Mount and Blade Central Asia

"Keep an eye on the three ships in the distance. I feel something is wrong. They are running in this sea area too often." Gastino is a veteran. He can tell at a glance that the three ships are not fully loaded. It is basically impossible for merchant ships sailing on such short-distance trade routes to make such mistakes. The profit margins are already thin, and if they are not fully loaded, they may not even cover the costs.

"Should we call Yaskin and the others back?" asked Gastino's first mate, Alberto. "If we signal now, they should still have time to return."

"No, for the Lord's sake, they must take the necessary risks. We have no room for error. If we can't find them, we'll have to return to shore next week." Gastino frowned and whispered to his first mate, "The captain can no longer withstand the pressure from the church. Many people have been saying that we're using the opportunity of hunting down our enemies to seize the shipping lanes. The impact is too great."

Alberto was also a member of the Knights Templar, so he was naturally aware of his own affairs. The Glorious Glory had naturally always been focused on the Knights Templar's mission, but it was hard to say about the other scattered warships. He estimated that at least 80% of the rumors on the sea were true.

At this time, Li Rufeng on the merchant ship also frowned, trying to come up with a suitable solution as quickly as possible.

As the boat got closer, the atmosphere on board became increasingly tense. Parisa stood behind Li Rufeng and subconsciously pinched the corner of his clothes.

This princess of the Khanate is certainly not as powerful as a general like Haishar in terms of military strength, but she can definitely rank among the top five on this ship. However, when faced with such a crisis, she subconsciously regarded Li Rufeng as her support.

"120 meters!" Badak took a deep breath and gripped the bow and arrow in his hand until it creaked. The only consolation for him at this moment was that most of his men had already crossed the strait and arrived at the land on the other side of the strait that once belonged to the Khanate.

But without me and this lord from the East, no one knows how far they can go.

"If we leave one ship as bait, the other two ships may still have a chance. We can leave another ship as bait halfway!" There was a ruthlessness in Bardock's tone, but his words scared the ship owner so much that his face turned pale.

"What are you thinking about? These people are not your soldiers! Who would be willing to stay behind as bait?" Li Rufeng shook his head.

Moreover, even an army that obeys orders will conceal the battlefield situation from the rear team when it is cutting off the rear. What's more, these merchants, while they are still arguing, the Crusader pirates have sunk them countless times.

"80 meters!" Bardock said again. Several small boats that came to board the ship for inspection were getting closer and closer to them. Now they had to lower their voices even when speaking, for fear of being heard by those people.

Li Rufeng's mind was blank at this moment. This was probably the most dangerous time since he came here, because he had no resistance at sea.

But the main reason for the gap between people is the instinctive reaction under pressure. He forced his brain to start working again, trying to find a way out.

What do those Crusader pirates want? What do you have? And how can you establish effective communication channels?

First of all, it is certain that what the Knights Hospitaller want is dignity and glory, and what Li Rufeng can use as bargaining chips now are money and the magic sword... Of course, whether the magic sword can be used as a bargaining chip depends on the relationship between the Knights Hospitaller and Bastos.

The needs of both parties do not match, so Li Rufeng must find out what can most impress the other party in the shortest time... Dignity and glory, dignity and glory, Li Rufeng kept weighing these two words in his mind.

Then, suddenly, an idea struck me, and I thought of a deal that at least would not be rejected as soon as I asked it.

"40 meters!" Bardock reminded again, "Get ready to shoot!"

"Wait a minute!" Li Rufeng took a deep breath, "I'll go talk to them."

358. Backhand Palm

Yaskin was not a very devout believer, and it could even be said that he believed in God only in name, because two years ago he was still a "wild" pirate. The reason why he was able to join the Knights Hospitaller now was entirely due to his superb water skills.

He could row the boat faster than four people could, but even so, a person of impure origin like him was still marginalized within the Knights Templar.

You can tell from the work he does that he is always assigned to this kind of boarding inspection team.

Although most of the time the members of this team can get some benefits from the inspected merchant ships, they all know that the work they do is almost the most dangerous job on the entire ship.

The others were basically assigned by drawing lots, and it would take several weeks for them to get a turn. Only Yaskin came every time. He was lucky enough not to die in the conflicts in the past two years, entirely because of his good swimming skills and good luck.

