The gunshots rang out quickly, and with the sound of exclamation, several figures rushed out of the surrounding ranks, and they rushed past the guards who had not yet reacted to the nobles in the hall, and before the guards could understand what was happening, they had rushed to Alexander's side.

Several sharp sabers were immediately placed in front of Flomenza, while others were looming with weapons behind them.

"What are you doing?" Flomenza stared blankly at the tip of the knife on his chest, and when he realized what was happening, he immediately yelled at Alexander, "Look what you have done, do you want to hijack us, this is a thief's work, don't you feel that your actions are shameful and insulting yourself?" ”

Ignoring Flomenza, who was yelling loudly, Alexander looked at Gonzalo on the side, looking at Gonzalo's face as he began to be surprised and then calmed down, Alexander raised his hand slightly and made an inviting gesture to him.

Gonzalo glanced at Flomenza, who was still talking, then at the guards around him who were at a loss, and then frowned and followed Alexander to a few chairs in the corner not far away.

"Count, you don't mean to do that," Gonzalo didn't feel any panic after being kidnapped, he looked at Alexander, who had filled his glass of wine for him, took a sip and said slowly, "Trust me, you will be discredited by this in the future, this is not a good sign, it means that no one wants to trust you from now on." ”

Alexander smiled noncommittally, he knew that Gonzalo was right, and maybe he was really going to have a bad reputation after this time, after all, using sneak attacks to openly kidnap a governor and general was indeed very dishonorable in this era, and would even be regarded as a rule-breaking move.

But Alexander didn't care about that.

"Times have changed, Knights, some things are really different from the past."

Alexander said this with a little emotion, he knew what kind of era it was, and he knew better than anyone what direction this era would take, in this era that supposedly completely crushed the darkness of the Middle Ages and the last classical war, many things would die and many things would come into being.

Intrigues, betrayals, bribes and betrayals are more frequent than ever in this era, and the criteria for judging all these things are no longer those long-standing knightly rules full of romance and honor, but long and rotten, but victory and defeat, life and death.

Gonzalo did not object to Alexander's words, he was not actually a pedantic person, in fact, the military genius who later became the great Gonzalo had a detached personality and a calm attitude to act at the opportunity, and at the same time did not lack the spirit of courage to explore new things, it was because of his character that when he heard that he was coming with his troops, Alexander decided to change his plans a little, and find an opportunity to simply face this excellent commander who may be his lifelong enemy in the future.

"And what are you going to do with us, just escort us out and leave with that Count Mordiglo? You know it's not going to work, you can't escape," Gonzalo looked at Alexander with some curiosity, stroking his bushy but not very long beard, wondering what he was going to do with the trouble in front of him, and from what he knew about the young man, he probably wouldn't do such a thing on the spur of the moment.

Alexander nodded slightly, then leaned forward and lowered his voice slightly, "General, I think that if we talk about the conditions, we may be able to solve the current problem." ”

Really......

Gonzalo looked at Alexander silently, he knew that this should be the real reason why Alexander would take such an extreme and almost unwise, he was here to make conditions, but what kind of conditions can solve the current bad situation?

Naples has declared war on Sicily, and the Montina army is their main force, although compromise on the battlefield is not a problem at all, but the current situation makes things very tricky, so what kind of conditions can calm down the mad guy of Flomenza, or even accept?

"Release the Count," Alexander directly prescribed, "General, we all know that it is absolutely unacceptable for the Governor to do this, Naples must rescue Count Mordillo, and for this it can be done at any cost." ”

"Do you mean doing anything, including an alliance with the French?" Gonzalo was keenly aware of the meaning of Alexander's words, and although this was indeed what they had guessed for a long time, it was a different story from Alexander himself.

"All possibilities, Count Mordillo is my sister, the uncle of the Queen Regent of Naples, and this alone determines that rescuing the Count is not only about family affection, but also about the dignity of the Kingdom of Sicily."

Gonzalo's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he noticed Alexander's words.

Although the kingdoms of the Two Sicilies have long claimed to be Sicily, this is often in a more formal setting, where they are usually referred to as Sicily and Neapolitan for the sake of distinction, and now Alexandria claims Sicily directly, which makes Gonzalo realize that he seems to be directing the conversation in a direction that he has not yet guessed.

Gonzalo was careful, he knew very well that this young man was not so easy to deal with, especially his bizarre ideas were many of them unexpected at first, but when things happened, there was a feeling that it should have been like this, Gonzalo felt that this feeling was very bad, he could imagine that if this situation appeared on the battlefield, it would probably mean that his opponent had fallen into a trap.

"It may be a contradiction between the two Sicilies, and I can also interpret it as the governor's personal prejudice against the brotherly state, but if he tries to confront me by borrowing the Aragonese army, then I cannot but consider an alliance with the French, or even with a more powerful power."

