The year 1504 was eventful, for many.

A secret emissary from Venice had just left the papal chamber, but this bold emissary had not brought news of the Republic of Venice, but of Sultan Bayesid II of the Ottomans of Turkey, a wise and brave king who had just finished his war with Venice, and who had won, conquering not only the Wisny Republic's estates in the Morea, but also the fortresses of the Adriatic, who proudly brought a new map with clear demarcations. Show Pope Pius III the maritime supremacy achieved by the Ottoman Turkish Empire in the eastern Mediterranean.

Bayezid II of course did not just want to show off his exploits, but also wanted to deter the new pope with whom he was unfamiliar by force - he was also a victim of Borgia's feud with the Picromini family, the former collapsed too quickly, and the latter rose quietly, but the Sultan was not too demanding, he was willing to pay 300,000 gold ducats to eliminate his own and future generations' troubles - that is, if the Sultan's younger brother, Jem, was still in the hands of the new pope, he hoped to be able to settle it once and for all.

Pius III had already discussed this with Giulio - Pius III seemed to be more of a scholar than a warrior, but in his heart the desire for the early unification of Italy and the expulsion of the pagans from Europa was probably stronger than Borgia or Lovere, who had always been the main war, and Cem was a crucial card, and he would not let Jem leave Rome easily, whether he wanted to return to Ottoman Turkey or the arms of death.

The messenger apparently misunderstood what Pius III meant, after all, this predecessor had always been known for his greed, and the previous ones were not much better, so he tactfully admonished that Bayezid II was born in 1447, and now he was about to be sixty years old, and Jem, his younger brother, was also forty years old, and when Bayezid II died, his heir might not care about such an uncle who had been in exile for many years, and Jem might not have a few years to live, rather than taking money from Bayezid II bits and pieces year after year, It's better to exchange him for a good price at one time.

He even said that few people in the current Ottoman Turkish Empire can still remember Cem, and Bayezid II has three sons, and it is impossible for Cem to shake Bayezid II's rule, and the reason why he wants this matter to be understood is only because he is unwilling to go against the will of his father, that is, the great conqueror Mehmed II - it is this wise fourth son, after becoming a sultan, he executed several of his own brothers in a row, avoiding civil strife in the empire, and he even left a will, This is known as the "Brothericide Law", which ordered every sultan after him to be purged of all brothers and bloodlines that might threaten his throne after his accession to the throne.

Pius III deliberately looked bored, he was thin and had a solemn countenance, and it was difficult for him to pretend to be greedy and shameless, but it was very easy to pretend to be a scholarly figure who was innocent and ignorant of the world, after all, he had been so paralyzed by the cunning Rodrigo in the first place. Borgia.

The messenger repeatedly persuaded him to give up for a moment when he found that the new pope was stubborn and paranoid, harder to shake than a stone, and as he got up to leave, Pius III reached out and nodded his cylindrical skullcap, and then his face, which was designed by Mehmed II the Conqueror to ban the huge turban of the Turks, and Boundless so that they could touch the ground smoothly when they bowed to Allah—but the face of the messenger was the face of a Europa.

"Did you just give up your faith?" Pius III asked.

An ordinary man who could at any time submit himself to the Inquisition, who would have been tortured or sentenced to death by secular officials, would have fallen to his knees with limp feet, but the messenger bowed gracefully to the Father: "Your Excellency," he said, "it may be that my appearance is not obvious enough, but I can tell you that I am a ...... Heretics, though I have worshipped a God with you, you do not think so, and neither do your kings, so we are driven out, and our sultans, who are willing to welcome us to their country with open hands, and who allow us to build their own synagogues, even if they worship their true God, are not discriminated against, and are not oppressed, so ......" he said, looking up at Pius III: "We are also willing to serve their king, and respect their faith— But we have never given up our faith, Your Excellency, never. ”

After saying that, he bowed again, and without waiting for permission, he turned proudly and walked out.

"Yes...... Are you too human? Pius III said to himself.

