I Am Louis XIV

   Chapter 168 Hofburg (4)

  What kind of person was Leopold I? If Prince Conti had some hesitations before this, now, with the help of Milady, especially the exposure of the Countess of Soissons, he can finally take this young emperor little by little. Putting it all together, it should be said that after the Archduke of Austria seized the Holy Roman Emperor from 1273 (although this period only lasted for less than 20 years), from 1438 to the present, whether it was bribery or force, The head of this family has always held this precious throne firmly, and now, the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire are still in the minority, and can even be said to be the only monarchs who have gone to Rome to be crowned by the Pope, which cannot help but let Leopold I was full of pride in my ancestors and myself.

But in contrast, since he ascended the throne, or in other words, the corrupt situation that he will face after his father ascended the throne, the position of the Holy Roman Emperor did not bring much benefit to the Habsburg family, and in order to Connecting allies, making agreements, the Habsburgs' continuous intermarriages had nightmarish consequences—that is, a genetic disease. Although he tried his best to show bravery in front of his envoys and outsiders, Leopold I knew very well that in the In terms of health, he is absolutely incomparable to the current King Louis XIV of France. His body is weak, his limbs are weak, and he is not so handy inside the bed curtain. When he heard that Louis had a firstborn child, he also thought. To have a child, it is a pity that neither the noble girl nor the peasant woman can make him do what he wants. The question of whether he can have a healthy descendant has haunted the emperor for a long time. The reason why he valued Olympia Mann at first sight Chini is precisely for this reason - although this woman from Italy is of ordinary origin, she is healthy, strong, and her skin glows brightly. At first glance, she knows that she is an extremely fertile land.

What really made him pay attention to Mancini was because Mancini had a baby with him after a few months, a healthy boy, how happy he was to hear the news, he knew Olympia was a Ambitious woman, but precisely because of this, he can use her with peace of mind, he has what she wants in his hands, and for this she will inevitably obey him - although for the time being he can't publicly admit this child , and his mother.

  Olympia complained about it many times, but Leopold was always able to appease her.

   And what did the Countess of Soissons want? It should be said that it was Marie Mancini who set a bad example for her. Although Marie Mancini is the most beautiful and smart one among the Mancini sisters, the other Miss Mancini are not too bad either. , Olympia is the same, but maybe it was fate, she turned out to be the worst married man of all Mancini, like Marie Mancini, although the king's wedding with her was not recognized by the world, but Her title, Duchess of Colonna, is recognized by both worlds, and her son, who was a toddler, became king of the island of Gayola in the inner world, and the king is said to be still trying to get the king of Naples for him. the position; it was like Hortense Mancini, another sister, who was married by the Bishop of Mazarin to a duke who is said to be the richest duke in the whole of Europa, and the duke, who was very fond of this duke The petite wife is so fascinated that she is even willing to move to Lyon in order to avoid the maddening bees and butterflies in Paris; and the wife of Prince Conti is also one of her sisters...

And the Count of Soissons, although he has a mother who is the lord of the county, his father is a second son who has no title and property, and he can only get his mother's earl title and a small piece of fief. For Olympia, this is A marriage could be called a humiliation, she was no worse than Marie Mancini! She once tried to seduce King Louis of France. Of course, she failed. Neither the Mancini family nor the king would reveal the true inner story of the marriage in the world back then, nor would she naturally know that His Majesty the King He was almost left in the inner world forever. The reason why he was able to return to Paris was because he expressed his determination to choose death, and because he had a loyal younger brother and courtier.

So even if Louis went crazy, he would never have anything to do with the second Mancini. Olympia Mancini eventually became the Countess of Soissons. The funny thing is that she was not satisfied with the Countess of Soissons. , and the Count of Soissons is also not very satisfied with her. The Count of Soissons is a strict, unsmiling person. To face a reluctant wife, he would rather live in the barracks - in fact, he does too. He did, he didn't care about the wife at all and didn't love her at all, which was probably good for both of them - Olympia Mancini had wanted to come back to Paris, but no one welcomed her.

Later, I heard that the Count of Soissons had found a sweetheart near the station. Although the other party was born humble, they got along quite harmoniously. The Count and her lived in a small building and lived like a husband and wife. According to rumors, the Countess of Soissons has returned to Italy.

   She may indeed have returned to Italy, but it has not been as quiet as people imagined.

   "Do you know that Her Majesty the Queen is pregnant?" Milady said.

Sitting opposite her, Olympia, who had always held her neck high, suddenly changed her expression. Although it only lasted for a second or two, she returned to her original calm posture. After all, she knew from the beginning that she could not become a queen. It should be said that none of the young ladies of the Mancini family are qualified to be queens. Mary is the same, and so is she. Hortense was once proposed by Charles II, but at that time Charles II was still an unpopular exiled king. , so Bishop Mazarin rejected him, and when Charles II returned to England, it was Bishop Mazarin's turn to be willing, and Charles II refused.

