Kotschach finally understood what Alexander meant, and he knew that the worst thing he had been fearing would not happen.

Alexander would not use his special relationship with him as a threat to force Kotschach to do things that would damage his family and his own reputation, because there was now a greater threat to Maximian I.

"You don't need to do anything special, just give these things to the emperor." Alexander said to the palace minister, looking at Kotschakh, who was only looking through the accounts, Alexander smiled lightly, he knew that the palace minister was probably not in the mood to listen to what he said at this time.

The chamber of commerce of the free trade association has developed well in the German city-states in recent years, and many people have tasted the sweetness from it, although it is said that as more and more regions join the trade zone, it will inevitably lead to the gradual saturation of the market, but in fact, the areas that can enter the free trade zone are always a minority.

In addition to the huge scope of Europe and the large number of cities, there is also the expansion of the scale of the free trade zone alliance, and the conditions for joining the alliance have gradually become more stringent.

Unlike in Italy, which is actively absorbing people from all over the world for expansion, when the free trade zone develops to the German region, it is already a scale, so the people who can join it are gradually expanding from ordinary areas and chambers of commerce to those cities and businessmen with strong financial resources and deep backgrounds or unique geographical advantages.

As a result, many chambers of commerce have an inseparable relationship with the local government, and some local governments are heavily dependent on those chambers of commerce that belong to the trade alliance. The merchants of the trade alliance continued to send through the Carolingian of the Vatican to certain people they knew or did not know about the financial accounts of the German city-states and the Archduchy of Austria over the years.

It was these accounts, which were worthless in the eyes of many, that were put together, classified, transcribed, and compiled, and when finally in Alexander's hands, he came to the conclusion that the Austrian financial crisis, which had become worse because of poor management, had brought Maximian I to the brink of bankruptcy.

"The emperor can no longer afford to support his army, and even his treasury can no longer maintain four months' military salaries." Alexander said to Kotschakh with a smile.

This time the palace minister did not refute, because he had already seen a series of numbers from the ledger, and compared with his impression of the emperor's current army and the salary that needed to be paid, he could also know that what Alexander said was actually right.

"But there are the spoils of Milan," said Kotschach, who wanted to struggle a little longer, and looked up at Alexander, "Those things are enough for 500,000 florins, and maybe more, enough money to last a little longer, even until the autumn tax is collected." ”

Looking at Gong Xiang's slightly excited expression, Alexander put his hands together and pressed his fingertips against his chin and looked at him silently.

The look on Kotschach's face slowly became solemn, and he picked up the wooden stool and sat down to look at Alexander as well: "Say what you want to say, I know you won't have this as much as you want." ”

"My lord, you should know that the Free Trade Alliance is very strong," Alexander decided to have a complete showdown, "Since I have decided to meddle in the affairs of Lombardy, then I will never give up halfway, so please do not doubt my determination, in this case I am ready for everything." I can tell you that if the Emperor does not accept my proposal, then I will use the power of the Trade Alliance to declare war on him! ”

"What did you say?!"

Kotschach stood up again, he looked at Alexander in disbelief, he could not have imagined that he would say such a thing.

"Yes, it's a declaration of war, we all know the role of trade unions, it can bring great wealth but also bring disaster, imagine what would happen if those German city-states suddenly became chaotic, people would find that they could not buy food overnight, they would suddenly notice that their coins were devalued because of the change in the ratio of exchange with other places, and your emperor would be worried all day long because he received the interest bill of the previous loan, don't expect to solve the problem by defaulting on the debt, I am not one of those Jews, It's not the unlucky Fogel family, if he dares to rely on my fight, I can make a deal with Louis, and I believe the French are still willing to deal with me. And look at the accounts, for the Emperor is a great debtor, and owes money to the Low Countries, and even to the Hanseatic League, and if he dares to repay his debts with me, I can assure you that Austria will never again want to borrow a florin from anywhere in Europe, unless he goes to the Ottomans to borrow money. ”

Kotschach listened to Alexander, and he knew that Alexander was indeed not threatening him, but telling a fact.

As Alexander said, the more he learned about the trade union, the more fearful Kotschach became, and the behemoth, which had grown unwittingly, had become a formidable monster, so much so that the palace minister no longer knew how far this huge economic kingdom with no borders but no corners seemed to exist.

