Continental Warriors Yoo Ma

Although there is no "robbing industry" in this era, and the quality of the costumes of the nobles participating in the ceremony is uneven, it is completely like a large-scale low-quality cosplay show, but everyone's attitude is still very serious.

The priest walking in the forefront, holding a replica of the True Cross, chanted solemn slogans.

"The seven saints are above."

"With my sword,"

"Glory to the Lord!"

Thousands of people chanted in unison, as if there was some special power that immediately activated the divine ritual in the center of the theater.

hum!

The entire ruins seemed to resonate with the will of thousands of people, making a deep roar.

Pure white light immediately enveloped the ruins of the theater.

The Crusader nobles immersed in this sacred and solemn atmosphere did not notice that a blue beam of light symbolizing destruction was gathering on the New Carthage Fortress in the distance, until it reached a critical point, and then Attack on the ruins of the theater.

Chapter 490 The Bubble Bursting ([-])

Early November, Florence, Tuscany, Italy.

More than ten days have passed since the sea battle of Pelage, the most developed city in Italy at this time, the pearl of the Renaissance, is still shrouded in the haze of defeat.

Those Crusader sailors who fled back to Italy narrated the tragic experience of that naval battle in the most exaggerated tone.

The sea under the darkness of night was flooded by endless flames.The crusaders' ships were trapped in it, and there was no way to escape, and they could only be turned into fly ash in the flames.

The light ships of the Mulhollans sailed through the sea of ​​fire with ease.The ship's archers ruthlessly hunted down the crusaders.Whether it is the unlucky guy who is running around covered in fire, or the lucky guy who snatched the lifeboat, he cannot avoid the fate of being pierced by an arrow from the recurve bow.

However, the purgatory scene described by the survivors of the sea battle did not shake the confidence of the Italians in the victory of the Eastern Crusade.

Located in Florence, on the left bank of the Arno River, the headquarters of the Medici Bank is still full of customers every day and there are long queues.

There is still an endless stream of poor people who want to take out jihadi loans and go to the Maghreb to fight for wealth.There are also speculators who want to make a fortune by speculating on jihadi bonds, and they are also constantly coming in and out of the Medici bank.

The defeat in the naval battle was irrelevant. The Eastern Crusaders still surrounded the city of Tunisia and were at a strategic advantage.

The above optimistic judgment on the war situation is definitely still the main view of Florence, and even the entire Italian region.No one wanted, and no one dared, to raise that dire scenario that could lead to a financial collapse of the entire Italian region.

At eleven o'clock at noon, on the street outside the Medici Bank, there were two gorgeously dressed gentlemen chatting boredly beside the carriage.

Although both of them are nobles and have their own servants to line up for them, they have to be present when going through the formalities.Because a series of financial products surrounding the Crusades are extremely sought-after, even nobles who want to handle business at the Medici Bank can only enjoy door-to-door services if they have a title of baron or higher.

"Cacciola, the arrogant and greedy Medici family has no respect for us in Naples. Why do we have to endure humiliation here? Now that the weather has turned cold, it is better to find a family than to endure the cold wind on the street. A high-end hotel, enjoy the warmth brought by the wine and the girl." Said the middle-aged handsome man with an elegant and gentle temperament.

"Sergian, oh, cunning Sergian, civil servants like you never let go of every opportunity to play tricks." The tall and strong middle-aged handsome man shook his head and smiled, "For those shining gold coins , even in the face of the sword, I am not afraid, let alone endure the unreasonableness of the Medici family?"

These two people are powerful ministers of the Naples court, lover of Queen Jeanne II, former rivals, military chief Cacciola and royal chief Sergian.

Ma Youfu reached an agreement with the Queen of Naples, and the eldest son John of the titular Duke of Anjou, René I, became the heir to the kingdom.And Ma Youfu himself served as the consul of the newly formed Naples ruling group-the Senate, responsible for governing the military, political and diplomatic affairs of the Kingdom of Naples.

Cacciola and Sergian naturally became members of the Senate.

Because Ma Youfu was busy with the major events of the Crusades, although there were some changes in the ruling structure of Naples, the actual operation was still the same as before.It's just that the prestigious nobles in the kingdom all have a very Roman title, and it's more face-saving to say it.

However, the two veterans, Cacciola and Sergian, have been idle recently.

