Vol 4 Chapter 2: prelude

From the Arno River to the north, passing a small town called Parame not far from Pisa, there is a road leading directly to the north.
This road is very spacious and flat. Compared with the scale of this road, Parame looks a bit shabby.
There are regular-looking drains on both sides of the road. If you look closely, you can even see the paving stones in the trenches in some areas.
This road has a long history. As early as the Roman era, the Romans sent a large number of slaves to build this road. At that time, Pisa was just a small fishing village by the sea.
The Romans were very heavy on this road to the north, because not only is this the main road to Lombardy, but more importantly, the threat from the barbarians in the north has always been a huge hidden danger to the Roman Empire, even the most powerful in Rome At that time, the barbarian tribes that were conquered one after another also constantly resisted, provoked, and conquered, and then rebelled and provoked to repeat the struggle with Rome.
At that time, the Romans' desire for convenient transportation became important, especially in the early Roman legions, which traditionally valued infantry more, and they paid more attention to the convenience of roads.
Now, the glory of the Roman Empire has long been obliterated under the thick historical dust with the disappearance of Western Rome. As for the country known as the Holy Roman Empire, it has never really existed on the land that originally belonged to Rome.
Alexander stood silently in front of an unusually smooth stone. He knew the stone. After centuries, people would carefully protect it with railings, and then locals would proudly say to outsiders that this It was when the Romans built the road network of the northern empire to commemorate this great project.
But now Alexander only smelled a strong and continuous smell of urine in front of the stone.
After inquiring, I learned that there seems to be a rumor that has been circulating for a long time, saying that if a man leaves his mark on this stone, he can become more energetic.
For such a folk custom with obvious pagan characteristics, Alexander couldn't help but be amazed, because he remembered the proud look of the local people in the later generations about this monument, and then look at the smelly stone in front of him, Alexander I think the legends are deceptive.
But this path is indeed very important for Alexander, because apart from the Bohemians and hunting guards, his army is almost the same as the Roman Empire.
The figure of Aurei appeared in front. When he saw Alexander, Aurei was relieved to be used to it, and then came over.
In order to get rid of Nomelo's tracking, after splitting from the fork in Alexander, in order to attract the chasers behind, Alfrei took Bohemia and the hunting guards as a bait until Nomelo discovered He took the people back immediately after being cheated.
But what had n’t happened to Aufrei, who originally thought that he should be able to find it a short distance away, disappeared. When he hurried back to the monastery to find Carlo, they unexpectedly discovered that Alexander and Lucrezia actually Somehow disappeared.
In those few days, Alfred was as restless as everyone else, and even almost collapsed.
The Aggris have become accustomed to their current lives. They cannot imagine what it would be like to go back to the fields and continue to work in agriculture. They dare not imagine what they would have to face if they became a group of mercenaries after losing Alexander. After the news of Alexander's whereabouts, everyone shouted out of joy at that moment, so that Alfred was still in ears.
This time he almost lost Alexander and left Alfredi with a small problem. Every time he saw Alexander, he seemed to let go of his breath. It seemed a bit hard to find a lost thing. of.
"Sir, we can go north along this road all the time, our people have patrolled far away in front of us," Aufrei used to take out his nails and looked at the new book. After a few simple topographic maps drawn on the page, he smiled with satisfaction on his face. "We are now heading north. As long as we cross the tributary of the North Arno River, we can enter the plains of Montina."
Alexander nodded, and he was very satisfied with the direction of Aufrei. In fact, when he came to the town of Parame, he already knew that as long as he went along this northern road, he could quickly enter the Montina Plain, but Before that, the team had to deviate from the road, otherwise it would be further and further away from Montina once it moved along the tributary of the Arno River.
Now it seems that Alfred is doing well, at least he has found the right direction, which can be said to be a very good staff in this era.
"Did you find the ferry?"
Aufrei shook his head and showed a trace of disappointment: "Sorry, I didn't find a ferry here, but it is said that there is a large ferry on the upper river, but it seems that it is too close to Realo."
Alexander nodded gently. Although he was not very clear about the detailed terrain nearby, he knew that it was because of this tributary of the Arno River that he had some obstacles to the Milanese and prevented them from successfully detouring from Realo. Tina besieged the castle completely behind her.
But now the river that hindered the Milanese also made Alexander feel inconvenient. After all, the soldiers may never need to cross the river, but the weight of the team can't pass easily.
"Maybe we can temporarily give up the weight," Aufrei cautiously suggested. "It's not far from Montina, as long as we enter the castle, everything will be easier."
The suggestion for Aufrei began to be debated with several officers around Alexander. Some people think that this suggestion is not necessarily too reckless. After all, giving up the weight means that with the food and weapons carried by the soldiers, if an accident occurs It may become a disaster.
"The Milanese are still in Realo, as long as we cross the river and march quickly, it will be safe once we enter the plains of Montina, know that Montina has a guard of nearly 700 people, and the castle has enough food and weapons We used it. If not, the Milanese had already launched an offensive. "A Genoese officer who supported Ofrei said arrogantly," As long as we enter near Montina, the defenders in the castle will get the news. They will send someone to meet us. At that time, it was nothing to fight against the Milanese outside the city, but I do n’t think they would be stupid enough to know that. Although the Milanese make armor, they are businessmen and not soldiers. "
The Genoese words caused a burst of laughter. As he said, although the Milanese are famous for casting weapons and armor, in the eyes of many people, they are more merchants than soldiers.