"Wait a minute, who do you mean by more powerful forces?" Gonzalo grasped the crux of Alexander's words, and although he didn't want to believe it, the obvious meaning of those words made him not to ignore: "Don't tell me that you want to make an alliance with the Ottomans, which is not in line with your identity, you must know that the whole of Europe knows that you are a hero in the resistance to the infidels, are you going to destroy yourself?" ”

Alexander pouted secretly, of course, people today don't know what a business image is, but whether it's Gonzalo's bohemianty or Ashulk's boldness and generosity, it's actually like this.

So what about him, what is his image?

The young and dashing count, the hero of Christendom's resistance to the Ottomans, or, like Skop, in the eyes of others, a lucky man who climbed to a high position by relying on a woman?

None of this really matters, just like Louis XII's future heir, his son-in-law, the future French king François I, the French king who was known as the last knight king, while enjoying this title, did not prevent him from forming an alliance with the Ottomans, and even in several wars related to the fate of Europe, France not only provided ports to the Ottoman fleet, but even sent troops to provoke other countries, secretly plotting against the then Ottoman Sultan Suleiman.

However, this did not affect the reputation of François I, who is still regarded as one of the most beloved kings in French history, and it is even said that without the wise and rational diplomatic choices of François I at that time, Louis XIV would not have been as brilliant as Louis XIV would have been after the rise of the Bourbon dynasty.

History is like that, never based on motives, but on results.

These thoughts flashed through Alexander's mind, and looking at Gonzalo's inquiring gaze, he thought for a moment and lowered his voice and said, "Then General, do you think you can take Naples if I only ally with the French?" ”

Gonzalo's hand holding the wine glass moved slightly, he looked at Alexander quietly and said: "I think you have misunderstood, we have come to help you, the king cares about the brotherhood of the two Sicilies and sends troops to help you, but your attitude is very surprising, or it is more appropriate to be disappointed, it is indeed inappropriate to fool the governor of Flomensa, but is this your return for the king's kindness?" ”

Listening to Gonzalo's words, Alexander smiled lightly, he beckoned to the guards, motioned for them to bring Flomenza, who had stopped cursing, and looked at the angry governor on his face, Alexander said in a voice that only three people could hear: "Then let everything be clear, General, your army is not here to rescue but to occupy Naples, your task is to expel the Naples royal family, and even force the royal family to renounce the throne of Naples and depose the king, and you, the governor, you want to use the count to eradicate your enemies in Aragon." Whatever they did, you just have to say that the Count planned the rebellion of the Bloodstained Night, and that he had many of the same supporters in Aragon, and that's enough, I guess that's right? ”

Flomensa looked at Alexander in amazement, then turned his head to look at Gonzalo with a look in his eyes that he clearly suspected that Gonzalo had revealed their true purpose when the two had just talked.

"Don't look at me like that," Gonzalo muttered dissatisfied, of course he knew that he had not revealed anything to Alexander, and he did not bother to ponder how Alexander knew such a secret matter, and then he said to Alexander, "Go on." ”

As for Flomenza's suspicions, Gonzalo disdained to explain, in his opinion, although they were all favored by the monarch's side, Flomenza could never be compared with him, and in this regard, Gonzalo had an incomprehensible arrogance.

Alexander was pleased with Gonzalo's attitude, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly as he watched Flomenza's inquiring eyes between the two.

Gonzalo de Córdoba was a great military genius, and the world's admiration for him often came from the powerful Spanish phalanx he created, and in Alexandria, the phalanx certainly made Gonzalo, but what really made the Spanish army rampant on the European continent in the next two centuries was actually his far-sighted vision of the transformation of firearms tactics and the far beyond ordinary people's vision of the great role of firearms in the future battlefield.

It can be said that without Gonzalo, the process of replacing cold weapons with hot weapons may be completely different.

In the face of such a person, even the most confident can not ignore him, and Alexander does not think that he is smarter than the others, at least the enemies he has defeated on the battlefield so far have been won by his sharp firearms, and when faced with an enemy with the same equipment, especially a genius military commander like Gonzalo, Alexander cannot guarantee that he will really be able to completely defeat him on the battlefield.

Or even if he wins, he will have to pay a high price.

Gonzalo may not care, because he has two powerful kingdoms behind him, but Alexander can't help but consider the pros and cons that the loss will bring him.

Therefore, if a huge hidden danger can be eliminated without being on the battlefield, this is the best outcome in Alexander's opinion.

He planted a thorn, a thorn of doubt that could not be removed in Flomenza's heart, and made him doubt that there was some tacit understanding between himself and Gonzalo, and then waited for the thorn to grow until Ferdinand, who was sitting firmly in the court of Aragon, was also restless.

