Italy in the 17th century was chaotic, and there was no such thing as Italy at all, with independent city-states and republics dividing the Apennine Peninsula into pieces. The Republic of Venice was one of the city-states of the peninsula. Venice, formerly a vassal state of the Byzantine Empire, gained autonomy in the 9th century. During the High Middle Ages, Venice became very wealthy due to its control of European trade with the Levant and began to expand in the direction of the Adriatic. Although in the division of the Byzantine Empire, Venice acquired many islands in the Aegean Sea, including Crete and Evia.

However, with the rise of the Turks, Venice fell into decay after the fall of the Byzantine Empire, although in the "Battle of Lepanto" a hundred years earlier, the forces of the Holy Alliance defeated the Ottoman navy and stopped their attack on Western Europe. Although the victorious Republic of Venice lost Cyprus and was able to continue to rule the Venetian region, the Adriatic coast and the Ionian Islands, it had declined and lived in the shadow of its former glory.

Venice is in decline!

For Zhang Wanqi, who had just arrived in Venice, the eldest son of the Ming Dynasty's vassal, the first thing to feel was the city's decay, although a large number of ships could still be seen in the harbor, and after entering the canal, the customs house, which symbolized commercial sovereignty, stood in the most conspicuous part of the city.

But what everyone feels is a recession – even an outsider can feel the decline here. This decline is inevitable, the rise of Venice is closely related to trade, the rise of the Ottomans, not only interrupted the entrepot trade between Venice and the East, but also squeezed them out of the Black Sea, North Africa, the disappearance of trade routes, so that this once prosperous water city, into a long-term decline.

Although 100 years ago, the Holy Alliance of Venice and Spain defeated the Ottoman navy at sea. successfully prevented their threat to Western Europe.

However, it could not stop its own decline. After all, the advent of the Age of Discovery had fundamentally changed Venice's status as a transit trade center between the East and the West. The Ottoman Empire's blockade of trade in the East also led to his further decline.

All of this ultimately led to the decay of this place. Despite the apparent hectic trade of Venice, the waterways were lined with small boats in an orderly manner. However, the depression in the market cannot be concealed, and the depression in the market has also affected the lives of the people here, many of whom are ragged and malnourished.

The scene in front of him made Zhang Wanqi not think too much, everything here had long been expected by him, no matter how depressed their life was, it didn't mean anything to him. After all, these people are nothing but Venetians, so what does their life have to do with him? and just asked Zhang Guoliang beside him.

"Are you sure the Valleollo family is still in Venice?"

Zhang Wanqi, who left Guangzhou on a clipper two months ago and went to Egypt, had a very special mission, but this task was not as complicated as he imagined, and it could even be said to be extremely easy. And then immediately came to Venice.

"Childe, Europe is different from China, in China, the royal families of the previous dynasties are often incognito and hidden, lest they be cut down, but in Europe, they are openly showing their identity, the Palaiologos may have lost the Byzantine Empire for more than two hundred years, but for Europeans, they are still nobles, and they are extremely noble nobles, and their family survivors - that is, the descendants of the youngest son of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel II, still live in Venice, as nobles, Now, of course, they have nothing but the title of nobility. Although it was once a dependency of the Byzantine Empire. But they also live here as aristocrats, nothing more. ”

Zhang Guoliang explained the difference in Europe to the loyal and righteous prince beside him. He didn't understand why this prince had traveled thousands of miles to get here, but one thing was for sure, since he had come here, he must have a special purpose.

"In fact, their lives don't even have to catch up with some of the rich people in the city. Their lives can even be described as down-and-out. It's just a little better than the civilians. ”

"So, they're civilians now?"

Only the title remains?

Zhang Wanqi's brows jumped slightly, he was worried that he would find some ragged people, in that case, whether the plan could be implemented smoothly or not would be a problem.

"No, Childe, they are nobles, they have never been commoners, even if they are penniless, they are also nobles! No matter how down-and-out they are, they can't be as down-and-out as those civilians in the city. ”

Could a nobleman be penniless?

For Roannes Valleoho, almost every day, he had to face longer and longer bills, and as a nobleman, he had to maintain a decent life, but only a little rent. It's absolutely impossible.

"Perhaps, I should consider their suggestion."

Once again, Roannes Valleoho thought of a friend's suggestion to sell the estate.

The estate was bought in Venice by his ancestors after they left Constantinople and was the only property of the Valleolet family. It is also a source of livelihood for them for generations in Venice.

But after the sale of the estate, what is the future of the Valleo family?

Looking up at the ancestors on the paintings, without exception, they were all dressed in Byzantine costumes, and although they never thought about restoring the rule of the Byzantine Empire, it did not prevent them from using Byzantine costumes to tell the world that they were the true heirs of the Byzantine Empire.

But that's about it. There is anyone who would believe that they will one day be able to return to Constantinople. Even they themselves do not believe that one day the Byzantine Empire will stand there again.

For them, the Cham Empire is nothing more than an outstanding memory, nothing more.

"I have only one daughter, and maybe when she marries, the Valleologos will be a thing of the past, and who will meet them? Perhaps, this manor could be used as her dowry......"

But what kind of big man in Venice would marry her? After all, except for the title...... Even the so-called titles are not worth mentioning, and now, more than 200 years after the fall of Constantinople, who cares what the title of "heir to the Byzantine Empire" is.

No one cares about the heirs of the Byzantine Empire. It's like no one cares about the Byzantine Empire. Because it's long gone.