It's not that after Ma Youfu, the new ruler, came to power, he immediately emptied the two of them.The power at hand of Cacciola and Sergian has not been curtailed.After all, no matter what their previous positions were, the two finally persuaded Jeanne II to hand over Naples to Ma Youfu's "minister of the dragon".

It's just that when the weather turned cold, Her Royal Highness fell ill.Everyone knew that with the age and health of Rianna II, she might not be able to survive this winter.

Since the old king is about to pass away and the new king has not returned to the throne, what is the point of the two sides fighting again?

Everyone is the queen's lover, and they are "cave brothers" who have loved and killed each other for decades. At this time, instead of thinking about backstabbing each other all day long, it is better to take this opportunity to earn a little more money and hold a beautiful funeral for Her Royal Highness. .

Therefore, Cacciola and Sergian came to Florence, preparing to take a share of the financial feast caused by the Crusades.

Anyway, the French saint's army is stationed in Naples, and the two don't have to worry about the unstable situation in the kingdom after they leave.

The southern Italian region, where the main industry is agriculture, is far behind the northern Italian region, and there is no such thing as a bank.Therefore, if the Neapolitans want to make money by speculating on jihadi bonds, they can only go north.

It's just that Cacciola and Sergian didn't expect how difficult it would be to buy jihad bonds in Medici Bank.The aristocratic status of the two of them is useless.

Rich people can indeed have servants instead of waiting in line.But when it is your turn to handle the business, if the owner does not come to the bank reception room within 5 minutes, then I am sorry, the time has passed and it is the turn of the next customer.

So even if Sergian urged Cacciola to leave, the latter would not buy it.

When it was meal time, the team couldn't see the end at all.Sergian and Cacciola asked the servants to buy a few flatbreads baked in a stone kiln, and filled their hunger with the wine they brought.

This flatbread is the predecessor of pizza and has been a traditional Italian food since Roman times.The bread is filled with milky cheese and sprinkled with salt, garlic cloves and spices.Although there is no pineapple and durian that make the Italians angry, it is still a very delicious food.

The two chatted while nibbling on an alpha beta pizza.The topic quickly turned to Joan of Arc, the man of the day in Naples.

Both the Saint of France and the Queen of Naples were named Jeanne.Although this is only the most common French female name, as common as "Zi Qi" in later generations' kindergartens, when Her Royal Highness met Joan of Arc, she was impressed by this heroic girl with a simple and generous temperament. favor.

Jeanne II had no heirs, so she treated Joan of Arc as her own daughter and gave her [-]% trust.During her illness, almost all political affairs were entrusted to Joan of Arc.

In addition, Joan of Arc was originally appointed by the Senate of Naples—in fact, he was the tribune appointed by Ma Youfu, who was in charge of all the current military forces in Naples, and there was also an elite army of [-] people brought from Provence under his command.It can be said that the French saint, who holds military and political power, is the actual ruler of Naples today.

Regarding this reality, the nobles in Naples, including Cacciola and Sergian, have no objection.

Who told them to be impeccable in terms of personal ability, personality charm, and hard power.

"Your Excellency the Holy Maiden treats people with humility and courtesy. Although I, the military commander of Naples, has now become her subordinate, it is amazing that I have no dissatisfaction." Cacciola said while chewing on the flatbread.

"However, why did the Duke of Bar allow the Holy Maiden to enter Naples? Now the eyes of the whole of Europe are focused on the Maghreb, and there is no war in Italy." Sergian was puzzled. No crusade was organized, but some sporadic volunteers went south to join the war. It stands to reason that there would be no problem mobilizing [-] crusaders throughout Naples. Adding the [-] French troops of the Holy Maiden, this is a total of nearly [-] army!"

Cacciola said disdainfully: "So, you don't understand military at all."

"Don't you understand?"

"Of course. I not only understand military affairs, but also the Duke of Bar!" Cacciola looked proud, "The food produced in the Maghreb region cannot support the war of more than [-] troops on both sides, and must be transported from other regions Food. The more troops deployed in the Maghreb, the greater the logistical pressure. Now that the Crusaders have the upper hand, why send extra troops to the Maghreb to increase the logistical burden? In addition, do you I don’t know, is the geographical location of our Naples very special?”

"What's so special?"

