Vol 6 Chapter 17: "Florence, for me"

At the beginning, Sazi wanted to let Alexander review the Florence militia. Of course, he did this to deter the threatening greedy Earl. Although he knew that he could not compare with the Montina army fighting the Ottomans, Sazi hoped In this way, he can show Alexander the determination of the Florentine, especially in this time, he believes that the count should consider whether it is worth the effort if he is alone.
It was just that when the person who greeted the delegates and sent back first reported the scene he saw in the town, Sazi immediately dismissed the idea. He felt that this time should not stimulate this person. If he could solve the problem in a better way The crisis, it is best not to stimulate this Earl of Montina.
But Sazi did not expect that Machiavelli would suddenly do something that surprised him and everyone. When someone told him that he was feasting on the Earl's family, Machiavelli took the military and searched the Pisa Chamber's warehouse. Here, even after confiscating several artillery pieces stored in the warehouse, Sazi's look changed instantly.
Sazi did n’t know if Machiavelli was crazy. He actually did this kind of thing that directly touched the angry Pisa at this time. When he saw the count's eyes cast on him, he could even imagine hearing After this news, Alexander was angry.
Or should I dismiss Machiavelli's position first? Sazi's thought flashed through his heart, but he was immediately rejected by him. If he did this, it would not only be the resistance of the Florentines, but also a huge loss to his own reputation and prestige. After all, he decided to appoint Machiavel It is his advantage, but if the appointment is withdrawn less than a day later, the reputation with him in the government is really too great.
But if you don't dismiss Machiavelli's post, how should you deal with the person in front of you?
Sazi looked ugly and picked up the glass. He even suspected that Machiavelli was deliberately punishing him, but Sazi couldn't figure out why he did it. After all, he was his benefactor, he now owns Everything is given by myself, what benefit will he have if he hurts? Or is there any special reason and reason for this?
Sazi could only comfort himself so secretly at this time. He felt that the drink in his mouth was no longer sweet and sweet but bitter and unpleasant, but in the presence of the count he could only barely maintain polite support.
During the banquet, a guard who looked like Balkans around Alexander once said a few words gently in the ear of the earl, which immediately caused tension in the Florentines. They could not help but put down their food in the hall. It became very quiet, and everyone's eyes gathered on Alexander's face, waiting for the moment when he broke out completely.
During this period, only Estrez's unceasing cheers of "Um" and "Um" because of people's excitement, but the sudden silence around her also made her notice a little strange, Estelles She stretched out her hands and waved to Alexander. When she felt her father didn't respond, the corner of her mouth began to shake.
Alexander immediately took the daughter from the maid. If it was not because of etiquette, he did not want to let others hug her daughter. Seeing the smile of Estelles, Alexander kissed her daughter ’s soft silky cheek and raised it. He glanced at the Florentines across the table.
"Everyone, you should be grateful to my daughter, because I do n’t want to scare her, so I wo n’t be angry about what I just heard, but I also hope that you understand why you can survive my anger, So if you do n’t want Florence to suffer any misfortune, you must put it under the protection of my daughter. "
Sazi's face turned red, and he wanted to stand up angrily as much as he could tolerate. He slowly removed the soft hat worn indoors from his head, rubbed the hat into his hands, and then slowly put it on the table. on.
"Count, do you want Florence to surrender? This is impossible. We would rather shed the last drop of blood for freedom. The Florentines have experienced suffering in the past, and there will be more suffering waiting for us in the future, but the only thing we do not lack is It is honor and courage. "
Sazi's words seemed to work, and the already disturbed Florentines all showed their indignant expressions. At this moment, it seemed that courage had returned to their bodies again, and they were brave enough to face the threat of the people before them.
Alexander picked up the silver spoon on the table and carefully took a spoonful of soup to his daughter's mouth, watching Estelle's little bite and then frowned and shook his head. Alexander smiled and handed the daughter back Into the hand of the maid next to it.
"She is hungry."
When Alexander said this, he noticed that Lucrezia suddenly gave him a vigilant look, and then glanced at the milky maid next to him. Alexander couldn't help but smile a little, although the woman did have a pair of proud treasures, but maybe It was deliberate, the look of the woman Lucrezia was looking for was really unflattering, and Alexander felt that he was not so hungry or eating.
Seeing the maid carrying her daughter out of the hall accompanied by the two guards, Alexander's original calm look instantly gloomy. He pushed the tableware on the table in front of him out of space with a bit rude action, while sitting on the other side of him Alfrei has taken out a prepared document from his carry-on bag and handed it to him.
Alexander opened the file and looked at it, then threw it at Sazi across the table.
This action is more rude and rude, even revealing that there is no upbringing, but the Florentines have no longer paid attention to them, their eyes are on the document not far from Sazi, watching Sazi reach out and take it, some people Can't help feeling that he wasn't holding a few thin pieces of paper, but red hot iron.
