immortal person

Chapter 39 1

He didn't even stay over for Christmas.On the eve of dawn, when the sky gradually revealed blue dots, a carriage secretly drove out of the city, only the guards of the city gate knew it had left.That morning, Giuliano announced that the Duke had contracted typhoid and that he would temporarily act as Lorenzo's deputy.When Pitti told Giovanni the news, Giovanni hesitated for a while before showing a look of surprise and worry—he was really not good at lying.In fact, he knew about Lorenzo's plans before anyone else; on their first Christmas Eve together, Lorenzo said to him, "I'm saying goodbye to you."

Only two hours after witnessing Girolamo's farce, he had made his decision.He was heading south again to Perugia, the most war-torn city-state in the whole of the Apennines; it was there that he fell seriously ill not long ago. "There are several mercenaries stationed in that area at the same time, and some of their leaders will be beneficial to us. This is a secret visit, and I must go there in person." Lorenzo shook his hand and said, "If I can earn their confidence, and perhaps an agreement can be struck."

Giovanni knew what that meant.He understood that Lorenzo never wanted to use violence, if he could.But it's the quickest way to end this long, pointless battle in the city.Strictness is better than generosity, Lorenzo whispered Tacitus' famous quote, and sighed softly.Among the prosperous city-states in Italy, Florence's military power has always been the weakest.Maybe it's time for improvement.

Lorenzo briefly described the trip as if it were just an ordinary visit. "You don't seem surprised." Finally, he smiled at Giovanni.But the young man just shook his head and stepped forward to kiss his forehead.

"I will pray for you," he said to Lorenzo, "every day and every night."

"I'll be back as soon as possible." And those blue eyes stared at him, still smiling, "with a gift for you."

At first their plan was very successful; Patsy did not become suspicious, but only took the opportunity to preach how weak leaders were not enough to bear the burden of leading the people; it was not until mid-January, when news came from the south, that they realized that the United States Duke Qi is planning something.Before they could expose the truth and accuse them, Giuliano announced that Lorenzo, who was "recovering from a serious illness", had indeed gone to Perugia "dragging his sick body" to bring peace to the citizens - they sent news that Lorenzo Renzo was working on some peace treaty to ensure that the rumored brutal mercenaries would never set foot within the walls of Florence.The people in the city had already heard about the years of war outside, and they all expressed their gratitude to the Duke for his glorious act.

Giovanni received occasional letters from him.Letters came irregularly, once every seven days at first, and finally there was no news for half a month, so Pitty was able to witness how his usually calm teacher went from being distracted to visibly restless.Until the second Sabbath in February, the long-lost messenger knocked on the door of the attic and handed him a cloth bag.After taking it apart, I saw a broken spear lying quietly in the box.

Pitty saw Giovanni staring blankly at the spear for a while, and then, like the sky suddenly clearing, the long-simmering melancholy faded away, and a smile appeared on his face inch by inch.He asked "what's the matter", curious and disturbed, and Giovanni just smiled.He stroked the broken spear lightly and said, "He's coming back."

Thousands of years ago, the generals on the Adriatic Sea would return the broken weapons to their wives at home to show that they would return victorious.Years later, when Pitty finally got belatedly addicted to reading those raw ancient scrolls that he had avoided, he understood the meaning of the scene he saw many years ago.He even blamed himself amusingly: it turned out that the relationship between the two people that had troubled him for a long time had already been clearly laid out in front of him, but the former him hadn't been sufficiently knowledgeable enough to decipher the unique code words between them.At that time, he only realized that what Mr. Buonarrotti said was true when he quickly discovered that the Medici Palace was also preparing to welcome the Duke.

When the first violets bloomed, Florence held a grand entrance ceremony to welcome the Duke back to the city.The townspeople gazed at the city gates in the warm air of early spring, and cheered like a tidal wave when the Duke's chariot appeared.The young Duke smiled and waved to them. He was completely different from the sick image in the rumors. He was still as dazzling as people remembered, handsome and wise, with both a vigorous look and the determination of a superior.Then, on the terrace of the Signoria, the papers brought by the duke were read to all, and it was a gift better than anyone could have imagined: the alliance with Milan was strengthened; two notorious mercenaries swore 50 Florence will not be invaded during the year; an army from Switzerland will be stationed in the fortress of Pisa outside the city, and will be ready to fight to defend the city-state at any time.

People can't wait to celebrate; the theater is open for free, the tavern owner opens the door and announces that today's drinks are half price; everyone who hears the declaration has a smile on their faces; It's really over.

