In April 1503, Cardinal Michel of Wisney died under an extremely strange circumstance, and although the doctors openly stated that he died of fever, in fact, everyone knew it, because the cardinal died at dusk, and before the doctor and the priest who had come to listen to his confession had left, the Pope's guards entered his mansion, they took everyone under control, and then looted every gold ducat in the mansion, as well as other valuable things.

The cardinal's net worth is much richer than that of Cardinal Ferrari and Cardinal Gero, and judging from the complaint filed by Cardinal Michel's brother, the Pope has received at least 150,000 gold ducats this time. Cardinal Michel's death put everyone in Rome in danger because he died in his home, not the Pope or Caesar. At Borgia's feast, this suggests that Borgia must have bribed his servants to drip deadly poison into his wine or dishes.

This realization led to Pope Alexander's proposal at the May Council to increase the number of cardinals again, and no one dared to refute it - if the pope must make money, then it would be better to increase the number of cardinals than to erase one or two cardinals and sell them - and of the nine new cardinals, six were Spaniards, and the rest, two Italians with the surname Borgia, one from the Holy Roman Empire, and one rather surprising, Because he came from the Sodrini family in Florence.

The Sodrini family had a place in the Florentine Council of Eighty, and Carboni occasionally listened to the head of the family, but unlike Carboni and Neri, their words and deeds did not control the entire political situation in Florence, and they were usually very modest and gentle in proportion to such a power, but after the Albizi family was destroyed overnight by betraying Arezzo, they were suddenly revealed like a thin needle in a velvet bag.

This time they spent 100,000 gold ducats in exchange for a cardinal's red hat, but even a little more would be surprising enough for Borgia, who was deeply disgusted with the Medici and Florence. So, in the darkness of the night, Francisco. Cardinal Sodrini not only visited Caesar. Borgia, also secretly turned back after leaving Rome in disguise and visited Julio, who was in the convent of the Picromy family. Medici.

Although Sodrini was already a cardinal, he not only did not wait for Giulio to kiss his hand, but also did not hesitate to bend down and kiss Giulio's hand – of course, most of this was for Cardinal Picromini behind Giulio. He was a man of no more than forty years of age, thin and pale, and his eyes were swirling with the sly glint that is common among the merchants rather than the piety of the clergy, and he said, seemingly sincerely, "it was only a deal." ”

Julio. The Medici did not let his lips touch his hands, even in this era, arrogance is a common problem of almost every young man, but Giulio never did, or rather, his arrogance has always been hidden in his heart, but, after so many things, his arrogance has been like moss on a stone, washed away by a storm and hurricane: "Caesar. Borgia suffered probably the biggest setback of his life in Florence," said the young archbishop mildly, "and it is difficult to say that he can only be moved by Kindukart," and he returned to his place, stretched out his hand to Cardinal Sodrini, and invited him to sit down: "He has just confused Albizi with the title of Grand Duke of Florence, and you and I can hardly guarantee that he will not repeat his old tricks, right?" ”

"Sodrini has always been the most loyal citizen of Florence and the most powerful and loyal ally of the Medici family." Cardinal Sodrini brazenly said, ignoring the cold attitude and indifference of 1494 and recent times, "and we are not stupid. He smiled sweetly: "Of course, the Duke of Romagna did put forward some conditions, but I also told him that I might be able to do it, but those will take time." ”

Julio looked a little surprised: "Are you saying you're cheating on him?" He shook his head slightly, "That's not wise. Caesar. Borgia is not a forgiving man, and if he finds out that you have played tricks on him, he will surely take revenge hundreds of times more often - Paul, who betrayed him. Orsini was nominally hanged, but as we all know, he was skinned in prison. ”

Cardinal Sodrini shuddered, but he boldly puffed out his chest: "If he still has that energy and mind at that time......"

"At that time?"

"Ahh Cardinal Sodrini sighed pretendedly: "Yes, it was that time, but if you ask me exactly when, I don't know, because that's not for me to decide—but I suppose it's not too far away from us, given what I've seen lately." He made a flip-through gesture: "Now everyone in the city of Rome, from the prince to the beggar, is eager to hear the news of Borgia's death, whether it is the Holy Father or the Duke of Romagna, they are like rats in a corner, they will jump up and bite if they take one more step forward." Speaking of this, he laughed happily: "Look, my lord, such a good time is really difficult for me to control my hands to catch a handful, in normal times, as a Florentine, a hundred thousand gold ducats may not be able to open the door of the Vatican Palace, but they have lost their minds, like a bull teased by a red cloth, as long as they provoke a little, they will hit where you need it, even if there is a sharp sword waiting for him behind him?" He looked at Giulio earnestly, "I hope you will understand my thoughts, although I kissed the hand of Alexander VI and received this red hat, but in my heart I have always longed for a shepherd of supreme virtue, pious and chaste, to lead us, and for this I will do it even if I need to bow down to the devil—so," he lowered his voice, "if you could convey it to me, I mean, the venerable elder, if he could understand my suffering, it would be great— If you have any needs, please remember that I am always on your side. ”

Although Giulio had expected it, he couldn't help but smile slightly, it seems that the real purpose of this man is to flatter Cardinal Picromini through himself, in any case, those who are intelligent and sharp or wealthy have long seen that among these cardinals, the only one who is most likely to become Pope after Alexander VI is Picomini, even now, the Pope cannot shake the power of Cardinal Picromini in Rome, and his illegitimate son is also cautious about Siena - of course, He also knew that Sodrini had another statement to the contrary in front of Borgia, and would even swear that if he was given time, the Sodrini family would give Florence both hands.

But the most likely thing he would do was to slip into an unknown corner of Rome or Florence, and when the brutal drama was over, he would be the first to jump out and frantically bow to the victor.

Cardinal Sodrini, however, is a little more biased towards Cardinal Picomini, because in any case, the Borgia family's attitude towards their enemies and allies is too disturbing.

Giulio finally managed to send this Cardinal Sodrini, Cardinal Picromini no longer appeared in front of inconsequential people as early as the Feast of the Lord, although Sodrini is also a cardinal with one vote, but such a person is not at all sincere or words can be moved, he pays attention to the immediate and handful interests, these, it will be too late to give them at that time. And Giulio also made good use of his status as a Florentine, although he did not fulfill his original wish to personally show his "loyalty" to Cardinal Picromini, but it did not disappoint him too much, or rather, he left very proudly with Giulio. The Medici became a pair of "best friends".

If anything, it's that he didn't get the exact name, place, or time he could get from his young friend, and he didn't even let Julio get him. The Medici acknowledged that the pamphlets were Picomini's doing.

When the annoying uninvited guest left, Cardinal Picromini walked in through the side door, put his hand on Giulio's shoulder, and asked, "How many are you doing today?" ”

"Twelfth." Julio said tiredly.

Cardinal Picromini patted Giulio on the head comfortingly: "Well, that's the end of the day, thirteen is not a good number," he said, "let them go and close the door, even if it is the Holy Roman Emperor, we will not receive it." ”

"If it's the Emperor," said Giulio solemnly, "then it will still be received," he winked at Cardinal Picromini, "but I don't have to, it will certainly bother you." ”

Cardinal Picromini was amused by him: "You need to get acquainted with it as soon as possible," he said softly, "and when the dust settles, we will have much to do." ”

Julio closed his eyes comfortably under the cardinal's caressing: "And Joshua, teacher, I don't know what happened to him, I miss him very much, I hope he can return to us as soon as possible." ”

He closed his eyes and did not see Cardinal Picromini's expression suddenly turn cold, but his gestures and tone did not change at all: "Rest assured," he said, "he is also my 'disciple'." ”