When Gompati came to the bank again, he frowned at the turbid water.

The Mincio River was already behind him, and after a whole day of storming, forcing the crossing with numerous artillery pieces and well-equipped troops, it was at the cost of about 200 casualties that the western legions of the Roman Thescian army dealt a severe blow to the Venetians on the banks of the Mincho.

When cleaning up the battlefield after the battle, his subordinates sent 2 military flags to Gompati.

In addition to the flag of a Venetian battle brigade, it is surprising that there is also a flag of honor of the Venetian House of Lords.

This was supposed to have been awarded by the House of Lords to the Venetian army for the purpose of boosting morale, and although this banner could not be compared with that of the entire legion, it was enough to prove that the forced crossing of the Mincio River was successful.

It's just that now he has to face a new river, which makes Gompati a little helpless.

The fertile land of Italy and the excellent grain harvest, especially in the Lombardy and Veneto regions, are the breadbasket of the entire north.

In contrast, the terrain of southern Italy is complex and the mountains are extensive, and the fact that the land is not very vast like Agri is already a grain producing area that has attracted much attention, which is enough to prove the backwardness of the conditions in the south.

It's just that the fertile land is exchanged for the rivers that are crisscrossed, if it was in the past, it may just be inconvenient and there is nothing, but for an army, this kind of water network is a natural mortal enemy.

Here is the Adige River, another river that runs parallel to the Mincho River and flows south into the Adriatic Sea, and is one of the veins that crisscross the Veneto region.

"My lord, if we want to cross the river we have to do it as soon as possible, the locals say that the flood season here in June will drive the whole river crazy."

Calarioni reported to Gompati.

Gompati, who was eating the rotten chicken on his plate, nodded as he chewed vigorously.

He was still very satisfied with Cararioni, an artillery officer who had to graduate from the Military Academy of Bologna for his reasons matured very quickly.

Before attacking Mincho River, he sometimes had difficulty deciding on many things, but now he has been able to calmly deal with many troublesome incidents that are within his purview.

It's a short process, or it's not complicated, it's just a victory and an experience.

"Where do you think we should cross the river from?"

Gompati didn't take the exam, but did want to hear Cararioni's opinion.

Calarioni couldn't help but look at the map that Gompati had placed on his lap.

This map is much more accurate than Barbareg Jr., and Barbareg Jr. will be jealous if he sees it.

"Maybe we should go upstream along the Adige River, and from there cross the river directly into Vicenza." Calarioni thought for a moment and said what he thought was the most reliable idea.

"Yes, it would be best, but if then the enemy across the river could cut off our retreat from behind, or they would simply cross the Adige again, join us, and re-threaten the Lombardy and even Po lines."

Gompati said as he tapped on the place marked with the Venetian army on the other side of the river.

"So we're going to force our way across the river head-on?" Calarioni's expression was a little solemn, the personnel and materials when he had crossed the Mincho River had not yet had time to be replenished, and the artillery was now extremely short of ammunition, "Your Excellency, you know that although we have inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, our own situation is not very good, and General Ofleyi is not attacking Vicenza?" ”

"I'd love to help Ofreil, but that's after at least my own problems have been resolved." Gompati raised his glass and drank the wine inside, and then sent his attendant to pack up his things: "Our current situation is to destroy the enemy in front of us first, so that there will be no worries when marching to Venice, as for Ofleil, I believe he can deal with it." ”

Calarioni watched Gompati wait for him to give the order, and he was genuinely worried that Gompati would give the order to force the crossing of the Adige River from the front.

If that happens, the only thing he can do is charge with the infantry, but direct the artillery fire.

"But you're right, we can start upstream," Gompati said, looking at the map, "we can't afford to spend our forces here, at least the Adige River is not our ultimate goal, so there's no need to make unnecessary sacrifices." ”

As he spoke, his gaze fell on a place called Leniago in the upper reaches of the Adige River.

"This is it, we cross the river from here."

"Why this adult?" Calarioni couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Because it's just right here."

Gone Pati's answer puzzled Calarioni, who looked down at the place called Lygnago, and then at Gompati.

"Remember Calarioni, our task is to destroy as many Venetian troops as possible and force them to withdraw from this war, which is the most important thing right now, because only in this way can we secure the northeastern border of Rome-Thesia, and then we can go all out against what happens in Lombardy."

Gompati said as he knocked on the map, the village called Leñago.

"From here we have three options to cross the river, to attack Vicenza to the north, to threaten Venice to the east, and to the south along the downstream to the south to encircle the enemy on our side, which is enough for us to take the maximum initiative."