"Across the sea of ​​Taranto is the territory of the Ottomans. We, Naples, are the closest to the enemy among the Italian countries participating in the Crusade!" Cacciola lowered his voice mysteriously, "Guess why? The Duke of Bar let France's most powerful general, Your Excellency, be stationed in Naples? He must have foreseen the development of the war and prepared to attack the Ottoman mainland. At that time, the Crusade formed by us in Naples will break through Edirne's vanguard! And not only Ottoman, but the Duke of Bar must have already made a plan for how to eliminate the Mamluks.

This time, we will complete the great mission of completely expelling the pagans from the Mediterranean world and reproduce the glory of the Roman Empire!Caesar from Sires, to be crowned in Rome..."

Sergian hastily spoke and interrupted Cacciola, who was becoming more and more dizzy: "Duke Barr wouldn't have such a big appetite, would he? Besides, is the war really as smooth as we imagined? Duke Barr personally led the battle." The West Crusade is okay. But the East Crusade, since the defeat in the Pelage naval battle, there has been no news for more than half a month. Everyone is guessing wildly, everyone is blindly optimistic, I am very worried... ..."

Before Sergian could finish his words, a man with a big nose who looked like a peddler leaned over to the two of them, rubbing his hands together and said, "My two honorable lords, since you are worried about the prospect of the Eastern Crusade, you may Not interested in making another investment?"

Chapter 490 Five Bubble Burst ([-])

"Are you an unbelievers?" Sergian asked after looking at the other party's clothes.

"Jacob is working for you, sir." The man didn't deny his identity, "If you think you shouldn't earn gold coins without the blessing of the Seven Saints, then I can leave now."

Cacciola said: "You can stay and tell me your suggestion."

Jacob first threw out free compliments, and then took out a beautifully printed card from his pocket: "I am one of the ten special salesmen appointed by St. George Bank in Tuscany."

Sergian took the card and examined it carefully with interest.

This thing is called a "business card" and is one of the Duke of Baal's many gizmos.

"Florence is the territory of the Medici family. They allowed the St. George Bank of Genoa to do business here?" Sergian asked curiously.

"This is thanks to Ms. Vera's mediation. Moreover, in order to establish a foothold in Florence, the St. George Bank also agreed to many restrictions imposed by the Medici family. For example, we cannot carry out the jihad loans and jihad bonds. It is the most popular financial business today, so it will not compete with the Medici family."

"Then what is the main business of the San Giorgio Bank in Florence?"

"What I have been doing before is the ordinary lending business. Many people want to rely on jihad bonds to realize their dream of getting rich overnight, and even do not hesitate to mortgage a large amount of family property loans. Only St. George Bank is willing to provide funds for this ordinary For the lending business, the demand is strong, and the business is naturally good." Jacob said with a smile.

"We have a lot of spare money on hand, and we don't need a loan. Maybe you should go to someone else." Cacciola shook his head.

"No, gentlemen, I did not find the wrong person." Jacob quickly took out a document from his satchel and handed it to the two, "This is a new financial product issued by St. George Bank, called 'Hermosa bless'……"

Hermosa is the god of wealth and commerce among the seven saints.Taking such a name is also hoping to win a lottery, and hope that the purchaser will earn a lot as if they have received the blessing of the God of Wealth.

Investors’ funds for purchasing the “Hermosa Blessing” will be used to issue loans to speculators who have lost their fortunes to buy jihadi bonds, and obtain a large amount of physical collateral at extremely low prices.

After the jihadi bond storm, those speculators are unable to redeem their collateral, and a large number of high-quality assets will be obtained by St. George Bank.Investors who bought the "Hermosa Blessing" can also get rich returns.

Ma Youfu also underestimated the wealth of the Italian region.Even if almost all the funds on hand of the St. George Bank were emptied, it still could not meet the greedy loan needs of those speculators.So he decided to use the method of issuing financial products to obtain more funds.

It's just that the entire Italian region has been in a frenzied blind and objective mood. St. George Bank's launch of this financial product, which is far less profitable than jihadi bonds, is not competitive at all.

It wasn't until the results of the Great Battle of Pelage came that it cast a shadow over the overall situation of the Eastern Crusades, and the "Hermosa Blessing" began to be launched on the market.

Shrewd salesmen like Jacob can be found at the gates of famous banks in major cities in Italy.

