Chapter 34 Chapter Thirty-Four

King John.I tell you, my friend, He is a viper that stands in my way, Wherever my feet go, He's always in front of me, you know what I mean? "King John" [Note: Shakespeare's historical play. 】 In York Castle, Prince John held a grand banquet, and he invited anyone, including nobles, bishops and military leaders, who he thought could help him realize his ambitious plan to usurp his brother's throne.His long-sleeved, resourceful assistant Waldemar.Fizersi, in secret concatenation among these men, encouraged courage, and made the necessary preparations for the public announcement of their intentions.But their adventure had to be postponed by the absence of the few leading figures of the group.The bull-faced general who is savage, but determined and brave;Bois-Guilbert, who played a decisive role in the success of the conspiracy; John and his chief minister could only curse secretly for their unexplained absence, but dared not leave them to start their own affairs.The Jew Isaac also seemed to disappear, thus cutting off a certain financial source, which was originally agreed upon by Prince John and his group of Jews.At this critical juncture, the shortage of funds may become a fatal blow.

The morning after the fall of Torquaystone Castle, confused news began to circulate in the city of York that de Blassy and Boisguibert, along with their accomplice, the General Buffalo, had been captured or killed.Waldemar reported the rumor to Prince John, saying that he feared it to be true, for he knew that they had taken a few men with them to attack Cedric the Saxon and his retinue.At other times the Prince would have heard of such violence as amusing material for a joke, but now that it interfered and hampered his plans, he could not help yelling at these people for their misconduct, saying it violated the law and disrupted the Social order violated private property, and the stern tone was comparable to that of King Alfred.

These lawless robbers!He said that when I became King of England, I must hang these outlaws on the drawbridges of their respective castles. But to be king of England, his Ahithophel [Note: The counselor of Israel's King David in the Bible, but he betrayed David. ] said coldly, Your Highness must not only tolerate the illegal activities of these lawless robbers, but also provide them with shelter, even though they often violate the laws you praise and praise.If the Saxon bumpkins learn that His Royal Highness intends to turn the drawbridges of the feudal manors into gallows, they will support us; that arrogant Cedric may be the one who harbors such fantasies.Your Highness is well aware that without Bullface, De Blasey, and the Templars, our insurrection would have been very difficult to succeed; yet we have gone too far to retreat safely.

Distraught, Prince John slapped his forehead, and then began pacing up and down the room. These bastards, he said, treacherous and vile bastards, deserted me at this juncture! No, it should be said that these are frivolous, confused lunatics, said Waldemar, who have left this important thing and quit, but they want to find women to make love. What should we do now?said the Prince, stopping suddenly before Waldemar. I don't know of any other way than what I've already done?His minister replied, I have come to report the sad news to my lordship after I have done my best to take some remedial measures.

You will always be my right-hand man, Waldemar, said the prince. With you as my minister to advise me, John's dynasty will be remembered in history.So what have you already done? I have ordered that de Blasey's lieutenant, Louis.Winkelbrand took charge of the command, gathered his troops, raised the banner, and immediately marched to the castle of General Bullface, doing everything possible to rescue our friends. Prince John's face flushed suddenly, he was like a spoiled child who thought he had been bullied and others ignored him. I swear by the name of God!He said, Waldemar.Fizzy, why are you so self-assertive!In the city where I sit, without my order and without asking me for instructions, it is too reckless to order the assembly of troops and raise the banner.

Please forgive me, Your Highness, Fizesi said, but he was cursing his boss for being arrogant in his heart, but time is running out, and a few minutes of delay may not be able to save him, so I think I have to bear the responsibility myself. This matter is so important, and it is related to His Highness's success or failure. Woolen cloth. I forgive you, Fizersi, said the prince sternly, that your rashness is paid for by your intentions.But who is this?My God, this is De Blasey!Why did he come to see me dressed so strangely. It was really De Blasey, flushed and out of breath, as if he had just dismounted from a horse after a long journey.His armor, as if it had been in a bloody battle, was old and worn, bloodstained, and covered in mud and dust from head to toe.He took off his helmet, put it on the table, and stood for a moment, as if to collect himself, before reporting his news.

