Vol 6 Chapter 21: "1 family"

In a very quiet room in Portico Palace, the Pope summoned Alexander alone.
This room is very interesting. When he first came in, Alexander thought he had entered a small museum.
The furnishings in the room are a bit chaotic. Whether it ’s a wall closet or a table in the room are filled with all kinds of weird toys, models, tools and even some small wooden machinery, some of these things are assembled Completed, some of them seem to have not been completed yet.
Alexander saw some familiar things in it, such as a double-spoke waterwheel that has been widely used in this era. This small waterwheel is placed in a front-to-back high pool model. The waterwheel draws water to the upper side. In the pool, and then flow down a small ramp next to it, the rapid water flow hits the swing blade of the waterwheel and continues to work, which allows the model to keep moving.
Alexander looked at this small water project with interest. He was not curious about how this thing was made, but was slightly surprised that the Pope was interested in these things.
Whether it is in the description of historians or the Pope I have seen, the impression of Alexander VI is not much other than greed and extravagance. Perhaps this person is a cunning and successful diplomat. He used the Pope Meridian created by the dispute on the Iberian Peninsula to see his wrist, or a ruthless conspirator, which was also defeated by many opponents who had already entered the grave. It can be seen, but it has never or rarely been mentioned that the pope is actually a highly appreciative person of art and a tolerant leader of the new things.
In fact, Alexander actually vaguely remembered to hear that, although the reputation of the Holy See during the reign of Alexander VI was outrageous, it was during this time that the Holy See ’s restraint on the people ’s thoughts was actually the loosest in nearly a century. Yes, this was even vaguely accused by even the daunting religious tribunal far away on the Iberian Peninsula.
"Do you like this place?" The Pope motioned Alexander to sit down. He looked at Alexander through the mess of things on the table. His eyes were like beasts in the jungle staring at his prey.
Alexander reminded himself not to be fooled by these things in front of him, thinking that the old man on the opposite side would be good to talk. In fact, this person is a cold-blooded person who can watch his son-in-law drink his family-specific Cantrera poisoned cold-blooded conspiracy at home dinner. Home, and now it seems that he is exactly the guy who inherited the bad luck of Giovanni Sforza who has become a dead ghost.
"Very chic."
"I really like it here, because these gadgets can make me forget a lot of troubles for a while," the pope fiddled with the next wooden villain, and the villain began swinging his arm and hitting a small brass bell in front of him, until it slowly stopped. "You You know, most people are like this puppet, in fact, they are just toys in other people ’s hands, just like this waterwheel, it ’s amazing to see that it is moving non-stop, but have you thought about it? Has it moved this way from the beginning, where did the power that made it come from, or what made it happen? "
Alexander nodded silently. He knew that the pope would certainly not discuss with him the so-called "first impetus", a mysterious puzzle that even the next 500 years would be impossible for the world's smartest human elite to answer. The pope was actually telling him that he was just the puppet that was controlled and pushed to survive.
But Alexander obviously didn't think so. He bypassed the table and came to the pope to stare at him.
"You and Lucrezia have a daughter, or you think I will allow you to do whatever you want because of this. You are wrong. Know that I can let my grandson enjoy everything she wants while letting her 'S father went to because of his cleverness. "The pope's merciless reassurance made Alexander once again confirm that this person was indeed the head of the Borgia family known for their ruthlessness.
"But you wouldn't do it," Alexander disregarded "because I'm still useful to you."
"Is it because of that exchange?" The pope glanced at his cheap son-in-law. "The price of copper has fallen so much that many people are ruined. Even I heard that some people have committed suicide. This is against God."
"If you do business, you have to make a profit, and it would be too bad if those people don't understand it." Alexander will not feel sorry for those who have to lose their lives because of the loss of blood. After a few decades, some people in Venice and the lowlands will slowly find this way. He just advanced a while or let all kinds of money laps that still take a long time to find out suddenly emerge. "The Fugger family will soon be in trouble, or they are already unlucky now, and they will be burdened with debts that even the entire family can't pay because of large loans and suddenly falling copper prices. The emperor they have always supported will also be in trouble because no one has financed him. "
"Really, this is your dependence?" The pope asked quietly. He had heard a lot from many people about the exchange, especially the turmoil caused by the decline in copper prices, and even other The fluctuations of various commodities made Alexander VI secretly panicked and excited at the same time.
The Pope was keenly aware that this was a good opportunity to make a fortune, so he had ordered people to take advantage of the opportunity to buy the goods and other properties of the bankrupt merchants at a low price, and because the copper price fell all the way, it even caused fluctuations in the currency value The Pope ’s private library was therefore full in just a short time.
This made the Pope have to admit that it would be better if Alexander was the Treasurer of the Vatican. At least, his means of collecting money made the Pope feel that he was really happy.
But this is obviously not enough. Alexander VI can sacrifice Giovanni Sforza, a son-in-law with a strong background and supporter of the Sforza family, if Alexander is useless, if Alexander can only make money for him , It is impossible to impress him.
"And Pisa, Montina and Florence," Alexander took out the chips in his hand a little bit. He noticed that the pope's expression moved slightly when he heard these places, which made him more sure of his speculation. " Your Majesty, I know what you want, but I will not hand over Romagna. "
Pope Matsuo's eyelids suddenly moved, his eyes that had always looked calm became severe, his chin slightly protruding forward stretched out again, and then he asked slowly: "What are you talking about, do you think Does anyone want to conquer Romagna? "
"Of course, hasn't this always been Giovanni's dream?"