His secretary, Desi Dewu. Erasmus stopped writing and tore the records in half, which could not remain in the dossier, it involved so much that from the thirteenth century onwards there had been a steady exodus of pagans from Europe to the Ottomans in Turkey, as he knew about the expulsion of infidels from Hungary in 1376, in France in 1394, in Spain in 1400, and in Wisney in 1420 because they could not bear the unjustified humiliation and abuseSince Europa is not willing to accept them, of course they will go to places that are willing to accept them. Moreover, the sultans of the Ottoman Turkish Empire, from Mehmed II to Bayezid II, not only accepted them, but also welcomed and tolerated them, and these infidels brought money, technology and knowledge to Turkey in return, which rejuvenated this large but backward empire, and it is no wonder that Bayezid II wrote to King Ferdinand II of Spain: "Thank you for your selflessness and generosity, After all, there are too few good people who are now beggars and are still willing to give money to others. ”

Brother Desi sighed and shook his head, "You know what? He said, "I've talked to Giulio about these things, I mean," and he looked around to make sure that only the Pope was there, "and I always felt that something like a 'witch's mallet,' or something like Heinrich. Kramer & Jacob. People like Sbleanger should never have existed in the first place—they didn't write books and preach ideas, not really to banish evil and cleanse the world, but to amass money and raise their reputation. And they are so stupid, they think that if they kill the chicken, boil it into soup to drink, it will be delicious and filling, but they never think that when the chicken is either killed, or it runs out because of fear, what else can they have? But their enemies have fat chickens, but they can grow strong from now on, and in any case, these chickens may not be crowing in Gedagda, but cooing, but whatever, they will lay eggs, or golden eggs. ”

"Maybe it's because they always lay eggs, and they lay golden eggs." Pius III sat on his throne with one hand on his cheek, "Still, Brother Desi. He said, "Don't you think you're a little too bold in your statement?" ”

Brother Desi pouted, "So I said, I'd better go back to Giulio, how free he is." ”

"No." The Holy Father said, "I have brought you here to make him quiet and quiet, and his body is not yet able to withstand repeated disturbances, but you are always by his side, saying this and that. ”

"I have a lot of ideas," said Brother Desi, "like wine in a teapot, and then it is burned on the fire, and it gurgles, and if I don't talk about it, I'm going to burst." ”

"Explode." The Holy Father said without sympathy: "You are not allowed to go to Julio's place anyway, and if you really can't help it, let others hear something that is not quite right, I will let the priests of the Inquisition come and sober you up." ”

"You can't do that," said Brother Desi, for his own assertions, "you know, I was going to England to be the teacher of the little prince of Henry VII. ”

"Do you think that Henry VII would allow a prince's teacher to talk as he pleases?"

"Probably not, but maybe my students will." Brother Desi said unashamedly: "Giulio said that from Martin. As you can see here, I was a very conscientious, knowledgeable and charismatic teacher. ”

"Martin?" Pius III scoffed, "Henry VII is so bold, and he is not afraid that you will teach another fat hamster with a mouth and a brain full of sugar-fried chestnuts." ”

"You have to admit that Martin is quite intelligent and perceptive, although he is a bit greedy at times." Brother Desi said, "Giulio likes him." ”

"No," said Pius III, "the last time he liked him so much was a cat." ”

Brother Desi was about to say something, when there was a knock on the door of the drawing-room, and the two fellows, who were like ministers and friends, shut their mouths for a moment, and one assumed the solemn gesture of His Excellency the Pope, while the other returned to his desk, put the parchment of the record in order, and raised his quill as if he were ready to fight.

The man who came in was familiar to them, and it was Picomini, the one who was in charge of the great monastery and library of the Picrominian family on the outskirts of Rome.

Pius III immediately became nervous: "What happened? It's Julio......"

"Your disciple is safe and sound, he is fine, both physically and mentally...... Very nice, he also got me to bring you a letter. The abbot hurriedly said, and then he showed an indescribable expression: "I met some ...... Some ......" he looked at Pius III: "I can't even speak...... Holy Father. ”

Pius III was relieved to hear that Giulio was fine, "What makes you embarrassed like this?" He said, seeing the abbot constantly looking out the door, "Anyone else, let them in, if it has anything to do with what you are going to say." "This abbot is not a shallow and ignorant person, otherwise the great monastery and library of the Pikromini family would not be handed over to him to be in charge, after all, the great abbey at this time is almost no different from a fortress.

