Vol 3 Chapter 149: Celebrity!

In the early morning of February 27, 1497, a team of cavalry soldiers set off from the square in front of St. Peter's Basilica, which has not yet been repaired in the Vatican.
As the team passed through the Swan Castle, the big clock on the castle rang four times.
Then the cavalry entered the city of Rome along the bridge over the Tiber River, and all the bells that rang along the way rang, and today happened to be Saint Prodo ’s Day, a saint who once used to promote doctrine in the early 4th century He was persecuted by Christian haters at that time. He was said to have been stripped of his clothes and tied to a post to withstand the ravages of the cold wind in the winter. He persisted for 9 days in the cold wind without eating or drinking.
Alexander VI chose this as the day of liberating Rome, after careful consideration.
Although the assassination of the Archbishop of Frankfurt previously made the situation of the Holy See very embarrassing, but now think about Alexander VI is very grateful to the assassin, at least that assassination made the Anti-French League no longer regard the Vatican, or that he no longer regarded him as France Complicity or friend.
Choosing a martyr's saint's anniversary to greet the army that liberated Rome is enough to see the Holy See's emphasis on the coalition. If you look at this alliance, there is still a big man like the imperial palace, Alexander VI feels The decision can be said to have been all-encompassing.
On behalf of the Pope, the cardinal was greeted by the cardinals. Although the cardinal sitting in the car looked calm, he was actually a little nervous. The unscrupulousness of the French before entering the city of Rome had left them deep. I have an impression that what the coalition forces from various countries will do now, but no one can guarantee it.
In fact, there have been many differences in how the coalition forces should deal with the city after entering the city, which is why entering the city will delay for a few days.
Alexander VI insisted on not allowing the Allied forces to pass the Arc de Triomphe. His reason was that the liberation of Rome also included the Holy See itself, so the Allied Forces only helped the Holy See drive out the French, not save the Holy See.
Moreover, the coalition is not a conqueror, and it cannot pass under the triumphal arch that implies conquest.
For this request, Kottschacher, who is now the highest chief outside the city of Rome, quite reasonably agreed, but Gong Xiang also made his own request, that is, the pope was required to preside over a grand mass as a victory for the coalition forces. Rewards and gratitude.
In response to this request, Alexander VI readily agreed that he even offered to reward the troops fighting for the liberation of Rome, and at the same time announced that he would summon allied generals.
As for the order meeting, Alexander VI also made his own request. He certainly knew that Caesar did not want to give up his power, but the pope knew that the most important thing at this time was to complete the entrance ceremony as soon as possible. He really did not want to see Gonzalo ’s With an arrogant face, the pope also tried to make his son understand that the coalition forces would not stay in Rome for too long, and as long as they had a good relationship with the coalition forces, his order meeting could continue to exercise power.
Caesar finally chose to compromise, or at this time, Caesar has learned to use compromise for greater benefits, especially after comparing the coalition outside the city with Gonzalo, many people including Caesar still think that it is outside the city. Those people deal better.
The team welcoming the coalition met outside the city with the long-awaited coalition striker. After a brief ceremony, the cardinal continued to move forward until he met the soldiers of the coalition brigade who had been ready to launch.
The so-called siege of Rome actually did not bring any practical losses to the armed forces of both sides. According to some people ’s private statements, in this long siege war, all the previous losses combined did not even suddenly appear as before The inexplicable army of Naples caused heavy losses.
Although no one knows exactly where the leader of the army came from, a stunned head, but many people secretly rejoiced that it was not themselves who met them. According to the description of the surviving heavy cavalry, that The firearms owned by the army are powerful and dense that they had never thought of before. According to a heavy cavalry, if he goes on the battlefield again in the future, he may collapse because of the sound of even sparse guns, because it will make He remembered the terrible experience outside Rome.
The sky was completely bright, although it was still a bit cold, but it was a little warm to the sun above him.
Kotszach looked at the team that was slowly coming. He did not expect to be the liberator of this city when he came to Rome this time. Power of refutation.
But the development of the matter was somewhat unexpected, especially after receiving the active invitation of Alexander VI, Kotzach felt that if such a good opportunity is not grasped, maybe even God will punish him.
