The Rise of the European Emperor

Things went even smoother than Marin had imagined. After Langton arrived in Italy, he met up with fellow spies in Rome and got Marin's new instructions (delivered by the pigeon).

After arriving in the Kingdom of Naples, the Spanish army camp was already panicked. Fortunately, smallpox had not yet broken out in the camp of the Spanish army. However, in order to prevent smallpox from spreading, Gonzalo de Cordoba ordered that any unknown person be strictly prohibited from approaching and agreed, otherwise he would be shot immediately. At the same time, he selected hundreds of smallpox-stricken people from the army to be responsible for the contact with the outside world of the camp and the transportation of supplies.

Like the disposal method in Rome, Gonzalo also strictly prohibited soldiers from going out at will. At the same time, he purchased a large amount of quicklime for disinfection of the camp. And those hundreds of veterans who have suffered from smallpox must change their clothes and take a hot bath to disinfect every time they come back from contact with the outside world. Because, Gonzalo had studied in Beihai country back then...

At the beginning, Marin's "self-created" "Marin Phalanx" (Spanish Phalanx) was amazing in Europe, so Gonzalo was sent by Spain to learn the Phalanx from Marin. At the same time, learn the training methods of the Marin Army.

Although Marin had reservations about Gonzalo and concealed the most important method of selecting soldiers, other things were open for Gonzalo to learn. For example, Gonzalo has studied with the North Sea Army in the measures to deal with infectious diseases. Therefore, in the face of the epidemic, he did a good job.

As the commander-in-chief of the Italian war, Gonzalo also adjusted the Spanish warships in the Naples waters-all captains who had not had smallpox were temporarily sent to Sicily. The temporary replacements for the captains were the first mates or the second or third mates who had suffered from smallpox.

The person Langton contacted was Morientes, the acting captain of the Spanish warship "Sanchez". Morientes was originally only the second officer on the "Sanchez", a civilian with no hope of promotion. But the sudden smallpox caused the captain and first mate to take refuge in Sicily. So he, the second mate of the German smallpox, became the acting captain of the warship, responsible for cruising the southern coast of France. At the same time, he occasionally went to Capri Island near Naples to receive new orders from Gonzalo. For example, go to France to arrest people or something.

Most of the sailors on his ship have been replaced by those who have survived smallpox. Therefore, you can enter and exit the epidemic area without any scruples.

Langton smuggled to Capri Island in the middle of the night through a small boat, and met Morientes who was drinking in a tavern. Morientes is not in a good mood. He is obsessed with being the captain now, but he knows that once the epidemic is over, he will return to his second officer position.

Like other European countries in this era, Spain is also very particular about identity and blood. Although the navy is already the least considered arm of the military, there is still a rising ceiling.

For example, the second officer who was born as a fisherman like Morientes has little chance of being promoted to the position of captain. Not to mention the captain, the possibility of being promoted to first officer is not high.

It should be pointed out that there is a huge gap between the second mate and the captain and first mate among the management personnel on the ship. Because, the captain is generally a person with rich knowledge, at least a literate person, and even, generally very proficient in astronomy. Not only good at selecting routes, but also recording the logbook.

The first mate is also educated, and they are actually the captain's backup. Because sailing in this era is very dangerous, the captain may die of illness at any time, and the first mate is the backup captain, who is generally educated and knows how to sail.

The second officer is different, the second officer of this era is different from the second officer of later generations.

The second officer of later generations is mainly responsible for managing all kinds of navigational equipment on board, and belongs to people who understand technology.

But the second officer in this era didn't have any advanced equipment for him to manage, only the sails and rudder on the ship. In addition, it also manages the life of the sailors on board. After all, the captain and the first mate are aloof and don't care much. Or, they all ordered the second officer to do it.

The second officer is generally not necessarily educated. After all, it is not the management of advanced equipment like later generations, but the management of classical equipment such as sails, ropes, and rudders, which does not require much knowledge. In many cases, the second officer is an excellent person selected from among the sailors. For example, Morientes was originally selected from the sailors.

Originally, Morientes had no culture, so he had no ambition to respond. But later, he went to the captain's school for three years of special training and mastered a lot of sailing knowledge. Coupled with his original sailor experience, he began to be competent for some jobs that the captain and first mate can do. For example, observe astronomical astrology and determine the direction and position of navigation. Also, being able to record the logbook in words...

From then on, ambition began to germinate in Morientes' heart. After a few years, Morientes knew that he already had the ability to command ships to sail. At least, there is no problem in the Mediterranean.

But what hindered him from becoming a captain was his origin and blood...

Although many of those captains were not nobles, half of their ancestors were also nobles. Otherwise, at least they are descendants of wealthy businessmen. Otherwise, I can't afford to go to school. The descendants of civilians rarely have the opportunity to receive education. Many captains themselves are excellent astronomy and meteorologists. For example, Amerigo and Columbus are masters of navigation and astronomy who have the ability to become court scholars.

