Venice.
Governor Micheli Steno stood on the stage, a little lonely, but his voice was still loud: "In the past thirteen years, I have led the Republic of Venice to become stronger. The commercial tax rate has exceeded ten at an incredible speed. Eighty-nine times three years ago, our naval fleet has also increased from more than 1,800 thirteen years ago to more than 5,600 now!"
"Behind these great achievements, it is not my work alone. It is the result of the Doge's Palace, the Council, the Senate, the Committee of Ten, and the concerted efforts of all the nobles! No matter who becomes the new Doge of Venice, they need to Venice is leading to a more powerful era. Those who are timid are not qualified to become nobles, and those who are weak are not qualified to be governors!"
A total of more than 500 nobles have the right to elect the governor.
Adam sat in the crowd, waiting for this round of elections.
After years of hard work, especially the wealth and fame accumulated through several trips to the Ming Dynasty, Adam became a new nobleman and the first person in Venetian maritime trade.
But even so, Adam was still not elected governor, even though the public was the most controversial about it.
But the election of the governor-general was not based on opinion polls, but on the votes of the nobles.
Many nobles still have doubts about Adam's ability. After all, governing affairs and sailing and trading are two different things.
After the election of the nobles, Tommaso Mosenig of the Council became the new governor of Venice. Adam joined the Council of Ten and officially entered the political arena.
Adam is satisfied with this result.
After the election and after the celebrations, the new governor Tommaso Mosenig came to Adam and discussed: "Although Timurid's Western Expedition did not eliminate the roots of the Ottoman Empire, more and more news proves that , the Ming Dynasty is supporting and assisting the Timurid State with firearms. In time, the Ottomans will not exist, and the power of the Timurid State will also penetrate deep into the edge of the Mediterranean."
"We don't need to be too vigilant about Timurid State, but once the Suez Canal is dug, the Ming Dynasty's fleet can also sail to the Mediterranean, and our power is likely to be threatened. I hope you can personally lead the fleet to the Ming Dynasty again , to discuss the Mediterranean Convention with the Ming Emperor."
Adam thought about it
A new thought and a serious question: "What requirements should the Mediterranean Convention make?"
Mosenig took out the paperwork he had prepared and handed it to Adam: "Just take a look."
Adam opened it, glanced at it for a few times, and looked a little ugly: "Governor, are you sure he will be happy if you hand this document to the Ming Emperor? Will the Mediterranean be completely included in the territory of Venice, and Ming warships will not be allowed to enter or exit, only Ming merchant ships will be allowed to enter?" When the Ming Dynasty fleet enters the Mediterranean, should they accept cargo inspection and pay taxes? The most outrageous thing is this one. The Ming Dynasty should set up more churches so that the people of the Ming Dynasty can believe in Catholicism. Governor, you are interfering in the internal affairs of the Ming Dynasty. "
Mosenig chuckled and said, "Isn't that what negotiation is all about? First make harsh conditions, and then negotiate little by little. This is how we did it with the Principality of Milan, and we got more benefits as a result."
Adam opened his mouth, his expression full of helplessness: "You compare the Ming Dynasty to the Principality of Milan? My governor, I will not send such a document. I can be sure that once such a document is sent out, the friendship between Venice and the Ming Dynasty will At the end of this, countless Ming trade will not be shipped to Venice.".o
Mosenig frowned: "You need to think clearly, our interests in Venice must come first. If we don't follow the rules in the convention now, we are likely to directly face the threat of the Ming in the future."
Adam said frankly: "I am willing to do something for the interests of Venice, but this incident threatens the interests of Venice. You have never met the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, nor have you been to the Ming Dynasty in person. You don't know how rich and powerful it is there. No We know how wise and terrifying their emperor is. This document is not a friendly invitation, but a letter of war. In our dealings with the Ming Dynasty, we need to be sincere."
Mosenig frowned: "We have more than 5,000 ships, and the number of naval forces has reached 60,000. Can't we even make a strong voice?"
Adam said bitterly: "Great governor, if you want to establish your own reputation, you can choose any country, but
Never choose Daming. Let me put it bluntly, our so-called more than 5,000 ships may not be able to defeat the Ming Dynasty's five ships. The size and height of their ships, the number of people in them, and the range of weapons are beyond what can be imagined by the small wooden ships in the harbor..."
Venice has been somewhat smooth sailing over the years, so much so that many people believe that Venice can be the overlord of the Mediterranean, an overlord that no one can rival.
Adam does not deny this. In terms of the number of naval forces and ships, this is indeed indisputable. But just because you become the overlord here, you can't think that the gap with Ming Dynasty is not big, and you can even be qualified to compete with Ming Dynasty.
As one of the few nobles who has seen the world, Adam has a deep respect for the Ming Dynasty. Their treasure ship is like a mountain.
How can a man move a mountain?
Adam tried his best to persuade Mosenig, and finally said: "We need to treat Ming as a friend, not as an enemy."
Mosenig shook his head: "Where can there be eternal friends? Let's do this. Let's not talk about this agreement. Let's make another agreement."
"What?"
"Let Venice participate in controlling the Suez Canal!"
"this……"
"Adam, you should know how important the Suez Canal is to us. As a Venetian noble and a member of the Committee of Ten, you have to contribute."
Adam found that his selection into the ten-person committee was a trap. They did not dare to offend Ming, so they elected him to go out and offend Ming.
Damn, I still lack political experience.
Adam thought for a while and shook his head: "There is no room for discussion in Venice about the control of the Suez Canal. It is the territory of the Mamluks. If we claim it, isn't it equivalent to breaking up with the Mamluks?"
Mosenig doesn't care about this: "We have paid so much for this canal, and we always need to give an explanation to the people and all the nobles."
Adam had no other choice but to agree to meet Zhu Quan.
But Adam also knew that it was impossible for Venice to intervene in the canal, and it was unreasonable both emotionally and rationally. What is really disturbing is Mosenig, a man with ambition but no vision, who was wrong about Venice but thought he was right.
If this continues for a long time, conflicts between Venice and Ming Dynasty may arise.
After leaving, Adam found the former Doge Micheli Steno. After careful consideration, Steno asked Adam a meaningful question: "Do you want to be the Doge of Venice?"
