After a day's sailing, the Venetian fleet led by Alger entered the eastern Mediterranean, where most of the territorial waters belonged to the Ottoman Empire, and the Ottoman navy could be seen shuttling back and forth everywhere, the waves were rolling, the sea breeze was howling, and there were many hidden dangers.

To be on the safe side, Alger ordered all fleets to temporarily dock at the mouth of the Black Sea, a land edge east of Athens where fleets could dock, across the sea from Athens. And on this land, there are some small villages, from which some simple food and fresh water can be purchased.

Alger chose to stop here for a purpose, and according to Anna's charts, it is an excellent location, even better than Ragusa's location on the Adriatic Sea. The mouth of the Black Sea is particularly long, and because of this, Alger did not rashly order the fleet to pass through this narrow sea. Fear of being ambushed by Villanueva or the Ottoman Empire.

Therefore, Alger is currently temporarily docked in this port, and there is no danger for the time being. The soldiers were convinced that with the presence of Alger Gallo, the expedition would be a success. So, although it was not part of Venice's territorial waters, the soldiers were still very optimistic.

Venetian fleet, in the flagship command room.

Alger frowned, looking at the military charts hanging on the wall, his eyes faintly melancholy.

Behind him, a row of lieutenant officers and soldiers stood neatly, looking at Alger intently, expecting him to make a new combat deployment.

Alger sighed secretly, pointed to the military charts and said: "You see, this sea area, both sides are the territory of the Ottoman Empire, in the middle is a long and narrow sea area, tens of kilometers long, the narrowest place is only more than a thousand meters, this is the necessary route for us to enter the Black Sea, if the Ottoman Empire or Villanueva set up an ambush on both sides of the sea area, and when our fleet passes by, block the entrance to the sea in the east and west of the sea area, we will inevitably suffer heavy casualties!" Even if they risked their lives, they would no longer have the combat strength to compete with the pirate fleets in the Black Sea, which was the only sea route into the Black Sea. ”

The generals came behind Alger and stared at each other, and everyone already knew that Venice had a lot of friction with the Ottoman Empire, and this narrow strait was a natural barrier on the Ottoman Empire's sea. In this sea area, an unknown number of ships have been sunk. As a result, it was also known as the "entrance to hell" by the Venetian army, so much so that later, all the navies who tried to attack the Ottoman Empire would withdraw their troops as soon as they arrived in this area, without any intention of advancing.

A knight looked up at Alger and said tentatively, "Mr. Alger, it would be safer if we could enter the Ottoman Empire by land, meet their Sultan Salim directly, and negotiate with them so that our navy could enter the Black Sea." ”

Everyone in the room nodded and said, "Yes, yes!"

Alger snorted coldly: "Hmph, if it's really that simple, then we don't have to bother, just send an envoy to negotiate directly, why should we bother to lead the fleet directly over." And according to reliable sources, the Ottomans are now in cahoots with the Villanueva pirates for the purpose of pointing their fingers at the Mediterranean, and if we abandon our sailing ships and attack from land, not to mention the logistical problems, we are not familiar with the terrain of the land, how can we march?"

After a pause, Alger asked, "Is there any news from our spies?"

A young man actually stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Mr. Alger, there is no news yet." Saying this, a layer of worry appeared on his face. Since coming here, there have been at least five groups of reconnaissance sailing ships sent to the Black Sea, and not a single sailing ship has returned, which shows how tightly defended the enemy is, and maybe these spies have died.

Alger's face was even more worried, "Sultan Salim of the Ottoman Empire is not a simple monarch, and Villanueva is a cunning pirate, they may have reached some kind of cooperation in interests, if they don't break up their alliance at this time, Venice will be attacked by two forces in the future, and the danger of losing the country is just around the corner!"

He raised his eyebrows and said, "How long has it been since the last time you scouted a sailboat?"

The knight replied, "We went when we first arrived here. ”

Alger let out a long sigh and said, "I probably can't come back." After a pause, he said, "Send out all the remaining scout sailboats!"

Everyone present was silent, they all knew about Alger, and they all knew that Alger was determined to win this Villanueva pirate group, and if it was true, as long as Villanueva's elite fleet did not enter the Adriatic Sea, Alger would definitely order to hold Ragusa.

Judging from the importance that Alger attaches to Villanueva this time, everyone senses the unusual nature of this expedition, is it necessary to go deep behind enemy lines to exterminate pirates?

Seeing the colors of the crowd and knowing that they were puzzled, Alger waved the chart from the wall and replaced it with another one. When everyone looked at it, it was a general topographical map of the entire Mediterranean.

Alger drew his sword at his waist, pointed to the topographical map, and said: "According to the latest information we have received, France has begun to gather forces, and it will not be more than a few months to march south of our Venetian army, and there are the Kingdom of Naples and the Papal States, and their forces are far from enough to resist the powerful French army. Once they conquer Naples and the Papal States, they will bypass our Adriatic Sea and attack our Venice directly by land. At this time, if Villanueva and the Ottomans invade our country from the sea......."

There was no need for Alger to continue, because everyone gasped.

Alger continued to point to the Black Sea, saying: "And now, Villanueva is carrying out piracy in our name in the Black Sea, and it is impossible for the Ottomans not to notice it, and they have not exterminated Villanueva because of this, which shows that they are waiting for a reason to attack our Venice, and perhaps our trade routes in the Mediterranean." If they find the right moment, and take advantage of the French attack on us, they will attack from the sea, and we will be torn apart. ”

Alger turned to face the sergeants, and said categorically: "Therefore, no matter what the cost is, it is necessary to disintegrate the elite fleet of Villanueva in the shortest possible time, so that the Ottoman Empire has no reason to start a war for the time being." Thus gaining more time for us to face the French threat. ”

The sergeants were dumbfounded, and they never dreamed that the situation in Venice, which seemed to be peaceful and peaceful, had become so grim.

An older knight said with a puzzled face: "In recent years, we in Venice have always had friendly relations with several surrounding countries, and the routes we have opened up have also helped them to obtain greater benefits, and we can use them to defend us against the French attack......"

Alger glanced at him, did not speak, and scolded in his heart: this damn nobleman, you are still a knight at such an old age, how can a mere profit fill the greedy merchants, those interests are only a small profit for them, and who is willing to completely resist the powerful French army for Venice, and it is even possible to raise their hands and surrender when they see the arrival of the French army.

The whole country is now betting on the pirate group that Alger is fighting against Villanueva on the Black Sea, and if Alger wins, Venice will have at least a year to deal with the French attack. If Alger was defeated, the Ottoman Empire would attack Venice directly under the banner of the Vilaneua Pirates, and France would inevitably seize this opportunity to attack Venice together.

This time, although it was only a simple national crusade against pirates, it was crucial for the survival of Venice.

How could Alger not be in a hurry, he had already learned that Villanueva's fleet was operating in the Black Sea, but the Ottoman Sultan Salim did not act anyway, and obviously saw through Alger's plan, just clinging to the Black Sea outlet and preventing all Venetian naval access.