The Restoration of Rome: In the Name of Augustus

Chapter 33 Robert's Cooperation

In the courtyard beneath the Tower of David, the crisp sound of swords clashing rang out. For the past month, Lyon had spent his days either reading Arabic books or listening to Baldwin recount Saladin's common tactics and army composition. Any spare time he had was dragged to the courtyard by Balian to practice swordsmanship, making his life quite fulfilling.

Just as Lyon successfully blocked a half-hearted attack by Balian and was preparing to counterattack, Jacob's voice suddenly interrupted from the courtyard entrance.

"Leon!"

Accord was dressed in a very conspicuous Templar cloak and chainmail, with a magnificent longsword at his waist. However, he himself did not seem very impressive. He was huddled in the shadows in the corner, only sticking out one hand and waving it impatiently at him.

Lyon nodded to Balian, sheathed his sword, and walked over. Just as he rounded the corner, Jacob grabbed his shoulder, practically hanging on him, his face pale and his lips trembling.

"Leon, I can't take it anymore..." His voice trembled, on the verge of tears, "Quick, quick, find your assassin friend and give me the antidote... I'm going to die..."

Leon paused, instinctively touching his stomach, and frowned in confusion: "That's strange, why don't I feel anything? It's been a month already."

Before he could finish speaking, Altaïr's voice drifted down from somewhere above him, carrying a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm: "Don't even think about it. If the Assassins had that kind of miraculous poison that works instantly and on a set time, we would have unified the Middle East long ago. Why would we need to do such dirty and tiring work as assassinations?"

He paused, then turned his voice towards the Accord, scoffing, "As for him? I think he's just having a drinking fit. Grand Master Gerald has plenty in his private cellar. I can keep watch for you when I have time, so you can drink your fill."

Upon hearing this, Accord seemed to have lost all his strength, collapsing onto Leon and exclaiming with tears streaming down his face, "Leon! Your Assassin friend... was so worthwhile!"

"Wait," Altaïr's voice rang out again, becoming serious, "Jocelyn is here, and he's got a strange bearded man with him. Master, you must go to the council chamber."

Leon nodded, struggled to push his uncle away, returned to the courtyard, briefly explained a few words to Baldwin, and then turned to walk towards the council chamber where Baldwin was.

In the long corridor in front of the council chamber, Jocelyn and Robert walked one after the other. Robert's shrewd eyes scanned the white stone walls and arcades on both sides restlessly, his heart pounding with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. He was right; Jocelyn was indeed just an executor on the surface. Behind this shocking plan, the true mastermind was none other than the legendary Leper King.

Robert had spent half his life as a merchant, meeting countless nobles and lords, and even a few kings. But most of them were fools in fancy robes, their minds empty except for devising ways to levy taxes. This man from Jerusalem, however, suffering from an incurable disease, had defeated Saladin at the age of sixteen, and now he was introducing such an unprecedented tax system… Thinking of this, he couldn't help but hold his breath.

Before Jocelyn could raise his hand, the heavy double doors of the council chamber slowly opened from the inside. The two immediately bowed their heads and respectfully entered the chamber.

A strong, bitter herbal scent wafted over. The flickering candlelight cast a shimmering orange glow on the walls, gradually illuminating the previously indistinct figure on the throne.

A silver-white mask, a long robe that completely covered him... exactly as rumored! Robert's heart suddenly raced.

Jocelyn stepped forward and bowed. "Good day, Your Majesty. I have come to report on the effectiveness of the new tax system in Acre, and..." He turned to Robert behind him, "This is Robert, a merchant from Lombardy. He has responded positively to the new tax system and is eager to cooperate more deeply with the Kingdom."

Robert quickly bowed his head deeply: "Your Majesty, the new tax system in Acre did initially attract considerable doubt and resistance, but many businessmen like myself, who clearly understand the situation, have already tasted its benefits. To be honest, our profits are indeed higher than under the old tax system. Overall, the market environment in Acre is steadily improving!"

