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Chapter 1587 Cardinal Richelieu
In the Louvre in France, Cardinal Richelieu personally entered the palace to meet King Louis XIII.At this time, France was on the rise and was about to replace the Spanish Empire as the new European overlord. According to normal history, Louis XIV, the son of Louis XIII, would become the great "Sun King" and dominate the European continent. Lan fights for hegemony.

Richelieu was the most important prime minister of Louis XIII, one person was under ten thousand people, and there was no kingdom in the European continent that did not fear this person. Compared with the slightly mediocre King Louis XIII, this cardinal archbishop Even more terrifying.He implemented the principle of mercenary diplomacy. In order to make France the most powerful country in Europe and consolidate the autocratic monarchy of the Bourbon dynasty in France, he used iron and blood methods to eradicate the rebellious nobles, queen mothers, and even his cronies internally, and manipulated them externally. The Thirty Years War successively encouraged England, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and other kingdoms to attack the Holy Roman Empire and Spain controlled by the Habsburg dynasty, and did not allow the unification of the German region.

After England, Denmark, and Sweden consumed the national power of the Habsburg dynasty successively, France finally sent troops to declare war on Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. Cardinal Richelieu led France and the Habsburg dynasty to compete for European hegemony. This is not a dispute of faith, this is the diplomatic principle of utilitarianism!
Richelieu is to France what later Bismarck was to Prussia, but the latter is more well-known, and fewer people know Cardinal Richelieu.

Richelieu was walking in the Louvre, and other ministers and nobles did not dare to breathe when they saw him coming in.

The archbishop in red went straight to King Louis XIII. As the archbishop that most feared the European kingdoms in this era, the only pity was that he was already old. Half of his hair was white and the other half was light gray.

"The Spaniards have been fighting endlessly for years and are enemies of the whole of Europe. In order to raise military expenses, they tried their best to squeeze the Portuguese. Recently, they asked Portugal to provide 12 ducats in taxes and 6000 soldiers, which led to the Portuguese's rebellion. The Portuguese support the blood of the Portuguese royal family. The King Joao IV broke away from the control of the King of Spain and is willing to join our great France. Their diplomatic envoys have arrived in Paris." Richelieu announced the good news to Louis XIII.

Louis XIII and the French nobles were overjoyed when they heard the news.

To be honest, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. As a colonial empire, the Spanish Empire was ahead of the Age of Discovery. They obtained a large amount of gold and silver treasures from overseas, and their national strength has always ranked first in Europe.Even if the sun is declining now, it can be on par with France in various battlefields.

Now the Portuguese rebellion is undoubtedly a huge loss and trouble for the Spanish Empire!
"If Portugal can form an alliance with us, Your Majesty, you will replace Philip IV of Spain as the greatest king in Europe!"

"We France can re-form an alliance with Sweden, the Netherlands, and Portugal, launch a general attack on the Habsburg Dynasty, and split the Habsburg Dynasty so that it can no longer form a siege to our France."

Many ministers and nobles took this opportunity to persuade King Louis XIII of France to form an alliance with the Portuguese royal family and defeat Spain together.

"Should we accept the Portuguese for refuge and build a great Bourbon empire?" Louis XIII asked Richelieu, his most trusted and prestigious minister, when he was undecided.

"Instead of treating the weak Portugal as an ally, it is more profitable to regard it as an enemy country and a bargaining chip." Richelieu said the opposite opinion from other ministers.

"What's the reason?" Louis XIII was deeply confused.

"Portugal was the first kingdom to carry out great voyages. It used to be very rich, but it was ruled by the Spaniards, and their colonies were attacked by the English and the Netherlands. Now they are just a weak kingdom. It doesn't matter whether the war is won or lost. In order to gain the support of a small and insignificant country, we need to do our allies and help them often in the future to stop the Spanish army's offensive. We are not babysitters. On the contrary, if the Portuguese are considered enemies After the end of the war, we can openly attack the commercial ports and strategic fortresses in the hands of the Portuguese, and incorporate them into our territory. The territory that is actually obtained is more reliable than the allies who do not know when they will betray us. Respect Your Majesty, do you think this is the truth?" Richelieu said slowly in a low voice.

Louis XIII sat on the throne, looking a little lazy: "Then we will let the Portuguese diplomatic ambassador go."

"There is no need to expel him, as long as His Majesty does not summon him and neglects him for a period of time, he will retreat in spite of difficulties."

"So be it."

"By the way, Your Majesty, I still have two important matters to report."

"Just say it."

"Not only Portugal, but the Catalonia region of the Spanish Empire was dissatisfied with Madrid's increase in local taxation and military service quotas. The military service quota reached 16237 people, so there were also rebellions in the local area, and Spain sent 23000 soldiers to the local area to counter the rebellion. The Catalan Council intends to make you the Count of Barcelona in exchange for the support of our French army."

"Make me the Earl of Barcelona?!" Louis XIII couldn't hold back anymore and couldn't help standing up.

If he becomes the Duke of Barcelona, ​​the Catalonia region of Spain will be included in the territory of France, and France will be stronger by then.

"I believe that His Majesty can send 13 infantry regiments, 5 cavalry regiments and 6 gendarme companies to form a legion, with a total of 13000 people, stationed in Barcelona, ​​and jointly resist the Spanish army's offensive with the Barcelona militia. If you can defeat the Spanish mainland in Barcelona Legion, I believe that the war will end within five years, and France will be favored by France, and France will become the most powerful kingdom in Europe." Richelieu said.

"According to what you said, you make a detailed battle plan and submit it. If there are no problems, I will approve your plan. Apart from this, what other things are there?" Louis XIII asked.

"The ambassador to England has received unfavorable news. The newly appointed Queen Sophia carried out reforms, gave up some of the rights of the royal family, governed the country together with the Congress, and established a cabinet... I personally think that their actions have seriously threatened the king's dignity. Authority is the source of turmoil in the kingdom, all power should be concentrated on the king, and the king bestows part of the power on the ministers to manage the kingdom, so as to avoid rebellion." Richelieu said.

"Then what do you mean?" Louis XIII asked.

"After defeating Spain, England and the Eastern Empire behind it will be our new enemies, and we should regain the throne of England for Princess Anne."

(End of this chapter)