And the letter written by Alexander before hinted that Gong Xiang was also excited.
In fact, from the moment Alexander cleverly left the grain to the coalition forces, Kotzczah had realized what the young man seemed to be suggesting, and then the Rovere family sent back those materials that were urgently needed for logistics, which made Kotsica He again realized that the Romans did not seem to object to him entering the city, and then the public invitation of Alexander VI even excited the coalition outside the city.
What greater glory than entering Rome. For centuries, countless monarchs have been able to enter Rome as a proof of their supreme power. Now that this opportunity has appeared in front of him, Kotzach thinks he should not Give up this opportunity, and the emperor will certainly support him to do so.
The letter from Alexander also mentioned the congratulations in advance on the great victory that Mr. Miyazaki was about to complete, and the other was to ask him for the ransom of King Florin.
In the previous negotiations with Kotschah, the coalition forces paid 12,000 florins to Alexandria to redeem all the captives and camps, while for Kotschach ’s own ransom, Alexander only needed him a gold florin.
For this unexpected request, Kotzczah did not feel insulted because his price was as low as a Moorish slave, because he knew that his identity was not measurable by Florin, he was right The young man's obvious ambition was very interested, especially now that this is about to enter Rome.
The Cardinal was very clever. He knew that today ’s protagonist was not himself, so after meeting with the coalition generals, he just read out the Pope ’s letter of encouragement to them and immediately invited Kotzach to take them with him to the city of Rome.
The coalition had already been prepared and the team marched along the wide cobblestone road towards the city of Rome.
Kottschacher is excited. On this road, his emotions are inevitably uncontrollable. He ca n’t remember how many people have led the army into the city like him in the past years, and those Regardless of the ending, man has become a footnote in history.
Now it is his turn to face this glory. Although it is more coincidence to know that he can become the liberator of Rome this time, he thinks that this is an opportunity that God has given him.
"We may be able to sound the horn." Kotzach told a general around him that he knew that the Venetian should be willing to accept this suggestion.
Sure enough, the Venetian smiled happily, and as he ordered to the side, a long horn sounded from the team soon. This was a sign of victory, and a sudden cheer broke out in the coalition forces.
Alexander VI stood in the vice hall of the Sistine Cathedral and looked at the tedious and gorgeous zenith painting above his head. Although Alexander VI was still resentful of his predecessor who had troubled him all the time, he could not but admit this The church is the greatest artistic masterpiece he has ever seen.
Speaking of this, because of his love for the Sistine Chapel and the realization that Sistius IV could use this church to permanently imprint his own brand in the Vatican, Alexander VI became more determined to rebuild St. Peter ’s Basilica, In this way, he tried to make the Vatican never erase the trace of his existence.
Alexander VI did not want to be like his many predecessors, and once he died, everyone would never be remembered by future generations.
The familiar soft footsteps came from behind, but because of the empty echo in the auxiliary hall, it sounded very clear, and then the footsteps stopped not far behind.
"Are you ready?" Alexander VI whispered.
"Yes, everything is ready, Your Majesty," the Pope's secretary replied with congratulations. "Everyone will be very satisfied. According to the ceremony, the generals will receive your blessings before the Holy See, and then you will reward them all."
Alexander VI nodded with satisfaction. He knew that Nomelo would definitely consider every detail of the whole ceremony. The main thing is that this ceremony will intentionally or unintentionally highlight him as the only supreme pope in various ways. Authority, even those allied generals who saved Rome, must accept this supremacy before they can boast of their victory.
"That Gombre," Alexander asked suddenly, thinking of something. "What is he doing now?"
Nomelo froze for a moment. He did not expect that the pope would suddenly ask about the young man. Fortunately, his many years of experience as a secretary allowed him to always make some seemingly useless preparations in advance, so he immediately answered: "He At this time, it should be accompanied by Queen Joanna of Naples. The queen will participate in the entrance ceremony today. "
"Joanna of Naples?" Alexander VI raised his eyebrows slightly. "I heard that Luo Weilei's son Constantine had expressed interest in her, didn't he?"
