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"So soon?" Rucellai spread out a map on the long table, his expression growing more serious. "What are you implying?"
"Do you remember our previous discussions about Africa and the Americas?" Hedy spoke more quickly now. "Our initial planwas to focus on establishing stable connections with China and external trade before gradually expanding exploration, but now, I personally feel this cannot be delayed any longer."
She couldn’t confirm how many fleets the Spanish had sent or whether they would accidentally stumble upon anything.
Some matters, if not dealt with proactively, would become incredibly difficult later on.
"I think I understand your point—" Rucellai hesitated. "But if we send a fleet to the Americas now, there may be no issue with the coordination of ships and personnel. However, the crews can't stay behind to help cultivate the land or guard the forts."
Most of the young men in the country were already involved in industrial and commercial development. Forcing them to go to an unfamiliar land for colonization was entirely impossible.
Hedy's mind went blank for a few seconds as she realized their population wasn't enough to bear this extra burden.
Defense, agriculture, commerce, industry—everywhere needed people.
Though the medieval period had a high birth rate, it also had a high death rate.
"Prisons," she murmured. "How many people do we still have locked up?"
"Are you suggesting...?" Rucellai, the minister, was stunned. "You want to exile the guards and prisoners?!"
"Not exile, send them," Hedy said in a low voice. "They can stay there for the long term, or they can choose to reduce their sentences through labor."
Italy had experienced war and rebellion in the past few years, and both war criminals and regular offenders had been imprisoned.
Sending them to the new lands could save a great deal of money.
"I understand," Rucellai said, rubbing his forehead. "I'll inform the Parliament as soon as possible."
"Make it quick," Hedy took a deep breath. "I don’t think Spain will show much mercy toward those black slaves."
Once they had exhausted the labor value of those slaves, Spain’s capital market would receive a terrifying influx of starting funds. The subsequent industrial revolution and arms race could not be underestimated.
She had to solve these problems before Isabella did.
The English stayed in Florence for a month before finally leaving, each of them appearing as if they had just undergone an examination—tired and half-asleep.
They had signed a comprehensive and thorough Treaty of Florence with Italy, officially launching a decade-long collaboration between the two countries. During this time, both nations would cooperate on academic research and other projects, providing mutual assistance on various matters.
Henry VII and Leonardo had several talks, and when they left, there was a new resolve in Henry's eyes.
With the arrival of the March equinox, news came from the Oracle.
— After returning, Henry VII began disbanding many noble private armies and instituted a system for recruiting mercenaries.
It was as if he had become a different person—his actions were now swift and decisive, and he showed no mercy to certain old men.
In just a few months, dozens of elderly nobles were tried and punished for "treason." Not only were their lands confiscated, but their wealth and titles were also stripped away.
The purge had come a bit late, but it caused a great deal of uproar and panic.
The once benevolent king had suddenly revealed his claws and sharp edges, making people eager to avoid him.
At the same time, Florence's industrial district welcomed even more innovations.
Their esteemed Prince—Leonardo di Piero da Vinci—not only began mass production of the needle-sharpening machines he had designed six years ago, but he also created a miraculous textile machine.
This shouldn’t have been so surprising—after all, nearly everyone in Florence knew that this gentleman seemed to be capable of anything.
