People in the Middle Ages, draw cards to get promoted

Chapter 485 Doge of Venice
Watched many Crusader lords leave.

Lothar stood up and returned to his throne.

Only Jeanne, Prajna, Fringilla, Chelinina, Hans, Veneto and Kors and other confidants were left in the tent.

"Okay, their meeting is over, and our meeting is about to begin."

Lothar said in a sincere tone: "First of all, I have to examine myself. During this period, since defeating Saladin, I have felt somewhat complacent, but last night, we fell into crisis again."

"I have to say that this world is far more dangerous than what we usually see. The blasphemous old gods, the demons of the abyss, the reclusive wizards..."

"Most people, even kings, may never see these immortal monsters once in their lives."

"But we are different."

"The holy spear, the source of our abilities, why we are not afraid of the secret of blocking the magic gold... these may attract the covetousness of others."

Lothar's eyes slanted towards Veneto: "I hope that in the future, everyone, including me, will be more careful in everything they do, especially not to rush into the enemy group at every turn and just rush to kill them without thinking."

Veneto was a little ashamed. He was a man who was keen on fighting and would not settle for mediocrity. Although he enjoyed the battle last night, he felt very aggrieved after he woke up.

After fighting for a long time, he didn't even hurt the main character. What kind of fighting is this?

"Also, the most important goal at this stage is to take down the port of Damietta. I will be crowned Duke of Lower Egypt in the Coptic church there. By then, our strength will be further enhanced."

"In addition, it is the specific combat deployment of this river crossing battle."

Lothar looked solemnly and looked at everyone: "Hans, Chelinina, you two are responsible for leading a team of forest shooters to clear the sentry tower on the other side as soon as possible, buy time for the subsequent construction of the pontoon bridge, and strive to be able to use it at noon. The [-]st Heavy Infantry Company crossed the river and built a camp."

The First Heavy Infantry Company was a large company formed based on the [-] soldiers who remained in the veteran company. It inherited the Romans' skillful civil engineering work and was best at this kind of step-by-step battle.

Venice, inside the magnificent Doge's Palace.

The Duke of Champagne from Gaul was led into the palace by his attendants.

The Duke of Champagne is a royal title, and everyone knows whose will is behind this person's arrival - King Philip the Fox, known as the Fox.

"Your Majesty the Governor, these are the contents and terms of the transaction proposed by my king."

Governor Orio Mastopiero took the parchment and read it carefully with the morning light coming in from the window.

After a moment, the governor who put down the parchment looked a little solemn: "You want me to provide transportation services for two thousand knights, fifteen thousand warriors, five thousand civilians, and three thousand horses, as well as half a year's supplies, and also Might there be a fierce conflict with the Saracen navy?"

After getting a definite answer in the eyes of the Duke of Champagne.

The governor couldn't help but shook his head and smiled: "With all due respect, your monarch's request cannot be met unless we stop all commercial activities and recall all ships outside."

"And even if I were willing to accept your terms, the city council wouldn't be willing to accept them."

The benefits of the deal were substantial, but the price was too high.

What's more, once the Crusade is defeated, won't all the gains be in vain?

Governor Oreo is not a gambler who likes to play stud, and the Republic of Venice is not in a state of poverty when it is necessary to gamble on the fate of the country.

The governor paused slightly and then said: "Even if we take a step back, the municipal assembly has approved this transportation fee, which is equivalent to the financial and tax revenue of the Kingdom of Gaul for a whole year. This means that in our Kingdom of Gaul, if all the nobles It would take a year to save all the money in the warehouse without moving a penny."

The Duke of Champagne emphasized: "The most distinguished Governor of the Republic, please know that the piety and determination of my king and the princes of Gaul. No matter how high the price is, it will not stop us from our determination to regain the Alexandria diocese."

Oh, you are so pious, you will not delay until now, after Saladin was defeated twice in succession, before launching the Eastern Expedition.

The Governor couldn't help but mock in his heart.

The Duke of Champagne continued: "What's more, even if your Excellency the Governor doubts the Crusaders' ability to pay, you should know that with Egypt's wealth, as long as you win this place, why worry about not being able to repay your efforts?"