De Blasey, said Prince John, what's the matter?Speak, I command you to speak!Are the Saxons rebelling? Speak, De Blasey, said Fizercy almost at the same time as his master, you have always been brave.Where are the Templars?Where is the General Cow Noodle? The Templars escaped, and De Blasey said, General Bullface, you will never see him again.His castle was burned to ashes, and he himself was buried in the fire pit. Only I ran out to report the news to you. Though you speak of burning and conflagration, we all feel chills when we hear it.Waldemar said. The worst news has not yet been told, De Blasey replied, so he walked up to Prince John and said in a soft, very solemn voice: Richard has returned to England. He spoke.

Prince John's face turned pale in an instant, his legs trembled, and he had to hold on to the back of the oak chair to support himself, as if an arrow had shot him in the chest. You're talking nonsense, de Blasey, said Fisersey, it's impossible. It's true, said de Blasey, and I was talking to him as a prisoner. You mean you spoke to Richard of Plantagenet?Fizzy continued asking. It was with Richard of Plantagenet, with Richard of the Lionheart, with King Richard of England, replied De Blasey. Are you still his prisoner?Said Waldemar, so he leads an army? No, he was surrounded only by country bumpkins and outlaws who didn't know who he was.I heard from him that he was leaving them soon.He was with them only to help them take Torquaystone.

Yes, says Fitzersey, that's Richard's style indeed; he's a true knight-errant, willing to go anywhere, to help the poor with his martial arts, like Guy and Bevis The heroes and rangers in the novel do not necessarily exist. ] That kind of person, but leaves the country's affairs behind, and does not care about his own safety.De Blasey, so what are you going to do? I?I offered Richard that I would put my free team at his disposal, but he refused.Now I must take them to Hull, and wait for the opportunity to cross the sea to Flanders, but at present, there is a lot of war, and if a man will work, he will not be afraid of finding employment for him.As for you, Waldemar, will you put aside politics and join me in taking up spear and shield and sharing the fate God has given us?

I'm too old, Maurice, and I have a daughter.Waldemar replied. Marry her to me, Fizzy, and she won't suffer. I can make her live comfortably with a horse and a gun.De Blasey said. No, replied Fisersi, I seek refuge here in St. Peter's Church, whose archbishop is sworn brother to me. While they were talking in this way, Prince John gradually calmed down and woke up from the shock caused by the unexpected news. He listened carefully to the conversation of the two subordinates and thought to himself: They are going to leave me. Their relationship with me is like The dead leaves on the tree, as long as a breeze blows, they will leave the branches!These evil spirits should go to hell!Am I helpless when these cowards abandon me?He paused for a moment, and managed a fit of maniacal laughter in a malicious and sinister mood, which at last interrupted their conversation.

