immortal person

It was dusk outside the window, and the butler lit the white candles on the candelabra one by one, and replaced the silver plate full of empty cups on the round table.Lorenzo took a sip of the wine in his glass, and pressed the cold wall of the glass to his forehead: "What else is there?"

Sleepiness was inevitable in his eyes.Early this morning, representatives of the bankers union came to the gate of the Medici Palace and invited him to assist in arbitrating disputes between merchants. "Who can have more authority than you?" they said; And, the municipal group has called him to participate in the formulation of the tax plan for the next year: "This is your job." After noon, the manager of the branch of the Medici family in Urbino has sat down. In his living room, he had a thick roll of ledgers piled up in his hands. As he expected, all the reports were not optimistic.After sunset in the evening, Lorenzo pushed open the door of the study room, and the scholars stood up from the slum by the fireside in unison, each with the same dignified expression on their faces.

"Well," he sighed, smiling, "been waiting, gentlemen."

This conversation continued throughout the night.During the pause in the middle, Poliziano timely handed him a glass of chilled wine, which revived his heart. Lorenzo pressed his eyes and smiled at everyone, signaling that he was ready again.The elder philosopher Ferdino came out first, and he collected a considerable number of precious manuscripts, which have been moved into the library in the palace. Although the cost is high, he guarantees that these ancient manuscripts will definitely be worth the price. value.Pico then added that the scribes serving the family are on call at all times, and their efforts will prevent these treasures from becoming orphaned copies. However, there are too many ancient books, and perhaps some additional manpower is needed. What graduates need is not a small sum.The collection and protection of ancient manuscripts by the Medici family started a long journey from the time of his grandfather, and Lorenzo himself was also very interested in it.He has always been not stingy about this expense, but the complexion of the bookkeeper standing beside him has gradually turned from blue to white.The five bachelors reported on their recent work one by one, and Lorenzo thanked them for their loyal service to the family.Then, he turned his eyes to Poliziano: "My friend, I hope you bring me good news."

"I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you." Poliziano shook his head.

He is responsible for the construction of the "school".Recreating Plato's Academy in Florence, spreading the glory of the classical age, and allowing free flow and exchange of ideas, this is the cause that Lorenzo's grandfather and he are committed to accomplish together.As early as a year ago, he and the bachelors in the palace began to plan for this, traveling to various places in Tuscany to find suitable properties for establishing a school.Lorenzo's plan was to establish at least ten decent universities in the district—knowledge, which is more valuable than the loom of a woolworker.However, his proposal did not receive the support of the majority in the city hall. Representatives of the Pazzi family mercilessly dismissed his idea as a "naive imagination", believing that the funding would be worthless and would only mean further increase in taxes.

"Of course, if you are willing to invest independently, I believe everyone here will be happy to witness the completion of the Garden of Eden." Francois Pazzi said.

"We all know he's just targeting you," Poliziano frowned. "Everyone knows that he has been jealous of your status for a long time. Sorry, I couldn't convince him."

Lorenzo shook his head: "You have done a good job. What he said is not entirely wrong. The current tax system is indeed onerous enough."

He pressed the silver cup to his lips, and thought for a while: "I will personally deal with this matter. Next one."

"I'm afraid this news is even worse." Poliziano looked around at the crowd, and they also stared at him closely, with increasingly serious expressions."We have a letter from our friend in Rome who thinks there are enough indications that the Pope will marry the Pazzi family in the near future," Poliziano said.

Ferdino took a low breath.All the staff members looked at each other, with uneasiness and worry on their faces.

Nearly ten years ago, during the last change of the Holy See, Medici did not choose to support the current Sixtus IV. This wrong decision paved the way for the current disaster.As the two most powerful and wealthy families in the city, the grievances between Pazzi and Medici can be traced back to 50 years ago.There cannot be two lions in a city. The existence of both sides is an obstacle to each other. Conspiracy, lynching and even murder are the methods used by the two families to deal with disputes when Lorenzo's grandfather was in power. eliminate.Now the alliance between the two who are on the opposite side will not only affect the family's business in Rome, but also endanger the foundation of Florence.

"How long do you think our pope will last?" Lorenzo said.

Mirandola replied: "I heard that Pope Sixtus IV has become as strong as an old lion recently. All his enemies are worried that the Holy See will not usher in a change in ten years."

