I Am Louis XIV

This is exactly where Charles II felt hesitant. According to the current situation, his ministers may be more willing to negotiate peace with the Dutch, because there are many Protestants in the court of Charles II, and they naturally tend to the Netherlands. The Protestants, Britain and the Netherlands may just be fighting for wealth, but when it comes to faith, they are targeting the Catholics together—Charles II’s faith is entirely because he wants to inherit the throne, if not for the throne, He is more inclined to the Catholic Church, no, no, no, not because the Roman Church is less greedy, but because the divine right of kings that the Roman Church has always claimed will undoubtedly win the favor of any king.

Therefore, the envoy from the Prime Minister of the Netherlands can go to the political opponents of Charles II calmly, but he has to toss and turn here, bearing the disappointment and contempt from his nephew.

"I'm not sure, Henrietta, this is an important thing." Although Henrietta is right, of course, the British will surely celebrate the alliance with the Netherlands and extinguish France's ambitions in its infancy. But for Charles II, his situation will only get worse, and if so, William III of the Netherlands may not be able to get any better. After all, the relationship between royal power and courtiers has always been a trade-off between you and me— - Prime Minister John de Witt and his brothers are as wary of dictatorship as a pair of mice nesting in a cat's nest. If they gain power, the best result for William III is to be exiled, or He was imprisoned somewhere, and died silently in depression.

The expression of Charles II was unpredictable, and Henrietta also saw it. She is both the sister of the British king and the wife of the French duke. Standing between the two countries, she would certainly hope that Britain and France can reach a peace treaty, so that she can There is no need to be in a dilemma, this brave lady took a deep breath, pulled out a rolled up silk from her chest, and spread it on Charles II's knees, Charles II's eyes were immediately attracted, because that It's a map of the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is actually an abbreviation. In fact, its name should be the United Provinces of the Netherlands. But here, let’s just say that the map on Charles II’s lap is a combination of the terrain explored by spies and wizards. Historical materials, the latest map drawn, not only includes the provinces of the Netherlands, but also the areas bordering them, and the North Sea it faces. The map is not only accurate, but also colored. Looking at it this way, the sight of Charles II Immediately, he couldn’t move away. Although there was also a map hanging in his study room, it was only with the azure sea water and the orange-yellow land of Europa that he could see how uniquely blessed the Netherlands is—the long and winding coastline, the vast The Inner Sea, with the Holy Roman Empire behind it, Denmark above, and the Flanders region below, which is now occupied by France, is like a ripe carambola hanging heavily on the heart of Charles II. It's nonsense to say that Louis's proposal didn't move his heart, even he can objectively and rationally say that England should unite with France, England lost Dunkirk - it's not his fault, although people blame him They shouldn’t have sold Dunkirk for tens of thousands of gold louis, but why didn’t they take a look? There were tens of thousands of French soldiers stationed in Dunkirk at that time, while the British soldiers who stayed there were all Partisans of traitor Cromwell, who dare not even come back to England, how can they fight for England? I'm afraid they will make the most sincere decision, which is to put down their guns and run away.

Charles II was confident when he made that decision, and it is the same now. What made him embarrassed was that the parliament would definitely oppose it—they had always been afraid of his dealings with Louis XIV, because they knew very well that Louis XIV might be the most important thing. The ruler of the king's authority, some Protestants even said angrily that the king not only regarded himself as the master of the country, but also regarded himself as a saint. He blatantly used the title of a pagan god to crown himself body, and proud of it.

However, Charles II knew that they were just jealous. Like him, Louis XIV’s behavior did not arouse public resentment, but instead made them admire and worship him more. It is said that not long ago, Louis XIV was still in his new palace. Thousands of guests were entertained in the Palace of Versailles. It is said that no matter the provinces, Parisians, or Versailles people, as long as they go to the king's new palace, they can get the entertainment corresponding to their status. Wonderful drama, enjoying the fireworks that lasted for half the night - the Protestants advocated honesty and frugality, and of course they were even more indignant about this, but Charles II longed for such a day in his heart.

"What did Louis tell you?"

Henrietta showed a moving smile, "The Netherlands has seven provinces," she said simply, "His Majesty is willing to give you two provinces."

Charles II pursed his lips, saying that the two previous sea wars between Britain and the Netherlands had failed. Even if the Duke of York was willing to follow his order and lead the army, it was nothing more than entanglement with the Dutch navy. He really wanted to attack the city Only the French Army plundered the land. Louis’ promise was not unreasonable. Charles II’s finger was drawn around on the map. The land of the Netherlands is like a leaf. Winding on the west side, Utrecht is in the center of the provinces, but it is the most important city in the north, Friesland, Groningen above the Netherlands, bordering Denmark, OberiJssel and Gelderland and Holy Rome The empire is closely linked, and Louis is willing to give Charles II three provinces—which two provinces will they be? There must be one of Holland or Zeeland, Charles II thought.

Then there is Utrecht. Although Utrecht is not close to the sea, it is a transit point between Amsterdam and the Rhine. Without Utrecht, the development of Amsterdam will be curbed. Charles II is not sure whether Louis will Hand over Utrecht to him, but he doesn't want to go to Ijssel and Gelderland, he doesn't want to go directly to the Holy Roman Empire, it is no exaggeration to say that if Leopold I desperately decides to take back The Netherlands, then these two big provinces will inevitably fall into endless war, but in this way, there is not much room left for Charles II, so it is the one of Friesland and Groningen? There is no doubt that Friesland is better than Groningen, which is only separated from the Holy Roman Empire by the estuary of the Em River, but in this way he has almost all the benefits, and after that, he must also consider the development of France and Britain.

