From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

Lawrence was naturally aware of the strange looks everyone was looking at him, and he also understood the vigilant attitude of the higher-ups of these knights.

After all, the British warship that he said would bring disaster has not even been seen yet, and the three thousand soldiers who followed him have already reached the core hinterland of the Knights, Valletta Port, like a sharp sword. .

The senior leaders of the Knights had to begin to wonder whether the so-called Royal Navy invasion was just an excuse for Governor Bonaparte, and whether its actual purpose was to plot against the island of Malta.

"Ahem."

Grand Captain Erwin coughed twice deliberately, winked at his colleagues, telling them not to stare at Lawrence with such disrespectful eyes, and then frowned and said:

"Sir, I know you must be a devout and faithful believer, but with all due respect, the British navy is going to attack Malta? This kind of thing is really difficult for me to accept with trust. Do you have any evidence? "

Lawrence shook his head slightly. Of course, he couldn't have written evidence in his hands.

After all, this information was leaked by the British ambassador. Baron Bertula naturally would not want to leave traces of his leaking the information, otherwise it would be equivalent to giving Lawrence a fatal clue in vain, so all Baron Bertula's information about the royal family Information about the Navy's offensive plans was dictated to Lawrence in private without any physical evidence.

"This information was revealed to me by the British Ambassador." However, Lawrence tried his best to explain:

"If you are well-informed, you should know that the British Ambassador to France, Baron Bertula, has been staying with me the past few days. Neither he nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs behind him wants to see Malta fall into the hands of the Royal Navy. "

Grand Captain Erwin held his chin with one hand and couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly, suddenly feeling that the situation was a little complicated.

A senior person on one side of the long table suddenly spoke. He seemed to be responsible for information and intelligence collection within the Knights, and there was some obvious distrust in his tone:

"It seems that there is such a thing. I heard it mentioned by the captain of the merchant ship. However, Your Excellency Bonaparte, even if you did meet with the British Ambassador, it cannot prove that the news you said is true, right?"

After all, the top brass of the Knights cannot accept the Governor of Corsica suddenly coming to Malta with a large number of troops without prior notice. Compared with the British far away, they are more wary of Lawrence in front of them. And the troops on those merchant ships.

Lawrence ignored the senior executive, looked directly at Grand Leader Erwin, shrugged and said:

"I also know that words alone cannot prove anything, but I still hope you can think about it carefully. This is a piece of information related to the life and death of the Knights; unless you are already prepared, like three hundred years ago Just keep wandering around Europe."

"I will think about it carefully." Grand Captain Erwin nodded heavily, then changed the subject and asked:

"The Knights thank you for coming here to report this news, but this also makes me very confused. If you just want to inform us of the upcoming danger, why not just send a letter directly? This is better than bringing the army here in person. A remote island is much simpler.”

The implication of Grand Captain Erwin's words was also very clear. Since the authenticity of the news could not be determined now, he would put aside the Royal Navy attack for the time being and start asking Lawrence about the purpose of coming to the island of Malta in person.

"As I just said." Lawrence glanced at the people in front of him and said loudly:

"We are here to protect Malta. It must be difficult for the Knights alone to stop the attack of the British Navy."

Before he finished speaking, a tall, bearded senior executive on the right side of the long table snorted coldly and refuted loudly:

"Hmph, that's nonsense. Let the British come if they want. The swords of the Knights don't mind being stained with the blood of those damn heretics. We will let them flee from the Knights without their armor like the Turks two hundred years ago. regiment’s territory.”

"No rudeness!"

Grand Captain Erwin frowned and glared at the senior executive. Although this Grand Captain looked kind-hearted, he still seemed to have a very high prestige within the Knights. He just glared at the strong man and immediately told the strong man to shut his mouth and lower his head. Come on.

After saying that, Captain Erwin looked at Lawrence apologetically:

"Please forgive me, but it's just that the troops you brought alone will not be able to withstand the Royal Navy's continued attack, right?"

