Savonarola, it's a magical name, or rather a name full of contradictions.

Alexander remembers very well that even centuries later, whenever people looked forward to this magnificent Renaissance era, it was difficult to avoid one particular figure: Savonarola.

A pure believer, an impartial leader, a noble idealist and the last saint of the Classical Reformation, all sorts of titles of praise can be crowned on his head by those who worship him without feeling excessive.

But to his enemies, hypocrites, careerists, traitors, and tyrants are also his labels.

And the Savonarola that Alexander knew was more comprehensive than anyone of his time.

Because of this, when Tony della Rovere said the name, Alexander's heart couldn't help but move slightly.

He didn't know how the bishop had suddenly mentioned Savonarola, but considering the man's surname Roviel, Alexander felt that things might not be easy.

Sure enough, seeing that Alexander didn't show much interest, but he didn't show impatience, Bishop Tony leaned forward again, and almost put his whole face on it, and said, "Actually, that's what happened......

With Tony della Rovere's explanation, Alexander began to understand why the bishop had suddenly become so industrious.

At a time when it seems that all people no longer pursue honor, faith and noble spirit, but regard lust and money and power as everything, there is one person who seems to be a maverick.

In the early years, as the abbess of Florence, Savonarola not only had no pretense of being a monarch for the Medici family, but also hated Alexander VI as the pope.

On more than one occasion he openly denounced Alexander VI's extravagance at various meetings and church masses, and later expressed great indignation at the depravity of the entire Holy See.

In Savonarola's view, the Holy See, as God's supreme authority on earth, had obviously lost his most fundamental piety, and even the pagans were ashamed of the actions of the high-ranking papacies.

As for the Medici family, Savonarola regarded them as the world's most despicable rulers and tyrannical tyrants, and he repeatedly denounced the family's brutal rule and the evil way of life that led the whole of Florence into the abyss of depravity, which made Savonarola a thorn in the side not only of the Pope, but also of the rulers of Florence.

If he had continued like this, perhaps one day he would not have been able to tolerate such an unbridled offense, and he would have been sent to a monastery in a deep ravine to live his life again, or perhaps one morning one morning people might have accidentally discovered that the disobedient monk had died in his bed, but before anyone could do so, an accident not only saved Savonarola from this terrible fate, but also put him on a greater stage.

The French invasion frightened Pierrot, Duke of Florence at the time, who was thoroughly enraged by the Florentines for his weakness and cowardice, and then, when they heard that he was ready to surrender, the enraged citizens stormed the Medici Palace, where the Medici family had lived for generations, and drove the Duke out of Florence.

Then it was decided to make the pious Savonarola their leader, because the pious monk touched the people with his almost holy deeds.

At the same time, the Florentines had to admit that they had been so indulged in the pleasures of sensuality that when the French invaded, they could not even muster an army of sufficient numbers to protect their homeland.

This made the Florentines feel ashamed, but at the same time, they respected Savonarola even more for always keeping a clear head and tempering themselves with a hard life.

Although they soon discovered that Savonarola had not organized an army to resist the French invaders, as they had hoped, but had opened the gates to welcome the French, the Florentines preferred to believe that Savonarola had done so to protect and save their city, out of their excessive hatred for the Medici family and the fact that they did not want their idol to collapse.

In short, Savonarola not only became the new monarch of Florence, but importantly he was supported by almost the entire Florentine population.

"Bishop, I think I already know these things you said, and I now want to know what you have to say to me."

Listening to Bishop Tony's eloquent description, Alexander had to remind the bishop that he actually knew better than the person opposite him what Savonarola had done, including even some anecdotes that seemed to be related to the current ruler of Florence.

"I want to say that Florence is in big trouble right now, and I heard that our Pope His Majesty has been preparing to excommunicate that person more than once," Bishop Tony glanced at Alexander, "Count, you should know what that means." ”

Alexander nodded silently, he knew what Tony meant.

Excommunication was no longer so important to monarchs with great power and high status, but it was a fatal and terrible means for a ruler who was not by blood, but was a purely monastic man.

Especially for a man like Savonarola, who was known for his piety, excommunication would undoubtedly be the greatest blow and damage to him, both for his own dignity and for his own needs as a Florentine governor.

