Alexander walked in the corridor of St. John's Castle, and he noticed the complimentary but slightly cautious smiles on the nobles who saw him, who were quite enthusiastic but often cautious. Although they were quite enthusiastic, they were often cautious. This kind of close appearance made him quite interesting.

Alexander could actually understand the thoughts of these Portuguese people. He heard that Ferdinand had sent an envoy again, and this time it was no longer a Castile but one of his generals Aragon. The warning meaning was too obvious.

Ferdinand apparently hopes that through this unabashed threat, Manuel reconsidered whether he was on the side of that Alexander.

Ferdinand was already stressed out by the setbacks at sea and the rebellion from southern Castilia. Now, a Castilian prince suddenly appeared. For Ferdinand, it can be said that it was the biggest crisis since Isabella's death.

So he decided to show off directly to Manuel instead of continuing to entangle.

Although Ferdinand's method is simple and crude, it seems to have some effect.

Faced with the powerful United Kingdom and future Spain, many Portuguese could not help but calm down from the excitement of starting to support a Castile prince, especially those who did not realize that the king had decided to compete with Spain in the fight for the New World, and even more directly raised questions about whether they should take the risk of angering the two powerful neighbors.

While Manuel refuted such doubts without hesitation, he seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally indulging those people in provocations to Alexander.

His seemingly contradictory behavior was actually not uncommon to Alexander.

The King of Portugal was undoubtedly excited and even a little fanatical during this period. He saw a future that he had never imagined, and even his extraordinary enthusiasm for the regaining of the holy land seemed insignificant compared to this future.

The ambition to make achievements and expand territory made Manuel willing to do anything even if he might offend Spain. At this time, even Alexander, who led him on this road, could no longer stop the Portuguese king from greed for the New World.

But of course Alexander didn't want to stop him. The Portuguese would devote their energy to South America for a long time, and Alexander had also been found by them for a future opponent.

The English are as obsessed with sea adventures as the Portuguese, and the Netherlands from the Lowlands will join in with a lively atmosphere, which will make the Atlantic Ocean very lively for a long time.

However, Manuel should have more than that. Although he did not express his support, his tacit approval of those people's doubts about Alexander also shows that he has other plans.

And Alexander could roughly guess what he was thinking.

Whether it is Ferdinand's today or Alexander in the future, for Portugal, a Spanish king with no threat is the good king.

Manuel seemed to be planning to use those doubts to make Alexander pay more for his support.

Judging from the Portuguese's standpoint, this was nothing wrong, but Alexander didn't like it very much.

When he saw Manuel, Alexander noticed that the Portuguese king seemed to be vaguely uneasy. Seeing him coming, Manuel immediately waved to him to come to him.

"I don't know if this is a bad thing, but I don't think it's a good sign," Manuel handed Alexander a report. "This was just sent from the Azores. An English expedition team arrived in Pondapurgala almost a week ago, but I think they should have left there now."

Alexander took the report and looked at it. He knew that the Portuguese named the first stronghold established on San Miguel after occupying Yageo, Pondapurgala, and it was also the capital of Portugal, which was identified as the Governor of Azores many years later. However, Pondapurgala is now only the largest settlement.

"This says the British sent four ships?" Alexander asked as he looked at the report.

"Their destination should be the new land for 4 large ocean-going ships."

At this time, Manuel had already begun to refer to Alexander as the New World, which was also the reason why he was determined to fight Spain. He had great interest in that mysterious new world and had a premonition that it might become a real opportunity for Portugal to rise.

But now the British suddenly got involved and made him feel that the situation might develop in an out-of-control direction. After all, the British's maritime power should not be underestimated. More importantly, they are a marriage alliance with Spain.

Marriage is sometimes not reliable, and most of the time, this kind of alliance is still effective, but once it touches its respective interests, it often leads to great contradictions.

However, such alliances often play a very important role, just like Castilia and Aragon. The grievances between the two royal families that were reproduced by the same ancestor were so complex that they could be written into a legendary novel. Even more than 20 years ago, conflicts broke out between the two countries, but now they have to see the trend of unity.

The same is true for the relationship between Britain and Spain. They are in-laws. Although Catherine of Aragon, the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, became a widow after she married the British Crown Prince Arthur. However, it was said that her father-in-law Henry VII was discussing with Ferdinand about his plan to let Catherine marry another son, the future murderer Henry VII.

