I Am Louis XIV

Chapter 374 Father and Son in Berlin Palace (two updates in one)

When Frederick returned to the Berlin Palace in Brandenburg, his father, the Elector, was standing in front of the largest and most complete wall of the conference room, looking at a map of Europe - not the one painted by the monks before, compared with a map of Europe. This exact geographical description is more like a religious map, but a map he invited wizards in Prussia to survey and map with the help of raven eyes.

This map is almost always hidden behind a curtain, and the Elector rarely pulls it up to avoid arousing people's doubts, because as soon as they see it, others will know that this map is extraordinary - Frederick As soon as he saw it, he couldn't help but slow down. He and his father looked at the map together. Different from the previous vague pictures, this map accurately outlined the existing map of Brandenburg-Prussia. Territory - From the map, Brandenburg-Prussia is like a flying thin ribbon, Brandenburg is on the lower left, East Prussia is on the upper right, and East Pomerania is in the middle. The ribbon Surrounded by Poland.

The Hohenzollern family of Brandenburg-Prussia can even be called a new noble among most families with a long heritage. First of all, the Hohenzollern family was only canonized as counts in the eleventh century. Then At that time, their surname was still Sauron. Later, because of their loyalty to the Hohenstaufen family and the Habsburg family, they were fortunate enough to be appointed as the new electors after the original Duchy of Brandenburg became extinct, and Frederick His grandfather acquired Prussia through marriage and merged the two places into one. After taking the throne, Frederick's father worked hard and cautiously, and finally transformed what people call "European sand bottle (referring to barrenness)". Brandenburg and the chaotic Prussian government became the prosperous place it is now - that's why people call him the "elector", which is a word full of praise.

This map was like a bucket of cold water mixed with ice cubes poured directly on Frederick. His fevered mind suddenly came to his senses - the Elector knew that it was his son who walked into the room, but he didn't know anything. He didn't say anything, he just quietly put his hands behind his back and looked at the map. After a few minutes, he turned around and looked at Frederick. Frederick was over twenty years old, a strong and handsome young man. When he left Berlin, he still had a light beard on his lips, which has now been completely removed - King Louis XIV of France because of Everyone knows that beards can easily hide dirt and you don’t like people around you with beards. Frederick's coat was even the uniform of the French Royal Military Academy, with a royal blue background, white buttons and a gold belt, and boots that could be pulled up to just above the knees. This outfit made Frederick look energetic and energetic. Handsome, the election candidate couldn't help but sigh.

"Do you want to take a rest? Or do you want to talk to me now?" the father asked his son.

Frederick obviously grabbed a chair next to him. He was a little confused at first, but then suddenly became calmer than before: "I will talk to you now."

"I'll have the wine brought," said the Elector.

The two of them moved to the fireplace together, just like the Duke of Orleans and the Grand Princess. Brandenburg was colder than Versailles. The flame in the fireplace cast a golden-red light, making the whole room seem to be soaked in In gold and blood, Frederick first took a sip of heated Baden wine. Baden wine is also wine, because Baden is in the southernmost part of Brandenburg-Prussia, and the alcohol content of the wine is also higher than that produced in other regions. The wine was high, and after one sip, his body immediately warmed up. The considerate servant also brought white meat sausage, yellow mustard and calf liver soup. He picked up the meat sausage, peeled it off, dipped it in the yellow mustard, swallowed it in big gulps, and drank another big gulp. A bowl of soup, the Elector waited quietly for him to finish eating and drinking, watched him rinse his mouth with wine, and then signaled that he could start talking.

"I heard that King Carlos II of Spain has arrived at Versailles," said the Elector.

"Yes," said Frederick, "I saw him."

"It is said that his physical condition has improved greatly," the Elector said. "From what you can see, is this true?"

Frederick was silent for a while: "He can walk freely, ride horses, and hunt. One of his maids is said to be pregnant. His mind seems to be very clear and he can speak to us in French."

The Elector stared at him for a while and smiled with relief: "I'm glad you didn't humiliate a king at will because of your personal desires." As his heir, Frederick had to stay calm. Whether a king is ugly or not, Whether he is old or deformed, no one cares. What Frederick said is what people care about. His body seems to be quite healthy, he can control his emotions and thoughts, and he can also make a woman pregnant. that's enough.

"But you are stronger than him, more handsome than him, and more knowledgeable than him," the Elector said sharply: "The princess also loves you more. That's why you are in front of me."

