Thirty thousand gold, this price made Saint Peter gasp.
Although the mainstream currency in Rome was silver or copper coins.
But this doesn’t mean that gold is not precious.
On the contrary, for example, the rewards issued by Nero, the Roman emperor, are usually marked with gold.
Its value is imaginable.
Three thousand gold, such a large sum can launch a Crusade.
Even the Eastern Orthodox Church, one of the three major Christian churches, would definitely suffer a major loss if it could gather such a large amount at once.
The Eastern Orthodox Church has a large family and a large business, although thirty thousand gold does not sound like much.
But this is all circulating funds.
In this era when the monarch is responsible for the expenses of everyone under him.
The more you earn, the more manpower you have, and the more you consume every day.
Therefore, Saint Peter could not accept such conditions at all.
“You’re crazy, thirty thousand gold, are you going to hire all the mercenaries in Rome? If we could take out so much gold, would that woman, John XII, still be so arrogant? This is not a negotiation, it’s clearly extortion.”
“Extortion is not as good as negotiation, just say yes or no?”
Ning Cuo’s tone sank, leaving no room for compromise.
The cold words forced the agitated Saint Peter to calm down.
She understood that this man was trying to intimidate her.
How interesting.
He was already calculating how much he could get from her side even though she hadn’t completely joined his forces.
So domineering, no wonder he would destroy the entire Rome in the future.
And be able to build his own kingdom of God on the ruins.
Fortunately, this is a negotiation after all, you open your mouth and I bargain.
Saint Peter took a deep breath, and her crisp voice came again.
“We definitely can’t accept this price, how about ten thousand gold?”
As soon as Saint Peter gave the price, Ning Cuo closed the gold box in his hand without hesitation, locking it.
He showed an indifferent expression.
“Do you think I’m negotiating with you? You only have two options: agree or disagree.”
“Fifteen thousand gold!”
Saint Peter forced herself to speak again, holding back her anger.
“That’s a lot, fifteen thousand gold can hire a strong army in the whole city of Rome! Besides, you can’t spend so much gold at once, can you?!”
“With money, who wouldn’t spend it? If there’s no one in Rome, can’t I find it outside Rome?”
Ning Cuo sneered, weighing the box in his hand.
“You know the situation very well, whether you have the support of the Eastern Orthodox Church or not, it doesn’t really matter to me, it’s just a matter of time and effort.”
“And now I have taken out the papal scepter, you’ve seen it, so things have changed, at worst, if things aren’t going well, I’ll just slip it to Nero, and I can at least live a luxurious and carefree life.”
“And now you either invest gold in the future Pope of Christianity, or you hold your property and wait for the future reckoning.”
“Such a large amount is absolutely impossible to raise... even the emperor of Rome can’t control every noble in Rome and make them take out every single gold coin they have, you understand this.”
Seeing that Saint Peter was about to be cornered, he estimated that it was almost time.
“Twenty-two thousand gold, if you can’t take it out all at once, you can give it to me in batches.”
Ning Cuo’s tone still sounded indifferent, but he issued his final ultimatum.
“Okay.”
The other party was so straightforward that Ning Cuo even doubted if he had quoted a low price.
It’s just that he couldn’t see.
Otherwise, he would know that this generation of Saint Peter sat on the throne of the palace, her chest heaving up and down because of excessive anger, her forehead creased, and the blue veins on her forehead kept popping out.
Her lips trembled slightly, obviously she had made up her mind as soon as she agreed, and she had to barely hold on after exhausting all her strength.
That’s twenty-two thousand gold, converted to Roman silver coins, that’s a full one hundred and ten thousand!
And just by looking at the papal scepter, she had to pay such a painful price.
However, thinking about the things predicted in the prophecy.
Saint Peter felt it was worth it.
After all, this is a gamble that requires all her assets, if she wins, she will naturally gain greater benefits.
“Very well, you made a wise choice.”
Ning Cuo nodded with a smile, flattering her.
He had already taken advantage, there was no need to be unreasonable.
Otherwise, it would seem too stupid.
And who said that a fat sheep can only be shorn once?
After raising her up, can’t I ask for more later?
“I’m waiting for your gold.”
