1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 177 Pius II
Central Apennine Peninsula, Rome, Vatican Palace.

Two footsteps, one light and one heavy, were heard on the magnificent corridor.

The new Franciscan General, Francis Rovere, still had a kind expression on his face and walked steadily in front.

Behind him, Giuliano Rovere, who was already seventeen years old, followed his uncle, looking at the luxurious decorations in the Vatican Palace and the intricate patterns on the walls, with a hint of sarcasm on his lips.

"I heard that our new crown has once again spent a huge amount of money to build a university?"

Giuliano looked at his uncle.

"Well, His Holiness Pius II already has dual degrees from the University of Siena and the University of Florence. He is very interested in poetry and literature, and he invited many famous scholars from these two colleges to serve as professors at the new university."

"Among them was Master Verrocchio, a famous sculptor who created many statues of famous people in Venice with extraordinary skills."

"Oh, you can't even afford to pay the sailors in the fleet, but you're thinking about promoting literature and art?"

"If the money wasted on literature, art and construction projects had been used to build the army, our strength would have long been the best in Italy. Why would we have to look at the faces of secular monarchs?"

Giuliano said indignantly.

"The Church is in its heyday, so why not start some civil engineering?"

Francis, apparently accustomed to his nephew's occasional angry behavior, answered casually.

"I have visited the Black Castle of Bilinchi and the royal palace of Carthage. There were no carved beams or painted pillars, no gold or silver or jewelry. Even the precious treasures left by the Hafsid dynasty were sold to merchants."

"There, the walls are not painted with murals, but maps, and the hangings are not valuable ornaments, but the enemy's swords and spears."

Giuliano shrugged.

"Emperor Isaac needs nothing to make his crown more glorious. His armies and fleets will silence all dissenting voices."

“So I think their rise is not accidental, but inevitable after years of accumulation.”

Francis paused.

"Some people say that in the current Eastern Empire, it is not the country that owns the army, but the army that owns the country."

"Some people also say that the Eastern Empire is no longer the prosperous and civilized country it once was, but a den of thieves and pirates."

"But in any case, their strength is indeed getting stronger, isn't it?"

Giuliano was talking to himself and almost bumped into his uncle's broad back.

Looking at his nephew who was showing off his talent, Franciston felt a headache.

"They are a nation that has resurrected from the dead. Emperor Isaac rebuilt the entire empire almost single-handedly. He has great prestige and his word is final. Naturally, he can steer the ship in the way he thinks is right."

"But we can't."

"There is a lot of water behind the arts and civil engineering. All the major cardinals and a few wealthy families have enriched themselves in it. If a quarter of the funds allocated by the Holy See can be used for architecture and sculpture, it is already worthy of praise for their integrity."

"If you don't take it, how can I take it? If I don't take it, how can the cardinals above us take it?"

"If our Lord dares to withdraw funds from these projects as you said, the Orsini, Colonna, and the emerging Borgia families can change a pope at any time."

"His Majesty Nicholas V is indeed not greedy or possessive. He works diligently and conscientiously. Even during construction projects, he did not allow the noble families to take advantage of him."

"But look, in Rome now, where does the Barentucelli family have a say?"

"Do you think that if they had not been severely excluded and oppressed, they would have abandoned the prosperous city of Rome and moved their families to Annaba?"

Francis reaches out his hand, but the rebellious Giuliano dodges it.

"You're grown up now. You can't be like a child anymore, daydreaming all day long."

"Okay, let's stop this boring conversation and prepare to meet His Majesty Pope Pius II."

Francis straightened his clothes, took a few quick steps, and nodded slightly to the guards on both sides of the hall.

The ancient gate slowly opened, and the uncle and nephew slowly walked in.

This is the study of Pope Pius II. At this moment, the Pope is standing beside a wooden table, concentrating on fiddling with the sculpture on the table. He holds a file in one hand and wears a glove in the other, gently polishing the cheek of the sculpture.

Opposite the wooden table stood two middle-aged men.

"Ah! Brother Francis, you have come, may the Lord bless you."

Pius II did not even look up.

"I believe you should recognize these two brothers. They are both outstanding members of the Borgia family, devout servants of God, and nephews of the former Pope Calixtus III."

"It's nice to see you again, President."

Rodrigo Borgia nodded slightly.

Francis returned the greeting.

"Ah, isn't this our little General Giuliano? How does it feel to fight for the Emperor of Constantinople in North Africa?"

Louis Borgia raised his eyebrows at Giuliano in a sarcastic way.

