Caesar Borgia is 21 years old this year. Although he is young, he is already a well-known politician and conspirator. He is the most beloved illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI, and he can speak well in front of Alexander VI.
Alexander VI had mainly three favored illegitimate children - Caesar, Giovanni and Geoffrey. They were both born to Alexander VI's main mistress, Vanosha. Among them, Caesar was trained by Alexander VI to be a high religious figure, and he was expected to be elected Pope one day. Therefore, when Caesar was only 18 years old, he was canonized as a cardinal with a high status. Because he wants to mix with the big dye vat of the Holy See, Caesar has been familiar with various conspiracies since he was a child.
Unlike Caesar, Giovanni was trained as the commander-in-chief of the Holy See army. Moreover, Giovanni also inherited the Duchy of Gandia, the eldest son of Luigi Borgia, another illegitimate son of Alexander VI who died young, and became the Duke of Gandia.
It stands to reason that during this period, Giovanni was no less favored than Caesar. Find Giovanni, and you can do the same thing. However, Marin, who has watched the American drama "The Borgia Family", knows that Giovanni will be murdered in June this year, and the biggest suspect is his brother Caesar.
It's not Marin's style to please a dying person. It would be bad if Giovanni died and Caesar overturned Giovanni's decision during his lifetime.
Therefore, Marin might as well go directly to Caesar Borgia to complete the bribe and qualify. Moreover, Caesar also had the right to speak in front of Alexander VI. At a young age, he is already a cardinal with a high position and authority. As far as the status of the religious world is concerned, Caesar's authority is already higher than that of the Archbishop of Cologne and Mainz in Germany. It's just that there is no secular power of the German archbishop and princes.
After arriving in Rome, Marin tried every means to see Caesar. Unexpectedly, it was quite difficult to see Caesar Borgia. After spending seven or eight hundred gold coins, Marin struggled to get the qualification to visit Caesar Borgia...
Marin brought two of his men, carrying a large wooden box, to a small villa that had been agreed upon. Caesar Borgia knew very well that this little nobleman from the north of Germany was obviously looking for him to do business today. If you ask yourself to do things, there must be a lot of bribes. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to have an audience at church. Therefore, your own private villa is the most suitable place to meet.
Caesar is thinner and more handsome, but his eyes are more gloomy, and he is not easy to get along with at first glance. Marin asked someone to do something, so naturally he didn't dare to trust him, and bowed respectfully:
"My lord bishop, the imperial baron Marin Hoffmann from the borderlands of Germany pays tribute to you!"
"Excuse me, tell me, you are so anxious to find me, what's the matter? I'm just an ordinary bishop, it's too difficult, I can't do it!" Caesar Borgia sat very leisurely, even None of the seats were given to Marin. Perhaps, in his eyes, a baron like Marin is not even qualified to sit down in front of him.
Marin is not angry either, because his current status is not as good as that of Caesar Borgia. You know, Caesar Borgia's brother Giovanni is already the Duke of Gandia, and Caesar's own status is no lower than that of the Duke. Therefore, it is completely normal to look down on him as a baron. Marin continued to speak in Latin in a calm tone:
"Where is there, who doesn't know that you are the most promising young bishop in the Holy See, Archbishop Caesar. If you can't do something, I don't think anyone else can do it!" Marin hurriedly flattered him. Anyway, flattering doesn't cost money.
"Hehe, my mouth is quite sweet. Well, my time is precious, I don't want to listen to your detours, so tell me, what's the matter?"
"It's like this, my lord bishop. I defeated the Friesian Republic some time ago and captured several warships. I am very obsessed with the East. I want to send a ship to India and bring back some treasures from the East. Also, I eat barbecue , Hey put the spices of the East... "
"Do you want to go to India?" Caesar Borgia was a smart man, and he immediately understood what Marin meant.
"Yes, I want to send a ship to India to buy the scarce oriental goods."
"However, His Excellency the Pope has divided India to the Portuguese..." Caesar Borgia frowned.
"Yes, Your Excellency. His Excellency did divide India to the Portuguese. However, that is only a colonial right. However, His Excellency did not say that others are not allowed to trade?"
"Really?" Caesar thought for a while, and it seemed to make sense.
"Of course, I read the "Treaty of Tordesillas". It only agreed to Portugal's colonization of the East, and did not say that other countries would go to trade. If the Pope sends a ship to the East, the Portuguese will not allow it?"
"That's true... Baron Hoffman, what do you mean?"
"Humble hope that His Excellency the Bishop will say a few words in front of His Holiness the Pope, and allow Humble to shoot a small fleet and go to India to purchase..."
"This...not so good..." Caesar showed a embarrassed expression.
Marin understood in seconds, clapped his hands, and his subordinates immediately opened the wooden box they brought. Suddenly, a golden light flashed, and 10,000 gold coins appeared in front of Caesar Borgia:
"My lord, when I defeated the Republic of Frisia, I accidentally found a box of gold coins. But I have admired you for a long time, and feel that only a big man like you deserves to have it, so..."
Caesar Borgia was also dazzled by the golden light at this time. Although he was very noble, he also saw money. However, the visual impact of 10,000 gold coins is still great. Just like modern people will be shocked when they see bundles of Mao Zedong.
