I Am Louis XIV

A day in Versailles begins at seven o'clock in the morning - or eight o'clock in the morning if it is summer - or eight o'clock in the morning if it is winter.

During the period of Louis XIII, the so-called big and small getting up ceremony took shape, but Louis XIV had no interest in letting those noble gentlemen watch him get up, wash and change clothes for himself, and no one was in Germany when he was in exile. After he returned to Paris, he never mentioned this matter, and only occasionally allowed the Duke of Orleans who slept with him, or the Grand Condé, Prince Conti, these dignitaries with the Bourbon surname to talk on the sidelines—mostly with Work related the night before.

At about nine o'clock, the king finished taking care of himself, and after a simple breakfast, he went to the royal chapel to attend mass. This was also a necessary statement. After all, the relationship between the French king and the church was so bad that it couldn't be worse.

After watching mass, the king would deliberately pass through the halls on the first floor—from the Hall of Mars to the Hall of Venus, through the Hall of the Goddess of Victory, and then to the Hall of Neptune and Bacchus. Side by side are people who are temporarily not qualified to see the king alone. They eagerly tiptoe and look towards the end of the passage-sometimes they know the king has come before they see the king, because once Louis XIV arrives there, there It will be silent immediately, because no one dares, cannot or will not ignore a word or even an expression of the king.

Louis XIV walked slowly through the crowd with a cane, his sharp blue eyes scanned every expectant face, if a certain face left an impression on him, or caught his attention, or followed him behind Someone close to him whispered a reminder, and he would stop in front of this lucky guy and ask him if there was anything important he needed to tell the king.

Some things that Louis XIV knew through "abnormal" channels were handled in this way. He couldn't tell the minister clearly that your musicians, servants or close lovers may be my spies. , he asked some dexterous people to ask questions on his behalf, and it was logical to find a solution next.

There are usually three or four lucky people like this every day, with different identities, including priests, lords, craftsmen or farmers. Although this number is negligible compared to France's population of 20 to 30 million, but It also allows France and all places that can be illuminated by the glory of the Sun King, few unbelievable tyrannical acts can exist for a long time.

After passing through this long passage, the king bid farewell to the people and climbed the stairs leading to the second floor. From ten o'clock to twelve o'clock is the working time of the king. Like the kings of the East, Louis XIV does not always deal with state affairs in the spacious Jupiter Hall. More often he chooses the small parlor in his suite, The study or any place he feels more comfortable, even in the courtyard—there are only a handful of people who are lucky enough to meet and participate in the king during this period of time, and they are all powerful and hold one or more important events. Work.

From 12:00 to 2:00 is Louis XIV's rest time. From 2:00 to 4:00, he and his ministers continue to work. After 4:00, it is the king's personal time, spending time with his family, reading, listening to music or playing cards.

The above situations are sometimes changed or suspended depending on whether the king wants to hunt, run horses, hold banquets, or hold high mass, especially after Louis XIV conquered Flanders, the king became more and more interested Do as you please - if he sets a time, yes he will be on time, but if not then all have to do what the king wants.

This morning, when the ministers filed in, they found that their majesty seemed to have some ingenious new ideas. They repeatedly scrolled through the content they were responsible for in their hearts, and after confirming that there was nothing too big wrong, they settled down slightly. In order to feel at ease, they sat down one by one according to their status and the degree of intimacy with the king.

There is no important topic today. The Franco-French faction in Spain was disappointing, and before Pentecost had been driven to Andalus by the "rebels" - in this case those determined to make Philip, the son of Leopold I, king. In the West Asia region, they frequently asked France for help, and it was obvious that they could no longer support it. In view of the fact that the Catalonia region has become the possession of France, as planned, Louis XIV will lead the army to conquer the whole of Spain in the name of his son Carlos III.

Compared with those enthusiastic generals and soldiers, these ministers still feel a little regretful. After all, for them, it is better to obtain Spain through negotiation, bribery and transactions than to obtain it through military force. However, for the king, if a huge battle is used to conquer Spain, of course, it is not a good thing in terms of those sacrificed and heavy military expenditures, but for Bourbon, this method may be more beneficial for the next few decades. years or hundreds of years.

Now that it has been decided, it is not the first time that Louis XIV has conquered by himself, and now France has stronger power, more advanced equipment, braver giants, more sufficient supplies and a king who loves everything. There is no need to be worried.

Louis XIV has already decided to leave after the wedding of the Dauphin, and has already arranged various matters during this period-mainly the Queen Mother will act as regent. Of course, the Duke of Orleans, Colbert, Conti and other important ministers will preside over the government affairs. But when the king was in good health, neither the younger brother nor the crown prince could take the title of "regent". If so, it would be almost a public statement that they wanted to get their hands on the throne, which was tantamount to conspiracy.

When Louis XIV was dying, the Queen Mother and Bishop Mazarin tried to push the Duke of Orleans to the throne of "Regent King". The Duke of Orleans was furious and resolutely refused for this reason. If he can recover, the future king can only be Philip, and Louis will either be imprisoned in the name of an unknown person for life, or be exiled to the inner world forever.

Louis XIV did not intend to touch the overly tense heartstrings of the ministers. He allowed the Duke of Orleans to participate in political affairs. He had already attracted countless criticisms on the battlefield. Now that the Duke of Orleans appeared beside the king, some ministers still looked subtle. Therefore, although the Dauphin has reached the age when Louis XIV was in charge, he still cannot appear in the place where the government is discussed.

But today it seems that the king intends to establish another exception. He ended the meeting at 11:15 in the morning. When the king got up, the ministers followed him and left one by one. Outside the door, they thought that the crown prince had something to tell his father, and when they were about to avoid it, they heard Louis XIV say, "Okay, son, this place belongs to you now."