"All agree, or all oppose," Alexander did not give Sazi a little bargaining opportunity. "Florence is under the protection of my daughter. This is an unquestionable thing, and you should be clear about what rejection means."
Sazi's fingers were trembling slightly, and he felt he was about to stop breathing. For him, all this came too suddenly. It was only more than a year since the overthrow of Savonarola, and he even connected to the city. He hasn't fully mastered it, let alone established the tyrant system like the Medici family, but now he will face a difficult choice.
All agree, or all object.
Sazi felt his throat seemed to be pinched by an invisible hand, which made it difficult for him to even breathe.
"Adult, this is unfair to Florence," a voice came from the door. Machiavelli walked into the hall. He was wearing a brand-new red sign, and even a bright cap on the pantograph cap on his head. Feather "please forgive me for being offended, but when I served you under your command, I once heard to you that a person should be as cautious as a fox, and as lion-free when needed. Fear, then please tell me, should the Florence people be foxes or lions now? "
Looking at Machiavelli with a full face, Alexander even wanted to applaud him on the spot. Without knowing his actual details, no one would think that this positive person with thick eyebrows and big eyes and indignation actually already betrayed Florence, even Even the artillery he searched and confiscated was provided to him by Alexander.
"Then the city defense officer, do you remember another sentence I said," Alexander looked at Machiavelli. "The cruel method is criticized but it is necessary, because compared to benevolence, cruel rule and reputation are sometimes Easier to help your rule. "
Machiavelli seemed to be asked, and he bowed silently to Alexander, then sat silently in the position left for him.
"I know you just searched the warehouse belonging to the Pisa Chamber of Commerce, this behavior is not allowed," Alexander looked at Sazi again. "The Pisa Chamber of Commerce has complete freedom to do business. It is a contrast to search without permission. The contempt of the Principality of Saskatchewan is a provocation to my daughter and me as the regent of Pisa. "
The Florentine's face shuddered slightly inconspicuously. Sazi knew of the seriousness of the accusation. He had regretted that he had not voluntarily clarified to Alexander when he received the news or simply said that he was ignoring the relationship. Does Forli have any special intentions to do this? Now that the count on the opposite side seems to explode at any time, his eyes can't help but look at the newly appeared Machiavelli.
Sacrifice this person, even if it causes his own reputation loss, as long as he can escape the trouble in front of him.
Just as Sazi was about to speak, Machiavelli spoke again, but this time he did not make a long speech but said: "Adult, maybe I can talk to you alone."
Alexander seemed a little hesitant, but then nodded in agreement. Among the officials who stood up and greeted each other, Alexander left the seat with Machiavelli and walked to the side hall next to him. As the door closed, everyone looked at each other in a different mood. .
"Is that Machiavelli crazy, can he persuade the count? To know that I heard in Bucharest that he didn't even take Sudan's warnings seriously." An official murmured annoyedly to the people next to him, maybe he 'S voice was a bit loud, and people nearby could not help looking at him, which made the official feel that his words seemed to be taken seriously. Just as he was going to continue talking, he found that the person who was standing next to him was slowly moving towards Aside.
The official looked around with some doubt, only to find that the people next to him were intentionally or unintentionally away from him, and then he saw the sight of Lukrezija who was looking at him not far away.
It was just that look that made the official instantly sweat out, because Lukrezija's beautiful eyes flashed with anger.
Then he suddenly remembered that for the count women, Bucharest was a taboo.
Lucrecia looked at the man coldly, and she now thought these Florentines were really annoying.
Sazi sat in a contradictory seat in his chair. Although he cheered up to treat Lucrecia as respectfully as possible, his thoughts had already ran into the side hall next door.
Sazi did not know what other way Machiavelli could persuade the earl, after all, as the official who broke into trouble said, even in the face of the Ottoman Sultan, the man did not waver. Sazi did not believe Machiavelli His tongue can be sharper than that of Sudan ’s cannons and machete, and he even regretted not stopping Savonarola.
If this angered or even angered the count completely, maybe things would get worse.
Sazi thought deliberately that he even felt that he might become the second Piero de Medici and was ousted because he could not resist foreign invasion.
But Sazi is very clear that he may not have the luck of Pierrot and can escape the city alive. The fierce nature of the Florentines has been awakened when the Medicis were driven away. They should be difficult. Give too much tolerance to a loser.
Saziti waited in fear, and Lucrecia was also impatient. She was anxious to appeal to Alexander, but now she could only deal with the Florence bureaucracy by herself. The intoxication has become boring due to the lengthy entertainment. If it is not remembered that Alexander said that Florence will become a jewel in her daughter's crown, she will be gone.
Waiting is boring and disturbing, but as time goes by, Sazi gradually rekindled hope.
