Chapter 9 Chapter nine

The next day Machiavelli lay in bed and did not get up.He read a psalm from Dante's long poem "Purgatory".Though he knew this noble poem by heart, he read it again with as much ecstasy as ever.Every time he read this poem, he couldn't help feeling extremely happy because of its beautiful language.But in another part of his mind, there was the image of Aurelia sitting upright and embroidering.So from time to time he had to put down the book in his hand and let himself indulge in some unseemly thoughts.He wondered how on earth he could see Aurelia again.Of course, once the second meeting, she might not be so attractive, which might not be a bad thing, because even if he didn't cheat, he had enough things on his hands.However, having an affair can also be a pleasant pastime outside of his political and foreign affairs.His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by his servant Antonio.Antonio tells him that Bartolomeo is downstairs and wishes to see him.Machiavelli asked him to tell Bartolomeo that he would be going downstairs at once, and having said this he quickly dressed and went downstairs.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Baron. I'm writing a letter to the Triumvirate." He lied easily. Bartolomeo made a self-deprecating gesture with his hand at the noble title Machiavelli called him, as if to say that it was not worth mentioning at all.But he was delighted to receive such a compliment.He has a message.The strongest fortress in the city-state of Urbino was San Leo, which was said to be impenetrable on a steep and isolated rocky hill.A few days ago, the castle was undergoing some repairs. Taking advantage of this opportunity, a group of peasants broke into the castle with weapons and killed all the Duke's guards.The news quickly spread to other villages, and the villages who got the news immediately rebelled.When this news was reported to the duke, he flew into a rage.It was evident that the riot had been instigated by a small group of conspirators in Magione.This can only mean that they have decided to attack him.The palace is in chaos now.

"What armies can the duke mobilize?" Machiavelli interrupted Bartolomeo. "You'd better go and find out for yourself." "I doubt that Your Excellency will allow me to do so." "Come with me. I'm going to the barracks. I'll take you there." Machiavelli suddenly realized that Bartolomeo did not come here as a friend to tell him something that could not be kept secret for too long. He should have been directly sent by the Duke to deliver the invitation.Like a hunter in the forest who hears a movement under the bushes, Machiavelli tensed up, but on the surface he still wore a friendly smile.

"My friend, if you can come and go in and out of the barracks at will, you must be a powerful man." "That's not the case," replied Bartolomeo, with an air of humility. "The duke has appointed me head of a group of citizens charged with feeding the troops." "You must have made a lot of money out of it," said Machiavelli slyly. Bartolomeo let out a burst of laughter. "Small profits, if any. The Duke is not one to fool. In Urbino the troops nearly mutinied because of the poor quality of the food supply. When the matter was referred to the Duke for adjudication, he found The troops' complaints were well-founded, so he hanged three maintenance officials."

"I understand now, this matter makes you careful." They rode straight to the barracks.The barracks were three miles from the city.There were three companies of Lancers there.Fifty of them were led by Spanish officers, and another hundred by a gentleman from Rome who had joined the ducal army in search of adventure and fame.Each Lancer has a mount, a messenger riding a horse, and an infantry warrior, and both the messenger and the infantry are assigned to the Lancer.In addition, there are 2,500 mercenaries and 6,000 conscripts under the Duke, who will arrive in about two days.The duke sent an agent to Milan to help him recruit five hundred of the Gascon rogues scattered throughout Lombardy, while another agent was sent to hire fifteen hundred Swiss soldiers.The Duke's artillery is formidable, and is now ready to go.Machiavelli had always been interested in the military, and he was quite proud of the experience he had gained in the less successful siege of Pisa.So inside the barracks, he watched with wide-eyed eyes.He asked soldiers and officers a host of questions, analyzed the replies he received, sorted the false from the true, and concluded that the duke's power was indeed something to be reckoned with.

Back in town, he found a letter left for him by Agapito da Amalia.It told him that the Duke wished to see him at eight o'clock that night.After supper he sent Pierrot to Bartolomeo's house, and told Bartolomeo that he was going to see the Duke tonight, and that if Bartolomeo wanted to see him after he had seen the Duke, they could have a drink at the Lion d'Or. Have a glass of wine.Through Bartolomeo, he may be able to get on line with his wife Aurelia, so it is necessary to have a good relationship with Bartolomeo first.Bartholomew was a jovial fellow who liked good conversation and good company.It was impossible that such trust from the envoys of the Florentine Republic would not satisfy his vanity greatly.