Alexander's words made the pope who had remained calm seem to be moved by a whip.
He knew that Alexander was talking about his son Giovanni, and was once the pride of the Borgia family who had placed great hopes on him.
"If Giovanni wanted Romagna, I might not compete with him, but if it was Caesar, it was another matter entirely."
Hearing Alexander's disgust and hostility towards Caesar so unmistakably, the Pope's expression became more severe and colder. He looked at Alexander coldly as if he were looking at a dead person. What I thought was even so clear and clear: "Do you know this is challenging me? Do you want to be an enemy of the Borgia family?"
"It's Caesar." Alexander shook his head. "I won't leave everything here to him. If he must be against me, I will strike back mercilessly, and even destroy him completely, even if he has a Frenchman." Will not work. "
The Pope looked at Alexandria unexpectedly, and some did not understand how he dared to say such things. Knowing that no one is not worried about the French invasion now, even in the city of Rome, you can hear all kinds of possible future All kinds of worries appeared, but Alexander seemed not to worry about this at all.
This cannot but arouse the Pope's suspicion. After all, looking at what Alexander has done so far, he really hasn't done anything bad.
The pope has noticed that every time he seems to suffer or passively driven by the results of actions, in fact, it will only bring more benefits to himself, and sometimes even his seemingly helpless compromises seem to be behind All kinds of deep meaning.
So what is he going to do this time? He came to Rome to challenge himself?
Alexander VI didn't think that his cheap son-in-law would do such a practical thing.
Sure enough, Alexander looked at the pope in a gentle but extremely firm manner and said, "Your Majesty, Estelles is the Duke of Pisa, and she is also the co-owner of Florence, and I must maintain it both as a father and as the regent of Pisa. Her interests, so at this time anyone who tries to encroach on my daughter ’s territory and rights is my enemy, even Caesar. "
The Pope's expression was dull. He was not surprised how Alexander thought of Caesar's ambitions for Romagna. In fact, since the day when he proactively announced his resignation from the priesthood, many people have known Caesar's strong pursuit of secular power, and he made no secret The move to expand the pope ’s army is further proof of this.
It was just that in Livorno, after Alexander had taught Caesar hard in an almost total destruction, he became more cautious and cautious, which also made people think that the pope ’s son had experienced a frustrating defeat Frustrated, but only Alexander VI knew that the fiasco not only did not frustrate Caesar, but caused him to have greater fighting spirit and ambition.
Alexander's victory made Caesar aware of the shortcomings revealed by the Vatican army, especially the performance of the knights who had made them proud in the war, Caesar couldn't help but doubt their past glory.
Alexander VI remembered Caesar's excitement more than once referring to the deep impressions that Alexander's army left him, which was definitely not the strict discipline that the mercenaries could match, so Caesar seemed to find how to train a strong The trick of the army.
Caesar's ambition for Romagna is very big, he hopes to become the Duke of Romagna, but now it seems that Alexander does not want him to do so.
Alexander VI stood up slowly, and he has inevitably revealed his old appearance in recent years, which makes Alexander suddenly think that he is so disrespectful, even the noisy storms of the city should appear to spoil Julia Farne. Perhaps more is to make others think that he is still in his prime and is not aging.
After all, a healthy pope can make many people who are tempted to have some scruples.
It's just that the pope didn't seem to want to hide the fact that he was old before Alexander.
"Doesn't being a Borgia family satisfy your ambitions?" The pope said slowly. "You can be Caesar's arm. You can help him achieve his ambitions. At the same time, you can achieve your goals. This Is n’t it better, do n’t forget that we are a family.

Looking at the pope's eyes with anticipation, Alexander felt that if he was replaced by someone who didn't understand the Borgia at all, he might really consider that this is indeed a good suggestion. After all, there is a veteran who is a pope. Support is enough to bring him enough benefits.
Just the thought of the family name Bogia, all the excitement turned into a sardonic smile.
"Your Majesty, Caesar wants to be the host of Romagna, and this is absolutely unacceptable to me, so there can be no compromise between us, and you know this, but you still make such suggestions ..."
Speaking of which, Alexander stopped suddenly. He silently looked at the smiling expression on the pope's face, his expression slowly becoming serious.
"Caesar?" Alexander said suddenly as if to ask.
"Yes ~ EbookFREE.me ~ Caesar is here."
Seeing that Alexander finally understood something, Alexander gently waved his hand. As he slowly raised his hand, a concealed small door on the wall of the room slowly opened, and a figure walked out slowly from inside.
The gold pattern embroidered on the dark black cover looks complicated and gorgeous. The belt on a pair of boots tightly wraps some fat crimson drawstring trousers, and the tapered armored sword that Alexander is familiar with on the belt 'S outer sheath patted the outer thigh slightly.
Caesar Borgia held a cute little hat inlaid with a gem in his hand, and seeing the hat, Alexander's pupil shrank instantly.
"Alexander Juliant Gumbre," Caesar slowly walked not far in front of Alexander. His lower lip with this short whisker moved slightly. He saw a gloomy look on Alexander's face and he sighed. You should promise my father, as he said, we are family. But you rejected our good intentions, which is too disappointing, but Lucrecia is always a Borgia, and I ca n’t help but admit you 'S daughter is really cute. "
With that said, Caesar raised the little hat and turned it gently in front of Alexander.