I Am Louis XIV

Louis XIV only stayed in the Shire suite for a while to appease the uneasy emotions of his wife and eldest son. This may be the biggest test that France will face during Louis XIV's time. He shared with them the tea and snacks that Bontang had offered him, and then he got up and left to go back to his apartment.

Unlike the Hall of Signatures at the Louvre or the Room of Jupiter at Versailles when Louis XIV first reigned, the French king is now more informal, holding meetings in his suite, the Small Room, Receive officials, but today those who are qualified to wait for the king in the small hall are the top figures of the power pyramid-if their names are written, the room can be illuminated magnificently without candles.

Of course, the most dazzling name among them is Louis XIV, the Sun King. He left his coat in Shire's suite, only wearing a loose silk shirt, tight trousers, and slowly walked into the room with a walking stick. They all stood up and bowed to him, and Louis said: "Get up." They raised their bodies, then lowered their heads slightly, and waited until the king sat down, and then they took their seats one by one.

All the preparatory work was completed several months or even more than a year ago, but everyone was still very anxious. The huge French war machine finally started, steaming and making a loud noise that shook the world. But it is not an exaggeration to say that it is almost at war with most of Europe and the United Kingdom. Compared with the people who trust the king, the people here can see the rough road ahead.

"But this is the only way to go," said the Marquis of Loise.

"We didn't choose war, but war chose us." The Duke of Vendôme lamented, he was the oldest person in the room, but his eyes were brighter than many young people, as if the flames of war were burning in his eyes, As the illegitimate son of Bourbon, he was able to reach a settlement with Bishop Mazarin after the rebellion, conspiracy and escape. Before Louis XIV came to power, he won several battles for France. Of course, he is irreplaceable. Seeing him Louis thought of the young Joseph. Their grandparents were even more similar than Joseph and his father. It is no wonder that the Duke of Vendôme gave all his contacts and assets to his grandson instead of his son.

His words immediately aroused a burst of approval.

"Although we are fearless, we must also be vigilant enough." Colbert said that he is also a 60-year-old man and has been feeling low in energy recently, but the reason for him to say this is basically the same as himself It doesn't matter—because he is equivalent to holding the key of the French treasury, so it is very clear where the gold louis flows and where it comes from. He may be the one who knows the war most besides Louis XIV— Even those generals who went to battle may not be able to understand the king's arrangements.

"Enemies will become friends, and friends will become enemies." He continued, and everyone present couldn't help but look at the vacant chair beside the king, which was closest to the king. The duke has been sitting here since he entered politics.

The Duke of Orleans left Paris in the name of a marriage, but they all knew that he diverted to Catalonia. The marriage, one with the Catalans, fits exactly what Colbert said.

King William I of Prussia probably made up his mind to make a weather vane, and the Catalans are not so credible.

Colbert said this because the Duke of Orleans suddenly transferred a large sum of money. Although it was the Duke’s private property, merchants in France and even more places were Colbert’s servants. It was impossible for him not to see such an amazing situation. A penny.

"The Duke of Orleans has arrived in Roussillon in Catalonia." Count d'Artagnan said: "The Catalans are fighting the Spaniards under his command."

A smile appeared on the king's face: "Yes, the duke wrote me that the situation of the Catalans is even more chaotic than that of the Fronde."

"So can the original plan continue?" Colbert asked.

"Of course, the Duke and his Catalan army have gained a great advantage in the latest letter. As for Percy and Barcelona, ​​it is only a matter of time." If he leaves Barcelona, ​​he will accept the Catalan allegiance on behalf of Charles."

"This is the best news." The Marquis of Loise said, "But those Spaniards, should we continue to wait?"

"I've given them time." The king tapped on the armrest and looked at Count d'Artagnan. "However, the intelligence the count brought me shows that the development of the situation may not be so optimistic."

