The Arno River flows through the Tuscan land at times and gently at times, the fragrance of flowers wafting from time to time on both sides of the river is refreshing, and the coolness of the river makes the trip much more pleasant and comfortable, and every time you look at the sweaty travelers on the shore, the people on the boat will rise up a certain inexplicable sense of superiority.

Machiavelli stood at the bow of the boat and was swept up by the split water, and then the river flowed down the hull to the back, although sometimes he also pondered the rather esoteric question of whether the river was flowing or the boat beneath him, but he spent more time thinking about something more practical.

It had been some time since he entered the Florentine government, and with his talent and more support from Sazi, Machiavelli quickly established himself in the new government and began to make his mark.

It made him happy, or rather a bit of an unexpected surprise.

As followers of Savonarola, few were able to gain the trust of the new government, and many had to leave their old positions and be placed in trivial places to work, and if nothing changed, their future fate would be doomed.

More people lost their jobs and had to survive on what little savings they had on hand, and with the advent of the new currency in Florence, the situation seemed to improve slightly, but the wealth that had been accumulated was rapidly depreciating under the impact of the new economic system.

Machiavelli really felt lucky, he was grateful to Sazi, after all, it was the consul who gave him new hope, so when Sazi appointed him as a diplomat on a trip to Florence, Machiavelli immediately gladly went to work.

Another reason why Machiavelli was so willing to go to Pisa was that he was still very curious about how Pisa had changed now.

Although it was less than 20 fathomi away, it was a difficult trip for people in this day and age, which is why Machiavelli decided to travel by boat rather than overland.

The influence of Pisa on Florence continues today, perhaps not like the seemingly drastic moves that preceded it, but looking at the many more cargo ships on the river than before, Machiavelli could still feel the influence that was subtle but penetrated into every aspect.

Florence is like a big cake of abundance, barely supported by a pizzar who wields a knife and fork frantically, but like a poor woman who can't escape the ravage, she is allowed to take what the other party wants.

The idea was a bit outlandish, but Machiavelli knew it wasn't wrong.

It was during this time in government that Machiavelli became more aware of what ordinary people did not know.

The Florentine economy seemed to be on the verge of collapse after the previous turmoil and the inaction of the Savonarola era, but it was strange that Florence miraculously persevered, which surprised some who knew a little more about the truth, but did not know much more.

Machiavelli knew that it was because of the intervention of Pisa, the Holy See, and perhaps others.

To be alive is that free trade alliance.

Machiavelli knew about the alliance and had worked on the Pisa Exchange for a living, but although he was also interested in it, he left Pisa before he could learn more.

It's just that the appearance of gold coins issued by the Holy See on the market makes him a little worried, although there are many Florentines who are as worried as him, but they are more concerned that the appearance of this kind of gold coin may make the Holy See's influence on Florence deeper and deeper.

Machiavelli, on the other hand, thought of more, he could smell something different, but he would never tell anyone what he thought.

Machiavelli had his own secrets, and he knew that if the Florentines knew about his private dealings with the Pisa, or that he worked for the Count of Montina, he would probably be imprisoned, but he really couldn't do anything at the time.

From time to time he wrote down the situation in Florence and sent young Sabatini away, and every time Machiavelli did so, he was a little frightened, and his conscience was somewhat disturbed.

He knew that most of what he wrote was unimportant, and that some were even exchanged only as essays and diaries or ordinary letters, so that even if anyone suspected that they had been intercepted, nothing could be seen from them.

But there was some important news, so important that it might affect the future of Florence, or the countermeasures of the big names he didn't know about.

For example, not long ago, he had written about the embarrassment of Florence in a seemingly casual tone, in which he had a very clever disclosure of the fact that there were only 40,000 florins in the Florentine treasury.

It's not a big secret, even a government official who pays the slightest attention can find out, and the Florentine parliament even quarrels about it.

Machiavelli was one of those people, and he even sat in on the quarrelsome meeting, which he then took to heart and wrote in a letter to a friend in Pisa.

Then, not long after, the currency of the Holy See began to increase its circulation in Florence, which made Florence seem to be alive again overnight.

Many businessmen began to rejoice, believing that the most difficult days were behind and that the Florentine market was slowly becoming prosperous.

And the ordinary citizens are finally relieved by the tight days, and even some people who are still secretly nostalgic for the pious and simple life of the Savonaroloola era have to admit that life is better now than before.

It's just that only Machiavelli knows that there are many unknown things behind this boom, and what this will bring to Florence, he still can't see clearly.

