Vol 4 Chapter 197: Big fish

At the end of 1498, a rare calm was broken with the end of the year.
In November, the Ottoman Sultan took the lead and assembled nearly 100,000 troops to march towards Bucharest.
The original 80,000 Ottoman army became stronger because of the reinforcement of several affiliated national forces ordered by the Sudan.
Among these recruited affiliated troops, the nearly 2,000 light cavalry provided by Wallachia and the original light cavalry of Sudan formed a powerful cavalry unit, which had traditional thick bushy beards and head The Wallachia, who wore hard hats and high felt hats, used their bucklers and long knives to clear the obstacles for Sudan to enter Bucharest.
The same as Wallachia was conscripted for recruitment, it was almost the entire army of the Principality of Columbia on the Balkan Peninsula. Regardless of whether they wanted to, they had to provide Sudan with more or less the number of troops he needed to ensure Free from the anger of Sudan.
The Ottomans are clearly inevitable for Bucharest, as can be seen from some rumors.
Apart from tribes and vassals, the most notable is the Sudanese Guards.
This new army that emerged from the 12th century became more and more intimidating over time, especially when it was completely conquered Constantinople. Can't help but be frightened.
Exquisite fighting skills and sophisticated equipment have made this army a recognized powerhouse all over the world. More importantly, in order to give this army a powerful strength that far exceeds any opponent, since its establishment, the Sultans of all generations have spared no effort in their Put a lot of money on me.
The Ottoman Guard, who always has the sharpest and most advanced weapons, has become a guarantee for the Sudanese to conquer European ambitions.
So when I heard that Basayet II had brought a 10,000-strong guard in this expedition, many people couldn't help but change their faces.
Bucharest couldn't keep it. Such rumors spread not only in Wallachia and Moldova, but also in the courts of many Western countries. The question of "how long can Bucharest be able to stay" is spread.
The Venetians were dispatched, and although they did not have a good opinion of the Hungarians, they knew that if Hungary failed, the one waiting for Venice was to face the threat of Ottoman sooner or later.
The enormous pressure from the sea has made Venice feel very difficult. They don't know how long they can persist if they face the Ottomans directly on land.
Perhaps it was the same thoughts as Venice. The court of Vienna also sent messengers. They hoped to persuade other countries to resist the enemies from the east. Even for this Emperor Maximilian, he sent a Polish country that had always been at odds with him. The messenger group headed by his brother Count Linz tried to persuade the Polish king to send troops to protect the world of Christ.
For a time, messenger exchanges between European countries were frequent and the situation was surging.
Vatican, in the office of Pope Alexander VI.
In front of the hot hearth recessed downward in the room, the pope sat on a thick cushion, and not far from him, Nomelo was holding a book in his hand to record the pope's words.
"To organize the Crusaders and issue orders to all countries, it is necessary to prevent the infidels from invading the world of Christ. This is the will of the Lord." Alexander VI said incessantly, his eyes fixed on the furnace rising and rising Flame, said something in his mouth that he didn't even believe.
This is no longer the era of Urban II, and it is not even the 14th century, although it has long been separated from Germany, but it can barely make a call in the name of the church.
This is the eve of the last year of the 15th century when the prestige and prestige of the church have fallen to a trough that has never been seen before.
Alexander VI raised his head and looked at the table. There was a thick calendar dictionary. He had just checked the days and knew that today was precisely the birthday of Urban II.
This is regarded as a good sign. As for whether this day is so accurate, Alexander VI did not care much.
"All European court nobles must obey this ordinance, otherwise they will be regarded as disrespect and betrayal of God," the pope said, still noticing himself. He noticed that Nomelo's constantly moving hands seemed to stop. Just looked up at the secretary, "Do you think there is anything wrong with this?"
"Your Majesty, this is not the Urban era."
There was a trace of worry in Nomelo's eyes. He did not know whether the Pope was a little excited because he was too worried about the invasion of the Ottomans. At least he felt that the edicts were inappropriate.
"Yeah, it's not the Urban era." Alexander VI was somewhat surprised, and he turned back to continue looking at the flames in the hearth, and then suddenly made a chuckle "Do you think I'm crazy, or was that Bayer Seth terrified? "
Nomelo shook his head silently. He didn't think so, but it was also true that the pope's mood did not seem very good.
"Don't worry about me Nomelo, I'm fine, it's not even better than this time now," Alexander VI looked back to the secretary again. "You know, I even want a good drink to congratulate this news."
Nomelo looked at the Pope puzzled, and he was sure that the Pope must have been sober at this time, but because of this he didn't understand.
