Vol 4 Chapter 37: Bishop's Big Business

Savonarola, this is a magical name, or a name full of contradictions.
Alexander remembers very clearly that even after a few centuries, whenever people look forward to this magnificent Renaissance era, it is difficult to avoid a special person no matter how they look at what is happening in this period today. This is Savonarola.
Pure believers, impartial leaders, lofty ideals and the last saint of classicist religious reformation, for those who worship him, all kinds of praise can be crowned on his head without feeling Too much.
But for his enemies, hypocrites, ambitions, traitors and tyrants are also his labels.
And Savonarola, known to Alexander, is more comprehensive than anyone in this era.
Because of this, after hearing Tony de la Rovere's name, Alexander's heart couldn't help moving slightly.
He didn't know how the bishop suddenly mentioned Savonarola, but thinking about this man's surname Luo Weilei, Alexander felt that things might not be easy.
Sure enough, seeing that Alexander did not show much interest, but did not show impatience, Bishop Tony leaned forward again, almost the whole face was posted and said: "In fact, this is the case ..."
With Tony Della Rovere's explanation, Alexander gradually realized why the bishop suddenly became so diligent.
In this era when everyone seems to have stopped pursuing honor, faith and noble spirit, but regards money and power as everything, but one person seems to stand alone.
In the early years, as the monastery of Florence, Savonarola not only used color for the Medici family as the monarch, but also hated the Pope Alexander VI.
More than once, he publicly accused Alexander VI of his extravagance in various meetings and church masses, and even later expressed great indignation at the fall of the entire Holy See.
According to Savonarola, the Holy See, the highest authority of God in the world, has obviously lost his most fundamental piety. Even in many times, the behavior of the seniors of the Holy See, even the pagans will feel for them shame.
As for the Medici family, Savonarola regards them as the world's most despicable rulers and brutal tyrants. He repeatedly denounced the brutal rule of this family and the evil way of life that introduced the entire Florence into the fallen abyss This made Savonarola not only in the pope, but also in the eyes of the ruler of Florence.
If this continues, one day he may not be able to tolerate his unbridled offense. He was sent to a monastery in a deep mountain ditch to spend another life, or one day people might accidentally find this disobedient monk. Shi died inexplicably on his bed, but waiting for someone to do so, an accident not only saved Savonarola from this terrible fate, but also made him step onto a larger stage.
The French invasion terrified the then Duke Piero of Florence. The duke completely angered the Florentines in the face of the French's weakness and timidity. Then when he heard that he was still preparing to surrender, the angry citizens rushed into Metty The Medici Palace where the Chi family lived for generations drove the duke out of Florence.
Then people decided to make devout Savonarola their leader because the devout monk moved people with his almost holy behavior.
At the same time, Florence also had to admit that they had been too addicted to the enjoyment of sensual dogs and horses, so that when the French invaded, they could not even get a sufficient number of troops to protect their homes.
This makes the Florentines more respectful of Savonarola, who has always maintained a clear head and tempered himself with a bitter life while feeling ashamed.
Although they soon discovered that Savonarola did not organize an army to resist the French invaders as they had hoped, but instead opened the city gate to welcome the French, but out of respect for Medici The excessive hatred of the family and the tumultuous collapse of their idols, the Florentines would rather believe that Savonarola did so in order to protect and save their city.
In short, Savonarola not only became the new monarch of Florence, but importantly, he was supported by almost the entire Florentine people.
"Bishop, I think I already know these things you said, and now I want to know what you want to say to me."
Listening to the vivid description of Bishop Tony, Alexander had to remind the bishop, in fact, he knew better than the person opposite him what Savonarola had done, including even some things that seemed to be related to that Florence Anecdotes related to the ruler.
"What I want to say is that now Florence is a big trouble. I heard that our Pope His Majesty has prepared more than once to expel that person's membership," Bishop Tony glanced at Alexander. "Count, you should know this What does it mean. "
Alexander nodded silently, and he knew what Tony meant.
With the times, the punishment of expulsion from the church is not so important for the monarchs who have great power and lofty status, but for a ruler who is not pure blood and is purely a monk. , But it is a deadly and terrible means.
Especially for people such as Savonarola who are famous for their piety, whether it is his own dignity or his need to be the chief of Florence, the expulsion of the membership will undoubtedly be the biggest blow to and hurt him.
"So what do you want to say to me?" Alexander looked at Bishop Tony with some doubt and asked, "Do you want me to stop the Pope from doing this, or do you think I have this ability?"