Alexander made no noise. He left the monument of great taste and walked slowly along the flat road. Under the shade of the road, the soldiers were resting and cooling off.
"Aufrei, what do you think our purpose was this time?" Alexander suddenly asked the follower Affreil, seeing him showing a puzzled look, Alexander did not give him too much time. "I know you think protecting Monti Newcastle is the most critical, after all, my current title is Earl Montina. "
"Isn't that the case, sir?"
O'Fray asked a little strangely, he is now trying to learn something, from the experienced veterans, and from the Genoese, and what he has heard most so far is "to prevent the Milanese from Tina's invasion ".
"Aufrei, if you want to be an excellent staff, you must learn to remove your eyes from the map so that you have a chance to see more things."
After this sentence seemed to have no convincing words, Alexander simply ordered: "Cannot give up the weight, if you can not use the upstream ferry, then build a temporary ferry here, but if that is the case, you must be prepared to prevent Milanese sneak attacks. "
Ofolai looked at Alexander in amazement. Although he knew the importance of the burden, he still did not understand why Alexander would rather give up the opportunity to quickly enter Montina, but also risked the possibility of being attacked by the Milanese. ferry.
Seeing the confusion in O'Leary, Alexander pondered a little, and felt that it was necessary to prepare his staff.
"It is indeed our mission this time to protect Montina from being violated by the Milanese, but I think that to achieve this is not simply to hold a castle," Alexander looked at Ofrei "more than To repel the Milanese offense, we also need to make them understand that we must respect our rights in Montina in their war with the Vatican, this is the most critical, otherwise they will not rest after a failure, then they will In the second and even the third war, how long do you think the Genoese reinforcements can help us? So we must let the Milanese understand what attitude we should have towards us this time. "
Aurei Lei paused, as if he knew what came over. He first appeared stunned. After a while, he unbelievably asked: "Sir, wouldn't you want to take the initiative to attack the Milanese? "
"Of course I wouldn't take the initiative to attack the Milanese," Alexander smiled at the unbelievable expression of Alfred, but after he was relieved, Alexander went on to say, "But if they dare to cross Realo The border with Montina, I will immediately make them understand the result of this. "
Alexander's words shocked Alfred's heart. He looked at Alexander unexpectedly. While being amazed by Alexander's boldness, an inexplicable excitement was slowly brewing in his heart.
Leaving the remote Agrig and coming to Rome, Aufrei, like all Agri, saw a colorful world that had never been thought of before.
This world is so wonderful and full of charm, that even if you know that you are facing danger, it is still difficult to give up.
Among the Agri people, Ofrei obviously understands what they face better than others.
Ofre's greatest hope before was to succeed his uncle to become a carving stonemason. If he had the opportunity, he hoped to be able to call a famous carving master as a teacher. However, he knew that such hope was actually very slim, and he might not have been in his life. Have the opportunity to meet a real master.
But suddenly, his life changed completely. Not only did he come to Rome, he even saw a lot of big people who could not meet him in dreams, and it was all because of the young man in front of him.
O'Leary now has less interest in carving. Instead, he became keen on how to engrave victory on the battlefield, and now what Alexander said to him made him feel a little excited.

The Vatican ’s army will be assembled near the Chimone hill, and the Genoese will directly meet the Milanese in the Lombardy region,
Alexander sighed while watching the plains in the distance.
This is a place suitable for war, probably everyone I think it's worth fighting blood for this land. "
"Adult, don't you think so?" Aufrei was a little strange, he faintly noticed the slightly mocking tone in Alexander's tone.
"I think so too, but this piece of land is really too small, sometimes so suffocating," Alexander took a deep breath, reminiscent of the smell of spring renovated soil and wildflowers, Alexander stretched out his arms. "One day everyone will understand that what they see in front of them is actually so narrow, and people's eyes will be turned to places that they can't dream of in their lifetime."
O'Leary looked at Alexander suspiciously. Although he didn't understand the meaning of Alexander's words, he could vaguely feel something shocking him.
"The world is very big, Aufrei," Alexander lowered his arms. The passionate eyes in his eyes gradually became clearer. "Order the army to slow down when moving forward. I think the Milanese should have already Know we are here. "
Aufolai immediately responded with a tight heart.
On May 2, 1497, the main part of the Vatican League, mainly Agrig and Genoese, first appeared in the lower reaches of the North Arno River.
The news immediately caught the attention of the Milanese stationed in Realo.
Prior to this, the news of EbookFREE.me ~ that Venice tried to occupy Pisa but suffered unexpected setbacks has reached Realo a few days in advance.
The Milanese did not regret the unexpected failure of the Venetians, or some people were somewhat gloating.
As for the Agri people, the Milanese did not take them seriously, even the Genoese army, because the number was only one thousand and did not attract much attention from the Milanese.
What they noticed was the reinforcements of about 7,000 people who were leaving from Genoa, and the army of the Vatican.
Sure enough, on May 4, the news that a Milanese had to send a messenger to urge the Venetians to speed up their march and meet as soon as possible.
The 20,000 troops of the Vatican, led by Giovanni Pogia, Duke of Gandino, crossed the Chimone Mountains.
Then on May 5th, about 15,000 Venetian soldiers finally came to meet with the Milanese.
The battle of Montina begins here!