"Yes, father," said Frederick, "I have come to seek an opportunity."

"I am seeking an opportunity for you and your descendants." The Elector said, and he did not hide his thoughts from Frederick: "You may be a king, or your son will be a king, but if Provoking the wrath of Leopold I against us, Hohenzollern may have to wait another hundred years.”

"Father, the princess's dowry is one million livres, plus a fief in Friedland."

The Elector pursed his lips in slight surprise - as I said before, Brandenburg has always been the "sand bottle" of Europe. In order to revitalize the principality's economy, the Elector spent a lot of thought and even imitated the King of France. A wizard was used, but even a wizard couldn't create something out of nothing. They needed at least one direction - what made the election more exciting was a fiefdom in Friedland - Friesland is located above North Holland, facing the Wa Denghai, there is just a chain of islands surrounding it. Although we still don't know where the princess's dowry is, we can't help but feel that the Elector's position is unstable - what he has been pursuing is to expand an outlet for Brandenburg-Prussia, instead of being stuck in Europa like now. Inside.

Even if there is no port in the territory of the Grand Princess, Friedland is much better than Brandenburg, which is thousands of miles away from the sea. Moreover, if he becomes an in-law with the King of France, he wants to rent North Holland or Ports elsewhere shouldn't be a problem - now he can only swim in the Alster Lake if he wants to train his navy!

The Elector's fingers tightened involuntarily, but he also knew very well that Leopold I hated Louis XIV so much, not that there was really any unsolvable hatred between them - it was just jealousy, and many people You can tell, after all, they are of the same age, have the same net worth, and are brothers-in-law—bloody brothers-in-law! Leopold I prided himself on his natural talents and devoted himself wholeheartedly to becoming the true "Emperor", but he was always one step behind Louis XIV, not only in marriage, but also in heirs. Moreover, according to some secrets known to the Elector, Louis XIV once played a cruel trick on Leopold I, probably on the issue of Flanders. After all, if he hadn't had secret negotiations with Leopold I first, how could Leopold I do it? When France attacked Flanders, did they stand idly by while the Spaniards were retreating steadily?

The recent great battle directly stimulated Leopold I. After all, he had to ask for help from his old enemy, and he owed a large debt because of it. Even the queen's jewelry had to be mortgaged to repay it... It was enough to make profit. Opode I replaced the devil with the name of Louis XIV.

If Brandenburg-Prussia moved closer to Louis XIV, whether for private or public reasons, Leopold I would inevitably regard the Hohenzollern family as enemies and rebels. Then the Elector planned to upgrade the Principality of Prussia For the sake of the kingdom, I don’t know how long it will be delayed. However, this must be recognized by the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The King of France cannot help in this regard-unless Leopold I suddenly makes a sudden decision the next day. Inspired by God, he went to heaven, and the emperor elected by the electors was Louis XIV... Forget it, even if you think about it with your toes, it is impossible. The princes of the Holy Roman Empire are now jealous of France, and It was fear. They elected Louis XIV as emperor. Louis XIV dared to make this emperor worthy of his name. Let alone others, even the general election would not vote for that guy.

"But," Frederick said hesitantly, holding the cup, "what if His Majesty the Emperor is also happy to see this result?"

"What?" The Elector had already guessed a little bit, but he also started to think about it, wanting to see if Frederick could think that far: "Why do you think His Majesty the Emperor would like us to marry Louis XIV? "

"There are several reasons," Frederick licked his lips: "First of all, father, the Grand Princess is the daughter of the Duke of Orleans and has such a rich dowry. It is unlikely that she will be married to a Frenchman. This is very... ...A waste, so," he looked at his father's face: "She will eventually marry a powerful king or a grand duke, but the eldest princess is already married to King Carl XI of Sweden, and the crown princess is The Portuguese princess doesn't have many choices for the Sun King and the Duke of Orleans..."

"Not many, but not none, Savoy, Parma..." The Elector gave two examples casually.

"Yes, but if that's the case, the French king will also get help. In that case, what's the difference between us and them?"

"The difference is that in order for Prussia to be elevated from a principality to a kingdom, it required the recognition of Leopold I, but he would definitely want the grand princess to become a grand duchess rather than a queen."

