A group of young women, most of whom are ordinary-looking, are healthy and lively, walking and laughing as they walk by the side of the road with baskets full of dirty clothes in their hands.

Their laughter seemed to affect the people in the carriage, and a slightly thin hand lifted the curtain of the carriage, and the people inside looked out at the young village girls.

"It's nice to be young." The occupants of the car let out a sigh and withdrew their hands.

"You're still very young," said the Moorish man, who turned his head slightly into the car, "and everything will be fine as soon as you get to Madrid." ”

"I hope so," the person in the car sighed softly, he knew very well what he was going to do, although that was what he had always hoped for, but he still sighed a little "I never thought about ......"

Although the man in the car did not continue, the Moors seemed to know what he was about to say.

He shrugged his shoulders and let out a soft "hum" from his nose disapprovingly, and pouted slightly: "You don't have to think so much now, we just need to stop and go to Madrid now." ”

The person in the carriage was silent for a moment, lowered his voice and asked, "So someone really wants to murder me?" ”

"Well."

As if not wanting to irritate the emotions of the people in the car, the Moors pondered what to phrase.

But before he could answer, the people in the car had already let out a chuckle and said to themselves: "Isn't this a common thing, there is no difference between being in the Vatican and here, believe me, I have experienced more exciting things than you can imagine." ”

The Moore didn't speak, he certainly knew that the man in the car was right, although he thought that although he was young, he had seen some storms, but compared to this man, it was really a small thing.

"It seems that your master is not having such an easy time," said the man in the chariot, "the road to power is full of thorns, and even the crown he wears may have hidden terrible mechanisms, and he has a long way to go." ”

"Isn't it you?" The Moorish man tilted slightly and said to the car, "You're going to help the master, aren't you?" ”

"Of course," the man in the car was silent for a moment, before replying, "it was Alexander who made Alexander, and now it's time to see what this achievement can achieve." ”

Listening to the words of the man in the carriage, the Moorish nodded silently, and then he shook off the whip with a smile, shouted at the two pack horses, and drove the carriage forward very skillfully.

A Clark sailboat with its ends raised high slowly approached the anchorage, and on its central deck, which had its typical features, it was deeply sunken in the middle, and a middle-aged man with a dark face blown by the sea breeze, but his eyes flashed with excitement, looking at the harbor in the distance with great interest.

The sight of thousands of sails racing in the harbor is breathtaking, and the occasional arrival of ships makes this famous European harbour look so busy.

"This is probably the so-called final glory." Looking at this prosperous scene, the man on the ship suddenly said such a somewhat unpleasant remark, and he was obviously not afraid of others hearing it, because his voice was not small.

A small manned boat rose and fell on the sea and gradually approached Clark's big ship, and the man on the deck looked at the approaching boat, and smiled on his face with a thick but rather neat beard on his chin.

Although he had never met anyone, he had heard of the person he was about to meet, and now that he thought about it, he was looking forward to meeting him.

The boat approached the boat, and a soft ladder was set up, and a man in a wide dark red robe carefully climbed up the soft ladder while struggling to tuck his clothes, which were swollen by the sea breeze.

"Let me help you friend," the man in the boat leaned over and stretched out his hand, and he smiled when he saw the other man looking up at him, "You must be Niccolò Machiavelli." ”

"Thank you," Machiavelli did not refuse the man's kindness, he took the man's hand and flipped it hard, and turned over the boat in some embarrassment, and when he was exerting, he noticed that one of the other party's shoulders seemed to be a little weak, it should be because of the disability left by some previous accident, "Thank you very much, speaking of which I am not used to life on the boat." ”

"I, on the contrary, have forgotten what it's like to step on land," the man customarily stroked his left shoulder, apparently a little shorter than the other, and then made an inviting gesture, "Come with me to the barn, for it is a bit of a sin for you on deck." ”

Machiavelli nodded, knowing that this was not the time to be polite, and that he was uncomfortable looking at the constantly fluctuating sea.

The cabin of the Clark is not very large, but the ship seems to have been remodeled, and the lower cabins are comfortably decorated, as if the ship was used more for travel than for other sea vessels, mainly for transporting cargo.

"Extravagance can be degrading, at least now I can't stand to travel with a herd of smelly livestock."

Seeing Machiavelli looking around, the man explained with a smile, but although his words sounded like self-reproach, his tone still revealed smugness and satisfaction.

Machiavelli was not annoyed by the man's arrogance, he knew very well what the man's great wealth meant, or that he would not sink when he went into the water, even if he would not be surprised if the man used gold to build a boat for himself.

