Page 175 of DATE
“One.”
As Da Vinci pulled the trigger, the explosive roar rang out in an instant—
“Boom!”
“Boom!!”
“Boom!!”
After three shots, the air immediately filled with the smell of gunpowder, and even the ground seemed to tremble slightly.
As the smoke cleared, people cautiously peered out again to see the condition of the old door.
On what appeared to be solid steel, there were three distinct and curling bullet holes, the effect so impressive it left them stunned.
“Powerful enough, and efficient enough,” Hedy turned to look at Lorenzo, who stood a little distance away, and then at the stunned faces of the councilors.
Some of them, after speaking to Da Vinci, cautiously approached to touch the iron plate, even trying to tug at the shattered edges.
It looked like a broken paper bag, yet when they tried to pull at it, it didn’t budge at all.
Is it really that powerful?
After this meeting, the Consular Council held a few more sessions, eventually adopting her suggestion.
Florence began to take a more proactive stance in expanding the mercenary corps and also issued a land reclamation decree.
Moreover, several special officials were dispatched to Pisa, under the guise of diplomats.
The blacksmith shops soon received several orders, and the city's western district began constructing a dedicated weapons manufacturing zone. It was said that it would be completed in two or three years.
At the same time, as these changes took place, rumors began to spread.
People were gossiping about whether the Medici family would repeat history and embark on another round of scandalous politics.
Four hundred years ago, a few noblewomen in Rome, who had become the Pope's mistresses, indirectly came to control theentire papacy. They used their beauty to charm the Pope, and their children went on to become successive Popes, causing the once-unshakable authority of the Church to crumble.
Applying this term to the current lord made it seem somewhat dark and ugly.
He was one of the few lords who had no rumors of illegitimate children and had long been praised for his integrity, authority, and compassion.
As for the young woman who had joined the council, she also appeared to be a devout believer, with no lovers visiting her at all.
Though the rumors seemed absurd and laughable, perhaps it was their absurdity and curiosity that led idle people to entertain such salacious speculations.
But, just as quickly, they disappeared.
Lorenzo, after reviewing the confidential report Cosimo had sent, glanced at Hedy, who was standing by the window, gazing off into the distance, waiting for his response about expanding the military.
“What are you looking at?” he asked indifferently.
Hedy pulled her gaze back and instinctively replied, “I was thinking… that maybe, one day, living on the southern bank of the Arno River, I could take occasional walks at the foot of the Boboli Hills. It might feel quite peaceful.”
She turned to face him, smiling, “Have you made a decision?”
She was completely unaware of the rumors, and no one dared to speak ill of her in her presence.
Lorenzo, without showing any sign, had quietly silenced all of it in the darkness, as if nothing had happened.