"Now leaning toward us are Duke Don Juan and Patinho, the Spaniard's Admiralty of the Navy, the forces left behind by the Queen Mother, and the Archbishop of Toledo, who have apparently decided to accept the only son of Leopold I as the new King of Spain. , so today's Spanish court has been divided into two distinct forces, Madrid is one, and Toledo is another, but Toledo is tougher, and the Habsburg princess (referring to the Queen Mother) side At any moment they could reveal their decision, but Madrid are still hesitating."

"Let the Duke Don Juan know about this," said the king, and the count d'Artagnan rose immediately and obeyed, waiting for him to sit down.

"If the Spaniards respond, will His Royal Highness continue to stay in Catalonia?" This is the question from the Viscount Turenne, and everyone can only try not to show strange expressions. The Duke of Dome didn't bring it up either—in view of the fact that fathers and sons often fought against each other in the history of France, even though the Duke of Orleans always respected and loved his elder brother, Louis XIV also cared for his younger brother very much—but no one knew that this was the case. Not a show without a stage and a curtain.

The Duke of Orléans is named the second son of the young king. His nephew went to Roussillon to accept the allegiance of the Catalans. In fact, he is equivalent to a hostage and the king's eyes and ears. Either of these two identities may lead to death at any time , who can be sure that Louis XIV is not excluding dissidents? But the Viscount Turenne asked, after all, he has always been an upright soldier - he had a small stroke a few months ago, if not for the presence of a wizard, at least he would have been paralyzed. Very important, the king temporarily recalled him to Versailles and asked his deputy to take charge of the French territory in the Netherlands. Jean Bart and Vauban provided assistance on land and sea at the same time.

However, Viscount Turenne has been begging the king to allow him to return to the Netherlands. At this critical moment, William III's surname Orange can easily incite the Dutch people's nostalgia and yearning for this family, except that they also have Orange Viscount Turenne of blood, no one can stand against him.

There were several people present who helped the king to comfort him, and now they couldn't help but glared at Viscount Turenne. It's better to let him go back to the Netherlands.

The Viscount Turenne had to ask, he had no personal relationship with the Duke of Orleans, but he hoped that His Majesty would have more human affections than the king's affection, and he was still willing to gallop for Louis XIV on the battlefield even though he was seventy years old. His Majesty's reward and respect, he valued more the kindness of the Sun King Louis XIV.

Fortunately, Louis XIV did not disappoint his veterans this time. "The Duke of Orleans and the Duke of Luxembourg can leave Catalonia after the handover." Now he is still learning to walk, and of course the second son of the king who is learning to talk cannot visit Barcelona in person. But as the guardian of the new king of Spain, Louis XIV can of course appoint trusted officials and generals to supervise his son's territory: "Do you want to wait for him to come back?"

"No, Your Majesty," said Viscount Turenne, "I don't know if you heard me yelling last night..."

"No," said Louie, "what's the matter?"

"I was so looking forward to returning to Amsterdam. I woke up suddenly last night and saw the strange arrangement. I thought someone had hijacked me to some weird place."

"Oh, Monsieur Marshal," the Count d'Artagnan couldn't help saying, "that strange place, as far as I know, ten thousand people are willing to exchange their souls." More recently, although it would not disturb the king as Viscount Turenne said, it also made many people jealous to the point of going crazy.

Their words made the king laugh out loud, so everyone laughed along with them, and the originally depressing atmosphere dissipated.

"Very well, Monsieur Marshal," said Louis, "but you must go hunting with me—tomorrow, before you return to Amsterdam."

The hunting that Louis said was also one of the grand ceremonies to celebrate the ascension of Carlos III. In the Middle Ages, people used tournaments to celebrate, but now it is hunting, but it is equally important. As the king's general and important minister, Tire If Viscount Nassau does not appear at the hunting event tomorrow, some people will doubt whether he is no longer favored by the king.

This is also the heart of Louis in the old minister, saying that he is not angry because of Viscount Turenne's problem.

Viscount Turenne stood up and accepted it with trepidation.

