I Am Louis XIV

Chapter 378 The King’s Parade

Not long after the Duke of Anjou arrived, another good thing happened. King Carl XI of Sweden sent a messenger - Queen Elizabeth of Sweden was also nearly nine weeks pregnant. Louis didn't know whether he should feel relieved about this. , it is better to regret. Elizabeth is only nineteen years old this year. He originally expected her to start having children when she was twenty, but Queen Teresa also reminded him that if this was the case, those Swedes would be able to speak out more confidently. After all, God created Women are meant to reproduce, and a woman who is infertile or has few children is guilty - making it increasingly difficult for Elizabeth to gain a foothold in Stockholm.

Fortunately, the queen had given birth at this time, and the king could send all available and trustworthy people to Stockholm. Queen Elizabeth also said in the letter that she needed some capable people to serve her, because there were still some people in the Swedish court. Is it the Queen Mother's faction or the pro-Habsburg faction, not to mention that the current king of Poland is Bourbon, and Sweden has fought many wars with Poland.

During the marriage negotiations, Karl XI was willing to exchange part of Livonia for a territory in Groningen included in Princess Elizabeth's dowry. This also made many people think that their king was deceived by the French woman and made something similar to An act of treason - they didn't even look at the fact that the territory of Livonia was a deserted salt marsh and shrubland, and there were many terrible legends. Civilians did not dare to approach it, and there were no troops stationed there - If Louis XIV had not agreed to Amon's request and tried to help him regain the ancestral land of Zimixi, Louis XIV would not have made this request.

But owned by Princess Elizabeth, the port of Groningen is much more important. Although Karl XI has not received a systematic education, as long as he can understand the map, he will put Denmark and Norway in the most important position - —Enemy positions, of course. Denmark, Norway and Sweden were originally split from a common alliance, the Kalmar Union. Norway and Sweden shared the Scandinavian Peninsula, and Denmark was just below them. When Denmark and Norway were the United Kingdom , they clamped Sweden's throat like a pair of pliers, allowing Sweden to only make waves in the Baltic Sea - this was also the reason why Sweden repeatedly launched wars against Poland.

But when the ocean has become a symbol of hegemony, Sweden is not willing to fall behind. Groningen is the northernmost tip of the Netherlands, just below Denmark. The territory of the eldest princess is like a dagger aimed at the enemy's vital points. , if Denmark continues to intend to curb Sweden's development, then he must be wary of assassinations from the rear.

This deal is actually more beneficial to Sweden, and it can be regarded as Louis XIV's appeasement to Sweden. If Carl XI dares to do something stupid like Louis VII, Louis XIV will not be afraid to declare the engagement invalid. Give Princess Elizabeth and this key territory to another king or prince.

Karl XI knew this very well. He did not deliberately keep silent in order to torture his wife like some stupid kings - so that the queen had to drag her tired and sore body to attend banquets and dances. Here is Elizabeth. Seeing the sign, he took Elizabeth to the Queen's Palace, which had just been completed. The palace is located on the Queen's Island, hence the name. It was burned once in the late 16th century. After the engagement of Karl XI and the Grand Princess was confirmed, he began to rebuild the palace - and gave it as a wedding gift. He gave it to his wife, and it is now a veritable Queen's Island.

Three months later, on the agreed date, he took the queen back to the old palace and announced the good news in front of everyone. But wait, based on this time, Louis XIV may be better than the Swedes. Know earlier.

The Duke of Orleans looked at it and showed a happy expression. As much as his brother loved his daughter, he loved his brother's daughter. Of course he would hope that the eldest princess's marriage would go smoothly. It didn't take long for the eldest princess to get married. Being pregnant means that she is in good health and her position is stable. Even if her husband gives birth to a daughter, there will be no problem. Angels will always send more children. His thoughts quickly turned from the eldest princess to the eldest princess. The eldest princess and the eldest princess are similar in age. Frederick has also reached the age of having children. After the marriage negotiations are completed, they may hold a wedding soon. As a father, he couldn't help but feel sad. Alas, just like his stupid brother, he originally hoped to keep the eldest princess until she was twenty.

