It is not stable.

Losa covered the collar with a veil and rode side by side with Prajna, the cool air from Prajna's small air conditioner was very pleasant.

A small oasis appeared ahead.

There was a small village surviving on the oasis, and Losa had given it to an Imperial Knight promoted from Saracen Farmer Soldiers.

"Let's go and see the situation here."

Although the loyalty of the Imperial Knight was not in doubt, there was a difference between written reports and on-site inspections.

Agriculture is fundamental, and Losa deeply agreed with this saying.

Having money without people is just a plate of delicious food placed on a table.

Historically, few commercial Empires have been able to fight, even if prosperous for a time, they would gradually decline later.

Carthage, the Eastern Empire with a destroyed military system, the Apennine City-States, the Arab Empire, and even the distant Song.

Heavily employing slaves and mercenaries for warfare will eventually lead to disastrous consequences.

One purpose of his return to Jerusalem is to accept some pilgrims as vassals—they have a land distribution policy, but still, there are many lands left uncultivated.

Moreover, arable land in New Habsburg is also constantly increasing.

By migrating pilgrims as vassals, not only can the population be increased.

Meanwhile, it can improve the composition of the population in Losa's territories, and the same-language, same-ethnicity Germanic immigrants are more trustworthy than the Saracens.

"My lord?"

Before approaching, he saw in the fields a man, looking like an old farmer, with a sunburnt dark face and a surprising smile, his teeth stark white due to color contrast.

He struggled to pull his leg out of the mud and ran toward them with great effort: "My lord, why are you here?"

Losa said with a smile, "Ramla, I'm returning to Hebron and stopped by to see you."

His gaze swept over the farmers running together with the Imperial Knight named Ramla—although most were thin, they appeared very healthy.

Ramla introduced, "My lord, they are my Farmer Soldiers. We just finished building the canal today, and we're just trying to irrigate the land with it for the first time—it's much easier than carrying buckets of water."

"You did very well, Ramla. When I return, I will praise you to your mother."

Ramla showed an embarrassed smile, "Thank you, my lord, I have another request, if possible, I'd like to move my mother here, and the land in Hebron can be divided among others."

"That's certainly not a problem, even if you hadn't said it, Kurs Steward will soon handle this matter."

Ramla said joyfully, "Thank you, my lord."

"No need to thank me, I should be thanking you all."

Losa's expression was somewhat complex, these Imperial Knights under him lived much harder lives.

Although he paid them well, none could live like true noble Knights, in fine clothes and idle leisure.

Farewelling Ramla.

The convoy continued forward, deliberately passing more than ten villages along the way, some belonging to Eira Port, others to Alandler Bishopric.

Most vassals had faces although weary, filled with hope, markedly different from the previous apathy and indifference.

Their lives were not yet good, many still received relief grain because the newly cleared lands had not yet produced yields.

But all of Losa's initiatives showed he was a merciful and generous Lord.

The future is promising.

As dusk approached, Losa finally arrived at New Habsburg.

From afar, the lush, massive canopy like wings reaching the sky could be seen.

Even the joyful emotions transmitted by the Tree of Life could be felt.

Its growth was very fast, beyond Losa's anticipation, thanks to the blessing of faith.

As a "God."

The more people who come to worship, the richer the Power of Faith obtained, and its growth speed becomes faster.

Following this trend.

Within half a year, the Tree of Life might enter maturity ahead of schedule, then transfer to Woodland Archer, filling the weakest link in his army.

Armenian mercenaries exposed serious issues in this battle.

At a distance, there was no armor-piercing ability.

Against fully armored Saracen infantry, few kills materialized, at most a few unlucky ones were concussed by catapults.

Cheap, but not useful.

In siege defense, it might have some effect, but for field battles, the effect would be worse.

Losa swiftly ended this mercenary contract; though he could hire more powerful mercenaries from Asia Minor, like the Turkic people.

But he preferred nurturing his army.

Considering the poor performances of Apennine City-States, even after unification.

Not to overlook that Italy after unification was at least a nation-state. But its performance was even inferior to the Austria-Hungary Dual Monarchy patched together after the Habsburg Family's decline, relying on political means.

He lifted his head, gazing at New Habsburg on the distant highland, the Eagle Banner soaring above, stirring a sense of pride in his heart.

...

Sassanid Dynasty.

Tarsus.

A group of envoys returning from the Tatar Grassland were tearfully complaining to Bahram VI about the humiliation they received from the Tatar Khan of the Borjigin family during the visit.

The diplomatic documents returned were even more shocking to the King of Kings and a group of courtiers.

The document read: "I know the strength of your lord, the greatness of your nation, the vastness of the land you rule, yours is a millennial kingdom, I deeply wish to establish good relations with you, viewing you as a beloved child."

"These barbarians from the grasslands dare to humiliate our king like this, saying they wish for good relations while treating our king as... absolutely unforgivable!"

"Ha, these barbarians from the East all think of themselves as the Tang Empire, each acting so arrogantly."

The courtiers were incensed.

The Sassanid King's face showed a trace of anger: "The Qidan people of Liao Kingdom invaded our lands repeatedly, even demanded we pay tribute to them, and now this newly rising Tatar King has an even larger mouth, wishing to see me as a 'beloved child'."

A general said, "Just a grassland chieftain, I am willing to personally lead an army, ruthlessly conquer them, and capture the Tatar Khan and his wife and daughters back, vindicating our king."

Palace Minister Mustafa coughed lightly, "Your Majesty, do not let anger drive you to war, the grasslands are barren, a distant expedition would bring no profit."

The Sassanid King Bahram VI did not look pleased.

He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his anger, "Mustafa, the Grand Vizier makes sense, the Tatars are poor, their nomadic light cavalry comes and goes like the wind, much like the former White Huns. Even if I send a large army, they only need to drive their cattle and tents eastward to make our effort fruitless."

Sassanid Persia has no interest in the grasslands, occupying such barren lands would be less beneficial than continuing southward to attack the fragmented India.

India is wealthy but unskilled in warfare, like a Great Treasury, supporting the resurgence of the ancient Sassanid Persia.

The current Sassanid Dynasty, like the neighboring Eastern Empire, is a long-ailing, aged thousand-year-old kingdom.

Persians no longer dominate as before, now a dual structured empire with Persians and Arabs sharing dominance, with severe internal issues.

"What Your Majesty says is correct, the barren lands of the Tatars, though vast, barely have a population of a million. We only need to instruct the Hezhong Khan to expel Tatar trading caravans, halt trade with them, and cause grassland prices to soar, devastating their livelihood as punishment."

In court, besides some generals eager for glory.

The Sassanid King and his ministers, including Palace Minister Mustafa, were unwilling to attack the grasslands.

Too little profit, an arduous expedition, expending too much resource with nearly zero gains, better to contend with the Qidan people.

Bahram VI further said, "The Great Holy Fire Altar in Tarsus has been completed, and that sycophant Saladin wants to set up a Caster Advisory Group in Damascus, we cannot lag behind."

"Your Majesty, as of today, thirty-six priests and witches have arrived at the Great Holy Fire Altar, ready to hold the Great Holy Fire Festival and select your Caster Advisory Group."

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