"It is an honor to meet you, Lord Grogenin, and I welcome you on behalf of His Royal Highness the Duke."

Machiavelli bowed formally to the man in front of him.

Grogenin looked at the man in front of him seriously, he was not very familiar with this man.

In fact, he hadn't been back to Europe for a long time, or, as he himself put it, he had forgotten what it was like to walk on land all year after years at sea.

However, this life was very fulfilling and satisfying for Groganin, after all, his original dream now seemed to have not only been realized, but even far exceeded his previous expectations.

It also makes Grogenin sometimes look back and feel glad he made the choice in the first place.

At that time, he just wanted to find himself a backer in Naples with no background, so he needed his support and completely obeyed his agents.

But he never imagined that what he would eventually find was a beast that could devour all of Europe.

By now, Grognin could barely remember the first time he saw Alexander, because in his mind Alexander was a completely different person from the little lord who seemed to be isolated and helpless.

It's only been a few years?

How did all this change happen?

What kind of miracle will that person create in the future?

Every time he thought of these thoughts, Grognin felt a lot of emotion.

And his own fate has changed unimaginably because of his encounter with that person.

Now Grognin thinks back to his original wish, and even feels a little ridiculous.

He now has the wealth, power, and influence that he could not have imagined when he only hoped to revive the declining Hanseatic League.

If his original dream was like a sweet piece of cheese on a plate, now he has a mountain of cheese piled up.

This is not an exaggeration, and when you think of the influence you have in the Mediterranean and the wealth you have earned, Grogenen thinks that perhaps she is a little more modest.

Machiavelli, for example, was preparing to arrange a meeting with the Doge of Venice, which had previously been out of reach for him, but now the Venetians were eagerly awaiting his arrival.

"The Venetians are waiting for you," said Machiavelli with a smile, and although Leonardo Rollette was anxious, he cleverly declined the Venetians' request to meet immediately, deliberately delaying the meeting by a day, "The only thing they have to worry about now is that your ship will suddenly turn around and leave." ”

"Of course I'm not leaving," Grogenin laughed, too, "We all know that this meeting is important for both sides, but the difference is that we put forward the conditions, and the Venetians agreed to our conditions." ”

Listening to Groganin's confident words, Machiavelli couldn't help but feel a little excited.

As an official envoy, Machiavelli had always regarded himself as Alexander's number one diplomat.

Although he was well aware that the Moors were more trusted by the dukes, and that in many cases the tasks of Ullius were obviously more secretive, it was because of this that Machiavelli had more confidence in himself.

Machiavelli has always believed that such a secret mission can never be compared to a bright diplomacy.

This kind of secret diplomacy may sometimes be needed because the situation requires it, but once this kind of activity is deepened, it must be made acceptable in a righteous and bright way.

Because of this, Machiavelli wisely and prudently maintained good relations with Ulliu, trying not to make the Moors feel that their position was threatened, and at the same time sparing no effort to travel between the Italian city-states, hoping to live up to his position as first diplomat.

Diplomatic mediation with Venice was one of his proudest achievements.

With the signing of the Po River Armistice, Machiavelli also ushered in a high point in his life's work.

But he wasn't satisfied.

The ambitious diplomat had seen the crown looming over the head of the Duke of Thessia of Rome, which gave him a new purpose.

Becoming the future Foreign Secretary of the Kingdom seemed like a good dream, and he felt strongly that he was the most suitable for the position.

Now Groganin's arrival has given him even more confidence.

"The Venetian are not in a good position right now," Gragenin is also confident about the visit, "and this is a great opportunity for us. ”

Machiavelli nodded in agreement, he was naturally very clear about the purpose of Groganin's visit to Venice.

And, as Grogenin said, Venice is in a precarious situation right now, which gives them a good chance.

If the agreement with the Venetian can be successfully reached, it is self-evident that he will secure his position as future foreign minister.

This made Machiavelli look forward to the next meeting.

Leonardo Rowlet, the Doge of Venice, paced alone in the corridors.

Over the years, he has had a habit of being alone and quiet before facing major events and decisions, straightening out his emotions and adjusting his mood.

The merchant of the Hanseatic League, instead of disembarking at once, had anchored the ship at anchorage, much to the anger of many Venetians, who felt annoyed by the contempt, an attitude which they could not bear with the arrogance that the Venetians had cultivated over the years.

But Leonardo Rollette was not angry, and as for the Venetians who were still arrogant and clinging to their former glory, Lorlet did not feel much disappointment in them.

It is now a crossroads between the old and the new.

Although Lorlett didn't understand this so clearly, he could still have a vague sense that everything was going to be different.

