I Am Louis XIV

"That's it." Louis said calmly: "Leopold I was also at the end of his rope and had nothing to do."

A wise man said that there are only three kinds of people in the world, men, women and kings. The reason why the monarch is classified as the third type of person is because to be a true ruler, one must abandon the human nature in his body and let the animal nature and divinity take its place. But the problem is that no matter what understanding he or she has when they are born, they cannot completely erase those innate things.

Moreover, it is also difficult to determine when to possess animal nature and when to possess divine nature. In history, we can see many kings who have achieved great achievements that are respected and admired by all, but when you turn around, you also We can find countless, unacceptable filth and venom in the shadows under the light. Sometimes, we may even sigh and say, how could he\\she do such a thing - and this "thing" Often represent these two extremes - good and bad.

Leopold I was a good emperor, but his thoughts and practices were inevitably constrained by this era, his power was constrained by the electors and the church, and his secular body was inevitably hampered by the Habsburgs' centuries-long The torture and devastation of incest, the most unfortunate thing is that there is a giant who is almost unshakable at the same time as him.

The Sun King of France, Louis XIV.

The age difference is only two years, and they both came to the throne at a young age. They are destined to be mentioned together and constantly compared. The two largest territories of the Habsburg family, Austria and Spain, are being cut off by France, that is, Said that no matter how Leopold I wanted to develop, he would eventually encounter Louis XIV head-on.

We all know that the most despairing thing is not the chasm-like gap between you and the enemy, but that he is always one step faster than you, just a little short of the distance that can be reached by reaching out - as if as long as you If you work harder and have better luck, you can surpass him - but the fact is, you can only see his back.

Leopold I died soon, and the chase came to an end. At this time, he calmed down and no longer looked forward, but looked around. His son was too young. Before he went to see God, She may not be able to reach adulthood at that time, and his queen, who is also his niece, like most noble ladies, does not care about or interfere in politics; when Italy was unified, the authority of the Roman Church plummeted - not long ago they were still begging Italy There are people who can guarantee the independence and security of the Vatican; although there are loyal people among his ministers and generals, they are all insufficient - that is to say, there are no people who can stand beside the new Archduke of Austria and the Holy Roman Emperor to suppress the electors for him. people.

Little Eugen Savoy turned out to be his only regent, and he was as suitable as the regent appointed by God.

He was young, he was a Habsburg, and all the princes of the Holy Roman Empire were defeated by him. He also spent many years in the French court and court, and was taught by Louis XIV's words and deeds - even Leopold I am not willing to give in, but I have to admit that the rule of the Sun King is almost impeccable. More importantly, after so many years, little Eugen has also gained considerable prestige in the French military and political circles. He served as an assistant at the Royal Military Academy in Paris. Lecturer, if he had stayed in Vienna, he would have attracted many followers.

Louis XIV valued talents, but did not strictly require them to dedicate all their talents to France-except for some key important figures, if they were willing to go or stay elsewhere due to economic, religious or other issues, French people in other countries do not have to worry about becoming "traitors", but there are not many people who eventually settle, multiply and grow in other countries - because except for France, no country can completely ignore the stereotypes mentioned before. , red tape.

Leopold I's Austria was probably the closest thing to Paris.

Leopold I once refused to open the window curtains facing the street at night because Lady Olympia said that Vienna looked like Paris at night, but he would never easily veto any of Louis XIV's implementation and was Confirming feasible policies, he can proudly say that Austria is now a land that he has carefully taken care of. As long as outsiders are talented and loyal, they will never have to worry about stumbling on stones here or having their seeds spoiled by weeds. Or be swallowed up by the hidden swamp.

If he could persist for another ten years, no, even for five years, he believed that he could hand over a complete, even prosperous Holy Roman Empire to his son Philip, but who would let fate play such a trick on people?

He needs little Eugen, and he also believes that what he has paid is enough to compensate for the losses suffered by little Eugen.

Of course, it is not the crown of Hungary. Regardless of whether Leopold I can reach an agreement with the Grand Duke of Transylvania Tekoy, even if he can, he is not willing to let Hungary split from Habsburg - now He has lost the Spanish crown and must hold on to the remaining two.

"So he actually behaves like a noble lady in the palace?" the Duke of Orleans said with an angry smile. They can also be said to have watched little Eugen grow up. It is impossible to say that they treat him as their own child, but for This child is also treated with some love and care.

"Well, maybe he thinks he has done a good thing." Louis said: "The eldest sister of the Duke of Lunenburg. It is said that the Duke of Lunenburg may be promoted to the ninth elector years ago. Leo This move of Pod I was undoubtedly to increase the competitiveness of Philip the Younger, so as to prevent the Holy Roman Emperor from losing his position to another family. But an elector’s sister, it is no exaggeration to say that even a queen or the wife of an archduke, is qualified."

"But he shouldn't use that method." The Duke of Orleans said: "Using feelings obtained through deception as a bargaining chip is simply more abominable than a transaction with a clear price."

"Obviously," Louis sighed: "He discovered little Eugen's weakness."

Young Eugen Savoy, the illegitimate son of Habsburg. What may surprise people is that this young general who can kill generals, hold flags, and gallop freely on the battlefield is actually a more sentimental person than the Duke of Orleans. A tender and affectionate character - there is nothing derogatory about Louis XIV here. Children born with intelligence will always be a little sensitive and suspicious. Little Eugen lost his mother when he was three years old, although Lady Olympia was not a competent mother either. ... Later he was raised by the mother of his nominal father, the Countess of Soissons, a Bourbon princess.

