Alexander's Mercury were busy like worker bees, many of whom were scattered all over Europe without knowing each other's existence, and many more did not even know who they were working for, but were simply dutifully sending out all sorts of information they knew through merchant ships, convoys, traveling merchants, and church messengers, or those they didn't know what they did.

Most of these messages are useless, and those who receive them will choose the important things according to their needs, and the remaining seemingly useless ones will be written on notes and stuffed into the drawers of the rows of tall bookcases in the four-story palace opposite the Carolingian Palace.

The palace, bought in the name of Palazzo Mordillo, Count of Naples, is called Palazzo Mordiglo, and each floor of Palazzo Mordilo has its own classification, and each floor is divided into its own area according to the region, and no one knows what secrets are hidden in the drawers on the tall bookshelves that lead to the roof.

The people inside only know that this is a place used to collect documents from all over the world, while those outside directly regard this place as a very ordinary archive.

Such places are not uncommon in the Vatican, and for hundreds of years there have been a lot of papal documents, and the Vatican has more than once sought a larger place for them to store these documents that must be preserved, and no one is interested in these old papers except those who are fascinated by history.

But it was with this seemingly inconspicuous source that Alexander gradually built up a primitive but increasingly powerful intelligence network in almost all of Europe, and he was most pleased with Tiego's performance in Iberia.

The Spanish Empire may have had some setbacks on its way to glory, but until the moment when it finally fell from its peak, the setbacks encountered during the period of ascent were insignificant to the empire.

This was the first truly world empire, the title of the sun never sets in a sense from the Spanish Empire, and most importantly, the beginning of the Age of Discovery, which opened a completely new page in the world, which is the future Spain to make an unparalleled contribution to the world.

Alexander is well aware of the significance of the New World to this world and the role of completely subverting the future direction of human development, and a new new world has lifted the veil of mystery that has shrouded her, just as a beautiful woman is finally willing to show her true colors in front of her lover.

Then, this beauty made the whole world crazy.

From the time of Ancient Egypt to the rise of the Levant to the early Renaissance when trade with the East flourished, the Mediterranean was once the dream of all Europeans in pursuit of wealth, but it was destined to decline.

However, although such signs have appeared, no one could have imagined that it would decline so quickly, and that trade in the Mediterranean would shrink rapidly in the 16th century.

The opening of new routes to the East has made this already inevitable, and the opening of the New World will put the last cruel nail in the coffin decay of the Mediterranean.

This time in Iberia can be considered the most laid-back time for Alex, so he thought a lot during this time, and he even thought about what it would be like if he stopped there.

He already had the strength to rival any of the most powerful monarchs in Europe, and the wealth to be the envy of any rich man, and he now had three lovely children who, if nothing else, would inherit their respective realms and become part of the most powerful people of the age.

And his women, he loves them, and it is rare that they also love him with the same heart, which is a miracle in this era.

If he left it at that, even the wealth he now possessed would be enough for him to enjoy for the rest of his life, and even if he wanted to, he could build a huge fleet and then travel the world with his beloved, becoming the one who traveled the world in place of Magellan, and he believed that that alone would be enough to make him famous in history.

This temptation surged in his heart again and again, so that whenever he woke up in the middle of the night, Alexander more than once had the urge to let go of everything he had and enjoy the good times of most of his life as he pleased.

But Alexander finally suppressed this inexplicable impulse, and at the same time he knew in his heart that he would have these thoughts not because he had not pursued them, but because the goal he pursued was too difficult.

He knew he was trying to escape.

Isabella and Ferdinand are a couple who are too difficult to deal with, they are undoubtedly the most outstanding monarchs of the old era, and at the same time they are the model and model of the new monarchs, and the rivals of the strengths and virtues of the old and new monarchs are really terrifying.

Not to mention the fact that there was also Gonzalo, a man whose extraordinary military prowess made Alexander feel really stressed, and whenever he thought of facing him on the battlefield, Alexander felt as if he was going to climb a mountain that he couldn't climb.

How can such an opponent be defeated?

What's more, Isabella and his wife also have a reputation that other European monarchs cannot have among the people because of their great exploits in the Reconquista, such an opponent is really terrifying.

Isabella was determined and resolute, and Ferdinand, with his stoic and calm patience, seemed to complement each other, and over the years gradually merged the two countries with different customs, and finally a powerful Spain appeared on the southeastern peninsula of Europe.

It would be too difficult to defeat such an opponent, and Alexander was still confident before he really started to face them, after all, he had made so much preparation, and he believed that there was still a great possibility of success with his own calculations or not, but now he knew that he was somewhat retreating.

In Alexander's original plan, using the Portuguese Manuel would go a long way to divert the couple's attention, and taking advantage of the French ambitions for the Iberian Peninsula for many years would involve them in a big trouble, so that he would have the opportunity to stir up trouble in Iberia.

However, Alexander did not expect that although Isabella had resolutely and decisively responded to the Portuguese provocation against her in the Azores, Ferdinand was able to react equally quickly and make peace with the French on the Italian battlefield.

Although the French were eventually defeated under the plan of the general defense strategy he had drawn up before, Alexander still saw the terrible place of the couple.