Although I don’t know how many soldiers Lawrence brought with him on this trip, Grand Commander Erwin also knows that the total number of Corsica’s army is only a few thousand. If the Royal Navy wants to get involved in Malta, these numbers will not be able to withstand the long-term attack. Besieged.

"That's true, but" Lawrence raised his chin and pointed at Major Serurier beside him, and briefly introduced:

"This is Jean-Matthew Philibert Serrurier, major of the French army, commander of the Corsican garrison."

"Major of the French Army? That is to say." Captain Erwin seemed to realize something and nodded repeatedly:

"There must be many French soldiers who came to Malta with you, right? This will indeed make the British afraid. They should not risk a full-scale war with the French army for the sake of a small island of Malta."

"Exactly, Your Excellency, Grand Master."

Lawrence nodded in agreement and added:

"As long as the French army is stationed on the island of Malta, the British Royal Navy will not dare to easily implement their original plan to capture Malta."

"Humph!" The strong man who had spoken just now could not sit still anymore and said in dissatisfaction:

"If that's the case, why did you come to Malta secretly, sir, and directly let the British know with great fanfare that you will lead the French army to defend Malta soon?"

Lawrence chuckled and shook his head. If it was simply to defend the island of Malta from the Royal Navy, he could indeed lead the French army on a warship in an open and honest manner.

However, Lawrence's purpose was not just to stop the British. He had also coveted Malta, the Mediterranean hub.

"Although this is indeed the case, your Excellency, there is no justifiable reason for us to station troops on the island of Malta."

After quickly organizing some words, Lawrence explained to the strong man calmly:

"Once the Royal Navy learns that the French army has withdrawn, it will definitely keep an eye on the Knights' territory, and if it wants the French army to stay here for a long time."

Lawrence did not say the second half of the sentence, but everyone present understood what he meant.

If you want the Knights to be permanently protected by the French army, you must pay a certain price. As for what price this barren and remote island can pay to satisfy France, Grand Commander Erwin has long understood in his heart.

The senior members of the Knights turned to look at the Grand Leader, and at the same time, they started talking quietly with their companions. Everyone knew that the Knights had now reached a crossroads of destiny.

And Captain Erwin, who was being watched and expected by everyone, could not help but frown at this moment. There were three paths before him:

The first is to accept Lawrence's words and bow to France for protection. But in this case, if the information about the Royal Navy's attack is false news fabricated by Lawrence, then the Knights will have no way to turn back.

The second is to refuse to believe Lawrence's intelligence. Everything is business as usual, but the risk is also very clear, that is, if the Royal Navy really launches an attack in early October, it will be extremely difficult for the Knights to resist being expelled based on their own strength. fatalistic.

The third way is the safest, allowing Lawrence and his army to be temporarily stationed in Malta. Anyway, October is coming soon. If the Royal Navy really launches an attack in early October, then both sides can work together to defeat the British. The first round of offensive, and then consider whether to seek protection from the French.

"However."

The always calm and serious grand leader was a little hesitant at this time. He knew that any decision he made at this time would forever change the permanent destiny of this knighthood with a history of more than 700 years.

Although the third path seems to be the optimal solution among all decisions, Grand Leader Erwin also has his concerns:

It is undoubtedly extremely dangerous to put thousands of foreign soldiers into Malta. Once Lawrence does fabricate false information with ulterior motives, the Knights will also suffer disaster.

Now, the root of all the problems lies in whether Lawrence's intelligence about the Royal Navy's attack is true.

"uncle!"

At this time, a man sitting next to Grand Commander Erwin suddenly spoke. He looked to be no more than thirty years old. He had black hair, black eyes, a hawk nose and small eyes. His appearance was somewhat similar to Grand Commander Erwin.

He patted Grand Leader Erwin's arm somewhat eagerly and said quickly:

"Perhaps it is right to do what Mr. Bonaparte said. If there is a war with the British, we may all die here. Malta is also a barren island anyway. We may not be able to get help from someone. Where did the king ask for a new settlement?"

