Chapter 379 379-Ambush Encounter
After dinner, Laurent informed Howard that the Pibb family had already secretly liaised with the Sheffield and Daddaro families, solidifying their alliance and making it impossible to secure votes from them.
Howard swallowed hard, saying, "We already have two votes in hand, one from the Leon family and one from the Kelan family. If we can secure the support of just one more family, we'll be successful. Laurent, help me think of a way."
Laurent pondered for a moment and then said, "The Pibb family is the most resistant, but I don't see as much hostility from the Sheffield and Daddaro families. The day after tomorrow is the birthday of Catherine, the eldest daughter of the Sheffield family patriarch Gallieni. Venice's elite and political leaders will all be in attendance. If you can present a gift that captivates Catherine, you could leave a lasting impression on the patriarch of the Sheffield family."
Howard understood, "As long as I can leave a lasting impression on the patriarch of the Sheffield family, I'll have a chance to meet with him privately and then persuade him."
Laurent smiled knowingly, "Smart."
Howard thought for a moment and then said, "Let's visit a Venetian jeweler tomorrow."
The next day, Howard and Laurent visited the Rose Jewelers.
This establishment had long been favored by the Habsburg royal family and was renowned as a royal jeweler, making it the most prestigious jeweler in Venice.
The pearls at this jeweler came from the Pacific and Indian Oceans, its diamonds from South and East Africa, and its cutting techniques employed Milanese craftsmanship.
All these elements spoke to the distinctiveness and first-rate quality of this jeweler compared to others on the continent.
When Laurent shared this information with Howard, Howard wondered how a man from Fran Kingdom could be so knowledgeable and concerned about a Venetian jeweler.
However, Howard was astounded when Laurent revealed the annual trade volume of the Rose Jewelers.
The jeweler's quarterly net profit was equivalent to the combined annual land tax revenue of the Guzz and Lika provinces!
As a king, Howard was frugal by nature, rarely adorned with jewelry or lavish garments, favoring simple attire instead.
Lacking sufficient cash or equivalent value in jewels for collateral, Howard, however, possessed something more valuable—his royal signature.
In Venice, the signature of the King of Oli wielded more power than that of Venice's governor.
It was nine in the morning, not early dawn, but time for shops to open, making it an opportune moment for a visit.
Departing from the Kelan family's residence, Howard and Laurent set out without additional attendants.
Laurent strongly objected to this, considering it a risk for Howard to venture out so unprotected.
They came upon a small boat, which was exceedingly rudimentary, essentially a plank shaped like a vessel floating on the water.
On either side of the plank, there were two hoops, each containing a paddle.
The paddles, darkened by water exposure, were long, slender pieces of wood, robust and capable.
Howard stepped into the boat, causing it to dip alarmingly, making him fear it might sink from his weight.
Stabilizing himself, he then placed his other foot inside, paused for a moment, and then, with extremely cautious movements, seated himself near the right side.
He then picked up the paddle resting in the hoop on his side of the boat.
Laurent and the boatman were engaged in an animated discussion about the value of the small boat, and within two minutes, Laurent had purchased the rudimentary vessel.
The astute Laurent, anticipating that the journey might not go smoothly and that the boat could sustain damage, offered his counsel to Howard.
However, Howard, having never navigated the canals of Venice before, was already captivated by the city's aquatic vistas and paid no heed.
As Laurent stepped onto the boat, Howard truly feared it was about to sink.
The boat dipped sharply, causing the waterline, which had been at the boat's midpoint, to surge towards its upper edge.
Had the waterline continued to rise, water would have started pouring into the boat.
With a smooth step that showcased the prowess of an experienced sailor, Laurent placed his other foot at the bottom of the boat and then sat to Howard's left.
The boat, buoyed by a sensation that Howard found pleasing, floated back up, and the waterline gradually receded.
Laurent picked up the paddle from within the hoop on the boat's left side, and together with Howard, they began to row.
Venice's canals are truly unique, featuring numerous forks and branches.
A rich commercial aroma permeated every shadow beneath the bridges, each nook resembling a black market.
The bustling trade atmosphere was even more palpable along the canal banks, with shouts and cries of vendors filling the air.
As Howard passed under a bridge and emerged back into the sunlight, he felt the journey was profoundly meaningful.
The water's surface shimmered, with the sun's rays and the waves' motion creating a variety of ethereal glows.
Some of these glows were so bright and piercing that Howard found himself squinting to shield his eyes from the direct light.
Others were gentle and ever-changing, much like the waves themselves, offering reflections that varied and softened.
Laurent remarked, "Venice is easy to defend but hard to attack. If you could take it through diplomatic means, that would indeed be a beautiful accomplishment."
Suddenly, a sinister laugh came from the shore.
"Hahaha, finding you here is our beautiful accomplishment," someone taunted.
Laurent muttered, "This isn't good."
Ahead lay a narrow passage, flanked by several branching paths.
On the banks stood rows of archers, one on each side, clearly hostile by the look in their eyes.
Laurent called out, "What do you want? We're just ordinary tourists visiting Venice."
A man dressed like a brigand, speaking fluent Venetian, made a show of attempting a robbery.
However, Howard and Laurent could tell at a glance that this man was far from professional.
Had they been real robbers, they would have waited until their targets had docked, creating a relaxed atmosphere with welcoming smiles.
Instead, this group's sinister grins suggested they were close to achieving a nefarious plan.
Laurent feared these men were masquerading as robbers with the real intent of killing them.
Exchanging a glance, Howard and Laurent picked up their paddles, ready to make a dash through the danger.
The brigands quickly notched their arrows, their actions not those of amateurs but rather like well-trained special forces.
This heightened the worries of both Howard and Laurent, who, united in purpose and seamlessly coordinated, rowed with increasing speed, propelling the small boat faster through the water.
As the leader commanded to fire, Howard and Laurent exchanged a quick glance, instantly understanding each other's intentions.
Without hesitation, they abandoned their paddles and dove into Venice's flowing waters.
Their synchronized dive was executed just in time, as the boat they had vacated was soon bristling with a dense array of arrows.
Frantically aiming for the direction of the narrow exit ahead, Howard consciously swam towards deeper currents to evade the arrows.
However, struck by an arrow, he lost consciousness and was carried by the swift current to a shallow bank.
A girl with red hair found Howard lying on the bank and took him back to her home.
When Howard awoke, he found himself in a drab cabin, the air filled with the crackling sound of burning wood.
Trying to sit up, he felt dizzy and immediately lay back down.
A woman with a sturdy build, resembling a matronly figure, dropped her grimy rag in surprise and joyfully called for her daughter, announcing Howard had awakened.
A man in his forties, who had been crafting fishing gear outside, also set aside his tools and came in to see.
The red-haired girl, excited, rushed into the cabin.
Seeing Howard attempting to rise, she lifted him into a sitting position.
Howard's head was propped up, resting on the girl's knees while the rest of his body remained horizontal.
Howard asked, "Was it you who saved me?"
The girl, with a playful tone, replied, "Hehe, yes, that's right. My name is Nia. Hello, what's your name?"
The stout woman, hands on her hips in a manner suggesting vast experience, commented, "Looking at his clothes, they're quite luxurious.
He must be a noble from someplace." Nia, delighted, exclaimed, "Haha, I've found a noble."
Nia's father cracked a slight smile and suggested, "Let's first ask what he needs."
Gently stroking Howard's hair, Nia leaned down and softly asked, "What do you need?"
As Howard gazed at her, he felt a profound sense of gratitude.
When kindness comes from those with whom one has no prior connection, it can make one feel the goodness of the world, bringing immense joy.
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