Machiavelli went to his own room and took a nap.Then he felt that it was necessary to talk to Serafina one more time.He thinks he can get more of the situation than Pierrot.So far, she has had quite a few good things to say about Bartolomeo.But this is most likely out of caution.If he was right about human nature, she must have had no more appreciation for what the fat man had given and yet more resentment for what he had failed to give.Machiavelli thought he was smart enough to make her say what she really felt. When he woke up, he walked downstairs, as if going to the living room.As I walked, I sang a passage from a Florentine song, a little louder.

"Are you there, Lady Serafina?" he said as he passed the kitchen door. "I thought you were out." "You have a good manner, my lord," she said. "A thousand thanks. May I come in for a minute?" "My eldest son has a good voice. Monsieur Bartolomeo used to ask him over, and they would often sing together. Monsieur Bartolomeo is a bass. A big, strong man like him has such a powerless voice. , it is a strange thing.” Machiavelli pricked up his ears. "My friend Biagio Bunarcozzi, Monsieur Bartolomeo's cousin, and I are very fond of singing together. It is a pity that I did not bring my lute! If I could sing to you A few songs, it's going to be a joy."

"My son left a lute here. He wanted to take it away, but it was a priceless instrument, given to my poor husband by a gentleman as a reward Service to that gentleman. I would hate to have him take it away." "Can you show me this violin?" "It hasn't been touched for three years. I bet some strings are broken." But she took it quickly and put it in Machiavelli's hands.It was an exquisite instrument, made of cedar wood and inlaid with ivory.He adjusted his key and began to sing in bass.He not only loves music very much, but also has professional level knowledge.He used to compose his own lyrics.After he finished the performance, he found that Serafina had tears in her eyes.He put down his instrument and looked at her very kindly.

"I really don't want to make you sad." "It reminds me of my son. He was far away, taking so many risks among those heretics." "This is a kind of experience for him. Moreover, under the protection of Lord Bartholomew, his future is guaranteed." She gave Machiavelli a sad look. "A beggar is always grateful for the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table." Her sharp words made him understand that his speculation was indeed close to ten. "The Bible assures us that in heaven, everything will be reversed." She sneered. "In order to have a few children like me, he can give up half of his family property."

"It's really strange that the three wives failed to give birth to him a boy and a half girl." "You men, you always think it's a woman's problem. Mrs. Caterina knows very well that if Aurelia doesn't have a baby soon, life will soon be difficult for them both. Then there will be no more good clothes, no more rings and bracelets. I know Bartolomeo too well. He will never trade at a loss. Katerina is right to be worried. .She is donating some money to Father Timoteo, asking him to pray for Aurelia and make her conceive soon." "Who is this Father Timoteo?" asked Machiavelli. "Their confessor. Bartholomew, who promised Aurelia a picture of the Virgin and Child if he bore him a son, cheated them of a great deal of money. He It's like playing them in his hands. In fact, he knows as well as I do that poor Bartolomeo is a barren man." Machiavelli learned more than he expected.A simple and beautiful plan flashed in his mind.It might be time, he thought, to drop this conversation.He leisurely strummed the strings of the lute. "You're right, it's a beautiful instrument. It's a joy to play. I'm not surprised you're reluctant to send your son across the ocean with it." "You are very sympathetic, my lord," she said. "If you enjoy playing this instrument, I would like to lend it to you during your stay here. I know you will love it." Machiavelli was trying to figure out how he could get her to lend him her violin—she was saving him the trouble now.There is no doubt that he has a hand with women.It is a pity that she is old, haggard and withered.Otherwise he might have allowed himself to flirt with her a little.He thanked her kindly. "It's a relief to be able to sing a few of my wife's favorite songs. I have not been married to her long and she is pregnant. It is painful to be separated from her. But what can I do? I am A servant of the Republic must always put his duties before his feelings." Thus, when Machiavelli left her, he had succeeded in convincing Serafina that he was not only an excellent man, but a good husband, a sincere friend, and an honest, lovable, and reliable man. .