Saladin looked at Lin Ke's eyes which suddenly became a little empty, as if he suddenly understood something.
However, Saladin did not say much, he just looked at the scene in Jerusalem.
At this moment, Jerusalem at night is particularly charming with the stars and lights.
Saladin looked down at the city below him. The streets were clean and bright, the market was bustling with people, and various languages interwoven into a harmonious hustle and bustle.
Saladin knew very well that the harmony and prosperity of Jerusalem today was all due to the holy pharaoh beside him.
He waited for a while before turning his head, but Lin Ke was already looking deep in thought.
Saladin waited for a long time before he got Lin Ke's answer.
Although, strictly speaking, it cannot be considered an answer.
"Your Majesty Saladin, if it were you who captured Jerusalem today, what would you do?"
"I mean, if you've prepared for a long time and finally fulfilled your long-cherished wish, what would you do?"
Saladin turned sideways and looked at Lin Ke with a little surprise.
Obviously, he didn't expect Lin Ke to ask such a question.
This question seemed simple, but it left Saladin speechless for a moment.
He had dreamed of taking back Jerusalem since he was a teenager, or to be more precise, he had been fighting for it for half his life.
Now that the holy city was within reach, he had never seriously considered the specific plans after Champa.
"Tell the truth, Your Majesty the Holy Pharaoh."
So he just admitted it frankly without hiding it at all.
"I've never thought about it."
“Maybe it’s because the goal itself is difficult enough and hard to achieve, so I don’t need to think too far ahead.”
"If you hadn't captured Jerusalem, I'd probably have spent my entire life dealing with the Hebrew Empire."
"You know, Arabia is not as powerful as Holy Egypt."
"Only a civilization as powerful as yours can defend all that is now so precious."
As he spoke, he pointed to the scenes in the city of Jerusalem.
Finally, he turned his gaze to a mosque in the distance.
"So, Your Majesty the Holy Pharaoh."
"If I have to say, I think I will do my best to protect what I have."
"So that the city can continue to maintain its current multiculturalism, religious freedom, and commercial prosperity."
"I, Saladin, will never be like some conquerors who promote a single faith or leave after plundering wealth."
"From this point of view, I share some of the same thoughts as His Majesty the Holy Pharaoh."
"But you have a very high vision, which is something I can never compare with you."
The breeze blew across their shoulders, bringing with it the fragrance of plants.
Those were brought by Saladin's warriors in the afternoon. Those green plants now become the embellishment of Jerusalem, making the city look more vibrant.
Finally, Saladin's gaze became deeper. He looked at Lin Ke, as if he understood the other's worries.
"Your Majesty the Holy Pharaoh."
Then his tone became particularly solemn.
"We are all the same. We all have a heavy burden on our shoulders."
“Something that can’t be removed.”
"And we, you and I, face a fundamental problem."
“Responsibility, and choice.”
At this time, he did not look at Lin Ke, but turned to look further away.
"Look."
“The struggle between people will never end; it is the nature of human society.”
“The only difference is that some people choose to be involved, while others choose to stay out of it.”
Saladin paused for a moment, raised his glass and took a sip.
"Your Majesty, the Holy Pharaoh, I know that the responsibility on you is far greater than mine."
“That’s not just the Holy Egyptian Alliance, it’s also your ability.”
"You are a strong man."
“Some things are destined to be solved only by you.”
"If you want to break free from these shackles, there is only one way."
"But if you choose to shed your identity as the Holy Pharaoh and live a peaceful life, you can naturally avoid most conflicts and disputes."
"But as those in a higher position, we cannot shirk our responsibilities."
"Every move we make not only affects ourselves, but also the well-being of tens of millions of people."
"Your Majesty, Holy Pharaoh, I know you understand this better than I do."
He pointed down to a busy street. "Look, merchants are selling spices from the East, Arab craftsmen are repairing damaged weapons, and farmers are selling fresh fruits and vegetables."
"How many people's blood and sweat have gone into these seemingly ordinary scenes?"
"They are hard-earned, Your Majesty the Holy Pharaoh."
"For us, such a life is a luxury."
"But in the territory you rule, such scenery is everywhere."
Lin Ke listened silently, with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Your Majesty the Holy Pharaoh."
Saladin continued, his voice surprisingly enthusiastic.
"In my opinion, you are a rare wise ruler."
"Not only because you possess extraordinary abilities and wisdom, but also because your subjects truly love you."
"Today, all I heard on the streets and alleys were praises and gratitude for you."
"More importantly, everyone, regardless of gender, age, rich or poor, can have enough food to eat and see hope."
"And this is extremely rare in history."
"How many dynasties have changed, how many heroes have emerged, all for the sake of satisfying their own selfish desires or family glory."
“And you genuinely care about everyone’s life.”
Saladin's gaze refocused on Lin Ke's face: "So, when I say that responsibility cannot be shirked, I am speaking to myself as well as to you."
“It is precisely because you have such a broad mind and foresight that you should continue to lead Holy Egypt into a more glorious future.”
Lin Ke stared at the lights in the distance for a long time and nodded slowly.
"You are right, Your Majesty Saladin."
"Responsibility has reached this point and cannot be shirked."
"only......"
"People's abundant life will soon come."
“But what happens when people become rich?”
"What I really worry about is that people here have forgotten the suffering of the famine and just take everything they have now for granted."
"So, what will happen to them one day when I no longer provide them with food and provisions?"
"Will they think I'm a tyrant?"
When Saladin heard Lin Ke's words, he was just slightly stunned.
"If that's the case, Your Majesty the Holy Pharaoh should just exile them."
"Or, you can..."
As the two kings continued their conversation, a guard under the platform suddenly caught their attention.
The guard hurried up the stairs, came to the edge of the platform, and knelt to report to them.
"Your Majesty the Holy Pharaoh, Your Majesty Saladin, a soldier has brought urgent news!"
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