paranoianovel Chapter 897: Hang!
Chapter 897: Hang!
Chapter 897: Hang!
Damascus Square was bustling with people.
Many citizens of Damascus, guild leaders, and dignitaries were asked to attend the ceremony - yes, not an execution, but a ceremony for Lothar's coronation as the King of Damascus, and the execution was only a trivial part of it.
These natives of Damascus, still frightened, looked with sullen faces at the Crusader princes and knights who were clearly separated from them, fearing that the other side would raise their knives if they were not happy.
As a prisoner with a sack on his head was pushed onto the execution platform in the center of the square, the atmosphere immediately became much more solemn.
Some Damascene people who were unaware of the situation even thought that Lothar had captured Saladin and was going to execute him in front of them, and they couldn't help but show worry and sadness on their faces.
But soon, a preacher announced to them the identity of this man - Reynald of Châtillon, an executioner who had attacked Saracen border villages many times and had countless blood on his hands.
He was sentenced to hanging for violating military law, killing seventeen civilians and looting their wealth.
For a moment, all parties were in an uproar.
"That pagan devil. The pagan king actually made such military regulations. No wonder those Frankish barbarians. Soldiers have always been very restrained. Legends really can't be trusted completely."
A businessman with a mustache and a big belly laughed and said, "I have said it before. The Franks are just one body and one head, no different from us. I often deal with them in the spice business. Compared with our cunning compatriots, the shrewd Greeks, and the mercenary Persians, these Franks are much more lovely."
Others were indignant: "He is fooling us! This Reynard is a well-known devil among the pagans. They are just acting. Look, I don't believe he will really execute Reynard next. The devil is used to deceiving ordinary people like you."
Others looked indifferent: "Forget it, Saladin is dead, what else can we do? I advise you not to do anything in private, so as not to anger the Franks and harm innocent people."
The people of Damascus clearly felt Losa's kindness and their expressions became much more relaxed.
There is one bad thing about places with a strong business atmosphere: the natural weakness of the petty bourgeoisie is exposed.
The Crusaders generally looked unhappy.
Baron Reginald of Sidon could not help but complain: "Does our new king intend to execute a meritorious Crusader prince to please the Damascus people?"
Raymond had a complicated expression. Reynald was his old rival. His party had been fighting openly and secretly with Reynald for years, and they were like water and fire. But he absolutely did not want his old rival to be executed because of such a thing.
Lothar, are we, the great nobles who once called the shots in the kingdom, just pigs and dogs in your eyes who can be pushed to the gallows and killed at will?
"Philip, if you don't stand up, your number one lackey will be slaughtered."
King Richard the Lionheart was somewhat gloating.
Reynald of Châtillon had put in a lot of effort in building the teleportation array for King Philip to reach the Holy Land, and he was recognized as Philip's confidant. Lothar's execution of him was tantamount to a severe humiliation for him.
Philip was a little disappointed: "I have warned him that Lothar is serious this time, but he doesn't want to listen. He insists that if Lothar doesn't give it to him, he will go and get it himself. What can I do?"
He knew very well that Losa, with his great victory, had made such a big fuss. If he went to intercede now, it would undoubtedly be a humiliation for himself.
Earl Fuller on the side couldn't help but say: "But your majesty, this is a huge blow to your prestige."
A group of confidants were also quite dissatisfied: "His Majesty Lothar's military law is too harsh. It is unreasonable to execute a nobleman who has devoted his entire life to the cause of the holy war because of such a small matter."
Philip said impatiently, "You are wrong. It is not logical, but emotional. Lothar killed Saladin and conquered Damascus. Could you have done it without him? He is willing to reason with you, but you insist on reasoning with him and push him to the limit. If he doesn't even reason with you, what can you do?"
Philip hoped that these Holy Land nobles could face reality.
They wanted a strong king who could bring them victory, glory and wealth, but at the same time they were unwilling to accept the coercion of this powerful king and maintain their old loose autonomy - how could it be possible?
Besides, even in the East, he still insisted on maintaining the dignity of the old nobility and making a living from the land. How much money could he make from those estates? If it were Philip himself, he would rather be an urban noble without any land, running a workshop, a caravan, and living in a city mansion.
After being reprimanded, all the nobles became obedient.
