Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 534 - 313: Governor of Venice

Watched as many Crusader Lords departed.

Losa stood up and returned to his throne.

Only Jeanne, Prajna, Furinjira, Chelina, Hans, Venezia, and Kurs remained in the tent as confidants.

"Alright, their meeting is over, and ours must begin."

Losa sincerely said, "Firstly, I must reflect upon myself. In this period since defeating Saladin, I’ve become somewhat complacent, but last night, we again fell into a crisis."

"I have to say, this world is far more dangerous than what we usually see: desecrated old gods, abyssal demons, reclusive wizards..."

"These immortal monsters are ones that most people, even a king, might never see in a lifetime."

"But we are different."

"The Holy Spear, the source of our power, and the secret of not fearing Demon-Blocking Gold... these might draw others’ covetous eyes."

Losa’s gaze shifted towards Venezia.

Venezia felt somewhat ashamed; he is someone enthusiastic about combat, who refuses to be ordinary. Although last night’s battle was exhilarating for him, upon sobering up, he felt very aggrieved.

After fighting all day, not even hurting the opponent in the slightest, what kind of battle is this?

Losa, looking solemnly, gazed at everyone: "Hans, Chelina, you two are responsible for leading a squad of Forest Archers to quickly clear the watchtowers across the shore to gain time for constructing the floating bridge afterward."

...

Venice, within the resplendent Governor’s Palace.

Duke of Champagne,

"Governor, sir."

Governor Olio Mastopiero took the parchment and seriously read it under the morning light shining through the window.

A moment later, the Governor, setting down the parchment, looked somewhat grave: "You want me to provide transport service for two thousand knights, fifteen thousand warriors, five thousand laborers, three thousand horses, for half a year’s supply, and possibly engage in fierce clashes with the Saracen navy?"

"Frankly, such a request, unless we cease all commercial activities and recall all ships from abroad, simply cannot meet your needs."

"Moreover, even if I were willing to accept your terms, the City Council would not deem it acceptable."

The profit from this transaction is indeed considerable, but the cost is too high.

Besides, if the Crusaders fail, wouldn’t all the profit be just a fantasy?

"But the transport cost is equivalent to the Kingdom of Gaul’s entire annual tax revenue, meaning that even if all nobility in Gaul stored their treasury wealth without spending any, it would take a year to accumulate."

"Most esteemed Republic Governor, please be aware of our king’s and the Gaul nobility’s devotion and resolve."

Ha, truly devout. Were you, you wouldn’t delay until now, launching the eastern expedition only after Saladin was defeated twice.

"Furthermore, even if the Governor doubts the Crusaders’ ability to pay, surely you know that with Egypt’s wealth, once captured, repaying your efforts won’t be a concern?"

"But you should know, Marquis Losa of the Holy Land has already led his army into Egypt."

"Egypt is so vast; how much appetite could he possibly have?"

"Ha, but as far as I know, Marquis Losa has repeatedly defeated the Saracen monarch and now, as the strongest overseas Crusader lord, commands tens of thousands of elite troops whose power is not weaker than your Crusaders’ on this eastern expedition."

That old fox.

Duke of Champagne cursed inwardly.

He initially thought this Governor had become senile due to age, unexpectedly proving so challenging.

"Governor, I’ve recently heard something interesting: a Merchant Fleet flying the Double-headed Eagle Banner has docked in Lion Bay of Provence, laden with Eastern textiles, fine armor, precious books and spices, aiming to sell upriver to Lyon. It seems Marquis Losa, renowned in the Holy Land, also has intentions of joining the Mediterranean trade."

The Governor narrowed his eyes slightly.

Venice was still purely a trade city-state at this point, not yet having evolved into a territorial state holding regions such as Crete, Thessalonica, Dalmatia, Verona, and Padua.

Commercial interests are their lifeline.

Clearly, Venetians wouldn’t be pleased witnessing the rise of an Eastern Crusader King fervently developing commerce.

The Governor smiled, "If the esteemed Duke hopes to persuade me by this, you’ll be disappointed. Mediterranean trade is expansive, and I gladly welcome a devout Christian king to join us."

Though a insincere remark, it’s indeed true.

Venetians neither possess the capacity nor have considered monopolizing the entire Mediterranean trade; Genoese and Pisans are their current greatest foes.

"Governor, if we gain control of Egypt, we will grant Venice exclusive trade rights at all major ports and cities along the coast, allowing your state to establish numerous trading posts in Egypt."

"If such generous conditions still don’t make the Governor reconsider, we’ll have no choice but to turn towards Genoa or Pisa."

Duke of Champagne stated, gritting his teeth.

This made the Governor, in his seventies, feel tempted.

The monopoly of trade rights in Egypt’s major coastal cities is of paramount importance.

At this moment, both Pisans and Genoese possess numerous commercial stations in the East, and Constantinople even houses Venetian enclaves, providing immense convenience to the trade city-state’s commercial activities.

Securing more trading posts and gaining local lords’ support would allow a larger share of the Eastern trade’s lucrative pie — though the Mediterranean is vast, it cannot accommodate three maritime superpowers.

No one desires to follow the path of Amalfi (the once-thriving trade city-state located in Naples, later pillaged and defeated by the Pisans).

The Governor slightly raised his eyelids, displaying no extra emotion on his face: "Pisans and Genoese are embroiled in conflicts, I naturally hope the Duke can quell their unnecessary disputes, so Christians can unite and invest their power into the holy mission against heretics."

But the enmity between the two states is as deep as the ocean; it’s not so easily resolved.

It seems the Crusaders have options but in reality, they have none.

Whether it’s the Eastern Empire battling Sicily Kingdom or the ongoing conflict between Pisa and Genoa, Venice alone possesses sufficient maritime strength to undertake this commission, excluding all other possibilities for handling the Crusaders’ eastern expedition’s sea transport business.

"Perhaps challenging, but it must be attempted."

Duke of Champagne ceased backtracking.

This is the best proposal they can offer, as in this era, one doesn’t dare arbitrarily breach sacred contracts, because even the Kingdom of Gaul cannot afford the consequences of deceit and treachery.

Even if it’s an empty promise, it must be redeemed.

Otherwise, Crusaders from another world wouldn’t be coerced by Venetians into attacking Hungarians and Constantinople.