For many. That empire is just a presence in books. Who will remember him? Of course, no one will care about the so-called titles.

Maybe you can find a wealthy merchant in the city.

They may care about their daughter's title. After all, those people, they have nothing but money. But the Valleollio family now had titles that they did not have, in addition to having no money.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a coquettish laugh, and in the midst of the laughter, a young girl burst in.

"Daddy,"

Anna, who was dressed in a white dress, looked at her father with a smile on her face.

"Today I'm going to go horseback riding with Angel, and maybe, I'll have lunch at Angel's house at noon."

Looking at her daughter's cheerful appearance, Roannis Valleollio, who was originally having a headache with those bills, immediately laughed.

"Okay, I see, you have to be careful when you ride a horse."

Looking at his lively daughter, when the sun shines on her cheeks, that beautiful face will remind him of his wife, Anna is as beautiful and kind as his wife. As a father, I should think about her first.

Maybe she really should find a wealthy businessman as a husband. That way, at least he and his children and grandchildren don't have to worry about life anymore.

Maybe it's the best option!

When he arrived at the Valleo family manor by carriage, Zhang Wanqi did not meet Anna, who left the manor on horseback, and as an ordinary person visited, after informing the maid of his name, he soon met Roannes Valleoro, the heir of the Valleo family.

"Are you from the Ming Kingdom?"

Roannes Valleo looked at the visitor in amazement, this was the first time he had seen a Ming person. Now Europe is no stranger to the Ming Kingdom.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Zhang Wanqi replied in somewhat stiff Latin.

"Do you speak Latin?"

Roannes immediately changed his words to Latin, unbeknownst to him, that Zhang Wanqi spoke Latin in order to communicate directly with him to avoid leaking secrets.

"Yes, I once learned Latin with the priest, Your Excellency."

After a simple politeness, Zhang Wanqi said directly.

"I want to communicate with Your Excellency in Latin, it is a matter of respect, after all, Palaiologos is the true heir of the Byzantine Empire......"

Looking at the oil paintings on the wall, looking at the figures wearing Byzantine costumes on the portraits, Zhang Wanqi can imagine that in the hearts of these people, there are still memories of the Byzantine Empire.

It's just that the Roanis in front of him has such memories?

"Thank you."

The other party's answer made Roannis a little distracted, and most of the time, he chose to ignore this. But sometimes there are always people who will remind him. The reminder belongs to the past of the Valleologous family.

Memories of the past are always unforgettable.

"Byzantine ...... For the Valleologos now, it's just a distant dream, you know, now the Ottomans are so powerful that they can make Europe tremble, and now they are attacking Vienna, and maybe, after the fall there, the whole of Europe will soon be overshadowed by the Ottomans. ”

The Ottomans had already besieged Vienna, and had already heard the news when Zhang Wanqi and his party arrived in Venice.

The Ottoman Empire was so powerful that it could make all of Europe tremble under his invisibility.

Because this opponent was strong enough, he believed that his advice was tempting enough for the Valleologos. After all, who could say no to that suggestion?

"Indeed, so, and because of this, as the special envoy of His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, I will make a suggestion to you."

Looking at this Valleo in front of him with a smile, Zhang Wanqi had a smile on his face.

"Suggestions?"

Looking at this noble heir from the Ming Dynasty in puzzlement, Roannis's eyes were full of puzzlement.

"We know that you have a daughter, Miss Anna Valleologo, she is 14 years old this year, and the Ninth Emperor of His Majesty the Ming Emperor is exactly 16 years old this year, they are the same age, so His Majesty the Emperor specially sent me to propose marriage to Your Excellency."

This was the reason why he had traveled so far to Europe, and he was extremely surprised when he first received this task. Who would believe that His Majesty the Emperor would come here thousands of miles to ask for his son.

What the!

Roannis looked at the man in front of him in surprise, he simply couldn't believe his ears.

"How is this possible!"

He said almost immediately in a loud and startled voice.

"Your emperor, how could it be, would ......"

Will they take the initiative to propose to themselves, the declining Byzantine aristocracy?

It was simply impossible, and for at least for a moment, Roanis even doubted the identity of the other party.

"Are you really the envoy of the Emperor of the Ming Kingdom?"

"In Rome, there is an ambassador sent by the Ming Dynasty, and now he is on his way to Venice, and my identity will be confirmed in a few days, Your Excellency."

When Zhang Wanqi went to the Valleo family estate, Zhang Guoliang had already gone to Rome to invite the ambassador here to prove his identity.

"Uh, this ......"

Roannes nodded, surprised.

"Your emperor, do you know that the Byzantine Empire has long since fallen, and now the Palaiologous family is just a declining Byzantine nobleman, nothing more."

"That's enough,"

Zhang Wanqi said with a smile on his face, looking at Roanis.

"His Majesty the Emperor believes that the marriage between the Ming and Byzantine royal families will help to deepen the understanding between the East and the West......"

It seemed like an ordinary sentence, but it set off a wave in Roannis's heart, and he looked at the other party in surprise and said.

"Byzantine royalty...... You guys,"

Roanis's throat was a little astringent, and he even felt suffocated, because in the other party's words, he guessed another possibility, maybe, maybe...... Once upon a time, in the eyes of his ancestors, it seemed that the dream that was out of reach was no longer wishful thinking, because the information brought by the person in front of him.

"We feel that Istanbul, perhaps, should reinstate his former name."