my brother-in-law is the prince

Chapter 528 Making Money
A fierce battle, more precisely, there is no such thing as a fierce battle at all.

Everything was so fast that there was no time for the defenders at all. When they entered the inner city and a large number of captains of the Model Battalion entered the city of Venice under artillery fire, everything was over.

soon……

Er Dan and Donkey Ball, who were still in shock, were called away.

"Please hurry to see General Qiu."

Erdan and Donkey Ball looked at each other.

They were silent.

But the person who came urged: "Please go quickly, General Qiu has been waiting for a long time."

Immediately, Er Dan and Donkey Ball reluctantly went to Qiu Song's cabin.

They are still shocked at this moment.

Because everything fell through.

They thought of many possibilities.

For example, the Ming army won miserably, and it is also like the Ming army returning in defeat.

Or lose both.

Even if the Ming army was able to break through the city of Venice, Venice is one of the strongest cities in Europe. They also believed that it would take at least several months of siege to be possible.

And within these few months, they have enough time to use the Pope's influence to get what they want in this war.

But in just a few hours, the artillery fire stopped suddenly.

Everything... returns to calm.

A ship is still moored at sea.

Although there is still a lot of gunpowder in the city of Venice, the flames that were born have been extinguished by people.

Erdan and Donkey Ball felt fear for no reason.

In their cognition, this seems to be a punishment from the Venetians.

Yes, God's punishment!
It's a pity that it was not the all-knowing and omnipotent gods who were enshrined and revered by the gods who launched the punishment of heaven and rained fire all over the sky, but a group of... Orientals who were originally used by them.

Er Dan only felt that his boots were extraordinarily heavy, as if filled with lead.

It was too late for him to imagine how to remedy it next.

When the two of them appeared in the cabin with pale faces, they found that there were already more than a dozen old people in gorgeous clothes in the cabin.

These people all showed signs of panic, standing bowed, not daring to vent their breath.

However, Qiu Song was obviously very impatient, as soon as he saw Er Dan, he immediately said: "You guys have been waiting for a long time, hurry up, translate for me, what are they talking about?"

Erdan and Donkey Ball looked at each other and smiled wryly.

Ke Qiusong's complexion was unkind, and now...it seems...

Er Dan had no choice but to talk to the leader.

Then, Erdan said to Qiu Song: "This man is Tommaso Mocenigo, the governor of Venice. He is asking the general for peace on behalf of Venice."

"Are you here to beg for surrender?" Qiu Song frowned.

Dudan said: "It should be more accurate to use peace."

Qiu Song looked back at a secretary behind him.

This Shuzuo was ordered early on to be in charge of communicating with Erdan and Lvqiu.Therefore, some Latin and French were also learned.

Of course... just a little understanding of some simple vocabulary, not yet proficient in using it, and can only make judgments based on a few words.

At this moment, Zuo Chao Qiusong nodded.

It means the translation of Erdan, there is not much difference.

Qiu Song said: "If it's begging for surrender, it's acceptable. I don't know what peace is."

Erdan had no choice but to communicate with this Tommaso Mossenig.

This Tommaso Mocenige showed a painful expression, but finally nodded and chattered again.

Erdan said: "General, the doge said that Venice has been established for 700 years, starting from the first doge 700 years ago..."

Qiu Song suddenly became impatient again, and said sullenly, "Don't tell me this, I don't care how old it is."

Erdan had no choice but to say: "Then what does the general want to ask?"

Without even thinking about it, Qiu Song asked, "Money...is there any?"

Qiu Song is so straightforward, but Erdan is no stranger to his rudeness.

Then Tommaso Mossenig shook his head frantically, muttering something?
Du Dan said: "He said no."

Qiu Song's eyes widened angrily, and he said angrily, "Why do you beg if you don't have money?"

"But...with gold...they will...to redeem their city."

Qiu Song was still unhappy, and said angrily, "Redeem? Why do you want to redeem?"

"The ransom means..."

Qiu Songdao: "I know it's a ransom. What I mean is... I captured the city. Everything in the city belongs to us. Why should they spend money to redeem it?"

Erdan: "..."

After a pause, Er Dan struggled to find the right words: "In Europe..."

Obviously, Qiu Song didn't like to hear it.

Qiu Song interrupted him: "Now Venice is the territory of Ming Dynasty, I don't understand your rules, so don't talk about these rules with me. I only listen to my elder brother's rules!"

Erdan had no choice but to start mumbling with Tommaso Mocenige helplessly.

Tommaso Mossenig showed a sad expression, trying to bargain.

Du Dan said: "What the governor means...if this is the case, then there may be violent resistance in the city of Venice, which is not good for the general."

Qiu Song curled his lips and said, "Then you tell him, someone Qiu...in case they won't turn against him."

After listening to Erdan's conveyance, Tommaso Mocenige was directly silenced.

Venice has been a state for more than 700 years. With the prosperity of commerce, the city-state began to grow. It has always been domineering. Where has it suffered such humiliation?

