CHAPTER 319: CHAPTER 13

Hang up the communication.

Losa still felt a bit emotional.

"Seleucus was indeed a renowned figure, and the Empire he established was at its peak more vast than the Sassanid Empire. It’s unexpected that it would later fall into such a plight."

The proud founding sovereign, after death, ended up as an evil spirit.

Although historically, the reputations of Seleucus and a few other successor dynasties were not significant.

In reality, as the continuation of Alexander Empire’s rule over the Eastern world, the Seleucid Dynasty laid the groundwork for the Hellenization of the Eastern world, and even for the Roman Empire’s governance of the East. It was definitely not an insignificant small nation.

"Human nature is to cling to life; in the face of death, whether emperors, ministers, merchants, or common folks, all equally fear it. In fact, emperors and ministers, possessing more, might fear even more."

Prajna, with a calm expression, guarding the Ghost Gate for countless ages, had long been accustomed to the ugly demeanor of those so-called "great figures" before dying.

"Indeed, many emperors were wise in their early years, possessing great talent and strategy, diligently governing, but as they aged, they inevitably became muddled. This perhaps is the so-called great terror between life and death."

Recalling those Eastern emperors seeking immortality and consuming mercury poison in pursuit of longevity.

Losa deeply agreed with this.

The higher one’s position, the more fearful of death one becomes.

It’s a good thing Christianity prohibits suicide. In many places, the tradition of dismembering or beheading the corpses of suicides in public places like markets and squares is to prevent them from entering Heaven due to bodily incompleteness.

Otherwise, many people living in hardship and unable to sustain themselves might opt for self-ending.

In the distance.

The sky was already lightening up.

At this hour, it’s unnecessary to sleep again.

He takes out paper and pen, calculating how to effectively govern the Limassol military district and when to pay an audience to Empress Ragaya.

The situation in Limassol is different from Transjordan, and Losa didn’t plan to transfer his range of policies from Transjordan; that would certainly lead to incompatibility.

Firstly, the local strongmen in Limassol are not heretics but devout Greek aristocrats whose influence in the Eastern Empire is extensive.

To deal with them entirely is, firstly, too difficult and would likely provoke opposition from nearby Greek aristocrats; secondly, it would harm his reputation since they are, after all, Christian brothers.

Moreover, it’s unnecessary.

As long as the status quo is maintained, Cyprus Island could provide him with a considerable annual tax revenue, which is already sufficient.

Due to general combat weaknesses, he did not expect much from the recruits here but merely planned to recruit a batch of Greek sailors to form a Mediterranean Fleet.

This could ensure he holds a complete trade route from India to Western Europe. Trade routes are interconnected; an additional step can multiply prices and costs.

Silks transported from Gujarat, for instance, would yield Losa a profit of perhaps ten at Eira Port but could yield twenty at Jaffa Port.

Profit doubles, and increased costs, even including time costs, could not possibly amount to ten.

If sold at Marseille Port in Provence, the profit could instantly surge to fifty; if across the North Sea, to London, at least a hundred or even two hundred.

Note that this trade route is nearly monopolized by Losa alone, as only he among the Crusader Princes connects to the Red Sea.

Losa felt a fiery excitement.

Now, the influence of the Extraordinary World on the mundane world is deepening.

For Losa, whether expanding territories or enhancing the strength of his followers requires massive wealth.

Marles and Urding, these followers, can be postponed further since they aren’t frontline combatants, but Chelina, Furinjira, Jeanne, and Prajna must be upgraded to full level first.

Moreover, Jeanne possesses elite materials; promptly assisting her to promote to Tier One would strengthen his trump card against this world’s extraordinaries.

"Soon, I need to summon Turriados to swear loyalty to me. With his assistance, I’m likely to maintain effective governance in Limassol. At the very least, local aristocrats won’t harbor excessive resentment, outwardly complying yet inwardly resisting."

"Would you like to sleep for a while?"

"No."

Losa shook his head and said: "I plan to meditate for a while. As described by the Immortal Dragon Soul, it greatly aids the enhancement of my Spiritual Power. I want to test whether my meditation efficiency has improved."

"Alright."

Prajna said no more.

The bond between the two was deep, and Losa is now able to borrow more of her Power; many words need not be spoken, as their rapport was complete.

Losa closed his eyes.

The mind gradually emptied.

...

Upon awakening.

The sun was already high in the sky.

This meditation, in just a few short hours, increased his spiritual power by one point. At this efficiency, within a few years, he could begin preparations to advance to the Legendary Domain like Anna.

Although still too slow for him.

But compared to this world, where it typically takes hundreds of years to possibly reach the Legendary Domain as Wizards, this indeed could be considered a talent of natural brilliance.

After a simple wash.

Losa went to the living room.

"Were the casualty figures compiled?"

Jeanne looked solemn: "A total of two hundred seventy-six died in battle, thirty-nine severely injured, minor injuries not counted."

Losa’s expression paused slightly; this figure was more than he expected.

The severely injured often didn’t refer to those critically hurt; such injuries, with existing medical facilities, were hard to treat, later counted among the deceased figures.

Rather, it referred to those disabled.

"Ensure that severely injured are arranged to recover, advise locals to provide extra assistance, and if they can’t farm, provide subsidies based on circumstances. The deceased are settled according to the first class of compensation we initially agreed upon."

First-class compensation refers to compensation given after major victories.

Though dying in battle, different circumstances often receive different treatment.

Jeanne just nodded slightly without showing much sadness.

The loss of farmer soldiers was hefty, but the fruits of victory were substantial. Achieving a nearly ten to one exchange rate, lamenting mourning would seem hypocritical.

Moreover, kindness doesn’t lead soldiers.

Though Jeanne is upright, she views casualties more leniently than Losa; especially given that casualties receive proper arrangement, which is considerably more generous than most Lords of this era.

"Turriados outside asks to see you; last night, you probably frightened him."

"Let him come in."