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Chapter 18 Threats, inducements, solicitations

Jeffrey Porgia is said to be a very beautiful man with soft and glowing dark brown hair, a delicate and sensitive face unique to a teenager, and innocent eyes that only children have.

Among Alexander VI's children, Jeffrey was not favored. There were even rumors outside that the Pope doubted whether this beautiful boy was his descendant, because Jeffrey was not close to his father.

This rumor is almost well known to everyone in the city of Rome.

Another topic that interests people is Jeffrey's wife Xia Sang.

As the daughter of Alfonso II, King of Naples, Joanna's sister-in-law came to Rome with a large jealous dowry when she married Jeffrey two years ago.

At that time, Alexander VI had just ascended the throne of the pope, and when he was proud of his ambition, he saw a daughter-in-law who brought a huge dowry and a territorial ban, and was extremely happy.

The pope's family also liked the joining of the young girl, especially Giovanni and Caesar, who developed a great interest in their younger brother, the beautiful 16-year-old bride. Then, not long after, various rumors about the four of them spread in Rome.

These are all well-known things in the entire city of Rome. Even outsiders like Alexander and others who have been here for a while can hear all kinds of rumors about the family, including the stories full of ambiguousness between Xia Sang and her husband's two brothers.

Now that Giovanni said that Xia Sang was going to see him, Alexander couldn't help but think of those stories about these three brothers and a woman.

"Xiasan hopes to meet you, and she wants to express her gratitude to you for saving His Majesty Joanna in person." Giovanni did not seem to think that he would replace his younger siblings, rather than how strange it was for Xiasan's husband to come forward to say these words. After he said it naturally, he signaled Alexander to follow him to walk to the Gilpitz Palace.

Could it be that this lady lived in her husband's brother's house so openly? Alexander thought in surprise. Looking at Giovanni's attitude of not caring about these things, Alexander couldn't help but feel that it was really not unfair to be stabbed by someone in the black knife later. At least the speculation that he was actually assassinated by his brother Jeffrey may not seem unreasonable now.

Xiasan Aragon is 18 years old this year. The sensation she caused when she married Jeffrey two years ago is still often mentioned. The family expressed enough love for this wife who brought tens of thousands of Florin to the Bogia family and a country-owned wife, which made Xiasan live happily in Rome, and her relationship with her husband's sister Lucrezia is also pretty good.

Xia Sang is now 18 years old. It was the best time when she transformed from a young girl to a romantic young woman after two years of love. Her plump posture has made her look graceful and energetic in a long shoulder skirt imitating the ancient Roman era. Her light red hair, which seemed very lively, was somewhat similar to Alexander, and she looked a little jumpy, but she was full of vitality.

Xia Sang had a lively personality, or it was somewhat similar to Giovanni. When Giovanni saw him bringing a young man, she stood up from the chair and looked at him with a smile. When Giovanni was about to speak, she said first: "I know you, Alexander Juliante Gombre, right?"

"Madam, this is my honor." Alexander bowed slightly, then he looked at Xia Sang carefully after he raised his head.

Xia Sang seemed a little surprised. She didn't expect that the young man seemed to be very brave and looked at her like this. Then she smiled again: "You are younger than I thought, and you are quite bold, or just like others said, you are still a child."

Others? Who?

Alexander thought quickly, and his face was just right because Xia Sang's words showed a hint of shyness.

"I have heard a lot about you. I heard that you defeated the French and defeated a robbery against my brother and wife on the night he entered the city and saved her, right?"

"Those are all trivial things, and it is my duty to protect the queen." Alexander said modestly. "If I had to say that there was something to be proud of, I was proud of myself for doing things for Naples."

"I heard you are the Lord of Agri?" Xia Sangrao asked interestedly. "And you sent food when Naples suffered famine?"

"Yes, madam, I stopped a famine, which is what I deserve most of my pride."

Alexander nodded. He could not be modest when he should be modest. He felt that Mrs. Xiasang specifically suggested that he was not to listen to him speak modestly. It was obvious that this young woman had a purpose.

As for what she wants to do, I don't know yet.

"Joanna said your army is very good at fighting?" Xia Sang still asked in the innocent and romantic way that seemed to be a young lady, which made her question seem a bit straightforward and even impolite because of the suspicion contained therein, but she would not be disgusted by the innocent and romantic "Your victory in the Brueni Valley is now very famous. People in the city of Rome are talking about this, and everyone is mocking the French as a group of fools with appearances, who actually defeated a group of farmers from Agri."

Giovanni coughed beside him, and he smiled a little apologetically to Alexander, as if he was apologizing for his brother and sister-in-law's words.

Alexander only smiled: "Madam, you are right. In fact, those people under my command are indeed a group of farmers. Many of them are on the battlefield for the first time. Even the veterans who once fought for the lords have never really fought head-on with the French. Most of my victory is based on the Bohemians under my command."

Alexander noticed that when he talked about the Bohemians, Giovanni, who had been smiling and listening, looked slightly more and more concerned, and he had always become more concerned.

"So can you tell me the result of that battle? You must know that the French never mention their failure." Xia Sang asked as if he was really interested. "Although I will not be openly enemies of the French because of my husband, I still hope to listen to more news about their failures, so that I will be happier."

Although she was wondering how many of these words were true, Alexander simply talked about the battle in the Bruini Valley. When the French cavalry broke through the formation, Xia Sang showed a nervous expression, and when she heard that the Bohemians finally drove the French out of the battlefield, she smiled.

"This is really a thrilling battle, right?" Xia Sang asked Giovanni next to him. "What would happen if you were to command this battle?"