It's just that he can't imagine what this difference looks like.

People are naturally afraid and uneasy about the unknown, and Lorlett is no different.

News about new routes and new colonies unnerved him.

Considering the shrinking trade of Venice in the two years leading into the 16th century, Lorette felt that he might be unfortunate enough to become the Doge of Venice who witnessed the decline of the maritime power.

Therefore, in order to inquire about the conclusive news of the new route, he did not hesitate to send people to Africa on the other side of the Mediterranean, trying to find out the details of the new route from there.

At the same time, he planned to deal a ruthless blow to trade on new routes if possible, and for this purpose he did not hesitate to deal with pagan countries.

But now the greater threat to Venice was the Ottomans, who were an imminent enemy for Venice compared to the new routes, which would gradually encroach on Venice's trading territory in the future.

It is precisely because of this that Lorlett will be extremely important to the upcoming meeting with Groggenen.

A figure in the distance shook slightly, which caught Lorlet's attention, and he looked over with some unpleasantness, but when he saw the person who had disturbed his musings, Lorlet smiled at the man.

"Please come over General, I just want someone to invite you."

Rondoba Barbareg approached, bowed to the Governor, and stood there without saying a word, waiting for Rowlet to speak.

"It seems that you have had a good rest this time," Lorlett looked at little Barbareg, he knew that the other party had a deep hostility towards him, but Lorlet didn't care, just like old Barbareg looked at him at the beginning, in his eyes Rondoba Barbarig was still a little tender, "It's very good for dealing with that Grogenin in the future." ”

"I've heard that a lot of people are against this meeting," said Barbarig Jr., looking at Rowlet, who had been in close contact with his uncle's old acquaintances and men since his return to Venice, which made him think that perhaps he had what it took to challenge the governor, "Do you think it would be sensible to ally with that man?" ”

Rowlet just smiled at Little Barbaregg's unreasonable behavior that was almost questioning, he felt that Little Barbareg was really the same as he was at the beginning, maybe the old Barbareg looked at him like this, enthusiastic, serious, but very reckless.

"If the person you're talking about is the Duke of Rome Thesia, I can tell you very clearly that this is our only option now," Rowlet explained calmly, but after saying that, the smile on his face gradually faded and his expression became stern, "I know you are against my decision, but as my negotiating deputy, I hope you will do your part." ”

"Of course, Governor, I don't disregard Venice's interests for the sake of my personal opinion, but because of that I feel that your decision is open to debate."

Rondoba Barbarig stared at Lorlett intently, feeling that it was time to stand up for his point of view, and it was not only his personal honor and disgrace that was at stake, but also those who supported him.

Although little Babareg had already shown a faint provocative posture, Rowlet did not say anything more, he only nodded to show that he understood what the other party was trying to say, and then walked to the servant who was already waiting at the end of the corridor with his coat.

"Venice will fall in your hands!"

Rondolba Barbarig shouted at Rowlet's back, his voice loud and causing a buzzing echo in the hallway.

Rowlet's feet stopped, but he didn't look back, as if he thought for a moment before he said calmly: "Believe me, Venice has declined, and all I do now is to save it, and I think even your uncle would think so if he is alive." ”

Rondoba Barbarig looked at Lorlet's back as he walked away with a gloomy face, and somehow, although he didn't agree with Lorlet's words, deep down he vaguely felt that maybe what this person said was not completely wrong.

The meeting took place in an inconspicuous side of the Doge's Palace in Venice, and was more of a way to make relations more formal.

Or rather, to formally negotiate issues that only those who can make decisions can negotiate.

Machiavelli certainly had this power, but the presence of Grogenin, an important figure whom Alexander openly called "my friend," is in itself an indication of the importance that the Duke of Thessia of Rome attached to this meeting.

In addition, because there were some important treaties involved, Grogenen's presence made the Venetians feel more at ease.

However, looking at this lowlander, Londoba Barbarig still felt a little resentful.

He found it hard to imagine that the lowlands, which had been thought of as just the backwoods, could become more important than the Mediterranean, and that even the Hanseatic League, which had always been regarded as a bunch of uninformed tyrants, had not been seen in the past.

But now, Venice has been reduced to the point where you have to look at the faces of these people.

It's just that the lowlanders, who were regarded as landowners by the Venetians, didn't seem to notice the other party's contempt for him, and looked down at the memo in front of him seriously, and Groganin raised his head to look at Rowette across the table.

"Your Excellency, I have brought three topics today, namely, the joint declaration of the Holy Roman Empire as a member of the Trade Alliance, relations with the Ottomans, and finally, the distribution of trade in new shipping routes."