Chapter 952 - 175: Flames Engulf the City (Continued 1)
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
On the walls of Damascus, a group of Mamluk generals clustered around a young general dressed in splendid scale armor. He looked down with a furrowed brow at the camp below, where various Crusader banners fluttered endlessly, his expression grim.
A Mamluk general murmured, "Your Highness, the number of Frankish barbarians grows by the day. They drive the Demon Dragon, coercing each village to supply them with military provisions and water sources. They even use gold and silver to bribe them. Our plan has clearly failed."
The young general replied coldly, "I had long said we should fortify and leave no water sources for them. Those arrogant Frankish barbarians, without water, will be like parched fish at our mercy."
He is Malik, Saladin’s eldest son, and Saladin’s most cherished child.
Now, with Saladin seriously ill, he naturally took over the rule of Damascus.
This was not a difficult task for him, as Saladin had intended to transfer the heartland of Damascus and southern Syria to Malik after his death, making him the King of the Ayyubid Dynasty.
Malik already had a considerably broad ruling foundation in these areas.
"Your Majesty is benevolent and does not wish to bring disaster upon the people."
Malik smiled bitterly, "If I could save my father’s Kingdom, I would rather bear the name of an executioner."
He could understand his father’s decision. Since the fall of Damascus seemed almost certain, maintaining the Ayyubid Family’s last reputation was necessary, but—he was unwilling.
"Are my dear brothers behaving themselves lately?"
The general hesitated but eventually said, "Prince Zahir and the reinforcements he promised remain in Aleppo, with no update. Prince Aziz has also been staying out of sight and hasn’t opposed you lately."
With Saladin’s worsening illness, the Ayyubid Dynasty showed signs of fragmentation after several successive failures.
Local lords began to covertly defy central commands, the governor of Aleppo included.
Saladin’s three sons also started vying for power.
Saladin initially planned for Cairo-centered Egypt to be given to his second son, Aziz, and northern Syria in Aleppo to his youngest son, Zahir, once captured by Losa.
Such division wouldn’t have affected much, except it led to similar strengths among his sons and local division, but it was fair.
However, the problem is that Egypt is already lost.
Currently, with Aleppo returned to Zahir after Adil was appointed Governor of Egypt, among Saladin’s three sons, only Aziz was left with nothing. How could he be satisfied?
Thus, amidst the Crusaders’ ongoing assault on Holmes, Aziz began an open and secret struggle with Malik, trying to claim the Shaburk region south of Damascus for himself and even seeking the position of Crown Prince from Malik.
The two sides were at odds, and their supporters even got into public brawls on the streets of Damascus, only stopping after Saladin, stricken with illness, reprimanded them.
A trace of sarcasm appeared on Malik’s lips, "Ah, it seems father’s reprimand did have some effect, and that fool Aziz, even with the Kingdom in peril, still thought only of power struggles. It’s individuals like these that led us to our current state."
The Ayyubid Family possessed a power where just its population outnumbered the Crusader kingdoms tenfold, and its wealth must be calculated by several dozen times.
In Malik’s view, if the Kingdom united and exerted its full strength, Goodes would have long returned to embrace the holy fire.
Saladin treated his family well, but the excessive enfeoffment was, in Malik’s view, a major blunder.
"If I defeat the Franks, I will not be like my father, only favoring my kin regardless of their closeness in blood. I must dismiss them and make room for talented generals."
Malik reiterated his political promise, seeing the royal family and his brothers as tumors restraining his authority and plunging the dynasty into division.
While his father lived, he could freely appoint and dismiss these royal governors, but Malik knew he wouldn’t wield such authority unless he defeated the invading Franks.
The Mamluks were visibly moved, stepping forward to express their loyalty.
They naturally understood this was but an empty promise, though at least Malik’s sincerity in wanting to achieve this was genuine, whether he could succeed was another matter.
Boom—
In the distance, the catapults organized by the Crusaders began their onslaught again, and huge stone projectiles the size of millstones rained down like thunder, smashing upon the towers and walls of Damascus.
"The Franks have started again."
"Your Highness, quickly leave the walls for safety!"
The Mamluk generals hastily surrounded Malik and led him down from the walls.
"Damn it!"
Malik, somewhat disheveled, reached a safe area, brushing off dust that had settled on his head, "Where did these Franks steal our technology from, managing to construct such catapults? These traitors to the holy fire should be sent to the Fire Prison."
At that moment, a melodious sound of a horn resounded.
Exclamations burst forth from the front of the city, and the scouts in the tower frantically rang their copper bells.
Malik, who was just complaining, and all the Mamluk generals stiffened—outside, the Frankish army finally couldn’t sit still and decided to assault the city!
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"
A Kasaji Guard hastily rushed over, getting stopped by Malik’s guards before anxiously saying, "Your Highness, Prince Aziz has taken his confidants and left the city, claiming to attack the Frankish camp."
At that moment, a melodious sound of a horn resounded.
Exclamations burst forth from the front of the city, and the scouts in the tower frantically rang their copper bells.
Malik, who was just complaining, and all the Mamluk generals stiffened—outside, the Frankish army finally couldn’t sit still and decided to assault the city!
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"
A Kasaji Guard hastily rushed over, getting stopped by Malik’s guards before anxiously saying, "Your Highness, Prince Aziz has taken his confidants and left the city, claiming to attack the Frankish camp."
At that moment, a melodious sound of a horn resounded.
Exclamations burst forth from the front of the city, and the scouts in the tower frantically rang their copper bells.
Malik, who was just complaining, and all the Mamluk generals stiffened—outside, the Frankish army finally couldn’t sit still and decided to assault the city!
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"
A Kasaji Guard hastily rushed over, getting stopped by Malik’s guards before anxiously saying, "Your Highness, Prince Aziz has taken his confidants and left the city, claiming to attack the Frankish camp."