Episode 228
Cairo, Egypt.
This city, whose name means “victorious,” had flourished as the heart of Egypt ever since Salah ad-Din came to power. With Baghdad in decline, many predicted that Cairo would become the premier city of the Arab world, and indeed, it was heading in that direction.
Resolving the longstanding conflict with the Shia, which had persisted for over two centuries, was a major challenge. However, this issue was naturally resolved as the world moved towards religious unity.
Moreover, when Salah ad-Din officially decided to move the Ayyubid capital from Damascus to Cairo, Egypt was once again poised to stand at the center of history.
The sudden decision to relocate the capital left many speculating about the Sultan’s intentions. There were two main reasons people speculated:
Only Salah ad-Din knew the truth, but the timing of the capital’s relocation was impeccable. Just as internal unrest erupted within the Almohad Caliphate, the mighty Ayyubid Empire moved its capital right next door.
Of course, Salah ad-Din exerted no pressure on the Almohads. He simply maintained a quiet presence, which was enough to unsettle the already faltering Almohad emirs.
Particularly, the emirs near the border were openly reaching out to the Ayyubids, trying to hedge their bets. Al-Wahid, the brother of the former caliph, who had deemed the current caliph hopeless, felt similarly.
Though he marched his troops to Libya under the pretense of executing traitors, he had no real intention of antagonizing the local emirs. He instructed his subordinates to merely pretend to follow the caliph’s orders and then turned his horse towards Egypt.
Upon arriving in Cairo, Al-Wahid quickly grasped the reality of the situation.
“Damn it. I’m not the only one ready to switch sides. Judging by the way things are going, I’m already late to the game.”
The capital, Marrakesh, was quite distant from Egypt, making it difficult to grasp the full picture, but he hadn’t expected it to be this bad. The territory was stretched too thin from east to west.
He requested an audience with the Sultan, but he felt uneasy about how smoothly things would go. Even in betrayal, being first in line was crucial; if the queue was already long, he wouldn’t receive favorable treatment.
And as if to confirm his fears, Al-Wahid did not receive the warm welcome he had hoped for.
“The journey from Marrakesh to Cairo is long and arduous. You’ve done well to make it here.”
“Not at all. I’m grateful for the Sultan’s mercy in granting me an audience despite my sudden visit.”
“Truth be told, we’ve been closely monitoring the chaos in the Maghreb. It’s a bit unsettling that the border became unstable just as we moved the capital.”
Whether the capital was moved because the border was unstable, or the border became unstable because the capital was moved, Al-Wahid couldn’t be sure. But knowing Salah ad-Din’s reputation, he suspected the latter, though he had no evidence.
Even if it were true, Salah ad-Din had done nothing wrong, leaving the Almohads with little to say. If the Ayyubids had engaged in any underhanded tactics, it might be different, but the current situation was purely the result of the caliph’s rash actions.
“We’ll do our best to clean up the mess so that the Ayyubids aren’t affected by our chaos…”
“I’m afraid the damage is already done. There’s a rumor that the caliph plans to execute all his critics, causing an uproar. Surely, you must be aware of this?”
“What? Well, that’s…”
“Because of this, we’ve had to station troops at the border, and now people are questioning why we moved the capital at such a time. If you think I’m being unreasonable, feel free to say so. I’d like to hear your opinion.”
Though his words were polite, Al-Wahid could sense the Sultan’s displeasure. Objectively, Salah ad-Din was right.
It had only been a few months since the Council of Jerusalem had pledged peace and love. Yet, the emirs and imams were debating the caliph’s legitimacy, and the caliph was threatening to execute anyone who opposed him.
“Wait a minute. I’m not even here as a diplomatic envoy, so why am I the one apologizing?”
Instead, he should be emphasizing that the Almohads could pose a greater threat to the Ayyubids, thereby drawing Salah ad-Din into the fray.
“No, Sultan. This is entirely our fault. I am truly ashamed… but I fear the chaos will only worsen.”
“The chaos will worsen? Why do you say that?”
“You may not have heard, but the caliph has decided to suppress this unrest with force. My orders are to behead anyone inciting unrest in the provinces.”
“I doubt the emirs will just hand over their heads willingly.”
“Yes. If things continue like this, civil war is inevitable. But that would result in countless deaths, and even if it’s the caliph’s command, I can’t just follow it blindly…”
Al-Wahid glanced up to gauge Salah ad-Din’s reaction. Even though the provincial emirs had turned against the caliph, the caliph’s side was still slightly stronger. However, if Salah ad-Din sided with them, the situation would change dramatically.
Even without sending troops, the forces allied with the caliph might switch sides. No one wants to drown on a sinking ship.
