Snowflakes were flying and falling from the sky. The fine and silent snow marks slowly outlined layers of plain colors with the floating white shadows, and accumulated more and more until the entire world was wrapped and covered under the silver white.

This was the first snow in 1497, and it was probably the last one, because Christmas has passed, and 2 days later will be 1498.

Many people have not had a good Christmas, but this is not because of any difficulties. On the contrary, for people in Rome, Pisa, Naples and even Livor, this Christmas is both hasty and pleasant.

From the moment the Christmas bell rang, it can be seen that there are still people busy preparing for the caravan that set off the next morning.

Of course, the Port of Amsterdam is not the only port in the entire European continent, but in this era, there are not many ports that can transport goods to mainland Europe through convenient waterways to the greatest extent. Especially with the arrival of winter, many ports will enter a long period of closure. Even in the spring of the following year, due to the unique ice age restrictions in the North Sea, even if the waterways are unblocked, they will still be restrained for a long time because they are not adapted to navigation.

Because of this, many merchants seize the opportunity to prepare enough goods before the port lockdown period every year. People are not worried that these goods will not be sold, because in order to deal with the poverty in the market that may be brought about by several consecutive months of port lockdown periods, those mainland dealers will also accumulate large quantities of stocks.

But this year it has changed completely. The blockade of the port of Amsterdam has completely changed the situation of the European inland market. The blockade that occurred one month in advance from the beginning made the people who had prepared a large amount of goods miserable. When the lockdown period finally arrived, the merchants were completely desperate.

The reality that a large number of goods, the capital that was occupied and the reality that it would take several months to escape made the merchants flock to the Dutch government like crazy, but it was too late. Even if someone pointed out that the Groghenning family was manipulating it, the closed port was obviously no longer able to be opened.

Philip, a handsome man who was said to be regarded as a good temper by the Netherlands, burst out his first anger after he took office. He ordered the arrest of all the Groghening family members, but to his disappointment, the Dutch parliament refused to sign approval for his order.

According to the parliamentary interpretation, no matter what the purpose of the Groghenning family was, they did not violate the laws of the Netherlands. They were conducting effective commercial activities with legal and fair means, which was first protected by the laws of the Netherlands.

The orders of the ruling government are obviously to undermine this kind of fair business practice.

Philip was angry. He always thought that the Netherlands had a good impression of him, at least the Parliament had a good relationship with him, and he was very proud of this.

But this time, the first time there was a conflict between the Dutch rule and the Parliament because of different opinions.

However, those merchants who were blocked outside the port did not care about how the Netherlands explained their laws. For them, those piles of goods were their greatest disaster, especially those that could not be preserved for a long time. If they could not take action as soon as possible, they would turn into unimaginable losses.

It is at this time that someone mentioned places like Pisa, Livorna, or even more distant Neapolis.

In addition, there are some ports that have a closure period, but at least some at night. As for the places further north of Hamburg, merchants had no choice but to give up.

Because even though those ports would not be closed so early, the water transport roads that allowed them to transport goods to the mainland had already been closed early. As for land transportation, no one was so crazy that he would do that.

It was also at this time that a place that had never been heard from before began to spread among merchants.

A river port in the southern part of the lowlands called Rotterdam, which seems to allow people to deliver goods to the mainland from there.

Various news circulated among the anxious businessmen. People seemed confused because they didn't know which news was reliable. Some were no longer willing to argue. They could only rely on their feelings to go to the places they thought were the most reliable, while others continued to wait aimlessly, hoping that some miracle would happen.

Time is passing rapidly, and Christmas in December is approaching, but the Romans found that in addition to the believers who pilgrimage every year, a large number of foreign merchants have poured into the city of Rome this year.

These people are generous and enthusiastic. They always find ways to invite every local person to ask for information. Then many people flock to the most lively place in the Roman city, the Diego Exchange behind Piazza Trajan.

The bustling and bustling, many people squeezed out with excitement, and more people rushed in with excitement on their faces. The Tiego Exchange is ushering in its glorious moment that even the Pope is incomparable for a while.

Even when the bell for Christmas came rang and the exchange had to close its business according to the religious routine, many people still refused to go to durian in the corridor outside the exchange.

Diego was walking in the snow in a thick bear-skin coat, gasping for heavy steps, but his heart was excited and almost singing.

Tiego knew that he had made a fortune. He had never dreamed of getting wealth before and now it has become a reality. He even believed with confidence that even the richest nobles in the Bali Ali Islands cannot be compared with him.

