed into the house and pulled out several ragged men. Without waiting for the men to roar, the knights drew their swords and killed them one by one.

"Your Majesty, please make the decision for us!"

A disheveled woman knelt at the door and shouted.

"I am the King of Jerusalem. The people here are my subjects. I have the responsibility to protect them, no matter who comes!"

Baldwin IV spoke in a cold tone.

These words instantly made the surrounding knights stand in awe. Although their ancestors all came from the northwest, they were all born in Jerusalem. They had a special feeling for this place. This was their home.

The news that several Crusaders had been beheaded spread quickly, and a large number of Crusaders rushed to the streets in anger, wanting to take revenge. But when they saw that it was Baldwin IV, they became a little afraid. After all, Baldwin IV was the King of Jerusalem, and his identity was not something that commoners like them could question.

"I am Baldwin IV, King of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, son of Amalric I and the Countess of Jaffa and Ascalon! Who among you is the leader?"

Baldwin IV spoke.

"I am Kransbayer from the Bayer family of Brandenburg! I wonder if Your Majesty is killing the warriors who support the holy war!" A man with a noble look stepped forward and saluted.

"Is this how you treat the Holy City?"

Baldwin IV pointed at the persecuted civilians and asked.

"Your Majesty, these people hid the treasure and were unwilling to reward the warriors of the holy war. They should be punished!"

Crans spoke up.

"Humph, what I see is you burning, killing and looting! This is a holy city, and the civilians here are all believers of God. Aren't you afraid of God's punishment for treating God's believers like this?"

Baldwin IV spoke in a loud voice that shocked everyone around. The surrounding Crusaders all lowered their heads. Although they put labels on these civilians, they knew best whether it was right or wrong.

"All Crusaders, return to the barracks immediately. Anyone who dares to cause trouble will be killed!"

Baldwin IV spoke to the Grand Master of the Knights Templar and the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller behind him.

"Yes!"

The two leaders of the Knights immediately accepted the order in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, the Cardinal is summoning you!"

A knight rode up to report.

"Walk."

Baldwin IV nodded slightly and led his men to the largest church in the city.

The originally peaceful church was now guarded by the Crusaders. The cross on top of the church was also freshly painted and covered with silver paint. It shone brightly under the sunlight.

"Your Majesty, be careful!"

William reminded Baldwin IV that the people coming this time were real high-ranking officials of the church.

Baldwin IV paused for a moment, then dismounted and walked into the church.

The door of the church was open, but the glaring sunlight made it difficult to see what was inside. Baldwin IV walked in without any hesitation.

Inside the church, a cardinal in red robes was sitting on the main seat, with the archbishop sitting on his left and right, a group of priests standing outside, and below, all the nobles were sitting on high-backed chairs around a round table.

"Meet the Cardinal!"

Baldwin IV saluted the cardinal at the top, saying that this person was the highest-ranking person in the church except for the Pope.

"Baldwin IV, on behalf of the Holy See and His Holiness the Pope, I recognize your achievements."

The cardinal spoke as he looked at Baldwin IV who came in wearing a golden mask, and made the sign of the cross on his chest.

"Thank you, Your Holiness!"

Baldwin IV slowly took off his mask and also made the sign of the cross on his chest.

No one expected Baldwin IV to take off his mask, and they were all prepared to show expressions of horror. They had also seen lepers, and the horrific and terrifying scene made them a little afraid.

But Baldwin IV's face made everyone unbelievable. His face looked normal and there was no sign of leprosy at all.

"God has recognized my merits, forgiven my sins, and taken back his punishment!"

Baldwin IV looked at the cardinal and the crowd and spoke calmly. Although he was of noble status, the belief that leprosy was God's punishment for sinners was widely circulated among the people. This made many people in the empire oppose his leadership of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, saying that a sinner was not worthy of ruling the holy city.