"Nomelo, you know that the Venetians have sent envoys to Hungary and Bohemia in order to defend against the Ottomans. This time they would rather pay a huge price to support those countries and the Ottoman war," ignored Nomelo. Nodding, Alexander VI ’s eyes were fixed on the top of the flame.
The Venetians are very nervous now. They are more afraid than we are, because in addition to worrying that the Ottomans might invade, they are also afraid that their territories on the Mediterranean will be taken away. If that's the case, there will not be enough place for their merchant ships, so what do you think they will do next? "
Alexander VI stopped, but Nomelo did not answer.
He knew that the pope didn't really want him to say what he thought.
Sure enough, after a while, Alexander VI, who seemed to straighten his mind, continued: "The enemy to be confronted by the Venetian is that huge Ottoman. In addition to having a terrible army, more importantly, they are almost endless. The wealth is enough to allow Sudan to bear the huge expenses for his expedition. I think this is impossible for any European king. "
Speaking of this pope, he looked at Nomelo again: "Even Venice, which is famous for its wealth, can't do it, and they can't take risks. Once the Ottomans win, then Wallachia and Moravia will completely Stay in the hands of Sudan, and by then Ottoman ’s navy will be able to blockade the entire Adriatic Sea directly. Believe me, this is something the Venetians absolutely do n’t want to see.
Nomelo seemed to understand something, and he met the pope's gaze.
"I don't know if the Ottomans will capture Bucharest or defeat those countries, but I know that Venice can't persevere that way," Alexander VI's eyes flickered on the flames that couldn't stop rising, as if looking for What "Venetians will soon feel pressured, they will have to make a choice, whether to give up the Romagna that is competing to deal with the Ottomans, or to insist on this stupid move that is hostile to both sides."
Nomelo nodded gently, at this time he had already understood the meaning of the pope.
Obviously, Alexander VI's speculation that the Venetians might change their strategy in areas such as Romagna was correct, but somehow, Nomelo felt that the Pope still had something to say.
Sure enough, Alexander VI looked at the fire and said quietly: "In addition, I think the Venetian should not continue to support Florence, after all, to support a city is not only a loan that can be successful, even if the loan is cancelled halfway. , May cause trouble. "
Nomelo's eyes lit up, and he realized that the pope might have come to the point.
Sure enough, Alexander VI paused and looked at Nomelo and said, "I want to expand our currency issuance in Florence. What do you think of this?"
Nomelo's expression paused. His first thought was "I don't know what that Gumbre would think", and then he suddenly shook his head secretly and reminded himself to wake up.
"Your Majesty, we may not have so much gold," Nomelo reminded in a low voice. "You know that only enough gold can support us to issue enough coins, otherwise it will be very risky. Once we have the gold in our hands If it is not enough, it may become very bad. "
Alexander VI pondered, he knew that Nomelo ’s worries were not unreasonable, but the thought that once the Venetians had to be involved in the East due to the Ottoman invasion, the entire central Italy will surely shrink as the Venetian forces shrink When the forces were empty, he couldn't help but endure the ambition that had been suppressed for too long.
"It seems that God is helping me," Alexander VI murmured. He glanced at Nomelo, who was puzzled by his words, and stood up to the table and took a thick copy from the drawer. The document instructed Nomelo to take a look at "God's will is not allowed to be violated, so if God arranged that I should have such great wealth as King Solomon, I must follow this will."
Nomelo opened the document with a bit of curiosity. When he saw a mortgage agreement signed by Alexander, Nomelo couldn't help but slightly dazed.
After a while he said in incredible tone: "That Gombré, is he crazy?"
"I don't know," Alexander VI shrugged unintentionally. "I don't know why he did such a thing. He mortgaged all his property. I don't care about this, as long as he can guarantee my The granddaughter ’s rights will go with him without loss. "
"All property?" Nomelo licked his lips. He didn't even know how much the word indicated.
"All property," Alexander VI narrowed his eyes. "His share in the trade union and all the dividends in the exchanges in Rome. I don't know how much that money is, but I believe it is enough to support me in Romagna has increased the issuance of currency. As for the future, we can use the profit of the exchange next year to support it. "
Nomelo thought about it silently. He felt that this method at least seemed to be safe. The key is that the huge circulation of the exchange is the basis to ensure all this.
And now it seems that the exchange is just beginning to show its terrifying potential.
But what really matters is that Nomelo knows that the Pope has clearly made up his mind on this matter, and since all he can do is to help the Pope do this almost perfect.
