I Am Louis XIV

Crete is of course not as significant to the Roman Church as Rhodes, where the Knights Hospitallers held on to the end, as well as the well-known Istanbul (Constantinople), or even the holy city of Jerusalem, but the beauty of it is It is an important military base that can be attacked and defended. To the west, there are Sicily, Sardinia and Italy. To the north, there is Greece. To the east, there are Rhodes Island and the Asia Minor Peninsula. Moreover, it is Across the way, Rhodes Island is like two outstretched hands, embracing the Aegean Sea above.

If it wasn't so important, the Ottoman Turks wouldn't have broken with the Venetians because of this - yes, the Venetians are different from the French, they did business with the pagans openly - and they fought for more than a hundred years battle.

Louis XIV's proposal also prevented Innocent XI from becoming greedy. After becoming pope, he had no room for power, and his family would be like leeches lying on the church to eat. The belly is full, so no matter who it is, whether it is Clement X before or Innocent XI now, they will always pursue glory and ideals in the last and most glorious stage of their lives - for What is the highest honor for a priest? What ideal is the greatest ideal? Of course, it is to conquer all directions for God.

Moreover, from such a war, which is called a holy war, one-tenth of the wealth gained will always be donated to the Roman Church. The church can continue to obtain considerable and continuous income from the regained territory, even if Just like the king of France, who intends to take over a new territory as his own, to ensure the legitimacy of the territory and to avoid problems in subsequent inheritance and transfer, the church also needs a guarantee. Of course, such a guarantee is worth a lot of money.

As for all the military power of the Sun King, Innocent XI has also seen it. He saw with his own eyes that Louis XIV's army was in the town of Colonna. When the Pope went on a small pilgrimage to Louis XIV, he put on monk's clothes and brought A trustworthy person, like an ordinary abbot, walked out of St. Peter's Square to see the soldiers. They were strong, young, brightly dressed, fully equipped with weapons and equipment. The bloody smell they felt——They were all people who had withdrawn from the army that fought in the previous Kamnico meeting. When the Pope was taking a nap in a family's home, the family said that these soldiers and officers had performed bravely in fighting the devils of the Ottoman Turks, so they had the honor of accompanying their king on a pilgrimage to Rome.

It stands to reason that thousands of soldiers would be enough to cause irreparable damage to such a town, but the Pope did not see anyone robbing, stealing or raping, and the residents of the town interacted with the soldiers as if they were familiar friends. Instead of enemies who must be on guard - which is very rare, not to mention Italy, a place that has been ravaged by mercenaries for thousands of years, the language barrier alone is a problem - at this time, only nobles and kings, scholars and priests studied Foreign languages, not to mention, there are especially many regional languages ​​in Italy.

After looking at it for a while, they realized that compared to the flashy silver tongue, the tinkling silver crown and gold Louis were worse. Coins with the image of Louis XIV on them had become the universal currency in this town. The French soldiers' military pay is paid monthly without delay, and they also receive wartime allowances every day on the battlefield. They spend generously, never care about anything, and are very willing to make friends with others. They have come up with many things that have a strong Istanbul style. The things - probably trophies obtained from the battlefield, attracted many idle young men, as well as businessmen who came after hearing the news, making the place more lively.

While in the tavern, the Pope's servants also heard something new, that is, everyone knows that wherever there is an army, there will also be another ancient trade. I heard that there is an entire king's army here, and you can The women and ladies came overnight, but to their great disappointment, only a few soldiers were willing to trade with them, and these few transactions were stopped soon after.

Innocent XI didn't know that Louis was worried that his soldiers and officers had not died in the previous three battles, but were in bad luck because of meidu, and that the disease would spread from father and husband to their children and children. Mother, even if the wizards have magic potions, he will never allow this kind of behavior that is commonplace elsewhere to spread in his army.

The Pope had to admit that he was moved at that time. He even tentatively wanted to know if there was any dissatisfaction in the French army because of this - unfortunately, there was no; he asked his servant to ask the priest in the chapel - Generally speaking, military priests would go to churches or monasteries to say mass wherever they went. What Innocent XI wanted to know was that since Louis XIV had almost openly planted wizards and heretics in the army ( Does anyone question, at least some of the more deviant scholars) that they are being loyal to a demonic entourage?

Innocent XI did not dare to send people to Paris to preach that their king was a wizard like the crazy Clement X, but if there was... He meant that a person should always prepare for a rainy day.

In the end, should he be glad that he just asked the priest of the Colonna family?