The two brothers looked at each other, and finally had to succumb to reality, but fortunately, the students trained by the Royal Medical College of Blois are at least no longer the same as the old three, except for bloodletting, gaunchang and soldering iron. At least they can actually save other people's lives instead of killing innocent patients. The discovery of bacteria made doctors and nurses use alcohol on a large scale. If they couldn't afford alcohol, they also learned to use boiling water to sterilize instruments and bandages. ——Many soldiers on the battlefield were saved by these somewhat extravagant means... His thoughts were pulled further and further away, and he almost didn't hear the king's soliloquy.

"...What do you think?" Louis asked.

"How about what?" Duke Orleans asked subconsciously, "Oh, I'm sorry, brother, I was distracted just now."

"I said," Louis said patiently, "How about we go to Sweden and see Elizabeth?"

The Duke of Orleans was glad that they were no longer at the table, otherwise he would have sprayed the king in the face with a mouthful of wine or hot soup - could the king leave his own country and go to another country? sure! But it definitely can’t be because my daughter is pregnant. I’m very worried, so I’ll take a look at the ridiculous reason! Kings gather together, either for peace or for war. There is no possibility other than these two points!

When Louis XIV personally sent the eldest princess to Sweden, he aroused opposition from many ministers. However, because the king had sent her to Sweden before, they could barely accept it. Now Elizabeth has not encountered any persecution - she is just pregnant. Got it! As father and future grandfather, the King of France is going to Stockholm himself? How can it be? The Duke of Orleans pursed his lips and shook his head seriously. Seeing his brother, who was always more careless than him, showing such an expression, Louis cast a questioning look at Bontang, and Bontang also moved his head from side to side.

"Okay," Louis said bitterly, "but I did have a very important idea recently, Philip."

"As long as you don't go to Stockholm," said the Duke of Orleans.

"I want to do a grand tour," Louis said enthusiastically: "But not in Versailles, not in Paris, or somewhere, brother, I want to tour the whole of France." As soon as he said this, he He got two meaningful rolls of the eyes, "It seems that you have also heard that if you want to open the windows, you have to propose the idea of ​​demolishing the house." The Duke of Orleans pointed out ruthlessly: "You planned it like this from the beginning. Once I By rejecting your first request, you can force me to agree to your second request.”

"I have been sitting on this throne for thirty-five years, Philippe," Louis said seriously: "Although it cannot be said that I have never left Paris or Versailles, during those times I was outside France, not at war. , just on the road," he said sincerely: "Look, we have weakened the princes, reorganized the place, popularized education, consolidated the royal power, unified the faith, eliminated excessive taxes and miscellaneous taxes...etc., we have been doing it for either twenty or ten years. Yes, don’t you want to see our results?”

"I thought your little bird would always bring you countless pieces of information," said Bontang, "just like bringing you millet."

"I will never rest assured until I witness it with my own eyes. Not long ago, there was an incident involving the Duke of Luxembourg." Louis said, "And isn't it traditional for the king to parade?"

"It's tradition..." Bontang said hesitantly, but since John the Lost King, this kind of behavior of kings taking an entire court (court and harem) to parade around has almost disappeared - mainly now The king either cannot give orders outside the capital, or, like Louis XIV, has seized the greatest power in his hands, and does not need to rely on this behavior to weaken the energy of the princes-because when the king travels, all supplies-from his The queen, royal wife, ministers and generals, as well as soldiers and servants, are all provided by the nobles of the place where they stay, and they must be the best. Such expenses are very shocking.

"Stop it, Bontang, don't you understand our Majesty?" Philip said: "He will do whatever he likes, and we can't persuade him."

"Not now," Louis said happily: "We still have to complete negotiations with Prussia before we can leave."

"Thank you for remembering my Marie," said Philip, "and the Duke of Anjou, who is still so young."

