Vol 7 Chapter 204: Unavoidable war

On the vast blue sea, a huge big ship floats from time to time with the bow of the ship splitting the snow-white waves.
This is a three-masted three-story Clark sailing ship. This is a huge ship that is more suitable for ocean navigation than the Caravelle. Because it has more horizontal sails to provide speed and more space to transport goods, it is gradually attracted by ocean adventurers. Favor.
But this Clark sailing ship is not a merchant ship, but a terrible battleship.
Behind the closed windows on both sides of the ship are two rows of powerful artillery. The designer almost racked his brains to use every inch of the available space in order to stuff those terrifying weapons into the belly of the ship.
Whether it's the black body that can be seen on the deck, or the bigger guys hidden behind the portholes of the sunken gun bay, their only function is to deter and completely destroy any target that may be the enemy.
James Columbus was walking back and forth on the deck at this time. The bumpy hull did not affect his leisurely pace. He even seemed to enjoy the feeling of riding on a swing.
This reminded him of the beautiful women he had met on the shore, and he couldn't feel such wonderful ups and downs in them.
A figure emerged from the hatch leading to the lower deck. The man seemed to be a little scared and leaned out half of his body carefully, and after seeing James, he slowly walked up a few steps.
James also noticed the man, he immediately beckoned the man to come over, and when he saw that man finally walked onto the deck with the courage, he smiled.
It was a woman with a rare dark red skin, with short black hair lying on her head. Although she also had black eyes, her appearance was different from that of Eastern European or Southern European women, which made her look different. .
This woman is wearing a half-sleeved blouse and a skirt that only covers the thighs. The look and fancy of the dress is also different from other styles everywhere. The smooth skin has a light luster, and the healthy and powerful buttocks are covered by that. The short skirt was bulging, which made her look rough and savage.
This is actually a girl. She is not too old. Although she is well developed, the childishness on her face still reveals her actual age.
The girl cautiously walked in front of James, and under his gaze as if looking at some art treasures and rare species, she cautiously made a few simple sounds with some effort.
James obviously already knew what she was going to say. He turned and looked into the distance, pointing to the end of the sea that still couldn't see anything.
"We will be here soon. You have to know where you can see miracles you haven't seen in your dreams," said James, who looked at the girl up and down again, touching his chin and said in an admiring tone. You look better now than when I first met you, but you should eat more meat to look fuller."
The girl obviously didn't understand what James was talking about, and her poor vocabulary couldn't make her express her anxiety and anxiety.
She didn’t know what was waiting for her. Everyone on this scary ship was full of curiosity and malice towards her. If the person in front of her had not been protecting her, terrible things might happen. On her body.
So in her mind, James is a really good person. He not only feeds her and lets her sit in a small corner of the boat alone, but also prevents too much harassment by other people. For this James even and those people Moved the knife.
From the girl’s point of view, the person in front of her is obviously the most powerful person on this ship, because everyone is afraid of him following his command, and she doesn’t understand what they call him, but obviously James is just like those in her hometown. The tribal chiefs, or priests who are bigger than the chiefs, have the same power.
"You should make him wear a more serious dress."
A voice came from behind, scaring the girl into hiding next to James instinctively, and she was slightly relieved when she saw the person coming.
She knew this person as a good friend of James, or his helper. The status of this person was obviously higher than that of the other crew members, but she still wanted to listen to James, which made the girl no longer afraid.
"If it weren't for you, she would have turned into a scum when she wandered like this," an old sailor with a gray beard walked over and looked at the girl, and then asked James a little strangely, "What are you doing? I thought, I bought her from the tribe for a big price, but I didn’t enjoy it myself. It’s not like you."
James smiled. He turned to look at the girl who was hiding beside him like a cowardly cormorant, and he reached out and stroked his short hair lightly, as if he was stroking a precious cargo.
While trading with a raiding ship near the Azores, he accidentally found the girl.
Those pirates also seem to know that a good can be sold for a lot of price, and it is precisely because of this that the girl can survive the terrible ravages, because that will devalue the goods.
James immediately generously paid a large sum of money to buy the girl, then put her on his boat and gave her the best food, drinking pure fresh water that James himself couldn’t bear to drink, and Strictly order no one to violate her.
His words count, for which he even punished his sailors.
This made the sailors very curious, and they speculated about what James would do with this girl, and some even wondered if he would be so obsessed with marrying her.
"You don't understand, you have to know that we have found a lot of treasures so far. Don't you think that although gold and gems are precious, they are too much?" James looked at the old sailor and said.
