Chapter 10: The Debate at Oxford

Returning to Oxford, John felt his spirits lift considerably.

This was royal territory and the most central and prosperous region of the entire kingdom. Oxford sat at the confluence of the Thames and Cherwell rivers, making it the heart of the country's midlands. Its convenient transportation routes made the roads and rivers flow like veins, constantly supplying life to the city.

In 1167, Henry II ordered the recall of English scholars studying in France. That same year, the King of France expelled all English scholars. They gathered in Oxford and gradually formed the University of Oxford. Here, not only English scholars but also many students from Flanders, Brittany, and Aquitaine came to study. Thoughts from all corners of the world converged and collided here, making it the academic center of all England.

Therefore, this was also the most fashionable area in all of England.

A group of English scholars speaking French, dressed in Italian clothing, greeted John with reverence, a sight he had seen enough times to find abstract.

"Your Highness," a nearby citizen respectfully greeted John.

John's entourage was not elaborate, and he did not put on much of a show, but everyone living in Oxford knew who he was. After all, John had always been in Oxford.

"May you be safe," John replied nonchalantly to the citizen and gently urged his horse on, picking up his pace. If he had nothing to do right now, it wouldn't hurt to enjoy some time with the people. But now that he had an audience with the king on his agenda, he naturally didn't want to waste any more time.

Following John were his knights, and together they trotted along, mud splattering from the hooves. Passersby cursed and grumbled, but upon seeing the Prince, they reluctantly closed their mouths.

Upon arriving at Oxford Castle, the clueless citizens disappeared, replaced by royal attendants and the mistresses Henry II kept.

Yes, the mistresses.

Henry II was strong and robust. His wife, also John's stepmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was a whole ten years older than him. But even so, Henry II still managed to father a whole bunch of kids.

Now, Eleanor was far away in Aquitaine, and Henry II naturally couldn't restrain himself from keeping a bunch of mistresses for his entertainment.

"Go and help me settle the horse."

John dismounted from his horse, his movements natural and fluent. A nearby servant nodded obediently and led John's horse away.

Old Roches and Guiyao were always by John's side, like two bodyguards. Everyone along the way bowed their heads respectfully and made way for him.

The best thing about being a bad guy is that you don't need to be so polite.

John didn't say a word and quickly strode through the corridor, heading directly to the balcony where Henry II often stayed.

As John pushed open the door, he felt the sunlight sting his eyes. Henry II stood leaning against the railing, stroking his own beard.

"I'm back, Father," John said, his demeanor lacking any hint of the humility a subject would typically show a monarch, just a simple greeting to Henry II.

If it were Richard or Geoffrey, Henry II would certainly be annoyed. But standing before him was his most beloved youngest son, and seeing how mature he had become filled Henry II with joy.

He reached out and patted John's head, his face showing indulgence: "How was it at the Earl of Gloucester's?"

"It was awful," John pretended to look pitiful. "We encountered bandits on the way, and on the first day there, I wasn't treated well. The Earl of Gloucester's daughter showed me no respect and kept pestering me about dividing her sister's land."

The complaining child gets the milk, and John's attitude made Henry II furrow his brow.

The old king patiently asked, "I already know about the bandits. How did you handle it at Mabel's?"

John decided to tell the truth: "I said I would send her to the convent, but she's still imprisoned at Gloucester."

Henry II remained silent, and John couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"Not bad," Henry II finally said after a long silence. "You haven't messed things up, have you?"

"Of course not," John bragged, shaking his hand. "Look at this ring, the Earl of Gloucester's ring. Now all the knights there have sworn loyalty to me."

Even the seasoned Henry II was stunned to hear that the knights had sworn loyalty to John.

His eyes filled with confusion. "How did you manage that?"

"I got rid of most of the troublemakers, but kept a few," John began to hedge his words. "I think it's important to keep some troublemakers around to show who's in charge."

Henry II was even more perplexed, then asked, "Was it intentional?"

John shrugged and threw out the answer bluntly: "It was Mabel, after all. I couldn't just kill her."

Such a ruthless response would be hard for others to accept, but Henry II was a man who had split his own cousins and even dared to challenge the Church, so he had no moral qualms.

"Sending her to the convent was the safest choice. But there's still one more to deal with here, guess who?" 

Ah?

Seeing the smile gradually appearing on Henry II's face, John felt that the old man must have done something bad.

"I'm a nobleman... You can't treat me like this! Let go!"

A man's voice came from the garden below the balcony. He seemed to be struggling but unable to break free. John's gaze followed the sound of the shouting and saw a sturdy adult man being escorted by two knights.

"Let go! You beasts!" His cries were painful to John's ears.

Henry II pointed at the man and said with a smile, "This is Richard de Clare, Earl of Bedford. How do you think we should deal with him?"

The question was thrown to John.

John looked at the Earl of Bedford, who was also looking at him from the garden.

The earl was young, only twenty-one this year, not much older than John. His family was equally ancient, descended from one of the earliest groups of Norman knights.

And his cousin, "Strongbow" Richard, was one of the first Norman conquerors of Ireland. This great adventurer had almost become an independent monarch in Ireland until Henry II's iron fist fell upon him.

But this guy in front of him didn't seem to have any of that adventurous spirit.

"The King, I was forced by Prince Richard to participate in this conspiracy!" The Earl of Bedford continued to argue desperately.

Henry II remained silent, quietly watching John, waiting to see how he would handle the situation.

John knew exactly what Henry II intended. This was clearly a test to see how he would deal with the Earl of Bedford.

Well then, John couldn't play by the rules.

"Now that the Earl of Bedford is in our hands, we have plenty of methods and time to deal with him," John said, rubbing his hands together. "I think we could discuss some other topics, Father."

Henry II raised an eyebrow, as if signaling for John to continue.

John continued, "Father, I believe I need a piece of land of my own. But right now, the entire country's southern territories are feeding your army, Anjou and Normandy are strategic strongholds that must be controlled by the king. So, in fact, there's nothing left to grant me as a fief."

Listening to John's analysis, Henry II gradually became interested. His strong desire for power made him deeply interested in such grandiose plans.

"So, I think I should, like Geoffrey, seek a piece of land for myself through my own means," John said, touching the ring on his hand. "After all, Gloucester is someone else's domain."

Henry II was deeply moved by John's analysis. Now he felt that he couldn't control his wife Eleanor.

Seeing Henry II's agreement, John continued, "You began leading troops at fourteen, and I'm seventeen now. I think I can try to lead independently and gain a piece of land for myself, without relying on inheritance or enfeoffment."

There was no doubt that John was showing his ambition and independent tendencies, which left Henry II in long silence.

There were precedents; Henry II's first three sons were quite ambitious. At first, Henry II thought this was a good thing, but later he realized how much trouble his sons' ambitions caused him.

He looked at John and felt that his youngest son had changed a bit. Probably since that illness a few months ago, his beloved youngest son John had changed. He had become more cunning and ambitious.

Originally hopeful for John, Henry II was now a little afraid that John might become like Richard.

"Ireland is a remote place, full of savage Irish and unruly nobles. It would take a lot of effort to conquer there," John said, understanding what Henry II feared. But he decided to try anyway, to see if he could convince Henry II.

Fortune favors the bold.

"But the Irish lack unified power, so we wouldn't encounter particularly strong resistance. I only need a medium-sized force to deal with the Irish and Norwegian people scattered across Ireland."

A breeze brushed the castle terrace, causing Henry II's beard to flutter slightly. It was unclear whether his lips were trembling or it was just the wind.

"Hmm..." Henry II seemed to have something to say.