Vol 6 Chapter 106: Gathering in Sicily

A Venetian ship with a gold lion and gold lion flag stopped slowly at the anchorage not far from Palermo port.
As a small boat was lowered, a group of passengers climbed down the ladder, and the boat was slowly rowing towards the port.
A gorgeously-dressed man sat at the corner of the boat, and the sea breeze blew his hat's back eaves, hulling, revealing his already gray and thin hair.
The man under the cloak held a very strong wooden box tightly in his hands. The corners of the box were wrapped around the corners of the metal. A solid lock was hung on it, and the key was hung on the man's chest with a rope.
When the boat docked, the passengers on the same boat hurriedly climbed ashore, but the man seemed to be in no hurry. He first stood up and looked at the shore with the help of a servant next to him, and then got off the boat carefully.
A man on the shore wearing a short jacket and half-length pants saw the man immediately greet him, and after whispering his name, the Venetian, who had been waiting for a long time, whispered to the guests: "Sir, you may not immediately I saw the Duke of Gonzalo because the Duke went hunting in the wild. "
The man looked at the Venetian unexpectedly. He came with an important mission, but now he was told that the man he was eager to see went hunting, which disappointed him and made him more anxious.
"Then Governor Flamenza, can I see the Governor first?" Although the man wanted to calm himself down, his eagerness to know the answer still revealed his anxiety.
The greeted person shook his head slightly helplessly and said, "Sorry, the Governor is also very busy now. He is making various arrangements for the arrival of the Aragon Army. We have reported to him before that you may be here in the near future, but according to The people around the Governor say you still need to wait for the Governor ’s summons. "
The man showed annoyance and disappointment on his face. Although he knew it would not be so smooth this time, the arrogance of the Aragonese still made him unhappy, but his dissatisfaction could only be tolerated in his heart, because he had an important mission this time .
"Is there any way I can see the governor as soon as possible?" The man asked with a somber look. "Anything will do, as long as I can see people as soon as possible."
"It seems that there is a way to be a tailor," the men said. "This person has a wide range of people and has a good relationship with many nobles. Maybe he can speak."
"Then find this person." The man walked a heavy purse from his servant's belt and threw it to his hand. "Hurry up, I can't wait."
Nodded under his hands and then waved to the distance, a carriage waiting by the road slowly walked over.
Watching the man get into the carriage and go away, he pulled the drawstring of the purse under his hand, and watched the shiny gold coins inside heaved his hands: "Adherence to the Lord."
In 1463, the Ottoman Empire launched a war that eroded the overseas colonies of Venice, a powerful Mediterranean country, from the sea.
At that time, no one knew that this intermittent war would last for a long time. Time and time again, Venice would lose its national power because of the war with the Ottoman Empire, which lasted longer than the Hundred Years' War, and finally led to the emptiness of the treasury and was dragged into the abyss of decay.
The benefits of the first plunder from the Venetian War since 1463 gave the Ottomans a taste of sweetness. They suddenly discovered that the Mediterranean colonies that had been operated by Venice for many years could become their springboards for gradually pressing the west coast of the Mediterranean, from an island. To another island, from one sea area to another, as long as it goes on, they will one day be able to blockade Venice, which once dominated the Mediterranean Sea, in the narrow long bay of Adriatic, and finally complete them completely. Catch up with land, so that Ottoman's fleet can span the entire Mediterranean.
So after 1463, the Ottomans ceased their erosion of Venice ’s once maritime power. From just over 30 years from Mohammed II to Bayesert II, the Ottoman fleet moved from the Mediterranean they occupied. Starting from all corners of the city, large and small attacks were launched towards the coast of continental Europe.
However, these attacks have never been so deadly. Ottomans sometimes dispatched their own fleets. Sometimes they instructed the pirates they bought to take the lead. They kept attacking the European merchant ships, and they also found opportunities to attack the isolation. The colonial island of the helpless Venetians. After more than 30 years of continuous wars of this magnitude, it has finally evolved into the largest maritime invasion to date.