Although this Venice is a city-state republic, in fact, today's Venice has entered its heyday.Its colonies have spread over many coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea.

It's just that today's defeat came too suddenly. In fact, the more arrogant Qiu Song was, the more fear he felt.

This group of uninvited guests brought too much psychological shadow on him.

Tommaso Mocenigo lowered his voice, grimaced, and began to pray.

Erdan immediately said: "He hopes that the general will be more merciful, and we can discuss a practical method that can satisfy both parties."

Qiu Song snorted coldly and said: "I'm a rough man, I came here just to attack them, my elder brother has explained, people don't have to kill, but all gold and silver must be there, this is not negotiable."

Erdan didn't want to get entangled in this anymore, so he had to smile wryly, and then... negotiated with Tommaso Mocenige.

Tommaso Mocenige's expression became more and more anxious. He seemed to accept Erdan's words, and after a long silence, he suddenly muttered something.

But these words made Er Dan look contemptuous.

Er Dan immediately said to Qiu Song: "Venice does have a lot of gold and silver, whether it is the public treasury, or the Bank of Venice, or even... many merchants' homes have a lot of gold... and the silver that the general needs urgently... only But... but... the general is afraid it will be difficult to find out, of course... if the general can pardon the governor and his family, he can find a way for the general..."

Qiu Song opened his eyes slightly, and said, "He came to search for us?"

Erdan said helplessly: "Yes."

Qiu Song narrowed his eyes and looked up and down Tommaso Mocenige seriously.

But he frowned and muttered: "Could it be some kind of trick?"

Erdan thought for a while and said: "It may be true, they are businessmen... Even if they are governors, they are actually businessmen. They are the most cunning people in Europe. They will sell and betray anyone for their own property. Even their relatives and friends."

Qiu Song stared at Er Dan and said, "How do you know?"

Du Dan said: "In Europe, only pious people like us have a sense of morality. These pagans in Venice have no faith at all."

Qiu Song said indifferently: "Let him come up with a method, how to search for this gold and silver."

Erdan started talking to Tommaso Mossenig again.

Tommaso Mossenig showed pain but seemed to be relieved, and nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

In the end, Tommaso Mocenige actually came up with a plan seriously.

The first step is to ask everyone in the city to pay their own ransom, and at the same time seal up the public treasury and the bank treasury.

After everyone paid the ransom, the trade routes of the entire Venice were cut off, everyone was trapped in the city, and they were not allowed to trade food with others.

After that, the price of grain was raised again, ranging from ten times to a hundred times, to ensure that the middle-income people would spend all their wealth in order to survive.

After selling this high-priced grain for a period of time, they will conduct targeted searches on the wealthy households in the city, and welcome people to report.

Qiu Song was dumbfounded when he heard it, and he was really shocked.

At this time, he can already be sure that the governor in front of him is very sincere.

It's just Erdan and Donkey Ball, but at the same time they showed disdain.

Du Dan said: "The general now knows...how the Venetians are so good at betraying others, they...are a group..."

Qiu Song obviously didn't like to hear this, so he glared at him immediately, and said with a bit of anger: "Don't scold people, they just love money, there's nothing wrong with that, my elder brother is the same."

Facing Qiu Song's unkind expression, Erdan had no choice but to shut up no matter how contemptuous she was.

At this time, Qiu Song ordered: "Tell him, if the matter can be done, I can ensure that his property can be preserved, and his life can be guaranteed. But if I find out that there are still people hiding gold and silver in this city, then... ... definitely ransacked his home."

Erdan nodded helplessly, then turned around and communicated with Tommaso Moceniger again.

Tommaso Mocenige glanced at Qiu Song, showing sincerity and gratitude, and nodded quickly.

Then Qiu Song waved his hand and said: "Put this person down, teach others to watch him, let him go back to the city first, and do a good job for me."

After hearing this, Tommaso Moceniger, as if he had been pardoned, left immediately.

Erdan was in a heavy heart at this moment, but also felt a little unspeakably comfortable.

In any case, as far as Europeans are concerned, many people have long hated the Venetians.

This kind of hatred is far beyond Qiu Song's comprehension.

So Erdan couldn't help but said again: "General, these Venetians... are a group..."

Qiu Song stared at him coldly, and suddenly said: "Next, it's time to talk about our problems."

Erdan: "..."

Qiu Song said: "What kind of Pope of yours will give generous gifts to the Daming Fleet, right? You see, my Daming Navy has traveled thousands of miles. After more than eight months, I have encountered so many hardships. You Look at me, I have lost twenty catties all the way, this is the meat I have raised for more than ten years, and all the soldiers..."

Er Dan struggled to force a smile, he was afraid that Qiu Song would continue talking, so he hurriedly said, "We will find a way."

Qiu Song said: "I know you have a solution, but I just want to ask how much gold and silver you can get... To tell you the truth, if you get less, I will not accept it. Don't think that I am alarmist. What kind of Romans are you talking about?" The fast boats of my Daming Navy are used to send letters to the city. My fast boat has been in Rome, and now I probably know the hydrology and city defense there. If you dare to lie to me, I will kill you and go to Rome. !"