Kotschach believed that Alexander's words were true, and if Maximian really dared to repay his debts, Alexander would dare to let him taste the power of the Free Trade Alliance, and as far as he knew, the emperor had indeed borrowed a lot of money from Flanders and the Hanseatic League, and now it seems that all this has a deep relationship with Alexander.

"Grogenen?" The palace minister suddenly remembered the lowland merchant from the north, and thought of his lowland port called Rotterdam that was very rich, but Kotschach did not feel envy as before, but felt deep fear.

It is clear that Alexander had a more or less connection with the emperor's creditors, a connection that may not be visible in normal times, but can be a lethal weapon at a critical moment.

Seeing that Alexander just nodded and didn't make a sound, but Gong Xiang had already calmed down from his excitement, he tapped the account book in his hand lightly with his hand, and quickly estimated the current situation in his heart.

Alexander did not bother the minister, because he believed that Kotschach would be able to see the situation clearly.

After a long time, Kotschach put the ledger away, and he looked at Alexander a little tiredly, and filled a spoonful of hot ginger wine from the jar on the campfire into his cup: "I will report this to the Emperor, but you must know that even if your conditions are accepted, it will anger the Emperor, and you should know what it means to you." ”

Alexander smiled lightly, the Emperor's anger seemed a little terrible to hear, but as long as he thought about the troubles that Maximian himself would face next, he didn't need to feel worried.

Kotschach's mission was clearly quite different from what he had previously imagined.

In the courtier's view, the mission should have been difficult, and with what he knew about Alexander, whether the mission was successful or not, he was bound to go through a potentially exhausting negotiation that would not result until the last minute.

But to the surprise of the palace minister, Alexander went from refusing to see him all the time, to suddenly agreeing to meet him, to throwing such a terrible thing, it seemed that all this had changed too quickly.

It's as if he'd been waiting for something before, and then he suddenly wanted to see him after he had an answer.

Since Kotschach had such a suspicion in his heart, he couldn't help but start paying attention to the people around Alexander, he didn't know who brought Alexander what made him suddenly decide to see him, but for a while the palace minister couldn't inquire about anything.

It wasn't until two days later, when Kotschakh decided to take his leave and return to Alexandria, taking advantage of the sunny weather, that he heard the news that made his eyes drop.

The Duke of Milan, Ludvico Sforza, publicly declared his willingness to accept the Count of Montina as mediator in the Milan dispute, and announced that he would participate in the Lombard peace talks proposed by Alexander in response to the appeal of the Count of Montina.

Kotschach swore that when he heard the news, he could only describe his anger as angry, and he broke into Alexander's room at the University of Pavia, despite the guards' obstruction, and even when he saw a woman in the room, the palace minister completely forgot the minimum etiquette, but rushed to Alexander's table and waved his fist at him fiercely to express his anger: "All this is your premeditation, right, you sent that Ulliu to Milan, and you dragged me here, and even showed me the Austrian financial accounts." , have you ever thought about what the emperor would think of me if I went back and reported to the emperor like this, and even tried to persuade the emperor to accept your conditions, you betrayed me! ”

"No, my lord, I helped, or rather saved, you." Alexander waved his hand to signal the guards who followed to withdraw, and at the same time he politely apologized to Gina, who was hastily putting away a large volume of various human body structure sketches on the table, and when there were only two people left in the room, Alexander walked around the table and walked to the palace minister, "Do you think I don't know how embarrassing your exit is in the Vienna court now, your position is not secure, there are too many people trying to replace you, and you have nothing else to do but find a few rich Jews for the emperor to provide him with money for the war," Speaking of this, Alexander propped his hands on the table behind him and sat up, "In fact, those Jews also work for me, so tell me how do you want to keep your throne?" ”

Kotschach looked at Alexander angrily, of course he knew that these were the facts, but he could not accept these words being spoken by Alexander: "Then you want to be like this, knowing that my family has served Austria for four generations, do you want to tell me what to do?" ”

"I feel like you're missing an opportunity to really make everyone aware of your abilities," Alexander dragged his chin and looked at the palace minister, "Imagine how grateful you would be if you helped the Emperor out of the predicament of the moment, and this peace talk is such an opportunity, you can become the Emperor's benefactor, and he should even kiss your hand instead of the cheek for everything you do." ”

Gong Xiang showed a look of disbelief, of course he knew that Alexander's words were just a description, of course the king could not kiss his hand, but looking at Alexander's serious appearance, Gong Xiang couldn't help but wonder if he still had something that could surprise him and didn't take it out.

