Nomelo did not stop at Bisado, and he had to rush back to Rome as soon as possible to report the news he had just received to the Pope.

The secretary, however, was a man of good faith, and he told Alexander about his encounter with Machiavelli on the road, and at the same time made a request for the Florentines to be summoned alone.

Alexander was a little surprised, of course he didn't know that Machiavelli had a ghost in his heart, and in his memory the Florentine man must have been very good at the wind and the rudder, so he felt a little strange that he had entrusted Nomelo to ask for an audience.

Machiavelli certainly had something to worry about, for what he thought was an opportunity to win the Count's favor in helping Pisa resolve the crisis had almost turned out to be a major event that would disgrace the Count and possibly even threaten his life.

This was enough to make Machiavelli nervous, and to make matters worse, what happened in Pisa made him feel as if he was involved in some terrible conspiracy, especially since the kidnapping of the Venetians even led to Tomneo's death, which made Machiavelli worry about whether he could explain his previous actions.

So when he came to the Lucrezia Palace with trepidation, he didn't have the spirit he had when he first arrived in Pisa, and he had to secretly sigh in his heart, he still remembered very clearly what he looked like when he first met Alexander and Lucrezia, and he would never have thought of this scene at that time.

Machiavelli still wore the crimson robe he usually liked, although he didn't want to admit it, but in his heart he always felt that crimson was closer to purple than any other color, and his greatest dream in life was to wear a purple robe one day.

Alexander was still very enthusiastic when he met Machiavelli, and he didn't really care about this big thinker who had a mixed reputation in later generations, but because he mixed well in Florence, Alexander wanted to know more about this man.

"I heard that the Venetians are negotiating with Florence, and that Nomelo told me, and I wonder why you would reveal such an important matter to the Pope's secretary?"

Alexander was really a little strange, he had the impression that Machiavelli was still very loyal to Florence, and it may be a bit too much to call him a national supremacy, but at least he should not be the one who betrayed Florentine's interests.

However, this man surprisingly revealed some details about Venice's collusion with Florence to Nomerlo, and when Nomelo told him this, Alexander began to think that the Florentines were deliberately lying.

However, when he heard that the Venetians were going to take out a loan from Florence, Alexander thought that what he said was probably true.

The Venetians were no less attached to Romagna than they were to Genoa or Caesar later, and in some places even more intense, and although they devoted most of their energies to the sea, they knew very well that if the prosperity of maritime trade could not be based on the opening of inland markets, then perhaps the more prosperous the trade, the higher the costs and costs they would have to bear.

Because of this, the Venetians did not hesitate to make enemies of Genoa, Milan, the Holy See, France and the Emperor in Vienna.

In short, Alexander always felt that the Venetians were like African honey badgers who were so energetic that they dared to provoke lions, and in their eyes there was no compromise, only confrontation.

As for their war with the Ottomans, Alexander thought it was not so incomprehensible, after all, the Ottomans posed too much threat to them at sea, and if this threat could not be removed, then the maritime empire that the Venetians were so proud of would fall apart, and then the decline of Venice would begin.

"A lot of money," Machiavelli had been pondering how to explain the accident to the Count, and now seeing that Alexander was very interested in the affairs of Florence, he decided to put the explanation aside for a moment, "I think the Venetians must have wanted to take this opportunity to have a greater influence on Florence, you know since the abbot...... After that, Florence did not have an easy time. ”

Alexander knew that the abbot Machiavelli was talking about was obviously not Massimo, and while sensing the influence of Savonarola on the city, he also realized that Sazzi's rule over Florence still seemed to be unstable.

"The consuls want help from the Genoese?"

"Yes, I have never been at ease with the Holy See Sazi, after all, the Medici family has a deep influence in the Vatican."

"So when will this loan be cashed in?" Alexander didn't take up the topic of the Medici family, and he was a little reluctant to mention it now, for the thought of Giulio Medici's whimsical idea made him feel a little uncomfortable.

It felt like someone was going to suddenly snatch his daughter out of his arms.