This method may not be of much use to others, and when they know that they may be suspected, others will defend themselves by virtue of Queen Isabella's favor, and then obediently and do their best to please the two kings until their suspicions are cleared.

But Gonzalo wouldn't, he was too proud to explain at all, and he wouldn't deliberately curry favor with the kings in order to win the favor of the kings.

The queen's grace made him think that he was unique, and the glory on the battlefield made him feel that even a king could not compare to him.

This shows from his brazen public humiliation of Alexander VI at the beginning, how arrogant this man's character has become.

Alexander believed his guesses, because it was not only the Gonzalo he had come into contact with, but also the result of history.

In the future, Gonzalo will pay the price for his arrogance and arrogance, and when Isabella can no longer shelter him, the long-standing conflict between him and Ferdinand will completely explode.

All Alexander had to do was to add some firewood to the flames of contradictions, which would have erupted after a long time, so that they could burst into flames of battle in advance.

Alexander did not hesitate to take risks for this, but he was not worried, because he already had a plan for what to do next.

"The king won't do that......"

Flomenza tried to defend Ferdinand, but was interrupted by Alexander's raised hand.

"We all know very well whether the king would do this, and do you really think that you would be foolish enough to sneak into Sicily at such a time as to risk your own safety?"

Flomenza's face changed suddenly, and he looked at Gonzalo, hoping to get an answer from him about what might have happened.

"Your army was assembled more than half a month ago," Gonzalo began, "but you have not made any move, even since I arrived in Sicily, there has been no reaction, what do you want to do?" ”

Seeing that Alexander did not speak, but only looked at the smile, Gonzalo suddenly thought of what he had just said.

"Sardinia!"

Sardinia, not very far from Sicily, is obviously not as important as Sicily in the Mediterranean, but it is the bridgehead of Aragon to contain the southern coastline of France, although further northeast there is Corsica as a stronghold to contain French power in the Mediterranean, but it is obviously not as important as Sardinia.

The goal of the Neapolitans was not Sicily at all, but Sardinia?

This thought instantly surprised and secretly relieved Flomenza, he had been a little dizzy by this Cambrai, who would have thought that a noble count would suddenly play the role of a robber, or that it was not appropriate for a robber, but his actions in front of him made Flomenza feel that he was specialized in kidnapping tickets.

Gonzalo's eyes were gloomy, he could not feel that everything was all right because the Neapolitans had not invaded Sicily, as Flomensa did, he was the commander of the Aragonese army, and when he heard that the Neapolitans were going to invade Sardinia, he thought about how to stop it all quickly.

"Count you yourself came to Sicily, but let the army invade Sardinia, this is really a surprise to me," Gonzalo nodded, he couldn't help but admit that the sudden invasion of Sardinia was indeed very unexpected, but what made him more curious was Alexander's sudden appearance, he didn't believe that Alexander would be stupid enough to throw himself into the net, after all, even if he came with a metropolitan, there was no guarantee that he would be able to leave here again, as for using them as hostages, Gonzalo felt that this method was too stupid" But you're not in a good position right now, so tell me what you're going to do? ”

Alexander glanced at Gonzalo and then at Camus, who was not far away.

The old man was still so half-dead, as if everything in front of him had nothing to do with him.

"That's why I'm here in Sicily," Alexander's gaze swept over everyone in the hall, looking at the suspicious nobles and bishops, he slowly stretched out his hand forward, "Sardinia Corsica, and even more Aragonese islands, if I can't take the Count, not only will these places be attacked, but I can assure you that these places will be welcomed not only by us, but even from Naples, these places will be handed over to the French, and then you will face more than us, And the French army. ”

Alexander's words made the faces of the people around him change, and they looked at him in disbelief, as if they couldn't believe that he would say such a thing.

"Would Naples rather submit to the French than become a family with its brethren?"

Gonzalo spoke, and his words surprised everyone.

This was the first time Gonzalo had given a positive answer to Alexander's previous accusations about Aragon's attempt to annex Naples, and what he meant was undoubtedly proof that Alexander was right.

Aragorn did have ambitions for Naples!

"Is there anything strange," Gonzalo glanced at the nobles who were stunned by the succession of surprises, "the two Sicilies have been separated for too long, and now it's time to reunite, isn't it normal, isn't it, and you, Count, want to stop all this?" ”

Alexander shook his head slightly, and he glanced at the Venetian envoy who had stayed but could only stand by and watch the scene silently.

"Of course I will not stop you, General, on the contrary, I think the same, but I would like to remind you that you have probably forgotten the threat of the Ottomans, and I assure you that as soon as the Aragonese army sets foot in Naples, you will find that Venice will be threatened from Wallachia, and they will have to withdraw their troops in the Mediterranean in order to protect their homeland, and then Sicily will face the Ottoman fleet directly."

