A fierce battle, to be more precise, there is no such thing as a fierce battle.
Everything happened so fast that there was no time left for the defenders. When they entered the inner city and a large number of model battalion captains entered the city of Venice under the roar of artillery fire, everything was over.
soon……
Erdan and Donkey Ball, who were still in shock, were called away.
"Please go see General Qiu as soon as possible."
Erdan and Donkey Ball looked at each other.
They were silent.
But the visitor urged: "Please go quickly, General Qiu has been waiting for a long time."
Immediately, Erdan and Donkey Ball reluctantly headed to Qiu Song's cabin.
They were still shocked at this moment.
Because everything is in vain.
They thought of many possibilities.
For example, the Ming army suffered a tragic victory, and another example was the Ming army's defeat.
Or both sides suffer losses.
Even if the Ming army could break through the city of Venice, Venice is one of the strongest cities in Europe. They also believed that this would require at least several months of siege.
And within these few months, they have enough time to use the influence of the Pope to get what they want in this war.
But within just a few hours, the artillery fire suddenly stopped.
Everything...returns to peace.
One ship after another, the ships are still moored at sea.
Although there is still a lot of smoke in the city of Venice, the flames that were created have been extinguished.
Erdan and Donkey Ball felt fear for no reason.
In their perception, this is like a divine punishment against the Venetians.
Yes, heavenly punishment!
It's a pity that the one who activated the heavenly punishment and rained down the sky with fire was not the omniscient and omnipotent gods whom they worshiped and admired, but a group of... Orientals who were originally used by them.
Erdan felt that his boots were extremely heavy, as if they were filled with lead.
He had no time to imagine how to remedy the situation next.
When the two of them appeared in the cabin with pale faces, they found that more than a dozen old people wearing gorgeous clothes had appeared in the cabin.
These people all looked panicked and stood hunched over, not daring to express their anger.
Qiu Song was obviously very impatient. As soon as he saw Erdan, he immediately said: "I've been waiting for you for a long time. Come on, translate it for me. What are they talking about?"
Erdan and Donkey Ball looked at each other and smiled bitterly.
But Qiu Song's expression is not kind, and now...it seems...
Erdan then had to talk to the leader.
Then, Er Dan said to Qiu Song: "This man's name is Tommaso Mosenig, and he is the governor of Venice. He is requesting peace from the general on behalf of Venice."
"Are you here to beg for surrender?" Qiu Song frowned and asked.
Erdan said: "Peace should be more accurate."
Qiu Song turned around and glanced at a clerk behind him.
This secretary was assigned to communicate with Erdan and Donkey Ball very early. Therefore, he also learned some Latin and French.
Of course... I only understand some simple vocabulary, but I haven't reached the point where I can use it proficiently. I can only make judgments through some fragments of words.
At this time, the scholar nodded towards Qiu Song.
It means the translation of Erdan, there is not much difference.
Qiu Song said: "If you are begging for surrender, it is acceptable, but I don't understand what peace is."
Erdan had no choice but to communicate with Tommaso Mocenig.
Tommaso Mocenig showed a painful expression, but finally nodded and babbled again.
Erdan said: "General, the Governor said that Venice has been established for seven hundred years, starting from the first Governor seven hundred years ago..."
Qiu Song suddenly became impatient again, and said with a sullen face: "Don't tell me this, I don't care how old it is."
Erdan could only say: "Then what does the general want to ask?"
Qiu Song said without thinking: "Do you have any money...?"
Qiu Song was so direct, but Erdan was already used to his rudeness.
Then Tommaso Mosenig shook his head like crazy and muttered something?
Erdan said: "He said no."
Qiu Song's eyes widened angrily and he said angrily: "Why beg for surrender if you don't have money?"
"But...with gold...they are willing...to redeem their city."
Qiu Song was still unhappy and said angrily: "Redemption? Why redeem?"
"The meaning of ransom..."
Qiu Song said: "I know this is a ransom. What I mean is... I have captured the city. Everything in the city belongs to us. Why do we need them to spend money to redeem it?"
Erdan: "..."
After a pause, Erdan struggled to find the right words: "In Europe..."
Obviously, Qiu Song didn't like to hear it.
Qiu Song interrupted him: "Venice is now the territory of the Ming Dynasty. I don't understand your rules, so don't talk to me about these rules. I only listen to my elder brother's rules!"
Erdan had no choice but to start talking to Tommaso Mocenig.
Tommaso Mocenig looked sad and tried to bargain.
Erdan said: "What the Governor means is... if this is the case, then there may be a violent resistance in Venice, which is not good for the general."
Qiu Song curled his lips and said, "Then tell him, Mr. Qiu... lest they don't rebel."