Innocent XI sighed happily.

This army will certainly make the pope and cardinals troubled when they are in Rome, but they will definitely hope to see this army appear in Istanbul... No, no, no, this may be a bit early, but it is still very good to fantasize about it. Delightful. Innocent XI raised the teacup and said, "Deal."

"Deal." Louis also raised the teacup and clinked it with him.

Of course, there are countless details to be discussed later. There are benefits that can be grabbed immediately, benefits that will flow slowly, and benefits that I don’t know if they will be seen... Anyway, Innocent XI already knew about Louis. The Fourteenth will definitely not be Louis IX (Saint Louis), and he doesn't care whether he can be called a saint after his death.

In this case: "I say," Innocent XI said amiably, "since you are already in Rome, why don't you just arrange the marriage between the Duke of Colonna and the Grand Princess Anna?"

This sentence made Louis stunned, "Anna is not old enough to make a marriage contract yet."

"Ha," Innocent XI felt proud now: "Your Majesty, you don't have to worry about this at all."

Louis XIV really didn’t have to worry about this. The Roman Church had learned how to cheat in BC. In the Middle Ages, when a large number of illiterate lords appeared, they became even more adept at using various documents to increase their property— For example, it often happens that a deceased person's will inexplicably ignores his parents, wife, and children, and donates fields and manors to a monastery. For example, when a nobleman marries a king, the bride and groom are either one or the other. right.

So Anna, the eldest daughter of Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, married the Duke of Colonna. This is undoubtedly the most beneficial to Louis XIV. First of all, the Duke of Colonna is already eighteen years old and has completely outgrown the category of children. He has been a voiced and credible adult for several years. Louis XIV's Italian strategy can be implemented two to three years in advance; secondly, if Innocent XI said that being able to personally witness and witness the wedding of his eldest son is also a father's greatest wish; finally, he could just take this opportunity to see the people here and what they think about France after more than a century. What thoughts do people have when they appear in Italy again - is it expectation, disgust, or hatred?

——————

Francesco, the Medici, suffered a gout attack within minutes after hearing the news - trouble for the Medici family.

If the King of France is not present at the wedding, the Grand Duke of Tuscany and the owner of the Medici family can pretend that the Duke of Colonna has nothing to do with the Sun King, but it is obvious that the King intends to keep his private life Giving birth to a son like Ferdinand, the former King of Naples, would not only receive his protection and rewards like a child born from a legitimate marriage, but also allow him to inherit a kingdom from his father's bloodline.

When he thought about what would happen to the Holy Roman Empire, what would happen to Spain, what would happen to the princes of Italy, Francesco's gout did not seem to be on his toes and knees, but on his head, but regardless of him, Even the Grand Duke of Tuscany had no reason to refuse - even if Cosimo III's original wish was to get some help from the French King to ensure that the Medici family's rule in Tuscany could continue.

Just then, he heard a commotion. He asked his servant to lift him to the window and looked down. He happened to see Ferdinand, the eldest son of Cosimo III, with the Duke of Colonna and Little Louis, the French crown prince, walked out chatting and laughing. They were close in age and both were boys. Therefore, although little Louis, the crown prince, and Ferdinand had not known each other for a long time, they quickly became good friends - Buddha Francesco looked at it seriously and frowned slowly, because except for the Duke of Colonna and the crown prince Louis, there were only one or two Italian entourage around them, and the others were all French, oh, There was another one, but that was also a Tatar named Anwo. His father was the leader of a Tatar tribe. He swore allegiance to the French king, and this child was equivalent to a hostage.

They rode out, armed with muskets, and came back with a bountiful harvest, clamoring for roast venison, and some saying they should cook mutton and fish soup, a new recipe coming from Paris, and lately from Paris and Versailles So many things came - jewelry, makeup, clothes, poetry and drama, sculptures and paintings - that they had replaced Florence, Siena, Milan, as the center of pleasure and civilization.

Francesco was so full of worries and gout that he could hardly sleep, his ears pricked up - and after supper the boys went out again, for the King of France had brought not only an army but also a Although the theater troupe did not bring many props due to limited stock, it was enough for these children to watch one show after another with great interest.

Ferdinand was not as far-reaching as his uncle and father thought. Like most dandy boys at this time, the unfortunate marriage of his father and mother left him with a great lack of education, although now Cosimo III has also He began to be taught as harshly as possible—but the gout, which had been passed down from generation to generation in the Medici, would occasionally keep Cosimo III in bed, and the lively boy ran out to play again. Francesco didn't want to blame him. This was because Cosimo III and his wife were not good at it. By the time the Grand Duke wanted to educate him, his character and habits had already been finalized - he was not bad, just lazy and unwilling. Be willing to take responsibility.