And wise men saw the true meaning of these treaties: Lorenzo went out alone, which meant that he signed the treaty in the name of the family; and those who made the pledge would be responsible only to the Medici.The family and the safety of the city have been closely linked, and those who offend the interests of the family will be suspected of creating a crisis for the city; they have no doubt that these people will be charged with "treason" justifiably.

But even Pazzi dared not openly criticize in such an atmosphere.Even a fool knew that it was inappropriate to attack Lorenzo at this moment.Just like a harmonious sonata has sounded in the city, the voice of doubt at this time will make people frown like playing the wrong note.And in this regard, Pazzi is incomparable to the Medici: Lorenzo has the title of "Ambassador" conferred by the Municipal Council, and only he can bring such glory to the city-state, while Pazzi cannot even make the same attempt; That would not be justifiable, it would be arrogance.After the crowd dispersed, François Pazzi walked towards Lorenzo, ignoring the warning eyes of the guards on the side, with a smile hanging on his face like a clumsy mask. "It took a lot of money, huh?" he said through gritted teeth. "Just with these tricks to confuse the people..."

Some passers-by cast curious glances at them, but he could no longer contain the expression on his face that was on the verge of collapse. "Thank you," Lorenzo nodded, as if he didn't understand what he said, "See you later."

At nightfall, Giovanni was concentrating on Perseus' face when the door knocked.The work on this sculpture has come to an end, and it has come to the most skillful and patient part.Petey got engaged to his sweetheart last month, and he had already taken leave to return to his hometown, so he had to put down the chisel and hastily opened the door.His present was standing behind the door, and was raising his hood.The honey-colored blond hair flowed out, still tied with the blue ribbon he had given back.Lorenzo took off his gloves and hugged Giovanni impatiently. "I've been waiting for you for a long time," he said, "and you don't seem to want to see me—so here I am."

Giovanni had only time to shake his head.Lorenzo kissed him, and he kissed back more passionately; they had never been apart for so long since their reunion.Lorenzo unbuttoned his cloak, followed by the buttons of his shirt, and finally threw his underclothes on the ground.While staggering and shoving, they hugged each other and collapsed on the only small bed in the attic.Lorenzo knelt on the narrow bed, his body trembling from the long-lost satisfaction.The candle beside him flickered slightly, and then went out. In the darkness, Giovanni could only see his swaying, snow-white back.Brings to mind swans, lilies, and even the Holy Spirit.

The fireplace was still burning in the room, and it was as warm as early summer.When it was over, Lorenzo lay in his arms for a moment, then picked up his cloak.He relit the candle lamp, walked in front of Perseus, leaned forward, and stroked the sculpture's cheek gently and carefully with his fingers.Behind him, Giovanni sat on the edge of the bed: "It's almost done. Maybe in this week..."

He was suddenly speechless.

In front of him, Lorenzo raised his head slightly, held the statue's cheek, and placed a kiss on the pale lips of the stone statue.

This kiss has nothing to do with love/desire at all, it is more like a gift, it is the highest respect offered by a great man among the living to a hero.There was so much love and joy in his eyes, as if what was in front of him was a rare treasure in the world.The cloak slipped off, and Lorenzo stood naked/naked; staring at each other, the naked lover and the sculpture that poured all his heart and soul into it, this picture is so beautiful and shocking that the kiss falls on His lips made him even more thrilling.

Even Giovanni himself noticed for the first time that his Perseus was like Lorenzo.His stature was similar to his face, young, slender, and handsome.He didn't do it intentionally, maybe just when he wanted to convey "beauty", he naturally absorbed the image symbolized by this concept in his mind.

He stood where he was, curling his fingers slightly.

"He is beautiful," sighed Lorenzo.He went back to the bed and Giovanni took his lips in one long, burning kiss.

"Holy Week—next month," said Lorenzo, embracing him, "let it be seen then. There will be a great ceremony, and we hope it will remind everyone of the beauty." The contribution of Diqi ... it will be a miracle that people have never seen before. Then, slowly, everything will get better."

Giovanni said nothing, but took his hand and kissed his knuckles.His lips were imprinted on the ring, and the facets of the stone were covered with a white mist.A silver chain with a cross dangling from the head of the bed, Lorenzo took it off, took off his rings, and threw them aside.There was a crackling sound from the fire, and they hugged each other tightly, like two petrels huddling in a rock crevice before a storm.

In the work room, the crowded narrow bed, for a moment, they all recalled that late night many years ago. "That's when I wanted to kiss you," Lorenzo told him, "and you were too young."

Giovanni stared at him.

"now what?"

"It's like midsummer," whispered Lorenzo.