No matter which country the aristocracy is, they all have a common characteristic, that is, they have many relatives.

If someone has nothing to do to make a map of the genealogy of the aristocracy, they will be shocked to find that this kind of kinship, at least in Europe, not only runs through the past and the present, but also connects the world.

Sometimes it is difficult to tell from which generation one family has been in-law with another, and it is even more difficult to tell from which generation these relatives have been confused.

For example, Joanna, as the wife of the short-lived Ferdinand, she was the queen of Naples, but with Ferdinand's death, if she remarried, she should no longer have the right to claim the throne of Naples, but this is only from the perspective of her armor breaking.

If Joanna herself is concerned, because she herself is also a descendant of Aragon, she is also called Joanna of Aragon, and in terms of seniority, she is even her husband and aunt who are a few years older than her, so even if she herself claims the throne of Naples, she has full legitimacy.

And this is one of the reasons why so many people still miss a widow who has lost her husband.

And this kind of aristocratic relationship is not only common throughout Italy, but is even seen as a symbol of whether a family has a proud enough history and admirable status.

So when Konstantin said that he was still a cousin with Alexander, Alexander did not think that he was lying, but he was a little skeptical about how far this cousin had expressed.

And because such kinship is so common, it is not so much valued, so what Alexander really cares about is what Modillo wrote in his letter to the Rovere family.

Seeing that Konstantin didn't mind, Alexander called the envelope, and after first looking at Modillo's signature below, he began to read the letter seriously.

Alexander was not familiar with Modiglo's handwriting, or even if he was familiar with him, he did not think that he had the ability to distinguish between the real and the fake, but from this letter he gradually saw that this should indeed be Modiglo's real handwriting, because in the letter Modillo specifically mentioned one or two things that only the two of them knew, and it was obvious that Modillo wrote these things in the letter not to show the Rowere family, but to reassure him.

The Count was very cautious, and did not say anything in the letter that might arouse suspicion among others, except for a few things of his own, namely, the recollection of the long friendship and kinship between the two families, so that it would not be so easy to find a reason to attack them even in the hands of an unrelated or even an enemy.

The only thing that might raise suspicion is that both of them have some kind of relationship with the French, especially the Rovirets, who are known for their traitorous lead the way.

Only at the end of the letter did Modillo mention his "poor nephew" to the Rovere family in a very courteous tone, saying that he had been adrift for various reasons, which had become a problem for his sister George Anne.

Fortunately, the "poor boy" was finally found, and he was now going to Rome to help him take care of an important business, so if it was convenient, he hoped to get help from his cousins in Rome.

"So I say, we are cousins," Constantine looked at Alexander, who looked at him after reading the letter, "Let me think about it, as if this relative was from my mother's side, and one of her cousins seems to be a brother-in-law with your uncle, who is his first wife, and as for the second wife, her mother's side seems to be a little far from both of us, so I won't mention it." ”

Alexander wanted to shout, what kind of cousin is this?

But he also knew that the purpose of Konstantin saying this was just to make it clear that they were "his own people".

And Alexander could also guess that people took such great pains to explain these relationships, but they really didn't come just to recognize their relatives.

"So, is the business you helped the Earl do well this time?" Konstantin asked suddenly, and his gaze became intent.

Alexander looked at Konstantin in a slight realization, and by this time he had already understood what Konstantin really cared about.

It was clear that Modillo was not really at ease with his shipment of grain to the north, so he wrote a letter to the people of the Rovere family in Rome, although he may not have guessed that Giuliano della Rovere himself and his son would suddenly return to Rome at this time, but it was clear that the rest of the Rovere family in Rome would also come to contact Alexander if they received the letter.

"It's not going well, I'm worried about this."

Thinking of this, Alexander decided not to hide it anymore, and said that he was also worried about how to get the grain left outside the city to the French, although he had already met the French generals who occupied Rome, but that de Charlain obviously did not have a good impression of him, not to mention whether he could make a fortune from his hands smoothly, probably the Frenchman would think that his grain was poisonous.

In addition, the news from Lombardy also made Alexander feel that even at this time, it would not make much sense to provide enough supplies for the French in Rome to survive the winter, after all, as long as the main force of the French army was defeated, the French in Rome would naturally surrender without a fight.

"It's really not going well," Konstantin also sighed lightly with a little emotion, he obviously understood the meaning of Alexander's words, and after looking at Alexander and hesitating for a moment, he whispered in a slightly tentative tone, "If the grain can be delivered to the Lombardy ......"

"That's impossible," Alexander even interrupted Constantine with some rudeness, "the coalition forces have surrounded the French, and who else can send them food at this time." ”

"But if the French fail, it won't do us all any good, will it?" Seeing that Alexander had made his words clear, Konstantin also became dry, "The Borgia are preparing to watch our Rovere unlucky, and as far as I know, Frederick of Naples and your Modillo family are not very good. ”

Seeing Alexander's helplessness when he heard this, Konstantin was secretly happy in his heart, and then he continued: "Maybe we have other ways, and after all, this is a matter for the French, and it is always their own that is more anxious, so I think it may be better to leave these things to the French." ”

Alexander's face was pensive, as if he was pondering the meaning of Konstantin's words, but a thought flashed through his mind: it was so.

From the moment Konstantin showed interest in the grain Alexander had brought, Alexander wondered what he was going to do.

It was clear that Constantine had been commissioned by the French to carry the idea of his food convoy, but he should have been well aware that such a risky thing would not have been easily promised by Alexander.

