Chapter 106: Conquering Europe

Shu Yichao self-identified as a fan of the Roman Empire, but it was just for fun.

Like most people, he just liked to use it as an in-game persona and simulate the resurgence of Rome, especially on completely unrelated maps. It added to the immersion of the game.

But when they were really playing on maps simulating the rise of Rome, most fans would choose to support Carthage and trash on Rome, or support Gaul and use Rome as an ATM, or stand with Diadochi and declare themselves the successors of Alexander the Great’s will.

There were even some who declared that the Holy Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire were considered Romans too, and they pulled all sorts of maneuvers.

Thus, Shu Yichao didn’t hesitate to plunder Eternal City Rome.

This city must be dripping with money. I should plunder it while I can.

“Don’t ask if we want gold, silver, or copper... We want it all!”

“Are those things in the square ancient sculptures? Are they legitimate or fakes?”

“Forget it, just dig them all out and sell it!”

“Oh hoh! Why is there such a huge jewel on your sword? Give it to me!”

“Which poet’s room is this? The ink bottle is actually made of gold! I’ll be taking it!”

“This study table... isn’t this agarwood? That’s expensive wood! Take it!”

“Why are these people still wearing fur? Rip it off their bodies!”

“Steeds? Whew, there are so many good steeds here. Take them for our brothers who have lost their steeds!”

At Shu Yichao’s order, his soldiers quickly combed through Eternal City Rome like an army of locusts. Be it Persian mats, ivory tools, gold containers, beautiful oil paintings, antiques, or silk clothing, all of them were swiped away.

These valuables were sold to Genoa and the other allied cities.

Many people were at a loss for words, as most of the items Shu Yichao were trying to sell to them were goods they had previously sold to Eternal City Rome. However, no one pointed out that fact to him.

There are better ways to die. There’s no need to court death insisting on this.

The sheer wealth that the Roman Catholic Church had amassed through all sorts of means was immense.

“Woah!” Shu Yichao was amazed to see how fast his wealth was growing. “I made the right choice coming here! Plundering Rome is better than plundering ten cities! It’s such a pity that Constantinope had been sacked by the Crusade, or else there would be another city for me to plunder from.”

Sophia: “...”

They had celebrated when the Scourge of God attacked and brought down the Ottomain Empire, Venice, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Holy Romain Empire.

But when the Scourge of God conquered the Crusade, their smiles became strained.

And when the Scourge of God was done dyeing most of Europe in his color and started advancing eastward toward the Islamic countries, their smiles finally collapsed.

They panicked.

...

In Constantinope...

“So, their first reaction upon learning that our Caesar is going to advance his army into Asia is to...” Constantin XI looked incredibly confused. “...fight among themselves?”

“That’s not exactly it.” Sophia, who had grown a few years older, stood by his study table and organized the documents. “They are fighting over a court clergyman.”

Constantin XI was even more confused. “Why are they fighting over a court mentor?”

“This court mentor is said to be from Serica,” Sophia explained. “Those few countries put their money together to invite him over, but one of them chose to dock him in their territory.”

Constantin XI widened his eyes in realization. “No wonder.”

No one had said it out loud, but those who were politically aware knew that Mandarin was a must-learn language. It could save one’s life in times of danger.

Thus, the demand for Mandarin teaching materials soared.

The Eastern Romains earned a huge fortune selling those books. Those who could speak Mandarin were sought after wherever they went.

There was just one problem—what if the person they hired didn’t speak fluent Mandarin?

That was why those countries pooled their funds together to hire a proper Seres, thinking that no mistake could come out of learning from him.

Constantin XI could also see why those countries were blowing up over this matter.

Why are you monopolizing the mentor we spent a huge sum of money to hire? Are you hoping that I’d get killed by the Scourge of God? If that’s the case, let’s all die together!

Brothers, let’s attack together! Let’s get rid of him first!

Thus, a fight broke out among those Islamic countries before Shu Yichao even arrived.