It's just that somehow, although I want to give up again and again, but I insistence on it again and again.

Alexander knew that this was because of the vision of the future, and the charm of the new world that could not be matched.

Compared with the romance of Magellan's travels around the world, the temptation to unravel the mysteries of the new world is obviously greater.

In the face of this temptation, Alexander wondered who else could resist it.

At least he couldn't, so he had to keep going, even if he had to face the mountain and the two majestic peaks behind it, which were even more steep and difficult to climb.

There was a soft knock on the door from Scheer, and Alexander got up from his bed, there was already some light outside the window, it should have been past 4 o'clock in the morning in such a summer.

Alexander slipped on his smock, then walked barefoot to the floor and opened the door.

Schell stood outside the door in a costume, with a saber on his left crotch, two muskets pinned to a belt around his waist, and a short knife tied to his thigh.

This outfit used to be very eye-catching, but now no one pays attention to him because of the mess in Seville.

"Sir, the Columbus brothers are here and waiting downstairs."

Hearing Scheer's words, Alexander's mood suddenly improved, and the cranky thoughts he had when he was lying in bed before disappeared at this moment, Christopher Columbus, the name means wealth at this time, because he did make many people rich, and for Alexander, it means a new chapter.

It's just that Columbus came a little too early, Alexander looked out the window, the early birds outside were chirping, the fresh air wafting in in the early morning made people feel refreshed, Alexander showed a pleasant smile and waved his hand to Schell slightly: "Okay, go meet them." ”

The two brothers, who had turned to look at the sound of the stairs, seemed to be very excited, it was indeed a little strange to come to visit someone so early, let alone on such a chaotic day, but neither of them obviously cared about this, especially James, and Alexander could see from his face that he was unusually excited.

"We are all ready," said James, who first came forward to Alexandri, "and if we set out now, and if the road goes well, we will be able to reach Sancarol del Bavida tomorrow morning." ”

Although Columbus didn't say anything, his expression proved that he was also looking forward to the trip.

Alexander nodded in agreement, and Schell, who was next to him, walked outside and signaled to the Balkans who were already waiting outside the door to prepare to leave.

Alexander knew that the brothers had waited too long, and perhaps they had been working all night preparing for the trip.

After washing his face and eating something, Alexander felt much better, and he quickly dressed up, and in the astonishment of Columbus's astonishing speed at the piece, Alexander took the whip from Schelle's hand and jumped on Pagassos' back.

"It's a long boat ride from Dasan Carol del Bavida to Malaga, but it's probably the smoothest of the last time," James said to Alexander, riding his horse, "and by land it might take four days or even a week, but now it takes about three days to get to Malaga." ”

Alexander nodded but didn't say anything, his eyes fell on Columbus sitting in the carriage, at this time Columbus seemed to be a little tired because of the previous excitement, he leaned on the door of the car with his eyes closed, his head shook slightly with the progress of the car, at this time he looked completely like an ordinary elderly middle-aged man, if he didn't say his name, no one would know that he was the famous Columbus.

The people who discovered the New World were no more than that, and Alexander told himself that he was not belittling Columbus, but reminding himself not to think that the other party was really invincible just because they were famous figures in history.

Now that Columbus is in his hands, he has used this man's pursuit of wealth and greed to firmly grasp his mind, and now this man has become a key to his future to open up a new continent.

So what about Isabella and his wife, will it also become the most important steps on his way to glory?

Alexander suddenly felt that the weight that had been accumulated in his heart had become much lighter, and he knew that it was because he had faith in the future again, just as he had when he had come out of the monastery of Sebaron, when he was worse than he was now, and since he was able to do what he was now, then there was no reason for him to think that he could not climb and cross those seemingly impassable mountains.

Dasan Carol del Bavida is a small port town in southwestern Andalusia bordering the Atlantic Ocean, which is rich because of its proximity to the sea bass fishing grounds in the Atlantic, and its proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar, the port is also very busy.

To get from Dasan Carol del Bavida to Malaga is through the Strait of Gibraltar.

If there are some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world at this time, the Strait of Gibraltar is undoubtedly one of the highest-looking, and even centuries later, the strait connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea is still one of the most strategically important maritime routes.

The ship followed the course of the coast, and as he crossed the strait, Alexander looked out into the sea on the other side.

Legend has it that if the weather is good, he can vaguely see the African coastline on the other side, but Alexander only sees an endless sea.

Across the Channel today, the Portuguese still occupy Ceuta, their bridgehead at the northern tip of Africa, a Portuguese colony in Africa and an outpost from which Manuel had attempted to serve as an expedition to the East.

It is hard to say whether Manuel's whimsical idea of starting from Africa to conquer the Mamluks in Egypt and then expedition to the Holy Land of Jerusalem was instilled in him by his wife Mary, or whether he really thought of himself as God's choice to save the Holy Land, although Manuel did try it in history.

A series of sea ships appear and disappear on the sea, these large or small, or just for short-distance transportation of galleys, or long-distance ocean ships cleaving the waves, shuttling back and forth, a busy scene.

As an important port on the Mediterranean's main route to the Atlantic, Malaga is just as busy, but it's more about it than anywhere else.

