The Last Frontier of Fire and Sword

On the other side, Natalie and Jan Sobieski are also saying their final goodbyes to former King Jan Kazimierz. Especially Jan Sobieski, he was eager to get a few words that would benefit him from the former king.

Jan Sobieski has his own ambitions. After marrying the widow of Jan Zamois, Jan Sobieski not only inherited a large amount of inheritance, but also connected with King Louis XIV of France by virtue of his wife's relationship.

During the time when the throne was empty, he realized that he also had the strength to compete for the king's position. Although King Jan Kazimierz was defeated, and the reformists were greatly damaged by the massacre of Lubaumacki, Jan Kazimierz had no shortage of sympathizers throughout the country, especially among the peasants. . Especially those farmers who were promoted to little nobles because of the Bory War, they are even more grateful to Jan Kazimierz. At this time, if Jan Kazimierz said: "Jan Sobieski is suitable to be the next Polish king," then his reputation must be doubled.

But Jan Sobieski was disappointed. Jan Kazimierz did not say "you do things, I can rest assured", nor did he give him any small notes. Jan Kazimierz had his own candidate in his heart. That is the son of the famous French general and the great "Grand Condé" when the Duke of Gan.

Originally, Jan Kazimierz hoped to support Prince Conde as the King of Poland after he abdicated. Because this prince of Kongdai is a legend of that era, he is honored as the "Great Kongdai".

"Grand Condé" is the son of Henry II de Bourbon, the third-generation prince of Condé, whose mother is Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorency, who was born in Paris. From 1640 to 1641, the 20-year-old Grand Condé participated in the battles in northern France and showed bravery in the battle. In the young age of the Grand Condé, Prime Minister Richelieu ruled the whole of France. Grand Condé "'S father, the third generation of Prince Condé, tried his best to please this cardinal with unlimited power; Louis was therefore forced to abandon his beloved woman, Mie Mate di Vergion, and to have a relationship with Richelieu. The niece Clara Clements gets married. However, the combination with Clara Clements also made the future official career of "Grand Conde" smooth sailing and opened a legendary life.

In 1643, at the end of the Thirty Years' War, the "Grand Condé" was ordered to command the French army to fight the Spanish army in northern France. On May 19, 1643, "Grand Conde" won the Battle of Roquelois. This was a great victory, because "Grand Conde" faced the Spanish army that had long dominated Europe, and his opponents were all experienced generals, and he was just a 23-year-old young commander. This campaign ended Spain's historical land superiority and marked the arrival of French ground hegemony. After a series of victories, the "Grand Condé" returned to Paris until 1644 was sent to Germany to support the French commander-in-chief Tirena, who fought there. This time he was granted command of the entire army. In the summer of 1645, the battle was extremely fierce, and Tirena was defeated by the Earl of Mersey, the commander of the Holy Roman Empire. But in the glorious victory of Beilingen, Mersey was defeated by the "Great Kongdai" and he died. In 1646, "Grand Conde" followed Gaston, Duke of Orleans, to fight in Flanders. After Gaston returned to Paris, "Grand Conde" commanded the battle alone and captured Dunkirk.

In 1646, Henry II de Bourbon, the father of "Grand Condé" died, and "Grand Condé" inherited the title of Prince. His political career began to be closely linked with the famous slingshot movement in French history. The great military exploits of the "Grand Condé" made him the leader of the French nobles, who were very dissatisfied with the policy of Richelieu's heir and prime minister of the young King Louis XIV to weaken the power of the aristocracy and expand the real power of the royal family. During the reign of Mazarin, Conde participated in some battles in the Low Countries.

In August 1648, Queen Anne, mother of Louis XIV, ordered the arrest of the leader of the High Court, Pierre Brussels, and three others. This action caused extreme anger among the people. On August 26, a civil uprising occurred in Paris, and the royal family and Mazarin were forced to flee. In September, Queen Mother urgently recalled "Dai Kongdai", hoping to obtain his support for the royal family and the Mazarin government. "Da Kongdai" reluctantly agreed to this request, and after hesitating repeatedly, he led the army that besieged Paris, and defeated the civilian army of 100,000 with 800 men.