So Yaskin was very dissatisfied with Captain Gastino, but the captain's authority at sea was greater than that of the king, not to mention that the captain was a meritorious captain, so Yaskin could only swallow his anger.

This time was no exception. When the small boat he was driving was less than fifty meters away from the merchant ship, he already realized something was wrong.

The expressions of the sailors on the ship looked too nervous, and the proportion of Mongolians and Turks among those sailors was too high. Yaskin couldn't help but wonder if they had won the lottery this time?

"Wake up, everyone. There's something wrong with the people on the boat!" Yaskin reminded them, sweat already starting to form on his forehead.

Hearing what Yaskin said, the other three people on the boat immediately became nervous.

When it comes to experience in boarding ships for inspections, no one in the entire Knights Order is more experienced than Yaskin. Many times, everyone else died, and he was the only one who came back alive. Although everyone didn't say it, they always felt that this person was unlucky. However, no one could deny Yaskin's ability.

At this time, as long as someone on the small boat raises the red flag under their feet, the Glorious Glory behind will immediately know that they have found the target.

But the people on the boat hesitated again and again and did not dare to raise the red flag.

On the one hand, it was because the merchant ship to be inspected was currently in a non-hostile state; on the other hand, they were worried that if they really won the prize this time, they would be dead the moment the flag was raised.

Although these people were all members of the Knights Hospitaller and were all believers, if believers were not afraid of death, Christians would have ruled the world long ago.

As the distance got closer, a tense atmosphere filled the air on both the large and small ships. The two groups, who were so close to each other, now had their cards exposed.

Badak's men knew that the Crusaders on the small boat must have discovered their identities, and the Crusaders on the small boat also knew that the people on the boat must have realized that their identities had been exposed.

The situation between the two sides could be said to be on the verge of a war, but out of the desire to survive, the people on the small boat did not dare to make any rash moves and only hoped to live a few more minutes.

The people on the big ship also remained restrained because of Li Rufeng's orders.

In this way, the small boat finally docked next to the big ship with a bang. Even a veteran like Yaskin still felt dazed. It was a phenomenon caused by lack of oxygen to the brain after being highly nervous.

Chapter 359 Nothing, Everything! !

"To show my sincerity, I plan to let you go first, but you have to take me with you. I want to discuss terms with your captain," Li Rufeng said to Yaskin. "Of course, I will leave the others behind as hostages."

Yaskin naturally wouldn't mind. In his opinion, if Li Rufeng didn't lie, then Li Rufeng's worth alone was more valuable than all of them combined.

"It's too dangerous!" Haishaer frowned and stood in front of Li Rufeng. "Are you crazy?"

"What else can I do if I'm not crazy? I have to find a way to bring these people back." Li Rufeng smiled calmly, looked back at Parisa, and whispered, "Especially her. I was the one who brought her out, and I have to send her back safely."

Otherwise, God knows what kind of misfortune she would encounter. Although Parisa has the identity of a princess, she lacks a force behind her that can provide her with actual support.

If those Crusader pirates knew her identity and demanded a sky-high ransom but didn't get paid, they would definitely be furious.

"If anything happens to me, I'll leave her to you." Li Rufeng patted Haishaer's shoulder. "Don't let me down, my friend. You are my last insurance."

Haishaer wanted to say something but hesitated, but in the end said nothing.

The same was true for Parisa. She knew she couldn't change anything. Since she got on the boat, the most helpful thing she could do was to try not to get seasick and vomit everywhere.

But at this moment, Padisa felt that she would never forget it in her life. Li Rufeng's figure was forever imprinted in her heart.

Yaskin climbed back up the ladder to his boat, accompanied by the Emir.

On the Glory, Gastino Aurelio was frowning as he looked at the returning boat and the two people on board, and he was beginning to feel a little impatient.

"I saw you picked up my gold coins?" On the boat, Li Rufeng looked interested, as if he was not worried about his situation at all.

"Hey, it would be a waste if you don't pick it up, right?" Yaskin said with a smile, and took out another gold coin from the gap in the boat.

"There's still some time. While I'm still alive, why don't you tell me what kind of person your captain is?" Li Rufeng said as he took out his purse from his arms. There were about a dozen or twenty gold coins in it, and he threw them all to Yaskin.

Li Rufeng deliberately loosened the purse, and it fell onto the boat, where the gold coins scattered all over the floor. Arthur Jin was stunned by the sight.

