Chapter 15 Chapter fifteen

Ha ha ha ha he thought I am the instrument and servant of his wishes. In fact, I just want to see his conspiracy and despicable oppression Fishing in troubled waters with the inevitable chaos, Find a way for yourself to achieve greater gains, Who's to say it shouldn't be? "Basil, A Tragedy" Like a spider trying to repair its broken web, Waldemar.Fizzy also tried every means to regroup Prince John's disaffected clique and make a comeback.There were not many people who sincerely participated in this group, and there were even none who really supported the prince.This makes it necessary for Fizexi to promise them all kinds of new benefits, while also allowing them to see where their current power comes from.To the young dissolute aristocrats, he made them understand that only under the rule of the prince, they could act with impunity, live a life of lawlessness and shamelessness; to the ambitious, he promised them power; to the greedy, He promised them to increase their wealth and expand their territories.The chief of the mercenaries got gold, silver and jewels from him. This was the most convincing reason for them, without which everything else was just nonsense.Beyond the money, the slick lobbyist has made all sorts of broader promises.In short, every means was exhausted which could check wavering and cheer people up.About King Richard's return to the country became an impossible overseas strange talk in his mouth; however, those suspicious eyes and ambiguous answers told him that this was still a big worry lingering in the minds of those partisans, so he boldly refute that even if this were to become true, it would not change their entire assessment of the political situation.

If Richard came back, Fizersi said, those who did not go to the Holy Land with him would have to give up their fortunes to impoverished crusaders; Those who are privileged will be liquidated.He would avenge the Knights Templar and the Knights of the Physicians for favoring Philip II of France during their campaigns in the Holy Land.In short, when he returns, he will punish everyone who is attached to his brother, Prince John, as rebellious.Are you afraid of his mighty power?The prince's eloquent confidant continued, we admit that he is a strong and valiant knight, but this is not the time of King Arthur, and it is not the time when a warrior can stand against an army.If Richard really returned to the country, he must have become a loner, with no subordinates and no friends.His valiant army has been reduced to bones and piled up in the deserts of Palestine.Few of his men came back, just penniless and broken men like Ivanhoe's Wilfred.Besides, what is the so-called inheritance of Richard?He went on to those who had doubts on this issue. According to the law of primogeniture, could Richard have more rights than the eldest son of the conqueror, Robert, Duke of Normandy? 【Note】But William the red-faced and Henry, the second and third sons of the Conqueror, had successively won the unanimous support of the whole country.Robert was everything Richard was: he was a gallant knight, a good leader, generous to his friends and church, and besides all this, he was a crusader, Recoverer of the Holy Sepulchre, and yet he became The miserable blind prisoner died in Cardiff Castle because he had defied the will of the people, and the people would not accept his rule.We have the right to choose from among the descendants of the royal blood those who are best equipped to hold the power of the state, that is, he hastened to correct, those who will best promote the interests of the nobility.In terms of personal qualities, he also said that Prince John may not be as good as his elder brother Richard; but if we consider that the latter came back with a sword of vengeance, the former brought us rewards, forgiveness, privileges, and wealth. and honor, then there is no doubt that the wise nobles should make this man their king.

【Note】The Conqueror refers to William I the Conqueror. After he conquered England, he gave Normandy to his eldest son Robert as a fief, and England to his second son, the red-faced William (called William II after he ascended the throne).After the death of William I, Robert launched a rebellion to fight for the British throne.William II used tax cuts and other means to win over people's hearts and won the support of the princes. Robert failed and returned to Normandy.Red-faced William died in 1100 and was succeeded by his brother Henry, known as Henry I; in 1106, Robert launched a rebellion again to fight for the throne. After the defeat, he was imprisoned in Cardiff Castle by Henry I for more than 20 years , died in prison in 1134.

These and many other reasons, some specific to the particular circumstances of those he lobbied, but they all had the desired effect on the nobles in Prince John's clique.Most of them undertook to attend the conference scheduled at Yorktown, the object of which was to make general arrangements for Prince John. In the middle of the night, after running around in many places, when Fizercy returned to Ashby Castle exhausted, although he was full of ambitions, he found that De Blasey had taken off his banquet clothes and changed into a new one: wearing a grass green jacket on his upper body, Wearing trousers of the same texture and color on the lower body, a leather cap or helmet on the head, a dagger by the side, a horn hung on the shoulder by a belt, a longbow in the hand, and a bundle of arrow.If Fizzy had met him in the outer room, he would have passed him by as an archer in the guard, but seeing him in the inner room he had to call his attention before he recognized that it was just a Norman knights in English garb.

De Blasey, what's the matter with you dressed like that?said Fitersey, a little annoyed, are you interested in playing Christmas games, or throwing a masquerade, when the fate of our master, Prince John, is at stake?Why don't you go among those heartless cowards like I do?It is said that the children of the Saracens are frightened when they hear the name of King Richard, and so are these cowards now! I've got to go about my own business, De Blasey replied nonchalantly, just as you're going about your own, Fizzy. Am I busy with my own business?Waldemar asked rhetorically, am I acting for our common master, Prince John?