The king, as if expecting this, showed no excessive emotion, simply nodding and saying, "Akka is just the beginning. The next step is to extend it to Jerusalem, and even the entire kingdom. So, you, shrewd businessman, what kind of cooperation do you wish to reach with us?"

Robert took a deep breath and tentatively asked, "I've heard that Your Majesty is quite interested in the kingdom's water conservancy projects and the reclamation of wasteland?"

"Of course. The people of the kingdom need water and food." The king's answer was concise and powerful.

Robert knew perfectly well that the "subjects" were just a facade; what the king truly wanted to support was the army that would soon confront Saladin.

He straightened his back a bit, his confidence beginning to return: "Your Majesty, I am but a humble servant who runs a building materials business. Our stockpiles of timber and stone will surely become the solid foundation for your kingdom's construction."

He then proceeded to speak eloquently, revealing the plans he already knew by heart. He explained how to locate shallow underground water by tracking wild fig trees and reed beds, and how to determine the best well-drilling locations in limestone fissures and valleys. He described plans to restore ancient Roman-era cisterns and culverts, talked about building terraces and stone channels on hillsides to guide rainwater, mentioned using animal-powered waterwheels in low-lying valleys to lift water to higher ground, and even looked to the future, envisioning learning from the Saracens to dig long, hidden channels to silently bring mountain springs to where they were needed.

In the past, these construction projects all required residents or local lords to pay for them themselves, resulting in inconsistent quality and extremely uneven distribution of water resources across different areas. It seems that achieving construction covering the entire city of Jerusalem will truly require relying on this building materials merchant.

Seeing that the king remained silent, seemingly listening attentively, Robert was encouraged and changed the subject to land reclamation and planting.

"As for reclaiming wasteland and choosing crops... I have some connections in Sicily and can obtain cheap and high-quality seeds. In the water-rich valleys, we can continue to plant wheat, exclusively for the royal family, knights, and elite legions. In the vast terraced hills, we can plant drought-resistant barley and beans—barley can feed the infantry and warhorses, while beans not only provide sustenance but also magically transform barren land into fertile soil. We can also plant olives and grapes on the relatively dry edges of the fields; they require almost no care yet bring lasting wealth and nourishment."

"If Your Majesty approves, I am willing to begin preparations immediately at the most favorable price!"

The king tilted his head back slightly, resting on the cushions of his throne, seemingly digesting his long statement.

A moment later, the King's voice rang out again: "Very well, Robert. I will grant you a 'Royal Certificate' and the title of 'Construction Supervisor'." His words were clear and well-thought-out. "As for the project's payment, I intend to make it in installments. When the project begins, you will receive a dinar to recruit workers and purchase the initial materials. After that, you will receive a progress payment for each key milestone completed. Once the project is fully completed, the majority of the payment will be made, but I will withhold a portion as a 'quality guarantee deposit.' The remaining balance will be paid a year later, or after a rainy season has passed, proving the project's quality is satisfactory."

He turned to Joslin: "Earl, please inform Earl Raymond and the Hospitallers of Knightsburg, and ask them to each send someone skilled in accounting to participate in the supervision and accounting of the project. I will personally arrange things with the Knights Templar."

Finally, the king's gaze returned to Robert, his eyes behind the mask sharp enough to pierce through to the heart: "Robert, you're different from those unscrupulous merchants who only care about immediate gains, aren't you?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried immense force, striking Robert's heart.

"Every stone you lay now is not for profit, but to build a fortress for God, to forge a shield and a sword for Jerusalem. In the future, perhaps a crusader will survive because of the canals you built, will be fed because of the fields you cultivated, and will ultimately defend the glory of the Lord on the battlefield."

"When God's warriors defeat the pagans under the protection of the cities and fields you helped build, all your past sins will be forgiven. In every church built in the new land, your name may be inscribed, and your name will be sung by priests and choirs for generations to come."

The king leaned forward slightly, his cold silver mask almost touching Robert's soul.

"So...you certainly don't want to lose such supreme honor, right?"