"Yes, but because the queen once lived in Portico Palace, Constantine did not continue to approach the queen."
"That's not bad," Alexander VI mumbled. "That Luo Weilei was as uneasy as his uncle. Now he has to encourage his brother and son to be restless."
Nomelo did not speak. He knew that the pope was talking about the Archbishop of Genoa. Not long ago, Giuliano de la Rovere had just proposed that his younger brother, who was a priest, should take over the position of Archbishop of Genoa.
This move is actually somewhat risky, because once he cannot become a cardinal, then his own position is very embarrassing.
But because of this, it can be seen that Giuliano de la Rovere is bound to win this cardinal battle.
"Let that gombre come to see me," Alexander VI said suddenly. "It's here, we don't have much time, so don't delay too much."
Nomelo immediately bowed and left, and it didn't take long for Alexander to appear behind the secretary at the entrance of the vice hall.
A group of cavalry as a leader ran forward along the Roman Avenue, and deafening cheers rang everywhere.
This day was a major day for the Romans, or one of many major days.
After being occupied by the French for more than a year, Rome ushered in new occupiers, which made the mood of the Romans very complicated.
Watching the leader cavalry running across the street, people cheered involuntarily.
The Romans are used to welcoming too many foreigners. It seems that everyone regards Rome as a holy place, but they all regard the city as a beauty waiting to be conquered.
The flags on the long guns in the hands of each cavalry represent a nobleman involved in the liberation of Rome and the larger family behind him, and the leader of the cavalry who can barely see the head indicates that the people participating in this event are so There are many, except for those prominent nobles, even the amateur heraldry officers, they simply cannot recognize which nobles are represented by the chaotic patterns.
At the end of the street in the distance appeared a towering and huge marble building, the famous Triumphal Arch of Constantine.
The horn sounded again, and in accordance with the previously agreed ceremonies, the coalition troops would receive a welcome from the Roman nobles on the road to the Arc de Triomphe of Constantine, but they would not continue to advance, nor would they pass the Arc de Triomphe.
This is the condition that Alexander VI insisted on putting forward!
As the master of Rome, he could not tolerate someone once again going through the Arc de Triomphe to declare deprivation of his dominion over Rome.
The leader's cavalry slowed down in the horn, and the Roman nobles standing at the crossroads could already be seen from afar.
At the crossroads, the Triumphal Arch of Constantine, representing the dignity of Rome, is on the left. The road to the Vatican is on the left, and the Trajan Square is on the right, leading to the well-known Roman Central Avenue.
At that time, Caesar once passed this avenue to enter Rome, and then entered the magnificent Colosseum to receive the cheers and worship of the Romans Good smile.
Kotschah, who was riding a horse in front of the line, also smiled. He had recognized some of the familiar faces of those people. He knew that whether or not they were out of heart, these previously arrogant Romans must then use respectful humility 'S attitude carefully pleased him.
Kotzach raised his hand with a smile. He decided to make himself look more generous rather than crazy. He felt that this would help the emperor and the pope to repair the rift that occurred before the death of the Archbishop of Frankfurt.
However, this wish of Gong Xiang was not fulfilled.
Just as the coalition leader cavalry was about to reach the end of the crossroads, a cry suddenly came from the right road leading to Trajan Square!
Although only a seemingly meaningless roar, people heard anger, unwillingness, irritability and rebelliousness from the cry.
Everyone's eyes couldn't help but look towards the man in the middle of the road immediately, with gorgeous armor all over him.
Just a glance, even those who don't know him, instinctively flash a name that makes them vague.
Anyone who recognized this person looked at the slightly distorted expression on his face because of his anger, whether it was a Roman aristocrat or a coalition general.
"Gonzalo!"
Kotzach whispered to himself, and a bit of unspeakable bitterness came up in his heart.
He knew he was in big trouble this time.
No one expected that Gonzalo de Cordova, the front-line commander of the Anti-French League, would suddenly rush to Rome from the northern front.
For a while, everyone seemed to be quelled by the anger of General Castile, who defeated King Charles VIII. There was silence in front of the Arch of Constantine, and there was no sound.