It did not surprise Alexander that Sazi sought the help of the Venetians, but one need only look back at history to show that Florence's relations with the Holy See were always bad.

Whether it was Medici, Savonarola, or later the republican government, the attitude of all Florentines was surprisingly unanimous in their opposition to the Pope, despite the fierce fighting between the Florentines.

This strange phenomenon did not change until Giovanni de Medici became pope, but that was many years later.

Although Florence seems to have eased relations with the Holy See, in fact, there is a dark current between the two sides, and conflict may break out at any time.

"But why are you telling us this?" Alexander asked.

"My lord, Pisa and Florence are brothers, but they are complete outsiders to the Venetians," Machiavelli tried to make his words sound credible, "in fact I would rather see Florence surrender to the sword of Pisa than bow to the Venetians' gold coins." ”

Looking at Machiavelli's face, Alexander was tempted to say that he really believed him, but in the end he gave up the effort.

"Well, tell me exactly what happened, and I wonder why you have to be alone, only the Venetian thing won't let you do it."

Machiavelli's face showed a hint of embarrassment, or he deliberately wanted to gain sympathy, but because he had been thinking about it for a long time, he tried to be as careful as possible to tell what happened to Calgino, and what happened afterward.

Alexander looked at Machiavelli in amazement, he had always thought that his luck was good, but now he suddenly felt that his luck had become surprisingly good since he met this man.

"You're saying you tricked Cardino into changing his mind about attacking Pisa?"

"That's your lord, but I really didn't expect you to happen to you."

"And who are the Bohemians who are in the field to fight back against me?"

"That's Cargielno, please believe me, my lord, I will not have any hostility towards you, everything I do is for your interests."

Machiavelli felt that he needed to explain it well, or the Count might be annoyed by the previous setback.

Alexander listened with interest to Machiavelli's account, sometimes interrupting to ask a few questions, sometimes asking the same question over and over again.

Machiavelli did not know that this seemingly tireless inquiry was actually a test of the truth of his words, but fortunately he was almost always telling the truth, except for the little unknown thought in his own heart, and he told the whole thing frankly.

When he finally recounted the story in its entirety, the Florentine seemed to exhale slightly.

Alexander was certainly not fooled by this little trick, he knew that Machiavelli must have said something else to him, but the whole story probably would not be very different, because even if he were lying, he would not have made up such an almost absurd reason.

And thinking about Calgino's strange behavior, Alexander really couldn't think of a more plausible explanation.

Alexander looked at Machiavelli curiously, he knew that this man would write several famous books in the future, and this man's fascination with intrigue and domination was well known, perhaps because of this, Alexander's opinion of Machiavelli was actually not very good.

He had always felt that this man was too keen on utilitarianism, as evidenced by the fact that he first followed Savonarola and then turned his allegiance to the new government.

As for the future he will brazenly try to show his loyalty to the restoration of the Medici family, but in the end he will be discouraged by the cold reception, because it is all not happened yet, and Alexander will not care.

But now Alexander was a little interested in this man, at least he felt that it would be a pity for someone who could bring him such good luck to give up easily.

More importantly, though, Alexander heard something rather subtle in Machiavelli's words.

"Pisa and Florence are a contradiction between brothers."

"Would rather see Florence surrender to the sword of Pisa."

Such words from a Florentine man always feel strange beyond words.

Is this the Belt and Road Party?

The thought crossed Alexander's mind, and although it felt a little weird, he still felt that he should get to know this person again.

Machiavelli was in a good mood when he left Palazzo Lucrezia.

Alexander did not reward him, but he did not punish him, which made Machiavelli's worried heart relax.

Machiavelli was loyal to Florence, hoping that his country would survive the turbulent times, but he was well aware of how difficult it was.

In the past, Florence and Pisa were indeed like brothers, but they were a bad brother and a weak brother, but now the situation seems to have changed, so even if the status of the two sides changes, it is actually nothing.

And this does not change the fact that the two city-states are brothers.

