Let me introduce you, this is my girlfriend, the Israeli boxing champion

“I hope it helps you.”

This list is a list of intentions compiled by various legislators and representatives of public opinion after spending a lot of time to compile it. It is entirely voluntary and not forced.

"146 barques, 66 transports, 66 sloops, 35 sailing cruisers... that's more than enough."

"These are just the tip of the iceberg. You know, Venice has nearly 3300 merchant ships." Alessandro looked proud when he said this. The city that had the strongest navy in the Mediterranean in the 15th century did not deserve its reputation.

As time went by, Venice seemed to have returned to peace. Alessandro managed the Doge's Palace in an orderly manner, and since the overall interests of Venetian merchants were not affected, no one would really care about the fate of a Doge, no matter how successful and ambitious he had been in the past.

At least that's what it seems to people in the Apennines.

On the same day, when Alvin returned to his residence in Venice, Leonardo da Vinci came and invited him.

"Would you like to come back to Florence with me?"

Chapter 053 Suddenly Met the Parents (?)

If we want to find a city that represents the highest values ​​of Western culture and the highest achievements of aesthetic traditions, it must be the small Italian city of Florence. This city called Florence is the center of the Renaissance. Although Lorenzo of the Medici family was just born, everyone knows that the future of this city will be bright.

"Why did you think of wearing this white cotton hat?"

"What went wrong?"

"No, it's fine, it's just that you look a little weird in this hat, Da Vinci."

"This is actually a ceremonial outfit, Alvin."

As the Venetians prepared to gather their navy, Alvin and Leonardo walked side by side towards the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Florence. In a corner near the cathedral, there were many studios and workshops of Florentine artists. Some of them, such as the studios of some great painters, were huge and busy, with assistants and apprentices inside busy grinding and mixing pigments. The others were much quieter.

"Let me show you where your dream begins, Alvin."

Leonardo da Vinci walked to a deserted studio and knocked on the door. Soon a well-dressed, handsome young man opened the door. He looked like a playboy, but he looked strong, with thick dark brown hair and a big beard.

"Welcome, guest! Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Good day, sir. We have come to ask you to paint a picture for us."

The painter bowed. "You can call me Andre," he said. "It is an honor to meet you, sir."

"Me too, Master."

"I'm not much of a master," he said with a smile, "but it would be rude to leave you two standing at the door! Please come in! Wait a moment, I'll ask my assistant to bring some wine, I'll prepare it right away."

The studio was not large, but the clutter made it seem even smaller. The tables were piled with various sculptures, glass jars were filled with colorful liquids, and on a wide workbench at the back of the room were a number of strange and detailed models, and two easels with unfinished paintings, the colors of the paintings were dark and the lines were relatively unclear.

Alvin and Da Vinci sat down comfortably when a young man came out of the inner room with a tray of wine and cake. He put the things on the table beside them, smiled shyly, and turned back to the inner room.

"Why did you choose this one? And why did you come here specifically to paint? Alvin, you didn't even ask me these questions?"

"I know very little about art, Leonardo, and as a native of Florence, you know it better than I do."

Da Vinci just shrugged and pursed his lips. "If you were born in the same era as me, you would definitely not think so,"

"Looking at such a messy place, I really can't agree with it."

“Actually, my workshop is also quite messy.”

At this time, Andre came out with an easel. He put the easel on the ground, but encountered difficulties when putting the other end.

"Can you please hold it up for a bit?" he asked Alvin. "I wanted to ask Angelo, but he's got other things to do. And I don't think he has the strength for this kind of work."

Alvin bent down to pick it up, but the easel was so heavy that he almost dropped it.

"Be careful!" he warned. "They are fragile and expensive, although I don't think the money is worth it to you."

"Sorry, my question."

"Will you paint a portrait of him and me? For any price."

The last sentence was said to Andre. Alvin was a little surprised. Was it really necessary to show such respect to a fledgling painter?

Leonardo chatted with him in a friendly manner, and Alvin found himself involuntarily succumbing to his charm, but there was still a quality in this painter that made him instinctively uneasy, but he was unable to identify it for the time being.

Is it calm?

Or is it the detachment between him and everyone else?

Maybe it was just because he was always absent-minded like many other artists, at least that's what he heard from his teacher, but Alvin still felt a sense of respect for him.

Maybe he is a sweeping monk.

"Mr. Alvin, what do you do for a living?"

"He is a banker." Leonardo da Vinci changed his identity without authorization.

"Ah, a financier! How fitting that you should be here!"

“This city is also good for artists,” Alvin said. “There are so many wealthy patrons.”

"But there's a lot of competition among artists," Andre complained. "It's so hard to get noticed. That's why I'm so grateful to your husband... this friend. To be honest, she has great taste!"

"Is painting your main occupation?" Alvin asked.

He was deep in thought.

"It's a difficult question to answer. To be honest, after I started my own business, I found that I couldn't put all my energy into one thing. I love painting and I know I'm good at it, but... sometimes I feel that I have the same talent in sculpture, which makes it difficult for me to make up my mind to complete a work. I need someone to push me behind the scenes! And not only that. I always feel that my work lacks... how to say it... purpose. Is painting really meaningful?"

