Vol 4 Chapter 78: Carnival Day (Part 1)

The celebration of Pisa's circle around the city began at noon on a sunny day.
According to the custom, people who have gathered in large and small open squares in the city since early in the morning have prepared various foods on a simple stove that has been set up the day before.
According to the tradition that has been circulated for many years, pizza people cannot eat lunch and dinner at home on the day of the city parade. This is to predict the pain of the pizza people losing their homes.
Cigarettes are everywhere on the streets of the city. People bring the prepared ingredients to their side, and then gather around their stoves with friends and relatives or familiar neighbors to start baking various foods.
The only reason for baking is because the current weather is very hot, and many ingredients cannot be stored for a long time. In order to keep the food as long as possible, people can only give up those that may cause food deterioration, which may occur during cooking. Various soup practices.
The aroma is overflowing, and the flavors of various spices and condiments that are usually stored at home are floating on the street. At first, they only knew each other, and then people who gradually became unfamiliar also talked up, which was mixed with cheerful laughter. .
The vast majority of citizens are happy and relaxed. The annual parade around the city is a day when they can indulge in public revelry. On this day, people will wear out the best clothes at home, and they will generously take out all kinds of usual Unwilling to eat food to share with others, and if anyone ’s cooking has been consistently praised, it indicates that he will have good luck in the next year.
All of this will make Pizza people happy, not to mention that they do feel that their lives seem to be slowly changing.
This can be seen from the curious people walking around the crowds in the street.
Pisa has been in depression for a long time. No matter whether it was the era of Zaloni or the era of the Republic, although the ruler has changed, it has never been able to change the fate of Pisa.
People can clearly feel that the city has become deserted, and the cargo ships on the dock are becoming scarce, and some families even have to let women go out to work because of reduced income.
This is very difficult for the pizza people who were once the overlords of the young Lenian sea. They look forward to the legend about the prosperity of pizza from the old people, and hope to see the glory of pizza again.
But obviously all this is just a dream, and the decline of Pisa seems destined, and no one can change it.
Then the Earl of Montina came.
The time is actually not very long. If you think about it for only a few months, even if you say it seriously now, no one can explain what the Count has actually brought to Pizza.
But what surprised and delighted the Pizza people was that Count Montina gave them hope.
There are more merchant ships from Genoa in the north and more ports in the south. Although many of those merchant ships are not in Pisa, gradually more foreign merchants herald the bustle of pizza.
Then there are some items on the market that make pizza people feel much cheaper than before.
Although many of these commodities are just a variety of small items, it is these daily necessities that make housewives jump for the little money left.
The change is slow but tangible. At least the pizza people do n’t have to spend more money to buy and sell a piece of fabric from the vendors from the mainland. They can also buy a pottery that looks good with only half the price Cans, and what makes them happier is that although they may have to sell some of their own things at a cheaper price than before, but over time, they can sell more and more goods.
Some housewives received small workshops in the nearby workshops and asked them to do small jobs at home. Once negotiated, those workshops would go to their homes on time to purchase what they did from knitting or other odds and ends, but they seemed to be able to sell A good price.
The Pisa's life is undergoing minor changes, but people at least know that life seems not as difficult as it used to be.
For ordinary pizza, this is enough.
Except for those nobles and rich people, no one cares about who is the ruler of Pisa, monarchy or parliamentary system. The purpose of each riot is to make your life better. If you ca n’t do this, then Will disappoint.
The Zaroni family once disappointed, and the old members of the parliament did not bring any benefits. Now it is Tomnio, or that Count Montina is ruling Pisa, and now the changes make the Pisa people seem to I saw hope that I might live a good life in the future.
The only thing the Pizza people care about are the soldiers patrolling the streets.
The Pisa did not like the foreign military in strange military uniforms that seemed arrogant.
Or they are somewhat jealous.
Even the nobles and rich people are surprised by the uncomfortable military uniforms of foreign troops. They do not understand how those Agries can clean themselves up so cleanly.
The dark red top and the teal pants always look like the helmet that has just been wiped and the breastplate fixed by the huge buttons on the top. Even if some people have traces of fighting on the breastplate, but It is rarely possible to find stains from above.