"Wait a little while. If I'm still alive, I'll give you this little money out of my own good graces. If I'm dead, I guess I won't care about it anymore." Li Rufeng smiled at Yaskin. "So I suggest you row slower and tell me more news that can help me."

"You seem like a generous man, don't worry. We are trustworthy in this regard. As long as you pay the ransom, we will definitely send you back safely." Yaskin looked at the gold coins in the ship, his smile never faltering. "But those soldiers you have on board will definitely not be saved."

"No matter how much money you spend, it won't work?" Li Rufeng said tentatively. "I've always felt that there's no hatred or grudge in this world that money can't settle."

Yaskin curled his lips and said nothing. He used to think so too, but since joining the Knights Hospitaller, he has seen too many mentally ill fanatics.

"In that case, tell me about your captain." Li Rufeng saw Yaskin's expression and knew that it would be difficult for him to settle the matter with money. "If money can't solve it, how about I add glory?"

Yaskin felt that he didn't quite understand what Li Rufeng said, but for the sake of those gold coins, he still told him everything he knew about that damn captain.

Chapter 360: Li Rufeng played the Holy Land Card in his turn

"Yaskin, explain what happened immediately. Why were your people left on that ship? Who is the person next to you?" As soon as Yaskin and Li Rufeng got on the boat, they were detained by other soldiers.

Before this, Li Rufeng witnessed with his own eyes the extraordinary actions of the soldier named Yaskin.

Before approaching the ship, he put the gold coins into a sharkskin bag, tied a rope to it, and hung the other end on a peg near the waterline of the Glorious Glory. His movements were secretive and skillful, and it was definitely not his first time.

Obviously, before getting on board, Yaskin knew that he would experience such an experience. If he hid anything valuable on his body, it would definitely be stolen by his colleagues.

Of course, Li Rufeng was mentally prepared for this. He couldn't expect that his oriental face would be treated with any courtesy by these Crusaders.

He estimated that the last time these Crusaders came into contact with a pure Han Chinese like himself was during the Mongol Empire's Western Expedition, when General Guo Kan of Dongtian was in power.

Speaking of which, it seems that the Knights Hospitaller were the ones General Guo Kan fought on the island of Cyprus...

Yaskin was brought to the captain and quietly explained what happened to him on the opposite ship. Then he pointed at Li Rufeng and introduced him to Gastino for a while.

After a while, Captain Gastino walked up to Li Rufeng and said to the soldiers guarding him, "Let him go, check if he has any weapons, and then take him to my room."

Although the Crusaders and Muslims fought fiercely, there was still some tacit understanding between the two sides at the level of nobility.

For example, now, after confirming Li Rufeng's noble status, Gastino must give the other party a certain degree of courtesy. Of course, this courtesy is also based on the fact that the noble in front of him has the ability to pay a sum of money to redeem himself.

Those nobles who only have noble status but no money are often worse off than ordinary pagans.

"Please sit down. What should I call you?" Gastino sat on his chair and took out a bottle of wine from the box. Thanks to the fact that they had been operating near Cyprus, it was very convenient for them to supply supplies. Otherwise, this kind of wine with a low alcohol content would not have been preserved until now.

"My name is Li Rufeng, the lord of Aleppo and Hama. Respected captain, how should I address you?" Mr. Li was also very polite. In this situation where the enemy was strong and we were weak, he didn't mind showing off his expertise in knowing the current affairs.

"Gastino Aurelio, from Cyprus." Gastino hesitated for a moment, then poured a glass of wine for Li Rufeng. "Then let's toast to our fate today, Li Rufeng."

When saying the name Li Rufeng, Gastino's accent was very strange. It was obvious that he was not yet accustomed to this oriental pronunciation combination.

But fortunately, thanks to the experience of the Mongols, these people are more adaptable in this regard than their ancestors. After all, those who could not adapt back then would probably not leave any descendants.

There was an error before, please correct it

The Knights Hospitaller's base during this period was Rhodes, not Malta. I'm confused... I'll revise the content of other chapters later. It was almost 120 years later that they were besieged by the Ottomans and evacuated Rhodes, heading to Malta for garrison...

Chapter 361 Negotiated

Were the Knights Hospitaller interested in Jerusalem? This is actually a stupid question and needs to be analyzed from many aspects.

First of all, within the Knights Hospitaller, this was a question of political correctness, just as they firmly believed that the Trinity of the Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit was the truth and could not be shaken.