Beginning in April 1498, the Ottoman Empire gradually assembled a strong fleet in the Mediterranean. This is by far the largest combat force in the Mediterranean, compared with the historically famous Persian invasion of Greece. The navy of the Crusaders ’Expedition to the Holy Land seemed insignificant.
This fleet was established under the supervision of Bayesert II, whether it was a new ship just launched or a repaired old ship, or those who were not long ago pirates, but are now soldiers of the Ottoman Navy, All the purpose is only for one, that is to seize control of the Mediterranean from the Venetians.
The Venetians are very savvy. This can be seen from the fact that although they are only a city-state, they have not only accumulated amazing wealth, but have also long-termed the vast sea between Eurasia as the Mediterranean hegemon.
The Venetians are well aware of their situation. The Adriatic Sea deep into the bay formed their gift to protect themselves. As long as the Adriatic Sea ’s access to the Mediterranean Sea is firmly controlled, Venice does not have to worry about the mainland being exposed to the Threat.
But the same is the Adriatic Sea, which has also become the bottleneck of Venice ’s entry into the Mediterranean Sea. If a powerful enemy blocks the Adriatic Sea ’s gateway from the sea, the Venetians will be firmly sealed in this long In the bay.
Therefore, the Venetians began to develop outwards very early. In addition to sending out fleets to fight against any enemies that may appear, the Venetian governments throughout the past will use rich business opportunities and various rewards to encourage merchants to actively develop overseas. colony.
Venice ’s intention was to build a series of long outposts deep in the Mediterranean Sea to ensure that the homeland would not be blocked by strong enemies.
The strategy of Venice has been going smoothly for more than a century. Whether it is facing East Rome, which was once restored to its former glory, or the rapidly rising Arab Empire in Asia, the Venetians ’intention to protect their maritime interests has never changed. However, even during this period, they have suffered some setbacks, but they have always been able to firmly grasp the status of the maritime supremacy of the Mediterranean Line.
But this time, the Venetian really felt threatened!
The messengers from Venice began to appear in many European courts. Their requirements were simple. They hoped to form alliances with countries that can help them. Even Genoa, who was a long-time enemy, ushered in their lobbyists, although they knew that they would form alliances with the Genoese. It ’s almost an idiot to talk about dreams, but the Venetian governor Barbarig still hopes to persuade the Genoese to temporarily abandon the years of hatred between the two sides, and do n’t stab him from behind when Venice is fighting the pagans with all its might.
The biggest aid Venice can count on comes from Aragon and Sicily.
Regarding the invasion in Naples, Venice was very concerned but concerned about when the Aragon sent troops. As early as the first half of the year, when it was determined that the Ottomans had indeed decided to launch the invasion, he sent a messenger to Aragon for reasons. Once the Ottomans control the West Coast, Sicily will inevitably be invaded.
This statement seemed to move Ferdinand. In the ensuing small half year, although Aragon did not clearly indicate that he would send troops to support, but the Venetians could feel it, it was actually because the price was not negotiated.
When the French invaded Naples, many people were concerned about the fate of the Kingdom of Naples, and the Venetians were concerned about when Aragon would send reinforcements, because this willingness to assist Naples is likely to become a strong support for Venice.
It's just that the development of the matter was somewhat beyond Babarig's expectations. The Naples court in exile Billy Shelly suddenly declared war on Sicily, and according to the information returned by the people who stayed in Naples in Venice, the French seem to have compromised with Naples in secret. Signs.
Babarig was unable to sit still, and he sent a messenger to Sicily.
With nearly 10,000 Aragonese troops stationed in Sicily, this is a force that cannot be ignored.
Sitting on the carriage, looking at the shadow of the large castle in the distance, the Venetian messenger wondered how to convince the Aragonese.
When Charles VIII invaded Italy for the first time in 1495, Gonzalo was ordered to lead the Aragonese army to assist Naples.