Alexander was stunned. He didn't expect Xia Sang to ask this. Looking at Giovanni who had been standing next to him and listening patiently, Alexander wanted to hear what the Duke of Gandia thought.

Among all the children of Alexander VI, Giovanni Borgia was regarded by their father as the most ideal military commander of the Bogia dynasty in the future. Although they also had a half-brother Louis, who was actually more suitable for this role, unfortunately Louis died prematurely and broke the thought of Alexander VI.

So the pope placed all his hopes on Giovanni. At the same time, he hired many famous teachers of this era to teach his son about military knowledge, and even sent his son directly to the coalition army to command the war. It was only because of the agreement with the French king that he had to recall Giovanni back to Rome.

It can be said that in comparison, in the minds of Alexander VI, although Caesar was his favorite son, at least he did not think that Caesar was a soldier.

Giovanni was highly expected.

Alexander is still willing to listen to such a personal opinion.

Giovanni looked at Alexander and then said to Xiasan: "Although I haven't experienced that battle myself, I can still imagine the dangers. Dear Xiasan, the French are not as vulnerable as you think, otherwise Charlie would not have defeated your father and brother so easily. As for the French in Rome now, their troubles are not just from the coalition forces."

After hearing Giovanni's words, Xia Sang's expression of anticipation looked slightly unfair. She seemed to look at Giovanni's with some unhappiness, but she didn't speak, just waiting for him to continue talking.

Alexander nodded in his heart. Giovanni was not a arrogant person, or even in front of the woman he favored, he did not lose his calmness as a soldier when mentioning the enemy. This alone shows why he was favored by Alexander VI.

"If it were me, I might not be able to defend the chariot formation to the death," Giovanni looked at Alexander. "Although the Agris are indeed farmers, they are good bait. I will personally lead the Bohemians to attack the French cavalry, and let the Agris try to attract the French in the chariot formation. After they break through and enter the chariot formation, the chariot formation will become an obstacle to their movement. At that time, I will let the Bohemians surround the chariot formation and strike head-on against all the French who are trying to break out. Although it may be sacrificed to the Agris, I will win and enjoy this battle."

Giovanni said with a strange smile, as if he had thought of something interesting, looking at his expression, Alexander raised his eyebrows slightly.

"But isn't Joanna right in the convoy? As you said, would you sacrifice Joanna?" Xia Sang asked with a little confusion.

"I just said if it was me," Giovanni said with a smile, and then he looked at Alexander. "You did a good job, and now the French are reluctant to mention the name Bruini Valley, and their commander, Louis de Charleon, was said to be even more disgusted with what was happening there."

"I've seen that man, a French knight who likes to wear black armor."

"Yes, an arrogant French knight," Giovanni nodded in agreement. "But I have to remind you that this is a Frenchman with a not-so-broad mind. He was appointed as the commander of Rome by Charles. It was not because of how wise he was, but because he had a high loyalty to Charles himself, but this was not a good thing for you, and he would keep asking for trouble for you."

Alexander knew that the topic of what he really wanted to talk about today began, and Giovanni would condescend to invite him, not just to discuss a few art treasures and to listen to him boasting about his brilliant achievements.

"I am not afraid of the French, and I won openly on the battlefield. If that Frenchman thinks he needs revenge, he can come to me at any time." Alexander deliberately showed a stubborn look, and then he looked at Giovanni and waited for his performance below.

Sure enough, Giovanni first praised his courage and fearlessness, and then said in a disapproving tone: "Although you are brave and open, don't forget that this is Rome, and anything can happen in this city. What's more, although the French cannot deal with you publicly, as long as you and your people are forbidden from leaving this city, they will always have a chance to revenge you."

Alexander showed a little nervousness, but although he was playing the show, he knew that what Giovanni said was also true, and anything could happen in Rome.

Seeing Alexander's hesitation, Giovanni finally smiled with satisfaction. This was the result he had been waiting for.

First, he broke Alexander's self-righteous pride. After letting him see the danger in front of him, Giovanni handed over the olive branch that had been prepared long ago.

"Of course, it might be different if you have a captive master who can be your strong backer," Giovanni waved his hand and seemed to say inadvertently. "Then the French need to consider whether punishing you will cause dissatisfaction with your captive master, especially now that the French have not had a good life in Lombardy and Rome, which may be an opportunity for you."

Alexander looked at Giovanni, and he knew that this man was unconcealed threats and temptations, but even if he was willing to surrender, as Lord Agri, he still belonged to the kingdom of Naples in name.

So could he surrender directly to this Duke of Gandia?

Obviously this is impossible.

So what does Giovanni mean?

When Alexander's eyes flashed over Xia Sang's face next to him with a slightly anticipated look, he knew that he had found the answer.

Xiasan was the daughter of Alfonso II. When she married Jeffrey, she used the Principality of Squerache as her dowry. Speaking of which, Xiasan was not only the wife of Jeffrey Bogia, but also the duchess of the Principality of Squerache under Naples.

So, as Lord Agri under the name of Naples, if you need to find a protector, is there any more suitable one than the daughter of the former king and a duchess of the principality?

For a moment, Alexander suddenly realized, and his eyes at the two of them became interesting.

It seems that the rumors about these two people may not be a sensation. Only by trying to fight for the interests of Xia Sang can we see the extraordinary relationship between them.

Just as Alexander was thinking about these two people in his heart, Xia Sang suddenly asked inadvertently: "I heard you had some trouble when you entered Rome before, right?"

Because she didn't understand her intention, Alexander just nodded slightly.

"I heard that Constantine de la Rovere helped you to relieve the siege?" Xia Sang continued to ask.
Chapter completed!
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