If it were before, he might have sat down and started to think about how to live a good life for himself and his descendants, but now Diego is not satisfied.

After meeting those great figures with prominent identities and those real wealth owners who have only been heard of in rumors, Tiego clearly understood what his wealth was in the eyes of others. Now there is an opportunity for him to become one of those real legends, and this is probably the only opportunity in his life, so Tiego made up his mind to never give up.

Two days after Christmas, the city of Rome became even more lively. In addition to merchants, some nobles also began to send envoys. However, these people did not want to meet the pope, or the view of the pope was just a reason or excuse. Their purpose was to be something called tax-free trading rights.

Although it is only some places near Rome, in the past month, this tax-free trading right has begun to spread in various cities. As the name suggests, this term is the large taxes and fees collected for the market sales of the Free Trade Union to non-union.

Nearby, such as Bologna, Milan, Perugia, and further away, Monza and Borno appeared in Rome, and they flocked to the Carolingian Palace. After expressing their anger and dissatisfaction with the Free Trade Union to the Pope through various passages, they looked forward to giving the arrogant Gombre a deep lesson through the Vatican.

There is no doubt that the different taxes and fees of the Free Trade Union deeply angered the lords.

When the news reached Marino Palace, Alexanderson watched Ruosha standing in front of her huge portrait and admiring herself in the painting.

The helmet is tall and the cloak is fluttering. The jade hand holding the muzzle is slender and perfect. When he twists his body slightly and looks at the eyes ahead, he shows a resolute divine light.

Alexander thought that Michelangelo seemed to take it for granted when portraying Rusha. He did not think that Rusha in reality was like a female war god. He even felt that Rusha in the portrait was a bit too heroic and cool.

At least now, although he was wearing the same armor as in the portrait, and even holding a musket in his hand, Ruosha was gentle and passionate when he was held in his arms, instead of looking brave and noble as in the portrait.

"I like this painting very much," Ruosha said, turning her head to look at Alexander. "It makes me feel strong, even a little strong."

"I don't like these two points." Alexander said, gently touching Ruosha's armored shoulders that were buckled on her shoulders with his hand. As the buckle was lifted, the armored shoulders fell to the ground with a "bang" sound along with the cloak.

"We seem to have made a lot of money," Ruosha continued, "Uncle Modilo said that the king was very attentive to him during this period, yes, just using the word attentive."

Alexander knew that the king Rusha was talking about was Frederick of Naples, but he was not interested in that person.

Speaking of which, Frederick's throne came very lucky. After his nephew died of illness, he successfully inherited the throne of Naples, and then used his skills to drive the former queen Joanna out of Naples, which made him a little proud.

Therefore, when Caesar went to Naples to run for the marriage between Lucrezia and Alfonso, Frederick's attitude towards Caesar was actually not very good.

Not only did he reject Caesar's desire to marry his daughter, but he was not very enthusiastic about the Pope's alliance. If he had not been worried that the French might make a comeback after the withdrawal of Aragonese troops, he might not even agree to the marriage that was of no benefit to him.

Now Alfonso of Billysheli has become a laughing stock in the city of Rome, and Frederick should be very annoyed by this situation.

"Frederick now hopes that our free trade alliance can take care of Naples' business more," Ruosha said proudly, then she suddenly took a deep breath, hugged Alexander's neck tightly with her hands, and at the same time, her upper body trembled slightly as Alexander's right hand penetrated into her breastplate. "Be careful, you will be seen."

"Fortunately Uriu is back," Alexander looked at the door, knowing that the Moors should be bored in the corridor at this time. "Does Frederick want us to expand trade in Naples?"

"Yes, and... He hopes we can, allow them to buy food directly from Agri."

Ruosha's eyes, who had been saying several times, had a warm friendship flowed out in her eyes. She held Alexander's cheek with both hands and looked at her carefully, then pulled his hand and reached behind her.

The buckles of the armor were picked apart one by one, and as the exquisite silver armor fell on his feet, Ruosha's perfect curves appeared in front of Alexander.

"I know you have to leave Rome after the New Year," Ruosha said softly. "Since that's the case, my brother, can I give you a gift now?"

Alexander took a deep breath. Of course he would not refuse the gift, and even felt that the gift might have come a little late.

"Your gift is definitely the best," Alexander gently stroked Ruosha's bright blonde hair. "What gift do you want me to give you?"

"You have promised a gift before," Ruosha glanced at the portrait next to her, which was about the same height as hers. "But I hope you can give me something that only you can give."

