The Venetians retreated so quickly that they did not even send a rearguard, but only slightly suppressed the rhythm of the retreat and retreated to the bottom of the low hill without hurrying.

This made Alexander a little helpless, he knew that the Venetians dared to do this, just because they knew that Pisa had no power to threaten them.

This made him miss his huntsmen and bohemians even more, and Alexander believed that if they were, he would be able to take advantage of the enemy's retreat to slap the Venetians.

But now he could only hold on to the city gates with a group of panting and scarred pisamen, until he watched Venice temporarily withdraw from the battlefield, and then slowly dragged his tired body back into the city.

They were greeted by Gompati and the archers, but Gompati seemed more anxious to retrieve the cannon that had fallen from the wall, and after hastily saying hello to Alexander to strengthen the defenses near the city gates, the captain of the city defense ran out with his men.

Fortunately, the ground where the cannon fell was not strong, and after smashing a shallow hole into the ground, the cannon was quickly dragged into the city gate by Gompati and his men.

It's just that when an old gunner examines the artillery with an expert's eye, he gets a depressing piece of news.

The muzzle of the gun's predecessor seems to have been bent by the heavy blow on the ground, which is obviously no different from scrapping a gun.

Originally, there were only a few cannons used to defend the city, and even with the addition of those that Alexander had found, there were not enough of 20, and seeing that one of the cannons was scrapped like this, Gompati couldn't help but be extremely depressed.

And the pressure Shan Da looked at the artillery, and then looked at the soldiers who were hurriedly piling up some sundries at the gate of the city to strengthen the defense, and his heart moved slightly.

"Go to the city and find some blacksmiths, and it is better to gather all that you can find," Alexander instructed the men around him, and then he said to the frowning Gompati, "I think I can help you, but before you can build a makeshift fort." ”

"Turret? Where is it? Gompati looked around in amazement.

"Right here," Alexander said, gesturing to a clearing not far from the gates, "don't be discouraged, maybe we'll soon have a new weapon." ”

As he spoke, Alexander began to describe his vision to Gompati, and as he spoke, Gompati's originally depressed face first showed confusion, and gradually confusion turned into surprise and joy.

"God, that's it." Gompati shouted, and then he shouted to the people next to him, "Go find the blacksmith and the tools, and we will build a fort here." ”

Seeing Gompati's happy smile, Alexander smiled lightly and walked towards the city with two guards selected from those sailors.

Alexander was also not at ease with the mercenaries.

When he returned to the city, Alexander was greeted by the entire new government of Pisa.

In fact, the so-called official government was only a temporary organization composed of a group of merchants, prominent local citizens, and some nobles who had been ostracized by the government of the republic and had no aspirations.

These men did not have clear responsibilities, nor did they have a common program to follow, and they were even divided on whether to continue with the status quo as a republic or to bring back the Zaloni family, the former rulers, and it was not without support that some of them had suggested that they should simply surrender to the Venetians outside the city.

At the sight of Alexander's return, the government officials immediately showed great enthusiasm, especially after some of the noblewomen who had been to Rome had clearly confirmed Lucrezia's identity, and the smiles on their faces were even brighter than before.

"We should have a great feast," one nobleman suggested loudly, "let us celebrate this great victory, the Venetians are not to be trifled with, but we have made them suffer greatly, and it is definitely a great victory." ”

"We haven't won yet," said a man dressed in fine clothes and with a few jewels on his head, "you know, I have heard that the Venetians are coming with about 2,000 men, and they are obviously underestimated at first, and I think the best way is to take this opportunity to negotiate terms with the Venetians, and perhaps we can get a decent surrender, which will be good for all of us." ”

"Surrender to the Venetians?" The nobleman showed an expression as if he had heard something terrible, "I think you must have a fever in your brain and are stupid, maybe you have become a coward because you have been with your mistresses for too long, you must know that Pisa belongs to the Zaloni family, and now Miss Lucrezia is here, which shows the Pope's support for the Zaloni family, the only thing we should do is to wait for reinforcements from the Holy See, do you say your lord?" ”

Looking at the aristocratic face, before Alexander could reply, an unhappy voice sounded from the side.

"When did Pisa go from a republic to the domain of the Zaloni family? Have you forgotten that we all signed the city-state manifesto? A middle-aged man in his 30s with a thick beard under his chin stared sternly at the nobleman, and his eyes were inadvertently at Alexander.

