The Restoration of Rome: In the Name of Augustus

Chapter 151 The Morning Assembly After Spring Ploughing

Chapter 151 The Morning Assembly After Spring Ploughing

In the early morning of April 1183 in the Julian calendar, Lyon sat in the second seat below the throne in the council chamber, routinely listening to the reports from the lords.

Count Raymond of Tripoli stepped forward first, and the news he brought excited everyone: "Your Highness, reliable intelligence from both Antioch and our borders confirms that Saladin's main force has left Damascus and is now stationed at the gates of Haran."

"Is it a real siege, or will we surround them without attacking, as we have done before, waiting for them to break apart from within?" Lyon pressed.

"Initially, we did surround them without attacking." Raymond stroked his slightly graying beard, his eyes gleaming like an information broker. "But the latest merchant rumors say that a large supply train is heading north to join them, and the wagons are heavily covered—according to the gossip of those desert merchants whose noses are sharper than hunting dogs, the wagons are loaded with glittering gold dinars."

Lyon's lips curled into a slight smile: "It seems our Sultan intends to repeat the old Damascus drama in Haran, trying to open the city gates with gold coins rather than swords."

Raymond bowed in agreement and returned to his seat.

Lyon looked around at everyone and asked, "Gentlemen, spring is in full bloom. What progress has been made and what difficulties have been encountered in the spring planting in each territory?"

"Your Highness," Balian said, rising to his feet, "thanks to Your Highness's foresight and grace, the spring planting in Ramla is now thriving, a stark contrast to the desolation of previous years."

"Since last autumn, all twenty improved heavy aircraft produced by royal craftsmen have been distributed to the most experienced farmers. In the past month, more than three hundred Roman acres of hard ground have been cleared and deeply plowed."

Balian continued, "Since Your Highness implemented the new policies in Ramla, the farmers' enthusiasm has greatly increased. The people of Ramla are all grateful to Your Highness for giving them a way to make a living."

Lyon nodded slightly, his eyes showing approval.

It seems Balian isn't entirely stupid; he really knows how to flatter people.

After Balian finished speaking, the acting stable master Guy and Hugh of Galilee also spoke in turn, praising the efficiency of this year's spring plowing without reservation.

"Then, Your Highness!" Suddenly, a booming voice rang out, breaking the brief silence.

Duke Reynald of Transjordan strode forward, his dusty, worn-out robe and chainmail standing out starkly against the backdrop of the many elegantly dressed lords in the hall, yet his rugged face radiated a strange excitement.

"Now that spring planting has been perfectly completed, and Saladin has so generously exposed his back to us, shouldn't we let him taste the bitterness of having his own backyard on fire?"

All the lords' eyes were focused on Reinald.

Reynald's fiefdom is remote, and he has always disliked such court assemblies. His unannounced arrival this time was already suspicious, and now he has even volunteered for battle, which is truly abnormal.

Lyon frowned slightly and said, "Duke, the victory in the Bekaa Valley is something to celebrate, but that victory has not given the kingdom the strength to launch a new expedition. The kingdom's safety cannot afford the potential failure of a reckless attack."

"No, no, Your Highness, you misunderstand!" Reinald immediately put on an almost obsequious smile, waving his hands repeatedly. "I just wanted to confirm the kingdom's strategy. Since you're not in the mood for war lately, I'll happily return to my home in Calleburg to eat sand! Please don't suddenly summon me back and forth again; my old bones can't take the strain!"

His feigned complaining drew the attention of several lords, who whispered among themselves, puzzled as to why this usually unruly madman was acting so docilely, even affectedly, today.

"Since there's nothing else, let's call it a day and call it a day." Leon waved his hand, preparing to end the morning assembly.

"Your Highness, please wait a moment!" A slightly hurried voice rang out, and the acting head of the stables, Ju Yi, stepped forward with a flushed face.

Everyone assumed he was going to report on military affairs, so they all listened attentively.