Several ministers couldn't help but change their faces, but before they had time to say anything, the Dauphin clenched his hat tightly and stepped boldly into the center of the French political center. There were also Bourbons such as the Duke of Vendôme and Prince Conti. Members, as well as several dukes and senior priests also entered the room together. At this time, some people couldn't help but say: "Your Majesty..."

"Oh, don't worry," said Louis XIV with a smile, "it's just that the father temporarily lends the child a room."

There are still people who want to say something, but someone has already stopped him, and the latter made a gesture—meaning the Duke of Vendome. Although the Duke of Vendome was not so orthodox, it is undeniable that he is now a The oldest and the oldest of the Bourbon family, they should trust that the Dauphin will not do anything rude, and they should also trust that the Duke of Vendôme will not let the roots of disaster grow wantonly.

—————

Dauphin Louis Jr. handed his hat to his entourage, and sat down on a chair in front of the desk—of course he would not sit behind the desk, that was the seat of his father and His Majesty the King. But maybe only a few seconds later, he stood up, but soon he sat down again.

The Duke of Vendôme showed a smile on his face. The Dauphin was about the same age as his grandson Joseph. He was a classmate and a friend in the military academy. He was no stranger to little Louis. It can be said that he was the same as Louis XIV. I am not annoyed by the crown prince's actions, and even look forward to it... How will this little Highness, who has always been gentle and amiable, almost weak, fight the first battle in his life?

Little Louis is not a person with a mean heart, no, it should be said that he is virtuous, kind-hearted, healthy, handsome, delicate in mind and intelligent in mind. No wonder he is like Philip IV, Charles II, Leopold De Yi and others all had red eyes with jealousy on the issue of heirs-you must know that sometimes it is more important and more critical to have a son who can bear the legacy of his parents than to create a great career.

But for a king, it is too tragic to have such a father as Louis XIV, the Sun King.

No star can shine beyond the sun. If Louis XIV can win the final victory in the Spanish Succession War without leaving the country empty, then his achievements may not be able to be achieved even after hundreds or thousands of years. Beyond, let alone Little Louis who followed closely behind. Not to mention, it is impossible for him to gallop on the battlefield like his father and open up the territory for France-now France has one-third of Europa, plus Spain and Poland, which also belong to Bourbon, someone has already shouted The name of "Caesar" - this time Leopold I was able to unite so many countries, and even the church to prevent France's Bourbon from taking Spain, was it not because he was afraid that the terrible empire would really appear in this area again? On the mainland?

Therefore, anyone with a discerning eye can see that once Charles wins the throne of Spanish king for his second son, the frantic pace of the golden carriage of France will slow down. During the period when little Louis ruled the kingdom, there will be no more What feats, wonders, and last-minute flattering scholars would find it difficult to write a biography of Louis XV.

But is it really as simple as it seems? how can that be possible. The crown that little Louis will wear on his head may be heavier than any previous king, and his path is also more confusing and unpredictable than any king. France and its territories have grown to an almost incomparable size-better than any country, and there are countless brave soldiers, ears, eyes, arms and legs-these people, such as Vauban, Conti, the Duke of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, etc. The Marquis of Vaz, Colbert and the others, although they were docile and trustworthy in front of Louis XIV, would they be willing to succumb to a gentle young king?

Even those young people—even if little Louis is also studying at the military academy, he can't guarantee that those classmates with outstanding talents and arrogant temperament will bow their heads to him.

When the Crown Prince looked at someone, someone would bow his head and knees humbly, but when he turned around, he could feel that the eyes gathered on his back were almost full of calculation and doubt.

Can he really take over the power left by Louis XIV and bring France to a more glorious path?

Little Louis couldn't be sure, he only knew that he had to pass this test.

Yes, it's just a test.

He looked around, there were all ministers whom his father loved dearly, they waited quietly, no one urged them, and no one showed contempt, but it was not because of him, but because of his father. He touched the inside of his coat, which contained the speeches he and several friends—headed by the Marquis de Lafayette—had written for him overnight. It was a thick stack, filled with all available reasons and conclusive evidence. All of a sudden, an impulse seized little Louis.

If it were my father standing here, what would he say?

Little Louis didn't know, but he thought that his father and the king would never express their feelings to his courtiers as he expected.

He stood up, straighter than ever before, and the people listened to him speak calmly.

"We must confirm three things, gentlemen, first: France is stronger than Portugal."

"Second: The Sun King is as great as no one else."

"Third: I am the Dauphin of France, son of the Sun King Louis XIV."

After speaking, he walked out with his head held high.

———————

Buntang sighed deeply.

"Relax." Louis said, taking a sip of tea.

Bontang and His Majesty are in the dark room next to the study, which has the same wonderful sound transmission and peeping devices as other rooms of the same type-the sound in the study will be transmitted into this room through the copper pipes, and people The cover sheet on the small hole can be moved to detect the situation in the study through the small hole.

Hearing what the king said, Bontang couldn't help squinting at his master: "But as long as you give a little signal..." Those people will not continue to embarrass the crown prince. You have to know how much the so-called Tradition? What's more, this time it's not the wedding of the French princess, but the bride. As long as Louis is willing, there are so many people who are willing to pretend to be deaf and dumb.

"But this way we won't see such a brave little Louis." Louis said with a smile.

"...how do you think he is doing?" Bontang asked after hesitating for a moment.

"Well... pass... maybe."

"His Majesty!"

"Okay, Bontang," Louis put away his smile, "you should know that I never cared what he said."

It doesn't matter what little Louis said, but Louis must know that when his heir encounters a problem, does he think from the standpoint of a scholar, a general, or a minister, or...

Of course little Louis passed - the old father drank his last sip of tea contentedly.