Tommaso Mocenig was immediately silenced after listening to Erdan's message.
Since the founding of Venice, for more than 700 years, with the prosperity of commerce, the city-state began to grow. It has always been domineering. Where has it ever experienced such humiliation?
Although Venice is a city-state republic, in fact, Venice today has entered its heyday. Its colonies have spread all over many coastal areas of the Mediterranean.
It's just that today's defeat came too suddenly. In fact, the more arrogant Qiu Song was, the more he intensified his fear.
This group of uninvited guests brought a heavy psychological shadow to him.
Tommaso Mocenig lowered his voice, grimaced, and began to pray.
Erdan immediately said: "He hopes the general can be more merciful and we can discuss a practical method that will best satisfy both parties."
Qiu Song snorted coldly: "I am a rough man. I came here just to attack and destroy them. My elder brother has an explanation. You don't have to kill people, but you must have all the gold and silver. This is not negotiable."
Erdan no longer wanted to be entangled in this issue, so he had to smile bitterly, and then... negotiated with Tommaso Mosenig.
Tommaso Mosenig's face became more and more anxious. He seemed to accept Erdan's words. After being silent for a long time, he suddenly muttered a few words.
But these words made Erdan look contemptuous.
Erdan immediately said to Qiu Song: "Venice does have a lot of gold and silver, whether it is the public treasury, the Bank of Venice, or even... many merchants have a lot of gold in their homes... and there is also silver that the general urgently needs... only
But...but...I'm afraid it will be difficult to find the general. 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 squinted his eyes and carefully looked up and down at Tommaso Mocenig.
But he frowned and muttered: "Is this 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 just businessmen. They are the most cunning people in Europe. For the sake of their own property, they will not hesitate to sell out and betray anyone.
Even their relatives and friends.”
Qiu Song stared at Erdan and said, "How do you know?"
Erdan 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 calmly: "Let him come up with a way to search out all the gold and silver."
Erdan then started talking to Tommaso Mocenig again.
Tommaso Mocenig looked pained but relieved, and nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.
In the end, Tommaso Mocenig actually came up with a plan.
The first step is to require everyone in the city to pay their own ransom and seal the public treasury and bank vaults at the same time.
After everyone paid the ransom, the entire Venice trade route was cut off, everyone was trapped in the city, and they were not allowed to trade food with others.
After that, the price of food is raised to ten times or even a hundred times to ensure that people with moderate wealth will spend all their wealth in order to survive.
After selling the high-priced grain for a period of time, we will conduct targeted searches on wealthy households in the city and welcome reports.
Qiu Song was dumbfounded when he heard it, and he was really shocked.
At this time, he could already confirm that the governor in front of him was very sincere.
But Erdan and Donkey Ball showed disdain at the same time.
Erdan said: "General, now you know... how good the Venetians are at betraying others. They... are just a group..."
Qiu Song obviously didn't like hearing this. He immediately glared at him and said with a bit of anger: "Don't scold people. They just love money. What's wrong with this? My eldest brother is the same."
Facing Qiu Song's unkind expression, Erdan had no choice but to keep silent no matter how much he despised him.
Qiu Song ordered at this time: "Tell him that if the matter can be done, I can ensure that his family 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...
…His home must be ransacked.”
Erdan nodded helplessly and turned around to communicate with Tommaso Mocenig again.
Tommaso Mosenig glanced at Qiu Song, showing a look of fear and rejoicing, and nodded quickly.
Qiu Song then waved his hand and said: "Take this man down and ask others to keep an eye on him. Let him go back to the city first and give me a good job."
After hearing this, Tommaso Mosenig immediately left as if he had been granted amnesty.
Erdan felt heavy at this moment, but also felt a little indescribably comfortable.
In any case, for Europeans, many people have long hated the Venetians.
This kind of hatred is far beyond Qiu Song's understanding.
So Erdan couldn't help but said: "General, these Venetians... are all a group..."
Qiu Song stared at him coldly and suddenly said: "Next, it's time to talk about our problems."
Erdan: "..."
Qiu Song said: "You said that your pope would give generous gifts to the Ming Dynasty fleet, right? You see, I, the Ming Dynasty Navy, traveled thousands of miles for more than eight months and encountered so many hardships during this period. You
Look at me, I have lost twenty pounds along the way. This is the meat I have raised for more than ten years, and all the soldiers..."
Erdan struggled to squeeze out 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 way, but I just want to ask how much gold and silver you can get... To tell you the truth, if you get less, I won't do it. Don't think I'm being alarmist. What do you want from Rome?"
The city uses the Ming Dynasty's clippers to send letters. This clipper has been to Rome. Now, I probably know the hydrology and city defense there. If you dare to lie to me, I will go to Rome.
!”
