"What? Has His Holiness declared war on Venice?" Lorenzo leaped from his chair in shock.
He wondered why they were suddenly attacking an ally without a word, especially when it was supposed to be about aiding Urbino against the Turks.
The war in Venice had just ended, and Lorenzo, who was in charge of logistics for Urbino, had only just received the news of the declaration of war.
It was Claudio who sent someone to report the situation to him, asking him to prepare to adjust the type of supplies.
However, it was understandable, as only half a day had passed.
The messenger who came to deliver the news was startled by Lorenzo's reaction and, after a moment of hesitation, selectively replied, "Yes, the main army set off this morning, and the battle should have already begun by now."
As for how the Papal States annihilated the troops brought by Pisani, and how the main army advanced in several routes, he did not mention a single word.
"Good, you've worked hard.
Leave the items here, and you may go rest first."
Lorenzo realized his lapse in composure and, fearing the messenger might notice something, did not ask further.
He impatiently dismissed the messenger and at the same time sent people to summon his trusted military officers for a meeting.
Although it was only conscription, he had complete power over personnel appointments and dismissals.
He believed that most of the generals he appointed, regardless of their ability, would still be loyal to him.
The sudden turn of events left Lorenzo at a loss.
Inside the tent, Lorenzo paced back and forth, pondering the reasons behind this matter.
Carducao, Duke, and Giovanni were all personally promoted by the Pope and were his confidantes.
Without the Pope's command, it would be impossible for them to attack Venice together on their own initiative, nor could they cooperate so tacitly and act so swiftly.
But if it was His Holiness's command, why would he specifically keep it from him, who also served as the Military Minister and quartermaster?
Was it merely because the Pope knew of his close ties with Venice and was guarding against him, or did the Pope already have evidence of his collusion with Venice, just waiting to settle accounts after defeating Venice?
Although any evidence that could be produced was likely old news, if Venice fell and these things appeared before the Pope, it would be more than enough to condemn him to death.
The tragic state of Francesco's death was still vivid in Lorenzo's mind, sending shivers down his spine.
After Francesco's death, among all the ministers, he was the most disliked.
His power was eroded step by step, and Enzo, David, and others would constantly step on him...
Lorenzo already harbored great resentment towards Augustus.
Now, feeling cornered, with over fifty thousand reservists under his command and control over the supplies for the front-line troops, a long-suppressed thought finally surfaced completely.
Once the generals had all arrived, Lorenzo first had someone circulate the news brought by Claudio's messenger.
After reading it, although shocked, the generals still looked at each other, confused.
Not everyone had as extremely close a relationship with Venice as Lorenzo, so they naturally felt it was none of their business; no matter who they fought, their side only needed to handle logistics and supplies well.
The generals' reactions greatly displeased Lorenzo.
Lorenzo had originally thought they were all his people and would be as indignant and united in their hatred as he was, so he cut straight to the chase: "Generals!
Augustus is immoral.
He deceives the entire Christian world under the guise of aiding Urbino against the Turks, yet he extends his claws towards our ally, Venice.
If this gets out, it will be a laughingstock for all under heaven!
Are we to stand idly by and watch a thousand years of the Papal States' honor be destroyed in the hands of a mere greenhorn like Augustus?"
"No!" Lorenzo's brother-in-law, Loretto, was the first to react, understanding Lorenzo's intention.
"We absolutely cannot allow Augustus to continue to bring disaster upon the Papal States.
He arbitrarily dismisses nobles, executes old ministers, and employs treacherous sycophants.
We have long wanted to rebel against him and enthrone a new Pope!
Now, Augustus's pawns are all confronting Venice.
We hold significant military power and control the army's supplies.
We only await your call to action, and nobles from all regions will actively respond.
The great endeavor can be accomplished!"
At crucial moments, it's truly one's own people who can be relied upon.
Letting this young man join was indeed a wise decision.
Lorenzo felt delighted in his heart.
As soon as these words were uttered, it was like the clouds parting to reveal the sun; Lorenzo's intentions were now out in the open, and there was no turning back.
The reactions of the generals present varied.
Many generals were extremely shocked: although almost all present were nobles and gnashed their teeth in hatred at the Pope's suppression of the nobility, rebelling for such a reason seemed too hasty, and what's more, their families were all in Rome.
But many generals, as if injected with a stimulant, shouted for an uprising.
Even more so, one of them slammed the table and stood up, pointing at the unresponsive generals and angrily rebuking, "What are you people doing with such long faces?
We've endured for so long, and finally, we can get rid of the tyrant.
Isn't this a great joyous occasion?
What?
Having received national grace for generations, when the country is in peril and needs you, do you want to flinch at the last minute?
My sword will not allow it!"
Saying that, he drew the sword from his waist and brandished it a couple of times, his clumsy technique making others wince.
Several generals knew that stepping forward to speak righteously at this moment would only mean throwing their lives away for nothing, so they could only feign agreement for now.
An old general stepped forward to retort, "If we are to rebel, we must at least consider how to rebel.
It's not as simple as you naive fellows imagine.
Will we truly receive a hundred responses to one call?
Are you already celebrating prematurely?
This is a very serious matter.
Succeed, and we achieve fame and fortune; fail, and all is lost!
Once we fail, not only will we ourselves be beheaded, but our families will also be implicated!
Is there anything wrong with us being serious?"
"Sophistry!" the officer who had drawn his sword retorted relentlessly, "If that's the case, then you're pretending to be profound; have you come up with any good plans?"
"I wouldn't call it a good plan, but I do have some ideas.
My idea is for us to go north and launch a pincer attack with the Venetian army.
Augustus's army will have neither supplies nor external aid, and we will surely annihilate them in one fell swoop!
Then, turning back to capture Rome will be as easy as turning over one's hand."
"Are you trying to make us win or make us die?" Loretto scoffed, "Although we are numerous, we are all reservists.
We lack equipment and fighting power.
If we cut off their supplies and launch a pincer attack, Carducao and Duke will surely fight like cornered beasts and counterattack.
Can we, these people, stop them?
And do you think Giovanni's ships are just for show?
Taking two tens of thousands of people to evacuate is no problem at all; by then, even if we had heaven-defying abilities, we wouldn't be able to capture Rome.
Augustus could also seek foreign aid by betraying national interests, and we would all die without a burial place!"
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Augustus's main force is outside, so why should we confront them head-on!
Of course, we should leave them alone and lead our army straight to Rome!
By then, we can both hold the city defensively and enthrone a new Pope, calling upon various nations to assist us in quelling the rebellion."
"Brilliant! Truly brilliant!" Lorenzo clapped his hands and laughed heartily, growing more and more impressed with his brother-in-law.
"But our reservists are disorganized and march slowly, unlike regular troops.
If Carducao and Duke at the front receive news and return to reinforce, we might not be able to reach Rome before them."
"Fool!
If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, how will Carducao and Duke know we've rebelled?
Besides, don't we still have Claudio and so many others in front?
A secret letter telling him our plan, and if Carducao and Duke suspect anything, have him hold them back.
We can also leave people along the way to guard cities; Carducao and Duke won't be that fast!" Lorenzo couldn't help but scold.
"General, you are brilliant!
After this is done, you will be the hero who saved the Papal States from peril!"
"Yes, yes." The officers flattered him in unison.