[Henry VIII] Tudor Crown

Of course Cosimo I of Florence could not visit William Tudor in person, so he sent his confidant Bernardo Medici as an emissary.

Although Cosimo I was the lord of Florence, but considering his longing for the title of Duke of Tuscany, in order to stabilize the pope's mood, his communication with William Tudor must be kept strictly confidential.

"Your Highness, Cosimo of Florence greets you." Bernardo Medici dressed like an ordinary Italian businessman, his expression was a bit unnatural when he spoke, and even his voice was harsh.

William Tudor knew it was a special disguise of the Medici.Compared with Borgia's poisonous killer method, Medici prefers assassination, which can be regarded as the predecessor of the Mafia in later generations.

"I also congratulate His Excellency Cosimo on becoming the new owner of the Medici... Although this congratulation comes a little late, you will eventually get the title of Duke of Tuscany."

"Thank you for your congratulations to the Duke of Florence, but it's a pity that I can't talk to you for a long time here, so let's make a long story short!" Bernardo Medici found a chair and sat down to William Tudor Opposite him, this casual gesture made Cavendish frowned, but he didn't make any accusations.

"My master heard very interesting news from the Moors." Bernardo Medici did not hide from William Tudor, but went straight to the point: "I heard that England will soon allow Turkish merchants to Doing business in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, isn't it?"

For this question, William Tudor did not answer directly, but pondered for a while, and said vaguely: "I don't know how this statement reached the ears of the Duke of Florence. Could it be that Spanish ships will allow the Turks to pass by them?" Seas? Or will Turkish merchants be able to cross the continent?"

"It is indeed impossible for Turkish merchants to do a little bit." Bernardo Medi said with a strange smile: "But the Spanish emperor never said that England's ships are not allowed to pass through Spanish waters, and you have a close relationship with the German region. Channels are not difficult."

Speaking of this, Bernardo Medici also emphasized: "Even if we have turned from citizens to real rulers, what our ancestors have engraved in our genes will never be forgotten."

"Of course." William Tudor understood that since they dared to come to him secretly for this matter, they were trying to achieve something behind the backs of the Spanish Emperor and Pope.

Don't look at Cosimo I, in order to obtain his inheritance rights to the Medici family and the right to rule Florence, he showed his favor to the Spanish emperor and the Pope in the early stage, and even signed a contract that must assist the two in resisting France and the Pope during the war. Agreement of the Ottoman Empire.

But the early dilemma, in fact, Cosimo I did not like the Spanish emperor and the pope.The former has always liked to point fingers at other countries, and even encouraged Cosimo I’s predecessor, Alessandro Medici, the last descendant of the Medici, to abolish the republic in Florence and change it to a hereditary system. His illegitimate daughter married him.

As a result, this move directly led to civil strife in Florence, so that Alessandro was assassinated, and the Medici family set off a succession storm.

Although Cosimo I's chance of succession was to a certain extent thanks to his troubles towards Charles V, he also hated that the Spanish emperor who had nothing to do, had sacked Rome, causing the glory of Florence to be trampled by the Spaniards. Art treasures were looted and destroyed by these vulgar people.

As for the Pope, it can only be said that Cosimo I was still thinking about the title of Duke of Tuscany, but he did not forget the pope's suppression of the Medici family.

This is why Cosimo I frantically built military fortresses, developed the Florentine navy and encouraged mercenaries to settle down.

His rule made Tuscany, which had been separated from the Medici family, return to the Principality of Florence, but it also caused the Medici family to completely lose the source of goods from the Ottoman Empire, and waged a protracted cold war with France.

Because of the pressure from Charles V and the Pope, Cosimo I terminated the commercial agreement signed by Lorenzo de' Medici the "magnificent" with Mehmed II, the conqueror of the Ottoman Empire, and after succeeding to the throne for many years For the first time, French loans were postponed or rejected.

This not only halved the income of the Medici family, but also made it difficult for Florence to escape the influence of Charles V. After all, the Spanish emperor was a famous debtor, and it was really painful for him to pay back the money. things.

"The Duke of Florence sent you here to restore business relations with the Ottoman Empire?" William Tudor thought about the geographical location of Italy, and felt that the possibility was very high, but...

"Aren't you afraid of angering the Spanish emperor and the Pope?" William Tudor didn't think that Charles V or the Pope would be happy to see Florence resume trade with the Ottoman Empire. After all, Cosimo I still wanted to get The title of the Duke of Tuscany, so it is not yet possible to anger the two.