Machiavelli was a very utilitarian man, and he knew that everything he was doing now actually came from the Count of Montina, so although he was not loyal, he still wanted to see the Count succeed.

Another reason why he had great expectations for the Count of Montina was that the Count had a daughter with Lucrezia.

Machiavelli, of course, did not think that a daughter would make the Pope look the Count of Montina differently, but Alexander's decision to make his daughter the heir to Pisa saw more than that.

A granddaughter may not be likely to touch Alexander VI's heart harder than marble, but a granddaughter with a Pisa inheritance is different.

If this granddaughter's territory can have a huge impact on Florence, a place that has always been a place for the pope, then this granddaughter's place in the heart of Alexander VI should be a little special.

In his utilitarian mind, Machiavelli always believed that this opportunity had to be seized.

So when he heard that he was going to be sent to Florence, Machiavelli was unusually positive, even expectant.

The Florentine man standing at the bow of the ship was constantly thinking about what had happened during this time, both good and bad, and his mind was very broad, sometimes jumping up and down on different things, and then combining several things that were not originally related.

The ship was not large and was mostly loaded with cargo.

Despite the turmoil in the market, some mainland merchants were willing to ship goods from the Arno River to Pisa via Florence, which at least kept the Florentine market from being so bad as to the point of depression.

The sound of horses' hooves came from the right side of the riverbank, and even from the boats there were many people who could be heard from the rumbling sound.

The people on the ship couldn't help but look to the shore, people are always very sensitive in turbulent times, although the war is more about the lords and nobles killing each other, but the examples of ordinary people being innocently affected are still not new, if you encounter some stragglers in the war or corrupt mercenaries, travelers can often only choose between saving their lives and ruining their fortunes.

But fortunately, they were on the boat, and many people were so secretly glad at this time, and at the same time they showed sympathetic eyes to those who were running in all directions on the shore, and no one laughed at others at this time, because no one could guarantee that it would not be themselves who fled like this next time.

The group came quickly, and when they first appeared, they were still far away on the slope, and then soon they came down the slope to the shore.

The men on the horse shouted loudly, and although they couldn't hear it for a moment, they seemed to be asking the ship to come to the shore.

All eyes were on the owner, who looked at Machiavelli.

On this ship, Machiavelli's status is undoubtedly the highest, and even the owner of the ship cannot help but want him to make a decision.

Machiavelli looked closely at the cavalry on the shore, which was not too far from Pisa, and at this time, a cavalry suddenly appeared, which made Machiavelli feel a little strange.

The men were still shouting, and they seemed to be louder.

Suddenly, Machiavelli's body trembled imperceptibly, and he noticed a flag.

It was the red cross of the Genoese.

Genoa was at war with Montina, which was the most important event in Tuscany and Romagna.

Suddenly seeing the Genoese flag, Machiavelli realized the danger without even thinking twice.

Or rather, the danger that Pisa is about to face.

These cavalry were apparently scouts, and if they were not mistaken, they would have been followed by a large number of Genoese.

As far as Machiavelli knew, Lucrezia and the daughter of the count, who was said to be called Estelles, were now in Pisa!

A layer of sweat rose up the Florentine man's back, and he even felt a little cold on his back when the river breeze blew him.

"What shall we do, City Councilor?" The shipowner asked impatiently.

"Dock."

Machiavelli replied instinctively, and he didn't know why, but there was a voice in his heart urging him to know where these Genoese people came from.

Reluctantly, the owner beckoned the guys to head the boat toward the shore.

Since it was not a dock, the boat stopped a little far from the shore, and the people on board could not help but be a little apprehensive when they looked at the Genoese who had jumped off their horses and splashed the cool water on their bodies while beckoning them to come closer.

Although most of the time the army will not do anything terrible, but if you are unlucky, you may still encounter some murderous guys, especially some small groups of mercenaries, those people do not have to worry about a bad reputation after doing bad things, for them as long as they change their appearance and then attach themselves to those large mercenary chambers of commerce, there will still be people willing to hire them.

Therefore, the behavior of mercenaries and part-time robbers is not new in this era, and even this has become some kind of tacit understanding.

This is one of the reasons why Machiavelli hated the mercenary system, and even in his opinion, the massive use of mercenaries is precisely the source of the turmoil in a country.

But now the Florentine man did not have time to recall the magnum opus he was working on, and as he walked up the river bank with the restless people, he noticed a cavalryman jumping on his horse and running back towards the slope.

Is this going to report to the team behind you?