It was precisely for this reason that Cosimo III was so anxious. Members of the Medici family were not very long-lived, and he was worried that he would not be able to last for a few years... Now it seems that he can only hope that his brother can last for twenty or thirty years. Years, even if Ferdinand can't do it, they might still consider his children...

When Ferdinand walked into Francesco's room with a smile, Francesco instinctively felt that something was wrong, but he reluctantly sat up and asked in a gentle tone what they were doing. Of course there was hunting and swimming and theater and dancing and stuff, and cards and dice.

"I think you need to get ready," Francesco hinted: "Ferdinand, your sister's wedding will be held early. You are her brother, so you should do your best."

"I'm trying my best," Ferdinand sat down on the head of his bed and raised his feet. "You should also find a wizard to take a look at your feet. And father, I really don't know what you are worried about. What, now you can see wizards appearing openly in every palace."

"It's never a bad thing to be cautious at any time," especially them. Francesco moved his body, and Ferdinand immediately came forward to get him a pillow to put behind him, and then poured him a glass of water. He was indeed not a person. The bad boy, as if to comfort Francesco, he said: "I have a very good relationship with the Duke of Colonna. Uncle, he promised me that he will definitely treat Anna well, and they will have a long time together." Stay in Italy, not France.”

This is what I am most worried about, Francesco said in his heart: "So is the Duke of Colonna planning to take Anna to stay in France for a while after the wedding?"

"Of course, we must let mother see Anna." Ferdinand said coldly, and then he became happy again: "It's not just them, uncle, I have also promised His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to return to Versailles with him."

Francesco's vision went dark and he fainted immediately.

——————

The wedding of the Duke of Colonna and Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici was held in the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence.

Before Louis XIV, Charles VIII ascended the throne in Italy and declared himself the King of Naples. Then Louis XII claimed to inherit both Milan and Naples as a descendant of Anjou and Visconti. Louis XIV was The third French king to enter Italy within three hundred years. Of course, France's ambitions for Italy have never been concealed, and Louis XIV had no intention of pretending to be a good man who wanted nothing.

But no matter what time, the wedding is always a happy event. He chose the people to go to the wedding with him. In addition to the guards and attendants, Bontang was definitely a must, as well as Vauban, Schaumberg, Lu Generals such as the Marquis of Vas, it is worth noting that among them was a man named Nicholas Cardinale. He was the son of a lawyer and was once a lawyer, but one day he found that he was more suitable for the army - maybe we still remember , the friend who came to Paris with Vauban, who accidentally took the king and his bodyguard and saved the life of the Prince of Condé because he had a lover in the Rue Tourbig.

He was Nicholas. After Sebastian Vauban came into the eyes of Prince Condé and Louis XIV, he also received rewards and promotions. However, Vauban surrendered to the king and he still stayed in Condé. In the prince's army, he followed Condé to Spain, and then became a prisoner in the Battle of Dunkirk. Later, the prince was pardoned and he was released. He originally wanted to continue his career as a lawyer. But within a few months, Vauban, who was willing to vouch for him, managed to get him back into the army.

In the previous battles, he had accumulated many merits, but he was calm by nature and too cautious, so he was not as conspicuous as Vauban or others.

But as long as Vauban is around, he will not be forgotten by everyone. It is no wonder that Bontang can always get so much respect and bribes. Maybe Louis XIV was not very impressed by him, but When appointing the attaché, he ticked the box when he saw the name.

This kind of honor, which may only be obtained by dukes and marquises in Versailles and Paris, fell on the son of a lawyer. We can imagine how surprised and happy Mr. Nicholas Cardinale was, although he is not that kind of frivolous person. , and ran back to his room involuntarily, and began to dress himself, his horse and weapons carefully. He also went to exchange a belt with another officer - because the cowhide leather inlaid with gold and gems The belt has a distinct Ottoman Turkish style, and anyone who sees it will know that he is one of the soldiers of this holy war.

When it was time to set off, about a thousand people gathered in the square, including palace ministers, generals, officers, soldiers... bands, as well as entourage and servants, cooks, servants, etc., they gathered in the street, even though Although he had deliberately lowered his voice, he still couldn't help but set off waves of noise.

Update completed.