There is no doubt that if his ministers are to see, if there is Zeeland, or the Netherlands, and one of the above-mentioned large provinces, they will definitely be willing. Britain is a huge island, and what they need most is to be in Europe. A place on the mainland——Dunkirk is their last stronghold, but the damn traitor still lost it, Charles II blamed in his heart with a clear conscience, and then he lowered his head: "Well, Henriel Tower," he said, "if he will give me three provinces, I will consider it."

Henrietta was really taken aback. In fact, Britain did not have to pay much for this covenant. After all, the war between Britain and the Netherlands has almost never stopped. They can say that they just took what they had to pay. The price was exchanged for more benefits, she couldn't help but frowned and let out a sigh.

"I'm not all for England, for myself," Charles II said hastily, "I just want to let you know, Henrietta, that the third province I want is for our little William."

"Little William?"

"William III of the Netherlands," said Charles II patiently, "I need Zeeland, or Holland, then Utrecht, and then, whatever Louis arranges, if he wants Holland, take Friesland, If he wants Zeeland, then take Gelderland, and Utrecht, we leave it to William III, so that there is a natural distance between England and France, so that, at least between me and When Louis was in power, a precious friendship could be preserved."

Henrietta glanced at Charles II. Although she was only a princess, she was well-known in the court, and she was not a fool. Of course, she could see the intentions of Charles II. Charles II was once the only one William III could Those who rely on, if the Happy King hadn't intervened, William III would have been imprisoned in the hands of his aunt and uncle, and would have accomplished nothing—although what Charles II did afterward could be said to have betrayed him, but at that time , there is only one king of Utrecht, whose help can he turn to? It can't be Louis XIV, or the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire who is full of disgust for the Orange family. Charles V is the ancestor of Leopold I. For William Orland, who betrayed the emperor's trust rule, Leopold I may not have much patience.

If William III can only rely on Charles II, then Charles II also has three provinces in the Netherlands, and with the buffer of William III, Britain is also exempted from the possible, or necessary, relationship with France before establishing a foothold. conflict.

"I will take your words back to His Majesty." Henrietta said with complicated emotions. She hurriedly put away the silk map and stood up from the carpet in front of Charles II's lap. Charles II also Realizing that he had put Princess Henrietta in an embarrassing position, as if to express his apology, he himself took the cloak that the Duchess of Orleans had draped over a chair, threw it on her graciously, and then Sending her out of the room personally—it can only end here, the court is full of eyes and ears, and if others know that Princess Henrietta has returned to London, it will not be good for her or Charles II.

After Princess Henrietta completed her mission, she could only stay in London for one day and two nights. On the next day, she saw the Duke of York going to Whitehall Palace from the small building she borrowed , Not long after, he left the palace again, and then the king's messenger came to Henrietta and gave her a note in familiar handwriting, asking her to come to the palace again tonight.

Henrietta had to come to the king's residence for the second time. This palace was completely strange to her. She left London when she was a baby and came to Paris when she was three years old. So at first she, She really hoped to be able to marry Louis XIV, because for her, the Louvre was her home. Even if she became the Duchess of Orleans in the end, she still couldn't help feeling satisfied for a while. Whitehall Palace made her She was terrified and uneasy, especially when she thought that it was from here that her father was dragged out by mobs, thrown into prison, and then beheaded.

Charles II was waiting for Henrietta in the original room. As soon as he saw Henrietta, he couldn't wait to say: "I have persuaded the Duke of York. He will do my will."

"You promised him?"

"Well." Thinking of this, Charles II's eyes flickered with gloom. Of course, the Duke of York would not agree to this matter easily. He not only obtained Charles II's oath (swearing to God), but also the king A document written in his own hand—it’s no wonder that Charles II was uncontrollably angry and remorseful, because the former Lord of the Navy, Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, was inclined to the king, but considering that Hyde was old, Charles II might Retired from the position of Secretary of the Navy, so he presided over it and let the Duke of York marry Hyde's daughter Anne.

He thought that even if the Duke of York was not the second Philip, he would not be another Gaston. Who knows, maybe the Duke of York was really willing to submit to the authority of the king and his brother at first, but since Charles II Provoking those Protestants and MPs, their ideas will of course change. For example, they don’t seem to mind changing the king, and Charles II has no children. If something happens to him, the Duke of York is the undisputed new king. The ambition of the king, the Duke of York, may have been accumulated in gatherings, salons, or private meetings in this way.

For his brother's request, not only did he not immediately stand by Charles II, but he even strongly opposed it. If Charles II hadn't brought out what he wanted most...Of course he knew that Charlie was dead and he was the new king, but It is not impossible for Charles to have his own heir, and the queen is only 30 years old, but with the canonization and documents, even if Charles II finally has a son, the Duke of York still has the power to compete. ,

"I know it's a bit dangerous for you to come here again," said Charles II, "but I must let you know, Henrietta, tell Louis that although my request may have surprised him, I also Has shown extraordinary sincerity."