Hahaha!My ministers, I swear by the glory of the Holy Mother, I have always regarded you as wise people, brave people, resourceful people, who will sincerely love hard-won achievements. When all you have done is to work hard, but you want to run away and abandon all the glory and wealth that are at your fingertips! I don't know what you mean, said De Blasey, as soon as the news of Richard's return spreads, he'll have an army, and we're all over.My lord, I advise you to flee to France as soon as possible, or try to obtain the protection of the queen mother. I'm not thinking about my own safety, said Prince John haughtily, I just have to say something to my brother and I'll be all right.But you, De Blasey, and you, Waldemar.Fizzy, although you are ready to abandon me at any time, I cannot bear to see your heads hung in public display at the gate of Clifford Prison.Do you think, Waldemar, that scheming archbishop, to make peace with King Richard, won't let you be snatched from his altar?Don't you forget, De Blasey, that between you and Hull is stationed Robert F.A large army of Estottville, and the Earl of Essex is recruiting troops to expand his strength?If, before Richard's return, we had reason to be wary of these activities of theirs, is there any doubt as to which side they will now be on?Believe me, Estottville alone is strong enough to drive your free team into the Humber.Waldemar.Fizesi and Debrasi looked at each other, dejected, there is only one safe way, the prince continued, his face became as gloomy and terrifying as the night, the person who made us uneasy is traveling alone, we should take the initiative to find him. I quit, De Blasey said immediately, I was his prisoner and he forgave me.I don't want to hurt a hair on him. Who said he was going to kill him?said Prince John, with a sinister sneer, and some scoundrel might say I want to assassinate him!No, the cell is better; is it in England or in Austria, what difference does it make?In this way, everything will be exactly as it was before we started this adventure.Our premise simply assumes that Richard is still his captive in Germany.One of our kinsmen is Robert. ] died in Cardiff Castle after being imprisoned. Yes, said Waldemar, but your ancestor Henry's throne was secure, your Highness is different.The surest prison, I think, is the sexton's cemetery, and no cell is stronger than a church vault.I'm done. Prison or grave, I have nothing to do with it.De Blasey said. asshole!Prince John said, your plan to betray us will not work? I don't want to betray you, De Blasey said proudly, but I don't want people to call me a jerk either! Do not quarrel, my knight!Waldemar said, Your Highness, I also hope that you will forgive the brave De Blasey, he just has some concerns, and I believe I will persuade him soon. Your eloquence is of no use to me, Fizzi.replied the knight. My Lord Maurice, added the cunning Minister, why run away like a frightened horse, at least think about it.This Richard, only a day ago, you were saying that you would fight him one on one in the field; I've heard you say that a hundred times. Yes, said de Blasey, but as you said, it was one-on-one, on the battlefield!I never said that I would attack him in the forest when he was alone. If you have qualms about such things, you're not a good knight.Waldemar said that Lancelot and Tristram [Note: Two famous knights in the legend of King Arthur in the British medieval story have always been regarded as models of knights. ] Did you win honor on the battlefield?Didn't they also hide in unknown forests and attack powerful warriors from the shadows? Yes, but I can tell you, said De Blasey, that neither Tristram nor Lancelot, if one against the other, would be a match for Richard of the Plantagenets, and I believe they would not have thought much Personal attack on a person. Are you crazy, de Blasey?We want you to recruit this free team of mercenaries, don't we want them to use their swords to serve Prince John?But now we ask you to act against our enemies, and you hesitate, though the fate of your protector, your friends, and yourself, the life and honor of each of us, are at stake! I tell you, de Blasey said sullenly, he gave me a way out.It is true that he does not want me to follow him, and refuses me to serve him, so I owe him no debt, nor do I owe him allegiance; but I cannot hurt him with my hand. This is not necessary, you can send Louis.Winkelbrand went to work with twenty men. You've got bloody thugs on your staff, de Blasey said, and I'm not sending any, I don't want my men involved in this. De Blasey, why are you so stubborn?Prince John said, you have said a lot to die for me, but now you stand by and do nothing? Not so, replied De Blasey, and I would be glad to serve you in the tournament as well as in the field of battle, as long as it befits a knight to do it, but that kind of banditry is not part of my oath. Come here, Waldemar, said Prince John, I am an unfortunate prince.My father, King Henry, was surrounded by faithful men, and he had only to say that that independent clergyman made him restless, Thomas.Beckett [Note: An English priest who served as Privy Councilor of Henry II and was later appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, but was killed by Henry II because he supported the Pope. 