Now it seems that the situation of the French trapped in the outskirts of Piedmont has probably really reached the point of running out of ammunition and food, otherwise they would not have asked for help directly from the Rovere family.

After all, although it is a leading party, in order to be able to sideways the high position of the cardinal, it is always impossible to go too far.

But now the French seem to be desperate to ask the Roveret family to help.

It's just that the people of the Rovere family obviously don't want to ruin their good future in Rome because of the French, so their only way is for the French to find a way to transport the grain to Lombardy.

This made Alexander feel secretly satisfied, and with his entry into Rome, he was now concerned with how to make a difference in the city, and as for the food, it became a small burden.

And as the tide of the war changed, Alexander began to wonder if Modillo would insist on helping them if he knew about the current situation of the French.

After all, the situation of the French is too bad now, and no one wants to do a business that they can get into it.

It's just that if you want to throw the grain here to the French, you will inevitably lose somewhat, and even if you think so, you must take the initiative of the other party first.

"Do you have such a person who will allow us to connect with the French without suspicion?" Alexander looked hesitant, "You must know that this batch of grain is too important, the earl takes this matter very seriously, if I mess things up, the earl will not care if I am his nephew or not." ”

"Of course there is a suitable person, and it is also a person you know very well," Konstantin lowered his voice slightly, "Do you think Mr. Ficher is suitable to be this intermediary?" ”

Alexander was a little surprised, he didn't expect Konstantin to mention the famous Ficher master.

He had the impression that even the most memorable rector of the University of Paris, who had a profound influence on the French in art and philosophy, had nothing to do with a broker who bought and sold short or a spy who stirred up unrest.

But this man did exactly that, first in Sicily he almost turned Palermo upside down because of a bloody night, and then he was going to start a speculative business of buying and selling short in Rome.

And when he saw Ficher, who had been hinted at by Konstantin and walked out of a room in the villa, still with the familiar smile on his face, Alexander was relieved.

Come to think of it, even Michelangelo, who is destined to be great in the future, can thank him for the 30 florins he provides, and it seems that the future president of the University of Paris will have nothing to do with it.

And he also believes that Fischer should not just make a lot of money from the French team.

Sure enough, Ficher quickly told Alexander, though apologetic, with all the clarity: "I'm sorry, we don't have any money." ”

"To be able to supply the amount of bread to almost 30,000 troops, I beg your pardon for not being able to pay you such a huge amount."

Having said that, Fischer did not feel embarrassed by the embarrassment at hand, and even had a slight smile on his wrinkled face, as if he was holding a good deck of cards that no one else had.

"Then esteemed master, what are you going to pay for this money with?" Alexander asked calmly, he was playing a real businessman at this time, so even if it was the Duke of Orleans or simply Charles VIII standing in front of him, he would bargain without scruples.

Even Alexander wondered in his heart that if it was really Charles VIII in front of him, given his previous bad deeds of speaking that didn't count, maybe he would have to let him pay first and then pick up the goods.

"I assure you in the name of the king." Fischer smiled, his demeanor kind and sincere, and it was easy to give a sense of trust, at least Alexander felt that the master was genuinely unprepared to repay his debts when he said these words.

It's just that Charlie's reputation stinks!

"I am sorry Master, I can feel your sincerity, and I am confident that with your virtue it is impossible to do anything that is detrimental to your conscience and contract. But," Alexander shook his head firmly, "forgive me for not being able to trust your king, after all, what happened to Sforza in Milan has made it clear to us all that your monarch is not a man to be trusted, please forgive me for being rude, but King Charles really can't be trusted." ”

Konstantin looked at Alexander in astonishment, and he really wanted to roar and ask Alexander: "Are you crazy, you dare to question the king of France like this?" ”

Even Fischel, who was always smiling, was a little surprised, he didn't expect the young man in front of him to comment on a monarch in person so without scruples.

But Alexander apparently didn't care about their eyes, for only he knew that Charles VIII, who was now in his prime and looked blessed and long-lived, would not have long to live, and in a year and a half at most, the French king, whose ambition had made the whole of Italy a disaster, was going to see God.

So even if he questioned that man's character so openly, Charlie couldn't have done anything to him.

As long as he took the initiative to go to France to find death because he was scolded a few words, he would still send people to Italy to assassinate him because he was scolded a few times?

You must know that your Agri is also a lot of mouths to eat, although he has a lot of money, but if he calculates carefully, he is still very poor.

You must not be rich and peaceful, you must be able to live, Alexander repeatedly told himself.

Thinking so, Alexander strengthened his convictions.

"Or you can go to the Jews in the city of Rome, and they will surely be willing to lend you money."

Ficher had come to his senses from the initial accident at the time of Alexander's 'zealous' suggestion, and he looked at Alexander with a slightly amused gaze, and after pondering for a moment, he smiled and said:

"What if, I vouch for the credibility of the Duke of Orleans? I promise that I will never default on your share of the payment, and we can pay you enough interest to be satisfied with. You mentioned the Jews, we all know that they are usurers, and I believe we all know how Dante describes the miserable situation of these usurers in hell, and I can guarantee you that you will get no less interest than the Jews lending, but it is definitely not usury, but you deserve it. "In addition to this, I can also guarantee that you will be able to obtain the friendship of the Duke of Orleans, which I think may become important to you in the future, given your previous 'dealings' with the Duke." ”

Looking at Fisché's smiling face, and then looking at the eager expression of Konstantin next to him, Alexander nodded without saying a word: "Deal!" ”

(Tianjin)