"Moreover," Poliziano added, "the one who will marry Pazzi is the Pope's most beloved youngest son, and the Holy Father is eagerly seeking a fief for him, which will of course require a lot of money to seal the joint. Ours The Roma manager said that this year Sancu has not been able to make ends meet, and that may be why they are re-focusing on us..."

"Haven't we been loyal friends of the Holy See for many years?" Someone said angrily, "Alum Mine! Shrine of Merit! Account books of the Holy Shrine for the past 20 years! We have worked diligently for Rome..."

"The Knights Templar were also loyal subordinates of the Holy See." Mirandola said, "However, think about their end! For their property and territory..."

Poliziano continued: "Clement V banned the Knights and executed their leader."

Lorenzo raised his left hand and broke off the conversation.

What other means can the Holy See obtain a large amount of income overnight?Like declaring someone an apostate, excommunicating him and his family, and legally confiscating their property—if the family happens to be wealthy, all the better.Every cardinal will be rich from it.

The day's running and chores have made Lorenzo quite tired, and this incident is undoubtedly the worst news he has heard today.He pressed the center of his eyebrows, and everyone present held their breaths waiting for his decision.There was never much time left for him to be silent.

Lorenzo closed his eyes, and when he looked at the crowd again, the anxiety and depression had been swept away from his eyes.He got up and took the cloak from the butler's arm, and smiled: "I see. Please be safe, everyone."

"What are you going to do?" Ficino asked.

"I remember that the Academy has not yet chosen a site in Rome, has it? I'll go there and see for myself."

Lorenzo blinked at everyone, and the staff immediately understood.The Duke nodded, showing his usual smile, kind and relaxed. This young and handsome face has always been quite deceptive, making people think that he is a young man who grew up in a honeypot and has never experienced The taste of trouble.As always, his smile succeeded in reassuring everyone, Lorenzo put on his cloak, and the butler opened the door for him.Poliziano stopped him: "Your Highness."

Lorenzo looked back.Poliziano spoke quickly: "Let me go with you, please. This is not an ordinary journey, and I fear..."

"The palace needs you more, my friend." Lorenzo cut him off.He paused for a moment, then smiled again: "Don't worry about me. Compared to Hercules' [-] deeds before he became a god, this is nothing more than an insignificant annoyance."

He waved to him, and Poliziano was silent, watching him turn and leave.The carriage to Rome is already waiting in front of the palace gate, like a dormant black iron giant.The white horse raised its feet and neighed, dust was flying, and the scarlet cloak was raised behind the duke like a military banner.

"Do you know what the Duke is up to these days?"

For five days, Giovanni failed to see Lorenzo at the palace.In his original imagination, one of the meanings of moving into the Medici Palace should be to see the Duke more frequently, at least to say hello to him every day.In fact, the Duke left early and returned late, and spent most of his stay in the palace in the study, and seldom had meals in the banquet hall.He is the master of the palace, but he lives like a ghost in the palace. Giovanni doubts whether he has time to admire his precious collections.Only he and a few other family protégés roamed the corridors of the collection every day, and occasionally one or two bachelors, but they never saw the Duke himself.Affable maesters, they took great interest in his work and often lingered behind his workbench.Poliziano even spends several hours every day teaching his grammar. He is a cheerful and enthusiastic young man, but for some reason, he has been a little frowning these days.

On the afternoon of the sixth day, Giovanni finally couldn't help asking him where Lorenzo was going.Hearing his question, Poliziano seemed to be taken aback for a moment, and then quickly replied: "Ah, the Duke left for Rome a few days ago. You know that he attaches great importance to the construction of the academy. Rome founded the School of Philosophy."

Three generations of the Medici family valued the revival of Greek pagan philosophy, and Lorenzo was known as the "Philosopher-Prince", which he knew.But Giovanni did not trust this answer, perhaps because Poliziano did not look at him when he answered, but blinked awkwardly.

The artist's habit made Giovanni used to observe others, and he was very sensitive to people's subtle expressions and movements. Few people could hide from his eyes when lying, and this time was no exception.Giovanni nodded, knowing that this was something he shouldn't ask, although he was puzzled, he didn't choose to ask any more.

Compared with these, the troubles in front of him troubled him more.His talent in painting and sculpture has long been affirmed by his teachers, but he is not so handy in the use of grammar.Poliziano was an easygoing friend and a strict teacher, with high expectations and relentless criticism.He encountered little difficulty in reading, but often stumbled in writing.In addition, there are no shortage of tasks assigned to him by Bertoldo every day.This makes the teenager suffer from physical and mental work every day.

