King of German Mercenaries

Caesar Borgia is 21 years old this year. Although he is young, he is already a politician and conspirator with a deep sense of government. He was Pope Alexander VI's favorite illegitimate son, and he was very talkative in front of Alexander VI.

Alexander VI mainly had three favored illegitimate children - Caesar, Giovanni and Geoffrey. They were both born to Vanossa, the main mistress of Alexander VI. Among them, Caesar was trained by Alexander VI to become a religious high-level, hoping that he would one day be elected pope. Therefore, when Caesar was only 18 years old, he was canonized as a cardinal with a high status. Because he wanted to mix the big dye vat of the Holy See, Caesar was familiar with all kinds of conspiracies and tricks since he was a child.

Unlike Caesar, Giovanni was raised as a commander-in-chief of the papal army. Moreover, Giovanni also inherited the Duchy of Gandia from Luigi Borgia, another illegitimate son of Alexander VI who died young, and became the Duke of Gandia.

It stands to reason that during this period, Giovanni was as favored as Caesar. Looking for Giovanni, the same can be done. However, Marin, who has watched the American drama "The Borgias", knows that Giovanni will be murdered in June this year, and the biggest suspect is his brother Caesar.

It's not Marin's style to please a dying man. It would be bad if Giovanni died and Caesar overturned Giovanni's decision during his lifetime.

Therefore, Marin might as well go directly to Caesar Borgia, complete the bribe, and qualify. Moreover, Caesar also had the right to speak in front of Alexander VI. At a young age, he was already a cardinal with a high position. As far as the status of the religious world is concerned, Caesar's authority is already higher than the Archbishop of Cologne and the Archbishop of Mainz in Germany. Only, there is no secular power of the German archbishops and princes.

After arriving in Rome, Marin tried every means to beg to see Caesar. Unexpectedly, it was quite difficult to meet Caesar Borgia. After smashing out seven or eight hundred gold coins, Marin struggled to obtain the qualification to visit Caesar Borgia...

Marin brought two of his men, carrying a large wooden box, to the small villa he had agreed to. Caesar Borgia is very clear that today this little nobleman from northern Germany is obviously here to look for him to do business. Find yourself to do things, there must be a lot of bribes to offer. Therefore, it is very inappropriate to meet in church. Therefore, your own private villa is the most suitable place to meet.

Caesar is thinner and more handsome, but his eyes are more gloomy, and at first glance, he is not a good person. Marin asked for help, so naturally he did not dare to ask for help, and bowed respectfully:

"Respected bishop, Marin Hoffmann, the imperial baron from the German frontier, salutes you!"

"Let's ignore the ceremony, tell me, what's the matter with you looking for me in such a hurry? I'm just an ordinary bishop. It's too difficult, but I can't do it!" Caesar Borgia sat very leisurely, even No seat was given to Marin. Perhaps, in his eyes, a baron like Marin was not even qualified to sit down in front of him.

Marin is also not angry, because his current status is not as good as Caesar Borgia. You know, Caesar Borgia's brother Giovanni is already the Duke of Gandia, and Caesar's own identity is no lower than that of the Duke. Therefore, it is completely normal to look down on him as a baron. Marin continued to speak in Latin in a gentle tone:

"Where, who doesn't know Archbishop Caesar, you are the most promising young bishop in the Holy See. If you can't do anything, I don't think anyone else can do it!" Marin quickly flattered. Anyway, flattery doesn't cost money.

"Hehe, the mouth is quite sweet. Well, my time is precious, I'm too lazy to listen to you go around, tell me quickly, what's the matter?"

"It's like this, Lord Bishop, I defeated the Frisian Republic some time ago and captured several warships. I am very obsessed with the East, and I want to send a ship to India to get some treasures from the East. Also, I eat barbecued meat. , hey, put the spice of the East..."

"You want to go to India?" Caesar Borgia is a smart man,

Immediately, I heard what Marin meant.

"Yes, the humble wants to send a ship to India to buy eastern goods in short supply."

"However, the Pope has already divided India into the Portuguese..." Caesar Borgia said with a frown.

"Yes, Bishop. The Pope did divide India into the Portuguese. But that's just the right to colonize. But, the Pope didn't say that others are not allowed to trade?"

"Really?" Caesar thought for a while, and seemed to have some truth.

"Of course, I've read the Treaty of Tordesillas, but it only agreed that Portugal would colonize the East, without saying that other countries would go to trade. If His Excellency the Pope sends a ship to the East, will the Portuguese still allow it?"

"That's... Baron Hoffman, what do you mean?"

"The humble hope that the bishop will have a good word in front of the pope, and allow the humble to shoot a small fleet and go to India to purchase..."

"This...not so good..." Caesar showed an embarrassed expression.

Malin understood in seconds, clapped his hands, and immediately opened the wooden box he brought. Suddenly, a golden light flickered, and 10,000 gold coins appeared in front of Caesar Borgia:

"Sir Bishop, I stumbled upon a box of gold coins when I defeated the Frisian Republic. But I have long admired Your Excellency, and felt that only a big man like Your Excellency deserved it, so..."

Caesar Borgia was also dazzled by this golden light at this time. Although he was of a very noble background, he had never seen money. However, the visual impact of 10,000 gold coins is still great. Just like modern people will be shocked when they see bundles of Grandpa Mao.

