After two days, the Swiss Guard had reaped a bountiful harvest, mainly reflected in their stomachs, as they almost all returned full and content.
As for the information Augustus had asked them to gather, they naturally hadn't forgotten it. They did inquire, but most of what they found were trivial matters.
This couldn't be blamed on their perfunctoriness; after all, they had no prior experience or channels, so whether they could find any useful information largely depended on fate. Some who genuinely couldn't find anything useful even went to the market to inquire about all the vegetable prices, which showed their diligence.
Fortunately, with so many people, there was still a good amount of valuable information to be found among all their inquiries.
After reading the information filtered by Dracula and presented to him, Augustus gained a deeper understanding of the city. As he had expected, Siena was indeed not as calm and harmonious as it appeared on the surface.
Although a large number of citizens from the former Florence Republic had poured into the city over the past fifty years, the local populace's recognition of the current Grand Duchy of Tuscany was still not very high. Many still considered themselves Sienese and inherited some of the national enmity and family hatred towards Florence.
Underhandedly, there were indeed some people intending to restore the republic, moving between various factions to seek help. However, whether they were truly fighting for the Siena Republic or pursuing their own power and interests remained unknown.
But history told him that without strong external intervention, it would only be this much. In a few more years, Siena would completely become a part of Tuscany.
And regardless of whether the Grand Duchy of Tuscany was an enemy or a friend, Augustus would not want to see an independent Siena standing between the two states, so he certainly wouldn't be that external force. Thus, it seemed already destined that the title of the Siena Republic would no longer exist.
"Dracula, what do you think?" Augustus believed that during the process of filtering this information, Dracula must have also gained some insights, and because he saw more, his perspective might even be more comprehensive.
Dracula seemed to have anticipated that Augustus would ask for his opinion and immediately replied, "Augustus, I trust you've seen it. Siena is not as peaceful as it appears. The populace misses the Siena Republic, the nobles' rights have been curtailed, and the pain brought by the war that changed Siena's allegiance decades ago has not been completely forgotten."
Just as Augustus was about to express his agreement, Dracula changed his tone and said bluntly, "But I believe they are all a rabble. They each have their own petty schemes, only daring to dabble in shady dealings behind the scenes, or simply just blowing off steam.
I even dare say that even if they were given enough troops, they wouldn't dare to personally go to the battlefield and fight a proper battle against Tuscany. Such a group of people is not enough to threaten Tuscany; at most, they would just cause some minor trouble.
To my knowledge, Spain, France, or the Holy Roman Empire have little interest in supporting Siena's independence. Those who are interested in Siena are certainly not merely interested in a small Siena, but rather in Tuscany, Northern Italy, and even the entire Italian region. If we also do nothing, in a few more years, Siena will be completely integrated with Tuscany."
Dracula's ability to discern so much genuinely startled Augustus. He hadn't realized that the Captain of the Swiss Guard, who spent his days guarding the Papal Palace, also had an understanding of world affairs and made very accurate judgments. He couldn't help but look at him with new eyes.
From ancient times, there have been many capable people, but few with opportunities. How many talents have been buried in the annals of history!
"If we do nothing? The implication is that you believe we can do something." Augustus gestured for Dracula to continue.
Dracula didn't decline and continued with a hint of excitement, "Those rabble who call themselves restorers certainly can't achieve anything on their own, but they have great utilitarian value. If the timing is right, we can use them as a catalyst to make Siena fall into the embrace of the Papal States!"
Dracula's plan was actually highly feasible, but it left Augustus somewhat disappointed. He had originally thought he had discovered a treasure, but it seemed the scope was still too small.
"What Spain, France, and the Holy Roman Empire don't value is also not worth our effort. Our vision can be more long-term. Moreover, the Grand Duke of Tuscany is my dearest friend! How can I fall out with him for a small Siena?"
Dracula heard the unspoken meaning, his mouth twitched slightly, and then he forced an unnatural smile.
At the same time, Ferdinand I also received a letter from Siena.
"The Pope stayed in Siena for two days and sent the Swiss Guard to inquire about news everywhere." Ferdinand I quickly read the lengthy letter and summarized it in one sentence.
"Why would the Pope do that?" Cosimo, sitting across the table, asked, puzzled.
Ferdinand didn't answer but instead asked, "Why do you think?"
"Perhaps out of curiosity, or just simple interest. It couldn't possibly be..." Cosimo shook his head, not continuing.
"Couldn't be what?" Ferdinand pressed.
"You know the Pope is one of our own Medici. He has no reason to do anything to harm us. If he were to antagonize us just for Siena, it would clearly be a net loss," Cosimo didn't believe such a possibility existed.
"Just because we don't know doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Don't easily rule out any possibility, especially those that are disadvantageous to us. Those are the most worthy of attention and require serious consideration of countermeasures. Don't take it for granted that everything will develop in the direction we hope."
"A Medici Family Pope becoming an enemy of the Medici Family because he covets Siena—it's quite ironic to think about. If that were truly the case, then we would really be shooting ourselves in the foot," Cosimo couldn't help but quip.
"Why are you so sure that the Pope only covets Siena, and not more?" Ferdinand asked seriously.
"You mean... all of Tuscany?" Cosimo's mouth dropped open in surprise.
"Yes, you know, the Pope actually has a claim to Tuscany."
"That's impossible! With you here, he would never dare to covet Tuscany!" Cosimo retorted.
"But I am old, and one day I will depart, while he is still very young. Tuscany will eventually be in your hands. At that time, facing Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, France, and the Pope, can you defend Tuscany?" Ferdinand stood up excitedly, tightly gripping his son's hand, waiting for an affirmative answer.
"I certainly can! No matter how powerful the enemy is."
"Good! You must remember that strong fortresses are always breached from within. Internal enemies are usually more dangerous." Ferdinand's expression suddenly became solemn, as if recalling distant memories, and his voice rose a few pitches.
"However, the Medici Family does not lack friends, and it never fears any enemy! Including internal enemies. In that battle between my father and Siena years ago, wasn't it a defeat of a Medici Family traitor that led to the final victory? His name was Piero Strozzi. He wasn't the first, and he won't be the last."
"You're referring to... the Pope?" Cosimo asked, somewhat surprised.
"The Pope? What Pope? Who's talking to you about the Pope? The Pope is our dearest friend, and I believe he would never betray us. But if he truly betrayed us, we would make him pay the price, wouldn't we?"
"Yes, Father."