Moreover, Caesar Borgia is currently plotting to assassinate his brother Giovanni. In order to buy top assassins, Caesar also needs money. The 10,000 gold coins in front of him are enough to buy an army, let alone an assassin.
Coincidentally, in recent years in Rome, Caesar spent money like water because of his indulgent life, and he also heard that he was short of money. So, he was tempted, and there was a look of longing in his eyes.
Marin, who was standing aside, naturally noticed. So, he strikes while the iron is hot:
"My lord bishop, it has been proved that the so-called India discovered by Columbus is a fake, then Spain is obviously at a loss. If Portugal discovers the real India, Portugal will overwhelm Spain. How about we use the "Treaty of Tordesillas" The loophole in ", take out India's trading rights and sell them separately... Your lord can also authorize Spain to trade in India..."
Marin has realized that if he applies for the privilege to trade in India, he will inevitably become a thorn in the eyes of the Portuguese. With one's own strength, it is bound to be insufficient to fight against the Portuguese at sea.
Plus, now Spaniards seem to have lost interest in America which is not India. Therefore, Marin plans to drag Spain into this muddy water, so that he can fish in troubled water.
Spain is powerful. Although its sea power is not as good as that of Portugal, it can directly attack Portugal on land. Therefore, the Portuguese team and Spain are also very afraid.
Let the land be close together, and the two teeth who like to love and kill each other compete for the Indian route together, so they can fish in troubled waters.
You know, if Spain also joins the Indian trade, the Portuguese will definitely attach great importance to it. At that time, Portugal has no time to pay attention to himself as a little baron. For the spices and gold of India, the two teeth will definitely fight. Under the oppression of Spain, this evil neighbor, how can Portugal have time to care about itself
Moreover, pulling Spain on the ship to India can also greatly gain Spain's favor.
Not only that, but if Spain focuses all its attention on India in the East, it will also relax its attention on America. At that time, I will quietly conquer the Inca and take the Potosi silver mine...
Thinking of this, Marin should not be too beautiful...
Caesar Borgia's eyes lit up after hearing Marin's words...
Although the Borgia family moved to Italy, they were Spanish anyway. Moreover, the Borgia family has many clansmen in Spain, who were made nobles by Spain and granted fiefdoms.
As Spaniards, the Borgia family naturally valued the interests of the Spaniards. Moreover, as long as Spain has interests, the Borgia family will also benefit greatly.
Putting all these aside, just selling India's trade rights is a good way to make money...
"How many years of trading rights do you plan to buy?"
"How many years?" Marin was stunned for a moment. He originally wanted to spend 10,000 gold coins to buy permanent trading rights. Unexpectedly, Caesar was so dark that he also stipulated the number of years.
"Of course, if the spice trade is successful, you also know the benefits. 10,000 gold coins, if you are given permanent trading rights, then you still won't make a lot of money? Therefore, there must be a time limit!" Caesar Borgia seriously , showing greedy eyes...
"Huh? How about the 20 years?"
"20 years? Too little, an average of only 500 gold coins per year, a farm has so much income every year..." Caesar smiled evilly...
"However, my lord bishop, what if we can't find a route to India after several years of infighting? Isn't it a waste of money?"
"This is no problem, it can start from the time you discovered India."
"The 10-year trade right?"
"It's too long... For 10 years, it's only 1,000 gold coins per year, which is not as good as a knight's income. You know, you are negotiating with the Holy See, so don't be so stingy..." Caesar Borgia laughed.
"Paralysis, how greedy!" Marin cursed in his heart. 10,000 gold coins cannot be bought for 10 years. If Marin knew that going to India to buy spices would bring dozens of times the huge profits, according to the thinking of a normal businessman, he would not dare to take risks.
"8 years, what do you think?"
"No, 5 years! It's 5 years, don't bargain, just settle!" Caesar Borgia said domineeringly.
"I..." Marin was a little annoyed. Although it is not a loss, it is still uncomfortable in the heart.
"Don't be unhappy, this bishop can help you greet the Portuguese. If you go to India recklessly, the Portuguese may attack your merchant ship. With this bishop coming forward, I believe they dare not lose face!" Caesar confidently Said.
In this regard, Marin felt better. If something goes wrong, it is better to have the Borgia family come forward than Marin, a mere baron.
The next day, Caesar Borgia found Alexander VI and presented a plan to sell India's trading rights. Alexander VI thought about it and thought it was a good idea, so he decided to let Caesar preside over the matter. However, in order to avoid over-irritating the Portuguese, Alexander VI decided to sell only trade rights to the Spaniards except for Marin.
Of course, it is not to sell money to the Spaniards, but to exchange with Spain for such affordable things as knighthoods and fiefdoms. Money is temporary, but titles and fiefdoms are permanent. Moreover, this right must never be sold to the French.
You know, Spain and France are enemies. If such a good thing as Indian trade is obtained by the French, it will be detrimental to the Spaniards. As for the little baron Marin, although Alexander VI didn't pay much attention to it, he made a restriction - the license signed later stipulated that Marin could only send four merchant ships there at a time, and only once a year, and this limit should not be exceeded . As for the five-year period, the document also stipulates that it starts from the moment India is discovered.
In other words, even if Marin obtained the right to trade in India, the scale was greatly restricted. As for the trading rights for Spain, Alexander VI did not plan to set restrictions. After all, the Borgias are all Spanish...