Soon after regaining Paris, the arrogance and ambition of the "Grand Conde" made him very unpopular with Queen Anne. Under the instruction of the Queen Mother, on January 18, 1650, the Paris government arrested the "Grand Conde" and his main followers, Prince Conti and the Duke of Longueville. Other supporters of "Grand Conde", including Tirena and others, successfully escaped. The fleeing noble leaders actively planned to rescue the prince and others, and they had actually begun to rebel.

Under pressure from the sister of "Grand Condé" to negotiate with France's enemy Spain and the wife of "Grand Condé" and the young Princess Condé occupying Bordeaux, in January 1651, Queen Anne was forced to release and be imprisoned. Waiting for three people at the "Grand Condé" in Le Havre. After his release, "Grand Conde" formed an alliance with Spain to challenge the court and Mazarin. On July 2, 1652, in the Saint-Antoine district of Paris, "Grand Condé" and Tirena (now on the side of the royal family), the two greatest generals of the time, fought a decisive battle. "Grand Condé" was suppressed by Tirena and almost fell into desperation; at a critical moment, his accomplice, the daughter of the Duke of Orleans, persuaded the Bastille cannon to fire on Tirena, and Condé was able to relaunch the offensive.

In September 1652, the lonely "Grand Conde" fled to Spain. King Philip IV of Spain authorized the "Grand Conde" to command the Spanish army to fight against France and gave him Luxembourg. He achieved many victories, but was soon prevented by Tirena. On June 14, 1658, near Dunkirk, the "Grand Conde" was completely defeated by Tirena, who received strong support from the militia of the British Patron Cromwell. Spain was persuaded to negotiate peace with France. In the Pyrenees peace treaty of 1659, "Grand Conde" was pardoned by the already pro-political Louis XIV, so he began to play for France again.

In the battle for inheritance from 1667 to 1668, "Grand Conde" performed equally dazzlingly, and his recombination with Tirena was daunting.

Jan Kazimierz valued the military talents and French background of the "Grand Conde". Before his abdication, Jan Kazimierz's emissary had contact with Prince Condé, but the "Sun King" Louis XIV suspected that "Grand Condé" had gained power, and finally rejected the proposal.

In desperation, Jan Kazimierz had to retreat, hoping to elect the eldest son of Prince Condé to the election of the King of Poland.

"After I leave, I will go to Paris as soon as possible, and invite Duke Gan to Poland. And you are in Warsaw for the Duke, try to get more nobles to recognize and like the Duke." Jan Kazimierz said Jan Sobieski and Natalie said each other.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Natalie replied.

"Okay, I will." Jan Sobieski responded.

However, compared with Natalie, Jan Sobieski's voice is obviously more perfunctory.

And in his heart, he is considering whether he should let King Louis XIV intercept him as Duke Gan through his wife's relationship, so as to give him a more chance to be in power.

"Sobieski," Jan Kazimierz said a few more words, perhaps after noticing Jan Sobieski.

Although the young Jan Sobieski was more than one head taller than Jan Kazimierz, when Jan Kazimierz looked at him, Jan Sobeski couldn't help but feel that Yankazi Mi Ri is a giant, and he is a dwarf.

"My dearest Jan Sobieski, you may slander why I chose to be the Duke of Gan, or you may question my decision." Jan Kazimierz looked at his former general and said.

"No, Your Majesty, I don't."

Jan Sobieski tried to explain, but Jan Kazimierz stopped his conversation.

"Listen to me." Janka Chimiri said, "I chose to be the Duke of Gann not because my wife is French, but because of deep consideration. Because I have a foreboding that in the southern border of the Republic, There is a storm brewing in that country ruled by pagans. After so many years of reforms, the strength of the Ottoman Turkey has been improved, and the forehead wounds caused by our sabers in the past have also healed. This hungry wolf may retaliate at any time. The Republic. As we all know, the throne window period is also the weakest time of the Republic, where there are many parties and disputes. The Republic was unable to extinguish Bogdan Khmelnitsky's riots in the first time, not because of his brother Wadi. The sudden death of King Swaf IV. But if Duke Gan ran for the king of Poland, then the sultan of Istanbul thought of the Duke’s French identity and the well-known shameful alliance. He would certainly not easily invade Poland, but would Put the spearhead of the attack on Habsburg or Tsarist Russia, and whether it is attacking either of them, it is good news for the Republic."

Hearing the pros and cons of Jan Kazimierz's analysis, Jan Sobieski was ashamed of himself.