"My lord, persuade the Emperor to agree to my possession of the Iron Crown, and my right to intervene in the Lombardy region," Alexander stepped down from the table and walked up to Kotschach, leaning forward and whispering in his ear, "for I can assure you that in the next six months something will happen that will be enough for everyone to recognize your wisdom and courage." ”

"What will happen?" Kotschach asked nervously, noting that Alexander was speaking of wisdom and courage, which made him feel a little inappropriate, but the prospect Alexander described to him attracted him.

"Don't you think that perhaps the English would not want to see Louis succeed in Rome? Don't forget, although almost 50 years have passed since the war between Britain and France, but more than 100 years have been going on in that war, do you think the British will forgive this old enemy so quickly? ”

Kotschach slowly calmed down, and he looked at Alexander with suspicion and inquiry: "Do you think the British will go to war?" ”

"It's not that I think, but as far as I know, Ferdinand of Aragon has sent someone to ask for help from England, and you know that with their relationship it is very likely that they will succeed in convincing Henry VIII, and by that time how much chance do you think Louis will have?"

"Where did you get this news from?" Kotschach's breathing began to grow rapid, in fact, the news was not just as simple as it sounded like they had an extra reinforcement on the surface, in fact, there was so much involved behind the news.

If the news is conclusive, it means that the Aragonese are no longer satisfied with supporting and opposing France, but have the possibility of gaining more benefits in Italy, and they do not hesitate to lobby the British for this, which shows Ferdinand's ambitions.

This could not but attract the attention of Kotschach, who thought that the emperor did not know about it now, and Kotschach felt that his opportunity might really come.

Even if he and Ferdinand are in-laws, when it comes to entanglements of interests, the palace minister believes that Maximian I will only make a choice that is beneficial to him without hesitation, so if he can help the emperor occupy a favorable situation in Lombard affairs at this time, this merit alone is enough to make those who covet his palace throne retreat.

It's just that this news is reliable, which makes Kotschach suspicious, after all, it is not only related to the future of the Kotschach family, but also related to Austria's interests in Lombardy and Italy as a whole, which makes the palace minister hesitate.

"Believe me, these news are coming from the court of Aragon, and don't forget the accounts you have seen, because you should know that some of the news is not a secret to me, and even if it is not true, do you think that the emperor will refuse my terms after knowing his own poor financial situation?"

This last sentence touched the palace minister, he knew that Alexander was right, and the emperor could no longer refuse Alexander after knowing that he was facing the dilemma of bankruptcy, so there was really no need for him to make up a lie that the British were about to intervene in the Italian war, since this news was likely to be true.

"I'll have to get on my way as soon as the weather is good," Kotschach said, glancing at Alexander, and then lowering his voice as well, "what do you think Ferdinand wants to do?" ”

"At least his ambition is big enough to make a lot of people uncomfortable."

Kotschach glanced at Alexander again quietly, and although he was noncommittal about his answer, Alexander saw something meaningful in the palace minister's gaze.

The snow had finally ceased after several days, and in the thick snow a small group of Montina cavalry was ready to go, and when Kotschach appeared, they mounted their horses, and after saluting the Oflaiyi, who had seen him off, the messengers set out in the thick snow on the way they came.

Alexander did not go to the palace, but was looking carefully at some of the human anatomy drawings that Gina had sent him, which were said to have been sent to her by the teachers of the Pavia Medical College, because they had heard that Gina seemed to be on good terms with the Count, so they wanted to impress Alexander with these things, so that they could get more money from him.

Seeing Ofleiil returning from his send-off, Alexander straightened up from the table.

"My lord, do you think the palace minister believes anything about the British?" Offrey asked a little worriedly.

"Does it matter?" Alexander glanced meaningfully at the marching captain.

That look was quite similar to when Kotschach looked at him before.