Episode 73
In the grand hall of Damascus, where the power brokers of the dynasty and the imams gathered, Saladin presided over a meeting for the first time since the council had ended.
As expected, the main topic was the Jerusalem Council, given the current circumstances.
“Your Majesty, the resentment against the Jews has reached a boiling point. Shouldn’t we issue an official statement?”
“Your Majesty, several schools have requested the withdrawal of the declaration guaranteeing the safety of the scholars who attended the council. Is it necessary to protect those who have insulted Allah and acknowledged a false prophet…?”
“Your Majesty, merchants from the West report that…”
Saladin listened attentively to each speaker, like a fish in water, without interrupting their chatter.
And once again, he was convinced.
Among these people, only a handful genuinely cared for the country and its people.
Those who eagerly suggested targeting the Jews always had something extra to add.
“Many Jews have amassed wealth through dishonest means. Wouldn’t this be an opportunity to reclaim those assets?”
“We should investigate whether the imams who acknowledged Marshall at the council received bribes.”
“Your Majesty, many devout Muslims are among the merchants from the West. We need to allocate more funds to ensure their safe pilgrimage to Mecca…”
No matter the justification, the conclusion was always the same.
Of course, Saladin knew that many were genuinely angered by the Jews’ behavior.
But if the Jews had nothing to squeeze out, would the powerful still demand their punishment?
“Bring me the compiled reports on the ongoing plundering of Jews across the regions.”
“Yes, it’s included in this petition.”
“Read it.”
Saladin carefully read through the report detailing the extent of the damage.
As expected, the attacks on Jews were clearly divided into two categories.
One was indiscriminate violence by radical Islamic believers.
The other was opportunistic looting of wealthy Jews’ properties, riding on the former’s coattails.
And now, the entire Islamic world seemed to be waiting for the state to officially sanction this plundering.
“Not only us, but the Khwarazm and Almohad dynasties are also launching large-scale crackdowns on Jews.”
“Is that so?”
“Your Majesty, you are the only sultan who personally presided over the Jerusalem Council. Many believe that only by hearing your official stance can the prestige of Islam be restored.”
“But only about five rabbis at the council acknowledged Marshall. How does that justify oppressing all Jews? If we look closely, there were traitors on our side too.”
No one dared to speak.
Saladin could almost hear the gears turning in his ministers’ heads, and he sighed.
He turned to his trusted advisor, Qadi al-Fadil, who had not yet returned to Egypt.
“Has Judaism officially changed its stance to recognize Marshall?”
“No, on the contrary, they are pleading for understanding, promising to capture and punish the traitors themselves.”
“Then we have no grounds to punish the Jews. State power should not be used in such a manner. If anyone has a different opinion, speak now.”
”…”
Saladin surveyed the still-silent ministers and added,
“However, I am well aware that the dissatisfaction among the people and believers is sky-high. If that’s the sentiment, we must show some response.”
The ministers, who had looked as if they were facing doom moments ago, now brightened.
But Saladin had no intention of giving them exactly what they wanted.
“Those who have amassed wealth through dishonest means should, of course, be punished. But there’s no guarantee that others won’t try to exploit this situation to increase their wealth dishonestly. Therefore, we will conduct a thorough investigation and crackdown. And al-Fadil, obtain an official stance from Judaism.”
“What stance should we obtain?”
“There are several resolutions confirmed at the council. While the authenticity of Marshall is still debated among the three religions, other matters are different.”
At the Jerusalem Council, it was agreed that Yahweh of Judaism and Allah of Islam are the same deity.
This was a groundbreaking event that overturned Judaism’s long-held position.
“Judaism wants to quietly nullify the agreements made by those who attended the council by punishing them. So, make sure to secure what we need.”
It’s undeniable that Judaism has subtly looked down on Islam for a long time.
No matter how much force was applied, their fundamental attitude never changed.
In this regard, obtaining such a fundamental concession would greatly enhance Islam’s prestige.
And if they refuse to acknowledge it?
Then, we can truly seize their assets and punish them.
Marshall may be returning with his own achievements, but Saladin had not lost anything in this council.
In fact, from a long-term perspective, the path was steadily leading to ultimate victory for his side.
With both justification and practical gain in hand, no one could challenge Saladin’s decision, and they all bowed their heads.
“We will follow Your Majesty’s decision.”
If asked which was the most powerful Islamic nation in the past, most would have named the Seljuks without hesitation.
However, now that the Seljuks have fallen to a mere shell of their former selves, opinions are divided.
Some might say Saladin’s Ayyubid dynasty, but recently, many have pointed to the rapidly rising Khwarazm.
Currently, under Saladin’s mediation, the Khwarazm dynasty achieved a dramatic reconciliation with the Abbasid dynasty, with whom relations had been strained.