Calarioni nodded silently, he knew that he still had a lot to learn, at least to keep up with the thoughts of the legion commander in front of him, he was already tired.

"Don't be discouraged," Gompati patted Calarioni on the shoulder, "you're learning how to be a good artillery officer, but there's a lot to learn, and I don't want you to be satisfied with just commanding a bunch of artillery." ”

Gompati's words made Calarioni's heart rise with a slight excitement.

He was no longer one of those young men who might just need a few words of encouragement to be motivated, and he was even angry that he had been almost forcibly sent to the Bologna Military Academy, and then forcibly dropped out of school to join the army.

However, after a few battles, Calarioni found himself enjoying the dangerous and exciting life.

He sometimes wondered if he would be able to adapt if he was allowed to go back to being an architect, perhaps in the midst of the battles, the pungent smoke of gunpowder and the roar of the cannons had seeped into his body, awakening something in his heart that he had never been aware of before.

Leonardo Rowette stood in an inconspicuous bay window on the side of the famous balcony of the Doge's Palace, looking out.

It's so cleverly built and so secretive that if you don't look closely, you won't find this bay window that blends in with the dazzling array of sculptures and stone decorations on the façade.

The clever thing is that the cumbersome lattices on the windows also play a hidden role, and standing inside the window does not interfere with the view of the observer.

It was next door to the famous balcony room where the Doge of Venice was greeted by the crowd during the celebrations.

Successive governors had to stand on that balcony to present his image to the people of Venice while in office, and at the same time to publicly express their views during their tenure.

The other is when it's time to make some big decisions.

The last time Leonardo Rowlet's predecessor, Barbareg the Elder, stood on the balcony was when he declared an alliance with the Roman army of Thessia to wage the Second Italian War against France.

However, when the war ended, the elder Barbarig died.

Then Leonardo Rowlet became the Doge of Venice.

"It's a great place to snoop." Leonardo Rowlet sighed.

"It's also a great place to see through people's hearts."

When the Doge of Venice heard this, he turned around and saw a middle-aged man with slightly gray hair but in good spirits walking into this small room.

"My Majesty, I am honored to have you invited."

The former secretary of state stood in the doorway and looked at the room with feeling, and he noticed that Rowlet had kept most of the furnishings in the room, and even the couch for resting in the corner had only been replaced with a cushion on it.

Noticing the demeanor of the former secretary of state, Leonardo Rowlet smiled and asked, "Everything in this room is still the same, isn't it?" ”

"The master is different," said the former secretary of state, who had become a member of the House of Lords, with a slight sigh, then looked at the new governor and said, "Londoba is a good soldier, and he has inherited the wit and cleverness of his uncle. ”

"So you're going to train him to be the heir to Barbareg?" Lorlett asked in a deep tone.

"This has to be seen again, he is not that mature after all, I mean he is indeed a good soldier, but he is still a little tender to be a leader."

The former secretary of state stretched out two fingers and drew a small meaning: "I mean, we don't want him to fall on his heels in the future, so it's better to let him off the battlefield now, you know it's very unwise to go against the Romantesians now." ”

Lorette looked at the person opposite him with a blank face, although the old Barbareg had died, his family was still the most powerful family in Venice.

The man in front of him is also a prominent figure in the Barbareg faction today.

But what makes Rowlet really care is what the other party reveals.

It is clear that the Barbareg family wants to raise Rondoba Barbareg to be his uncle's heir.

This meant that the Barbaregites would not tolerate the House of Lords sacrificing Rondoba Barbareg.

Lorett thought for a moment and said, "I can consider transferring him back from the front." ”

"But will it affect his reputation?" The former secretary of state seemed slightly worried and asked, "If that happens, it may be a little troublesome for him to lead the Barbareg family in the future." ”

Lorlett frowned secretly, he vaguely sensed that the other party didn't seem to be just because of little Babareg.

"So do you have any suggestions?" The Governor asked with a cold expression.

The former secretary of state did not answer immediately, but shoved a document that had not yet been signed in front of Rowlet.

It was a letter of assignment of property, and it was clearly stated that a merchant was willing to sell a piece of his well-harvested, fertile olive grove to the Doge of Venice at a very good price.

The former secretary of state was the notary of the transaction, and since then the two sides have not owed each other money.

"But I don't remember that I made this deal." Lorette quietly pushed the offer back to the other party.

"Don't be in a hurry to refuse, or you should first find out about the olive grove," said the former secretary of state, casually handing the governor another document, "which of course is only a small personal reward for you, but trust me, we can also cooperate with you on official matters." ”

"Oh?"

This phrase from the former secretary of state caught the attention of Rowlet.

