Chapter 106: Bethlehem
Bethlehem, in the language of the Isaacites, means “house of bread,” and in the language of the Saracens, it means “house of meat.”
Either way, it symbolizes the prosperity and affluence of this small city.
It is located on Bethlehem Hill, between the desert and the hills, an oasis lush with water and grass. As early as the fourteenth century BC, the Canaanites had settled here and built the city. Its history may predate Ayyarasa Road. In terms of holiness—Jesus Christ was born here, shepherds received a revelation from an angel in the fields here and came to worship the infant, after he and his parents left, many holy infants were martyred for him, and when Jesus Christ returned here, he once temporarily sheltered in a milk cave.
It is also a must-visit place for many pilgrims and one of the hubs and trading places that merchants are happy to choose. The people of Bethlehem extensively plant olive trees; olive oil, olive wood, handicrafts, and carpets are all important products here.
To say that such an important place was enfeoffed by Amalric I to Caesar without anyone raising objections would be truly strange! In fact, there were indeed people who tried to persuade the king, but they were all blocked and refuted.
First, this was the last decree of the King of Ayyarasa Road. He was not only a dying man but also a Crusader knight who fell on the road of expedition. He was destined to become a saint!
Secondly, it was obvious that the king’s action was also for his son Baldwin—after Baldwin contracted leprosy, the young men who should have been his arms all left him. Now, the prince no longer wished to place trust in them. By his side, only Caesar remained. If Caesar were just an ordinary knight and attendant, would not the prince’s strength be even weaker in the face of those cunning old ministers?
Finally, Caesar is the student of Patriarch Heraclius, and the patriarch’s attitude is also very clear: he absolutely supports these two children.
Since that is the case, why be too concerned about this temporary gain or loss?
Even if there are still people who cannot help but covet this sweet bait, they can wait and see. If the young new king is just a puppet, or if Caesar is not up to his reputation and cannot manage this city well, it would not be too late to act then.
——————
This was exactly what Bishop Andrew, the former administrator of Bethlehem, thought.
Bethlehem was originally part of Ayyarasa Road. The bishop appointed by the king to govern this place on his behalf could only be one of his own men. Bishop Andrew was originally a monk brother in the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. He had always maintained sufficient respect and caution toward Amalric I. Even after nearly ten years in Bethlehem, he never showed any disrespect or tried to line his own pockets.
But the old king is dead, and the new king is just a young man barely of age. He has no loyal ministers by his side, and most of the generals are taking a wait-and-see attitude. Amalric I enfeoffed Bethlehem to the attendant by his side, perhaps to give him more bargaining chips. But Bishop Andrew shook his head—things would not be that easy, would they?
He led the monks and priests out of the city gate and prepared to welcome the new master of Bethlehem with utmost seriousness, just as if treating a true lord.
“There is no need for you to do this.” His student muttered discontentedly beside him, “We are enough. He is still just a child.”
“Only fools would quibble over such trifles,” the bishop said. “Even if no one came to welcome him today, he is still the master of Bethlehem. The mockery and sarcasm behind his back cannot harm him in the slightest. Do not even think of such meaningless things, let alone do them—and besides.” He joked, “Do you not love beauties the most? Even just to see a beauty, waiting here a little longer is no big deal.”
The bishop’s words instead embarrassed his student: “I do not believe it. It is all Gerard’s Thomas talking nonsense. He was always a fool…”
“Hush.” The bishop suddenly raised a finger. “They are coming.”
——————
When Heraclius mentioned Bethlehem, Baldwin was first stunned, then immediately understood.
It was also because Caesar had been inseparable from him these past few years, always together day and night, that he had almost forgotten Caesar had been knighted and granted a fief—an extremely important and key place—Bethlehem.
Just like that fief that once caused conflict between Amalric I and the Knights Templar（ because of its fall, the king executed twelve Templar Knights）. By enfeoffing him here, the king had placed one of Ayyarasa Road’s key points in his hands. From then on, no one dared to slight Caesar. He was no longer a little Isaacite slave, nor a little attendant by the prince’s side. They called him the Knight of Bethlehem.