Since His Holiness said so, a series of people came in through the door - the Spanish ambassador, several cardinals of Spain, the Spanish Lord of Corvador and his colleagues...... The Holy Father's eyelids jumped ominously at the sight of these men, and then he saw two monks of St. Francis dressed in gray robes, with linen belts, flat shoes, and hoods......

But it is impossible to ignore that "they" have skin as white as pearls, as well as slender hands and feet like birds, and faces hidden under hoods......

"O God......" Pius III pressed his forehead.

Yes, these are two women dressed as monks of St. Francis - some people may not understand - but at this time, the people of the church can wear friar's robes as the case may be, for example, during the vigil, Giulio wears the monk's robe, because it represents piety, simplicity and steadfastness, or some noble people can also wear monk's robes during fasting and practice, but for women, commoners, it can almost be said to be a blasphemy - or rather, only for women, Because if a commoner male wears a monk's robe, it can be said that he has made a wish to become a monk on his own.

As soon as the maid of the princess Juana entered the door, she softened, although she was also the daughter of the count, but she was also afraid of such an act, but she was more afraid of the moody master, she was forced, but even in the presence of His Excellency the Pope, she did not dare to blame the princess for the crime.

"I said ......," said the Father, with a headache, "the person you want to see is doing penance...... I won't be able to meet with you for the time being. ”

The princess Juana glanced contemptuously at the maid beside her: "But I need to see him, and without seeing him, I will not leave Rome." ”

As soon as her voice fell, a group of Spaniards behind her suddenly showed a shattered expression, "Your husband is still waiting for you!" "Lord Corvado hated that Philip, but now he can only tempt her with this - God knows! Isabella I was seriously ill and bedridden and was about to be anointed, and two years ago, Juana had already been identified as her heir, and she should now be in Spain, waiting to inherit the throne!

At the mention of Philip, Juana was silent for a moment, but then she said, "I must see the archbishop, I ...... I have to be sure of one thing, or I'll never give up. ”

Pius III gave a stern glance, but for Juana – well, not as good as her mother, Isabella I, at least Isabella I would have been so angry that she ordered the guards to drag her out – Pius III wanted to too, but he didn't want the Romans to be in the legend the next day: "Two women in monk's robes ran out of the Pope's Vatican Palace!" "He was quite merry when he was young, but he never left such a ridiculous record!

Pius III turned his condemnation to the abbess of Picromini.

The abbot spread his hands, what could he do, the noble princess tried everything she could to see Julio. Medici, he fought like a mouse...... It was a bit rude to say that, but after days and nights of chasing and intercepting him, he couldn't find a more suitable adjective than this—and His Holiness ordered that no one should disturb Julio. Medici, so that he can recuperate in peace.

This is also the method that the abbot has to come up with under the attack of two sides - for such a noble woman with a special status, he can't really use knives and sticks against her like he does with thugs and villains, but today's matter ...... It's too much! He could not bear it anymore and brought the "untouched" royal daughter and her maidservants before His Excellency the Pope and the Spaniards.

His Excellency looked at the Spaniards, and the lords, ambassadors and cardinals, who were looking at the heavens or the earth, or turned their faces away, wished they were wearing a hooded robe today, so that they could cover their faces with the hood.

In the end, it was Brother Desi who broke the awkward silence in the room: "When did Julio's letter come to you?" Brothers? ”

The abbot nodded to Brother Desi, a man of commendable character, despite his sometimes ridiculous remarks, "Before I came. ”

That is...... Brother Desi blurred for a moment, for he didn't know whether to call these ......two "brothers" or "sisters," before you sent them here. ”

"Yes."

"But by then, these two had already been discovered, hadn't they?"

"Yes."

Brother Dési gave the Pope a look, and Pius III bowed his head and opened the letter that had been handed over by the abbot.

The letter is not very long, after all, almost every three or two days, there is a letter from Rome to the monastery, or from the monastery to Rome, the letter describes some of the views of the monastery, the sporadic impressions, and the proverbs taken from the scriptures - Giulio and Pius III's letter does not mention the extent of the injury, after all, it is believed that a person who has been stigmatized can be healed immediately even if he is seriously injured and wants to die, although the letter may not be intercepted, but they have always been cautious - but today, at the end of the letter, There was also a line of words that were clearly added - "Let her come." ”

——————

As soon as Juana saw Giulio, she immediately reached out and tried to pull his neckline.

