The Restoration of Rome: In the Name of Augustus

Chapter 85 Damascus Military Council

In April of the Islamic Hijri calendar 578, October of the Julian calendar 1182, at the same time as Lyon at the Salt Lake, Damascus.

After more than three months of standoff and negotiations, Saladin's army finally broke camp at the gates of Aleppo and returned south, arriving in Damascus.

The ancient city on the banks of the Orientes River was not ravaged by war, but its master, Imad al-Din of Sinjar, under Saladin's combination of threats and inducements, had changed his attitude from initial firm resistance to ambiguous wavering.

Saladin believed that Aleppo's surrender was only a matter of time, and now he had more pressing goals to address.

The morning mist over Mount Qasim had not yet dissipated, but the minaret of the Umayyad Mosque was already gleaming with a honey-gold light in the sunlight, and the call to prayer echoed between the city walls.

The council chamber of Damascus Citadel is far more magnificent than the sleeping quarters in Cairo, yet it adheres to the owner's consistent simplicity. The thick stone walls isolate it from the hustle and bustle of the city, while beams of light streaming through the high windows illuminate the dust motes floating in the air.

There were no gold or silver decorations in the hall; the only striking feature was the huge map hanging on the wall, which was covered with dense markings that recorded the vast territory from the Nile to the Euphrates.

Saladin, escorted by his nephew Farouk and Tajuddin, along with a group of generals, went to the council chamber, where his Davadar Imaddin Isfahani was already waiting with a folder, the ink on the parchment still wet.

Saladin, still dressed in a plain black robe, sat in the main seat. The hardships of his long journey did not make him appear tired; on the contrary, the light in his deep eyes was even sharper.

Isfahani gave a brief bow to the generals, and with Saladin's nod, began his report. Knowing the Sultan abhorred lengthy presentations, he was concise and to the point:

"In the Sultanate, regarding Jerusalem: Although King Baldwin is seriously ill, his Crown Prince Lyon and Count Raymond of Tripoli have been very active in the past six months. They are making great efforts to strengthen their military and build fortifications along the coast and in the Jordan Valley, especially Beit She'an Fort. According to rumors from merchants, they are even trying to build a dam and a bridge over the Yarmouk River. Their ambitions should not be underestimated."

"And the Roman Empire," Isfahani continued, "Marshal Cantostefanos has largely taken control of the situation, and the conflict with our 'friends,' the Venetians, has temporarily come to an end. The Sultan of Rum, having lost his eldest son, has no intention of fighting again, and the two sides are negotiating peace. However, it is worth noting that there are unconfirmed reports that Count Raymond was sent as an envoy to Constantinople, possibly related to a marriage alliance."

"Philip the Fox of France is busy dealing with territorial disputes with England, and there are unconfirmed reports that he has close ties with the sons of the English king. Frederick the Redbeard, the Holy Roman Emperor, is ambitious and has always been ruthless. He is certainly not happy about the defeat in the war against the Lombard League, and at the same time, he has a bad relationship with their religious leaders, so he is naturally unable to intervene in the situation in the Levant."

After Isfahani finished his report, he bowed and stepped aside.

Saladin nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the generals present, finally settling on the two young men sitting to his left.

One was his nephew Farouk Shah, whom he had kept by his side since Cairo, whom he appointed as the Emir of Damascus; the other was his younger nephew, Tagudin, who assisted Farouk in managing Damascus with his intelligence and competence and was in charge of overseeing the construction of siege equipment.

"Did you all hear that?" Saladin's voice was deep and resonant, carrying the charisma of a leader. "Our enemy has not slept because of disease and division. Baldwin is a formidable adversary; even with death on his forehead, he continues to seek life for his kingdom. Now, the truce is ending; it is time for the banner of God to guide our next step."

Farouk, a burly man with a resolute face, clad in fine armor, spoke first: "Uncle! The Franks are clearly afraid! They've fortified Beit She'an because they fear we'll strike straight at their heart from Damascus! This shows they're insecure! Give me an elite force; I'll be the vanguard. Before their fortifications are fully complete, let's seize Beit She'an and open the gates of Jerusalem!"

