The night was deep, and a veil of darkness shrouded the Venice Lagoon. Boats came and went on the lake, fishing lights flickered, and crowds surged on land, making it very lively. Everything in Venice seemed to be flaunting the prosperity of this thousand-year-old water city. Tonight, the Dodge's Palace was exceptionally brightly lit.
Accompanied by a group of Venice officials, Governor Donato personally received the state letter from the Papal States.
The Papal States delegation had been attacked and detained in Venice for several days. After being rescued, it took them a few more hours to leisurely present the state letter.
Donato originally thought it was nothing important, just like usual, but upon opening the envelope, Donato was completely stunned: it was actually a declaration of war, listing several alleged crimes of Venice and announcing the time when the state of war would begin. Looking closely, it was today.
Donato trembled with rage, suppressing his anger, and slammed the declaration of war onto the table, asking in disbelief, "Your Excellency, envoy of the Papal States, what is the meaning of this?"
As an illegitimate son of a minor noble with no right of inheritance, Diego urgently needed to establish a reputation to maintain his noble status. However, since he was frail from a young age and unable to join the army, he entered the diplomatic department. But in a diplomatic department filled with prestigious families, it was difficult for a minor noble's illegitimate son like himself to achieve anything. This time, thankfully, it wasn't as popular, and Diego exerted great effort to secure the task of delivering the state letter to Venice.
Upon arriving in Venice and being detained by the "anti-Papal States forces in Venice," Diego was informed that this state letter was actually a declaration of war, and he, as the one delivering this letter, naturally became the envoy declaring war on Venice. Although he didn't know why the Pope wanted to declare war on Venice, at that moment, Diego clearly realized that his true opportunity had arrived!
Facing the questioning of the Doge of Venice and the gaze of dozens of Venice officials, Diego said dismissively, "Isn't the meaning above clear enough? The Papal States has declared war on Venice!"
As soon as these words were uttered, all the Venice officials present were greatly alarmed. A hot-tempered member of the Council immediately sprang from his chair and cursed, "You scoundrel! We kindly joined the coalition to help you fight the Ottoman, and you don't go fight the Ottoman, why are you declaring war on us?!"
Diego had already done his homework these past few days and argued without changing his expression, "Stop deceiving yourselves! Who doesn't know that you in Venice always act only for profit! Don't think we don't know your intentions for joining the coalition. Not only did you extort a large sum of money, and the conditions for participation were harsh, but you also secretly colluded with the Ottoman to profit from both sides. The unit sent under Pisani did nothing useful, constantly stirring up trouble and undermining the unity of the coalition! Is this what you call kindness?"
Donato could no longer suppress the anger in his heart: "You are slandering us! Weren't the conditions for our participation all proposed by your Pope himself? As for our collusion with the Ottoman, that is even more baseless! Pisani…"
Upon mentioning Pisani, Donato's heart sank, and an ominous premonition rose from the bottom of his heart: "What have you done to our Navy that we sent?"
"You Venice people detained me for so many days, how would I know? All the information I have about Pisani is from before I set off. Now that war has been declared, your reinforcements as former allies have probably been sent back."
Diego was not intentionally deceiving, but genuinely did not know. Although it was false that he received no outside news during his detention, Diego had indeed not received any news about the recent situation of Pisani and his Navy.
Donato looked again to confirm the time on the declaration of war and rebuked, "On your declaration of war, the time for the start of the state of war is today! Yet the declaration of war was only delivered today. What is the difference between this and declaring war without warning?!"
What? The start time is today? Diego was secretly surprised. This was also something he didn't know, but he quickly reacted: "The failure of the declaration of war to be delivered on time was entirely due to the wanton actions of the anti-Papal States forces in your country, who attacked and detained the Papal States delegation. The responsibility lies with you, not with us!"
"You…" Donato was so angry he couldn't speak. Not knowing the true identity of the people who kidnapped the Papal States delegation, Donato was now unable to express his grievances.
"More talk is useless. Since the Papal States wants to fight, then we will fight to the end. We should prepare for battle as soon as possible! I am willing to lead the entire Venice Navy to a decisive battle with the Papal States!"
Veronese, the main general of Venice, had always been dissatisfied with Venice's alliance with the Papal States. Now that the Papal States had actively declared war on Venice, all the pro-Papal States factions fell silent, and others had not yet reacted. This was undoubtedly the best time for him to volunteer.
Donato nodded slightly, then turned to Diego and said through gritted teeth, "Go back and tell Augustus that since he has decided to be an enemy of Venice, he should prepare for a complete defeat. I will wash away the crimes he has pinned on us with your blood!"
"I will deliver the message." Seeing that Donato wanted him to leave, Diego scoffed and strode away without looking back.
"General Veronese has offered to serve as the naval commander to meet the enemy. What do you think? Let's vote." Donato directly changed his address, which was equivalent to stating his position and sending a signal.
"I agree."
"I also agree."
Veronese's supporters vied to express their support, while the opponents remained silent, and the neutrals were happy to do a favor.
"Good, then it's settled. Without further ado, Veronese, go prepare now. We and the Papal States are now in a state of war, and the Papal States could attack at any time. The Papal States had long planned this, and Pisani's Navy is likely to be in dire straits. The only Navy we can rely on is what we have here."
With the outbreak of war, the Governor's power suddenly grew much greater. Donato commanded in an unquestionable tone: "Giorgione, you will immediately send envoys to our friendly nations and neighboring countries to seek assistance, explain the situation, denounce the atrocities of the Papal States, and make promises. As long as they are willing to participate in the war, money is not an issue, and conquering the Papal States' territory is also not an issue. They will certainly not stand by and do nothing. Depart tonight.
Furthermore, immediately order all Venice units and notify all local garrisons that the Papal States has declared war on us, and everyone is to prepare for battle."
"Your Excellency the Governor, there is a man outside who wishes to see you. He claims to be Pisani and says he has very important information to report. He appears to be severely wounded." The soldier who came to report had not seen Pisani before, but knew who Pisani was and what his return at this time meant, which was why he rushed in to announce it.
"What? Pisani? Let him in quickly!"
After escaping from the Papal States, Pisani rushed north, crossed the border, and returned to Verona, informing the city's commander of the situation and telling him to prepare for battle. He then found a boat and hurried back day and night.