What's more, if you look closely, you will find that the cuffs of these soldiers are also very clean, unlike most people who are always dirty with all kinds of stains.
Because of this, the Pisa always felt that the Aggris looked at them with a look of arrogance, even if they just passed through the crowd calmly, but people still used to slightly let go.
This is of course due to the fear of the instinct of the army, and there are more fears that they seem to be afraid that their dirty clothes are dirty.
Several Agri soldiers walked through the crowd. They all came out of a village. The Agri people were organized by farms and villages. According to Alexander ’s intentional arrangement, these typical villagers formed the entire army from an early age. To a large system.
Squadrons, squadrons, combat brigades, and Agri people often clenched their teeth in order to maintain their good reputation in the team and their families in their hometowns, even if they are experiencing the kind of pain that makes them feel more painful than farming and fighting in their hometown Hundred times of training, and that terrible long-distance march, this persistence also supported them to get to the present.
Despite the calm look of the several soldiers, they knew that people were watching them, which made them very proud, especially the eyes of the young women, which made them straighten their waists.
Perhaps it was a habit, and several soldiers walked on the street at the pace of the drums they were accustomed to. It was just this way that the Pisa could not help but feel weird.
In the open window of a house, two people looked upstairs at the agri soldiers passing by. Their eyes were full of anger, and one of the young men held the sword sheath tightly around his waist, if not knowing Can't be rash, he may have rushed to fight with those intruders.
"Don't be impulsive, we can't lose our lives for such a trivial matter." A voice came from behind two people, a man in a crimson robe in a mopping floor was sitting in a chair not far from them. Neo proposed the official to hold the march.
"We have prepared for so long, and we should also believe that the people of Pisa will be on our side, and they will shed the last drop of blood to overthrow the tyrant and the invading enemy."
"I am willing to be the one who sheds the first blood for Pisa," the young man said excitedly, Lord Treasurer. If I need it, I can assassinate Tomnio and even Count Montina now, as long as I can kill my country. I can do all the sacrifices if I save them. "
It was really a naive and impulsive age, and the Treasurer murmured secretly, but there was a smile of appreciation on his face.
"We all know your bravery, but now the time hasn't reached my friend, the time hasn't arrived." The Treasury smiled. "When the parade really starts in the evening, it is a good time for us to act. Success is the safest. The first thing we need to do is to ensure our own safety before we consider our plan. "
"So what are you going to do, sir." The young man could not wait to ask.
"Someone is willing to help us, knowing that the count's ambition has caused some dissatisfaction, so it is normal to get some due help."
The Treasurer said with a wave of his hand, as the door opened, several people walked into the room. These people were dressed in different clothes. If the crowd outside was obviously not seen, the only difference was that they wore Wearing a mask.
"If we succeed, we can eradicate tyrants and aggressors, if we fail, we can get into the crowd and escape. Today is a rare day. I believe I have prepared for a long time for today ’s feat." The originally calm financial official face There was a rare excitement. "In order to gain the trust of Tomnio, I spared my reputation to surrender to him. I have exhausted my efforts for today's actions. I believe we will succeed."
"But how do we get close to them?" Another person who stood by the window with the young man before asked, "Tomnio is very cautious, and Count Montina has his hunting guard next to him."
"But they also want to participate in the parade, don't they?" The Treasury glanced at the people who had been wearing masks in silence. "According to tradition, they have to accept the blessing of the martyrdom at the end of the parade. Our best time. "
Seeing the two suddenly realized and admired, the finance officer smiled on his face, and his eyes turned to one of those people.
"Then our success depends on your actions."
"Please don't forget the agreement between us." The man nodded.
The Treasurer nodded: "I will keep my promise. Of course, if I can successfully become the new governor of Pisa after that, it will be more beneficial for both of us."
The other party pondered slightly, and seemed to be considering how to answer this rather obvious hint. After a short while, he nodded slightly: "Please be assured that we will give you the help you need at that time."
The Treasurer nodded slightly with satisfaction. He knew that no specific negotiations were possible at this time, but he was confident that once he mastered Pizza, those people would help him.
Because the other party needs to get more benefits from him.