Ever since becoming Governor, Rowlet has been careful, knowing that he has to deal not only with the greedy devils of the House of Lords, but also with his former rivals.

Now that he was the kind of man he was trying to overthrow, his opponents were plotting all day long about how to drag him off the governorship.

So he became more cautious, and that naturally included all kinds of bribes that were tried to be made to him personally.

Leonardo Rollette was not a man of high morals, his wealth smelled of blood, and his path to becoming governor was not so above board.

However, he still thinks that no one can bribe him, at least no one can impress him with such a big hand.

Lorette brushed her fingers open the closed document in front of her.

When he saw the contents inside, a trace of surprise finally slowly crossed his face, which had no expression.

The Secretary of State seemed pleased with the Governor's appearance, and he looked at him triumphantly, and immediately looked down at the Governor of the document.

At the same time, I was secretly thinking about how to take advantage of the favorable situation in front of me.

Lorlett read it quickly, but when he finished reading it, he flipped to the beginning of the document again, this time much more slowly.

"It's crazy." Lorette looked up and said.

"But it's not impossible, is it?" The former secretary of state was unhurried by the Governor's questioning.

"The House of Lords won't pass." The Governor spoke again.

"So that's why we need to step in, and if you give us a little reward for what we have done for you, you can become a hero of Venice, and what better proof of your determination than that you will protect the well-being and interests of Venice and the Venetians, as you said in your inaugural speech?"

"But it's still very risky, and I can't help but suspect that even if this ambitious plan succeeds, I probably won't be able to wait for this honor, and the real beneficiary will probably be little Babarig."

"It's not impossible, after all, such an ambitious plan may indeed take many years to come true, but no one can erase your efforts in it, can it, after all, you started it, and future history will rank you as one of the greatest doges of Venice, which no one can deny."

Speaking of this, the former state secretary shrugged: "Besides, you yourself said that this plan will take a long time, so what are you worried about, Rondoba Barbareg may be able to become the governor of Venice with this plan, but what does it mean to you then?" ”

Rowlet looked at the state secretary in front of him during Barbaregg's reign, and he couldn't help but admit that this man had a sharp mouth that could be said movingly.

He knew that he was suggesting that by the time he became governor of little Babarig, he would either be dead or too old to be governor of Venice.

Thinking that this might be the case at that time, Leonardo Rowlett couldn't help but be moved.

Just looking at the plan, he was somewhat hesitant.

"But it says 'a strong alliance with the future kingdoms of Castile and Aragon,' and even a common fleet with them against the Ottomans," Rowette tapped the document with her finger and made a crisp 'boom' sound, "so you are so optimistic that the Queen of Sicily and the Duke of Rome will be able to win the war for the throne?" ”

"I beg your pardon, this is actually a very slick suggestion, we can admit that the monarchs of these two kingdoms are the brother and sister, but if they fail, we can also interpret it as an alliance with Ferdinand, after all, we were allies in the first place."

"That's a slick suggestion." Listening to the Secretary of State's explanation, Rowlet muttered, his appearance seemed a little absent-minded, and it was impossible to tell for a moment whether he was saying anything approving or sarcastic.

But the Secretary of State apparently doesn't care about that.

"You can submit this proposal to the House of Lords, and our people will do their best to support your proposal, so that you can become a hero in the revival of Venice, and once we do succeed in building a combined fleet with Castile and Aragon, then we can launch a counter-offensive against the Ottomans and regain the lost overseas possessions."

"And once this proposal is passed, we will naturally have a truce with the Roman-Thesians, and Londoba Barbarig will be able to return to Venice in a grand manner?"

The former Secretary of State did not reply to the Governor's words, but shrugged his shoulders noncommittally, as if it had been a coincidence.

Lorette thought for a moment and slowly picked up the pen, he took the transfer book next to him and looked at it, then dipped it in ink and signed his name on it.

Seeing the signature on the document, the state secretary secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but he did not immediately leave, but continued:

"Also, for some special reasons, I would like to be able to get an amnesty from you first."

As soon as the former secretary of state spoke, Leonardo Rowlet's face was filled with surprise and confusion.

He didn't speak immediately, but stared at the other party for a moment before asking in a dull tone, "Can you tell me why you got such an amnesty, or tell me who you are asking for this amnesty?" ”

There was a sudden silence in the room, and after a while Lorlet said slowly, "Tell me, what did Rondoba do?" ”

When the sun was setting, the former secretary of state came out of the governor's palace.

He quickly got into a small boat waiting on the dock.

There were already people waiting for him on the boat.

Seeing the former state secretary, Machiavelli smiled sincerely: "Everything is going well, Your Excellency, Secretary?" ”