There was a rush of gasps and gasps in the hall, and everyone, even Massimo, looked at Alexander in disbelief, and for a moment no one in the hall spoke.

Gonzalo looked at Alexander seriously, although he didn't know if he would actually implement these words, but Gonzalo felt that this person was really crazy, and even he couldn't help but admit that this threat really poked at the heart of Sicily.

The resistance of the Venetians at sea bought Sicily time, and even Flomenza, who did not have the slightest affection for the Venetians, had to admit that it was the Venetian resistance at sea that allowed Sicily to avoid a head-on collision with the Ottomans.

So in the future, the Aragonese army had to support Venice, otherwise it would be watching the Ottomans rule the entire Mediterranean.

Gonzalo's gaze was also glancing at the Venetian envoy not far away, and he saw the indignant expression on the envoy's face that was full of anger but had to listen in silence.

For the first time in centuries, the Venetians found their fate in the hands of someone else.

"Count, are you threatening me? Threaten me with collusion with infidels? Gonzalo lowered his voice and said that he did not want to dwell on such matters, and that he knew that the charge of colluding with the infidels might be a serious crime in Iberia, but in Italy it was nothing to many nobles, or even if it did damage Alexander's reputation, but considering his illustrious connections in the Vatican, Gonzalo did not think it would be a mortal crime that would bring him down.

And most importantly, Gonzalo did not believe that Alexander would risk running to Sicily in order to be seized by others.

"What do you want to do?" Gonzalo asked suddenly, feeling as if he had grasped the clue in Alexander's words, but suddenly he had no clue.

"Allied with me, general," Alexander also lowered his voice, "don't think about Naples anymore, Ferdinand's conspiracy has been exposed, and the Aragon army must never want to set foot on Neapolitan soil, otherwise, as I said, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica will be attacked by us and the French, but if you make an alliance with me, I promise that there is a place where you can conquer more of your prowess and great interests." ”

"Where?" Gonzalo's eyes narrowed slightly, and then the corner of his eye suddenly quickly glanced at the Venetian envoy, "Crete?!" ”

Listening to Gonzalo say "Crete", Alexander smiled, and at the same time, his heart that had been hanging in secret finally relaxed.

He knew that Gonzalo had understood what he meant, and then everything would be easier.

Seeing Gonzalo's expression of excitement that could not be concealed, Alexander turned back to Flormenza and said, "But before negotiating, I think it is better to release my uncle Count Mordillo first, I believe you will not object, right, Governor?" ”

There was a gloom on Flomensa's face, and although he didn't know what the two men had said, he guessed from Gonzalo's unconcealable excitement that Alexander must have said something important to him.

"Governor, release the Count, maybe we really need to talk."

Seeing Gonzalo's impatient gaze coming at him, Flomenza secretly gritted his teeth.

This favorite of Queen Isabelle was so arrogant that his tone was completely commanding the governor of Sicily as if he were his soldiers.

Frimensa was tempted to refuse, and he did have the right and reason to refuse the order, which was clearly overstepping, but after only a brief thought, he decided to listen to Gonzalo's words.

What were they talking about?

Have a topic to discuss that no one else knows about?

Or, it was all a conspiracy, otherwise it would be hard to imagine that the Count of Montina would have been so bold as to come to Sicily on his own.

Flomenza felt as if he had discovered some shocking secret, and while watching the two men cautiously and whispering, he ordered his men to bring Count Mordillo to him.

"Count you can rest assured that the Count of Mordillo has been treated in Sicily in perfect harmony with his status, that his dignity has not been insulted in the slightest, and that as for his life, I assure you that when you see him, you may find him fatter than he was in Naples."

Flomenza said in a mocking tone, he felt that he had behaved very well, and if he suddenly appeared to be hostile to the person who had just kidnapped him at this time, it would only make the other party more careful about himself.

Some resentment, but helplessness in the face of Gonzalo's domineering, this is very clever to hide his inner thoughts.

Alexander didn't seem to care about Flomensa's ridicule, but when he saw the Governor's seemingly unintentional glance at the two of them, Alexander couldn't help but smile in his heart.

Invisible thorns are being buried, and perhaps one Flomensa is not enough to make Ferdinand suspicious of Gonzalo, but if this suspicion accumulates, in the end, Ferdinand will not be able to tolerate this thorn in his heart.

Alexander thought as he turned back to Gonzalo, who was deep in thought, probably already considering the possibility and steps of conquering Crete, when a sudden sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

Then a soldier burst in in a panic, and before he could see where Flomenza was, the soldier was already shouting: "Your Excellency, Lord Governor, that Count Mordillo, is gone!" ”