—————

The hunt in the forest of Versailles began almost at the same time as the hunt on the Colserola.

Colserola is a coastal mountain in the Iberian Peninsula. From the top of the mountain, you can overlook the city of Barcelona. The Spaniards built fortifications and fortresses on the top of the mountain, while the Catalans and the Duke of Orleans leisurely stationed at the foot of the mountain with their troops— —They have to wait until the French king's fleet is in place before sending envoys. If they were the generals of the Barcelona defenders, they would also choose to surrender.

The Duke of Orleans spent four hours dressing himself up this morning - the French attendants around him are familiar, the Catalans are amazed, not even the most delicate princess they have ever seen takes so long to dress up. Dressing up, but it must be admitted that the four hours were quite fruitful, and those young men and women could hardly take their eyes away when they saw the Duke.

Although he said he was dressing up, the duke did not wear makeup, wigs and ribbons as people thought, and his attire was closer to the traditional Catalan dress - that is, black leggings and a white shirt. , wearing a black waistcoat and a dark blue short coat outside, but instead of wearing linen shoes like those boys, he was wearing lambskin boots, and what's more, he might wear an army On the body... No, no, no, I don't mean he is fully armed, I mean, everything from trousers, to shirts, to wide-brimmed hats, waistcoats, and jackets are all studded with sparkling diamonds.

A poet said that gold can turn an old woman into a maiden, and an ugly cripple into a saint. Diamonds are more effective, and their light can cover wrinkles and spots better than lead powder. At forty, his daughter has also been married, and she is still young and beautiful in appearance. He tied his curly golden brown hair with a ribbon and pressed it under the crooked wide-brimmed hat. The wide-brimmed hat is very crooked. The needle is fixed and may fall from his head at any time. The ostrich feather on the brim of the hat hangs down to his waist. The diamond pendant tied at the end of the feather complements the silver dagger sheath on the waist.

"He eclipses everything in the world," said one lady admiringly.

"I really don't know what kind of appearance that Sun King Louis XIV looks like." Her friend said.

Priest Claris originally didn't want to participate in this noisy gathering, but he is now glad that he has come. Compared with the fear and disgust of a few months ago, the rejection of the Duke of Orleans by the Catalans is now almost Almost nothing. Compared with the complicated and strict requirements of the people of the later generations on the superiors, the people of this era really don't want much - food and clothing, living and working in peace and contentment, and... victory.

In private, some people also said that if the French king is willing to let the Duke of Orleans be the Spanish regent, they are not unacceptable. After all, some people even accepted the Spaniards before... But for Councilor Tamalite and Father Claris For such an ambitious person, the Duke of Orleans, especially the Duke of Orleans with the support of the French king, is about to become an obstacle.

The Duke of Orleans entered the camp. The hunting camp was located deep in the forest. It was an extremely empty field surrounded by carriages, and an open tent was set up in the middle. It was the kind with only a canopy and no walls. Between the carriage and the tent, People and horses gathered in groups, some cheered him, and some saluted. Compared with the senators and priests around him, these people were more energetic and more willing to get close to the Duke.

Most of them are young people, the men are as mentioned before, black trousers and white clothes, linen shoes, the women are dressed in black, with large white embroidered shawls, and colorful long skirts, but this kind of skirt is not like a court. They hang down to the ground like the ladies in the middle, they only reach the knees, under the knees are white stockings, and the long black straps are wrapped around the ankles all the way to the knees.

Some of the gentlemen wore purple sack caps, while the ladies wore turbans.

A person took the lead and walked over, followed by several big long-haired dogs, panting, looking at the Duke curiously, and the two attendants behind him were holding two gyrfalcons.

"Philip!" the man shouted, making everyone around the Duke of Orleans look anxious and disgusted.

"Lupo!" the Duke responded cheerfully.

This Mr. Lupo is none other than the leader of a group of people who emerged from the legion like an awl after the Duke decided to use some of them as special "skirmishers".