"I heard that Isaac often didn't take a bath for several days during the battle, and ate meat floss with the dirty soldiers like a Mongolian barbarian. Could it be that you have also developed such a habit?"

"If that's the case, please leave as soon as possible, because we are discussing several new poems written by His Majesty Pius and are preparing to select the best one to be engraved on the sculpture's plaque."

"I'm afraid your smell will disturb the wonderful atmosphere of literature."

Louis frowned exaggeratedly and covered his mouth and nose with his right hand.

Giuliano said nothing and looked at the sculpture on the table.

The Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc.

Callisto III from the Borgia family was a very greedy Pope. Although he was in office for a short time, he completely brought up the corruption that had been suppressed during the reign of Nicholas V. Not only did he promote his two nephews to very high positions, he also allowed the aristocratic families to abuse their power and divide up the public property of the Holy See.

However, he did two good things that are worthy of praise.

First, he established a standing fleet directly under the Pope and gave it to his two nephews to command.

Second, he announced a retrial of the Joan of Arc case, rehabilitated the heroine, and held a grand ceremony for her at Notre Dame de Paris.

Of course, most of these things are done out of selfishness rather than good intentions.

"I hope that one day, when the majesty of the Holy See is seriously threatened, there will be a hero like Joan of Arc to save the people from danger."

"Of course I will, my dear Giuliano."

Pius II put down the file and looked at the young man with a smile.

"Since Francis is here, let's stop here for today's poetry and literature. Brother Rodrigo, don't be so secretive and tell us why you're here."

"You guys always like to talk to me when I'm busy with trivial matters, and mix in important matters concerning the Holy See. Do you think I don't know?"

Pius II remained affable.

"Your Majesty..."

The Borgia brothers' little trick was exposed and they looked embarrassed.

"Okay, let's talk."

"Actually, it's mainly about the naval battle that took place in Malta a while ago. Emperor Isaac's fleet defeated the Venetian Armada. At the cost of losing two carracks and severely damaging one, they destroyed seven of Venice's main battleships, captured one, and the rest of the ships escaped with injuries."

"From the statistics after the war, Emperor Isaac's navy also suffered heavy losses. It can be said that both sides suffered losses."

"However, it is obvious that the Venetian maritime power is no longer sufficient to suppress the Eastern Empire. For at least five years, Emperor Isaac will be the most powerful maritime overlord in the entire Mediterranean."

Pius II pondered for a moment.

"After Emperor Isaac finished the naval battle, did he take any further action?"

"No, they gathered the remaining fleet and went straight back to the port of Valletta on the island of Malta to rest, and soon continued south to the Carthage shipyard for repairs and replenishment." Louis said quickly.

"The island of Malta originally belonged to King Juan II of Aragon, but was forcibly occupied by Emperor Isaac not long ago."

Pius II nodded.

"A few days ago, Brother Francis came to me and submitted a report on Juan II's blasphemous behavior. Before I could respond, several chambers of commerce began to spread rumors and discredit Juan II."

"I think he was instructed by Emperor Isaac to build momentum for his military action."

Francis suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

He understood that this was the case with Pope Pius II. Although he was obsessed with art, he had a clear view of things and was well aware of the open and secret struggles among the major families in Rome, and he never avoided talking about it in front of them.

Of course, I can see it clearly, explain it clearly, and dare to say it, but I just don’t care and there is no way to control it.

"It seems that these things have little to do with us, right?"

"It would be good to weaken the Venetians. At least they will have less time to invade our territory."

"As for Emperor Isaac, his beliefs are different from ours after all, so he cannot completely integrate into the Catholic world, let alone enter Italy."

"If he is really so bold, I will naturally call for a counterattack, organize a joint fleet, and put an end to his ambitions."

"Don't think they are so happy. If they really provoke public outrage, Venice, Florence, Aragon, and the remaining small countries will unite and their war potential and shipbuilding capabilities will be much stronger than his. Their fleet is far from enough."

"The strongest navy in the Mediterranean, perhaps."

"It is still a long way to go to influence the political landscape of the Mediterranean through the navy."

Pius II sat down at the table and continued to fiddle with his beloved art.

"Your Majesty, you can't say that. Venice and France are still members of the Catholic world after all. If they suffer, we will lose face."

Rodrigo said.

"I know that your Borgia family has close relations with France, Aragon and other countries, but there is no need to be too anxious."

Pius II said gently.

