I Am Louis XIV

The painters of this era have always had the habit of painting themselves in group portraits. Sometimes they are sinners (just like Michelangelo showed in the Sistine ceiling painting), and sometimes they are spectators. (Just like Botticini's identity in "The Doctor Comes to Salute"), sometimes it is simply the original identity of the painter, (the reflection in the mirror of "Portrait of the Arnolfini Couple" is the Dutch painter Jan Van Eyck), and in "Seven Blind Men", the last person is Bruegel, yes, he gave the impression of a haggard old man, but in fact he was only forty when he "died". Four years old, in the middle of his prime, and walking down from the screen is a strong farmer. His body exudes a strong smell of oil paint, and the pupils in his eyes are only a little bigger than the tip of a needle, which is intimidating.

Mr. Prime Minister held the armrest of the chair behind him as if to give himself some courage, but Brueghel just sneered. He was the most like Bosch's disciple, but he was not the most talented and the one he liked the most. Perhaps it was because Bruegel's soul was as evil as Bosch's, and his compatibility with Bosch made Bosch lose his interest in torturing him. Love, well, whatever the devil says, “It seems that you have already thought about it.” He looked around and said arrogantly: “Mr. Prime Minister.”

"Make a deal with you, I will go to hell, but it doesn't matter, I will see my enemy walk in front of me."

"I don't know how you're going to convince those despicable businessmen," said Bruegel, "but don't forget that we are wizards and the devil's entourage, Mr. Prime Minister, and you will suffer the most terrible punishment if you break your contract with us." revenge."

Thinking of the annuities, territories, and mansions that Bruegel claimed—as well as slaves, Mr. Prime Minister felt a palpitation. He knew that the parliamentarians also hired wizards to do things, but those wizards were almost all in the colonies to deal with the heretics ——As if there is a tacit understanding, the merchants also have enemies in the Netherlands and the whole of Europa, but they have never aggravated the situation to the point where wizards need to be involved. This has something to do with their beliefs and the last point of caution, but today, John DeWitt is about to break that taboo.

"If they don't want to," said Mr. Prime Minister through gritted teeth, "I will sell all my assets and complete the contract."

"That would be really great." Brueghel said, he was born in a farming family, and of course he didn't like these businessmen, let alone tell him that the remaining black wizards in Flanders had decided to attack the French King Louis XIV again. ——Since he took the lead in breaking the barrier between the inner world and the outer world, he has to bear the consequences, and Bruegel still has his own little selfishness, that is, he heard that when he completed the curse on the French king , Bosch did not summon him but summoned Rubens, which annoyed Bruegel, who was already jealous and hated Rubens, if he could complete the work that the teacher could not complete, then , doesn't it mean that he not only surpassed Rubens, but also surpassed Bosch?

Although Bosch's reputation among the black wizards of Flanders is almost ruined, he is equally powerful. Bruegel is fighting for the position left by Bosch, and cursing a king is simply a medal—— Like Bosch's role in the death of Louis XIII.

One last deep look at the Prime Minister, Brueghel returned to the frame, and the brown-bearded farmer remained motionless again, only with a slightly more mocking expression on his face.

Only then did Mr. Prime Minister realize that his mouth was full of blood—he gritted his teeth too hard and hurt his gums. He hurried back to his office, picked up the silver pot, and poured a full glass of wine, along with his own blood. After drinking it, he looked in the mirror again, wiped away the remaining blood between his teeth with a silk scarf, and then went to the town hall to meet the envoy of Leopold I.

Leopold I, if he could bear it when France attacked Flanders and just secretly contacted other countries in Europe to fight against France, then after Louis XIV took the whole of Flanders, not only did he not When he retreated and even continued to increase the stakes, everyone could see that his appetite was beyond the expectations of others. Even if it was only the first personal expedition, he not only captured Flanders, but also captured the Netherlands. .