"And what do you want to say to me?" Alexander looked at Bishop Tony and asked with a little confusion, "Do you want me to stop the Pope from doing this, or do you think I have the ability?" ”

Alexander knew that the elder Rovere's uncle, the original Sixtux IV, had a lot of conflicts with the Medici family, and even instructed someone to assassinate Lorenzo Medici, the heir of the Medici family at that time, so Alexander estimated that Bishop Tony could not hope to see the Medici family regain control of Florence.

And the deep hatred between Savonarola and Alexander VI obviously made Tony della Rovere feel that the enemy of the so-called enemy is a friend, and may even hold that Alexander VI is uncomfortable, that is, his own comfortable mind.

"I just hope things don't get too bad," Tony della Rovere looked at Alexander earnestly, "I have to admit that as a Rovere, I can't possibly like the guy sitting on the papal throne, and I don't want to see the Medici family rise back because of the fall of Savonarola, and you can do something about it, don't you, I mean the princess of Rome?" ”

Looking at Tony della Rovere's ambiguous eyes, Alexander felt that this person looked like a pimp.

"I think you've misunderstood the bishop, I have nothing to do with the Pope or his daughter, and even more so have you forgotten that I am still engaged to your niece.

Alexander felt that the man was not at all a bishop and more like a scoundrel who liked to inquire about other people's private affairs all day long, but this did not explain his sudden interest in his army, which made Alexander feel that the bishop did not seem to be as simple as he seemed.

"I think this is a misunderstanding," Tony della Rovere was not discouraged at all by Alexander's refusal, he continued to lean forward, and then lowered his voice slightly, "Count, I know that you are actually very short of money right now, and I can help you find a good way to make money, but this solution requires the help of your army." ”

Alexander was stunned for a moment, he was indeed short of money now, and even sometimes he had the idea of either becoming a mercenary, or simply taking his men to do a few unfunded businesses.

Alexander was always unsure of how much money he would be able to provide, and although he had seen some good news from his letter, Alexander knew that it would take more than money but also time to realize his plans.

This had to make sure that he had to come up with enough money at any time for as long as he needed during this time, which was a bit difficult for Alexander.

So if there is a chance to raise some more money, Alexander doesn't mind getting into some trouble, but only if he can deal with it, but he doesn't work in vain and don't run out of money.

Seeing Alexander's hesitation, the bishop smiled.

"I've seen your army, I've talked to those soldiers, and I can't help but admit that I was surprised by what you did, considering that this soldier was a farmer a year ago, but now they are great soldiers, and I have heard them talk about the battle in Orar, and I believe that even the bravest army is no more than that."

Tony della Rovere's unsparing praise made Alexander a little wary, and he felt that the bishop did not seem to know his army as simply as he had said.

"We need a bunch of obedient soldiers," said Tony, smiling, "let me be clear, Florence is not having a good time right now, not only because of the Vatican, but also because of the fact that there seems to be something wrong with the reign of Savonarola, and just a few days ago, a messenger from Florence passed through here to ask for help from Genoa, and he brought very bad news." The Florentines seem to be brewing a rebellion. ”

Alexander was slightly stunned, he was not surprised that Florence asked Genoa for help, as the two leading parties in the whole of Italy, Savonarola and old Rovere complemented each other perfectly.

From the fact that the elder Rovere called Charles VIII "my sovereign" and that Savonarola openly referred to the young French king as "a loving father", Florence and Genoa were and still are natural allies.

"You want my army to help you quell the Florentine rebellion?" Alexander asked a little strangely, although this idea was not unreasonable, and even as the prospective son-in-law of old Rovere, it was natural for him to send troops to help Genoa's allies quell the rebellion, but somehow, Alexander always felt that this thing was a bit strange.

Then when he thought about it, he understood what was wrong.

After all, with his strange relationship with Lucrezia, which is estimated to have spread to most of Romagna and Tuscany, the bishop should not have asked him for this, no matter who he was looking for.

Thinking of this, Alexander couldn't help but look at the bishop with a strange look.

"Tell me Bishop, is there anything else you haven't said to me," Alexander decided to ask directly, "or do you think I'm a good liar." ”

"Of course not," said Toni della Rovere anxiously, "I know you must wonder why I found you, after all, you are ...... with that Lucrezia" The bishop smiled again, but then his smile slowly faded, and another look full of interest appeared on his face, "Count, I am looking for you because of your special relationship with that woman, you must know that we are not free to help Florence this time, but can get a large amount of money." ”

"You want to get this money?"

