I Am Louis XIV

Everything seemed to be developing in the direction Louis expected.

After Charleroi came Tournai, then Atre. Before attacking Lille, three more small cities presented the silver key to the king. Only one city named Douai showed a slight resistance intention. To say it was resistance was to use silence to deny the king's envoys from entering, but after hesitating for a long time after Louis's king's banner unfolded in their field of vision, the seemingly fortified city gate was slowly opened.

But next, there is Lille, which is said to have 6,000 defenders. It was still dusk when the army arrived outside the city of Lille, and the king's team would not appear until it was completely dark. Of course, no one would blame His Majesty the King. The king, they say, is lenient enough—he might have waited at Tournai or Atre until his generals and soldiers had taken Lille for him, and then he would have ridden in his chariot or rode at his leisure. On white steeds, surrounded by obedient subjects, add splendor to the city.

There is also a little selfishness of Viscount Turenne and Captain Vauban - anyway, they have always been worried that the king will intervene in the battle. After all, the king is also a young man, and any young man would like to be able to gallop on the battlefield , well-planned... Fortunately, Louis still maintained a humble and cautious attitude. As a distinguished mascot, he was always willing to give more consideration to the suggestions of Viscount Turenne or Captain Vauban... "But what is this? "He pointed to the platform on the sand table and asked.

This sand table is about the size of a desk. Perhaps the accompanying craftsmen misunderstood the meaning of the king. The models in the sand table are all too delicate. It looks like a toy that ladies use to decorate their hair. The piles inside are not soil. Sand, but golden wheat, now the wheat is divided into ditches - this Louis can understand, the question is what does a flat high platform behind the outermost ditch (close to the French position) mean? There is also a very small Wang Qi on it, "Does this represent me?"

"Yes," said Captain Vauban proudly, "Your Majesty, this is the stand I built for you."

"Stand?" Louis was a little dumbfounded, "This is not a performance."

"It's not true," said Viscount Turenne, "But Your Majesty, if you are watching, our soldiers will definitely be braver."

Louis watched them, very carefully, to see if they had suddenly been stupid, or had been paid to taunt him and his soldiers, but he was sad to find that the two men were serious, that they meant it Think it's a very sensible move.

"It's about fifteen hundred feet from the wall," said Vauban. "They have only small guns, they can't get here, and you don't have to worry about seeing a terrible sight--just see how your soldiers are doing." fought bravely."

"I'm sure I don't have any cowards among my soldiers," Louie said, "but are you sure? You asked the soldiers if they would? I mean, they paid with their blood and their lives, I think We should respect them a little more."

"Isn't this the greatest respect?" Viscount Turenne said, "In fact, when Captain Vauban made this suggestion, I also hesitated. Your Majesty, your body is worth more than ten thousand gold, and you should not appear in danger." on the battlefield, but..." He hesitated for a moment: "If I'm not mistaken, the victory you need is unquestionable."

Louis nodded slightly to express his affirmation. Viscount Turenne was right. In this era, the king's martial arts are still ranked ahead of civil rule. A king who can win for the country will be worshiped and loved by his subjects, and vice versa. Since he was in power, He never increased taxes, never established harsh punishments, and even intentionally introduced potatoes and sweet potatoes to improve people's livelihood, clean up gangsters, expel aliens, rectify the chaotic situation in the city and configure the sewage system, but people will only say that he is indeed a good man. King, but not as valiant as his grandfather and father, for he had not yet won a victory for France or himself.

The reason why Louis led the expedition himself was precisely to break this unfavorable rumor. Moreover, although he laughed at himself that it was only a large symbol, such as a metal coat of arms and a flag, there were times when he was eager to try.

"If you think it's okay..." Louis said tentatively.

"Without a doubt!" said the Viscount Turenne.

So in the morning of the next day, the soldiers saw a huge tent erected on a flat high platform at the outermost ditch. The tent was made of cowhide dyed white and could accommodate a hundred people. The side facing the battlefield was opened left and right, and in the middle of the tent was a resplendent high-backed chair covered with bright red velvet and goose feather cushions. There was also a footrest of the same texture in front of the chair, and a canopy behind the seat. Blue curtains fell from both sides, and in their anticipation, a figure surrounded by people walked into the tent.

Before Louis sat down, he heard a burst of cheers like a landslide and a tsunami. He couldn't help being surprised, but when he heard people shouting "Long live the king! Long live France!", he felt relieved, He did not continue to sit down, but boldly walked to the front of the tent. From here, he could overlook the three trenches dug by Vauban. The soldiers in the trenches were busy or running, but now they almost stopped, facing the tent—— Some couldn't see the king at all, but kept throwing up their hats and shouting.

Louis could hardly contain his joy, he also took off his hat, raised it high towards the soldiers, and waved it, and the soldiers almost jumped for joy.

"Thanks to France," Louis finally returned to the tent under the appeasement of the ministers, and the soldiers finally continued their work under the order of the officers: "Thanks to France, it made me have such amiable and respectable soldiers." ’” he sat down in a chair, so to speak, contentedly, with his hat on his knees, “thanks to you too, otherwise I might never have known that I was loved by so many people.”

He looked at Vauban. "Tell our soldiers," he said, "that it is the king's gratitude to his loyal friends that each soldier will receive a large crown."

A large crown is not enough for a musketeer's meal, but for ordinary soldiers, it is already a lot of windfall income, and considering the considerable number of people, the king's move is very generous.

"They will be overjoyed," said Vicomte Turenne.

"I just hope that they can understand my current mood." Louis said, and then his expression darkened slightly: "I just hope that these good boys will be lucky enough in the next battle."

"Yes," said Captain Vauban confidently, "Saint Michael and Saint Denis are protecting us."

"You mean," the Marquis of Lois, who had been subtly keeping quiet, suddenly said, "If I'm not mistaken, you intend to keep the king on the battlefield?"

"Sir," Louis heard his disapproval, and comforted him gently, "This place is still 1,500 feet away from the real battlefield, and you should trust our generals and soldiers."

"But Your Majesty..."

"Perhaps you do not know," said Louis, "I have heard that my brother, the Duke of Orléans, always takes the lead in battle, and that the Prince of Condé often throws his marshal's warrants into the enemy's trenches--I have always been adamant about this." Very envious..."

The Marquis of Loise and some ministers who didn't approve immediately shut their mouths.