After the war.

Jerusalem once again restored its former prosperity.

On the streets, everywhere were Crusader soldiers wearing cross cloaks, roaming around the city idly after handing over their weapons.

They were all Crusaders from the north.

However, compared to the grand momentum on their departure, the results achieved by Regent King Raymond were indeed lackluster.

Although no effective decisive battles were fought, and several minor defeats were suffered, at least all the lands occupied by the enemy were recovered.

On the surface, this could be declared a great victory.

After Regent King Raymond returned to Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Knight Order's allegiance was returned to his hands.

But having passed through Baron Goffrey's hands, this Knight Order would inevitably bear some of his marks.

Moreover, Losa was conferred as the Count of Transjordan.

The previously weak King's Faction, during Reynard's seclusion in Kaler Castle in Chatillon, had already become able to compete with the Empress Faction.

In this era, the King and local vassals both had conflicts and cooperation.

Vassals needed a King to eliminate disputes among lords and lead the army to defeat enemies when facing foreign foes.

But the consensus was that no one wanted a strong-armed King over their heads.

This was also the reason why Baldwin IV had not yet announced he was basically recovered and resumed governance.

In the Royal Palace's hall.

Raymond sat in a chair beside the King's throne.

Below, dozens of noble lords were in attendance.

Raymond raised his hand, signaling everyone to be silent: "Today's topic is how to settle the Pilgrim Army returning to Jerusalem."

As his words fell, Palace Minister Amalric immediately spoke: "How else to settle them? Collect the weapons and equipment into the storeroom, disperse all of them on the spot, and let them find their own way of livelihood."

Someone immediately echoed: "Exactly, protecting the Holy Land is the duty of all Christians. Do we still have to pay them a severance fee?"

The recruitment of Pilgrims into the army used the wealth Henry II, the father of Richard the Lionheart, had stored in the "Holy Vault" for maintaining the next Eastern Expedition military expenses.

And this money had obviously long been depleted.

Maintaining such a large standing army was very unrealistic, even Saladin couldn't do it.

The newly appointed Baron of Mongisa, Guy de Lusignan spoke: "My territory really lacks manpower, I can accept a batch of Pilgrims as my subjects."

A few more lords expressed their willingness to accept Pilgrim subjects.

Godfrey spoke: "Although we've signed a peace treaty with Saladin this time, he will not give up on recapturing Jerusalem. Surrounding us is the land of heretics, with many enemies and few of us, and we are isolated and without aid. Didn't this war make you realize the fact that the enemy is strong and we are weak?"

The hall fell into a dead silence.

Raymond lightly coughed and continued: "In this war, we've unearthed many brave warriors. They shouldn't live and die in obscurity plowing fields. His Majesty, I, and Baron Goffrey all believe that we should select elite soldiers from this Pilgrim Army to form a new standing army directly under the Kingdom."

Realizing today's "agenda" core, the nobles clamored in protest.

"In other words, His Majesty the King wants to impose a new vassal tax on us?"

"This military expedition coincided with the harvest season; we've already sacrificed a lot to defend the Holy Land."

"Exactly, we have a truce for three years. After three years, we can easily write to His Holiness the Pope again to have him order those kings to launch a new Crusader expedition."

A new Crusader expedition?

In the crowd, Guy found it somewhat laughable.

Previously, he would have thought this way too.

But this time, when Jerusalem was threatened, how long did those European kings delay before even setting out?

would those kings, unless Jerusalem truly fell, be willing to travel thousands of miles to come to Jerusalem and fight to the death for them?

Baron Goffrey said: "The new standing army will be composed of two forces. His Majesty's intention is that these two forces will be commanded by Guy, the lord of Mongisa, and Reginald, the lord of Sidon."

The implication is that the Noble Faction and the Empress Faction would each maintain a standing army.

This is completely contrary to the dangerous "King's desire for centralization."

The originally unified opposing voices in the hall quickly began to divide.

For instance, Palace Minister Amalric, although his brother was granted Mongisa and became his powerful aide, Mongisa was after all just a small place.

If he could be appointed as the commander of a new standing army, it would be a great opportunity for him.

Especially now, as the formerly undisputed leader of the Empress Faction, Count Reynard of Transjordan, had been demoted and significantly weakened in influence.

If he seized this chance to continuously expand his influence in the Kingdom, he could very likely become the leading figure of the Empress Faction to challenge Regent King Raymond.

Of course, this was just his own fantasy.

In reality, in many people's eyes, he was merely a fool who rose through nepotism, without a fertile fiefdom or the capability to command troops.

Only relying on maneuvering power tactics, he had no qualifications to be compared with Regent King Raymond.

And Raymond, in truth, had a very pure aim — to safeguard the Kingdom's security. Through this battle, he gained a clearer understanding of the gap between the two factions.

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