The splendid hall is filled with mist made from the finest spices, beauties of all skin colors are dancing, and the table forks and wine vessels are all made of exquisite porcelain from the Far East.

Although Shylock has spent most of his life in Venice, this is the first time he has the opportunity to enter the temple that represents the grace of the goddess Wojin.

He never gets tired of food, he never gets tired of fine food, and he indulges himself in extravagance and extravagance.

This is a feast for the Republic of Venice to receive the Austrian envoy, one of the highest courtesy in the entire human civilization.

Shylock had many visions in his dreams of being part of such a feast. Although he was not the host, the most distinguished envoy still made him very satisfied.

However, Sherlock's satisfaction had almost disappeared as the banquet progressed.

At first, he thought it was a loss after getting it, but after thinking about it carefully, he realized that it was because he had seen better things.

All these luxuries are not comparable to the gloomy and depressing study of Ladislaus. Every time he enters the study used by successive heads of the Habsburg family, Sherlock feels a mountain of pressure and intoxication.

Pleasure.

Power is a better thing than money. The Republic of Venice may have gathered power in money, but it is still far inferior to the aura condensed by the ancestors of the Habsburg family.

Therefore, Archon Griti's introduction to the treasure in his hand was a bit boring: "Like the blue sky, like the bright jade, like the wings of summer cicada, like the rare stars in the sky, this is called 'Your Cave Dwelling' from the Eastern Empire.

The porcelain produced there is said to be mixed with agate powder.

Of course, this is all speculation. Although any method of firing porcelain is a secret that the Orientals try to keep from us, this craft is said to have been lost among the Orientals. Even if any similar porcelain appears in the Orient

It will attract the attention of the brightest emperor."

Ru Kiln is worthy of being the first of the five famous kilns in the Northern Song Dynasty. Art has no boundaries, and art connoisseurs from different cultures and backgrounds all fall under the charm of Ru Kiln.

This Ru kiln treasure is indeed better than the Spanish princess's porcelain. After all, the Kingdom of Spain only controlled the sea for a short period of time. For the time being, the Republic of Venice, which controls trade, has the deepest wealth.

But Shylock saw the crisis in Venice from this treasure. Compared with Ladislaus's simple study, it showed crisis and decline everywhere.

"I have never seen such a treasure in the court of Vienna. It is really, really an honor for me to touch this treasure." Sherlock carefully took the shallow plate and took a sip of wine.

Of course, although people with different cultural backgrounds can realize the preciousness of this thing, Europeans who have never seen a writing brush still use it to wash and drink.

"Please forgive my presumption, how much is this treasure worth?" Sherlock knew that although this was indeed rude, it was the Venetian's favorite rudeness.

"Don't talk about money. Talking about money is really vulgar." Gorriti said that the consul wanted to welcome him but refused.

"Please be sure, tell me." Of course Sherlock knew exactly how he should behave.

"Let's just say, it's probably worth a battleship, hahaha." Consul Goriti was in a good mood.

"You must not tell this to those Austrian officials who are going crazy trying to raise the cost of building several river warships. After all, those farmers and soldiers hate us businessmen." Sherlock knows the secret of negotiation, that is, how

Change "them" to "us".

"Hahaha, you'd better not say that in front of the farmers and soldiers. Now you have penetrated into the enemy." Consul Goriti pretended to glance at the Austrian resident in Venice who was also attending the banquet.

Ambassador, this ambassador has also been running around recently to ensure that Venice does not form an alliance with France again.

"Haha, of course, of course, but His Highness Habsburg is different from those people. Since His Highness Habsburg took over the Grand Duchy of Austria, he has adopted a very friendly attitude towards the Republic of Venice." Shylock's words showed that he was certainly not trying to fight.

A businessman who enters the enemy's interior.

"Of course I will bear in mind His Highness the Habsburg's goodwill towards the Republic of Venice, but many members of the Republic of Venice will never forget the loss of Friuli to Austria and the loss of Islia to Hungary." Consul Goriti finally said.

After the temptation, the Venetian Republic is indeed obsessed with the loss of land on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea. "Especially now that the Kingdom of Hungary has decided to return Islia, the state of Austria's occupation of Friuli has become unbearable.

Already."

"The Kingdom of Hungary has decided to return Islia to the Republic of Venice?" Shylock was shocked. This is a huge event.

"Yes, the King of Hungary has decided to form an alliance with the Kingdom of France." Consul Goriti's words made Shylock not only surprised but also frightened.

"A military alliance against Austria?! What does this have to do with Hungary returning the Islia region to the Republic of Venice? Does Venice also want to join this alliance?" Austria's permanent ambassador also joined the conversation at this time, and he was completely overwhelmed by the news.

