Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 1005 - 605 The End of the Year 1488, the Returning Portuguese Fleet

Chapter 1005: Chapter 605 The End of the Year 1488, the Returning Portuguese Fleet

End of December 1488, thirty-five thousand li from the East, Kingdom of Portugal, Lisbon Port.

Countless sails stood tall, masts formed a forest. Hundreds of various merchant ships docked here, flags of dozens of commercial city-states fluttered at their bows. Dark-skinned laborers unloaded goods, exquisite horse carriages carried the nobility, and merchants filled the port market. Here was one of Western Europe’s most significant trade ports, and a trade node connecting the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

With the Kingdom of Portugal establishing a series of castles and outposts along the West African coast, spices, gold and silver, ivory, and slaves from the Southern Continent were continuously transported by the powerful Kingdom Fleet, infusing this ancient seaside city with the strongest vitality.

Ever since thirty-five years ago, when the mighty Ottoman Empire captured the unconquerable Constantinople, entirely severing the silk and spice routes between East and West, Lisbon Port became the only stable spice port in the Catholic World. Even though the spices available here were merely a drop in the ocean compared to the vast demand of the Catholic World.

Among many spices, the most beloved by the nobility and bishops of the Catholic World was pepper. Pepper has been an essential culinary spice since the Roman Era. In the Middle Ages, it was also an extremely important medicinal herb. Priests of the church and doctors from academies alike believed that pepper could cure all pains, swellings, inflammations, invasions of evil spirits... and impotence.

Moreover, in this plague-ridden era, pepper, cloves, and cinnamon were also used to prevent the plague, using their unique fragrance to repel the ’putrid air’ in the atmosphere. This excellent understanding was even acknowledged by the Pope of Rome.

Thus, spices from the Southern Continent made the port of Lisbon so special and important. The Kingdom of Portugal minting a large number of gold coins also made its commodity trade flourish. Lisbon Port of this era was filled with vitality and excitement!

At this moment, Captain Bartolomeu Dias, an official of the Portuguese Royal Family, stood on Lisbon’s port, gazing at this lively seaside city. After enduring a challenging 16-month voyage, he finally returned to Lisbon, stepping onto the land of his homeland.

"Merciful Almighty! Thank You for Your generous gifts! Praise You, for granting Your faithful believers the news of a new eastern route, returning to the kingdom of Our Lord!... Ah! Before Christmas in the year 1488 of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we have finally returned home!..."

Captain Dias closed his eyes, clasped the silver cross around his neck, and prayed softly. Unbeknownst to him, his eyes grew moist.

Bright sunshine cascaded from the sky over the coast, as if the merciful gaze of the Almighty, entering his heart. This long voyage encompassed lands of demons, turbulent waves, potential mutiny, discoveries of new routes, and killings on the return journey... But now, he was finally back, carrying discoveries that would change the world, along with the achievements that would enshrine him after death, he returned successfully!

"...Praise the Almighty!"

Bruno, the newly appointed captain behind Dias, lowered his head, praying diligently, attempting sincerity, trying to shed tears. The return from Cape of Storms took a full nine months, and once again they faced terrifying waves, losing dozens of sailors. During the lengthy return journey, the usually strict Captain Dias relaxed the fleet’s discipline, allowing his sailors to plunder ashore. It was like a master leading fierce dogs, loosening their leash, causing the wolf-like dogs to charge ferociously.

Past the desolate Namibian coast, villages along the Congo coast awaited. Sailors swung their scimitars, slaying the frail indigenous tribes, venting desires and pressures onto their dark bodies, further scavenging village treasures. After several rounds of plunder, all sailors gained substantial loot. Their accumulated dissatisfaction and grievances towards the captain’s forced explorations were finally replaced with instinctive awe and obedience.

Upon reaching Elmina Castle for rest, five caravel ships loaded with gold, silver, and spices from the Southern Continent joined the returning fleet under the escort of Portuguese soldiers. With the addition of kingdom guards, the wolf-like dogs were leashed, leaving the last leg of the journey without any turmoil.

"Hmm, the number of merchant fleets from commercial city-states at the port is increasing!... Which company should I trade with for the gold, silver, ivory, and spices gathered this time?"

Bruno prayed earnestly while surveying all directions. As the captain, he certainly couldn’t return empty-handed. According to maritime rules, official captains could claim one to two-tenths of the spoils of war, whereas pirate captains typically only earned four to five times that of ordinary sailors. Hmm, the disparity brought by official backing was evident. As for privately-acquired spoils, they certainly wouldn’t go through kingdom merchants but would flow to higher-priced city-state trading groups.

"Praise the Almighty! Selling the spoils of war this time could afford a knight manor outside Lisbon... Hmm, the kind with a windmill!"

Bruno prayed devoutly, his eyes scanning for potential buyers. The kingdom’s port was so prosperous, filled with the scent of wealth. The opportunities brought by the great nautical expedition were enough to completely change the impoverished fate of an illegitimate son of impoverished aristocracy.

"The Southern Fleet of Portugal... These ship holds are all filled with tenfold profit goods!"

A Jewish merchant wearing a small round hat stood dozens of steps away from the military port, searching for possible buyers. With greedy eyes, he gazed at the deep-water Portuguese Fleet. Then, his keen sight paused momentarily on two caravels full of repair marks, pondering. Next, he noticed Captain Dias praying devoutly in front of everyone and furrowed his brows, lowering his gaze, avoiding eye contact with him.

"Devout great nobility... all ruthless butchers from the Hell of Fire!..."

Jewish merchant Eliyahu cursed inwardly, filled with indelible fear, the shadow of numerous massacred kin lingering. Eventually, he spotted Bruno dressed in a captain’s attire, observed for a moment, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Ah!... This is?... the scent of demons and wealth..."

A moment later, Eliyahu reached out, patting his Slavic retainer’s shoulder, issuing quiet instructions.

"Go to the trading group’s warehouse and fetch two bottles of wine! Then prepare some exquisite snacks, I’m inviting important guests..."

"Yes, President."

The Slavic retainer nodded naively. He then scratched his bushy beard, somewhat confusedly asking.

"Wine? Which kind? Umm, is it that Bordeaux or... that Jurançon..."

"You fool!"

Upon hearing his retainer’s words, Eliyahu instantly flew into a rage, even his goat beard trembled with anger.

"Who told you to fetch expensive Aquitaine red wine? Bring me Aragon’s Catalonia red wine! Make sure to mix four-tenths water, add some grape juice!"

"Yes! As you wish, President."

The Slavic retainer immediately turned and headed toward the Jewish trading group at the port. But Eliyahu’s voice again came, now tinged with heartache.

"Today’s guests are indeed quite important. Fine, make it only two... no, two and a half tenths water!"

"Yes! President."

The Slavic retainer nodded vigorously, paused momentarily, then strode off again. Eliyahu watched for a moment and turned his gaze back, eyes sparkling with brilliance. A new business opportunity was close at hand!

Nearby, devout Captain Dias had finished praying. He turned his head and gave a few serious instructions to the other captains; the captains nodded respectfully, making the cross to swear oaths.

Then, Captain Dias straightened his back, mounted the Lusitano Horse brought by kingdom guards, and galloped away under the lead of two court knights and a dozen knight retainers. Without pause, he rode northward fifty li towards the Sintra Palace. There, the wise and brilliant King Joao II sat high on the throne, awaiting his loyal royal steward.