"You should have more confidence in yourself, Mr. Andre," said Da Vinci.

“Thank you, but sometimes I wish I was doing something more practical, something that would have a direct impact on life. I want to understand life—I want to make a work that will be remembered in history.”

"We wish you success then,"

"It would be great if that were the case!"

His tone was filled with passion, and Ezio couldn't help but be deeply moved - this man was obviously not bragging, he really had the talent to do all this.

The content of the conversation was always very relaxed and pleasant. When Andrea put down the last stroke, Leonardo da Vinci, regardless of having stood for a long time, took two steps at a time and walked to the side of the painting.

It was an oil painting. A man wearing a monocle was sitting on a chair with his head lowered as if he was thinking about something. Behind the chair was a woman who was pinching his shoulder. Although she was also looking up, the little thoughts in her eyes were all painted in the painting.

"Great, this is exactly what I wanted!"

"I'm glad you're satisfied."

While waiting for the painting to dry, Leonardo da Vinci and the painter were settling the price. The price Leonardo da Vinci insisted on paying for the painting was far beyond his psychological expectations. He repeatedly stated that this was not the amount he could receive at the moment, but under her insistence, he finally had to accept it.

"Why are you so passionate about this painting, Leonardo da Vinci?"

After walking out of the studio, Alvin asked this question. In his opinion, everything Leonardo da Vinci spent that afternoon in Florence was centered around this painting. Whether it was the model standing for nearly two hours or the insistence on raising the price when paying, these were not things that Leonardo da Vinci, a man who was very careful with his money, would do.

"Because it's Mr. Andre's painting, stupid."

This is us who have been recognized by the teacher himself, silly Alvin.

But it’s great that you don’t know.

PS1: Andrea del Verrocchio, Italian engraver, painter and gold jeweller, one of the most influential artists of the second half of the fifteenth century.

He was also Leonardo da Vinci's teacher.

PS2: Too strong, teacher.JPG

Chapter 054: Invincible Fleet Please check the Venice version

"May God be with you, Alvin."

This was the blessing that Leonardo da Vinci gave him the next morning. The morning sunshine would be the best gift for bidding farewell to the traveler, but in fact, today was also the day when Leonardo da Vinci and Alvin parted.

"Sometimes I wonder, are you really the one who said that Catholicism is a shop that sells deception?"

"Of course, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to survive under the Pope's nose for so long."

No, what I want to ask is why you are in my bed today.

Leonardo smiled and said, "People in Africa say that elephants never forget. You know, the same is true for women. But don't worry, Alvin, leave everything to us until you return to Constantinople."

"...Maybe we can solve all this before you come back." Although she thought so, Da Vinci swallowed the words back, and her face suddenly became confused.

"Why did you choose to return from Venice alone?"

"He who walks alone walks fastest." Alvin evaded the question with a proverb. "The main thing is to guard against the Ottoman navy. You know, sailing on dry land..."

"But you are from the Clock Tower..."

"I am now a regular member of Chaldea," he said with a firm voice. "This is my responsibility."

"Oh..." Leonardo da Vinci knelt on the bed and spread his legs to both sides. Looking from behind, his calves and thighs slightly spread out made people imagine a lot.

"Well...have a nice trip, I'll be waiting for you in Constantinople."

"I will. One way or another, I will reach Constantinople safely from here, along with the Venetian Armada."

But these words still failed to dispel the girl's worries. Alvin knew that although Venice was the number one navy at the time, the situation in the Mediterranean was not optimistic. The pirates in North Africa had gradually gained a reputation in later generations, and now they were a force that could not be underestimated.

"Don't worry, the route we choose is very far north, so the pirates shouldn't bother me. After passing Corfu, we will sail along the coast of Greece."

"No... I'm actually more worried about whether you can complete this mission. As for your personal safety..."

"Oh, really? Thank you for your concern."

She smiled. "You know what I mean. In the name of truth, even if you don't reveal anything, I know how much benefit this operation will bring to us."

"So I have to move, I have to get ahead of Attila."

"So, to seize the initiative?"

"That's it."

She held Alvin's face in her hands, and Alvin met her affectionate eyes. This was a woman who could make everyone intoxicated. Her hair was still black, and her wise and rational nature had not diminished in the slightest. Sometimes he really blamed himself for not putting her and Ritsuka in the same camp. But the good news was that she sincerely loved the city of Constantinople - under the rule of Constantine XI, the city of world desire was gradually recovering.

In the port of Venice, they hugged and said goodbye, and then Alvin boarded the flagship of the Invincible Armada, the Veneto. This was a three-masted carrack, with a huge curved stern, a huge bow mast and a huge hull that allowed it to remain stable in the sea. If a triangular sail was added to the mizzen mast, it might have become the first ship in European history designed for ocean voyages.

This fleet always obeys the command of the fleet commander Balto. At this time, their commander is directing the sturdy horses to load the supplies onto the transport ship. In fact, for Balto who wants to step into the core circle of Venice, he can't wait to embark on the journey of kingship.