But perhaps the suspicion was too obvious, and Alexander felt a hint of suspicion in his eyes

"You can't say that, we drove out the Zaloni family only because they were too weak, weak to the Florentines, and weak to the big chambers of commerce that hurt the interests of our city, but that's because they didn't have the support of the Pope at that time, and now even Miss Lucrezia and her fiancé have come to Pisa, doesn't that mean that the Zaloni family is already under the protection of the Vatican, so why can't they be given another chance?" The nobleman retorted fiercely, and as he spoke, he turned around and peddled his thoughts to the people around him, "Look at what the republican government has done, not only is everyone's life not better than in the time of Zaloni, but those people promised that if we support them, we will all get our fair share, but once they come to power, they will throw us aside and ignore us, and everyone here will not stand up against them because they are not willing?" ”

The nobleman's words were recognized by many people around him, and they nodded slightly, looking at the middle-aged man with a little indifference.

"So just because of this, just because you didn't get any benefits, let that Zaloni come back?" The middle-aged man angrily asked, "Don't forget that when their family was in power, you were still thrown aside, and everyone knows that the Zaloni family is greedy, so you can guarantee that they will not become more unscrupulous and tyrannical when they come back?" ”

The middle-aged man's words obviously hit the taboo of many people, and even some people who originally agreed with the nobleman's words couldn't help but show a hesitant look.

"Or maybe we need someone to protect us, but we don't have to bring the Zaloni family back." Someone whispered something, which attracted people's attention and looked at the man, and when they saw the man, the pizza officials seemed to have a slightly strange look on their faces.

It was a small, slender man, a very large, crimson robe draped over him as if he were being carried by a stick, and the pompoms on the soft felt hat on his head hung limply to the side, as if he had mistaken his nightcap for a beanie.

"It's not Zaloni, so who do you say it should be? Could it be the Venetians? Or is it your Tomneo family? The nobleman asked sarcastically, and his words caused a low laugh all around.

The thin man's face became gloomy, his eyes were fixed on the nobleman, and after a long moment he said coldly, "I will not scold you for your unreasonableness, because if I can pick up the sword, I will definitely challenge you." ”

The thin man's words elicited soft gasps all around, and people looked at the two men, as if waiting to see the conflict between them continue.

"I think all of you have forgotten something," at this point, Alexander, who had been watching the play, finally spoke, and as his eyes swept over the Pisa officials in front of him, he paid special attention to the most active people, and then he continued, "Now that the Venetians are still outside the city, their attack will begin at any time, and what you have to do at this time is not how to celebrate the so-called victory and who will rule the city, but how to protect it, otherwise if the Venetians invade, Even if you want to surrender with dignity, it's impossible. ”

As he said this, Alexander's eyes fell on the face of the man who had openly shouted for surrender at the beginning, and looking at his gorgeous clothes and slightly frizzy demeanor, Alexander could probably guess his identity.

A nouveau riche who made a fortune by doing business, such a person should have a lot of interests with the Venetians.

The man's face changed significantly, he looked at Alexander with some trepidation, not knowing what the de facto ruler of Pisa would do to him now, although he shouldn't be treated just because he shouted a few words of surrender, but looking at the hideous and armed entourage behind him, the man's face couldn't help but turn white.

"There can be no more disagreements in order to achieve victory, and what I want is the help of all of you at this time," Alexander said to the officials, noticing the furrowed brow of the bearded middle-aged man when he heard this, but he did not want to bother with it at this time, "We need weapons, food, and a place for the wounded soldiers to heal and rest, all of which we need from you, and I need you to provide a fee of 1,000 florins, which will be used to pay for the repair of the walls, Because we may need to demolish some houses near the city walls. ”

Alexander's words made the Pisas look surprised, they could probably imagine that the battle outside the city should have been fierce before, but they had to tear down the buildings inside the city to strengthen the city walls, which they had never imagined.

In the eyes of these citizens, who have become accustomed to a comfortable life, the kind of overly cruel urban offensive and defensive warfare is only a long time ago in the war with the infidels, and with the change of times, few cities will engage in the kind of desperate battle with the enemy.

"Are you going to hold out until reinforcements arrive?" The bearded man asked with some suspicion.

"Or be breached," Alexander did not hide the current crisis, and when he saw the expression on his face that changed because of his words, he just smiled lightly, "I believe that no one wants to see this, but it needs the support of all of you, and don't forget that you are the most important people in Pisa, and the safety and future of the city are up to you." ”

As he spoke, he glanced at the well-dressed man again, and seeing the unnatural look on his face, Alexander just smiled casually.