"Really, I don't think so." The old sailor raised his foot and stomped the board and made a bang. "Although there are not many things underneath, it is enough for us to spend a long time as long as it is shipped to land. If I know Your purpose is more than that, but what does it have to do with her?"
"So you don't understand," James said triumphantly. "Although a lot of the wealth we can bring ashore is nothing new, you should know that for some people, although these treasures can play a big role, they have already pursued it. Not just simple gold and gems."
As James said, he took a step forward, as if afraid of the girl’s hearing, but in fact, she asked in a low voice that most of her didn’t understand,
Tell me, if you were a normal man, would you treat her interested?"
"What are you talking about?" The old sailor said angrily. He looked at the girl without concealing the hotness. The passion was very inconsistent with his age, which made the girl scared and couldn't help but go to Jem. Si leaned against him. "If you are willing to give her to me, I don't want to get the share that I deserve to go to sea this time."
"Well," James was satisfied with the old sailor's reaction. He raised his hand and shook it in front of the old sailor to separate his fiery sight, and then ordered "Go and tell the brethren to be careful, we just It’s about to dock. This time is different from the past."
"Have you decided?" The old sailor's expression also became serious. "Know that the Portuguese are not easy to deal with."
"I didn't want to do anything to them," James said in a slightly aggrieved tone. "Before we worked together to defeat the Castile fleet."
"Now that fleet is yours," the old sailor took the opportunity to flatter him. "But do you think you can wrestle with the Portuguese in this way?"
James shook his head: "Of course not, and the Duke is not allowed to do this, but the Azores islands cannot be completely occupied by the Portuguese. If the Duke is right, then the islands are too important to us. ."
"The Duke," the old sailor curled his lips. He had never seen the Duke of Romethesia who was always talked about by James. According to James, he was a great person, but he was like this to them. For those who spend their days at sea, the nobleman, or a duke, is too far away from them. "Are you planning to fight with that duke?"
"We can't hang around by taking risks forever, let alone be pirates forever," James sighed as he looked at the endless sea. "Look at Christophe. The promise that Isabella gave him is in exchange for In prison, he thought he could gain wealth and status with one adventure after another, but in the end he would get nothing. If it weren't for me, he is still in prison now."
"So what good is it to follow that duke?"
Hearing the old sailor’s question, James smiled triumphantly:
The Duke can make us a real navy instead of a pirate. Of course, we can still work part-time as a sideline, but that’s completely different from a pure pirate. You can use legal My salary and spoils are squandered on the shore without worrying about being caught, and I can get the title and status I want."
The old sailor curled his lips and nodded: "That's why you tried so hard to search for wealth for the duke? Do you want to impress him with that money?"
James glanced at the old sailor noncommitantly. He knew that some of his men were dissatisfied with his choice, just like rosacea. He felt that being a navy was too restrictive, so he chose to leave and continue to do his job. As for the activities on the table, other people may not fully approve of his ideas.
But it doesn’t matter. James has already thought about it. He has already noticed that after returning this time, he will formally ask Alexander to be attached to him. In the past, the relationship between them was more of cooperation, but now James Decided to take the initiative to show allegiance to Alexander.
He would make this decision, more or less stimulated by his brother Christopher Columbus, Isabella’s promise to Columbus was a prison sentence, which made James clearly aware, If you can't really enter the circle of nobility, then these people will always be leeks that can be cut off at any time.
James didn't want to go through the experience of his brother, and if there was an opportunity to make him stand out, he could even be willing to exchange all the wealth in his hand.
After all, wealth can be obtained by continuing to take risks, but the chance to become a noble is fleeting.
James believes that with Alexander’s concern for the new colony, he will definitely continue to invest heavily to form a larger adventure team. At that time, a large number of sailing professionals will hear the news and join him. If he does not establish himself as soon as possible The position beside Alexander may be squeezed out of the circle by others.
Christophe has fallen behind. He still stubbornly believes that simply sailing can exchange wealth and status for them. James sneered at his pedantic ideas.
In his opinion, with the development of new colonies and the discovery of a new world as Alexander said, an unprecedented era of maritime hegemony is coming.
Before such a huge change that might even change the face of the world, a mere navigator or pirate could not adapt to such a huge change.
The only way out is to become a member of those maritime powers with powerful navies.
James doesn't care about his wealth. As long as Alexander can give him this opportunity, he can even donate them all for free to contribute to Alexander's naval construction, because for him the prosperity of the Columbus family depends on whether he can grasp it. Live this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
James looked at the girl next to him again. Her look like a frightened bunny because she had no support and her exotic appearance made James more satisfied with her look.