The more Qiu Song spoke, the more excited he became, and finally he shouted fiercely: "Don't deceive me to be honest!"

Er Dan felt dizzy and broke out in a cold sweat.

Donkey Ball, who had been silent at the side, almost passed out.

People are what they bring.

But who would have thought that the other party seemed to be too strong.

The reason why he agreed to the so-called gift at the beginning was that he never thought about honoring it at all.

After all, among all the possibilities they presupposed, whether it was the defeat of the Ming army or the tragic victory, Rome was the one to pick the peaches.

But now...

Reality often exceeds imagination.

Qiu Song said: "Why don't you talk? Aren't you very good at talking just now?"

Erdan worked hard to gather his mind, took a deep breath, and said weakly, "I...I will find a way."

Qiu Song said with a cold face: "I, Daming, have seen the world, don't use some small favors to perfuse me, I am also a reasonable person, but... don't force me to be unreasonable."

Erdan hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, yes."

At this time, he was already sweating profusely, and for a while, he was in a state of confusion, not knowing where to go at this time.

war?
The strength of the opponent's artillery and the fineness of the soldiers are obviously far beyond his imagination.

and?
Their attitude towards the Venetians was so vicious that they wanted to knock their bones and suck their marrow, and it was impossible not to bleed heavily.

Erdan left the cabin with the donkey ball in a daze.

Both of them looked anxious.

Up to now, even if they sacrificed, they have obviously become sinners through the ages.

Luqiu hesitated for a moment, and said to Erdan, "Should we communicate to Rome immediately and ask them to get ready?"

Er Dan shook his head and said, "Do you think Rome can withstand their attack?"

Donkey Qiu said: "Is it possible..."

Erdan smiled wryly, "We can't afford to take such a risk."

Donkey Ball was silent for a long time before he said gloomily, "Are these heretics really going to blackmail us?"

Er Dan lowered his head, thought for a while, and then said: "Let's communicate with Rome first, and then have a good talk with this general. But..."

Having said that, he paused, with a wry smile on his face, and sighed, "This General Qiu is the same as the Merchant of Venice, I'm afraid..."

Donkey Ball also had a bitter face, almost crying.

The ruthlessness of this group of Orientals was beyond his imagination.

……

"General."

A secretary cautiously entered the cabin, began to mutter, hid himself aside, and quietly reported from the conversation between Luqiu and Erdan.

Lieutenant General Liu Tao stood aside, with a cold expression on his face, and said angrily, "These people... dare to insult the general. They invited us here. We have come here wearing stars and moons, but now they want to bite us back. General... In my opinion, Why don't you just go to Rome..."

Qiu Song's expression remained unchanged, and he even said calmly: "No need, brother, tell me, all we need is money, and as long as they give you enough money, there is no need to use violence, violence is not a good man, only those who can earn money are good men. "

Liu Tao: "..."

Qiu Song looked at the unwilling expression on Liu Tao's face, and said patiently: "I can't help it, I feel the same as you, but since the eldest brother said that, he has his reasons, we came so far, didn't we The one who came to kill, but... just look at my elder brother's kit."

He actually took out a kit and handed it to Liu Tao.

When Liu Tao heard that it was the bag of His Royal Highness Wuhu County King, he immediately showed awe.

Immediately took it with both hands, held the kit in his hand, and carefully took out a piece of silk.

The silk was slowly opened, and there were three words.

Money, money!
Liu Tao: "..."

It's simple enough, rough enough!
Qiu Song said: "Now you understand. The elder brother is afraid that I will be disobedient, so he taught me to wear this bag on my body at all times, so as to remind me all the time that other things are not important, the important thing is making money."

Liu Tao had no choice but to say: "I understand, humble."

Qiu Song confessed: "Gold, silver, even copper... we all want it. Tomorrow, you lead a team to Genana. There is also a lot of gold and silver there. As for Rome, don't make extra troubles." Yes. Their path has already been figured out by the elder brother, and he will always find a way to satisfy us."

"Humble and understand."

This Governor Tommaso Mocenige is very efficient.

It has to be said that the governor, who came from a merchant family, is obviously professional when it comes to making money.

The first step is to use the method of ransom, which is actually to squeeze out the pockets of all the poor first. As for the second step, it is to borrow high-priced grain to squeeze out all the small businessmen who have some wealth.

Next, it is aimed at those big businessmen, and these big businessmen and wealthy people are precisely the most conspicuous.

Of course, being able to do this also has a huge relationship with Venice's developed business.

For 700 years, Venice has had almost no foreign aggression. Because of this, it has become a gathering place for all merchants, and a large amount of wealth is stored here.

The Bank of Venice, which was established more than 200 years ago, also attracted a lot of funds.

Venetian merchants are a strange group. They not only make huge profits through trade and war, but at the same time, their real source of wealth also comes from managing their wealth for European nobles.

Therefore... this Venetian merchant is also known as a tax-payer.

(End of this chapter)