The others looked delighted as Alexander showed that he valued them.

"The Tomneo family," Alexander whispered to himself and smiled softly as he said goodbye to the officials and walked to Lucrezia's room. ”

When she met Lucrezia, a maid was combing her hair.

Lucrezia's slightly lazy appearance made it seem as if she was indifferent to Alexander's arrival, but the frequent glances in the mirror to the door betrayed her.

Lucrezia, who was still a little reserved at first, only held out until the maid left the room.

When Alexander took her hand slightly and took her into his arms, a magnificent flush immediately appeared on the young woman's cheeks.

But she obviously wanted to keep one last bit of reserve, so when Alexander kissed her on the lips, she whispered in a slightly discerning tone, "This is your reward, well, for defeating the Venetians, knowing that my father hates them." ”

Your father must hate me, too, Alexander thought to himself, or perhaps he was thinking about how to torture me to death after he had captured me.

Thinking so, Alexander took Lucrezia's arms but did not relax in the slightest.

He hugged the beauty in front of him in his arms, and at the same time, his lips couldn't help but catch the sweetness between her lips and teeth.

"You should go and propose to my father," Lucrezia tilted her head away from Alexander's chasing lips, but was disturbed by the tingling tickle coming from her neck, "believe me, my father will say yes, he loves me very much." ”

But he loved his papal crown and throne even more, and Alexander was unmoved by Lucrezia's words, and he was now pondering how to marry you to Chassan's fellow brother.

Alexander thought to himself, slowly put Lucrezia down, condescendingly looked at Lucrezia who was lying quietly on the table looking at him, Alexander bent down and pecked her somewhat hot lips, licking and sucking gently.

Then he suddenly asked, "Lucrezia, do you know the Tomneo family?" ”

Lucrezia, who was immersed in a sweet kiss, just let out a low "um" sound.

It wasn't until Alexander asked again that Lucrezia opened her slightly squinted eyes and said a little strangely: "Why are you asking the Tomneo family, they are the past Pisa lords, but that was almost a hundred years ago, the Pisas drove the Tomnio family away and established a republic, and then the Zaloni family overthrew the republic and became the Duke of Pisa, and then Zaloni was also overthrown." ”

Speaking of this, Lucrezia raised her head slightly, licked Alexander's earlobe with the tip of her tongue, and whispered: "Now it's your turn, propose to my father, you can become the Duke of Pisa." ”

Alexander's throat made a slight noise.

It must be admitted that Lucrezia's suggestion was too tempting, and at this point, Alexander himself could not tell whether he was interested in Lucrezia herself or attracted by her suggestion.

Stroking the warm smooth shoulders of the beauty in his arms exposed outside the collar, Alexander lowered his head and kissed the recess of her shoulder socket, a slight tremor made Lucrezia's skin flush like a rose on his face, she reached out and unconsciously grabbed Alexander's shoulder, as if she was afraid that he would suddenly run away.

The Tomneo family, the former rulers of Pisa, but now, the people of this family seem to have become a laughing stock in the eyes of the Pisan people.

Alexander felt the heat on Lucrezia's body, and his lips tapped lightly on Lucrezia's forehead, then tilted his head slightly and whispered in her ear, "Do something for me." ”

"What for?"

Lucrezia tilted her head to look at Alexander in confusion, and the corner of her lips touched Alexander's earlobe, and she suddenly opened her mouth to bite it.

Alexander's heart trembled slightly, he knew that Lucrezia might not know what kind of reaction a man would cause by doing this, which made him sigh in his heart, this is really a natural stunner.

"The person who will help me make an appointment with Tomneo's family, either himself or his wife, but don't get anyone else's attention."

Alexander's words made Lucrezia's eyes become a lot clearer, as a member of the Borgia family, although she has been living a very simple life under the protection of her father and brother, but the blood of the people in this family has been flowing in the body for hundreds of years, and the people of this family have an almost innate sensitivity to this kind of thing.

"What are you going to do?" Lucrezia asked in a whisper.

"I want to do something for Pisa," Alexander smiled and said, "Didn't you say that Pisa lacked a duke, maybe I could find one for the city." ”

Lucrezia vaguely understood Alexander's words, and she looked at him in amazement, surprised that he had made such a decision.