"Get her some more food, and don't be stingy with meat and wine," James told the old sailor. "And then tell the boys, if anyone dares to do anything to her, I will cut off their paws."
"Well, it's to spend your money anyway," the old sailor resigned helplessly, but he couldn't help but curiously asked, "But what are you going to do with her? Are you buying it to make her fat? fat?"
"Of course not," James said to the old sailor, lowering his tone again. "She is a priceless treasure. Remember when I told you that some people are no longer interested in wealth?"
"Remember, so what?"
"So when you want to impress such a person, you have to give him a gift that he is really interested in," James said and glanced at the girl next to him. "She is the one that makes people interested. The gift of, believe me, if lucky she can make us all stand out."
The old sailor glanced at the girl as if he understood something, then touched his beard and nodded in satisfaction and said, "Yes, not bad. If I were that person, I would give you this opportunity with such a gift."
The words of the old sailor made James smile. He looked back at the sea in the distance. There was still no shadow of the land, but he seemed to have seen the gate of the Castilian court open to him, and opened it. The key to the door is the Indian girl from the new colony beside her.
September 7th in 1502 is a day that many Portuguese people will never forget. Even if they are too young, they will continue to repeat the feat they saw on this day to their children and grandchildren.
The expedition led by Da Gama and the flagship of the three-masted Caravelle "Grand Storm" departed from the port of the Tejo River in the Portuguese capital Lisbon and sailed towards the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the plan, this expedition consisting of 7 ocean-going ships will first arrive at the Azores. After a replenishment and rest, they will go all the way west to explore the place that has never been reached so far.
No one knows what they will face, which makes people very worried but extremely excited.
When the fleet left the port, countless people stood on the shore watching the exciting scene.
The huge sailing ship, the towering mast, and the oppressive sharp artillery made the Portuguese seem to have seen the rise of a maritime empire in the future.
And just a few days later, also near the port of Tejo River, but at the end of the Cape of Solitude a little further away from the port, a huge marble statue was erected.
It was a bust of Prince Enrique. Unlike most previous statues, the bust of Prince Enrique was shaped like a ship sailing far away by wind and waves.
The little angels surrounding the bow indicate that God is also enlightening the opener of the Portuguese marine hegemony to explore the secrets of the distance, and the prince holding a chart in his hand reflects the huge Portuguese prince Ambition.
After confirming the address of the statue, Manuel personally participated in its foundation laying ceremony, and now he and his new queen have once again come to Cape Solitude.
The construction site was full of chaos, but Manuel didn't care.
He was so excited, because Da Gama’s expedition fleet had left Lisbon just a few days ago.
This time their destination was the mysterious sea in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
All signs prove that there may be a mysterious world beyond everyone's imagination waiting to be discovered, occupied, plundered and exploited.
Manuel hadn't fallen asleep for several nights. When he galloped on his wife, he imagined Da Gama's feat of sailing through the waves, which made him even more excited.
Manuel hopes to have another son as soon as possible so that he can have an heir. Otherwise, according to the tradition of marriage between Portugal and Castile for many years, he is worried that one day his throne may fall to Kas. Tilia's hands.
Juana looked indifferently at the lively construction site in the distance. She could perceive the subtle attitudes of the Portuguese ministers towards her, but she liked the way those people were jealous of her but helpless.
Since when did the Portuguese change their attitude towards her?
Juana pondered for a moment, remembering that it should have come from the victory and defeat of the Battle of Seville.
Since that time, the attitude of the Portuguese towards Manuel, the third queen, has undergone subtle changes.
On the one hand, they are more respectful to her than before, on the other hand they are obviously beginning to worry that she, like the queens of Castile origin, is trying to influence Portugal.
All these changes came from Alexander, Juana thought of the amazing young man.
It was his sudden appearance that changed her destiny, not only saved her from the despair of being imprisoned forever, but even helped her become the Queen of Portugal.
Thinking of the young man who appeared as her half-brother, Juana suddenly felt some unspeakable heat in her body, and she felt a warm current flowing in her body.
At this moment, a strange feeling that I had never tried when I was with Manuel before suddenly attacked her.
Juana immediately looked around with some anxiety, but fortunately, people had been attracted by the spectacular scene of the Prince Enrique standing up, and did not notice her strangeness.
Juana breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know how she suddenly felt that strange feeling towards Alexander. Perhaps it was his mysterious and extraordinary performance that fascinated her.
Manuel walked over excitedly, his hands were dirty, and a hole was in the corner of his expensive silk robe, which was the result of him just helping to pull the rope of the statue.