Machiavelli was glad that at least the ship's contents would not be looted first, and then his own people would be brutally killed, but at the same time he couldn't help but be a little anxious to know the origin and details of these Genoese.

The sudden appearance of the Genoese near Pisa made Machiavelli, who thought of Lucrezia's mother and son, immediately realize the seriousness of the situation.

"They're all merchants," said a Genoese soldier to his companions, unconcerned, "and get them all out of the way, the general might use the ships." ”

Hearing this, the soldiers began to urge the people on the shore to gather to the side, although their movements were not very rude, but their attitudes were by no means good, and some soldiers kept urging because they thought that the people in front of them were slow.

Machiavelli was thrust from behind, and his feet slipped, but he didn't fall.

But this act seemed to infuriate him, and despite the dissuasion of the servant next to him, he turned to the Genoese who had pushed him in a loud protest: "Be respectful to me, I am a Florentine official, a diplomat sent by the Florentine consul!" ”

Machiavelli's surprise attracted the attention of the Genoese, and the leading soldier approached in surprise, who looked at Machiavelli suspiciously, then whispered an order to the soldier, and turned to leave.

"Hey, you!"

Machiavelli suddenly shouted loudly to the leading soldier, and he stepped forward to walk over, but was stopped by an oncoming soldier holding a hand on his chest.

"Genoese, who is your general, go and tell him that Machiavelli of Florence is here, and that I am going to meet him."

The Genoese soldier who was leading the group turned again, his gaze staring fiercely at Machiavelli's face for a moment, and then greeted his companion next to him.

"Bring him here, maybe this man is really a Florence diplomat," he said as he looked at Machiavelli, who had been pushed in front of him, "but if you're lying, I promise I'll hang you with my own hands." ”

Machiavelli ignored the soldier's threat, and after him mounted an empty mount, led by the Genoese soldier, he drove up the slope in the direction of an old river channel far away from the riverbank.

Machiavelli was anxious and confused, and he couldn't tell why he insisted on risking his hand to meet the Genoese commander, but he wanted to know the purpose of the Genoese as soon as possible.

Even for the sake of Florence, he had to know what was going to happen.

The presence of Genoese troops near Pisa surprised Machiavelli not only as a surprise but also as a source of great unease.

Of course he knew that Genoa was at war with Montina, and now that the Genoese had come to Pisa, what was happening to the Count of Montina?

Machiavelli's throat grew dry at the thought that Alexander might have been defeated, or that he might have met with misfortune, and he knew that his current success in Florence was in fact inextricably linked to the count.

Machiavelli was anxious to know what was going on in Genoa, and though he knew it was risky, there was a voice in his heart urging him to do so.

Machiavelli knew that it was not because of conscience, but of pure utilitarianism.

If Alexander's defeat or even the unexpected happens, it will be a huge suspense whether his daughter will be able to inherit Pisa, and some may even question Estles' origins.

But even so, as long as Estelles was the daughter of Lucrezia and the granddaughter of Alexander VI, then her future was not destined to be mediocre.

And with Alexander VI's near-known greed, he could not afford to pass up an opportunity to take Pisa for himself.

So what if the Count of Montina didn't have an accident? What will happen?

Just thinking about what he had heard about Alexander's affection for Lucrezia and his daughter, Machiavelli felt that the risk was definitely worth it, and that it would be rewarded.

They did not go far, and after about 1 fata further along the hollow slope formed by the old river, Machiavelli saw an army.

It was indeed a Genoese, and he quickly recognized the Genoese emblem from the striking cross on a white background, and he also saw many half-high wooden shields with a half-height wooden shield raised in the middle of his back, and on the shield were soldiers with heavy-looking steel crossbows, which was the characteristic dress of Genoese crossbowmen.

Machiavelli secretly told himself to be calm, he was a Florentine and a diplomat, and the Genoese would not treat him badly.

The soldier walked ahead and inquired about the general's whereabouts, but this made Machiavelli tell that the Genoese army seemed to have just arrived, and from the way the soldiers replied, he guessed that they must have arrived here after a long journey.

Perhaps there was still a chance, Machiavelli secretly told himself that he didn't really know what to do, but the suspicion that the Genoese had just arrived here gave him a glimmer of hope.

The figures of several officers in the distance caught Machiavelli's attention, and he knew that among them there must be Genoese generals.

Sure enough, the soldier led him towards the officers.

When they were very close, Machiavelli happened to hear a Genoese general standing in the middle giving orders to the others.

"Although I know that the soldiers are tired, delaying will only work against us, so I have decided to take the pizza before it gets dark today!"