"Do you want that Tomneo family to inherit the Duke of Pisa?" Lucrezia was surprised at first, and then suddenly became a little angry, "You would rather give up the duke's throne in order not to propose to my father?" ”

Alexander felt a little pain in his head, and Lucrezia's association was completely beyond common sense, so that he immediately turned out of tune when he felt that it was a Borgia in his arms, and looked at Lucrezia who was angrily trying to sit up from the table, and he could only hold her down lightly.

"Listen, I don't want to be a fool who only helps others," Alexander could only try to be careful not to hurt Lucrezia in the face of the struggle, "but I don't want to be like the Pisbians out there, who are now completely turned into a bunch of flies who only run into walls everywhere, and they need a leader now." ”

"But why isn't this person you?" Lucrezia asked, a little annoyed.

"Because it's not the time."

Alexander sealed Lucrezia's lips after speaking softly, listening to the low moans of the woman below him, Alexander still had a word to say.

I don't want to be called a second Sforza so soon, maybe Medici is a better fit for me.

In spring, the banks of the Arno River are beautiful, with large fields of colorful wild chrysanthemums, and a little further from the shore, there are some woods dotted with them, and along the banks of the Arno River, you can always find the road that has been trodden out for many years, and on the right bank of the river, there is a road that has been in existence for almost two centuries and runs along the Arno River to both ends, this road is Pisa and Florence on both sides.

As the most powerful city-state in Tuscany and the traditional ally, Florence has ruled Pisa many times in name and de facto throughout history, even in the years when Pisa defeated Genoa and became the most influential maritime power on the west coast of the Mediterranean.

The Pisan people's feelings for Florence are complicated, for such a huge shadow that has always shrouded their heads, the Pisan people have not thought of moving it away completely, or even teaching the behemoth a good lesson in turn, but every time even a little bit of this meaning is revealed, it is often that the behemoth only moves his fingers slightly, and Pisa can only obediently bow his head and learn to be a man again.

Florence was so large that the Arno River, which passed upstream through Florence, was the weakest point that controlled Pisa's economic lifeline on land.

At any time, as long as Florence feels that Pisa's little brother is not well-behaved, and then as long as the river to Pisa is slightly stuck upstream, Pisa can only immediately obediently show a flattering smile to Florence, and even swallow his anger to be asked.

So the Florentines are arrogant and arrogant in Pisa, and this has been the tradition for many years.

This time, however, Machiavelli, as an emissary, did not enjoy the treatment he deserved as a Florentine, and not only did he not have time to complete the diplomatic mission entrusted to him by the government, but he was also imprisoned in the bell tower for most of the day, and was unceremoniously expelled from the city, which made him feel frustrated and secretly uneasy.

Because the sudden arrival of the Venetians not only completely upset the balance of power in Romagna, but as they penetrated deeper into Pisa, the arrival of the Venetians began to threaten Florence's influence and control over the Tuscany region.

Machiavelli was still only a member of parliament in charge of foreign affairs, but he was already aware of the dramatic changes that could take place.

The Venetians had to be reported to Florence as soon as possible, and although they had been expelled from the city, Machiavelli felt that it was more important to bring the news back, so he hastened with his retinue along the riverside road to the Arno River, regardless of how dangerous it was to travel late at night.

However, the attendant apparently disapproved of his master's risky move, and after leaving the city for a few miles, he began to ask his master if he should rest in the nearby village, after all, it was not a good idea to travel in the wilderness in the middle of the night, especially since there were only two of them, and neither they could meet a beast or a robber, but the attendant did not think that they could deal with it.

Although he was anxious, Machiavelli also knew that what his entourage said was very reasonable, and after the initial excitement, he also calmly figured out something.

It was clear that the infiltration of the Venetians was inevitable, and that Florence would not have reacted too violently at once due to the special circumstances of the present day, so there was really no need for him to risk the night of travel.

Machiavelli was never a reckless man, and looking at the darkness of the night, he agreed to the advice of his attendants after a little thought, and then they walked forward two or three fats before them, and at last found a village, where they stopped, ready to continue their journey after dawn the next day.

The village was not far from the Arno River, and the warm April breeze blew into the village, and the gentle sound of the wind through the unstable windows seemed to be hypnotic, and the master and servant, who had driven a long way, soon lay down in a deep sleep in the barn full of haystacks, because of exhaustion, they did not even know that an army had entered the village at dawn.