Machiavelli thought that he had made no mistake in his choice, and he nodded slightly, and as he walked out of the garden of Palazzo Lucrezia, he deliberately looked up at the brand-new coat of arms on the porch.

"Estles," the Florentine whispered the name of the new Duke of Pisa, and thought thoughtfully before turning back the way he came.

However, he didn't take a few steps before he unexpectedly saw a figure walking towards him.

Seeing that person, Machiavelli's originally calm face quickly flashed with surprise and apprehension.

"Master Machiavelli, I didn't expect to meet you."

Ulliu, who was sweating profusely, greeted him from afar, and stopped in place to bow respectfully to the Moorish elbows, and then walked towards the Florentine, and then stopped in front of Machiavelli.

"I didn't expect either," Machiavelli said, looking at the Moors, and if he was in awe of Alexander, he was in a different mood with Ulliu, "I remember that you said before that you would mention me in the presence of the Count, and say a few words for my service by his side." ”

"I remember that there was such a thing, and it was after the battle of Livorno," Ulliu seemed to think about it before he remembered that there was such a thing, "but there are so many things that happened in Pisa, and you are in a hurry to go back, so this matter will be put down for now." ”

"But you said to me at the time that it would be better if I could do some other work for the Count in Florence," said Machiavelli with some anger, "and for this I have told you a great deal about Florence, but I have just met the Count, and he seems to know nothing of all this. ”

Ulliu's sweaty swarthy face showed surprise, and he looked at the Florentine in surprise.

"Master, how can you say such a thing." The Moorish said in a very stern tone that it was very different from his usual attitude towards the nobles, and not only was his respectful politeness gone, but even a slight question in his tone: "How can you suspect that my master is instructing you to do those things related to the conspiracy in Florence, and that someone may want to use spies and informants, but my master will never be involved in such a despicable act." ”

Machiavelli looked at Ulliu, who had been fighting the damned Moorish at this moment, but he suspected that if he drew his sword, Ullius might immediately pull out a musket, which he had seen with his own eyes.

"A virtuous monarch always tries to avoid suspicion of conspiracy, for it would tarnish his reputation, but a wise monarch is very shy to avoid such discrediting things while enjoying the benefits of intrigue and intrigues, which is a very admirable means of rule."

After returning to his apartment, Machiavelli reluctantly wrote these words in his diary.

The encounter with Machiavelli did not make Ullius feel as sentimental as the Florentines, and he hurried into the Palazzo Lucrezia, not even having time to read the coat of arms on the porch.

He brought news of old Roviere.

Alexander was pleased with the return of Ulliu, and the Moorish performance in Rome was somewhat surprising, at least as evidenced by Barendi's visit to Pisa to meet him.

It's just that the news that Uliuu brought back made him a little unhappy.

"The Cardinal thinks you should marry Miss Barondy as soon as possible."

In a separate room, the Moorish man was careful to say that when he noticed that the old man's face seemed to look bad for a moment, Ulliu immediately shut his mouth obediently.

There was a moment of silence in the room.

"That's all the cardinal commanded?" It took a moment before Alexander asked.

"Yes, that's all there is, but the Cardinal seems to take it very seriously, and he has repeatedly told me to make sure he reaches you."

"Married?"

"Yes, to get married as soon as possible, for the sake of this cardinal, I would like to discuss with you the proportion of Genoa's share in the Free Trade Association in the future."

Alexander's face suddenly cleared up, he first glanced at the Moorish man standing in front of him respectfully, and after seeing him nod silently as if to emphasize that he had indeed made a mistake, Alexander's mind couldn't help but become active.

He knew that old Rovelle meant more than just that he and Barendi were married, and that the real key was Genoa's share of the trade alliance in the latter sentence.

It was Genoa and not Rovere, and this surprise made Alexander notice a change in the attitude of the elder Rovere.

For a long time, Genoa's real participation in the free trade alliance was actually some chambers of commerce led by the Luo Weire family, not the city of Genoa.

Although this is a large scale, it has always been different from the investment of an entire city like Pisa.