The title of Countess of Soissons came from her father, Louis XIII's cousin. The Count of Soissons died in disgrace. He was killed in a rebellion against the king, although Louis XIII later Sancai favored the daughter of the Earl of Soissons to inherit the title, but the storms of those years were enough to make her too cautious and disciplined. Judging from the fact that she only went to Versailles a few times, she still lived in Soissons. Just know.

Growing up in such a depressing and gloomy environment, although little Eugen is in good health, don't expect him to be cheerful. The worst thing is that although the Countess of Soissons is taciturn, her lips and teeth are like iron. But the maids and wet nurses around him couldn't keep it secret from beginning to end - they couldn't help but keep silent about such things. Recalling the meager but clear memories of childhood, little Eugen knew very well that he did not belong here.

When he was summoned to Versailles by the king, no, this place was not his. Little Eugen was not even as good as the little Duke of Enghien. After all, the latter's father was still the king's cousin and powerful right-hand man, and now he was a reliable ally. Eugen's mother was an ignorant woman who almost brought shame to his nominal father and Louis XIV (he was the eldest son), and his biological father was an enemy of Louis XIV.

The eldest princess told Louis XIV about little Eugen's initial courtship with the eldest princess, but even if she didn't tell him, Louis XIV would not have known about it.

However, this courtship was not so much about love as it was a fever dream of a child during a long period of hesitation. The eldest princess saw it clearly - she and the eldest princess, as the two highest status people in Versailles, The noble lady, who can also be said to be the deputy of the "mistress", has the right and obligation to take care of the sons of princes who are entrusted here to receive education and training, such as the little Duke of Enghien and little Eugen.

Due to the stubbornness of Louis XIV, the education received by the eldest princess and the eldest princess was almost equivalent to that of half a politician. For them, love is not unsweet, but this sweetness is similar to the last embellishment after a feast. It's a pity that he's gone, but it's not indispensable. Not to mention that at that time, little Eugen was still a child in the eyes of the eldest princess. Even when he grew up, the eldest princess looked at him as her younger brother or even her nephew.

If not, she would not have slapped him. Little Eugen also understood that she would never have done this unless the eldest princess regarded him as a close junior and was angry at his naivety, so she taught him a lesson. .

"Perhaps we should allow him to follow the Grand Princess to Prussia," said the Duke of Orleans.

"Stop talking nonsense," Louis said, "Do you really want him to stand outside the Berlin Palace as a page?" Only when he stayed in France did little Eugen have room to truly show his talents and talents. When he arrived in Prussia, what about the Prussian people? Willing to let a Frenchman occupy an important position in the army or court.

"Besides, what he fears more than love is being abandoned." Louis said that the concepts of female guardians and male guardians are different. For little Eugen, he is more inclined to be asked for than to ask for it. This is true at some young ages. It is very common for people who have experienced major changes or are displaced during times - they will try their best to complete everything assigned by others. If it is not available, they will pursue and search for it, as if as long as it has the value of being used, they will not It seems like it will be abandoned.

This was something Louis gradually discovered after the eldest princess left. Little Eugen's admiration for the eldest princess, and then for the eldest princess, was not simply a man's love for a woman, but rather like a child chasing after her. Mother. Louis is not disgusted, nor is he that worried - except for him and the too "ego" Duke of Orleans, this kind of feeling is not uncommon in novels, dramas and reality. Generally speaking, if the object pursued by little Eugen is not The princess with a political mission, but other older noblewomen, may be willing to accept it and serve as guides to bring boys into the adult world.

This kind of "love" may be one, two, or three. It doesn't matter. When the young man "graduates" from the arms of the older lady, he can enter the marriage process step by step - almost All nobles are like this.

But Leopold I wanted to keep little Eugen with the shackles of emotion and responsibility, so he chose the eldest sister of the Duke of Lunenburg.

The eldest sister of the Duke of Lunenburg is two years older than little Eugen. A woman in her late thirties, if she has not entered a convent, she must be married or widowed. This Lady Caroline is the latter. , so as to marry little Eugen - her character, no doubt, is completely incomparable to the eldest princess, but she is not as bad as Madame Montespan, and is roughly the same as those noble ladies we can see, But she has more talents and talents than the former. She can ride a saddle, can use a musket, can read, can write, is familiar with political affairs, and even studied at the Women's College in Paris for several months.

It can be imagined that when such a beautiful, elegant and somewhat arrogant woman with bright eyes "encountered" little Eugen at the royal hunting ground in the Vienna Forest under the guidance of Duke Lunenburg, it was difficult for little Eugen. Don't be tempted - not to mention this lady... In love, she is almost as victorious as little Eugen on the battlefield. The latter almost fell under her spell...

"Then how did he wake up?" asked the Duke of Vendôme.

"Before the secret wedding, he insisted on bringing the lady to Versailles to show our Majesty the King." The Duke said, suppressing a smile: "For him, Louis is like his father, and now he is about to complete a It's such a big event in life, why not tell His Majesty first?"

"That lady...well," Louis said helplessly, "a little guilty...little Eugen is not a real fool." For people like little Eugen, no matter how thick the fog of love is, it needs to be broken through. It only takes a moment like thunder and lightning. Once doubts arise in his mind, he will not let go of the power given to him by Louis, and it is too easy for Louis' "little bird" to figure out this matter.

What Leopold I expected was that he would marry the eldest sister of the Duke of Lunenburg without informing Louis XIV. If so, once the Duke of Lunenburg became the new elector, he would be in the same position as Leopold I. The trump card on his face was that his sister's husband was not suitable to stay in the French army anyway. By then, little Eugen would become the new Archduke of Austria, Philip the Younger, in the army, and the Duke of Lunenburg would become his influence in the court. If the two forces are combined, nothing will go wrong.