Also, Caesar Borgia is currently plotting the assassination of his brother Giovanni. In order to buy the top assassins, Caesar also needs money. The 10,000 gold coins in front of him, let alone buying an assassin, is enough to buy an army.

It just so happened that in the past few years in Rome, Caesar spent money like running water because of his indulgence in life, and he also heard that he was short of money. So, he was tempted, and there was a look of longing in his eyes.

Marin, who was standing on the side, naturally noticed. So he struck while the iron was hot:

"Sir Bishop, now that the so-called India discovered by Columbus has been proved to be false, then Spain is obviously at a loss. If Portugal discovers the real India, Portugal will overwhelm Spain. Why don't we use the Treaty of Tordesillas? The loopholes in ", take out the trade rights of India and sell them separately... adults can also authorize Spain to trade in India..."

Marin has realized that if he applies for the privilege of going to India to trade, he will inevitably become a thorn in the Portuguese eyes. Fighting against the Portuguese at sea with one's own strength is bound to be insufficient.

Plus, now the Spaniards seem to have lost interest in America, which is not India. Therefore, Marin intends to drag Spain into the muddy water, so that he can fish in the muddy water himself.

Spain is powerful, and although its sea power is not as good as Portugal's, it can directly attack the Portuguese mainland on land. Therefore, Portugal and Spain are also very afraid.

Let the country be close together, and the two teeth who like to love and kill each other compete for the Indian route together, and they can fish in troubled waters.

You know, if Spain also joins the Indian trade, the Portuguese must attach great importance to it. At that time, Portugal would have no time to pay attention to his own little baron. For the spice and gold of India, the two teeth will definitely come to a war. Under the oppression of Spain's evil neighbor, how could Portugal have time to take care of itself?

Moreover, pulling Spain to India's ship can also greatly gain Spain's favor.

Not only that, but if Spain paid all its attention to India in the East, it would relax its attention to America. At that time, I quietly went to conquer the Inca and won the Potosi silver mine...

Thinking of this, Marin's heart should not be too beautiful...

When Caesar Borgia heard Marin's words, his eyes lit up...

Although the Borgias moved to Italy, they were Spanish anyway. Moreover, the Borgia family in Spain, and many other clansmen, were named nobles by Spain and were given fiefs.

As Spaniards, the Borgias naturally valued the interests of the Spaniards. Moreover, as long as the interests of Spain are there, the Borgia family will also benefit greatly.

Putting all of this aside, just selling India's trading rights is a good way to make money...

"How many years of trading rights are you going to buy?"

"How many years?" Marin was stunned. He originally wanted to spend 10,000 gold coins to buy permanent trade rights. Unexpectedly, Caesar is so black, and the number of years is stipulated.

"Of course, if the spice trade is successful, you also know the benefits. If you have 10,000 gold coins, if you are given permanent trade rights, then you won't make enough money? Therefore, you must give a limit on the number of years!" Caesar Borgia seriously , showing greedy eyes...

"Ah? How about 20 years?"

"Twenty years? It's too little. The average is only 500 gold coins per year. A farm has so much income every year..." Caesar smiled evilly...

"But, Lord Bishop, what if you can't find a flight to India after years of infighting? Isn't that a waste of money?"

"That's fine, it can start from the time you discovered India."

"That 10-year trading right?"

"It's too long... In 10 years, it's only 1,000 gold coins per year. It's not as good as the income of a knight. You know, you're negotiating with the Holy See, so don't be so stingy..." Caesar Borgia laughed. .

"Paralyzed, really greedy!" Marin cursed in his heart. 10,000 gold coins can't be bought for 10 years. If Marin knew that buying spices in India would be dozens of times more profitable, according to the thinking of normal businessmen, he would not dare to take risks.

"8 years, what do you think?"

"No, 5 years! It's 5 years, don't bargain, it's settled!" Caesar Borgia said domineeringly.

"I..." Marin was a little annoyed. Although it is not a loss, but I feel uncomfortable after all.

"Don't be unhappy, this bishop can help you greet the Portuguese. If you go to India recklessly, the Portuguese may attack your merchant ships. If this bishop comes forward, I believe they will not dare to lose face!" Caesar confidently said.

In this regard, Marin felt better. When something goes wrong, the Borgia family is better than a mere baron in Marin.

The next day, Caesar Borgia approached Alexander VI with a plan to sell India's trading rights. Alexander VI thought for a while and felt that the idea was good, and decided to let Caesar preside over this matter. However, in order to avoid overly stimulating the Portuguese, Alexander VI decided to sell only the trading rights to the Spaniards, in addition to Marin.

Of course, not selling money to Spaniards, but to exchange with Spain for titles, fiefs and other affordable things. Money is temporary, but titles and fiefs are permanent. Moreover, this right must not be sold to the French.

You know, Spain and France are enemies. If a good thing like Indian trade is obtained by the French, it will be bad for the Spaniards. As for Marin, the little baron, although Alexander VI did not pay attention to it, he made restrictions - the license signed later stipulated that Marin could only send four merchant ships at a time, only once a year, and no more than this limit. As for the 5-year period, the instrument also stipulates that it starts from the moment of the discovery of India.

That is to say, even if Marin obtained the right to trade with India, the scale was greatly restricted. As for trade rights to Spain, Alexander VI was not prepared to impose restrictions. After all, the Borgias are all Spanish...

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