"There is plenty of food and drink along the way, I will feed myself," Alvin told Leonardo on the shore.

"That's really your specialty," she responded meaningfully.

When the fleet set sail, Alvin, standing on the deck, waved goodbye to Leonardo da Vinci.

"Don't let me arrive and you're not back yet!"

"Don't worry, your wish will definitely come true!"

Despite many setbacks, the invincible fleet planned by Alvin finally set sail. If the oarsmen and sails were allowed to travel day and night, the journey to Constantinople would take them at most 7 days. He had nothing to worry about on the journey from Venice to Constantinople. Captain Bartos was one of the best in the entire Mediterranean. As a naval commander with a great reputation in the past, I believe that any seaman would give him some respect when hearing the name Bartos.

Back in the cabin, Alvin spread out the map. Where Attila's rainbow sword pointed, the Hun Empire had already spread its influence to most of Greece and Eastern Europe, and its borders almost pressed under the walls of Venice. Although after a brief confrontation, the Venetians gradually began to resume trade with these neighbors, and islands such as Corfu, Crete and Cyprus were still under the control of the Republic of Venice.

But in Alvin's view, this status quo was doomed to be unsustainable, as the Ottoman Empire's ambition for Cyprus was well known to everyone - so they clashed with the Ottoman Empire in 1499. With the First Battle of Lepanto as a turning point, the Lion of St. Mark began to go downhill.

The three-masted ships hoisted their huge white sails and cut through the vast sea like a machete rather than a knife. Although they encountered some headwinds, they still caught up with good times, which allowed them to cross the mouth of the Adriatic Sea in just over three days.

During their rest in Corfu, the local governor gave them a warm welcome. This fat Italian man was called John. He was obviously tired of the political intrigues and indulged in the gentle land of fat and delicious food. So on a balcony opposite the governor's palace, Alvin admired the palm trees in the port reflected in the velvety blue sky while discussing the next target of the battle with the captain.

"In order to conceal our presence," Captain Balto warned. "We must move along the coastline. But even so, we will most likely have to fight the Genoese, as that is their sphere of influence."

"Thank you," Alvin hoped that the captain was not kidding him. He knew that the fleet was now full of reinforcements and food, which would make the ship a delicious meal for any pirate. In comparison, even Balto's reputation would not be able to resist the desire of these desperate men. Once the battle started on the ship, swiftness and lightness would determine the outcome of the battle.

So the next morning, he bought a well-made scimitar on the island. The price was one hundred copper coins, which was barely a bargain.

After that, they set off on a new voyage with the tide, and the brisk north wind immediately filled the sails and carried them to their destination smoothly. They sailed smoothly to the south, and the coastline was always a mile to their port side. The sun shone warmly on the blue waves, and the sea breeze kept blowing their hair. Everyone was completely relaxed - of course, only Alvin was an exception.

So when they arrived in the south of the Aegean Sea island of Zante, what was supposed to happen finally happened.

At this time, they were sailing in the open sea to make the most of the wind. The wind was strong and the waves were rough. The sun was setting towards the western horizon. Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the sailors had to squint to see the situation in that direction. Alvin stood aside and watched their work with interest.

When Alvin recalled it later in Chaldea, he could no longer remember what had caught his attention. He only remembered that something like a seabird passed by the side of the ship, but when he looked closely, he realized that it was not a seabird, but a sail - no, seven sails, and they were the sails of seven ocean-going warships! They rushed over from the direction of the sun, it was a surprise attack!

Because the incident happened suddenly, Captain Balto had not had time to ask the crew to aim their guns before the two fastest warships had already approached the ship. Countless grappling hooks were thrown towards the side of the flagship.

Alvin quickly took out his weapon, and luckily, the scimitar was hanging on his body. So, the weapon immediately used its first blow - in an instant, the first five Genoese who came up became the first souls killed by his sword.

"It doesn't have that flavor... It's too unartistic."

Alvin tapped the bloody scimitar with his hand. The scimitar's performance was satisfactory, and then he took out the pistol - in this situation, the musket and the wrist guard were the most effective weapons. Unfortunately, he did not buy the wrist guard.

After that, he quickly rushed into the melee, into the battle group with the sound of weapons clashing and the smell of blood. The flames spread on the ship, and the sea breeze changed direction at this moment. As the saying goes, the wind helps the fire, and the whole ship was already ablaze. He had no choice but to shout to the two sailors, asking them to quickly go to the ship's reservoir to fetch water to put out the fire.

At this moment, a Genoese grabbed the rope and swung towards Alvin. At the critical moment, a sailor saw this scene in time and screamed a warning, and Alvin pulled out his musket as a conditioned reflex, and fired at the man without taking aim. With a scream, the man's body fell heavily on the deck in front of him.

"Hurry up and put out the fire!" he shouted. "If we can't control the fire, we're doomed!"

But at this time, three or four more Venetians approached. It seemed that they had already realized that if they wanted to seize the ship, they had to deal with those strong guys. So, a burly man with an English dagger in each hand walked up to him. It seemed that this guy should be the captain who launched the raid, and the two daggers must be the relics of a previous victim.