They would go out of their way to sell "Hermosa Blessings" to investors queuing up for various jihadist bonds.Although often ridiculed and even threatened with violence, in general, he did a good job and sold more than 4 ducats worth of financial products for St. George Bank.

St. George's Bank used the money to issue loans, and had more collateral on hand with an estimated value of more than [-].

Not to mention that during this period of time, Domenech, the president of the St. George Bank, who was so busy that he never touched the ground, was always full of energy. Even Jacobs, the most basic salesman, also made a lot of money because of the commission.

But no one thinks too much money.After wandering around the door of the Medici Bank all morning and targeting two Neapolitan nobles, Jacob immediately launched an offensive.

After hearing Jacob's detailed introduction, Cacciola and Sergian looked at each other with hesitant expressions.

In terms of yield, the "Hermosa Blessing" launched by St. George Bank is obviously not as good as the "Victory Bond" of the Medici Bank, or the jihad bonds launched by various other banks.

After buying jihadi bonds from the bank, even if you don’t hold them in your hands and wait for the appreciation, but just sell them on the black market, you can make a fortune and double your wealth directly.

Compared to this dream of getting rich instantly, the [-]% annual income of "Hermosa's Blessing" seems too low.

Jacob has already done several business orders, so he naturally knows the other party's concerns.

He chuckled, approached Cacciola and Sergian in a mysterious manner, and said in a low voice: "You two noble gentlemen, the premise that those jihad bonds can be profitable is that the Eastern Crusaders can keep winning. But as far as I know, that premise no longer exists!"

"Oh, do you know any inside information?" Cacciola laughed.

"My lord, the third daughter of my uncle's cousin is engaged in leather business in Tunisia. She wrote to me yesterday and told me the great news! The Eastern Crusaders have been defeated by the pagans in the city of Tunisia. God Emperor Luo and a group of aristocrats, big and small, kept fleeing southward, leaving hundreds of thousands of dead bodies of the Crusaders along the way! Tunisian vultures had a big meal because of this, and it is said that walking on the streets of Tunisia, There may be too many vultures falling from the sky!"

Sergian wondered: "The Eastern Crusaders have an absolute advantage in strength, how could they be defeated so thoroughly?"

"How do I know this?" Jacob continued to spit, "However, it is said that on the day the two sides fought, the Mulhollans used 660 six Ulemas to summon their god Ankabal to attack the cross. The army brought divine punishment. In the ruins of the ancient Roman theater outside the city of Tunis, many Crusader nobles who held a pre-war mobilization ceremony were struck by blue lightning from the sky, and more than 400 people died on the spot. Even His Majesty, and The nobles like the King of Aragon were all injured. Under such circumstances, if they were attacked by the Mulhollan people from the east and west, they would definitely be defeated..."

At this time, the queue has already entered the door of the Medici Bank.

The guard at the gate recognized Jacob who had come to rob customers at a glance, and walked over with an ax and gun, cursing very unceremoniously in his mouth: "Damn unbelievers, like a fly that smells rot Spin here. Get out!"

The guards didn't realize that he had actually scolded the bank where he worked, but they just wanted to drive Jacob away, so that this dirty untrustworthy person would not pollute the Medici family's territory.

Seeing this, Jacob rushed to the street, and waved to the two Neapolitans as he ran: "Two distinguished gentlemen, after the big news reaches Italy, even if you want to buy the 'Hermosa Blessing' , I can’t buy it anymore. If you are tempted, then come to the Florence branch of St. George’s Bank and find me. The address is on the business card!”

Seeing Jacob running further and further away, Sergian and Cacciola looked at each other and said in unison: "Do you believe him?"

This sudden tacit understanding made the two of them stunned, and Cacciola, who still had a military temperament, said first: "It's hard for me to tell which lies and which are the truth in the mouth of that unbeliever. It's just that he There are many contradictions in the process of the defeat of the Crusades in the Middle East.”

The entire Eastern Crusade did not have 10 people, so where did it come from "throwing hundreds of thousands of corpses"?

Moreover, the news that the Mulhollan people attracted a thunderbolt and killed more than 400 Crusader nobles is too sensational.If the Mulhollan were able to cast this powerful ritual spell that could turn the tide of battle in one blow, what had they been doing before?Why do we have to wait until the two major sultanates of Morocco and Tlemcen have fallen and the Crusaders are approaching the city before using it?