"We have to pay a price for pizza," the Treasurer looked at the two young men who seemed to be boiling blood in front of him. "Maybe there will be sacrifices. I want to know if you are ready."
"For pizza!" A young man whispered excitedly.
"For pizza!" Another young man responded similarly.
At noon, the grand parade began.
According to tradition, the parade began to gather at the Phillip Market in Pisa City, a small highland located at the bend of the river crossing the city, which was considered to be the last place to resist when Pisa fell.
A carriage painted with sheep's blood slowly walked through the crowd, and a young girl was tied to a wooden post standing on the carriage.
This girl was selected from ordinary civic families, and all selected families will feel that this is a very glorious thing. Over time, some people even paid money to bribe those responsible for selection.
The carriage moved slowly around the high ground, and then set foot on the stone-paved street.
In the sunshine, the pizzas on the roadside shouted nonstop, throwing white roses representing pity and purity into the carriage in accordance with custom, in order to express their respect for those women who would rather die than the Romans.
More and more people followed the carriage, people began to sing the folk songs unique to Pisa, more and more petals filled the entire carriage, and the parade began to move along the streets of Pisa.
Songs, petals, food sprinkled along the way, and fragrant wines, the Pizza people have fallen into a carnival, they seem to have completely forgotten why they held this parade, the inspired pursuit of happiness, let people At this moment, forget the troubles and sorrows.
The parade walked non-stop, they crossed the streets and crossed several bridges across the river.
More and more people joined the team, people kept walking through the streets and alleys, and as the day gradually dimmed, the pizzeria lit a torch.
The fire light continued along the street, and the carriage began to move towards the Ducal Palace.
A two-story wooden platform had been erected in the square in front of the Ducal Palace. Tomno and Alexander sat in the pergola, watching the team approaching in the light of the fire.
"Count, the amnesty can show our kindness, I believe this is a good thing for all of us." Tomno whispered in Alexander's ear owed to his body "Please believe me, people on this amnesty list They can all be fought, and the pardon can make them grateful to us. "
Alexander nodded softly, not knowing whether to approve of Tomnyo's words, but when he looked at the list he passed, there was a sneer on his face.
Alexander is very clear about Tomnio ’s thoughts. In fact, it is not difficult to guess. As long as a person with dignity is not willing to be a puppet of others, Tomnio is anxious to establish prestige in Pisa. .
"Trust me, Duke, I will consider your suggestion carefully," Alexander said with a smile. "In fact, I am about to make a suggestion to you. I think it may be a good idea to restore the Parliament. At least it can be exchanged for the pizza. Goodwill. "
There was a moment of strangeness on Tomnio's face, and he had never expected the Alexander Assembly to propose the re-establishment of Parliament.
This caused him to flash the shadow of the finance officer.
The Treasurer had a great reputation in the previous Pisa Parliament, which is why even after becoming a Duke, Tomno still had to reuse him.
Now hearing Alexander say this, Tomno couldn't help passing a shadow.
In any case, he did not want to be coerced by the Treasurer again, which made him secretly regret the amnesty he had just proposed.
Just waiting for him to speak, Alexander had stood up and looked at the approaching team.
"Duke, let's not talk about these things, let us welcome the parade together."
Tomno stood up helplessly: "No ~ EbookFREE.me ~ should be you to meet, the honor of saving Pisa tonight belongs to you."
According to the gradually formed customs, when the carriage walks to the end of the parade, a person who plays a knight rides on the carriage, cuts the rope with a sword symbolizing piety and relief, and saves the girl who means Pizza.
In the past, this role was often played by the highest chief of Pisa City, and today, everyone knows that this role will be assumed by Alexander.
The carriage had already stopped in front of a carpeted table, and Alexander stepped on the steps slowly to the wooden table.
He held a long sword in his hand to symbolize the rescue of the city. When he boarded the wooden platform that was as high as the carriage, he first prayed on one knee in accordance with the custom he had learned before, and then he gently waved the sword , Cut off the silk buckle symbolizing the chain.
"I save the poor woman in front of me with the justice and courage God has given me."
Alexander said according to the custom.
And at the next moment, the woman who was standing calmly in front of him suddenly started suddenly, and a cold light pierced the petals scattered all over, and pierced Alexander's chest!