Qiu Song became more and more excited as he talked, and finally shouted fiercely: "Don't bully me into being honest!"
Erdan felt like the world was spinning and he was breaking out in a cold sweat.
Donkey Ball, who had been silent all the time, almost fainted.
They brought people.
But no one thought that the other party seemed to be too strong.
The reason why I agreed to the so-called gift in the first place was that I had no intention of honoring it at all.
After all, among all the possibilities they preset, whether the Ming army was defeated or defeated miserably, Rome was the one who picked the peaches.
But now...
Reality often exceeds imagination.
Qiu Song said: "Why don't you speak? Weren't you very eloquent just now?"
Erdan tried his best to calm down, took a deep breath, and then weakly said: "I...I will find a way."
Qiu Song said with a cold face: "I, Da Ming, have seen the big world. Don't use some small favors to deal with it. I am also a reasonable person, but... don't force me to be unreasonable."
Erdan said hurriedly: "Yes, yes, yes."
At this time, he was sweating profusely. For a moment, he was at a loss as to where to go.
war?
The strength of the opponent's artillery and the quality of his soldiers were obviously far beyond his imagination.
and?
Their attitude towards the Venetians was so cruel that they wanted to break their bones and suck out their marrow. It was impossible without heavy bleeding.
Erdan and Donkey Ball walked out of the cabin in despair.
Both of them looked anxious.
Now, in fact, even if they sacrifice themselves, they have obviously become sinners through the ages.
Donkey Ball hesitated for a moment and said to Erdan: "Should we send a message to Rome immediately and ask them to prepare?"
Erdan shook his head and said, "Do you think Rome can resist their attack?"
Donkey Fairway: "Is it possible..."
Erdan smiled bitterly and said, "We can't afford such a risk."
Donkey Ball was silent for a long time before he said gloomily: "Are we really allowed to let these heretics blackmail us?"
Erdan lowered his head, thought for a moment, and then said: "Let's send a message to Rome first, and then have a good talk with the general. But..."
At this point, he paused, with a wry smile on his face, and sighed: "This General Qiu is the same as the Venetian merchant. I'm afraid..."
Donkey Ball also had a sad face, almost crying.
The ruthlessness of these Easterners was beyond his imagination.
…
"General."
A clerk entered the cabin cautiously, started muttering, hid himself aside, and quietly reported the content of the conversation between Donkey Ball 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 came here wearing stars and moon, but now they want to bite us back. General... In my opinion,
It’s better... to simply enter Rome..."
However, Qiu Song's expression remained unchanged, and he even said calmly: "No need, big brother, we just want money, and as long as the money they give is enough, there is no need to use violence. Being violent is not a hero, only those who can make money are heroes."
"
Liu Tao: "..."
Qiu Song looked at the unwillingness on Liu Tao's face and said with rare patience: "I can't help it. My mood is the same as yours, but since the eldest brother said this, he certainly has his reason. We came so far, isn't it?
He's here to kill people, but... take a look at my big brother's bag of tricks."
He actually took out a tips bag and handed it to Liu Tao.
When Liu Tao heard that it was a gift from His Highness the Prince of Wuhu County, Liu Tao immediately showed a solemn expression.
He immediately took it with both hands, held the brocade bag in his hands, and carefully took out a piece of silk.
The silk slowly opened, revealing three words.
Money, money!
Liu Tao: "..."
It's so simple and crude!
Qiu Song said: "Now you understand. Brother is afraid that I will be disobedient, so he taught me to wear this bag of tips on my body at all times, so as to remind me that everything else is not important, but making money is important."
Liu Tao could only say: "I understand."
Qiu Song then explained: "Gold, silver, even copper... we all want it. Tomorrow, you can lead a group of troops and go to Genoa for me. There is also a lot of gold and silver there. As for Rome, don't add any extraneous problems."
Now. Their way has been figured out by Big Brother, and he will always find a way to satisfy us."
"I understand, humble."
Governor Tommaso Mosenig is very efficient.
It has to be said that when it comes to making money, the governor, who comes from a business family, is obviously professional.
The first step is to use the ransom method, which is actually to drain the pockets of all the poor first. As for the second step, it is to borrow high-priced grain to drain all the small businessmen who have some wealth.
Next, we will target the big businessmen, and these big businessmen and wealthy people are the most conspicuous.
Of course, being able to do this has a huge relationship with Venice's developed business.
Venice has had almost no foreign invasion for seven hundred years. 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, established more than two hundred years ago, also attracted a lot of funds.
The Venetian merchants were a strange group. They not only made huge profits through trade and war, but at the same time, their real source of wealth also came from managing their wealth for the European nobles.
Therefore...this Venetian merchant is also known as a tax collector.