Alexander knew that Old Rovere ’s uncle, Cistus IV and the Medici family were in conflict, and even instructed to assassinate Lorenzo Medici, the heir of the Medici family at that time, so Alexander estimated Bishop Tony. It is impossible to hope that the people of the Medici family will regain control of Florence.
The deep hatred between Savonarola and Alexander VI obviously makes Tony de la Rovere feel that the enemy of the so-called enemy is a friend, and may even hold Alexander VI uncomfortable, that is his own comfortable mind .
"I just hope things don't get too bad," Tony de la Rovere looked at Alexander seriously. "I have to admit that as a Rovere, I can't like the guy sitting on the pope's throne, and I don't want to watch The people who came to the Medici family came back to Taitung Mountain because of Savonarola, and you really can do something in this respect, do n’t you, I mean the princess of Rome? "
Seeing Tony Della Rovere's eyes full of ambiguity, Alexander felt more like a pimp.
"I think you misunderstood the bishop. I have nothing to do with the pope or his daughter, not to mention that you forget that I still have a marriage contract with your niece.
"At this time, Alexander felt that this person was not like a bishop at all, but more like a rogue who likes to inquire about the private affairs of others all day long, but this does not explain why he was suddenly interested in his army. This made Alexander think that the bishop seemed to Not as simple as his appearance.
"I think this should be your misunderstanding," Tony de la Rovere was not discouraged at all, and he continued leaning forward, then lowered his voice slightly and said, "Count, I know you In fact, there is actually a lack of money, and I can help you find a good way to make money, but this method needs the help of your army. "
Alexander was stunned for a moment. He was really short of money now, and sometimes he even raised the idea of ​​either going to be a mercenary or simply taking his hands and doing a few votes without a business.
How much money Ruo Sha can provide to him has always left Alexander uncertain. Although he has seen some good news from Ruo Sha's letter, Alexander knows that to realize his plan requires more than money and time.
This has to ensure that during this time, as long as necessary, you must be able to withdraw enough money at any time, which is really difficult for Alexander.
So if there is a chance to raise more money, Alexander would n’t mind getting into some troubles, but only if he can deal with those troubles, and he wo n’t have no money to work in vain.
Seeing Alexander hesitate, the bishop smiled.
"I have seen your army and chatted with the soldiers. I can't help but admit that what you did surprised me. You know that this soldier was just a farmer a year ago, but now they have become very serious. Great soldier, I heard them talk about the battle in Oral, and I believe even the bravest army is nothing more than that. "
Tony de la Rovere ’s praise without any hesitation made Alexander feel a little vigilant. He felt that the bishop seemed to understand his army not as simply as he said.
"We need a group of obedient soldiers," Tony said with a smile. "Let me make it clear. The life in Florence is not so good now, not only because of the Vatican, but Savonarola's rule seems to be a little wrong Just a few days ago, a messenger sent by Florence passed here while asking for help from Genoa, and he brought very bad news. The Florentines seem to be brewing a rebellion. "
Alexander was slightly surprised, but he was not surprised that Florence asked for assistance from Genoa. As two famous leading parties throughout Italy, Savonarola and Old Rovere's respect for the French can be said to complement each other.
Old Rovere referred to Charles VIII as "my monarch", while Savonarola publicly referred to the young French king as "a kind father". From this point, Florence and Genoa both past and present It can be said to be a natural ally.
"Do you want my army to help you quell Florence's rebellion?" Alexander asked a bit strangely. Although the idea was not unreasonable, he even said it carefully as the prospective son-in-law of Old Rovere. He sent troops to help allies in Genoa. Treason is a matter of course, but somehow, Alexander always finds this a bit weird.
Then when he thought about it carefully, he knew where the blame was.
After all, with his and Lucrezia's estimated to have spread quickly through most of the strange relationship between Romagna and Tuscany, this bishop should not ask him to do this no matter who he is looking for.
Thinking of this, Alexander looked strangely at the bishop's eyes.
"Tell me the bishop, do you have anything else to tell me," Alexander decided to ask directly "or do you think I'm a deceiver."
"Of course not," Tony de la Rovere said anxiously. "I know you must be wondering why I will find you. After all, you and that Lucrezia ..." Speaking of the bishop, that kind of annoying Smile, but then his smile slowly faded, and another interesting expression appeared on his face. "Count, I am looking for you because you have a special relationship with that woman. We need to help us this time. Florence is not free, but can get a lot of compensation. "
"Do you want to get this money?"