Terrified. This prospect would not only pose a huge danger to the existence of the Grand Duchy of Austria, but would also completely destroy his career.

"Please don't be impatient, Your Excellency Ambassador, if His Highness the Consul planned to do this, then this conversation would not have happened, would it?" Sherlock acted much calmer.

"Indeed, I personally extremely welcome the recent policy of encouraging trade adopted by the Cardinal Archbishop of Habsburg, and I also have great expectations for the long-term friendship between Austria and Venice, although the envoys from France and Hungary continue to urge me

Join the alliance against Austria, but I did not agree to them, but I had to agree to pay Hungary under the pressure of many MPs who were eager to regain the lost territory.

The kingdom received two million thalers in return for the great kindness of the King of Hungary in returning the Islia region." Consul Goriti was obviously still considering joining the alliance between France and Hungary. "Considering that the Kingdom of France has occupied the Milan region

, Austria will definitely need funds to reorganize its armed forces and return Friuli to the Republic of Venice in exchange for the same two million talers. Isn’t this a win-win choice?”

"I will contact Vienna immediately and give you a reply as soon as possible." Shylock knew that he was unable to deal with this situation within his own authority. He must let Ladislaus make the decision.

"Then I'm looking forward to good news." The permanent ambassador had already left in a hurry, and Archon Goriti sent Shylock away alone. He had some private words. "If you can facilitate the redemption of Friuli

, I guarantee you that you will also receive a commission of 10% of the transaction amount."

A huge bribe of two hundred thousand thalers, even though Shylock was once a wealthy businessman, he never thought that he could earn so much from one business.

Shylock did not send a messenger to Vienna with the news he got in Venice. The news was too important.

Instead, after the banquet, he immediately rushed back to Vienna with several escorts. Without even washing up, he formed an alliance between France and Hungary, and Venice threatened to join this alliance unless Friuli could be recovered.

Ladislaus and Machiavelli looked at Shylock, knowing that the information to make the Merchant of Venice so nervous must have been pretty bad.

After listening to Sherlock's report, Ladislaus said: "Thank you for your hard work. Please go take a bath first and then take a nap. I will summon you again."

As Shylock retired, he admired Ladislaus's composure.

Ladislaus was not actually so calm.

"France-Venice-Hungary Alliance?" Although he was mentally prepared, the news actually still made Ladislaus feel a lot of pressure. He just didn't show it in front of Shylock. In Machiavelli's case,

In front of the most knowledgeable observers and most senior confidants, this kind of concealment is neither possible nor necessary.

"The Republic of Venice, especially the Consul Goriti, does not want to fight with us." Machiavelli and Shylock thought so for the same reason. "This meeting shows that they do not have much will to fight, they just want to use money

Buy back Friuli."

"Once Hungary and Venice enter the war, can we expect support from the Kingdom of Poland or the Principality of Bavaria?" Ladislaus immediately expressed his attitude towards Consul Goriti's proposal.

He hated the cession of territory, not to mention that seizing Friuli was his most important source of prestige, which was the underlying reason why he could easily suppress the great nobles in the Vienna Council of State.

Having just lost the Milan region, giving up Friuli immediately would greatly damage his reputation.

Land is the source of power and a resource more valuable than money.

"I think this is unlikely. The Kingdom of Poland's contest with the Teutonic Knights and the Elector of Brandenburg has entered a critical stage, and the Italian mercenaries of the Duke of Bavaria have already set off to where the Elector of the Rhine-Palatinate is.

"Heidelberg." The allies Austria could expect were not only unreliable, but actually threatened the authority of the Habsburg family.

"Strong forces oppressed outside, and the princes fought at home, but I, the emperor's agent in the empire, was powerless. I really let my ancestors down." Ladislaus was originally prepared to lose Milan after a long siege, but

The rapid fall of Milan and the changes in Hungary made him quite frustrated.

"Your Highness, I understand your feelings, but a wise man knows what to give up. The Kingdom of Hungary is already a big trouble. We cannot afford the Republic of Venice to join the war against us. I think the best way is to return Friuli. This way.

Spain vs. France

It would be much easier for us to deal with the situation in Hungary." Machiavelli also needed funds to reorganize the armed forces and promote urban construction. "What's more, two million talers is a fair offer. This number is Friu's.

The annual tax revenue of the province is more than twenty times.”

"What else can I do in this situation? But doesn't the King of Hungary understand that he needs the support of me and the King of Poland very much now? Can't she see that the enemies in the east are sharpening their knives and will launch the most violent attack once they are ready? The Ottoman Empire is his biggest concern." Ladislaus said while shaking his head.
Chapter completed!