What she wanted to fight for herself was nothing more than an identity like Marie Mancini, but things did not develop as she expected. Although Leopold I did love this firstborn son very much, he did not Willing to publicly admit the child, and her, the emperor has many reasons, non-personal or personal, but Olympia knows it's just that she's not worthy of the emperor's attention - and she tries to ask Leopold I for the right The rights of the world, but the result is still the same, the Holy Roman Empire, or just Austria, the Habsburg family, the long history and origin not only proves how noble their blood is, but also means that each person is connected to countless people. In the thread of destiny, even the emperor cannot ignore the opinions of others, and the territory of the inner world here has already had its owner.

   Later, she also understood one thing, that is, the king of France is also a **** no less than Leopold I. He gave the Marys the position to rule Gayola, but does Gayola belong to him? Bah, Gayola Island was originally supposed to belong to Mancini. He gave Mancini what was originally the Mancini family, and he wanted them to be grateful to Dade.

But if Leopold I was willing to give the island of Gayola to Olympia, Olympia would also be grateful to him. Unfortunately, the wizards around Leopold I did not approve of this behavior. They were better than Manch. The Ni family is old and more conservative, as long as the other party doesn't come to disturb them, they don't want to be the enemy of the other party, and, like this, they are harmed, and the benefit is the stupid thing of the emperor and his lover , how would they do it?

Also, those wizards were not fools. They guessed that Olympia was intending to invade their territory, and they told the emperor that Olympia was a witch after all, and according to the laws of the inner world and the outer world, neither her son nor herself should be recognized. , so as not to cause confusion - after all, it is too easy for a wizard to quietly take someone's life, and if the rumors are true, then did King Louis of France fail to admit his firstborn son and his witch mother?

   This point is really hard to say, let alone the emperor who didn't want to reveal the identity of Olympia and his sons that much.

"How long do you want to stay in Vienna?" Milady asked again: "Little Eugen (whose name Olympia gave the child out of anger) is three years old, and he will soon understand what an illegitimate child is, and He can't even get the identity of the illegitimate child, if he is not recognized, he has no title, no territory, people won't even call him a gentleman, he has no future here."

"I will try to convince the emperor." Olympia insisted that she had paid too much and had to recoup some of the costs, and she now did not expect Leopold to admit them, but she hoped that the emperor would try to make her husband duke, though The Count of Soissons will be very embarrassed by then, but she can't care so much anymore.

"I used to say that you were a wise woman," said Milady, "but now it seems that you are only greedy. Did you know that Madame Longueville's eldest son has become a Jesuit? Do you think your little Can Eugen grow up knowing nothing about it or be indifferent? If so, he is either brazen or stupid like a pig, and both the Austrians and the French will laugh at him, he will be miserable, he will be hesitant , his marriage is going to be very difficult."

"There is one more man," said Olympia, "Don Juan, the illegitimate son of Philip IV of Spain, who is now also a duke and a regent." Yes, it was not long ago that Don Juan's war with the Spanish queen mother came to an end. , the Queen Mother was expelled, and Don Juan became the powerful regent.

"That's because some people hope that Spain will continue to weaken," in fact, many people: "But do you think the Habsburgs of Austria, Leopold I, his queen Margaret of Spain would agree? They went crazy, don't forget that there are still seven electors who are always eyeing, the Habsburg family has occupied the throne of the emperor for nearly three hundred years, do you think they will pass up this great opportunity? If your little European Root can become the regent as an illegitimate child, then others will be more justifiable, and by then, let alone Austria, Gayola, there may be no place for you in the entire Europa."

   "I know who you are for, you are from Marie Mancini."

"Very wrong, ma'am, I am the king's man," said Milady, and then she lowered her eyes slightly, "why do you have to work here just for the title of a duke? Your husband, the Count of Soissons, won it. The king's attention has been determined to lead an army in the upcoming battle of Flanders, and when he returns triumphantly, my dear, the king will not be stingy with the title of a duke or a marshal, and you will be a duke at that time. Madam, your son is also the future Duke."

  I have to say that there are no words that can move Olympia more than these, but she will not be unaware of the harm she has caused to her husband: "But little Eugen is not his child."

"That Jean is not the son of the Duke of Longueville," said Milady, "and the gentleman you know, who now has three more recognized daughters? Get on you, and he will naturally be willing to do everything for you."

"This is what troubles me." Olympia frowned and said, "He is a cold and numb person." When Yan Er was newly married, although she was dissatisfied with the marriage, she also had expectations for her husband, but he only He will demand her as harshly as a soldier.

   "Maybe it's just because I'm too young to know how to taste your charm." Milady persuaded again.

This time Olympia was silent for a longer time. Since she became the lover of Leopold I, she has done a lot for Leopold. The same, she will also be troubled by the indifference of the inner world. She even almost got injured or lost her life several times, but her achievements have not been exchanged for the same reward, and she cannot even appear on some important occasions - only Occasionally entering and leaving the court as the Countess of Soissons, enduring people's ridicule and scorn, Leopold I compensated for this by sending her jewels and money, but Olympia was not satisfied with this.

   So does she really want to go back? Go face that dissatisfied husband, or she can go back first and see if he is really as valued by the king as Milady said, and then make plans.

   "What do you want me to do?" Olympia asked, she wasn't too slow to understand what they were going through all this time for.

   "A little favor, it will never hinder you." Milady said.