"No, it's not me," Tony de la Rovere smiled. "It's my cousin, that is, your elder man. He hopes to get the money, but the life in Florence is not so good. They can't get it for a while. There is so much money, so according to the messenger, maybe they can use some paintings and smashed sculptures that should have been burned by a fire as a reward. Many of these things are indeed very valuable, and it is said that there are Some are very popular with the pope. "
Alexander narrowed his eyes slightly, and he now knew what the bishop was doing.
Obviously, Tony de la Rovere whimsically wanted to use Florence as a reward for those works of art, from Alexander VI in exchange for bribes for the sale of cardinal positions for his cousin Rovere.
This idea may sound too whimsical at first glance, but because of the emergence of Alexander, it seems that this idea has become completely achievable.
As the son-in-law of Old Rovere and in return for inheriting the status of Earl of Montina, Alexander has the duty and responsibility to help his elders.
And because of his relationship with Lukrezija, he may be able to pierce the needle from this transaction.
More importantly, if the Genoese march to Florence, it may cause the Holy See to be vigilant, then the newly established alliance may soon be split, and now is the crucial moment for the old Rovere competition cardinal!
There will not be so many scruples about sending troops from Montina. Although Alexander ’s abduction of Lucrezia certainly aroused the anger of Alexander VI, Alexander VI should not have thought that Alexander wanted to occupy Florence. Threat to the Vatican's ability.
So, it seems that this matter is tailor-made for him.
Alexander, who figured this out, could n’t help but start thinking about it. Of course, he knew that the main church was so enthusiastic, it should not only be to help his cousin, but to think that the Florence messenger should have given him more benefits. .
"So what can I get?" Alexander asked.
"Remuneration for sending troops," Tony de la Rovere said, then looked at Alexander's expressionless face and grumbled a little boringly. "Young people, don't be too greedy, you know you have enough now."
Alexander shook his head, stood silently, and turned and walked towards the door of the vault.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Tony Rovere reluctantly yelled at Alexander. "Well, those things that are used as remuneration can be divided into 10%."
"Only 10%?"
"Don't be too greedy, or you will be punished by God," Tony Rovere said indignantly. "It's not necessary to know that I can get more than you, but we have to say well, since you get a 10% benefit, then This year ’s tithe will no longer give you a rebate, "
Looking at this Luo Weilei, who was not like a bishop in front of him, Alexander nodded with interest. He now needs money so much that he has to consider even making this kind of money.
Is this considered a mercenary? Alexander asked himself, and then smiled at himself.
Bishop Tony was clearly satisfied with the meeting. After drinking two more glasses of wine, the bishop's talent left the vault full of alcohol. When he came to the corridor and saw the soldiers still waiting, he was in a rare mood. Dahao said a few words of blessing, and then his feet walked toward the gate with his feet deep and shallow like a step in the swamp.
The people outside had already waited impatiently for a long time, especially Gompati. No matter how far the bishop went out, he had hurriedly entered the vault, and at the same time he kept saying, "Sir, I have to report Some new things, I figured it out while you were away. "
Gompati said he was still waving a drawing, but from the helpless look of the people behind him, Alexander could guess that he must have said enough before.
"Adult, please believe me, this is really a very genius idea ~ EbookFREE.me ~ Gompatti said to spread the drawings on the table." But speaking of this idea, you actually provided it to me. Lal ’s well, you guessed in advance that the Milanese would gather there, so we calculated all the preparations for the artillery shooting in advance, but what if we do n’t know where the enemy will gather. It will waste a lot of time if it is calculated again, so I prepared such a thing. "
"Have you bombarded the tables?"
Alexander glanced at the drawing and interrupted Gompati's chatter and asked directly.
Gompati froze for a moment, then nodded stunnedly.
Looking at the drawing on the terrain outside the castle that was filled with various bends and curves, some of which were probably only understood by the artillery captain himself, Alexander nodded first, then smiled and said: "Actually you Do n’t have to work so hard, I can do something simpler and more useful for you.

With that said, Alexander pushed the drawing that Gompati worked hard to the side.
His eyes glanced at everyone in the room, and then said in a calm tone: "Although I would love to celebrate the victory you have just won, I have to tell you that we may face a new battle."
Alexander's words caused a commotion in the room, but people's eyes flashed not anxiety but excitement.
Looking at the Agries in front of him excitedly looking at him, Alexander couldn't help but feel relieved.
After the battle between Oral and Chimone, the Agri have become a group of real soldiers.
At this time, on the way to the church not far from the castle, Tony de la Rovere was sternly instructing a servant-like person: "Tell your master that everything is ready, and the next thing to wait is him The promise has been fulfilled. "