In other words, those who can become captains are generally either the children of declining nobles or the children of wealthy businessmen, and they themselves have very strong knowledge. Of course, not every captain is a scholar. For example, some noble children will rely on their connections to become captains.

Generally speaking, this kind of captain who came here by relationship will not take on the task of going to unfamiliar seas, and will only perform tasks on mature routes. Just like the "Sanchez", it mainly operates in the northern half of the western Mediterranean. This kind of sea situation is simple (there are no big storms in the Mediterranean Sea), and there are old routes with rich records, which are generally popular for the children of the nobles who are related to compete for the position.

Just like the captain and first mate of the original "Sanchez", they are all descended from noble families. Although his family has declined, he is still a nobleman's son. Therefore, they may not be more capable than Morientes, but they just occupy the positions of captain and first mate, which makes Morientes secretly hate.

Langton had inquired about the situation of Morientes with other drinkers in the tavern before, and made a targeted arrangement...

...

Picking up a conversation between alcoholics is simple—just buy the other person a drink. Sure enough, after asking Morientes to drink a glass of medium-quality wine, Morientes became enthusiastic.

Langton elaborately fabricated a lie, falsely claiming that he was Tony, had been an Italian mercenary, and served as the captain of the squad. However, because he was not of noble origin, he could not be promoted to company captain, so he resigned angrily and became a businessman...

Hearing Langton's "experience", Morient immediately cited him as a confidant. Because, he is also a victim of blood!

Stimulated by alcohol, the two talked more and more speculatively. In the end, Morientes talked to Langton about his troubles - no hope of promotion...

...

Compared with the army, the navy has more opportunities for promotion than the army. Because sailing is too dangerous, many noble children are reluctant to join the navy. Generally, the children of nobles who enter the navy are mostly children of minor nobles or descended noble families. Few of the truly great nobles are willing to join the navy. Unless, to be a fleet commander or something. Positions such as captains are generally only appreciated by the children of declining nobles.

But for the second mate from a fisherman's family like Morientes, the captain and even the first mate are insurmountable "mountains". Unless, with combat achievements...

The military exploits of the army cannot be compared to the children of common people, because there are too many noble children mixed in the army. The navy is different, because there are relatively few noble children, so part of the military achievements can always be distributed to the civilian children, and the way out is better than the army. However, there are also risks. Once the battleship is sunk, everyone has to finish the game.

It is difficult for people like Morientes who have become second mates to be promoted to first mate and captain under normal circumstances. But if you make a contribution, it is not impossible...

...

So Langton began to encourage Morientes to take this opportunity to do something that would please the Spanish royal family. For example, spreading smallpox to France...

"What? Spreading smallpox? Are you crazy? You will be excommunicated by the Pope!" Hearing the suggestion from his new friend Langton, Morientes shook his head repeatedly. After all, Tolani's lessons are there.

Langton said with some disdain:

"You didn't do it, but the French did. Don't you know that smallpox has been spread in Spain?"

Morientes hesitated:

"Didn't that be done by Tolaini of Venice?"

Langton pretended to be disdainful and said:

"Naive! Tolani is about to die, why did he do this? It's not because there are people behind him who support him to do this!"

"You mean..." Morientes began to make up his mind...

"That's right, it was supported by the French secretly. I heard that Toleni had been contacted by a French envoy before he sent the ship to the mainland of Spain..." Langton whispered pretending to be mysterious.

"You mean... the French ordered this?" Morientes' eyes widened.

"Almost, but no one has evidence, alas..."

Morentus was immediately angry:

"The French are so shameless! If I... well, if I really want to spread smallpox to France, I will be excommunicated if the Holy See finds out..." In the end, Morientes was still persuaded.

But Langton had already prepared a plan for him:

"I heard that you captured many French miners at Mount Vesuvius?"

When the French dug volcanic ash at Mount Vesuvius, they dispatched many laborers from the southern coastal area to dig volcanic ash. After Gonzalo's army occupied Mount Vesuvius, the group was captured by the Spaniards and forced by the Spanish army to dig trenches and repair fortifications. For example, on the island of Capri, the Spaniards expanded the local pier here to dock Spanish warships. The expansion of the pier required hundreds of French workers...

"what do you mean……"

"If you send the smallpox patients in Naples directly to France, you will definitely be criticized. However, if these French workers are infected with smallpox themselves, you will send them back to their hometown without 'knowing'..." Langton Slowly said.

His strategy was to arrange for smallpox patients to come into contact with these French workers on the island, so that these people would be infected with smallpox. Later, Morientes used the "Sanchez" warship to send the group of people back to mainland France in the name of "releasing them to go home and reunite with their relatives." In this way, he can be cleared of the crime of intentionally spreading smallpox to a certain extent...

Of course, it is unlikely to be completely cleared of the crime, but Langton would not tell him this when he was fooling Morientes. Instead, he would try his best to pick the good ones and never mention the bad ones...

Stimulated by the bright prospect of "being promoted to first mate or even captain after meritorious service", Morientes finally lost his head, and under Langton's bewitching, he decided to do this...

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