The lowlands, that is, the entire Netherlands, were in fact originally Habsburg's territory, but Habsburg gradually became weaker with the passage of time, which allowed his vassals and enemies to take advantage of them. How could he endure Louis XIV's pressing every step of the way? Even though the secret alliance between him and Louis XIV is still in the hands of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, can Spain still fail to see that Leopold De I must have had some plans of his own? Leopold I has decided not to pretense his behavior against France, and sent envoys with great fanfare to Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Brandenburg, Spain and the territories of various princes of the Holy Roman Empire, trying his best to suppress France's ambitions. Killed in the cradle.

No one knew about the conversation between Leopold I’s envoy and the Prime Minister, but after that, the Prime Minister’s envoy also quickly went to surrounding countries and regions, including Sweden and the United Kingdom, and the Prime Minister also A businessman, and a businessman always knows when to accept the fact of losing money, but as long as he keeps the original, there is always a chance to make it back.

————

The envoys of Mr. Prime Minister and Louis XIV met on Queen's Island in Stockholm.

Louis has never been a conceited person, and he also knows that as long as the kings need it, they can tear up the covenant anytime and anywhere-the game between countries has never tolerated the existence of innocence and dignity, only interests , various interests—the French envoy came with confidence, after all, the French princess has a marriage contract with the Swedish king, and he came to send a portrait of the princess every year, and he also brought back the portrait of the king—Princess Elizabeth is so tall One year older, girls mature very quickly, and the court painter LeBlanc will also move these portraits closer to dignified and elegant. Unlike her mediocre mother, Queen Teresa, the little princess looks similar to her father , with a slightly curved mouth that seems to be always smiling, and a pair of sapphire blue eyes that look like a lake under snow. Her skin is as white as cream. She doesn't have too much jewelry on her body. She only wears King Karl of Sweden The bead chain given to her by King XI. A round pendant is hung on the bead chain. Inside the pendant is a small portrait of Karl XI. Although there is a golden lily curtain behind him, he wears a corolla of lilies of the valley on his head. , lily of the valley is an extremely common flower in Sweden, and its meaning is self-evident.

Karl XI is already fifteen years old this year, and he is already a real boy, just as Louis XIV expected, even if he is not very handsome, but at least he is healthy and strong, he is almost the same as Count d'Artagney, the envoy of France Tall, his dark hair and eyes made him look more mature, but when he was around the Queen Mother, he was reticent, and he could only glimpse a little youthful heart from the behavior of looking at the portrait from time to time, and his love for the Queen Mother. Satisfaction with this marriage—although, at this time, the marriage between countries is more like a covenant, but who doesn't want to have a beautiful and lovely wife? In any case, the orthodox heir can only be born from the womb of the queen. No matter how attractive the royal wife is, their children will never be recognized by the people and princes.

Count d'Artagnan has gray temples, but his age does not affect his suaveness in the slightest. The brilliant achievements he had easily achieved in Paris and Versailles were repeated in Stockholm, and the Queen Mother of Sweden was constantly attracted by him. Laughing, of course he would not refuse him to go hunting with the king. When the Count d'Artagnan was on the horse, he jumped up on the stirrups without help. There was a loud cry.

The hunting ground on Queen's Island is just a shrubby forest by the sea. After all, it can only be said to be the king's palace—John III, whose younger brother is Karl IX, the father-in-law of Karl X, and the grandfather of Karl XI. This palace was built by John III for his queen, Princess Catherine of Poland, so the island is also called Queen's Island, but to say how beautiful and rich this island is... "There are still many goats here." Karl Ten I said.

Count d'Artagnan, who is good at dancing, certainly would not say anything to spoil the fun: "Oh, your majesty," he said courteously, "mutton is my favorite."

A few shots caught the attention of a few fishermen, but they soon realized that it was the king hunting, so they cheerfully raised their hats, waved at Karl XI, and continued to bend over to fuck themselves work.