The abdicated king was still considering this country, but his self-proclaimed patriot was striving for power.

"Your Majesty, you make me really ashamed. I understand, I understand everything. Don't worry, I will definitely support Duke Gan as the king of the Republic." Jan Sobieski told Jan Kach Mi Ri promised.

Jan Kazimierz nodded in relief.

"Then, I have nothing to worry about anymore," he said.

Finally, Jan Kazimierz took off the ring and handed it to Natalie. He said to Natalie: "My child, I remember your loyalty to me, but don't forget your happiness while doing your loyalty. Cheerchen is a good boy, and I treat him slowly. Don't blame him, it's all It’s God’s will."

After that, Jan Kazimierz got on his horse. Accompanied by two entourages, he headed out of Warsaw.

On the outskirts of the city, Jan Kazimierz suddenly took the reins.

It turned out that an old woman walked slowly not far away. The old woman carried a bucket in one hand and two children about four or five years old in the other.

When approaching Jan Kazimierz, although the old woman didn't know him, she could see that a nobleman was standing immediately, and she hurriedly bowed slightly to salute.

"Good morning, my lord."

"Don't be polite." Jan Kazimierz said kindly.

Now, he can be said to be no official and light, and he can even speak easily.

Then, Jan Kazimierz asked: "Old man, are these two your grandchildren?"

When Jan Kazimierz mentioned the two children, the old woman smiled kindly. She touched a child's head and answered "yes".

For some reason, the interested Jan Kazimierz asked about the old woman again.

He learned that the old man was originally the mistress of a good family in Warsaw.

The Borre War broke out, and her husband and eldest son were both conscripted into the Lan Army to fight. Later, there was no news, and it is estimated that they all died in the battle. Then the Swedes captured Warsaw, and her youngest son insisted on joining the guerrillas, but was caught by the Swedes and then chopped off his hands and threw them into the well.

Losing all the strong labor in the family, the old woman had to make a living by changing the sellers. In the end, the property was sold out. She had to work in person, and finally got a bite of food to live until now.

Jan Kazimierz couldn't help but moisten his eyes after hearing it. He sighed sympathetically and said, "This is the king's incompetence."

The old woman was taken aback for a while, and she quickly said: "Don't say that, Your Majesty. He has been running for this country for these years, leading soldiers to fight against aggression. The country is now at this point, God is punishing us, just like... ...The Great Flood that the Bible says is our disaster. Perhaps His Majesty has tried his best, tried his best."

As if this was the biggest compliment to Jan Kazimierz, his face was red. Jan Kazimiere got off the horse, walked to the old woman and knelt down and stroked the faces of the two children.

Only then did he discover that the two children did not have any food on their faces, but were fat and white instead.

And they are in stark contrast with the old woman whose face is criss-crossed and thin.

Jan Kazimieri knows that this is because the old woman gave most of the food to her grandchildren. He said with emotion: "Thanks for your hard work these years."

The old woman smiled and said, "It’s not hard, sir. It’s not hard at all. Did you know that many people said at the time that they couldn’t survive and let me sell them, but I refused. Because I believe that as long as I eat two bites less, I will save them for my children. Some food, won’t this make it through?"

Jan Kazimierz looked at the two children again. He stood up, did not say anything, but took a piece of brocade embroidered with the crown and white eagle from his arms and gave it to the two children.

When the old woman saw this piece of brocade, she couldn't help but let out a cry.

Then, the old woman threw down the bucket and pulled the two children to their knees.

After all, the old woman was once wealthy, and she was not without knowledge. She recognized the crown white eagle coat of arms belonging to the king of Poland. UU reading www.uukanshu.com

"Your Majesty, atonement." The old woman said in fear.

"Get up quickly and don't have to be polite. I am no longer a king after abdicating." Jan Kazimierz said.

But the old woman refused to get up. In the end, it was Jan Kazimierz who jumped off the horse again to help her and the child up.

Although the old woman stood up, her eyes were still teary. Because to her, the republic without a king is like the sky has fallen.

"Your Majesty, you abdicated, what should your people do!"

"It doesn't matter, there will soon be a stronger king to rule this country." Jan Kazimierz said with relief.

When saying this, Jan Kazimierz thought of Duke Gan in France.

But the old woman raised her head and asked: "Then... Will the new king be a Polish?" The last border of the fire and sword