But does Jerusalem matter in practical terms?

Gastino could not answer this question, nor did he dare to answer it.

Since the fall of the Crusader States and the failure of several consecutive Crusades, Jerusalem seems to have become less important and more of a symbolic existence.

It is an honor, a responsibility, and also a danger.

The Knights Hospitaller originated in Jerusalem, and they shed blood for this city for hundreds of years, but now the Knights Hospitaller has entered a new chapter.

Its ruling core was in Rhodes, and its religious core was in Rome. Jerusalem was more like their spiritual homeland. No matter what happened to Jerusalem, it seemed to have nothing to do with the Knights Templar.

However, the person sitting opposite Gastino and asking the question was the Emir, who was very influential in the Syrian region.

This forced him to take this issue seriously, because Gastino suddenly realized that no matter what the Knights' leaders thought, this was an opportunity for him personally.

If the Knights wanted to regain control of Jerusalem, the first thing they had to consider was the Pope's will. In addition, they had to consider whether such a long expedition just to regain the former holy land would bring other benefits besides reputation.

And in this process, they also need to calculate the costs, staggering costs.

The distance from Rhodes to Jerusalem is nearly a thousand kilometers. Even if supplies can be obtained in the Kingdom of Cyprus, it is still a very long distance.

Deploying forces at such a distance was obviously a very difficult task for the Knights Hospitaller.

What's more, they are isolated and helpless in Syria at this time. If they rush in rashly, they will probably be besieged by most of the Muslim world.

unless...

Gastino looked up at Li Rufeng, the man who claimed to be the lord of Aleppo and Hama. Unless he could expand his territory, occupy Damascus and Amman, and provide protection for the holy land of the Knights.

He opened his eyes wide, and suddenly realized that the man in front of him not only had no intention of paying money to redeem himself, but was asking the Knights to invest in him.

Li Rufeng saw the meaning in Gastino's eyes and said with a smile, "I firmly believe that this is a win-win-win deal. It is good for you, me, and the Knights Hospitaller."

Gastino remained silent. He didn't know what kind of outcome the Knights would ultimately gain from this matter, but he was certain that he would be able to gain sufficient benefits from it. These benefits referred not only to financial benefits, but also to reputation and political benefits.

First, within the Knights Templar, he could use this plan to win the support of all the fanatics. He knew how influential those fanatics were within the Knights Templar. With the support of these people, he might even be able to compete for the position of the next Grand Master!

Chapter 362 Return to Aleppo

1408, December 3rd, sunny weather.

Li Rufeng stood on this land again. In front of him, the port of Alexandretta was bustling with activity. Hundreds of newly relocated military families had settled down here, and the increasingly busy trade at the port was prompting the port to expand its scale to adapt to the current situation.

Behind Li Rufeng, the Glorious Glory was slowly sailing away. Captain Gastino was standing on the deck, saying goodbye to him with a smile on his face.

Li Rufeng couldn't laugh. No matter who had just paid fifty kilograms of gold to redeem himself, he wouldn't be able to laugh.

It is certainly cool not to bargain when doing business with others, but it is also really painful to feel bad when handing over the money. Fifty kilograms of gold piled together look like just a small and insignificant pile.

But you have to know that in this era, many adults weighed less than 50 kilograms. That is to say, all the soldiers under Li Rufeng were fat and strong Mongolian soldiers, so that two of them could carry 50 kilograms of gold and walk so fast while wearing helmets and armor.

But after all, the money was not wasted. Li Rufeng also indirectly proved his financial strength to his potential future allies.

For a lord like him, financial resources, power and military strength are basically equal.

As the last batch of soldiers got off the merchant ship and lined up in neat rows, Bardock walked towards Li Rufeng, knelt on one knee in full view of everyone, and presented his sword to Li Rufeng.

Bardock was using practical actions to strengthen Li Rufeng's prestige. There was no need for extra words between the two. Li Rufeng took the scimitar from Bardock's hand, and according to convention, he should have given his weapon to Bardock.

However, Li Rufeng’s most commonly used weapon was the magic sword. Even if Li Rufeng was willing to give it to Basak, he probably wouldn’t dare to accept it.

Fortunately, there is a hidden rich woman named Parisa by Master Li's side. As the granddaughter of Sultan Timur, although she has no money and has not had time to bring out her rare treasures, the weapons she carries with her are all fine products.