Earl d'Artagnan kept these in mind and adjusted the front sight of the spear. Afterwards, his results were not inferior to the king's. As he speculated, Charles XI was not only not angry, but also very angry. Relieved, he made D'Artagnan think of his king. When he came to the king, Louis XIV was about the same age as the current Karl XI, but isn't it true for all kings? The mother of Karl XI, Eleonora, did not do as well as Queen Mother Anne of France. Karl XI's education was greatly delayed. Although he had already set a marriage date with the French princess, his French was unexpectedly It's still bad, and D'Artagnan has to guess whether the Queen Mother of Sweden allowed him and the king to go out hunting so simply because even if they wanted to do something, they couldn't communicate freely without a translator.

You know, at this critical moment, there is no room for error or misunderstanding.

After the king's entourage was piled up with the goats and rabbits they hunted, the king, who said almost less words than a farmer wrote on a piece of paper, suddenly raised his horsewhip, pointed forward, and then Suddenly galloping forward, only one of the people present reacted—maybe because he is a musketeer after all, maybe because he has been paying attention to the king's every move, anyway, he quickly chased after him, Before everyone else, they were rushing through the sparse woods, constantly being whipped by the drooping branches, and d'Artagnan's heart was beating violently--not for fear of himself, but for fear that the King of Sweden would not because of this I broke my neck due to impulsive behavior.

Fortunately, a few minutes later, Charles XI stopped, and D'Artagnan found that they had run to the bottom of a remote cliff. The protruding tongue rock was like a huge canopy pressing on top of their heads. Not far away was the gray In the sea, Charles XI turned his horse's head, and D'Artagnan looked along his line of sight, and found that the corner of the palace was over the treetops.

"This palace was built by John III for his queen Catherine," said Karl XI in that slow, trying to catch the correct pronunciation: "It, um, burned down nine years ago, Now...we have made some repairs, sir," he turned his head to stare at D'Artagnan, "may I have the honor to know...Princess Elizabeth's preferences?"

D'Artagnan's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood that even though the Queen Mother of Sweden and the regent were shaken, Karl XI still decided to fulfill the covenant with France, even though the young king has not yet ruled personally, But his performance is not inferior to any king. Not only did he reveal his attitude, but he also directly talked to the special envoy of the French king. This can almost be said to be an omen. As a Frenchman Of course, D'Artagnan is happy to see the success. After all, Karl XI has a false name and is still in power, which directly affects the situation of Princess Elizabeth, just like Queen Teresa. Although the Queen Mother and the people in the French court are not No matter how much he likes her, but because of Louis' authority, she can still get respect and preferential treatment.

"I will convey this matter to the princess, and ask her to tell you personally in a letter."

Karl XI showed a kind smile. King Louis XIV of France did not restrain his daughter too much-this is not like the education of the Spanish court. Everyone knows that the Spanish court is a representative of rigidity and harshness. Elizabeth The princess and Karl XI have always exchanged letters. From these letters written as simple and clear as possible, but not lacking in sincerity, it can be seen that Princess Elizabeth is not as vulgar and ignorant as those noble girls whom Karl XI saw. She said that she was educated with her elder brother, even under the guidance of her father, and her letters proved this-there was hardly any empty and boring content, and even the smallest things, the princess could use bright descriptions to make people feel happy. Karl XI read it with gusto, and then thought about it even more—what he needed was such a wife. Karl XI almost had to thank Ms. Christina, the former Queen of Sweden, after all, if she hadn't been so reckless , Short-sighted, French King Louis XIV will not easily give up her and support Karl XI instead.

But today, he said this sentence to Princess Elizabeth, and even more so to King Louis XIV of France. He did not agree with the ideas of some ministers-no matter what else, Princess Elizabeth can get a Flanders. Will the Netherlands be willing to cede a province, even just a port city, Hague or Amsterdam to Sweden?

And anyone can see that Louis XIV has a great chance of winning.

"By the way, Your Majesty," said the Count d'Artagnan suddenly, "do you know Livonia?"