Old days in the box

Chapter 270 Everyone has their own agenda

Under the watchful eye of Zhou Xiao, this secret meeting in the back garden of the temple summoned the eleven highest-ranking regular bishops in the Holy See, including the two bishops who had been replaced by the Faceless Men.

These regular bishops come from different departments under the Holy See of the Mother Goddess, such as the Ministry of Priesthood, the Ministry of Religious Orders, the Ministry of Doctrine, etc.

In addition to the privileged Tribunal and the Earth Guards led by the eldest prince Charles, they are the highest authority within the normal establishment of the Holy See. They are responsible for the approval and execution of various resolutions, and their power far exceeds that of secular institutions.

Above them are the only cardinals who are directly responsible to the Pope.

At this time, in the snowy garden courtyard, several scattered high-top wine tables were placed in the open air in the courtyard, with various old cellar wines from the East placed on them, and the aroma was overflowing.

It is rare for the eleven regular bishops in the courtyard to gather here. They are all gathered in small groups around different wine tables, tasting wine and chatting with each other. Some people are holding wine glasses and facing out to the garden to look out at the beautiful scenery of the city, as if This is like a leisurely wine tasting party.

However, when Zhou Xiao continued to zoom in until he could clearly hear the whispers between the bishops, the real matters being discussed at this secret cocktail party automatically emerged.

"The ancient country of the Jade Realm in the East actually took the initiative to come out from the Spine of the World and seek marriage with us. This is really a big and strange thing." A bishop from the Holy Ministry said softly.

"Yes, I heard that it is a country hidden in the far east. It has not left the Spine of the World for thousands of years. It must have declined severely in recent years and had to ask us for help, right?" Another bishop sneer.

The whispers floating between these wine tables were all casually talking about the marriage in the jade world.

Today, the cardinal summoned them and explained to them in writing the purpose of the Eastern envoys. He probably wanted to hear the thoughts and opinions of this group of regular bishops.

"Your wine taste is as bad as your character. Bishop Anthony, Jade World was once a powerful opponent on par with us. Don't you think you are a little too arrogant to say this?"

At this time, another bishop came in with a wine glass, interrupting the cynicism between them.

"You are still as ignorant of etiquette as ever, Bishop Wen Luo, do you think you have a lot of knowledge about this ancient country in the jade world?" Bishop Anthony, who was interrupted just now, did not stop sneering and continued to sarcastically say.

"I'm not familiar with the ancient country of Jade Realm, but the Holy See of the Mother Goddess still keeps records of this country after thousands of years, so that every archbishop must memorize it before taking office. From this point alone, I know that the Holy See has never underestimated it. This opponent, do you think you are smarter than the Holy See?"

Bishop Wen Luo was very calm and calm. He refuted the other party's words indifferently and also gave a very reasonable explanation.

Although none of them really understand this ancient Jade Kingdom, according to the records left by the Holy See, this Jade Kingdom two thousand years ago was a powerful existence that could compete with the Byzantine Empire at that time, which makes them fearful to this day.

This time they came out of seclusion again after a thousand years. No matter what the purpose was, the Mother Goddess Church should correct its attitude and respond to their suggestions well, instead of just making sarcastic remarks here.

It seems that even in the Byzantine Empire, which is already riddled with holes, it is not only the incompetent people who are greedy for money and lust who hold power. There are still some smart people within their Holy See, Zhou Xiao thought as he listened. road.

"Oh, it seems that you must not have carefully read the document issued to us by the cardinal. These Eastern envoys came this time not to make ordinary marriage requests, but to specify that they want to marry members of the Qianhua family, servants of God. , are they able to marry as soon as they say they will?" "Sometimes I really wonder, how did you get into this position with your not very keen political sense?" Bishop Wen Luo shook his head, this time There was no rebuttal in his tone, but a hint of disappointment.

"Since arriving in Constantinople, this group of Eastern envoys have been arranged to talk freely with the cardinals in the temple, and today we can even have a cardinal call us here specifically for their affairs. Don’t you still understand what this means?”

"The wine we are drinking now is said to have been brought by the Eastern envoys from the Jade Realm." Another elderly bishop also walked up to them and said.

Within a few words of conversation, Bishop Wenluo's rational attitude towards this matter had attracted the equally steady bishops, who began to discuss the matter in depth; while Bishop Anthony, who was refuted, left angrily with his wine glass in hand, Not a word was spoken.

"This is no small matter. I heard that the envoys from the East proposed a princess from the Jade Realm royal family. Her beauty is enough to shock the East. She really plans to establish a long-term marriage relationship with Byzantium."

Among the people who gathered around at this time were the two bishops who were transformed by the Faceless Men. They were being remotely controlled by "Mercy" and deliberately revealed the details of the marriage in order to trick other bishops into investigating the matter. Attitude.

"But the other party asked for a marriage with a member of the Qianhua family as soon as he came up. He obviously also understands the situation within our Holy See. Even a royal princess from the Jade World cannot marry a servant of God so easily, right?" Sure enough, it's very easy. Someone soon raised questions.

"It doesn't matter that the match is not good, friends, what is really important is that the Cardinal has actually expressed his stance on this matter." Bishop Wen Luo just spoke again and said slowly.

"The purpose of the envoys from the East is to get married. If the Holy See felt that it was inappropriate, they should have sent them to the residence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to spend their time slowly. However, they used the temple to receive these guests and bottled the wine from the East. Entering the cup of the West and summoning us to this drinking party...this is actually a tacit consent."

"The Holy See... also hopes to reach a marriage alliance with the Jade World?" A bishop reacted.

"Recently, the Three Emperors Alliance has been harassing us more and more frequently on the western frontier. The threat of Ocean Faith is just around the corner. It is said that the army heading north has suffered an unknown ambush. Even the empire under the feet of the Thousand Flowers Mother Goddess will need allies. .”

Bishop Wen Luo's thinking was extremely clear, and he could see through all the key points in it all at once.

"And as the war intensifies, the conflicts within the empire have also escalated. If we can launch a great expedition, maybe this problem can also be solved." Another bishop also agreed with Wen Luo's statement, said in agreement.

"In other words, we are now at a time when the Holy See also needs the support of the Jade World. Whoever can marry this Eastern Princess will have the opportunity to become the leader of the expedition?" Another bishop mimicked by the Faceless Man deliberately raised his Volume asked.

"That's right, the real purpose of the cardinal calling us here is probably not to ask us to discuss whether to agree to a marriage from the Jade World, but to discuss who is qualified to marry this Eastern princess and obtain military support from the Jade World."

Wen Luo took the lead with a deep nod and drank the aged wine in the cup in one gulp.

"It's not us who choose her, but how she chooses us!"

(End of this chapter)