Tang Qi Tan

Chapter 556 Rendezvous
"So, the Duke of Brabant, Sibern I, has abdicated and lived in seclusion? And his successor, Gismond II, will be in charge?" Jiang Tian casually flipped through an ancient gospel, and asked the envoy from Brussels: "What difference does it make to me?"

"The Duke is willing to pay five hundred pounds of gold, plus 30 ecu (silver coins); as compensation for offending your territory:" the messenger replied respectfully: "And sign a new subordinate feudal contract, and contribute to you every year Half of the taxation, a quarter of the soldiers; and the civil service of the principality bishop, following the kingdom's declaration of war and simultaneous diplomatic power, the right of military passage in the territory, the construction and stationing of frontier fortresses; the right of commercial passage and special monopoly...and dispatch The heir enters your court only to ensure the general integrity of the principality."

"It seems to be not bad..." Jiang Tian patiently listened to the other party's list of a lot of seemingly moving terms, and then waved his hands indifferently: "But you ignore the most important problem; A double punishment war of oath and interference in the kingdom's internal affairs."

"Your Majesty..." the young messenger with a bearded wig and powdered hair couldn't help but anxiously said, "Don't you want to be able to perish and annex the entire Duchy of Brabant? King Lorna, there is nothing she can do."

"You're right, of course I didn't intend to rely on one or two wars to easily destroy the principality." Jiang Tian smiled lightly and said: "But I am fully capable of changing the principality to a ruling family/or to a different family." What kind of government, for example, let a few big nobles unite to govern?"

"I believe that among the dozens of nobles and hundreds of vassal families in the principality, there will always be some who are willing to cooperate and obey the existence of the kingdom? Perhaps, even the title of duke is unnecessary, as long as one Make counts and viscounts and barons to maintain the country."

"You... are such a cruel and persistent king!" The envoy almost groaned after hearing the words: "It is so unfortunate for the Principality to offend such a terrible enemy... If this is the case, dare to ask Your Majesty what else you need?" What kind of conditions can satisfy you?"

"Excluding most of the terms in the name, the biggest problem is, shouldn't the culprit be punished instead of continuing to pay more collateral losses and injuries?" Jiang Tian raised the Gospel in his hand and said: " Doesn’t that contradict territorial integrity and family rule?”

"I'm afraid the duke will never agree to this... condition." The young envoy's expression suddenly changed when he heard the words: "Even if Lord Xi Beien abdicates, he is still the legal lord of everyone, the elder of the duke's family, You cannot be humiliated by trial and punishment."

"Then most of you just wait and destroy this city together!" Jiang Tian laughed and said, "Of course, if you can stand out from the encirclement before my eyes, or persist until the Saxons arrive, Maybe there is still a chance to go into exile with the Duke!"

"..." The envoy became dumb and silent when he heard the words, and then said a rare sentence: "In this case, maybe you need to let your majesty see the determination and will of the principality's subjects under the city of Brussels before you can make a difference. Change your mind..."

"Your determination and ambition are very good!" Jiang Tian waved his hand and said, "I don't know that the walls of Brussels and the will of the defenders are better than Amiens, which was breached in one evening, or completely changed its owner in a few days. Where will the city of Senna, the capital of the king, be more solid?"

However, when the greasy-faced messenger walked out of the big blue tent, he saw groups of people gathered in the distant camp, which were completely different from the uniformed blue uniform of the Kingdom Army; from their loud accents, and Dressed to look like a native of Brabant.

It’s just that they gathered in groups of three or four, surrounded by disorganized weapons, and only a few of them had decent armor; surrounding a large pot or grill with billowing smoke, and carrying large and small bags from time to time, Join in with companions leading a load of pack horses or donkeys and mules.

This scene made him feel resentful, helpless and cold-hearted.These unreasonable and loyal country people, as long as someone is willing to spend enough money to hire them, they can raise their swords and guns against the country party from the same place, and even father and son brothers without hesitation.

And on the road in the distance, there are groups of peasants, sending the harvested wheat, felled firewood, and whole, whole tree trunks to the camp like flowing water; Tall earth barriers have been built; one cannon after another has been deployed.

Between the tall earth barriers, there are a large number of cavalry who are shuttling back and forth with billowing smoke and dust; under the sun, there are countless people whose armor is shining brightly.However, judging from the upright flag guns and the erected heraldic flags, it may not be that the surrounding Dutch princes and their vassals and vassals have all come.