"But on the other hand, if the princess does not become my wife, then the most likely possibility is that she will become the Queen of Spain." Frederick spread his hands: "Father, as far as I can see, the Duke of Orleans and Louis Fourteen's doting on her - and France's determination to win Spain. Once she marries to Spain," he said with some difficulty, "she will get pregnant as quickly as possible. Carlos II seems to be healthy, but No one knows how long he can live. As the queen mother, the princess will inevitably serve as regent for her son - she will definitely lean towards France instead of Austria or other countries. By then, Habsburg will also It's like losing Spain."

"The Spanish will not allow her to do this," said the Elector.

"Orange." Frederick only said one word, but the Elector immediately understood it, because William II of Orange only left one posthumous son, that is, when William III was born, William III's surroundings It was also after a lot of fighting between you and me, first the Dutch, then Brandenburg - the Elector's wife was the daughter of William I, and then the British. Why did they surround themselves with a person who didn't understand anything? Isn't it because he is almost the same as Holland?

Presumably the French would do the same thing. If Spain was still the same prosperous Spain, the Spaniards would certainly be able to reject the French without fear, but during the reign of Philip IV, Spain was so weak that it could not afford Queen Teresa's half a million Rivre's dowry - after Carlos II came to the throne, Duke Don Juan, the illegitimate son of Philip IV - since he could not inherit the throne, of course he would not cherish the country much, and he would levy excessive taxes and exclude dissidents everywhere, thinking To do something for Spain, you have to surrender humiliatingly at the feet of an illegitimate son like Juan Patiño.

Not to mention the Queen Mother of Spain. She couldn't even deal with Duke Don Juan and was even expelled. If it weren't for the ministers at the court who saw Louis XIV's bold behavior and decided to make a desperate decision to ask the dark wizard to cure the king, so he needed to If one person came to restrain Duke Don Juan, she wouldn't know where to wander.

"You almost convinced me." The election candidate took a sip of wine. The wine was already cold, but it was still warm in his stomach after swallowing it.

"I'm not sure. It depends on whether Leopold I is willing to continue to hold on to his hatred and jealousy, or whether he is willing to get Spain in a few years."

"He may want everything," the Elector said. "He may be willing to see the princess marry you, and then reject our request."

"Then tell him that as long as the marriage succeeds, we are willing to give half of the princess's dowry as reward." Frederick said: "He owes Louis XIV 1.5 million livres."

The Elector repeatedly rubbed his glass, "I don't know if we should take this risk."

"After all, the Holy Roman Empire and Spain have a marriage contract first." Frederick said: "The Holy Roman Empire's eldest princess Antonia is also eight years old, and she is only a few years away from adulthood. If the marriage between Spain and France is destroyed, Cara It will be difficult for Los II to find another suitable princess or princess. In this way, maybe a few years later..."

"Would Louis XIV be willing?"

This sentence asks the key point: "I saw in Versailles how Louis XIV got along with his children, and how he trusted his younger brother. The Duke of Orleans also regarded his daughter as a treasure," Frederick Lie affirmed: "They will find other ways to solve this matter, and sacrificing the princess is not the only way."

"Let me think."

"Don't be too long, father," said Frederick: "I don't want to rush you, but...if this matter is finally settled by the French, no matter what decision they make, the Grand Princess, the Duke of Orleans, and even... Louis XIV will be very disappointed in me."

"I will consider it carefully." the Elector said. In fact, he was much more decisive than his son imagined. When Frederick was still anxious and unable to sleep, a young envoy rushed out of Berlin on horseback. In the palace, he carried an autographed letter from the Elector. In the letter, the Elector was extremely humble, full of flattery and at the same time trying his best to be powerful - just like what Frederick said, Leopold I had to make a choice. ——Wanting Spain is still a temporary impulse. To be honest, if Spain really marries France, France will benefit. After all, the Bourbon bloodline will still remain in Spain, and the princess will be more likely to serve as regent on behalf of her sick husband or young children.

Therefore, although the tone of the Elector is humble, he is not here to ask for forgiveness, but to ask for reward. He is saying that he is willing to solve this problem for Leopold I. If the princess eventually becomes his son's wife, then The marriage between Princess Antonia and Carlos II would not change. Spain still belonged to the Habsburgs, but to compete with Carlos II, the status of an heir to the principality was completely insufficient - therefore, he came to ask for the emperor's permission. Acknowledging it allowed the Principality of Prussia to be promoted to a kingdom, for which he was willing to pay six hundred thousand livres in return.

King Leopold I would definitely yell and become extremely angry after reading the letter, but the Elector felt that if he calmed down, he would only carefully weigh the benefits and losses, and finally make a wise decision. s Choice.