Saladin remained noncommittal, turning his gaze to Tagudin: "Tagudin, what do you think?"

Tajudin rose calmly. He was a few years younger than Farouk, with a handsome face, but appeared much more frail than Farouk.

"Uncle, Emir Farouk's courage is admirable. Beit She'an Fortress is indeed key. It guards the Jordan River crossing and controls the vital route from the Galilee south down to Jerusalem and west to the Mediterranean coast. If we can capture it, we will drive a solid wedge into the heart of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, dividing its northern territory in two, and exposing Tiberias, Nazareth, and other places directly to our army."

He walked to the map, pointed precisely to the location of Berthesian, and analyzed, "However, precisely because of its importance, the Franks will surely have heavily fortified it. A direct assault on a castle that is constantly being reinforced, even if victorious, will inevitably come at a heavy price. We must be cautious."

Farouk scoffed, "Tajudin, you always overthink things! What war doesn't end in death? Do the warriors of Allah fear sacrifice? Don't forget, three years ago we killed the Frankish military commander in a single battle! With the right tactics, Allah's tactics will be invincible!"

Tagudin responded gently but firmly: "Your Excellency Emir, we are actually of the same mind. What I mean is that an attack on Beitshean cannot rely solely on the flesh and blood of warriors; we need thorough preparation."

He turned to Saladin: "Uncle, I am overseeing the construction of siege towers, catapults, and other siege equipment. Meanwhile, we should send out more spies to ascertain the weaknesses in Beitsheen's defenses, the garrison's configuration, and the availability of supplies and water. During the attack, we can exert pressure from the front with our main force, while sending elite detachments to outflank and ambush Frankish reinforcements. Alternatively, we can utilize the Assassins to infiltrate the castle, striving to achieve the greatest results with the least cost. Furthermore, we can spread rumors and launch feigned attacks on Tiberias or Caleb to confuse the enemy and make it difficult for them to determine our main attack direction."

Saladin listened quietly to his two nephews' argument, a barely perceptible hint of approval on his face. Farouk and Tagudin, one a scholar and the other a warrior, complemented each other perfectly and were highly valued by him.

"Enough." Saladin gently raised his hand, and the council chamber fell silent. He stood up, walked slowly to the map, and pressed his finger heavily on the map of Beitsheen Castle.

"Farooq and Tagudin's views resonate deeply with me." His gaze swept over all the generals. "The Franks chose to fortify Beitshean because they recognized its strategic importance. Ramadan is over, the rainy season has not yet begun, and the Jordan River is still shallow. They are already building bridges. If we do not take the initiative, the Franks will be able to roam freely over Lower Galilee and the Jordan Valley."

He paused for a moment, then his voice rose sharply, leaving no room for argument: "Then we will shatter their illusions right here in Beitshean! We will let all the Franks know that no fortress can withstand the sword of God."

Farouk.

"Yes, Uncle!" Farouk stood up abruptly, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"You will serve as the vanguard, with carefully selected cavalry. Starting today, intensify reconnaissance and harassment of the area surrounding Beitshean, cutting off its communication with the outside world."

"Yes, sir!" Farouk loudly accepted the order.

"Tajudin".

"Yes, Uncle," Tajudin replied with a bow.

"You will continue to be in charge of the manufacture and deployment of siege equipment, ensuring it is ready before the army sets off. At the same time, you will work with Isfahani to expedite intelligence gathering."

"I will not fail in my mission," Tajuddin replied confidently.

Saladin surveyed the entire arena one last time, his voice like a pronouncement:

"Order all armies to intensify their training and stockpile provisions. When the time is right, the army will split into two routes: Farouk will lead 20,000 troops from Damascus to besiege Beit She'an, while Tagudin and Isfahani will remain in Damascus; I will personally lead the elite forces south to Transjordan to besiege Reynald's Kallelburg, thus preventing the Franks from defending both ends. This battle is not only about capturing the fortress, but also about intimidating the Franks and showing the infidels the blade wielded by the believers of Allah for the cause of jihad!"

"God is the greatest!" the generals shouted in unison, their fighting spirit surging like a storm in the council chamber of Damascus Castle.