】Although a saint, his blood was immediately at the foot of his altar.Except for Tracy, Moville, and Brito [Note: They are all guards of Henry II. ] Among these loyal and heroic people, there is also your family, but now this spirit has disappeared from you!Reginald.Fizersi left behind a son, but he had lost his father's loyalty and bravery. He has nothing to lose, Waldemar.Since there is no better way, I am willing to undertake this dangerous task myself.But though my father paid dearly for the admiration of a dear friend, what he did to prove his devotion to Henry was a far cry from what I would do, for I would rather Raise your gun against all the saints, and don't want to fight the Lionheart.De Blasey, I can only ask you to be vigilant and keep Prince John safe.I trust that I will bring you good news, and then our cause will be safe.Servant, he continued, hurry back to my lodgings, and tell my armourer to get everything ready;Weatherall and Broad.Torresby, and three of Spyhoe's musketeers, come to me at once; send the scout-captain, Hugh.Baden was also waiting for me.Goodbye, Prince, things will be better when we meet.Having said that, he walked out of the house. He's going to put my brother in prison, said Prince John to De Blasey, but he felt no guilt at all, as if the freedom of a Saxon manor was involved only.I hope he will act on my instructions, and treat my dear brother Richard with due courtesy. De Blasey's answer was just a slight smile. By the glory of the Virgin, said Prince John, my orders to him were clear, though you may not have heard, we were standing together at that oriel window.The task I gave him was very clear and precise, and that was to keep Richard safe; if Waldemar crossed this line, I would have his head! I think I'd better go to his apartment once, said De Blasey, and tell him what His Highness meant, because since I didn't hear it, Waldemar probably didn't either. No, no, said Prince John impatiently, I'm sure he heard, and besides, I have other tasks for you, Maurice, come here and let me lean on your shoulders. They circled the hall, maintaining this intimate position; and Prince John began in a very confidential tone: "My De Blasey, what do you think of this Waldemar?How about Fischer?He is counting on to be prime minister.But when I appoint a man to such a high office, I naturally have to think seriously, and you think that this man has no hesitation in volunteering to arrest Richard. It shows that he lacks the necessary respect for our royal family.I dare say you must have thought that by refusing this unpleasant assignment so boldly, you must lose my favor.Not really, Maurice!I really admire your integrity.There are many things that have to be done, and the man who does it will not necessarily win our respect and love; but the man who refuses to do it will gain our respect, although he will not do what we ask.The arrest of my unfortunate brother does not constitute a favorable condition for the appointment of Prime Minister to such a high office, but your refusal shows gallant chivalry and fully entitles you to accept the scepter of Generalissimo.With that in mind, de Blasey, go about your business. Insidious and changeable tyrant!As De Blasey bid farewell to the prince, he murmured in his heart that whoever believes in you deserves to be unlucky.Prime Minister, really good!However, whoever is your confidant minister may have to suffer.But the Generalissimo of Great Britain!That, he said, stretching out his arms as if to accept the scepter, and strutting out of the hall, was not bad indeed, and worth fighting for! No sooner had De Blasey left the house than Prince John summoned his bodyguard. Command my scout captain Hugh.Baden and Waldemar.Fizzy came to see me as soon as he had finished talking. He paced up and down the room, looking restless and staggering, but after a while, the scout captain came into the room. Baden, said the prince, what does Waldemar want you to do? If I want to send him two capable men, they must be familiar with this part of the northern wilderness, and be able to recognize the tracks of men and horses. Have you provided the right people? Don't worry about this kind of thing, Your Highness, the scout captain replied, one of the men I sent is from Hexhamshire, who has been scouting for thieves in the Tyne and Teviot valleys, acting like a hound following a wounded deer. So sensitive.The other was brought up in Yorkshire, and used to hunt in the merry Sherwood Forest, and knew the geography and the position of the trees in every forest between here and Richmond. That's very good, said the prince. Has Waldemar set off with them? leave now.Baden said. Who is accompanying?John asked casually. Broad.Torresby went with him, and Weatherall, who was so ruthless that they called him hard-hearted Stephen, and Ralph, who had belonged to him.Three of the Confederate soldiers of Middleton's company, known as Spyhow's Pikemen. Very well, said Prince John, after a pause, Barden, one thing is very important, you must pay close attention to Maurice.De Blasey's actions, but don't make him aware.You must keep me informed of his whereabouts, who he talks to, what he talks about, and so on.This matter cannot be neglected, otherwise you will be responsible. stop.Baden bowed and resigned. If Maurice betrays me, Prince John said in his heart, his actions cause me to worry, but if he betrays me, even if Richard has come to the gates of York, I will kill him.