The Elector's guess was correct. After reading the letter, Leopold I immediately threw the Elector's envoy into prison and vowed to hang Hohenzollern's rebellion with him. But the young and brave man Before the envoy had eaten his third meal in prison, he was released again. After being secretly summoned for the second time, he returned to the Berlin Palace safe and sound, bringing back the news that Frederick and the Elector were looking forward to. .

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Duke Don Juan, the illegitimate son of Philip IV, is already in his late teens, but what matches the wrinkles accumulated at the corners of his eyes and mouth is the charm of a libertine, like the charm accumulated at the bottom of a barrel. Bad wine has a special charm because of its turbidity. He is not married and does not seem to want to get married. He has been the regent of Carlos II for ten years. In these ten years, he is famous for his incompetence and greed. in Europa.

Spain's originally shaky politics and economy, after being manipulated by the regent, were unable to curb the downward trend and were about to slip into the abyss. So, a group of ministers headed by Juan Patiño and the Archbishop of Toledo - with their remaining conscience and loyalty, contacted the expelled Queen Mother Maria, and almost hired someone crazy The dark wizard managed to free their king Carlos II from chronic illness and madness - wait, to be precise, what they originally expected was a body that could allow women to have children. After all, Carlos No one who looks at Nisei's condition would think that he is still as healthy and strong as an ordinary person.

But to the joy of some people, to the annoyance and dismay of others, Carlos II recovered not only physically, but also mentally. Although at the beginning, he was as dull and ignorant as a baby, but soon Soon, people discovered that he had a strong learning ability, as if God sent an angel to pour wisdom into his head. He seemed to be able to become a king - anyway, not every king is like the Sun King. Wise and astute.

Only Duke Don Juan didn't feel it. He always felt that Carlos II had countless sense of disobedience, but he also knew that if he said this, others would only laugh at him, thinking that he was unwilling to be deprived of power by a healthy king. , especially the Queen Mother and the Archbishop of Toledo.

"Just watch." He murmured - he had not known before that the king had been quietly sent to Versailles to seek marriage with the daughter of the Duke of Orleans. Of course, compared to the daughter of Leopold I, the French king's The niece is more valuable. After all, the marriage between Habsburgs is a waste, and the eldest princess Antonia is too young. Since the king was proved to be able to sleep with women, they can't wait for the king to have a legal wife. Heir - Duke Don Juan didn't think this would be a simple matter, but this incident exposed a problem, that is, his authority was no longer as strong as before. The group of people deceived him together - he was invited He went hunting and returned to Madrid more than ten days later. By that time, the king was no longer in the palace.

"They are all dealing with me!" He said bitterly, pulled the bell rope, and asked the servant to bring a glass of wine. Unexpectedly, he just rang the bell, and the servant hurried in. He thought that the servant and himself had a telepathic connection. However, I saw that he had empty hands and said with a gray face: "Sir, the Queen Mother's attendants have come to tell you to rush to the Aranjuez Palace immediately."

Duke Don Juan was startled, and then he immediately understood: "She is going to give birth?"

The Palace of Aranjuez is about a hundred miles away from Madrid, where the maid and the queen mother who were lucky enough to be pregnant with Carlos II's child temporarily lived. Duke Don Juan had maliciously speculated about Juan Pablo. Tinio also felt embarrassed. After all, this maid was his relative, but before the king's wedding, the royal wife could not appear in public, so the maid could only move her belly to a place where people could not see her.

It's just that this is the king's child after all. Just like Don Juan back then, his birth needs to be proved by credible witnesses. Duke Don Juan can only rush to the Aranjuez Palace overnight - he approximates it under the guidance of his attendants. Yu rushed through the corridor at a trot and passed through countless rooms. When the surroundings became darker and hotter, he knew that he was almost there. The rooms outside were crowded with men and women. People saluted him, but the Duke ignored them. Go straight inside. As soon as he entered, he saw the mother and her two blue-black little feet exposed.

A priest was anointing the mother's head with oil. Her lips trembled and her face looked as if it had been powdered. Before the Duke could say anything, she dropped her head and died.

What followed was chaos. The Queen Mother ordered the midwife to cut open the mother's belly and take out the baby. The Duke didn't know if the midwife listened to her words. Anyway, he saw the baby a few minutes later and learned the reason for the mother's dystocia. —The baby has two heads.