"Just because he is so young, will he still remember that we left him to play by himself? It just so happens that little Louis's marriage will have to wait for a few years. He can stay in Paris or Versailles, but your Alex …”

"Alex, my wife probably won't let him leave her side." The Duke of Orleans' expression turned slightly gloomy.

Louis patted his shoulder wordlessly. The Duchess of Orleans, also known as the British Princess Henrietta, may have been particularly sensitive and delicate because she spent her childhood and girlhood in turmoil. Being able to accurately capture the thoughts of Charles II contributed to the discord between the Duke of York and Charles II, but also prevented her from getting happiness and comfort in her marriage to the Duke of Orleans - the Duke of Orleans was also wrong, Louis XIV Although he can urge his younger brother to respect his wife, there is no way to stop him from looking for women. To say that his behavior of stably maintaining a queen and a royal wife is heresy.

"Then let Alex stay with her. I didn't think it through well," Louis said frankly: "At least until he can ride on horseback."

"No..." No one knows better than the Duke of Orleans what a terrible price the king's position can be sold for. Louis just loves the house, but compared to the princess who allows her to accept the king's love unscrupulously, the Duke of Orleans has always been interested. Downplaying the impression his eldest son had left on the minds of those at court. He has not forgotten the wrong influence he had upon Queen Mother Anne and Bishop Mazarin. If it had not been for his brother, he would never be where he is now.

The son of the Duke of Orleans is quite advanced in the succession to the throne...

"By the way," Louis said suddenly: "When it comes to engagement negotiations, just like Elizabeth, I am prepared to let Mary take away twenty female officials."

"There won't be another guard."

"Treat everyone equally, brother, Mary is also my daughter."

"This must not be heard by outsiders," the Duke of Orleans said angrily: "People will say that Henrietta slept with you. I don't mind that, but Henrietta will definitely be confused."

"Alas..." Louis sighed. He originally thought that Henrietta was always depressed because of the pressure caused by not giving birth to an heir. Who knew that after having Alex, she became even more neurotic: "I want to say It’s another woman,” he said: “You remember the lady that Jean Bart brought back.”

"That Lady Eva?" Philip probably didn't pay much attention to her before the Spaniards came, but now as the head of the palace spies, how could he not know: "She is now the lover of Ferdinand, the son of Grand Duke Cosimo III. God knows how they fell in love with each other, but they both acted calmly."

"Ferdinand has some similarities with this lady, but that's not the problem. Do you know that she and your daughter have promised that even if she wants to marry in Spain, she will follow the princess?"

This time the Duke of Orleans was surprised: "What now?"

"She probably hasn't given up on the idea," Louis said, "but she came to me two days ago and asked me about a possible wedding date, and then she asked me something."

"What's up?"

"She asked if she could attend the Ecole Militaire de France."

"I'm really a little unsure now," the Duke of Orleans murmured: "She is indeed a courageous girl, but - Military Academy? The junior school you opened has caused some trouble by allowing girls to enroll - they will not Allow her to be among them.”

"I have rejected her," Louis said. "Although I am willing to fulfill her wish, I am worried that some people will regard it as a shame, and she may be insulted or even killed by them."

"They will do this." The Duke of Orleans said that although the medical field regiment headed by witches has gained the understanding and love of the soldiers, there are still many people in the army who regard women as protected persons and property. Will treat a proud or even cruel lady with tolerance, but if she directly touches those things that women should not touch - what happened to Joan of Arc, what will happen to Eva.

Not to mention that Joan of Arc was blessed and canonized. After the war, she was canonized and rewarded. Amid people's thanks and prayers, she deserved the reward of spending the rest of her life freely, peacefully and prosperously.

"She is so bold," said the Duke.

"Um……"

"Don't tell me that you also hired several teachers for her."

"Of course not," said Louis, "I only allow Ferdinand and her to continue to be close to each other before the Grand Magistrate leaves for Prussia to marry."

"That Mr. Ferdinand is now a student at the Military Academy," said the Duke: "He wouldn't think this would be an interesting thing."

"Unfortunately," Louis said, "he doesn't seem to mind."