Apart from promoting yourself and making money, is there any other reason for you to do that?De Blasey said, Come on, Waldemar, neither of us can fool the other, you are ambitious, but I just want to have fun, this is determined by our different ages.You think the same as I do about Prince John, that is, that he is too cowardly to be a manly king, too cruel to be an easy king, too arrogant and imperious to be a popular king. The king is too capricious, too timid, no matter what kind of king he is, it is impossible for him to remain unchanged for a long time.However, he is the king supported and supported by Fizesi and De Blasey, so you use your political skills and I help him with my free regiments.

What a capable assistant!Fei Zexi said impatiently that he was still messing around at the critical moment of life and death.Excuse me, what is the purpose of you wearing this strange costume at this critical moment? In order to get a wife, De Blasey replied calmly, according to the method of the Benjaminites, practice kidnapping[Note]. 【Note】The Benjaminites were originally one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Later, because they offended other tribes, they killed each other. The other tribes agreed not to allow their own women to marry the Benjaminites, so the Benjaminites had to practice kidnapping. , take them as their own, see "Old Testament.Judges.

Grab a kiss!I don't understand what you mean, said Fisersey. Weren't you here last night?Didn't Elder Elmer tell us a story after we listened to the troubadours sing romantic tunes, said de Blasey?He said that a long time ago in Palestine, the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes of the nation of Israel became incompatible enemies. How they almost killed the warriors of that tribe, and how they swore to the Holy Mother not to let the rest And those who were under him took their daughters as wives; and how they repented of the oath they had sworn, they consulted with the elders of the congregation how to break that oath; All the women there were snatched away at the tournament, and they were taken as wives without the consent of the bride herself and her family.

I've heard of this story, Fizzy said, but the timing and plot are a little different. I don't know if it's the elders or you made it up. To tell you the truth, replied De Blasey, I will now find myself a wife in the manner of the Benjaminites, that is to say, in these clothes, while the Saxon bulls are leading the way to-night. Attack the family on their way out of the castle and snatch the lovely Rowena. Are you crazy, de Blasey?Fizesi said, you have to think about it, although they are Saxons, they are all rich and powerful, and they are deeply respected by the people of their country, because now there are only a handful of people of Saxon blood who are rich and powerful.

They didn't deserve it all, de Blasey said, the conqueror's cause had to be done. At least not yet, Fisersey said. The immediate crisis has made popular support indispensable. Anyone who hurts someone they respect will report to Prince John, and the Prince will have to deal with it fairly. Let him handle it if he dares, said De Blasey, and he'll see in a moment whether it's better to rely on my strong lads or the heartless mob of the Saxons.Besides, I don't want to reveal my identity right away.Look, don't I look like a horn-blowing bandit?The blame for kidnapping would fall on the desperadoes of the Yorkshire woods.I have sent spies to watch the movements of the Saxons.Tonight they had to spend the night at a monastery in Burton upon Trent called St. Vittel or St. Visor, or whatever they called the saint.Tomorrow they will be in our sphere of influence, and we can catch them like eagles for chickens.After this I will be what I am again, like a courteous knight, who saves a wretched beauty from the hands of rough brigands, and takes her to the castle of the General Buffalo, and if necessary, takes her to the castle. To Normandy, after she became Maurice.De Blasey's bride and wife never saw her relatives again.

It's a very clever plan, said Fitzersey, but as far as I can see, it's not entirely your plan.Well, De Blasey, tell me the truth, who came up with the idea and who helped you in implementing it?Because as far as I know, your team is still far away in York City. Okay, you know, I can tell you, De Blasey said, this is me and the Templar Brienne.Together with Bois-Guilbert, inspired by the adventures of the Benjaminites, they agreed on a strategy.He assisted me in this attack, he and his men disguised as robbers, and I, after changing my costume, rescued the lady from them with this strong arm. My goodness, said Fizzy, this plan is the brainchild of the two of you!You are cautious, especially in your intention to keep the lady with the right assistant, De Blasey.But I think you can easily take her away from her Saxon kin, but then, I'm afraid, it's not so easy to get her out of the hands of Boisguibert.He was a goshawk, used only to catch partridges, and would not let go of what he got. He's a Templar, said de Blasey, so there's no way he could be against me and ruin my plans to marry the heiress, or do anything disgraceful to try to take De Blasey away. in the bride.By God, even if he had the whole knight order as his backing, he would not dare to do such a thing to hurt me! I know, no matter what I say, said Fisersey, you won't come to your senses and throw away your fantasies, because you're so stubborn by nature; so take as little time as possible, and don't prolong this untimely folly Bar. Don't worry, De Blasey replied, this matter will only take a few hours. After it is completed, I will immediately lead my bold and brave men to York City. No matter how dangerous the policy you set, I will definitely support you.Now I can hear my boys gathering and the horses kicking and neighing in the yard outside.goodbye.I go, like a true knight, to win a beauty's smile. Like a real knight!Looking at his back, Fei Zexi muttered, "It's better to be like a fool, like a child, leaving the most important thing behind and chasing a tuft of catkins floating past him.But these are the tools at my disposal, and for whose benefit?For a prince who is as foolish and ignorant as he is willful, and perhaps as ungrateful a master as he has proved to be a rebellious son and wicked brother.But he too was only an instrument in my hand; and, in spite of his pretensions, he dared not separate his interests from mine, a secret which he would soon learn. Thinking of this, the minister was interrupted by the voice of the prince, who called out from the back room: Noble Waldemar.Fizzy!Then the future prime minister took off his hat, for it was to this eminent office that the cunning Norman was counting, and hastened in to receive the orders of the future king.