From the initial battle defeat to the defeat of the French in less than a year, and even forced Charles VIII to rush out of Italy, Gonzalo became the most dazzling star in this war.
At that time, Gonzalo's army was even smaller than this time.
The messenger was a little excited to think of these feelings, if it could prompt the Aragonese to send troops, it would be great for Venice.
At this time, the messenger was a bit looking forward to the very tailor-made tailor who was talking about not being worthy of the name. After all, the situation facing Venice today is really serious.
Whether Gonzalo would accept the suggestions he brought, or other requirements, these made the messenger unsure, and the attitude of Sicilian Governor Flamenza was what really worried him.
As far as the Venetian knows, Flamenza seems to have little enthusiasm for supporting Venice, and several emissaries sent to Aragon in Venice have visited the Governor halfway through Sicily, hoping to get the Governor ’s first by explaining the current situation. In support, the Venetians were disappointed to find that Flamenza's attitude was unexpectedly cold.
Even if the messengers stated to him the interest, and pointed out that once Venice ’s colony at sea fell, Sicily would likely be the next target of the Ottomans, but Flamenza still lacked interest in alliance with Venice, and it did n’t last long It has been rumored from the upper level of Venice that this Sicilian powerful Aragon king's petty minister seems to be very hostile to the Venetians.
Because of his anxiety, when the carriage entered Palermo, the Venetian emissaries did not pay attention to a small team that entered the city with him almost at the same time.
Alexander was slightly dissatisfied with the conversation with Bochum.
After the accident when he first met, Bochum calmed down quickly. Although it is not known why Alexander appeared suddenly in Palermo, I can think of the current situation of tension between the two Sicily. Understand his current situation.
But Bochum was obviously not stupid. After making sure that Alexander didn't seem to want to hurt him, he immediately showed enough smoothness.
He first talked about his current situation, and then he told Alexander very simply that he was "helpful" to rescue Count Modillo.
"Count, I ca n’t help you. I ca n’t even command a small part of the Palermo Defence Force. Governor Flamenza does n’t trust me, and what you want to save is a very important person, Flamen. Saza took care of him very tightly, and I didn't even really see him. "
Bochum tried to prove to Alexander that he was right, and at the same time he inevitably looked at Alexander with curiosity.
He has always been curious about all the rumors about Alexandria, although he has boasted to others more than once that he is old acquaintance with the Earl of Montina, but when he really saw Alexandria again, he only realized that he had completely denied This "partner" who once quelled that turmoil together.
And he also realized that if he did not agree to the conditions proposed by the count, what would be waiting for him.
But what made Bochum finally compromise was the promise Alexander made to him.
A large sum of remuneration was enough to make the now less well-organized city defense army captain tempted, not only to pay such a sum of money after the promise was made, but also to take him and his people away from Sicily. Hung finally agreed to ignore the move of Alexander.
"I can only do this. I can bring your people into the castle and pretend to know nothing, but if you want me to help you save the count, it is impossible."
Although such a promise was not very satisfying to Alexander, he was not overly demanding.
Like Camuri, the sudden arrival of the Aragonese army had a huge deterrent to the Sicilians. Bochum was able to make such a commitment at this time, because the price Alexander was willing to pay was too tempting for him. ~ Www.EbookFREE.me ~ But Bochum obviously hasn't turned his mind to the point where he was willing to take the risk and was completely involved. For him, even if he failed, Alexander might not be worried about his life.
As for the sale of Alexander to Flamenza, Bochum had not thought about it, but when he heard that the son who had just been born not long ago is now in this village, Bochum finally gave up the last one completely. Snack thinking.
He had to promise to bring the Balkan soldiers who followed him back in the name of recruitment into the city, and at this time the only thing he was counting on was Alexander ’s plan not to make any mistakes.
Maybe everything went well, and it won't take long to take a sum of money to take the whole family away, and now Bochum can only comfort himself so much.
All of this fell into the eyes of Krian who had been secretly following Alexander.
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