The Abbasid caliph officially recognized the Khwarazm ruler as a sultan, and the Khwarazm sultan, in turn, declared his respect for the caliph.
As a result, the Seljuk remnants in the Khorasan region, who had been opposing Tekish, began to disintegrate rapidly.
Even Sultan Shah, the focal point of anti-Khwarazm sentiment, died under mysterious circumstances, accelerating this trend.
Thus, while the Jerusalem Council was in session, Khwarazm expanded its influence unchecked, eventually emerging as a vast empire encompassing western Iran, Khwarazm, and Khorasan.
The glorious sultan of Khwarazm, Tekish, was meticulously organizing the intriguing news coming from the east.
“Hmm.”
He had expected a fierce battle, but it seemed to have ended more smoothly than anticipated.
“Did that false prophet just return to Europe?”
“Yes, and Saladin reportedly took a rather lukewarm approach to the council.”
“Saladin is known for that, but it’s curious.”
The letters he had received previously suggested that the Islamic world was united in its resolve to crush Europe, but had their stance changed in the meantime?
Or was there a deeper scheme hidden behind that seemingly gentle facade?
“Well, whatever they’re plotting, I just need to follow my own path.”
The map on his desk showed his empire’s territory expanding steadily.
At this rate, Khwarazm would soon share a border with the West.
However, dealing with the West wasn’t particularly challenging.
It was a strategy he had considered, but Saladin had made it easier by laying the groundwork.
By using the nomads located to the east of the West to continually sap their national strength.
As the West, already losing power, focused its forces on defending against these nomads, his army would push in and finish the job.
In truth, the West was just a warm-up.
The real beginning would come after swallowing the West.
Tekish had a dream.
To consolidate the East, move north, and conquer the territories of the Byzantine Empire, creating an unprecedented great empire in Islamic history.
Some might dismiss it as mere fantasy, but it was slowly becoming a reality.
Once the West was dealt with, there would be no enemies in the East, allowing him to freely move his forces north.
Moreover, with Saladin having formally agreed to support him, the risk of betrayal was eliminated.
After capturing Constantinople, he would convert their proud Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
It wouldn’t be easy, but the times were clearly smiling upon him.
As Tekish gazed at the map with satisfaction, a servant spoke.
“Your Majesty, a representative of the nomads from the east wishes to express their gratitude.”
“Oh, really? I’m free at the moment, let them in.”
Even these monkey-like savages knew to express gratitude when they received kindness.
However, these nomads were a bit different, as they were exceptionally skilled.
They were the barbarians Saladin had learned about through merchants from the West, and they had never disappointed him.
After a short wait, a nomad, dressed as neatly as he could manage, entered hesitantly and knelt.
His comically muttered words were translated by an interpreter.
“He says it’s an honor to meet the great sultan of Khwarazm. He serves the Khan of the Kamag Mongols and is very grateful for the recent support.”
“This isn’t just about supplying resources; it’s a transaction. Use it to build your strength quickly and attack those bastards. Even if they’re a bunch of dim-witted savages, they should at least know how to fight. Don’t disappoint me.”
He had already instructed the interpreter to soften the language, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
The envoy, having heard the message, nodded eagerly with a foolish grin, completely unaware of how they were being used. It was almost laughable.
“Now, tell them to fight as if their lives depend on it, for my sake.”
“Actually, they’ve recently defeated the Taichiud chieftain, Targutai Kiriltuk, and have significantly expanded their influence.”
“Taichi… what? Typical barbarians, even their tribe names are complicated. Never mind that. Just tell them to grow their power quickly and launch a joint attack on Sayo.”
“But, Your Majesty, didn’t Saladin warn us to be cautious about their power growing too large? He suggested we provide resources sparingly, but lately, it seems we’ve been too generous…”
“We’re just sharing the spoils from the regions we’ve conquered, so there’s no real loss. And if we proceed as slowly as Saladin suggests, when will we ever conquer Sayo?”
Saladin was clearly worried about the Khwarazm growing too powerful, despite not being nomads themselves.
He wasn’t foolish enough to fall for such a transparent ploy and waste time.
Just look at that idiot grinning over there.
No matter how powerful they become, they pose no threat to us.
Tekish listened with half an ear to the envoy’s incomprehensible chatter and asked the interpreter, “What’s he saying?”
“He says that his master, Temujin Khan, deeply admires Your Majesty and sends his gratitude.”
“Really? Tell him I hope they fight bravely and unite the nomads quickly. And don’t forget to wish him good health.”
Tekish added the insincere words with a smirk, mocking the young khan of the steppes whom he had never met.
To him, the nomads were nothing more than hunting dogs—useful until they weren’t.
Temujin, what kind of name is that? Sounds so provincial.