"But you have to know that Marquis Lothar of the Holy Land has led his army into Egypt."

The Duke of Champagne shook his head and said: "Egypt is so big, how much appetite does he have?" "Oh, but as far as I know, the Marquis of Lothar has defeated the Saracen monarchs many times, and now he is an overseas crusader. The most powerful prince, commanding tens of thousands of elites, his strength is no weaker than your crusaders for this expedition."

This old fox.

The Duke of Champagne cursed secretly.

He originally thought that the Governor had become old and dim, but he never imagined that he would be so difficult to deal with.

"Your Majesty the Governor, I heard something very interesting recently. A fleet of merchant ships, flying the flag of a double-headed eagle, docked at the Bay of Lions in Provence, laden with oriental fabrics, fine armor, precious books and The spices must be sold directly along the river to Lyon. It seems that the Marquis of Lothar, who has established a great reputation in the Holy Land, also has the idea of ​​​​taking a share of the Mediterranean trade. "

The Governor narrowed his eyes slightly.

Venice is still a relatively pure trading city-state and has not evolved into the territorial country that it later was, with Crete, Thessalonica, Dalmatia, Verona, and Padua.

Commercial interests are their lifeblood.

The eastern lords more or less have their own fleets, such as Duke Raymond of Tripoli, but the fleets are often small in size and will not easily set foot in the Western Mediterranean.

Obviously, the Venetians would not be happy to see the rise of an Eastern Crusader king who was keen on developing trade.

The governor smiled and said: "If your distinguished Duke wants to use this to convince me, I'm afraid you will be disappointed. The Mediterranean trade is very big, and I am very happy to see a pious Christian King participate in it."

Although this is not true, it is true.

The Venetians have neither the ability nor the thought to monopolize the entire Mediterranean trade. The Genoese and Pisa people are their biggest opponents at this stage.

"Your Excellency, Governor, if we take control of Egypt, we will open all the major ports along the coast to the most noble Republic of Venice, as well as the exclusive trade rights of many large cities, and allow your country to establish many commercial ports and semi-autonomous communities in Egypt. "

"If the Governor is still unwilling to consider such generous terms, then we will have no choice but to head to Genoa or Pisa."

The Duke of Champagne said through gritted teeth.

At this time, the governor, who was over seventy years old, felt tempted.

The trade monopoly in the many large cities along Egypt's coast was by no means an insignificant matter.

At this time, both the Pisa people and the Genoese people owned many business houses in the east. Even Constantinople had a Venetian settlement, which brought great influence to the commercial activities of the trading city-state. Convenience.

The more business houses and support from local lords you get, the more delicacies you can get on the rich cake of the Eastern Trade Route - although the Mediterranean is large, it cannot accommodate three maritime overlords.

No one wants to follow in the footsteps of Amalfi (a trading city-state located in Naples that once flourished but fell after being plundered by the Pisa people).

The Governor's eyelids were raised slightly, and there was no unnecessary emotion on his face: "The Pisa and Genoese are busy fighting among themselves. I certainly hope that the Duke can calm down the unnecessary disputes between them so that the Christians can work together and invest their strength. to join in the holy cause of defeating the infidels."

However, the fighting between the two countries has already made the hatred as deep as the sea, and it cannot be calmed down so easily.

It seems that the Crusaders still have a choice, but in fact they have no choice.

Whether it was the Eastern Empire, which was busy conquering the Kingdom of Sicily, or Pisa and Genoa, which were fighting vigorously, the only four countries with sufficient maritime power to undertake this commission. Except for Venice, it was impossible for them to undertake the shipping business of the Crusades.

"It may be difficult, but you have to try."

The Duke of Champagne would no longer give in.

This is the most generous terms they can offer. In this era, not everyone dares to tear up the sacred contract easily. Even the Kingdom of Gaul cannot afford the price of betrayal.

Even bad checks must be redeemed.

Otherwise, the Crusaders in another world would not be coerced by the Venetians to attack the Hungarians and Constantinople.

The Governor narrowed his eyes and tapped his fingers on the table.

"If it were such a clause, I would try to persuade Parliament to accept it."

(End of this chapter)