I Am Louis XIV

Everyone present was moved by the Sun King's promise. They knew exactly what a ship, or even a steam-driven ironclad, meant. Different from the thirty Calais ships that were included in the dowry of Princess Henrietta of England, everyone knows that these ships were semi-abandoned at the time. If anyone wanted to buy or sell them, they would be bought and sold as merchant ships.

But, I mean, if Louis XIV was willing to sell one of these ironclads, the Sultan would be willing to give Istanbul a year's tax in exchange, which would be a very expensive dowry, considering that the little princess was not a legal Bourbon, Louis XIV showed unusual generosity - let alone the little princess's marriage, which would take at least ten years, the French Sun King was not so stingy that he was only willing to give away an old and scrapped ship.

"Anna Maria will definitely have many suitors in the future." Until now, none of the Italian princes can have an ironclad ship, even if they can build or buy a large ship, covered with iron plates, as a steam drive for the heart The device was still firmly in the hands of powerful countries such as France, England or the Holy Roman Empire. And galloping on the sea can even be said to be the condition and root for Italians to thrive - the first tyrant of Venice once said that their wealth came from the sea, warning their descendants that they must always maintain their dominance on the sea. This will ensure that your property will not be robbed.

Facts have proved that this is the case. Even though there is only one ship, with this dowry alone, Anna Maria can choose a husband in the Italian peninsula.

At this time Bontang came in and informed Louis XIV that someone asked to see him.

The person who came was none other than Lady Milady. Grand Duchess Anna heard that she had been sent to contact the Sicilians. As soon as she saw her, she immediately picked up the little princess and resigned to the two kings. Madame Milady looked haggard—she was taking care of Palermo's youngest son so that he wouldn't really suffer and be in danger, and she was also dealing with all the affairs in Palermo—fanning the flames, intimidating and bewitching, Spreading rumors and slander has always been a specialty of the "little birds", but just like a puppet show, there must always be someone who leads the way.

She managed to rescue Alberto before the war started, which was stipulated in her contract with Palermo. Not to mention how Alberto and his relatives who cried with joy hugged each other after the disaster, what happened in Palermo once As soon as the dust settled, Milady rushed to Florence without stopping. She had not eaten or slept for more than ten hours in a row. She definitely could not be said to be in high spirits, but she was like a thin sword waving in the air, with a sharp wind sound in her movements.

The Grand Duchess felt a little creepy when she passed by her.

The Duke of Colonna didn't care at all. Madame Miledy could be said to be his second mother. He hugged her deeply and then brought her to Louis.

Lady Milady briefly reported to the king about the situation in Palermo and other parts of Sicily - the war did not end so quickly, but things did develop as they expected - rumors were spreading among the Ottomans in Sicily, There should be smart people among them, but we all know that ignorant people must account for the majority in the Ottoman army. The Sultan has always been willing to drive beasts instead of people. The morale of the army is shaken and the drama of disintegration is staged everywhere, and such Scattered sand, let alone the French army, the Sicilians are enough to wipe them out one by one.

“What about Mohammed IV?”

"As soon as he saw the flames of Sicily," said Lady Milady, "he ordered the fleet to turn back."

Louis XIV nodded. Mohammed IV could not be said to be indecisive. As long as he, no, even if the Sultan's royal ship and tent appeared, those frightening lies would naturally be vulnerable. What follows? , as long as he gathers the army as quickly as possible - the Ottoman army based on a huge base, even if he can only gather one-tenth of it, can still pose a threat to the Sicilians.

"Then your fleet stopped them," added Lady Milady.

In terms of total tonnage, the fleet of the Ossians is definitely better than any other country. The wealth accumulated by this huge empire allows the Sultan to throw it around without considering the numbers at all. Although they have not yet been able to obtain information about steam drive, But there is no problem in buying giant galleys from merchants, especially the Dutch. They must be happy to see Louis XIV embarrassed, and for the time being - Louis XIV cannot spare any effort to deal with these remnants.

But no matter what, wood can never fight against steel and fire. In the end, they even started a collision battle on the sea. In this regard, the Ottomans were slightly better than the French, but the French's iron-clad ships were better than the French anyway. The tonnage of the wooden galleys was larger. Although injuries were inevitable - the worst one of the ironclads had its boiler damaged and could only be filled with cabins to ensure that it did not explode, and then had to be towed back to the port by its companions - but the final victory still belonged to French-Italian combined fleet.

"Their losses were very heavy, and when daylight came the Ottoman ships withdrew," said Mrs. Miledy.

"If I were Mohammed IV, I would do the same." Louis XIV said. At first, Mohammed IV wanted to return to Sicily because he felt he had been deceived, but later: "At that time The fleet is not far from Sicily."

"Yes."

"If he continues to entangle with us, it will really prove the authenticity of that rumor." How could those Azaps, Tatars and even Albanians understand the victory or defeat of the naval battle? They only saw fire. The ships, the smoke and the empty port will make you feel discouraged and even desperate.

"It is strange that Mohammed IV did not leave enough ships at that time," said Lady Milady.

"The Sultan will not consider his slaves." Louis XIV said, "What's more, what is left is his land army instead of the navy, and the ships are only used for transportation. He must not have all the Sicilians." To him, these were the ships left for the soldiers. And he may have thought that after quelling the rebellion in Transylvania, he would return to Sicily."

"It is quite reasonable to think so," said Lady Milady.

"You go and have a good rest first," Louis XIV nodded to her: "You can recover to a time when you feel satisfied, and then go and take over the 'birds' in Naples."