The Spanish cardinal and lady-in-waiting behind her even jumped in shock, not an exaggeration at all, they really jumped into the air, fortunately, before they fell, with the quick reaction of the Assasin assassin, Giulio only raised his hand to block her - the hearts of the Spanish cardinal and the royal lady-in-waiting suddenly beat wildly, and their eyes became ambiguous, perhaps the archbishop's origin could not be compared with the crown prince of the Holy Roman Empire, but his appearance was indeed unmatched.

Julio didn't think so, Juana was not looking at a man, or rather, not at a person, in her heart, she might just be a real, able to speak and move...... No, rather, a proof.

"Why are your stigmata missing?" Juana asked, her eyes full of tears, and her petite body and beautiful face looked pitiful, but perhaps only Giulio could hear the terrible meaning.

"You can't say that, Your Highness," said Giulio in a harmonious voice, "it hasn't been proven yet." ”

"But it is." Juana stared into his eyes and asked, "Archangel Michael came upon you, and his sword fell on your neck, sucking away the blood tainted by the poison and healing you - but leaving this stigma, right?" She searched eagerly: "That's what the Romans say...... But where did it go? Where did it go? It should be here, and I saw it appear to you with my own eyes. ”

"Only in my ...... It only comes when you are grateful for God's grace. Giulio said, "Normally, people can't see it." ”

Juana didn't speak, she stared at the place where the stigmata should be for a while, and suddenly burst into tears and smiled: "Yes," she said reassuringly, "this is the real stigma, it's not something that ordinary people want to see," and she suddenly took Giulio's hand again, "Are you...... Your Excellency, you are a ...... Sage! ”

"Your Highness, canon law clearly stipulates that canonization during living cannot occur." Giulio pulled out his hand, but put his hands over Juana's fingers: "I'm not a saint. ”

"But that's the law of mortality!"

"Yes," said Giulio mildly, "so why do you stick to mundane names?" Sister Juana, you can call me Brother Julio. ”

The princess's breathing suddenly became rapid, and she couldn't help but twist her hands again, and Julio was startled, and hurriedly took a large cashmere cloak with a round neck from the monk who served him, and put it on her head, so as to reduce carbon dioxide emissions—and Juana only felt that the gift from the living saint made her warm and breathing at once, and the feeling of depression and fear she vaguely felt disappeared.

Julio is sure to say, cashmere will of course be warm and breathe easily because ...... Well, the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood has increased...... As for depression and fear – that's a psychological problem. This was why Giulio had agreed to see her—he had read all the information about the princess, and asked him to see that she could be happier if she remained just an insignificant princess, but the problem was that she had to ascend to the position of heir because of the death of her eldest brother and sister—and she had barely received any education as an heir.

It was possible for a girl who was originally only deferential, gentle, and beautiful to become confident and powerful, and to be decisive and ruthless that a king must have, but the disappointment of Queen Isabella I and her courtiers caused her to become more and more inferior and weak, and in a vicious circle, her father Ferdinand II and her husband Philip made matters worse, and her father almost used her as a weapon and shield; Her husband, who wanted the Kingdom of Spain with her, despised her cowardice and incompetence, no, it should be said, Juana's cowardice and incompetence was also deliberately caused by him, after all, he did not want to become the second Ferdinand II, so he not only sent away all Juana's Spanish servants and courtiers, and let her live alone in the castle of Brussels, although he kept having children with her, but he was stingy with even a little tenderness, and threw his so-called love on other women at will.

Juana was a simple maiden, not a rose that bloomed in venom, not a weathered mink at a young age, not a fox, not a she-wolf. The only resistance she could make was hysteria and yelling, but these not only caused her to suffer from severe syndromes, but also gave her the name of a crazy woman.

She came to seek, to prove that she was a saint, but it was nothing more than ......

"I was chosen, right?" Juana asked, "I'm ...... I was chosen. ”

Julio stared at the little face hidden under the cloak: "Yes. He whispered, "You are chosen, the only one, the unique, and no one can replace you." ”

.。 m.