If Machiavelli messed up things, you should have seen the results by this time, but there is no movement in the side hall, which means that things may not be as bad as I thought before, at least it shows Machiavelli Still trying to convince Count Montina.
Like Sazi, the Florentine people began to pay tribute and compliment to Lucrezia diligently, but it was clear that this did not attract much attention from Lucrezia.
Suddenly the door of the side hall opened, and Machiavelli leaned out halfway to make an invitation gesture to Sazi.
This is actually a very rude act, but Sazi has not taken care of these little things. He immediately stood up and pulled away his chair and walked quickly. The people next to him even heard the muffled noise that he made when he hurried to the table.
When Sazi entered the side hall, he saw Alexander sitting in a chair by the window. His eyes were looking at the city outside. His fingers on the armrest were tapping unconsciously.
Seeing that Sazi came in, Alexander only gestured a little, and then he stared at Sazi sharply and looked closely.
There was a burst of anger in Saatchi's heart. Alexander's actions were undoubtedly rude, but now he can only suppress the anger in his heart and express his eyes to Machiavelli to tell him what happened.
"Consul, your secretary," Speaking of this, Alexander paused a little, and then corrected to "should be said that the city defense officer assured me that you are a true patriot, he thinks that you are a competent official, is able to guarantee Florence and A competent person for the well-being of citizens in this city. "
Sazi looked at Machiavelli a bit surprised, but he was not surprised that his former secretary would say his good words, but he didn't quite understand the meaning of saying so now.
"Consul, do you think if I want to attack Florence, how long can you hold on?" Alexander suddenly asked, seeing the sudden change in Sazi's face, but Alexander did not give him any breathing opportunities to continue to ask "One day or a week, or you Do you think my Montina army has suffered a great deal of weakness after fighting the Ottomans? "
Sweat appeared on Sazi's face, not because of the hot weather, because he only felt the chills on his body.
"My daughter is the Duke of Pisa, and as far as I know Florence has always claimed to have an inseparable special relationship with Pisa, so in order, I think my daughter has the right to make legal claims against Florence."
Alexander stood up from his chair. He looked at Sazi, who was actually as tall as him, with a look down, and looked at the desperate look on his face. Alexander said with a mocking smile. : "Consultant, you should regret your ancestors' unremitting claims of a long-standing relationship with Pisa, because although it does provide a basis for your annexation of pizza, it actually has a bitter effect for yourself. . "
Sazi nodded silently. He didn't know what the action was admitting, but he was really desperate at this time.
As Alexander said, when the Florentines tirelessly proclaimed that they have the power to inherit Pisa, they have actually proved the special relationship between the two cities invisible, then when one day the weak Pisa becomes strong, This special relationship, which has always been talked about by the Florentines, has in turn become a shackle that they can't break free from their necks.
"How are you going?"
Sazi finally spoke. He glanced at Machiavelli first. He didn't know what they were talking about. Maybe Machiavelli just faced this terrible earl in front of him, and now he has no choice, Only to throw everything to myself.
"Consultant, I want you to be loyal to my daughter," seeing Sazi seemed to speak, and Alexander waved his hand to stop him. "I want to say that the only concession I can make is that I will not deprive you of these people, I will guarantee that you are still the identity and even the power of the magistrate of Florence. You can solve the internal affairs of this city by yourself. This should not harm the everything you have now. For this reason, I can even provide you with enough weapons. And the training of soldiers, but, "when speaking of this, Alexander took a step forward and said in a tough tone that he would never allow rebuttal." You must admit that my daughter Estrez is a joint between Florence and the Principality of Pisa. Lord, and you must accept my daughter ’s coronation in the Cathedral of Hundred Flowers. "
Sazi looked at Alexandria in a daze, he didn't know how to answer for a while, then he suddenly turned to Machiavelli as if he suddenly wanted to understand something.
Machiavelli bowed slightly respectfully to the former employer ~ EbookFREE.me ~ But there was already a little arrogance in his expression that could not be concealed, looking at Sazi's eyes that seemed to eat people, Machiavelli looked to He took two steps and whispered, "Your Excellency, isn't it the most important thing for you now to get through the difficulties ahead?"
Machiavelli's words made Sazi's original anger burst out like a pierced skin. He looked at Machiavelli with strange eyes, and after a pause, Sazi finally sat down slowly and bored Sullenly said: "I want to discuss with others. This is not something I can decide alone."
"Of course, but the consul asks you to pay attention to one thing. You are just the chief consul of Florence, not the only consul."
When he heard Alexander's words, Sazi shuddered slightly. When he stepped out of the room, he looked at those who were complimenting the ruling to Lucrezia and Sazi secretly sighed.
"Adult, do you think he will agree?"
Machiavelli asked slightly excitedly in the side hall.
"Trust me, he will agree," Alexander's eyes turned to the city outside the window again, "Florence, for me."