Aztec Eternals

At the end of December 1488, thirty-five thousand miles to the east, the Kingdom of Portugal, the port of Lisbon.

Thousands of sails are erected, and masts form forests. Hundreds of merchant ships of various colors docked here, and dozens of flags of commercial city-states fluttered on the bows of the ships. Dark-skinned coolies loaded and unloaded goods, exquisite carriages carried nobles, and the market at the port was full of merchants. Here, it is one of the most important trading ports in Western Europe, and it is also a trade node linking the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

As the Kingdom of Portugal established a series of castles and strongholds along the coast of West Africa, spices, gold, silver, ivory, and slaves from the southern continent were continuously transported by the powerful Kingdom fleet to this ancient seaside city. , into the most exuberant vitality.

Thirty-five years ago, when the powerful Ottomans captured Constantinople and completely cut off the Silk and Spice Road between the East and the West, the port of Lisbon became the only stable spice port in the Catholic world. Even though, the spices that can be provided here are just a drop in the bucket compared to the huge demand of the God world.

Among the many spices, the nobles and bishops of the Catholic world prefer pepper the most. Pepper has been an important culinary spice since ancient Roman times. In medieval medicine, it was also an extremely important medical medicinal material. The priests of the church, together with the doctors of the college, believed that pepper could cure all pains, swellings, inflammations, invasions of evil spirits... and impossibility of intercourse.

In addition, in this era of plague, pepper, cloves and cinnamon are also used to prevent plague, and use their special aroma to resist the "rotten gas" in the air. And this remarkable recognition was even recognized by the Pope of Rome.

Therefore, the spices from the southern continent make the port of Lisbon so special and important. The large number of gold coins minted by the Kingdom of Portugal also made the commodity trade here more prosperous. The port of Lisbon in this era is full of vigor and vitality!

At this moment, the head of the Portuguese royal family, Captain Bartolomeu Dias, is standing on the port of Lisbon, looking at this vibrant seaside city. After 16 months of difficult sailing, he finally returned to Lisbon and set foot on the land of his native country.

"O merciful Lord! Thank you for your generous gifts! Praise you, for giving your devout believers to cross thousands of miles of waves and return to the kingdom of God with the good news of the Eastern Seaway! Ah! Since the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the first Before Christmas in 1488, we finally returned home!."

Captain Dias closed his eyes, clutched the silver cross around his neck, and prayed in a low voice. Before he knew it, the corners of his eyes became moist.

The bright sun, falling from the sky on the coast, fell into his heart like the merciful gaze of the Lord. During this long voyage, he has experienced the land of the devil, the sky full of waves, potential rebellion, the discovery of a new sea route, and the slaughter on the way back. Now, he finally returns, with the discovery that changed the world, and also with death. After the feat of conferring a saint, he returned successfully!

". Praise the Lord!"

Behind Dias, the new captain Bruno bowed his head, trying to pray, try to be pious, and try to shed tears. The return journey from Cape Storm took nine months, and again through terrible seas that cost dozens of sailors. On the long return journey, Captain Dias, who had always been strict, also relaxed the discipline of the fleet and allowed the sailors to go ashore to plunder. It's like the owner of a vicious dog loosens the chain in his hand, and the wolf dogs salivate and swarm up fiercely.

Walking across the desolate coast of Namibia, there are villages along the coast of the Congo. The sailors swung their scimitars and hacked to death the weak indigenous tribes. On their dark bodies, they vented their desire and pressure, and even searched for property in the village. After several times of plundering, all the sailors gained a lot. Their accumulated dissatisfaction and resentment towards the captain's forced exploration was finally replaced by instinctive awe and obedience.

When they arrived at Elmina Castle, after repairs, five caravel sailing ships, loaded with gold, silver and spices from the southern continent, joined the returning fleet under the escort of Portuguese soldiers. With the joining of soldiers from the kingdom, the wolfhounds were chained, and the last part of the voyage was without any ups and downs.

"Well, there are more and more caravans from the commercial city-state in the port! Which one should I trade the gold, silver, ivory and spices I got this time?"

Bruno prayed hard while looking around. As the captain, it is naturally impossible to return empty-handed. In fact, according to the sea rules, the official captain can monopolize 10% to 20% of the spoils, while the pirate captain usually only has four to five ordinary sailors' income. Well, the difference brought about by official power endorsement is still obvious. As for the booty that was snatched privately, it would definitely not go from the kingdom's caravan, but would go to the city-state merchant group with a higher price.

"Praise the Lord! After selling the spoils this time, you can probably buy a knight's manor on the outskirts of Lisbon, um, the kind with a windmill!"

Bruno prayed devoutly, his eyes turned, looking for potential buyers. The kingdom's ports are so prosperous and full of riches. And the opportunities brought by the great voyage are enough for the illegitimate son of a down-and-out nobleman to completely change the fate of the poor.

"Portugal's Southern Fleet. This cabin is full of goods with ten times the profit!"

A Jewish businessman wearing a round cap stood dozens of steps away from the military port, looking for possible sellers. With greedy eyes, he looked at the Portuguese fleet that would have a deep draft. Afterwards, his shrewd gaze stayed for a moment on the two caravel sailboats full of repair marks, thinking deeply. Then, he looked at Captain Dias who would stand in front of the crowd and pray devoutly. He frowned uncomfortably and lowered his head to avoid looking at him.

"The devout nobles are all brutal butchers in Hell!"

The Jewish businessman Eleazar cursed in his heart, carrying an indelible fear, which was the shadow of countless times his compatriots were killed. Finally, he saw Bruno in the captain's costume. After observing for a while, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Ah!. This is?. The smell of the devil and riches"

After a while, Eleazar stretched out his hand, patted the shoulder of the Slavic entourage, and ordered in a low voice.

"Go, go to the warehouse of the business group, and bring two bottles of wine! Prepare some exquisite snacks, I want to invite important guests"

"Yes, my lord."

The Slav follower nodded foolishly. Then, he scratched his beard and asked in confusion.

"Wine? Which one? Well, the Bordeaux one, or the Jurançon one?"

"You idiot!"

Hearing what the entourage said, Eleazar was suddenly furious, and even the goat's beard trembled with anger.

"Who asked you to get expensive Aquitaine red wine? Bring me Aragonese Catalan red wine! Remember, add 40% water and add some grape juice!"

"Yes! Listen to you, my lord."

The Slavic entourage immediately turned around and walked towards the Jewish business group at the port. But Eleazar's voice came again, with pain in his tone.

"Today's guests are indeed more important. Forget it, let's exchange 20% no, 20% water!"

"Yes! Mr. President."

The Slavic entourage nodded heavily, paused, and strode away again. Eleazar watched for a while, then turned his gaze back. Eyes gleamed. New business opportunities are just around the corner!

Right in front of you, the pious Captain Dias has finished his prayers. He turned his head and gave some earnest instructions to the other captains, who also nodded respectfully and swore by crossing themselves.

Then, Captain Dias straightened his spine, rode on the Lusitano horse (Lusitano) brought by the soldiers of the kingdom, and rode away under the guidance of two court knights and more than a dozen knight attendants. Without stopping, he rushed to the Sintra Palace fifty miles to the north. There, the wise and wise King Joao II was sitting on the throne, waiting for his loyal royal steward.