Many of them even came from Luxembourg, which was defeated and surrendered by the Triangle Alliance, and the extinct Principality of Namur, and the nobles and vassals belonged to various family emblems.However, the next moment his eyes suddenly shrank, and he saw several logos and coats of arms belonging to the vassals of the Principality of Brabant.

It was the Duke of Brabant who fled after the city was broken, and one of the dozen noble lords who abandoned Amiens.After a while, the envoy turned around without hesitation and returned to the main tent of the Kingdom Army.It's just that he has already taken off the wig and headgear, and wiped off the balm and powder on his face.

"Contemporary Duke of Brabant, Earl of Leuven, Viscount of Brussels, Head of the Silver Frost Knights, and co-lord Gismond of Flemish, Walloon, and Breda, see Your Majesty the Knight King." At this moment, the young messenger looks like Another person changed, and solemnly saluted again:
"I swear by the honor and tradition of the Reuven family, I am willing to pay any price except the duchy title and territory in exchange for your forgiveness of the previous duke." The young man who called himself Gismond proposed again: "Just ask free from the humiliation of a public trial."

"It's really admirable courage and courage, as well as enviable family affection." Jiang Tian couldn't help clapping his hands lightly and said: "Just pretending to be one's subordinates and entering the enemy's camp is not what a lord should do; Aren't you worried that there is a risk of coming and going?"

"I can only place my hopes on Your Majesty, the dignity, honor and virtue of being a king." Gismond spread his hands on his chest and smiled wryly: "After all, apart from the besieged city of Brussels and those titles, I have nothing more to lose."

"But my father, after all, is the man who gave me my bones and blood, and even shaped me as the heir to the principality from an early age; with God as my witness, no matter what, I have no way to abandon him, or sit back and watch the danger he will receive and humiliation."

"In this case, I would also like to give you a chance, or change an additional clause." Jiang Tian nodded confidently and said: "As long as you open the city and surrender, and let Sibeien I go to Seine City to accept supervision, I can keep the Principality titles and basic dominion."

"However, in addition to the terms proposed before. You must also follow the highest-level vassal and vassal obligations, lead the remaining troops in the city, join the coalition forces of the princes of the Netherlands, and even participate in the fight against the North Rhine Alliance and the Principality of Saxony in the war of..."

"This..." Gismond only hesitated for a moment, and then made another suggestion: "Your Majesty the Knight King, if I can contact the Senksen people and the North Rhine United, and try to persuade them to give up or retreat ? Can I get my father's freedom back?"

"It's not enough... It's not enough." Jiang Tian put down the Gospel, shook his head and said, "Unless you can let the Saxon and North Rhine troops continue to attack the Netherlands as planned , and even invade the territory of the kingdom..."

"Your Majesty..." Hearing these words, Gismund's expression changed slightly: "Are you planning to let my father and the Luwen family be reprimanded for breaking the alliance and being capricious?"

"Otherwise? If the Principality of Brabant and its ruling family are all cut off in your hands, what is the meaning of these reputations?" Jiang Tian sneered and looked at him: "Or in the future you are going to face it alone. , those angry North Rhine or Saxons?"

"Maybe...you are right." Gismund's face changed several times, and finally turned into a long sigh: "But please be merciful, Your Majesty, give me three days, no, two days, to persuade Those potential opponents; make Brabant the wings of the kingdom again."

"No, there is only one day since you left." Jiang Tian shook his head unmoved and said: "After more than 24 hours, I will launch an attack anyway; re-existed..."

"No, Your Majesty, please ask for your mercy and forgiveness!" Gismond cried out with some pain: "For this reason, I would like to tell you a piece of news from a private secret... Back then, my father was willing to Continuing the kingdom's vassal contract, only hesitating on the specific terms."

"However, when he met a lady from the kingdom, he suddenly changed his mind overnight, and even exiled his long-term trusted palace adviser, and sent many courtiers who raised objections and advice; Deported back to his territory..."

"Therefore, I used to suspect that the Duke's decision was made under some abnormal mentality. Especially after he came back this time, he even rejected the bishop and A visit from the court physician..."

"Oh! Then how much do you know about this woman?" Jiang Tian asked interestingly: "For example, her alias and superficial identity, appearance and other characteristics?"

"All I know is that her name is Ms. Deremi, and she was secretly introduced to the Duke by a courtier at the court ball for the first time." Gismond shook his head lightly and recalled: "Then it was arranged by the Duke. In the Rhododendron Garden; but almost no one has seen her true appearance, even the maids and servants in the garden... When I send someone to capture her, she has disappeared."

(End of this chapter)