He hesitated for a long time before whispering, "That—Your Highness, is there any spare—that kind of soap with the scent of roses and cinnamon? Sibyl—she loved it and couldn't stop thinking about it after she used it."

The council chamber fell silent for a moment, then burst into good-natured laughter. Even the stern Earl Raymond couldn't help but stroke his beard and smile like an aunt.

Lyon couldn't help but chuckle, pointing to Chancellor Jocelyn: "Soap production and sales are now jointly managed by Earl Jocelyn and the Royal Colonizer. I, the designer, only talk the talk, I walk the walk. You'll have to ask them if they have any stock left in their warehouses."

Jocelyn, whose name was called, stepped forward calmly, holding an account book in his hands. He smiled and nodded to Guy: "Sir Guy's love for his wife is truly touching. Please rest assured that although the production of this soap is limited, there is still a surplus after supplying the court and important officials. It can be arranged for you after the meeting."

He then turned to Lyon and all the lords, wanting to take this opportunity to report on this new business.

"Thank you for your inquiry, Your Highness. I would like to take this opportunity to report to Your Highness and all the officials on the market situation of the Royal Soap Workshop. Since the successful trial production at the end of February and its official launch over the past month, the three types of soap have been selling very well, and the response has exceeded expectations."

He opened the ledger and listed the items as if they were his own treasures: "First, the basic clean type, which is inexpensive and of good quality, mainly supplied to the army, dock artisans, and ordinary people in the city. In Jaffa and Acre alone, more than two hundred dinars were sold in just one month."

"Secondly, there is the aristocratic luxury type, wrapped in oil-soaked parchment and printed with the coat of arms of the Jerusalem royal family, which has become fashionable among the Levantine nobility. It is not only sold domestically, but is also being transported to Cyprus and Sicily by merchant ships from Genoa and Pisa, and can fetch a total of three hundred dinars."

"Thirdly, medical-grade supplies have been distributed to the kingdom's main monastery hospitals, temples, and Hospitaller barracks."

A letter arrived from the Knights Templar headquarters in Tortosa reporting that the wounded's festering sores had lessened. Although this model was not for profit, it was of great benefit in boosting morale and demonstrating the benevolence of the royal family.

Jocelyn closed the ledger and concluded, "In summary, this month's net soap surplus is over five hundred dinars. If this momentum continues, it is expected to add five to six thousand dinars to the treasury for the whole year, and the Genoese have already reordered a thousand bars of luxury soap for next year."

He concluded by adding, "Of course, all accounts are clear and have been deposited into the national treasury; Your Majesty Robert and I are merely responsible for their management."

This report was a revelation to the lords; they never imagined that such a small bar of soap could have such ingenious uses and such great profits.

Lyon nodded approvingly: "The Earl's efforts have yielded remarkable results. You and Robert will have full authority to handle this matter, and you only need to report back periodically."

After saying that, he stretched and said, "Alright, alright, everything should be fine now. Let's go."

"Wait, Your Highness!"

"What is it now?" Leon and the others looked in the direction of the voice and found that it was Reinald again.

He scratched his thick, loose hair, as if he had suddenly remembered something: "Actually, it's nothing, Your Highness. As you know, in my territory, we often encounter some—uh—camel caravans of unknown origin, and then, coincidentally, I also come across some—ancient books that you are very interested in."

Reinald scratched his head: "How about we go into the inner hall and discuss this in detail?"

This statement was simply an attempt to portray everyone else as idiots; it was far-fetched and abrupt, and coupled with Reynald's earnest yet barely concealed eagerness in his eyes, it only made it seem more bizarre.

Balian rolled his eyes without any attempt to hide it, while Count Raymond looked at Reinald thoughtfully.

Lyon's gaze lingered on Reinald's face for a moment, a hint of understanding flashing across his eyes, before he regained his composure and nodded slightly: "Since it's an ancient book, it's worth a look. Gentlemen, please make yourselves at home."