Poliziano said that what Lorenzo needed was an artist. Is this how the Medici family cultivated an artist?But he did feel his progress more and more clearly, like an iron sword being tempered, becoming more pure and sharp after removing impurities.Although the family has high demands on him, the treatment given to him is enough to make all the apprentices envious.He can receive a few florins from the steward as pocket money every week, and Bertoldo promised him that if he can independently complete a work that satisfies Lorenzo, the bounty he will get will definitely exceed his expectations.

Apart from the bedrooms of a few family members, the Medici Palace was completely open to him.This famous mansion in China was a masterpiece built by Michelozzo decades ago. Not only the exterior is gorgeous and complicated, but the interior structure and decoration are also amazing.Whenever he had free time, Giovanni would walk around the palace. At first, he hoped to meet Lorenzo somewhere. After learning that the Duke would be away for a long time, he began to simply admire this beautiful building. .

On this day, he discovered a room he had never visited before.It is adjacent to Lorenzo's wardrobe, but it is not as carefully decorated as other suites, but a lot of sundries are piled up.In the dimly lit room, eight portraits of women are neatly displayed.

Giovanni bent down to observe carefully. The paintings were very new, the oil paints were still bright, and the brush strokes were delicate and vivid, not ordinary people's handwriting. He even saw the usual traces of Leonardo in one of them.However, judging from the fine dust deposited around the frames, it is obvious that they have been left unattended for a long time, which is not the usual attitude of the Medici family towards artworks.They are all quite orthodox frontal portraits, with luxuriously dressed girls sitting in the frame, with their hands folded on their knees, each of them has a different face, but they all have the same demeanor, making it difficult to trace the trace of the author.

He got up and looked around.Why are these paintings piled up in the utility room?Is it a recent acquisition, but forgotten?He walked around the portraits, but still found nothing.

"What are you doing, Joe?"

Giovanni looked up, and Poliziano waved to him from outside the door: "I found the article I mentioned to you yesterday, come with me, let's continue."

He waved an ancient manuscript in his hand.Giovanni walked quickly to his side, Poliziano embraced him, and noticed the portraits in the room at a glance: "Did you just look at these?"

"Yes."

"Does it look good?"

Giovanni saw that Poliziano suddenly showed a narrow smile, which was not common on his usual steady face.What is so special about them?Giovanni was about to speak, but Poliziano patted him on the shoulder and pulled him out of the room: "Don't look, I will take you to the library to read some really good things next time. Come on, let's start Review yesterday's content..."

"The wisdom of the sages is contained in the words" - this is a sentence repeated by grammar teachers countless times in Giovanni's early years.Under the tutelage of Poliziano, he read all of Plato's works translated by Ficino into Latin. This was the first time he really became interested in pagan philosophical classics.However, actually using a language is far more difficult than reading it, and the cumbersome grammar and declinations of ancient languages ​​often overwhelm him.Poliziano never frowned on his mistakes, but Giovanni couldn't avoid self-blame and guilt.Poliziano also noticed his embarrassment and tried to enlighten him:

"Don't worry," he said to Giovanni, "we're talking about poetry, and good poetry is never the product of intention. Think about it, is there any moment in your life that makes you feel special? Because Feeling utterly happy or terribly sad about something—is there any?"

The first picture that came to Giovanni's mind was the scene where he received the book from Lorenzo.

“Or because of someone,” Poliziano said, “someone—someone you want to write poetry about.”

Then, he noticed that the boy's face was red.

Young people are always extremely sensitive when talking about such topics, and it seems that this usually calm boy in front of him is no exception.Poliziano smiled happily: "I know what you are thinking. In fact, this person may not necessarily be a lover, but may be a dependable friend, or a parent and brother who selflessly embraced you. Everyone who makes you Anyone who feels the shock can."

"I have arrangements later, why don't you come here today." The young scholar glanced at the wall clock, "By the way, Joe, do you want to go out for a walk?"

Giovanni nodded.Poliziano said: "I heard that Bertoldo intends for you to complete a work independently in the near future. Why don't you go to the quarry in the south and pick a stone you like?"

Giovanni's eyes shone for a moment.Poliziano couldn't help but laugh: "Now I understand what you are really interested in. Let's go, boy, the weather is fine today."