"How can you not be afraid." Bernardo Medici couldn't hide it in this matter: "That's why I need your help."

"If it is a normal trade with England, then the Spanish emperor will not be able to find out the fault of the Duke of Florence, and the Duke of Florence can also provide a port of call for England's ships." Bernardo Medici suggested: "Florence Although the duke interrupted the commercial agreement between the Medici family and the Ottoman Empire, Florence still had some Algiers and Turkish merchants who sold goods. Coupled with the post-war treaty of Preveza, Turkish merchant ships can still Stop in Florence."

"Since you can dock, why don't you conduct private trade with the Ottoman Empire, or entrust merchants in Algiers as agents?" William Tudor asked more.

Bernardo Medici also smiled at this time and said: "Your Highness, the Medici family never engages in sneaky small businesses. If you want to do it, you have to do it with a big vote in the open."

"If you can get your cooperation, then the Duke of Florence will not only provide you with port of call and escort support, but will also personally invest in your business, and will set England as a priority list with the Italian banker." Burr Nado Medici's palms were slightly sweaty, knowing that Cosimo I must reach a cooperation with the Prince of Wales, but he didn't know what the other party thought.

It stands to reason that they should find Henry VIII for this matter, but after the death of the Duke of Suffolk and Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII had some energy back, and he was already in his 50s, so Cosimo It's useless to know that it's useless to talk to Henry VIII. It's better to be in place once with William Tudor.

"If the Duke of Florence does not dislike that our business in England is not as good as that of Florence in its heyday, then please send a message to the Duke of Florence, saying that our England will always welcome sincere partners." William Tudor's final decision Bernardo Medici was slightly relieved, but soon, he frowned again.

"Just as a token of friendship, I hope that the Duke of Florence can fulfill a little wish of mine while signing the agreement." William Tudor stretched out a finger, his face full of expectations: "I have always admired a An Italian artist, so I hope the Duke of Florence can send him to England after signing the agreement."

"So that's how it is!" Bernardo Medici's tensed shoulders relaxed again, and pride and pride in Italian art also appeared on his face: "Who is the artist you admire?"

"Michelangelo Buonarotti." William Tudor felt his tongue trembling, almost biting his tongue: "I have heard about his deeds, so I am extremely curious about this master If possible, I hope that he can come to England as a symbol of peace to teach the art praised by the Medici. I swear that I will treat this venerable artist with the highest courtesy and hope that he can carve a statue for me and my wife. By-work."

"If it is Michelangelo, it is not an exaggeration to get such a high evaluation from you." Bernardo Medici immediately liked the Prince of Wales a little more, and even felt that England was evaluated as "barbaric". People, but a public opinion created by Spain: "It just so happened that Michelangelo was looking for a protector. Italy is a mess, you know, so these artists are very sad that their work has been destroyed by ignorant fools. If it is under your protection, Michelangelo must be able to create with peace of mind in his later years."

It is definitely a lucrative business to exchange an artist for the favor of the Prince of England.

Bernardo de' Medici believed that Cosimo I would not be stingy with this, and he gave William Tudor a big gift when he left.

"My master knows that you and Henry VIII are both lovers and supporters of art, so he specially asked me to bring you a gift."

After all, Bernardo Medici asked his entourage to put down a large heavy box, and then used it to perform very complicated manipulations before opening it.

Seeing William Tudor's surprised expression, Bernardo Medici said proudly: "This is Leonardo da Vinci's design, it is most suitable for keeping valuables. Finch's design to keep his work does not detract from the preciousness of this gift."

Bernardo Medici carefully placed the painting in front of William Tudor, then raised the white cloth above to reveal the true face of the painting to the Prince of Wales: "It was painted by Leonardo da Vinci The second one in the Madonna of the Rocks is very similar to the one in the Duomo in Milan, but more beautifully detailed."

"It really is a masterpiece." William Tudor was careful not to touch the painting itself, and said from the bottom of his heart: "This gift is really precious, and please express my gratitude to the Duke of Florence."

"You are overrated." Bernardo Medici said modestly: "Your friendship is the real priceless treasure, and I hope that under the watchful eye of the Virgin Mary, the friendship between you and the Duke of Florence will be long and strong."

..............................

After Sir Cavendish personally sent Bernardo Medici out, he found that William Tudor still couldn't put it down to the "Virgin of the Rocks", so he said carefully: "Your Highness, do you need me to put it in the warehouse?" ?”

"Why do you put such a fine work in the warehouse?" William Tudor wondered, "Hang it in the hall so that visitors can appreciate it."