If he could create such a situation, he would be the closest candidate for the new caliph.
“I must somehow bring this Sultan into the fold… but it won’t be easy.”
Though age might dull one’s wits, Salah ad-Din’s reputation was so high that even within the Almohads, no one was unaware of him. Rather than trying to deceive him clumsily, it might be better to show some sincerity and ask for cooperation.
As Salah ad-Din seemed lost in thought, Al-Wahid bowed deeply and continued.
“Sultan, if things continue as they are, many believers in the provinces will lose their lives unjustly. Though this may not be the Ayyubids’ concern, we are all part of the same faith. If you know of a way to save our fellow believers, please lend us your wisdom.”
“Surely the caliph wouldn’t massacre believers indiscriminately. He’ll likely stop after making an example of a few.”
“The problem is that the current sentiment won’t even tolerate that. If anyone starts executing people on the caliph’s orders, civil war will break out immediately.”
“Since it’s a foreign matter, we have neither the justification nor the desire to intervene… but if it directly affects our nation, we can’t just stand by. Very well. We’ll discuss it further, so you may leave for now. Let’s talk again tomorrow.”
“Yes, then I’ll take my leave.”
Salah ad-Din watched Al-Wahid retreat cautiously, his expression unchanged. Once the door closed and the footsteps faded down the corridor, Salah ad-Din turned to his brother, Al-Adil, who had been listening.
“What do you think of him?”
“He’s the best candidate we’ve seen so far.”
“Then we’ll go with him.”
“Yes. I’ll meet with him tomorrow to finalize the details.”
“I’ve entrusted this matter to you, so see it through to the end.”
With permission granted, Al-Adil nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. Salah ad-Din closed his eyes, contemplating the burning ambition of his brother.
He had a strong feeling that this would be the last major undertaking during his reign as Sultan. Though he hadn’t shown it, he could feel his strength waning rapidly.
He had achieved many great things and accumulated only success, but no one’s journey lasts forever. Even the greatest Sultan must eventually come to a halt.
If so, he wished for a grand finale. When he opened his eyes again, they burned with a fervor that belied the frailty of his body nearing its end.
While North Africa was being swept up in chaos due to the rapidly collapsing Almohad Caliphate, most European nations remained unaware, their attention focused on the Holy Roman Empire to the north.
However, one man had anticipated and even orchestrated this situation: Philip II of France. He had already completed all preparations for his next move.
Spreading 99% truth mixed with 1% fiction in the Andalusian region was part of Philip II’s plan. He had also arranged for local leaders he had carefully recruited to incite uprisings.
With the Almohad heartland in turmoil and the caliph himself on the brink of being overthrown, even if Andalusia rose up en masse, the Almohads would be powerless to respond.
If Andalusia were to rise in rebellion, the French army, responding to local requests, would march in and take control without shedding a drop of blood.
With that, the entire region of Andalusia would fall into France’s grasp.
So far, the plan had been unfolding without a hitch, and there had been no unforeseen variables.
Yet, despite having meticulously crafted this entire scheme, King Philip II now found himself wiping cold sweat from his brow, his mouth dry with unease.
“Damn it, why now of all times?”
The most crucial aspects of this operation were secrecy and speed.
The forces needed to enter Andalusia before other European nations, especially those on the Iberian Peninsula, caught wind of it.
Initially, no matter how hard he racked his brain, no suitable opportunity presented itself. But then again, who was he?
If there wasn’t an opportunity, he would simply create one.
Philip II orchestrated a grand assembly in Paris to unify religious doctrines, drawing the attention of various nations, and went to great lengths to ensure the Holy Roman Emperor’s participation.
Conveniently, a prophecy about the Black Death had been circulating, heating up the atmosphere just right.
He had also subtly encouraged Heinrich VI to resolve the issue of imperial succession by involving the Marshal, which proved highly effective.
Thanks to these efforts, Europe’s gaze remained diverted from the south, leaving Philip II just one step away from completing his plan.
“But why, of all times, is he coming back now?”
If only he had three more days, the troops would have already set off for Andalusia. But Philip II had just received the report he least wanted to hear.
“The Prophet has returned. He is expected to arrive in Paris by the end of the day.”
He had assumed that the journey to the Holy Roman Empire would take several months, but the Prophet’s swift return was unexpected.
Could it be that he foresaw everything they were planning?
No doubt about it.
“If I try to feign ignorance now, it will surely backfire. So, there’s only one answer…”
After all the effort he had put into crafting this plan, he didn’t want to ruin it with a last-minute mistake.
There was no way to deny it, so he decided to face it head-on.
Taking a deep breath, Philip II donned his ceremonial robes to welcome the Prophet.