In fact, whether it is Genoa or Naples, the trade alliance is joined by private chambers of commerce, on the contrary, Taranto, who was opposed at first, joined the free trade alliance in the name of the city under the auspices of the Count of Taranto.

Will old Rovere confuse the family with Genoa?

This seems unlikely.

And the old Rovere would say this, obviously realizing the threat posed by the Cargino family to the Rovere family, so he was ready to take action.

Marrying Barondy and deciding to cede some of his share of the alliance became a quid pro quo for the elder Roverley to get help from the Trade Alliance.

So does the FTA have the ability to help Genoa, which may be in turmoil due to civil strife?

Alexander knew, there was!

The blockage of the port of Amsterdam in exchange for almost the entire winter of inland trade markets, as well as the agreement with Ashulk, taking advantage of the high prices of goods caused by pirate harassment, are beginning to bear fruit.

While this makes a lot of profits for the free trade alliance, it also makes the influence of the alliance develop in a far-reaching direction.

Alexander sometimes wondered what kind of monster the future free trade alliance would become, a behemoth that could decide the fate of a kingdom like the Hanseatic League, or a shadow empire that secretly influenced the whole world like those legendary mysterious groups.

These possibilities seem too far away now, but Alexander could not help but take a hard look at them in advance.

Now old Rovie has made a condition to him, in exchange for a marriage and a number of benefits for the support of the alliance.

Alexander knew that this would be the first time since the establishment of the FTA that he would directly intervene in the internal affairs of the alliance members.

And it's certain that as the alliance expands and strengthens, this will never be the only time such a thing happens.

"My lord, I have met Master Grogenin and the court minister in Rome," said Ulliu, "both of them are very interested in your war with Genoa, and the court minister has promised to help you as much as he can. ”

Alexander snorted, he could more or less guess what Koztsach and Grogenen were thinking.

It was clearly in their interest to help Alexandria today, especially after the introduction of the papal currency in Florence, and with the initial fears of a possible shortage of money due to the depletion of the basic money did not arise, even the most pessimistic people knew that what they had to do next was to sit back and watch their wealth grow day by day.

This situation should be enough to make the two men feel that it is a good deal to help Alexander.

In addition, Alexander believed that the two men must have also noticed the attitude of the Pope and the elder Rovere.

"Uliu, you're doing a good job, even better than I thought."

Alexander did not hesitate to praise him, and he was indeed pleased with the Moors.

Although it is not clear what Ullius experienced in Rome, Alexander could have imagined his hardships.

And Ulius did not disappoint him, at least from the news he brought back, Alexander could get a general idea of the current situation in Rome.

"Uliu, you probably don't think of the importance of the news you sent back," Alexander said to the Moors, "and the news you brought back about the Sultan's possible march into Bucharest has given me the bargaining chips to trade with the Pope, and for that I should reward you." ”

Ulius bowed respectfully, his face showing joy, and his slightly thick lips twitched a few times with joy.

"Ulliu, do you like money?" Looking at him like this, Alexander couldn't help but ask, "I remember that in the past, my money was kept by you." ”

"Sir, it's all your money," the Moorish man immediately swore a gamble to prove his innocence, and then he chuckled again, "but if you are willing to reward me, I will be happier with that money, you must know that you always spend lavishly, sir, so I save a little, maybe one day we will be able to use it." ”

"Ulliu, don't say this unfortunate 'maybe' again," Alexander shook his head, "You know that our future will either be brilliant or perishable, and there will be no third way. ”

Ullius pouted indifferently, then looked at Alexander, knowing that his master had other orders.

Sure enough, after a little muttering, Alexander said to Ulliu, "I need you to go to Montina, you know that Barendi is there now, and I am here." ”

Seeing his master's slightly helpless look, Uliu immediately understood.

It's just that when I think of the young lady of the Rovie family, and then think about the news that I have to bring her the news that she is about to get married, but the old man, who is the fiancé, is accompanying the lover mother and daughter in Pisa, and the black face of the Moorish who was originally rewarded instantly became dim.