The sky is getting dark. The lights are bright in the west area of the Malacca Harbor, where the Francois gather. In the evening, the west area is the busiest time. There are officers and soldiers, priests, officials at all levels of the port, and clerks.
They can all take off their disguises under the cover of night and return to their true nature.
The taverns, brothels and casinos in the West District were all overcrowded at this time. There were even more dances in the homes of nobles with higher official positions and higher status. Recently, the most popular bullfighting dance from France spread to the port and is becoming popular.
The sound of the organ came from time to time, and laughter and joy came from the castle and mansion, frivolous and wild.
A dozen knights escorted the two carriages through the brightly lit streets, passing through the laughter and joy coming from the taverns and brothels, and headed straight up the mountain road to the luxurious manor on the top of the mountain.
Goya leaned on the car seat with squinted eyes, wearing a long black trench coat and holding a cane in his hand. He was very familiar with this road. He had gone to Almeida's castle countless times to discuss various matters with him. But recently, he
, every time he went to this castle, his mood became worse and worse. Once he saw Almeida, his guilt deepened.
When he was down and out, it was Almeida who helped him and recommended him to come to Malacca. Later, he became the governor of Malacca, and he was very proud and proud. Goya also praised Almeida countless times.
Expressing his gratitude, he was indeed grateful from the bottom of his heart.
However, he had to make a choice.
As early as a few months ago, Goya received a personal letter from Prince William. The content of the letter was actually very simple. Prince William said that during the meeting, the nobles felt that the revenue from the Malacca Port did not meet expectations, and they all expressed their opinions.
They were dissatisfied. Therefore, the nobles proposed that it was necessary to change the position of governor.
Prince William wrote that he was considering the suggestions of the nobles. If he decided to do so, he would make suggestions to the king and adjust the selection of Governor of Malacca. The reason why he wrote to him was that he did not want to let him go.
Wu Ya felt suddenly and hoped that he would be mentally prepared.
The person who came to deliver the message was Alfonso who came secretly.
When he received this letter, Goya felt as if the sky was about to fall. He finally got here today. If the governorship was removed, he would have nothing. Although he had accumulated a lot of wealth and connections, if they were gone,
In the lucrative position of Governor of Malacca, the connections will be dispersed and the wealth will not be preserved. A rich man without power is like a child walking on a street full of robbers with a priceless gem in his arms.
explain.
Goya's first thought was to discuss with Almeida and ask him to find a way for him. However, he was stopped by Alfonso.
"Master Governor, do you want to go to your good friend Commander Almeida to find a solution? Then you are really stupid. Almeida himself cannot protect himself. The affairs of the Ming Empire have made all the adults in the country dissatisfied. The Ming Empire
After destroying our fleet in Tuen Mun, he stood still, saying that the time had not come yet and was perfunctory.
The king and prince should be held accountable. This is a cowardly move and a fear of the enemy. His behavior has seriously damaged the interests and reputation of our Francois. Prince William is already considering removing him from the post of commander-in-chief of the Eastern Fleet. So.
, Mr. Governor. If you go to him, not only will he not be able to save you, but he will actually harm you."
Governor Goya was astonished. Almeida had a straightforward temperament and although her reputation in the country was high, it did arouse the dissatisfaction of many people. As far as Goya knew, several nobles had publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with Almeida and requested her removal.
His position as Commander-in-Chief.
But what Goya didn't expect was that the matter had reached such a stage. Even Prince William had decided to remove him from his post as commander-in-chief of the Eastern Fleet. If this is the case, it means that the forces opposing Almeida have taken over.
If we have the upper hand, this incident may be inevitable.
"Governor Goya, I know it's not easy for you today. It's unfair for them to treat you like this. However, there is still room for maneuver in your matter. Prince William thinks you are still very capable, but you and Almeida left.
Too close, which is exactly what Prince William is unhappy about
.If you can prove your loyalty to Prince William, then not only can you keep your position as governor, but there will also be a higher position waiting for you in the future. Otherwise, what is waiting for you is to be dismissed, return to the country, and everything you have
Everything will be taken away from you. You will have nothing.”
Alfonso's words still ring in his ears, and Governor Goya clearly remembers Alfonso's smile at that time, which made people shudder.
He surrendered and accepted Alfonso's message from Prince William, asking him to secretly collect Almeida's remarks and evidence of disrespect for the king. He should always pay attention to Almeida's movements and report them to Prince William.
Since then, Governor Goya has sold his conscience to the devil. He is always collecting some of Almeida's outrageous remarks. When drinking with Almeida, he also tempted him to say some bad words.
Immediately after the defeat in the Battle of Almeida, Goya reported the news of the failure back to the country. Finally, with the acquiescence of the king, Alfonso came to take over the position of commander-in-chief. He secretly assisted Alfonso
Suo took control of the situation.
As for the marriage between Catherine and Alfonso, that was a request made by Alfonso after seeing Catherine. Goya could not refuse, although he knew that it would be unfair to Catherine and Alfonso was by no means a good match for Catherine.
But he still agreed. One was because Alfonso could not offend, and the other was because he wanted to use this relationship to tightly bind Alfonso and Prince William.
The shame of his youth was that his beautiful wife abandoned him and the three-year-old Catherine and ran away with Marquis Campbell because she disliked his low status. Governor Goya would always remember that afternoon when he stood in the house holding Catherine who was crying for her mother.
On the boulevard in front of her, she watched helplessly as the woman got into the Marquis's carriage and drove away. She didn't even look back at her daughter.
From then on, Goya vowed to take revenge. No matter what method he used, he would climb up. Then he would make the woman kneel in front of him and beg for mercy, humiliating her severely. He would take her back and then abandon her.
.Let her live on the street, let her beg like a pig or a dog. In order to achieve such a revenge goal, if the right path cannot be achieved, why not sell your conscience to the devil, make a deal with the devil, and sell your soul.
The night wind blew, and the trees on the hillside roared. Goya felt a chill and tightened his coat. He turned his head and looked at the carriage behind him. Catherine's petite figure was sitting alone on the carriage, looking pitiful and helpless.
Woya's heart ached a little.
Catherine is a well-behaved daughter, and she feels very guilty for her. However, marrying Alfonso is not a bad thing for her. Maybe she is dissatisfied now, but she will understand her painstaking efforts in the future. Women are all vain.
. If she is unlucky and she marries an ordinary person, she will spend every day
Worrying about her livelihood, how long can she live like that? Maybe in the future, like her mother, she will be seduced and abandon her husband and children. In that case, she will be even more angry and sad.
It's better to force her now and let her live a life of fine clothes and fine food for the rest of her life.
The mountain road ahead turned, and the dark shadow of a tall manor stood there in the distance.
The lights used to be bright here, and the castle was even taller and more glorious at night. People came and went. But now, it's dark here, like a prison.
Yes, this is actually a prison. Almeida has been locked up here for many days, and his castle has become his prison.
"This is what happens after offending Prince William. I can't be the same as him." Goya warned himself in his heart.
"Your Majesty the Governor, we are here!" the cavalry retinue reported.
Goya nodded, ordered the coachman to stop, tightened his dress coat, and jumped out of the carriage. Behind him, Catherine also got off the carriage with the help of the maid who accompanied her.
Goya glanced at her and walked towards the closed gate of the manor.