"This is really a majestic statue, isn't it?!"
Manuel said loudly to Juana from a long distance away, his face flushed, and his voice was a little rushed because of excitement, but the look of excitement because of joy made Juana a little surprised.
Because being able to wear the crown is pure luck, so Manuel has always wanted to behave like a qualified king who has been educated as a king.
So he tried his best to make himself look, just like those Mingjun in the legends, with joy and anger invisible, and time did make him gloomy a lot.
So being too excited like this makes people feel very abrupt.
But Manuel doesn't care about this at all now. He is too excited. The new route to the East makes Portugal a country that can monopolize the opportunity to obtain the wealth of the East so far, and now exploring new colonies may bring amazing results. .
This makes Manuel feel that he is indeed the lucky one chosen by God, and even compared with Isabella, he is more in line with the identity of a new holy land monarch.
"In my opinion, perhaps you would prefer that statue to be you."
Juana said lightly to Manuel, perhaps because of the habit that had been gradually formed in the monastery over the years, even as a queen she was still cold to everyone.
"If I can, I would rather someone build a triumphal arch for me." Manuel doesn't care about his wife's attitude. For him, marrying Juana is no different from marrying sister Maria. "It must be a better place than Rome. The triumphal arch left behind by people is a more glorious and great building. Only in this way can the greatness of this moment be demonstrated. I hope that the images of the two of us can be sculpted on the most eye-catching gateposts.
"This is my honor, Your Majesty."
Juana bowed slightly, and the female officials and her entourage who followed her immediately bent over to sing.
Manuel showed a satisfied smile on his face. He turned to look at the towering statue of Prince Enrique, and at the weaving ships in the harbor in the distance, Manuel bowed to him one after another. The saluting ministers and people waved.
At this moment, he believed without doubt that this wish of his could definitely be realized.
Perhaps it was because there were too few opportunities for this high spirits, Manuel's unusual excitement continued until he returned to the palace.
Then he was deeply shocked by the news brought by the messenger sent by the ambassador to Valaritod, who had already been waiting for.
"Castile and Sicily formed a coalition. That Gombray declared war on Aragon?!"
Manuel looked at the information in his hand almost dumbfounded. He first looked up at the messenger in disbelief, and then Manuel suddenly let out a nervous laugh.
Just like Manuel, all European courts were shaken by the events of Iberia.
No one thought that Alexander would launch a war on the eve of his ascension to the throne completely unreasonably.
For Ferdinand, this was a war that was destined but never expected to come so soon.
He is not yet fully prepared in the country, his army is still in the hands of the nobles, and his supplies are still unknown from whom, and even in the court of Zaragoza, whether to use Castile and The Sicilian soldiers met with great differences, but at this time he suddenly had to face the offensive from the coalition forces of the two countries, which made Ferdinand feel tremendous pressure.
While abroad, Maximian, his biggest ally, seemed to be in his own troubles, and the letters sent to Vienna were only exchanged for endless delays under various excuses.
It was at this moment that Ferdinand heard a shocking news.
After hearing of the disappearance of Alexander VI, the Sicilians who were sent by Ruosa to the border of Castile and Aragon, together with the Castilian army who had been assembled on the border at the same time under Gonzalo’s order, were on 9 On the last day of the month, it crossed the Moncayo Mountain, which divides the two countries, into the territory of Aragon.
The war broke out suddenly when it seemed that there was a cloud of war, but in fact, people thought it would often go on for a long time.
The unprepared Aragonese fortress on the east of Moncayo was captured by the coalition forces of the two countries almost before they could resist.
Then, the coalition forces advanced eastward along the valley formed between the Moncayo Mountains and the Douro River. Their goal, as if the Ebro River was located in the upper reaches of the Zaragoza Plain.
When he heard the news, Ferdinand UU Read www.uukanshu.com immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.
The coalition forces did not take advantage of the victory to approach Zaragoza after breaking the Moncayo mountain fortress. This was certainly because they feared that it might be detrimental to the lone army, but it is more likely that their target is the water source of the upper Ebro River in Aragon. !
The water source problem that has plagued Zaragoza and its surrounding areas has always been a huge difficulty for the Aragonese court in the past. With the various effects of climate change in recent years, this hidden danger has become an imminent crisis.
Now if Lin Jun controls the upper reaches of the Ebro River, what awaits Zaragoza will be an inevitable disaster.
So when he heard the movement of the coalition forces, Ferdinand stopped his generals who were still arguing.
He spoke in a calm tone and ordered: "Prepare for war."
Hearing the king's order, his generals changed their faces.
They know that this war is dangerous!