Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen

In the days that followed, Machiavelli was busy gathering information from various sources.These people included Bartolomeo, Ferinelli, and those around the Duke.He could not completely trust any single individual, and he knew that the closest people around Duke Valentino would only tell him what they wanted him to know.But the most puzzling thing is that the rebellious generals have been doing nothing lately.The duke's amassed troops, recruiting from all over, had not yet arrived, and, though he still held some forts in the rebellious districts, it was hard to believe that he could withstand a determined attack.Now is the time to attack.It's now.But the rebels did nothing.Machiavelli felt that his brain was not enough, and even if he racked his brains, he could not think of any reason that delayed the attack of the rebels.Then another incident occurred which added to his confusion: a representative of the Orsini family had come to the Duke, had arrived in the evening and left the next day.Machiavelli tried hard to understand the purpose of this man's visit, but found nothing.

At this time, he had already received a reply from the ruling regiment regarding the Duke's request to send troops for support.In order to find out the truth, he then asked to see the Duke.He was a little flustered on the way to the palace, because the news he was about to tell the Duke was that Florence had no soldiers to send, and all Florence could offer was to reassure their goodwill to the Duke.Machiavelli had already experienced the prince's anger and knew that the scene would be very fierce, so he mustered up his courage and prepared to meet the coming storm with perseverance.Machiavelli, therefore, was greatly taken aback when he saw the duke's complete indifference to the news he had brought, and found it unexpected.

"I've told you several times, and I'll repeat it tonight, that I have no shortage of resources. The French Lancers will be here soon, and the Swiss infantry will be here as soon as possible. You can see for yourself that I Troops are being assembled. The Pope has no shortage of money, nor the King of France. Most likely, my enemies will regret their capriciousness." The Duke smiled, and his smile was cruel and sly. "Wouldn't you be surprised if I told you they've made peace?" Machiavelli's heart trembled violently, but he tried his best not to let his inner shock show up.

"Lord Antonio da Venafro has already been here on behalf of the rebels." It was evident that this was the mysterious visitor of whom Machiavelli had heard.He was the confidant and counselor of Pandolfo Petrucci, the local lord of Siena.Petrucci was the mastermind behind the conspiracy. "He made a proposal that we join together to overthrow the government of Florence. But I told him that your government has never offended me, and that I am preparing to conclude a treaty with you. 'Please do not sign any agreement,' said he, 'Let me go back first and then come over and we can come to an agreement.' To which I replied: 'We've talked so far that there's no going back.' I can tell you again, though I will listen to what those fellows have to say, and deceive them too, but I will not do anything against your republic unless I have to."

When Machiavelli took his leave, the Duke added another word in a very ordinary tone, which again surprised the Florentine envoy.Machiavelli's astonishment was completely expected by the Duke. "I am waiting for Paglo Orsini, who will arrive any moment." On the way to the palace, Piero accompanied Machiavelli.At this moment Piero was waiting for Machiavelli in the guardhouse, with a lantern in his hand to light his way back to his apartment.Piero had already learned how to read his master's face. He only had to glance at Machiavelli to understand that the master was not in the mood to speak.They walked in silence.When Machiavelli had taken off his coat and hat, he bade Pierrot fetch ink, quill, and paper, and sat down to write a letter to the Consulate.

"Then I'll go to bed," said Pierrot. "No, wait a minute," said Machiavelli, leaning back in his chair. "I want to say a few words to you." He didn't know how much to believe in what the Duke had told him.So he thought it might be helpful if he could put the thoughts in his head into words before he started writing the letter. "I'm so carried away by the machinations, the lies and the deceit that everyone is engaging in." So he repeated to Pierrot in concise language what the duke had told him. "How could a man as high-minded, blessed and ambitious as the Duke of Valentino tolerate the hostile actions of his enemies? His enemies not only prevented him from taking a city-state he had long wanted , and took away from him a city-state that was already under his control. Those generals rebelled against him, trying to destroy him before he did it. When the duke was besieged on all sides, why did they Postponed the attack?"

Machiavelli frowned and looked at Pierrot.Piero was very clever to realize that the master's question was just to clarify his own thinking, so he didn't make any answer. "Now he's fortified his fortresses, and he's put troops in control of important places. Every day more troops arrive. He has financial support from the Pope, and personnel support from the French. And he's so powerful that he can act arbitrarily. .The rebel generals were united out of their hatred and fear of the duke, however the alliance was fragile as each of them cared more about their individual interests than their common interests.The allies could not act decisively , because every step must be negotiated in advance, and if one of the allies makes a mistake, is insufficiently prepared, or is incompetent, it will cause disaster to all. They must be jealous and wary of each other. I also don't want to see any party become troubled by the rapid expansion of power. Those generals must know that there are frequent secret envoys-you can be sure that the Duke deliberately let them know this situation-so everyone has a suspicion and Fear, fear that I will be thrown into the pack of wolves."

Machiavelli was biting his thumbnail nervously. "The more I think about it, the more I feel that the rebels are ultimately unable to harm the Duke. They have missed the opportunity. In this case, they may think that making peace with the Duke may be a better option." Machiavelli gave Piero an angry look.But there was no reason for this disapproving glance, since Pierrot had so far kept silent. "Do you know what that means?" "have no idea." "This means that once their forces are combined with the Duke's, the Duke will have a formidable army. And this army will undoubtedly be put to some use. No one can let the army rest. How will this army be used? Against whom? I suspect that all this will be finally decided when Paglo Orsini arrives and talks face-to-face with the Duke."