The Borgia family did have good relations with France and Aragon. Before becoming Pope, Callixtus III was a diplomat of Juan II. He continued the pro-French strategy and signed an alliance with Charles VII as soon as he took office.

Reiterating the Joan of Arc case may be part of the political exchanges between the two sides.

"Charles VII's army is much stronger than Emperor Isaac's. His prestige in the country is also very high, and he is also not lacking in political skills."

"If they really mobilize, the Eastern Empire's two allies in northern Italy will not survive."

"Genoa is a dead body in a tomb, Monferrato is surrounded by powerful enemies, and it is a little powerless to deal with Sforza. It can't stop the Knights of the Imperial Order."

"However, if the French really get what they want, we will be the ones who are most anxious."

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

Francis, who had been silent until then, finally spoke.

“No matter how powerful the navy is, it cannot shake the absolute authority of the Holy See on land.”

"But if the French were to march into Italy en masse, our position would be truly precarious."

"Oh? Emperor Isaac is not as simple as you say. He has already occupied the island of Malta and gained a springboard to communicate with southern Italy. The next target may be Sicily."

Rodrigo retorted.

"By then, the crisis facing the Holy See will be no less severe."

“It’s a big problem indeed.”

Pius II tilted his head and thought for a moment.

"Let's put it this way, Francis. You will be responsible for negotiating with Emperor Isaac and telling them our bottom line."

"Aragon's affairs have nothing to do with us, but we must not allow him to take this opportunity to attack Sicily."

"Borgia, you will be responsible for mediating with Juan II and trying to persuade him to reach a peace treaty with Emperor Isaac."

"Juan II is in big trouble too. The civil war is getting worse and worse, and he was recently robbed by Greek pirates. I guess he doesn't want to waste his troops in a war."

"He has already lost the island of Malta in support of Charles VII's war, so he should be worthy of his French ally."

Pius II raised the file again and sighed softly.

"There are wolves in front and tigers behind. I don't know what kind of mess the next pope will take over after I die."

He looked around at everyone and saw the resentment on Giuliano's face.

"Giuliano, do you want to say something?"

Giuliano stepped forward and saluted.

"Your Majesty, as you said, the prestige of the Holy See is no longer what it used to be. We must rely on diplomatic mediation to balance the major powers so that they dare not easily step into the quagmire of Italy."

"But, obviously, this strategy is becoming less and less effective. Our warnings and even excommunications have no effect on the French. When they have resolved their domestic disputes, their first target will be the rich but loose Italy."

"In this case, why don't we form a standing army ourselves, increase our own strength, unite the surrounding city-states through military force, and unite Italy into one?"

"This way, we will have more ability to protect ourselves when facing foreign powers."

"Hmph, you're thinking——"

"In this regard, His Majesty King Galistus III has already made a good start for us. Although the standing fleet is limited in strength, it is better than nothing."

Giuliano looked at Pius II firmly. Louis opened his mouth and swallowed the words back into his throat.

He himself was one of the beneficiaries of the standing fleet.

"This."

Pius II stopped what he was doing.

"This matter is of great importance. I cannot make the decision alone. Let the College of Cardinals hold a meeting to discuss it."

"Yes."

Giuliano sighed inwardly.

If we leave it to the College of Cardinals for discussion, it is doomed to be fruitless.

In fact, he had vaguely anticipated this answer before he made the suggestion.

Pope Pius II did not belong to any of the major families in Rome. He started his career with poetry in his early years and was a famous scholar and poet. He also served as the private secretary of Frederick III and was awarded the title of Poet Laureate of the Holy Roman Empire.

Because Pius II had supported the pseudo-pope of the Remnant Council in his early years, he left a political stain. After being elected Pope, he was unwilling to get involved in political struggles. While fulfilling his duties as Pope, he never did anything more than that, and devoted himself to academic research and promoting education.

Apart from academics, the only thing that could arouse his interest was spreading the gospel of God. In his early years, he was keen on organizing holy wars, admired the White Knight Hunyadi, and provided assistance to the Peasant Crusade of Capistrano.

Now that the great enemy had been defeated and the foreign invaders had been eliminated, Pius II was already old and wanted only to spend the twilight years of his life in peace and stability, waiting for God's call.

"That's it. Each of you should do your job."

Just as they were about to leave, a priest hurriedly rushed into the study of Pius II.

"What's the matter again?"

Pius II was a little angry at being disturbed one after another, and threw the file and the manuscript away.

"Your Majesty, the situation in northern Italy has changed. Genoa is about to fall!"

(End of this chapter)