Not to mention whether this marriage will be successful, but the British and Spain must be wearing pairs of pants now. Thinking about the huge advantages of the navies of the two countries after forming an alliance, Manuar is understandable.

"Duke, I'm willing to help you realize your wish, but you want to help me," Manuel looked at Alexander and said anxiously. "I could have devoted all my energy to the East. The new route has only started to make me very profitable. But I'm willing to accept your advice to invest almost all my capital in the Atlantic Ocean. If it fails, you know what this means for me and Portugal."

Alexander calmly handed the report back to Manuel. He turned and walked to the chair and sat down with his legs raised, holding his hands on the armrests of the chair, holding them together and supporting his chin to look at the Portuguese king in front of him.

"Your Majesty, I think you should know that this choice is made by you. As a monarch, you should be very clear that you must face temptations from all sides at any time. These temptations can often make people forget themselves but are also dangerous, and some are even fatal," Alexander's tone was calm, but he said without hesitation. "But equally, success can often bring unexpected huge returns, so for you this is an unprecedented gamble. The important thing now is not to look forward to it, but to move on without hesitation since you have taken this step."

Manuel looked at Alexander with a gloomy face. He knew that his previous plans must have been seen through by Alexander. It was nothing at all, but now the British joining the adventure of the New World caught the king who had always thought he had a good hand and was caught off guard.

"Duke, as you said, this is a gamble, and I think we all should show our sincerity." Manuel picked up an apple on the table and bit it, then chewed it hard, staring at Alexander, as if he wanted to see from his face how much sincerity he could show.

"When it comes to this, your Majesty, I look for you for the sincerity you have said," said Alexander, standing up and bowing slightly to Manuel. "I think it is necessary to introduce you to a general from France, Victor de Conde, a distant relative of the Duke of Bourbon in France."

"A French soldier?" Manuel looked at Alexander with a little vigilant. Although the French are now allies with Portugal, the Iberians were inevitably wary of this powerful country in the north of the Pyrenees.

They were all worried that the French would take advantage of the war on the Iberian Peninsula to make profits. It can even be said that if Alexander came from France rather than Italy, even if there were the same huge temptation, Manuel would not believe him easily.

"The general is now leading a small French army in Belling," seeing Manuel's alert, Alexander explained to him, "I think if he can, he and his army will obey your command."

"I?"

Manuel was a little surprised. He originally thought that Alexander wanted to put this French army under his command. After all, he had nothing on the Iberian Peninsula. His army was preparing to fight against the emperor's Austrian army in Italy. At this time, a French army that was willing to obey him should be in his best interest.

"Of course it's you," Alexander made an invitation gesture. "The French joined the war as our allies, and you are the highest in our alliance, and I, all are willing to obey your command."

Seeing Alexander not seemingly joking, Manuel was really unexpected. He knew very well what the command Alexander said had. If it was true as he said, then only by relying on his dominance in the war for the throne of Castia, Portugal will be truly equal in the future for at least a long time.

This is undoubtedly a huge opportunity for Portugal, which has always been suppressed by Castia and the more powerful United Kingdom, although it has been unwilling to accept the struggle.

Manuel believes that with his own vision and courage, as long as he gives Portugal enough time and opportunity, with the two routes full of wealth and opportunities in the East and the New World, he can make Portugal a powerful country that can truly compete with Spain in a very short time, whether on sea or on land.

Seeing Manuel's expression gradually becoming gentle, Alexander could actually guess what he was thinking.

This Portuguese king who felt so good that he always believed that he was the heavenly chosen monarch, even once thought that he was the best choice for the regaining of the holy land. Although this was related to the influence of Maria on him, Manuel himself seemed to never deny this statement.

Now he has seen an opportunity to make Portugal rise with all his might, and of course he will not give up easily.

As for the French army commanded by Victor de Conde, Alexander indeed planned to hand over to Manuel for disposal, rather than to lead himself, because he had other plans.

In April 1503, Italy, which finally drove the last bit of coldness back to the north, was bathing in the comfort of warm sunshine and the refreshing sea breeze of the Mediterranean. Fishing boats slowly rowed on the rippling water surface of the Bay of Santa Lucia in Naples, and the fishermen singing a melodious boat song were working lazily, and the singing echoed on the sea surface with the sound of waves slapping on the hull.

This is an ordinary morning. The sun has just risen. Some fishing boats that have gone out early have returned home with full loads. The cold winter has passed. This is a good season for everyone to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Several black spots on the distant sea level attracted the attention of fishermen. Years of sea experience told them that they should be big ships. As the black spots gradually approached, the fishermen were surprised to find that it was actually a fleet.