"It depends on what price you are willing to pay." Olympio curled her lips, no matter what, she would slap them viciously, one Prince Conti, one who was not a royal wife but also deeply loved It would be a pity not to take the last handful of women the king favors, but she would never be involved in a war between two countries, and if they asked her to assist in murder or any other important matter, she would. Don't blame her for taking the money and betraying them to Leopold I, maybe with that credit she can still manage to get what she hasn't been able to get.

  Milady didn't seem to notice her malicious intentions at all: "I need you to try to recommend someone for me, no, not you, but another, the recognized lady."

"Who?"

   "A Frenchman."

  ———

Recommending a Frenchman to the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire... is not a big deal, after all, in this era, things happen to each of them, and sometimes a king may be a vassal of another king, or another What about the lord of the king, but this Frenchman is a little special because he can be said to be a heretic, he came from humble beginnings, was looted by Ottoman turkish pirates as a teenager, and later in the slave market he was sold to A turkish businessman who converted to another religion in him, after several rounds, he came to the hands of the governor of Bosnia, in the war with Slovenia, he caught a good opportunity to save his master, so his master released him and promoted him to be an officer.

  Why do the Austrians hate the French so much? It is because the French often shamelessly contact their pagan allies in order to avoid being hindered by the Holy Roman Empire in many things, the sultans of Ottoman Turkey come to attack the Catholic countries that should be their natural allies, and the Austrians hate it so much. France, gritted her teeth even more at the real culprit, so this once French, now Ottoman officer changed his Ottoman Turk's robe and turban before entering the country, and put on tight trousers and black The coat, just by looking at it, people will still feel that there are many inconsistencies, mainly because he still has a shiny and hard brown-red beard. The Europa people of this era don't like to have a beard, especially this amazing of a beard.

Even with the recommendation of the Countess of Soissons, he could not have been brought to the emperor just like that. One of Leopold's trusted ministers went to see this pagan Frenchman, and about half an hour later, he carried an unbelievable look. He walked in with vigour and almost forgot to wait for the attendant's announcement. Fortunately, the emperor forgave his recklessness very leniently: "What makes you so frightened, my dear Rollin? Could it be that the emperor of Ottoman Turkey suddenly went to see him. The true God, this messenger came to report to us on purpose?"

   "Alas, Your Majesty." The minister first bowed to the emperor, expressing his apology and gratitude, and then said. "Your Majesty, if not, it's almost there."

  Leopold I nodded to the lady beside him, who, though reluctant, left the room.

   "Now you may speak," said Leopold I.

   "He said," said the minister, breathing softly, as if in a dream: "The governor of Ottoman Turkey intends to sell Bosnia to us."

  ———

Maybe some adults can't understand, then, let's open the map, from the modern map, it can be seen that Austria is a landlocked country, that is to say, it is wrapped in other countries, there are no ports, no islands, no coastlines, but such The situation changed drastically after 1500, when the Habsburgs succeeded in taking control of Slovenia, and the regions of Styria, Carniola, Istria and Post-Gorgia were merged into Inner Austria— In the first fifty years, the local Zerdi family competed with the Habsburg family for dominance, but after fifty years, the Zerdi family finally lost the possibility of confronting the Habsburg family because of the extinction of the heir. , and later in the Ten Years War (Austria and Hungary) part of the territory was taken by Hungary, while the Bosnia region was still controlled by the Ottoman Turks.

The Bosnian region is a place coveted by the Austrian Grand Duke for a long time. For Austria, it is the only way for the Austrians to compete for maritime hegemony. For the Ottoman Turks, it is an important gateway for the Ottoman Turks to conquer the European continent, so Bosnia The governor has always been either the son of the sultan or the great Vicchi who was trusted by the sultan. Such a person will never be bought or betrayed easily. Now suddenly there is a person who is said to be the attendant officer of the governor of Bosnia. To convey to the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire the will of the viceroy to sell Bosnia to Austria is not only bizarre and unbelievable, it can even be said to be absurd.

  Leopold I paused. He told himself that it was unbelievable, but he couldn't help but press his chest. His heart was beating wildly.

   "Do you think he might be a liar?"

   "I'm not sure," said the minister. "We need, Your Majesty, we need to interrogate him in detail, and we, we need to investigate every word he says."

"That's for sure, Rollin," said Leopold I. "By the way, don't put him in jail, send him... to the royal estate, yes, treat him like a guest, in Don't let him get too frightened or suspicious when things don't come to light."

   "But the Royal Manor is now..."

"It doesn't matter, let Olympia take the child to your estate," Leopold I grabbed the glass and poured all the leftovers in his mouth, he thought, this must be a liar, this kind of thing is not unheard of However, there are always some daring people who think they can cheat money from honorable people, but they will always be exposed, he must be careful, no, he should leave this to the minister to avoid damage to his reputation , and so on, not only that, they should be more careful to prevent leaks.

  If Austria can get Bosnia, then after it merges with Inner Austria, it has already formed a threat to Hungary's territory in Slovenia. As long as 5,000 people, or an army of 10,000 people, Austria can own the entire Slovenia.

   (end of this chapter)