Chapter 962

Chapter 962: Choice, defection, negotiation (2)

Two days later, a report containing more detailed information was delivered to Yu Eung-bu.

– Upon hearing the news that the Allied forces were approaching, the Archdiocese of Perugia immediately fled to the Vatican.

-Church forces stationed in Perugia also withdrew to the Vatican.

-According to information collected from Perugia residents, the Archdiocese of Perugia fled to the Vatican with all his family and property.

-It is said that the church army also went around Perugia and nearby villages looting, as well as the property they had, and then withdrew.

-Need to supply food and medicine to affected residents.

“Huh... This is it...”

“The report sent from Grosseto is also very similar.”

Yu Eung-bu, who checked the report, looked astonished.

“Isn’t the head of the archdiocese or province supposed to be a high-ranking monk with deep faith? But with all the money and wealth... the church army even plundered... It wasn’t even during the Goryeo Dynasty back in the day...”

‘ This is why I took a repressive policy...’

Yu Eung-bu shook his head when he was informed of his actions that went far beyond the doctrine of ‘preaching God’s providence and saving sentient beings.’ One of the staff members who had a similar expression to Yu Eung-bu suggested another possibility.

“Could it be that they used clear field tactics?”

“It’s a clear-field tactic...”

Yu Eung-bu, who was thinking over the words of the staff, sighed and muttered.

“Ha. It would be better if it was a clear night tactic...”

* * *

Afterwards, the bloodless nature of the Pope’s invasion continued. There were cases where they packed up everything early and entered Muju Gongsan Mountain, and there were cases where they raised a white flag and surrendered as soon as they saw the Allied forces.

“This is it...”

The commanders of the Allied forces marching toward Rome looked at the marching soldiers with perplexed expressions. Even as they left Siena, the soldiers’ faces were full of determination and tension. However, the enemies who were expected to be waiting for them in a highly poisonous state did not even see a shadow, and as the bloodless invasion continued, the soldiers’ faces were filled with only relaxation. It wasn’t just his face that was relaxed.

Flowers picked from the side of the road were often stuck in the muzzles of long guns slung loosely on their shoulders, and some soldiers even had bottles of wine hanging from their muzzles. And the song that one or two people started singing to relieve the boredom and fatigue of the march led to a chorus. Folk songs from Genoa, Milan, Venice, and Florence came out from everywhere, and the soldiers were excited.

“You can’t be pushed around by those hillbillies with a song!”

As a kind of battle of spirit took place, the soldiers sang with the veins in their necks standing up. The imperial military officers who were watching this from behind muttered with incredulous expressions on their faces.

“You can tell we’re coming from a hundred miles away.”

“That’s not the problem. Our kids are calling too.”

“That’s the problem...”

As the military officers said, the Imperial and Swiss soldiers were also singing their own folk songs. This was thanks to the continuous bloodless process and the added sense of relief of being in the rear, which relieved the tension. In response, the imperial military officers reprimanded the soldiers several times to strengthen discipline, but once discipline was loosened, it was not easily tightened. Eventually, conspiracy theories began to circulate among military officers who were exhausted from the task.

“Could this be the enemy’s plan?”

* * *

“Could it be the enemy’s plan?’

“stratagem? As expected, clear field tactics?”

To the response department’s question, the senior staff immediately answered,

“It is highly likely. Rather than wasting power by repeating useless battles, it is better to boldly abandon areas to preserve power. In addition, doesn’t it kill two birds with one stone by lowering the other person’s guard? That’s not all. The supply of food and medicine to local people who had been plundered was in disarray. It seems that there is a very skilled person among the enemy’s staff who knows how to use such advanced tactics.”

“I see...”

Yu Eung-bu nodded at the senior staff member’s words. But both the Yu Eung-bu and the staff knew. . The current situation was not the enemy’s plan, but they were just giving up and running away. Still, the response department and staff wanted to believe that it was a plan.

‘It would be too unfair to do otherwise!’

“Yes

, Captain .

”

“What do you think?”

Han Myeong-hoe was the first to speak in response to Hyang’s question.

“

I think it’s better to accept his comments. It’s a good thing because it doesn’t cause unnecessary bloodshed, and if you think about the future, it’s also in the empire’s interest to have more allies.” ”

Is that so?”

It was Seong Sam-moon who spoke next.

“I think it’s better not to accept it. . It’s good to be able to avoid fighting, but joining hands with someone who even betrays your father is detrimental to the empire’s honor. And we cannot be sure that those who have already betrayed us will not betray us again. It would be better to send additional troops to stop their reckless actions. I think it would be best to liquidate Rome while they, who are pressed down in terms of military strength, are just watching.”

“That also makes sense. What do you think, Ambassador Shin?”

Shin Sook-ju, who was pointed out by Hyang, gathered her thoughts for a moment and answered,

“You seem to be a person who is good at recognizing the general trend and finding your own direction. In this case, as long as we are confident that the empire will guarantee our interests, we will be completely on the side of the empire. Since it is suitable for use as a chess piece, I think it would be a good idea to hold hands.” ”

I see...”

After hearing the three people’s answers, Hyang smiled strangely and muttered to himself.

‘It is an answer that reveals the values of the three people. ‘

After looking at the three for a moment, Hyang turned his head and asked the waiting official.

“Did you also deliver copies to the leaders of the alliance?”

“Your Majesty.”

“Then I guess I should talk to them. Send someone and tell them that I asked to meet you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After giving the order to the official, the Hyang turned to the three people and continued.

“I have listened carefully to the officials’ opinions. All of these answers have valid reasons, so I think they are worth considering. However, this is not the internal affairs of the Empire, but the internal affairs of Italy, so we will follow the decisions of the leaders of the alliance.”

“It is an excellent decision,”

the three of them answered, bowing their heads to Hyang’s words. But the three of them knew it well. Although it is Italy’s internal affairs, today’s Italy cannot escape the influence of the government. In other words, the decision of the government becomes the decision of the alliance.

‘We just cover our eyes and say nothing.’

* * *

The next day, Hyang, who was with the leaders of the alliance, asked them,

“Why do you think this Cesare Borgia betrayed his father? Even though he is an illegitimate child, it is certain that he would not have become a duke of the principality without his father’s help.”

The person who answered the perfume’s question was Lorenzo de’ Medici. He

made his second son, Giovanni di Lorenzo de’ Medici, a cardinal and sent him to the Vatican. It was because he knew the situation in the Vatican well thanks to his input.

“It was because he became a duke with the help of his father. The current Pope, Alexander VI, has quite a few enemies. If he dies, Cesare Borgia will immediately lose everything.”

“So you will join hands with us now to ensure your position is preserved?”

“That’s right.”

Hearing Lorenzo’s explanation, he muttered to himself.

‘Really . ‘He’s just as bad as Jojo.’

At the ensuing meeting, the leaders of the alliance agreed to accept Cesare’s demands. Although they did not like the idea of reducing the size of the pie they would occupy, they believed that it would reduce unnecessary blood loss and allow them to grow bigger at the same time. Considering the Kingdom of Naples, this was the best choice.