"It's a bit late then," said Madame Milady. "Don't worry," she smiled at Duke Colonna, "wait until this matter is over. Then I can feel at ease and have a good rest for a while."

After saying that, she left like a gust of wind - no, just like a gust of wind. Duke Colonna withdrew his worried gaze: "It's a pity that they couldn't keep Mohammed IV."

"It is not as easy as it used to be to keep a distinguished guest now." Louis XIV said casually: "But it is said that he was also injured in the naval battle."

"When Mohammed IV returns..." Duke Colonna said: "Will he face impeachment?"

"Impeachment?" Louis XIV smiled: "You can also say that, but for the Sudan, impeachment is also a fatal matter." It is not that there were no Sudans who were impeached and executed after a great defeat because of a big defeat. "Will People who have bowstrings tied around other people's necks should be able to think that they will have such a day, it just depends on how fate arranges it." He stroked his cane: "Now the people who hold power in the court of Istanbul and the court should be the Queen Mother, and ...Although the former Grand Vizier is dead, the Koprulu family is still there."

Any family, once it has a person in charge of power, will definitely be able to quickly rise and become stronger, no matter where it is. The Queen Mother was once an ally with this family. Now, if Mohammed IV There was already a male heir in the harem... The ending of Mohammed IV was not so good.

Of course, if the dignitaries in Istanbul can take the overall situation into consideration and continue to support Mohammed IV, then relying on the past accumulation of Ottoman Turkey, even if they are unable to continue the expedition, or even suffer a serious loss of vitality as a result, they can still ensure that the original territory will not be lost. suffer losses. But if, if their ambition exceeds their reason, after Mohammed IV was impeached and removed from the throne, the young son and old ministers, the old and the new, internal and external troubles - the rewards he promised to the Italian princes on Luciano's behalf may not be needed much. Long.

"Let's just wait here for the results."

——————

Francisco Sforza is waiting for the results.

The news that the Ottoman Turkish army went from victory to defeat was not what he wanted to hear, although almost all Catholics would be happy about it, yes, although he was also willing to see those pagan devils Driven from the peninsula, but now he has an enemy more damning than the devil.

Louis XIV.

"I think you may have made the wrong choice," said his old servant.

"I know what you think," Francesco said, "but Louis XIV cannot promise me the Duchy of Milan," he lowered his head and smiled, "not to mention those out-of-reach lands, even if there is, It also belongs to those great nobles... After all, the King of France is the legal heir of Milan, or his son."

From a written point of view, Sforza, who once made his fortune as a mercenary and was promoted from a commoner to a grand duke, has long since died. In 1535, the last Sforza died in Turin, Milan, but the Sforza family is still stubborn. The family is rooted in this land, but just like Anjou in Naples, it has experienced the rule of the French (Louis XII) and the Austrians (Charles V), and this family has also been wiped out.

Francesco was not originally named Francesco, but the last Sforza was called Francesco. Leopold I's emissary suggested that he change it to this name to evoke the memory of Sforza in Milan.

As Francisco said, the Principality of Milan changed hands several times and finally fell into the hands of the Spanish Habsburgs. According to tradition and law, they should swear allegiance to Carlos III of Bourbon, but out of Louis XIV's selfish motives—— He intended to hand over a complete Italy to his illegitimate son, just like the first King of Naples, so Milan would inevitably become part of the Italian Commonwealth Kingdom in the future.

Moreover, in this part, the Sforza family, which has become extremely weak, has almost no room to intervene. There are also families older than them and families newer than them. They may not be successful in seeking a place in the Italian court in the future. This can be seen from the fact that no one from Sforza was present at the Congress of Tuscany (which determined the establishment of a federal kingdom and launched the Tenth Holy War).

Francesco certainly knew that Leopold I had bad intentions, but Leopold I clearly left Sforza with more room than Louis XIV - he said that if Sforza was willing to offer his son Philip V was loyal to him, and he would leave a considerable territory for Sforza in Milan. What he wanted was different from Louis XIV. Louis XIV wanted to unify Italy, but Leopold I wanted to unite Italy. I just hope Italy continues to fall apart.

"This Italy," said the emperor's emissary, "is suitable for the Habsburgs and for the Sforza family."

Split can lead to chaos, and chaos can bring benefits. How did Sforza climb up in the past? Sforza can climb up like this now. Francisco made a decision in a few minutes - he wanted to invest in Li. Opode I.

——————

The news from Milan came shortly before Louis XIV was about to leave for France.

Francesco, the last Sforza, pretended to be attentive, invited and entertained a large number of guests, all of whom were prominent people in Milan, and then poisoned the food at the banquet, which was an Italian tradition. , and then bloodbathed their family. With the assistance of a Habsburg army, he had taken control of Milan, and then bowed his knee to Philip V of Habsburg and declared his allegiance.

Since Philip V was now still an infant, just like Carlos III was still a young child, Sforza was surrendering to the enemies of Louis XIV.

"It seems that Leopold I has the same idea as me." Louis XIV said.

"what idea?"

Louis glanced at his son, "He does not want the battlefield to be in France, Spain, or any part of Austria, or any part of the Holy Roman Empire."

The Duke of Colonna was horrified. He was a man who had been on the battlefield. Of course he knew how much harm the war would bring to the local people. But as Louis XIV said, if the war for the succession of the Spanish throne was not in France or Doing it on Spanish soil is the best.

"I don't know if Francisco Sforza will regret it." Duke Colonna murmured.

"Regrets never help." Louis XIV stood up and faced the rising sun: "He has made his choice."