The two fortified castles stand on the cliffs that stretch from the east and west shores to the sea, and the two cliffs seem to be two outstretched arms around the port of Malaga, and the two castles are clenched fists, as if ready to smash the enemy from the sea at any moment.

Malaga was a seaport, a fortress, and the enemies they had to guard against were not the infidels, but the Portuguese in the African colonies across the strait.

There are many sailors' guilds in the city of Malaga, which not only provide the sailors with the opportunity to work on the ships, but also help them to get out of all kinds of troubles, as long as the sailors pay a hard money afterwards, and the guilds can also do some hard work such as collecting wages on behalf of others.

Now there was such a scene in front of Alexander and his party, watching a man being carried from a house and thrown into the street by several men who looked like men, Columbus continued to walk forward as if he did not see it, and James simply stepped over the man lying on the ground.

"There are the meanest scoundrels in all of Europe, and certainly the best sailors," James explained to Alexander, who was following him, "and many of my sailors are recruited here, but remember, every word spoken by everyone here cannot be believed. ”

Alexander nodded understandingly, any city has such a place, let alone a transportation hub like Malaga, where countless people come and go at any time and at any time, this is a place to pursue wealth and dreams, and naturally it is also a place that breeds sin and intrigue.

The Columbus brothers led the way into the house, which seemed to have just had a skirmish, and before they could enter the door, a loud noise was already pouring in from the inside.

The shouts and arguments made the atmosphere inside seem hotter than the sun overhead, and as he pushed the door and entered, Alexander noticed that the people inside were silent at first, and then everyone's eyes fell on the two brothers in front of him at the same time.

"Well, I'm not here to cause trouble," James gestured innocuous with his hands up, and then he turned back to Alexander and explained, "I've had a little unpleasantness when I'm recruiting sailors here, but don't worry, it'll be resolved soon." ”

"I doubt you'll be able to solve your own problems," Columbus said, gesturing to a few unpleasant-looking fellows on the other side, "they've been keeping an eye on you since you entered the door, and if we want to recruit a group of really good men, we have to be careful that there will be a rebellion at sea, so it seems necessary to settle your problems first." ”

James shrugged indifferently, he said hello to a few people from a distance, and then walked over and began to mumble quietly, listening to their high and low quarrels, Columbus looked at Alexander: "Duke, you can continue to use him, but I want to warn you that James is not the best choice." ”

Looking at this man who was about to say a few bad things about his brother from time to time, if he really didn't think of some of the scenes he described in his diary.

Columbus mentioned more than once in his diary that he had run for his father, who owed debts, and between the lines he complained about his brothers in addition to his pride in being the eldest son in the family, he also complained about his brothers with annoyance, and now it seems that the family's contradictions seem to be deep-rooted, and they know that they will work together for a long time, but as long as they seize the opportunity, they still refuse to let go of each other.

Alexandria they would come to Malaga because they had just heard a message from Portugal.

Now that Manuel has decided to compete with Isabella and his wife for the new colony, his reaction and action are still very fast.

After a clash with Isabella's fleet in the Azores in March, Manuel quickly mobilized the Portuguese Navy to launch an attack on the Castilian and Aragon fleets in the Atlantic.

Relations between the two sides were suddenly strained, and although they were clearly inferior to Castile on land, the Portuguese army under Manuel's orders carefully defended the various fortresses on the border with Castile.

Clearly, Manuel had made up his mind to defeat his opponent at sea.

On the other side of the Pyrenees, although the French reached a temporary truce with Aragon, neither Isabella nor Ferdinand dared to believe such an agreement, so they still arranged the troops they could draw in various passes at the southern foot of the Pyrenees, ready to guard against possible French intervention in the Iberian war.

The battle for supremacy at sea had begun, and Manuel's interest or greed for the new colonies had been revealed by Alexander's clever schemes, and it was now clear that Isabella regarded him as her worst enemy.

What Alexander needed was just such a moment.

Amerigo Vespsy had left Spain for the New World, and it so happened that he had sailed from Malaga, and in the years that followed, he would make several voyages before finally giving his opinion that was a man of shock.

Then, as his theories were quickly accepted and widely accepted, people would find that the new colonies and other vastness and wealth were far beyond their imagination, and a great wave of navigation that would change the world was about to begin.

So Alexander knew that time was running out for him, and that he had to devote his strength to the new world as soon as possible before many people really knew the meaning of that mysterious land, so that he could open the door to the new world for himself before the two seafaring powers of Iberia were not really aware of what they were fighting for.

"I'll give you money, and the ships have enough manpower," Alexander said to Columbus, "and what I want you to do is to build a safe and reliable route, and I'll let James help you, and once it's set up, you'll get everything I promised you, and all you have to do is make sure that this route is a shortcut to get there." ”

Columbus narrowed his eyes slightly, and he still asked with some confusion: "Duke, are you so sure of your judgment, you still think that it is a much larger land than we imagined and not just a bunch of islands?" ”

"No, you are wrong esteemed Columbus, it is not a land," Alexander whispered, "it is a completely new world, and what we are doing now is to open the door to this world." ”