At dawn two days later.
From the watchtower on the top of Damascus, a burst of urgent trumpet sounds was heard.
The soldier on duty ran to the command room under the city wall with a serious expression and sounded the alarm.
A few minutes later, an armored soldier broke into the castle's meeting room, interrupting the regular meeting.
"Your Majesty Fadhil! Urgent military information!"
"Large-scale military activity has been detected in the northwest, with preliminary estimates of 3,000 to 4,000 troops."
"Also, there are similar movements in the southeast. Now, two forces are advancing towards Damascus!"
Upon hearing this, Fadhil immediately stood up.
"Pass the order down, summon all ministers, and assemble here immediately!"
Soon, the atmosphere in the castle hall became solemn.
Fadhil stood in front of the map table in the center of the hall, surrounded by all the important officials and military generals in the city.
On the wall hung a huge map of Damascus and its surrounding areas, marking the locations of the rebels.
Fadhil spoke up at this time.
"The general defending the city will immediately report the latest situation."
The general in charge of the city's defense spoke first.
"Guards have been doubled throughout the city walls, and the granaries and armories have been reinforced."
"There are currently over 5,000 combat-capable troops in the city, including 3,600 regular troops and 1,800 militia."
"With our current reserves, we can hold out for about a month even if we face a siege."
Fadhil nodded and asked again.
"What about the elite cavalry that followed His Majesty Saladin? Any news?"
"They are our main force."
The general shook his head. "There's no news yet, and none of the messengers we sent have returned."
Fadhil hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Well, we don't have to worry too much."
"The cavalry under His Majesty Saladin are the most elite warriors in our Arabia."
"They are fighting against the most powerful rebel force. That battle will definitely not end easily. It may take them more time to return successfully."
When another minister heard this, he looked worried.
"But we can't wait indefinitely. If we are attacked from two sides, the pressure on our defense will be doubled."
Fadhil nodded and looked at the map again.
His gaze lingered on the rebels' position for a moment, then he looked up at everyone: "I have a proposal now. Given the current enemy and our situation, we can adopt a strategy."
He walked towards the window and pointed in the northwest and southeast directions.
“Although the two rebel groups are approaching, their goal is to capture Damascus, but this is not a decisive battle.”
“Once Damascus is captured, both sides will fight each other.”
"Therefore, we can send negotiation envoys to each of them and propose some seemingly reasonable conditions in order to delay the process."
A minister was puzzled when he heard this: "Your Majesty? Delaying time?"
"Then what?"
Fadhil turned around and continued explaining to everyone.
"Give us enough time and things will get better."
"On the one hand, the main force of the Arabs may return, and on the other hand, we have sent an embassy to Holy Egypt for help."
"Once the message reaches us, the Holy Pharaoh will surely send reinforcements."
He walked over to the map and pointed south again.
"Although Holy Egypt is a long way from here, if we take into account their preparation time, we should be able to receive support in fifteen days at the most."
"So, according to the worst-case scenario, as long as we hold on for twenty days, the situation will be completely reversed."
Although the other minister nodded, he raised questions.
"But how can we guarantee that the rebels are willing to negotiate? Why should they give us time?"
"They're just dying to come in and chop us all into pieces."
Fadhil just smiled lightly when he heard this.
"Intelligence shows that the two rebel groups come from different tribes, and their interests are inconsistent and may even be in conflict."
"We can use this to buy time."
Finally, he turned to the crowd and raised his voice.
"Everyone! We are facing a tough defense battle, but it is not impossible to win!"
"Now, what we have to defend is not an isolated city, but a fortress with powerful allies!"
"As long as we persist, help will surely come!"
The hall was completely silent at this moment, and everyone just listened quietly to Fadhil's words.
"Gentlemen, although His Majesty Saladin has left us, his ideals and goals still exist!"
"The Arab unification cause he pursued throughout his life has not yet been completed. We have the responsibility and obligation to continue his unfinished work!"
"Just think about it. If we abandon Damascus, Arabia will return to its state of division, and His Majesty Saladin's years of hard work will be wasted!"
"The rebels will divide the territory, and the people will live in war and oppression!"
"This is an outcome that His Majesty Saladin would never allow to happen, and it is also a result that we absolutely cannot accept!"
He looked around at everyone and his voice was like thunder.
“So, we must persevere to the end!”
"Unless everyone is dead, we must not let the enemy set foot inside the city gate!"
"For Saladin's last wish, for the future of Arabia, for our homes and loved ones, we have no choice!"
Having said that, Fadhil suddenly drew out his sword and raised it high.
"For His Majesty Saladin! For our noble cause!"
"Let's give our lives!"
The ministers also responded in unison, and they were all very excited.
"For His Majesty Saladin! For our noble cause!"
"For His Majesty Saladin! For our noble cause!"
......
After the meeting, Fadhil immediately set about implementing his plan.
He selected two ministers who were proficient in the art of negotiation and familiar with the customs of various tribes to serve as envoys to the two rebel armies.
Both envoys were experienced and had completed many difficult diplomatic missions under Saladin.
He handed each of them a letter with the seal of the Saladin family.
"This is proof of your identity."
"Even if they are rebels, they shouldn't be able to give you any trouble."
The messengers solemnly took the letter and put it in their arms.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, we will do everything we can to complete the mission."
That afternoon, the two envoys, each with a small number of followers, rode on white horses, and waved flags of truce, setting off towards the northwest and southeast respectively.
After watching the messenger leave, Fadhil returned to the Military Hall and continued to arrange the city defense.
The guards on the city wall held their weapons tightly, watching the dust gradually approaching from a distance.
They could already see some flags appearing on the sand dunes in the distance.
Rebel flag.
They were already stationed not far from Damascus.
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