"France! You coward! The ground under your feet was built with the flesh and blood of your ancestors two hundred years ago, and you just want to give it away?!" The strong man on the other side of the long table immediately patted the ground. table, pointed at the man and shouted angrily.

Grand Captain Erwin also looked at this man, shook his head with some disappointment, and said seriously:

"France, since the establishment of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, there has never been a day when the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to a certain king. We are servants directly belonging to God. We must not abandon this noble independence easily. If you are Even if you take over my position, you must not forget this sentence.”

"But, uncle"

The man named Franche wanted to argue, but was interrupted directly by Grand Captain Erwin with a hint of sullenness:

"That's enough, Franche, we cannot decide the fate of the Knights so easily. Also, in the monastery, you should call me Grand Master."

Franche was stunned for a moment, and had no choice but to lower his head reluctantly and surrender in a low voice: "Yes, Grand Commander."

On the side, Lawrence watched the arguments of several people with amusement on his face.

It seems that the man named French is the only high-level member among the people who supports the Knights to seek protection directly from France.

And judging from the names he and Grand Master Erwin have, he seems to be related to the Grand Master; this is also normal. From ancient times to the present, it is impossible to cut off personal relationships, even in the monastery. China will be no exception.

After scolding Franche, Grand Commander Erwin couldn't help but sigh. He didn't expect to face such a severe crisis in the last few years of his life.

He shook his head tiredly, looked around at his fellow knights, and after seeing that none of them were willing to speak, he looked directly at Lawrence and said:

"Your Excellency Bonaparte, I am very grateful for everything you have considered for the Knights, but at the moment I can't decide whether to accept your kindness. Therefore, I have to invite you to stay in Malta for a few days. As for your men Soldiers, they have to be aggrieved and stay on the ship for a few more days."

Obviously, Grand Captain Erwin cannot make a strong decision for a while. He has to wait until he gets down and then discuss with the senior leaders of the Knights how to deal with this round of crisis.

Lawrence nodded with understanding. He also knew that this kind of issue related to the survival of a regime cannot be decided by two groups meeting and saying a few words.

Captain Erwin immediately felt a lot more relaxed after receiving Lawrence's approval, and casually ordered Franche beside him:

"France, please settle down the distinguished guests at Fort Manoel."

The three Lawrences quickly climbed up to the second floor of Fort Manoel from the corridors on both sides of the main hall under the guidance of Franche. There was a whole row of spacious, clean and brightly lit small rooms. It seemed that they were specially designed for Built by guests.

After arranging the accommodation for Grosso and Serurier, France finally took Lawrence to a three-room room at the end of the corridor and said respectfully:

"This is your residence, Monsignor Bonaparte."

Unlike his uncle, Grand Master Erwin, who was neither humble nor haughty when facing Lawrence, Franche always seemed a little flattered when talking to Lawrence.

Lawrence looked at his residence for a few times, nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Franche, and asked casually:

"Hmm, very good. By the way, your name is Franche? Do you hold any position in the Knights?"

"Oh yes, Your Excellency, I am France, France de Medici."

He raised his head excitedly and enthusiastically, touched his chest, made an exaggerated bow, and said:

"I am the captain of the guard of the Knights. I am responsible for the defense and security of the castle and the city. It can be said that all military affairs, as long as the navy does not take care of them, are under my control."

Lawrence nodded thoughtfully. It sounded like this was a position with considerable military power. He was responsible for both the defense of the fortress group and the security management of the city. The power could be said to be very great.

However, considering that he is a relative of Grand Master Erwin, it is not surprising that Grand Master would give such an important position to Franche.

"Ah, hello, France." Lawrence leaned out slightly and scanned the corridors of the castle with the corner of his eye, making sure that no one else was present, and then said in a low voice:

"I wonder if you would like to chat with me for a while?"