"No, it's not me," Tony della Rovere smiled, "it's my cousin, your father-in-law, who wants to get the money, but Florence is not having a good time now, they can't afford it for a while, so according to the messenger, maybe they can pay for some paintings and smashed sculptures that should have been destroyed by a fire, many of which are indeed valuable, and some of which are said to be very fond of the pope." ”

Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly, he already knew what the bishop was up to.

Apparently, it was the whims of Tony della Rovere to use Florence as a reward for the works of art, from Alexander VI in exchange for a bribe for his cousin Rovere the Elder.

At first glance, the idea sounded too whimsical, but Alexander's presence seemed to make it completely possible.

As the son-in-law of old Rovere and in return for inheriting the status of Count of Montina, Alexander had the duty and responsibility to help his father-in-law.

And because of his relationship with Lucrezia, he may be able to thread the needle through the deal.

More crucially, if the Genoese marched on Florence, it was likely to arouse the vigilance of the Holy See, and the alliance that had just been established might soon split, and now was the crucial moment for the old Rovere to compete for cardinal!

Although Alexander's abduction of Lucrezia must have provoked the anger of Alexander VI, Alexander VI should not have thought that Alexander had the ability to occupy Florence and threaten the Vatican.

So, no matter how you look at it, it seems that this thing is tailor-made for him.

Alexander, who had figured this out, couldn't help but wonder about it, of course he knew that this Lord's church was so zealous, it should not only be all about helping his cousin, but also thinking that the Florentine envoy should have promised him more benefits.

"So what do I get?" Alexander asked.

"Honorarium," said Tony della Rovere, and then looked at Alexander's expressionless face and muttered a little boredly, "young man, don't be too greedy, know that you've got enough now." ”

Alexander shook his head, and silently stood up and turned to walk towards the door of the vault.

"Wait, wait," Tony Rovere reluctantly called out to Alexander, "well, you can get a split of what you're going to pay for." ”

"Only one percent?"

"Don't be too greedy, or you'll be punished by God," said Tony Roverley angrily, "You know, I may not get more than you, but let's say well, since you get a 10% benefit, then you can't get a kickback on this year's tithes."

Looking at this Rovile, who didn't look like a bishop at all, Alexander nodded with interest, he needed money so much now that he had to think about even making this kind of money.

Is this a mercenary? Alexander asked himself, then smiled self-deprecatingly.

Bishop Tony was evidently pleased with the meeting, and after two more glasses of wine, the Bishop left the vault with a drunken mouth, and when he came into the corridor and saw the soldiers who were still waiting, he was in a rare good mood and said a few words of blessing, and then he walked towards the gate as if he were stepping on a swamp.

The people outside were already waiting impatiently, especially Gompati, who had hurried into the vault before the Bishop could get any farther, and kept saying, "My lord, I have to report to you something new, which I have figured out in your absence." ”

Gompati said as he waved a blueprint in his hand, but judging by the helpless looks on the faces of the men behind him, Alexander could guess that he must have had enough to say outside.

"Believe me, sir, it's a genius idea," said Gompati, spreading the blueprints on the table, "but you actually gave me the idea, remember the well in Oral, you guessed in advance that the Milanes would assemble there, so we calculated all the preparations for artillery fire in advance, but what if we didn't know where the enemy would be gathered." It would be a waste of time to calculate it then, so I prepared this one. ”

"You made the shelling of the Yuanyuan?"

Alexander glanced at the drawing and interrupted Gompati's chatter, asking directly.

Gompati froze for a moment, then nodded stunned.

Looking at the drawings that covered the terrain outside the castle with all kinds of twists and turns, some of which could probably only be understood by the artillery captain himself, Alexander nodded first, then smiled and said, "Actually, you don't have to work so hard, I can do something to help you make it easier and more useful." ”

So saying, Alexander casually pushed aside the blueprint that Gompati had worked so hard to make.

His gaze swept over everyone in the room, and then he said in a calm tone, "As much as I would love to celebrate with you the victory we just won, I have to tell you that we may have to face a new battle again. ”

Alexander's words caused a commotion in the room, but the eyes of the people flashed not uneasiness but excitement.

Looking at the Agri who were looking at him excitedly, Alexander couldn't help but feel relieved.

After the battle between Oral and Chimone, the Agri have been transformed into a real group of soldiers.

At this moment, on the road leading to the church not far from the castle, Tony della Rovere was giving a stern order to a servant-like man: "Tell your master that everything is ready, and that the next thing that awaits him is to fulfill his promise." ”