It’s not that Philip is not on their side, but Philip has made his attitude clear and he will not stand out for them. His base is in Gaul, not the Holy Land. What he wants to do most now is to follow Lothar to finish this Eastern Expedition and return with glory.
Without outside support, these holy land nobles were very honest. Raymond didn't even dare to get angry in front of Lothar, let alone them. At most, they would mutter a few words behind his back, and they were afraid of being heard by others.
On the execution platform.
After his sack hood was taken off, Leonard was blinded by the strong light from outside.
When his vision recovered a little, he was shocked to find that he was standing on the gallows, surrounded by spectators who had come to watch the execution. The scene made him feel as if he had fallen into an icy cave.
He struggled madly: "I am innocent! Killing pagans is not a crime, His Holiness the Pope said so himself! Your Majesty Philip, Your Majesty Richard, Lord Raymond, for the sake of God, please say a fair word for me."
"My fellow Kingdom officials, nobles from Europe, I am the hero who saved Jerusalem. If I hadn't been there in the Battle of Mongizar, the Kingdom would have fallen to the pagans!"
The expressions of the three of them changed slightly, and they felt a little embarrassed.
Before they were about to speak, Lothar came to Reynald first. He stretched out his hand and pressed it lightly, and the noisy voices around him immediately became quiet.
"Everyone, have I repeatedly warned you not to harass civilians?"
As soon as Lothar finished speaking, many Crusader soldiers raised their arms and shouted: "That's right!"
Compared to those who were resistant to Lothar, the majority of the Crusaders supported Lothar. Most of them were of humble origins, and their voices could not be as loud as those of the prominent nobles, but they truly supported Lothar from the bottom of their hearts.
The shouts of the crowd silenced many of the Crusader princes who had originally wanted to use their numbers to advise Lothar.
Losa raised his hand again and pressed it lightly, and the people in the audience immediately quieted down.
"Well, gentlemen, have I used all my resources, including the treasury, to provide you with supplies and even salaries, so that you don't have to rob the civilians and can have food and water?"
"Yes, Your Majesty is merciful!"
"Reynard violated military law and deserved the punishment!"
Lothar nodded slightly, then turned around and looked at Reynard: "Reynard, because of your crimes, I will strip you of all your noble titles and return them to Sir Humphrey of Toruen."
In a previous meeting, Sir Humphrey of Torrhen had "voluntarily" granted the two fiefs to the two youngest sons of the family, and they would be managed by someone sent by Lothar until they came of age.
In fact, it is equivalent to returning the two territories to the royal family in disguise. In the future, Lothar plans to summon those useless nobles to the capital and no longer give them local governance power. Instead, they will be given annual pensions and salaries for corresponding official positions.
This was very similar to the process of centralization in France in history, except that it took France hundreds of years and several generations to achieve it in the past, while Losar planned to do it by force with his own prestige.
Jerusalem, I am the only one - Losa is not just talking.
"Execution!"
Losa emphasized his tone.
Reynald shouted sadly: "Everyone, if you don't speak up for me, who will speak up for you when you are tied to the gallows by this tyrant in the future? I will not resign myself to this. I am Reynald of Châtillon, the uncrowned king of the Dead Sea. How can I die in such a place!"
Lothar sneered, "This kind of place? This should have been the place of greatest glory for you since you participated in the Eastern Expedition, but you tarnished this glory with your own hands. Execute me now!"
As the executioner kicked away the wooden block under Leonard's feet, he began to kick his legs wildly.
After a while.
Looking at the corpse swaying on the gallows, Lothar waved his hand, signaling the executioner guarding nearby to collect the body and return it to Reynald's vassal - to be precise, his former vassal.
Lothar emphasized his tone and shouted: "Those who fight under me will be rewarded if they have made contributions, and will be punished if they have made mistakes!"
"Long live!"
"Long live Saint Rosa!"
Many lower-level crusaders and knights cheered. As ordinary soldiers, it was almost their instinct to hate the privileged class. This was despite the fact that in this world, it was common for civilians or lower-level knights to be killed for committing crimes, and the great nobles could be pardoned by simply paying a ransom.
But it doesn’t mean they don’t have resentment in their hearts.
Some relatives and friends of the knights who had been executed by Lothar's war team witnessed this scene and their resentment subsided.
The natives of Damascus couldn't help cheering. The people of Damascus had long heard of Reynald's notoriety. It was really gratifying to see this executioner-like criminal being executed.