His heartbeats, what is only what he can give himself, Alexander smiled.

A rhythmic sound of footsteps came from outside, and Alexander sighed softly, knowing that it was Uriu.

Only Uriu can interpret the footsteps so naturally and smoothly, and convey so many meanings.

Obviously, a guest came.

The days before the New Year were obviously busy. Although I knew that many things would happen after the New Year and maybe I could leave Rome, Alexander obviously did not have so much time to be warm with his beloved lover, especially when the lover was still a sister, although the sneaking style was very interesting, he missed many opportunities because it was too inconvenient.

So when I saw my brother’s nominal fiancée, Ruosha’s expression was a little cold.

Barenti came to talk about the 3,000 Genoese soldiers.

The cardinal's careful consideration finally made him decide to agree with Alexander's conditions, but in exchange, Rovery Lao also clearly proposed a condition that made Alexander a little embarrassed.

"You mean, Cardinal wants us to get married in 3 up to 5 months?"

Alexander looked at Barenti a little strangely.

If it were other girls, they would always be a little excited when they mentioned their wedding date, but when Barendi said this, she looked calm and seemed to be motionless.

"Yes, at least 5 months," Barenti nodded affirmatively. "Your army can be recruited within about 2 months, and then my father will sign a statement that will certify that the command of this army will be transferred to you."

Alexander seemed to be unintentionally looking at Ruosha who was sitting beside her. Seeing her sister looking at her own portrait with a blank expression, Alexander began to feel that this year seemed a bit difficult.

"Sorry, can I know why the Cardinal proposed this condition?" Alexander asked helplessly.

There was a strange look on Barenti's face. She put it on her knees and pinched her hands slightly, then looked at Alexander on his face, and said in a very calm tone: "This is what my father means, and what I am myself. I hope you can at least understand. I don't want me to obtain the right I should belong after my husband's illegitimate son is blessed by baptism."

Alexander stared at Barenti blankly, and he never expected to get such an answer.

"If you agree to this condition, our agreement can be reached," Barenti continued as if discussing a common negotiation. "Of course, if you have any different suggestions, we can continue to discuss."

"I don't think it's anything." Alexander smiled bitterly. He felt that the last conversation with Barenti didn't actually work, at least Barenti was still so indifferent to him. "I think this is fair to all of us."

“It’s fair.”

Barenti stood up, she nodded to Ruosha, and then walked out the door with Alexander's company.

Looking at Barondi's back, Ruosha, who seemed to be focusing all her attention on the portrait, slowly stood up. She paced slowly in the room, then stopped and tilted her head as if she was thinking about something.

When Alexander returned to the room, he happened to see Ruosha standing in the middle of the room thinking.

"What are you thinking?" Alexander sat helplessly in the chair that Barenti had sat before. Barenti's visit obviously ruined their good deeds. Looking at the servant who was cleaning up next to him, Alexander was a little depressed.

"Why did she ask this condition?" Ruosha suddenly asked, "Why must we marry you within 5 months at the latest?"

Ruosha's questions attracted Alexander's attention. He sat up slowly and thought quietly with his hands holding his chin.

"It's certainly some reason that Lao Luowei made this decision. Three months, up to five months, something must have made him feel that something will happen after this period of time."

Alexander thought about it, and after a while his lips suddenly opened slightly and showed a look of enlightenment: "I think I have guessed why."

"oh?"

Ruosha saw a strange look on Alexander's face, and she seemed to laugh because she saw an interesting drama.

"He should have received some news, maybe it's from France," Alexander looked at Ruosha. "Probably, Charles VIII's new invasion will begin during this period."

Ruosha's expression paused. She was surprised by Alexander's judgment. At the same time, a strong sense of anxiety and tension made her face turn slightly pale.

"Are the French going to call?" Ruosha asked nervously at first, then a hint of anger suddenly appeared on her face. "Your Montina, the Rovere family insisted on letting you and Barenti get married as soon as possible, just for Montina!"

Alexander nodded with a smile. He knew that Ruosha's anger was because he thought that the Luo Weire family might use him as a shield.

Obviously, once the French invade again, the Lovere family, as the well-known leading party, will definitely still stand on the side of the French. By then, whether the French army goes south again to invade Naples or to fight against Milan Venice, Montina, located in Romagna in central Italy, will inevitably be involved in the biggest vortex of war.

"That woman, you should terminate the engagement with her." Ruosha said angrily, "Think about the perfume you gave her to tempt you to agree to her."
To be continued...