After leaving these words, Ning Cuo didn’t wait for a reply, he turned his horse’s head and rode out.
In the camp outside.
The urgency on Jeanne and Tolere’s faces was almost overflowing.
They rode their horses, holding their weapons and pacing back and forth.
Nero was still sitting in the carriage, her long golden hair flowing like tassels in the sunlight.
Her closed eyes made it impossible to tell what she was thinking.
But the fingers that were hanging on the hilt of the sword kept tapping lightly.
Obviously, her patience wasn’t much.
At this moment, that familiar voice came again.
Ning Cuo, riding the Red Hare, leaped from the mist and returned to the center of the camp.
He also brought an earth-shattering news.
“My dear Majesty, I apologize for keeping you waiting, I have just had a friendly discussion with the Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church on behalf of our Roman Empire.”
“She admitted her recklessness, so she is willing to compensate you with two thousand gold to make amends.”
As soon as these words came out, everyone present exploded.
Those belonging to Nero’s side unconsciously puffed out their chests, smiles of pride on their faces.
Two thousand gold was something any one present could afford.
The value wasn’t very high.
But the meaning behind it was completely different.
This is theocracy kneeling before monarchy.
It can definitely be considered a great victory.
Since the strength of Rome began to weaken.
The so-called Pope has been constantly testing the power of the monarchy.
Ever since Nero ascended the throne.
She has been constantly receiving messages from the so-called messengers of God, asking her to devoutly believe in God.
Otherwise, God would bring down disaster and so on.
It was because of these arrogant words that angered Nero.
So there was that sensational scene where she chased John XII for thousands of miles in Rome.
However, the result of this impulsive action was that she cemented her reputation as a tyrant.
But today, Ning Cuo has done what everyone else failed to do.
He made the Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church apologize to the Roman emperor.
Of course, the large group of knights from the Eastern Orthodox Church couldn’t bear such a situation, but the thing is.
They waited for a while.
Their own Patriarch didn’t say a word, obviously acknowledging this fact.
Those who could enter the knight family of the church were not lacking in brains.
They couldn’t really draw their swords and fight against the current Roman emperor and her knight order, could they?
And what about Ning Cuo?
He didn’t care at all, after all, he got the things, so naturally he would distribute them as he pleased.
He took out a small part to make up for Nero’s lost face.
Not only could he further refresh her favorability towards him.
He could also further promote his abilities.
Which emperor wouldn’t like a loyal, powerful, and capable minister?
Keep refreshing her favorability like this.
Then wouldn’t it be easier for me to use Nero later?
This is a win-win-win situation.
Ning Cuo won twice, Nero won once.
Everyone has a bright future.
If the Eastern Orthodox Church has any complaints?
How many legions do they have under their command?
How many rounds can they fight against Nero?
If you don’t have the strength, then just endure it.
“I did not misjudge you, very good, Ning Cuo, I will naturally have other rewards for this.”
Nero was beaming, she didn’t say anything to break it.
Of course, she also guessed that Ning Cuo must have obtained some other benefits.
However, Nero didn’t care, and even granted more.
If you can accomplish such a thing, why not take a little more?
“Thank you, my dear Majesty, but can these rewards be exchanged for a batch of supplies, such as food or seeds, or if not, wood or stone can also be accepted.”
Taking advantage of Nero’s happiness, Ning Cuo also quickly spoke, now that he has gained so much gold.
Nero’s financial rewards are no longer important.
But he has quarreled with the big nobles and merchants, and he needs to spend more money to buy enough supplies to develop the entire territory.
Although he has a lot of money, Ning Cuo didn’t want to feed it to these wolves.
But it’s different if Nero comes forward, the emperor issues a decree.
Do you dare to hide anything, you don’t want your head anymore?
Moreover, Saint Peter’s message also means that Ning Cuo’s future situation will be worse.
John XII is a smart person.
Although Ning Cuo is not loyal enough to the Catholic Church.
But he’s a landmark figure in the Roman court.
Directly dismissing him, let alone Nero’s reaction.
Isn’t that slapping her own face?
But in order to maintain her authority, she will definitely put a lot of obstacles in Ning Cuo’s way.
Therefore, the development of the territory must be accelerated.
To deal with the future situation.