The fleet sailed with the help of the sea breeze and headed towards Naples. When it was almost noon, the soldiers on the bay's watchtower could clearly see the flags flying on the ships.

Among the various flags, there is a flag that is quite conspicuous, which is a snow-white cross. However, the slightly different one is the two golden triangle patterns hanging from both ends of the cross, which makes the cross an abstract balance. If it is closer, you can see more clearly the two identical crowns among the two triangle patterns.

The appearance of this balance flag that held up two crowns at the same time made the soldiers on the watchtower shout in an instant.

The shouts of "Long live the Queen!" were quickly spread from Santa Lucia's lookout to the port of Naples.

Naples is in full swing!

Hearing the news of the Queen's victory, countless Naples hurriedly put on their clothes and walked out of their homes. People were either riding horses or taking cars, but more people flocked to the port on foot.

The Naples who had already received the news sent out all their servants and urged the streets near their homes to be filled with flowers everywhere.

The trumpets were roaring and the salutes shook the sky. The Naples cheered wildly for their queen's victory. When the fleet finally landed at the port, the tide-like shouts had already resounded over the port of Naples.

The officials had to order the port to be temporarily closed, and the city defense forces set up a cordon near the dock. At the same time, the nobles rarely explained to the excited Naples with a gentle expression, "Her Majesty the Queen will soon be on the shore, you can go to the streets and wait and then pay your respects to the Queen."

A largest sea boat gradually landed. Under the excited gaze of countless people, after a anxious wait, a team of infantry soldiers wearing breastplate walked off the boat along the springboard.

These infantry were arranged in an orderly queue that surprised people, and people even noticed the extremely gorgeous feathers on their helmets. The feathers were beautiful and bright red and white. They were like a large field of beautiful birds spreading their wings at the same time, and could even be seen clearly from a distance.

"Grenadier! It's Her Majesty's Royal Grenadier!"

I don’t know which knowledgeable Neapolitan shouted out from the crowd first. Although most people didn’t even know what the word meant, they immediately burst into a shocking cheer!

When the nobles saw these musketeers wearing bright feather helmets, they couldn't help but look serious and reserved.

The Grenadier Company is now a grenade regiment. As the most elite and loyal unit in the Naples army, they are the first army to be awarded the title of "Wang Family" by Ruosha.

These beautiful and bright feathers seized from the Ottoman New Army soldiers after defeating the general Xisugu, the eastern bank of the Denbvica River in the Battle of Naples, have become the most eye-catching marks of this Royal Grenadier unit. Ruosha even ordered that only the grenadier regiments have the only honor to have the right to insert red and white feathers on the helmet.

Teams of soldiers began to come down from the ship, each team holding their own flags, which were the advance team sent by the Federation of Trade Unions, and the Naples grenadiers stood in front of this guard of honor.

The Union Cross Flag Flag, which heralds fair and free trade, and the Holy Mountain Cross Flag of the Kosencha family were accompanied by the Golden Crown and Shield Flag of the Kingdom of Sicily. As the 12 drum and trumpet players in the front played a unique music, the Union Banner moved forward with people's cheers.

After returning triumphantly, the troops returned to China. At this moment, the soldiers of Naples and the coalition forces were full of enthusiasm and passion.

The Naples also looked excitedly at the grenadiers from far to near, knowing that from now on, they were no longer the Kingdom of Naples, but the nobles of the Kingdom of Sicily.

The unification of the two Sicilies has become a fact, and for them, a unified Sicilies means that they not only have greater power, but also that there will be countless wealth waiting for them.

In addition to the soldiers on the ship, a large number of goods were transported from the ship. These were the wealth obtained from the expedition to Sicily. Although Sicily was protected from a complete looting because it was unified under Rusha's crown, the compensation promised to the coalition forces had to be paid.

Some short-sighted Naples were ecstatic to see the wealth, while some who looked further were already thinking about how to restore the current Sicily, which seems not very optimistic economy, as soon as possible.

However, at this time people think more about celebrating this great victory with carnival. With the loud song of the Grenadiers "Grenadiers Pay Tribute to the Queen", the streets of Naples were thundering and resounding throughout the city.

But to the surprise of the Naples, the fleet sent back a large amount of wealth, the flag of the alliance and the guard of honor that showed victory, but did not return their queen and her army!

On April 12, 1503, a fleet suddenly appeared outside Malaga.
Chapter completed!