Like Raymond and Bohemond, although the Knight of Bethlehem is Baldwin’s vassal and minister, needing to handle government affairs for him and go to war with the army, at the same time, his territory also needs him to govern and administer it himself. This is both his right and his duty.
For the past few months, Caesar had stayed by his side, and Heraclius said nothing probably because that was the most chaotic time: the old king passed away, the new king ascended, and the princess’s marriage followed closely. Everyone was busy without respite, and Caesar was indeed needed by his side to help and observe.
But now Ayyarasa Road had entered a relatively calm and peaceful period through everyone’s efforts, yet Caesar had not once gone to Bethlehem, had not met his officials, merchants, and people. That was indeed not right.
“Set out tomorrow,” Baldwin said decisively. Anyway, Bethlehem was not far from Ayyarasa Road. When Caesar was needed, he could return to Holy Cross Castle the same day with the messenger knight.
——————
Compared to those scorched deserts and mountainous areas, Bethlehem was like a small and exquisite beautiful silk rug covering Bethlehem Hill.
About fifty Knights of the Holy Sepulchre were stationed here, but like Bethlehem itself, they were originally under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Bethlehem.
Caesar’s retinue was simple: six knights, one monk, and twenty armed attendants and escorts.
“Only one monk? Your teacher is the patriarch!”
Longinus asked strangely. Although he knew his master was a diligent good student who did well in all subjects, in people’s impressions, knights mostly lacked fine minds and nimble fingers.
Just as Baldwin had said before, a knight always needed a monk by his side. This monk was responsible for writing letters, composing poems, and keeping accounts for the knight. Even if Caesar did not need it, the patriarch should have assigned him several more monks and priests—especially if the Bishop of Bethlehem was not too honest, they could clean house from top to bottom and replace them with their own people.
But by Caesar’s side, far from having several more monks, the only monk was like an old goat: old, slow, and half-deaf. However, Longinus felt his deafness was selective. When discussing what to have for dinner, his hearing was as sharp as a hunting dog, but if you said something unpleasant, his ears would immediately be stuffed with cotton.
“Do not say that. He is a monk of considerable knowledge and well-versed in all kinds of laws.” It was not easy to select a personal monk for Caesar. Those who knew him knew he was not particularly pious. Although he rarely showed it in words or actions, like love and coughing, faith could not be concealed.
This person had to be absolutely trustworthy and not too devout.
“Moreover, I can handle those things you mentioned myself.” Caesar responded mildly. “As for you, why are you still following me? You have already killed three Saracens and fulfilled the oath you swore to God. Why have you not reclaimed your surname?”
Longinus smiled. Indeed, when he came to Ayyarasa Road, he never imagined he would end up as a wandering knight.
Although at that time he had only a small sum of money left by his father, all exchanged for horses, weapons, and escorts, he was full of confidence, thinking he could carve out a path for himself on this land of heathens with his martial prowess, perhaps even a castle or a fief.
But things did not go as planned. He might not win every duel, and in reality, life beat him black and blue. Sometimes, he felt that meeting Caesar was perhaps because God thought he had suffered enough and it was time to give him some sweetness.
And during the army’s expedition, he had considered whether, upon fulfilling his oath, he should resume his original identity. But what good would that do him? On the contrary, some people might find him because of that surname and demand things of him, causing him to lose the freedom he had before.
Besides, he wanted to reclaim his surname to return to his father’s castle with money and glory, but now it belonged to his brother. His achievements would not make the former proud and happy but would instead fill him with wariness—who knew if Longinus wanted to seize his title and castle?
“I have decided to stay in Ayyarasa Road. My original surname no longer has meaning. It will be carried on by my elder brother and my other brothers, not allowed to die out. And after so many years, I am used to people calling me Longinus. If I suddenly changed back to my old name, I would not be used to it.”
Caesar nodded. He was not the type to force others, even nominally for Longinus’s sake—not that he thought he could not give Longinus a stable future.
At least he was now planning that once he fully consolidated Bethlehem in his hands, he would still return to Ayyarasa Road, and while he accompanied Baldwin, Longinus could stay here to manage Bethlehem on his behalf.
“Wait, that is… people coming to welcome us?”
Caesar asked.