Alexander VI took the document from Nomelo. He knew the importance of the document better than his secretary. It can be said that if Alexander could not pay an almost unimaginable amount within three years as written in the agreement. Benelux, then all his shares in the trade union will be completely divided by others.
The trade union is now like this, so three years later?
What kind of daunting behemoth would that be?
"Your Majesty, what does Gumbre have to lend so much money for?"
Nomelo finally couldn't help but asked curiously.
To his surprise, the pope shook his head a little bit blankly.
"I don't know," Alexander VI looked a little grumpy. "I think I still know the young man. This can be seen from his affairs with Lucrezia. He is an ambitious and adventurous person, but Now I suddenly feel like I do n’t know anything about him. Do you know that this is why I do n’t want Lucrezia to be with him. "
"So you acquiesced Caesar to bring Lucrezia back from Pisa?" Nomelo finally asked the question that had been lingering. "I remember when you heard that Caesar was detained by Gumbre in Pisa. , Just sent me to Pizza to rescue Caesar. "
Alexander VI shrugged noncommittally. He picked up a piece of wood and threw it into the hearth, watching the flames jump for a while, and the Pope turned back to Nomelo.
"Nomelo, I'm very satisfied with your rescue of Caesar, but this time I still need you to go to Pizza or Montina to see that Gombre," said the pope's expression. "I don't know if he wants So what a lot of money does, but you tell him that no matter what business he wants to do, I will count it. "
………………
A burst of cold wind blew through the dry branches, making a screaming "whispering" sound. The sound rose and fell from time to time. It sounded like someone was roaring and roaring.
At night, such a voice always reveals an unspeakable horror. If there is only one person, it will be even more terrifying.
On the Tiber River, a boat broke through the icy water and headed towards the Tiber Island in the center of the river. At a concave corner in the center of the boat, a man leaned on the boat gang, covering his head in his arms and seemed to be napping.
The hull gave a slight shock, and it seemed to touch the shore. The man immediately raised his head. He glanced at the boatman who was blind to him, then stood up and jumped off the boat.
The coldness of his feet falling in the water lifted the man's spirit. He walked up a towards the island and looked at the monastery far from the south of the island. He turned to the cemetery in the north.
When Clian walked on the deserted marble platform of the cemetery, he saw a figure standing in front of the tomb.
Seeing that he still wore a mask on his face and looked somber and gloomy, Krian shook his head.
He didn't know if this person was afraid that others would recognize him, or he was just used to it, but Krian did not think that the mask was of any use to him, because not many people knew him.
"You really have been away for a long time this time," the mask man said dissatisfiedly. "I thought I might never see you again."
"It's long enough, but it's really worth it." Clian smiled. He never thought that the hypocrisy was deep and useful. On the contrary, he was more willing to let others treat him as the most ordinary person.
Just like when he was in Sicily, when the Sicilians were about to arrest him, even those who raised their arms did not take it for granted, because what threat could a small businessman pose to the heavily armed soldiers.
Then those people paid a price for their contempt. Krian returned to Sicily and even went to see his previous home, but the house had already changed its owner, but his family, but No one knows where they went.
Krian was a little bit sorry for the news, but he was not sad. The home was only part of his identity as a businessman. Once he was no longer the grocer in Palermo, UU reading www.uukanshu.com had nothing to do with him. Too.
"So what did you find?" The mask man asked impatiently. He felt that he had waited too long. During this time, he heard a lot about the Earl of Montina, some of which he deliberately asked, and some He heard all kinds of rumors, but whatever made him unhappy.
"Some things you might be interested in," Clian sat down and took a dry cake from his pocket and took a bite. "Or something that the elders would be interested in."
"What's that, tell me quickly," the mask man can't wait to say, "You know, you had a lot of trouble in Rome before, and the elders were very dissatisfied with you, so you'd better bring something that makes them feel reasonable. News. "
Krian nodded, too much time alone, and a person who has been with everyone for too long will inevitably cause others to doubt.
"I inquired where that Gombre was before, how did he appear, and I met a few very important people, and they gave me important news."
"Oh, is it?" The mask man moved excitedly. "I knew this person was problematic. He was by no means an ordinary Sicilian. Tell me who he is, and what secrets did you discover about him?" ? "
Looking at the excitement that the mask person could perceive even if he couldn't see the expression, Krian groaned a little, then under the gaze of expectation behind the other person's mask, he slowly said, "This person is indeed from Saint Seba Longlai, the monastery there can testify, but this is not important ... "
"And what else?"
"The important thing is who this person was before," Clian looked at the mask man anxiously and said to him in a very low voice, "According to the Sicilian, maybe we really encountered a big fish."