I Am Louis XIV

Just when Viscount Turenne was eager to listen, the king glanced at Bontang, and the first servant who was favored by the king immediately poured him a glass of low-alcohol wine from Epernay. The monks added peaches and spices to the wine, as well as more sugar, but the king chose it because its alcohol content was lower than that of ordinary wine. After all, he knew that alcohol was not good for the human body—he only After taking a small sip, he handed the cup to Viscount Turenne. Viscount Turenne quickly stood up from the stool and took it with both hands. Perhaps because he noticed many things that he hadn't noticed before, he took a sip absently. Just drank it down, which was slightly rude, and he stood up again and apologized embarrassedly, but the king just waved his hand.

"You know, I have always liked reading." Louis said, "Books can enlighten human beings, clarify thoughts, and illuminate ourselves like a mirror—you know Richard III." He looked at Turenne The Viscount, the Viscount Turenne is the second son of the Duke of Sedan, and he has also received a complete education. Although he left home to join the army at the age of twelve, he has not let go of anything he should learn. Of course he knows Richard III, "He is the king's second son, the king's younger brother, and the king's uncle. He has fought against the rebellious ministers three times. He has always stood by his elder brother Edward IV in the struggle for the throne. He is brave and good at fighting. Sensitive and fair in government, he was loved by the people. He established a parliament, built a university and a church, promulgated laws that were beneficial to the people, and recaptured the occupied lands from the Scots... Mr. Viscount, like Such a person, even if he was not a saint during his lifetime, will be canonized after his death, so please tell me, what is his ending?"

Viscount Turenne had of course read the records about this king. If Louis directly accused Richard III of being a despicable thief, he could use the king's previous achievements as an excuse, but Louis first listed the reasons Richard III's good deeds, only asking about his ending and the reason for this ending, he had to feel embarrassed, because as Louis said, Richard III was indeed like a saint before he deposed his nephew Edward V , His virtues are irreproachable, his feats cannot be shaken, and there are many overlaps with the current Prince Condé.

But to ask the Viscount Turenne to tell the truth why Richard III suffered such a fate is like forcing him to personally accuse the Prince of Condé—because when Richard III's brother Edward IV died, he was granted the title of Prince Edward IV. In addition to the Lord Protector who has the regency, he is already under one person, above ten thousand people, and has a large piece of land in northern England as his territory. No one can compare in terms of power, status or money, but at that time Gloss Richard of the Duke of Te was still born with a wicked greedy heart. As mentioned before, he managed to bribe a bishop to claim that Edward IV's marriage to the current queen was illegal, thereby depriving his two nephews of the right of inheritance. , deposed Edward V and made himself Richard III.

It’s just that the throne obtained in this way is not strong. Two of his former supporters, Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, and Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, both rose up against him. , the Duke of Buckingham lost to Richard III and was beheaded, but Henry Tudor escaped and started a second rebellion with his uncle.

In the battle with Henry Tudor, three of Richard III's most trusted courtiers, Thomas Stanley (the first Earl of Derby), Sir William Stanley and Henry Percy (the fourth Norwich The Earl of Sumberland) all turned against Henry Tudor, even though the latter's succession was not as advanced as Richard III, but they still did so, so that the people who originally had an advantage in numbers and on the battlefield In the end, Richard III was defeated and even died on the battlefield.

Although he fought to the last moment with unrivaled valor, his last cry is always mentioned sarcastically, namely, "Treason! Treason! Treason!  …"

Richard III thought that Henry Tudor was the traitor, but in fact everyone knew he was the real traitor. His body was shown naked and brought back on horseback, still with a stone He was smashed to bloom, he was buried in St Francis Church in Leicester, all his merits were wiped out, his past was never mentioned, he was called the most evil and ugliest king, Even the slightest shortcomings were repeatedly commented and expanded by people, even if these people wanted to see Richard III when he was alive, it was impossible.

"They are different, Your Majesty." In the end, Viscount Turenne could only say so.

"What's the difference?"

"His Royal Highness is not such a cruel person."

"Neither is Richard III," Louis said, "you are not a fool, so I don't have anything grandiose to say to you, I can only say that you despise me only because I am a child, but Mr. Children aren't the only ones who manipulate people - don't you think Richard III didn't try to be an upright person? Was he born a villain? Or was the devil who crawled out of hell tempted him? No, never, maybe he once took over the authority bestowed by his elder brother in sorrow and joy, and wanted to raise his nephew wholeheartedly, but what changed him?

I didn't expect it at first, but when I saw Prince Condé, I understood, sir, it was you, and many people around him, who kept pushing him and instigated him to go to that dishonorable road. Walking on the road, you only saw the magnificence of him after becoming a king, but did not see the dangers he must face. I can guarantee that as long as he sits in that position, everyone who sees him will not scream 'Your Majesty', but inwardly shouted 'Look at that traitor! ’, every ambitious man will rejoice, because he is not the son of the king, and his inheritance is not before me. When my father Louis XIII left, I gave my hand to him, so that he To assist me, not to ask him to replace me..."

"Oh, Your Majesty, Oh, Your Majesty..." Viscount Turenne yelled over and over again, clutching the silver cup tightly, but didn't know what to say, because there was nothing to refute the king's words.

"This is what I want to tell you, Mr. Viscount, as a general, as a prince, Condé has no shortcomings, and can even be criticized, but as a king, Condé's weaknesses are like targets hanging in front of the fortifications. As conspicuous as it is, his enemies will gleefully attack the position first, and smash him to pieces with his honor, his exploits, without him even being able to fight back, for he cannot propose any law that can stand Or favor.

As for me, and my brother Philip, could be his new crime at any time, sir Viscount, not because he is less noble, but because the conspiracy in the dark is always everywhere, just like we still can't be sure about Edward V. Whether he and his brother died because of the will of Richard III, but as long as people mention Edward V, they will say, ah, the child king who was killed by his own uncle!

If it were you, and your master and friend, Condé would still go his own way," Louis said: "I swear that Condé will be called that one day! "

He shook his head and continued: "So I don't understand your thoughts. What are you doing for? For power? Obviously not; for honor? Not for money? It's ridiculous—if it's for honor and Loyalty, then you should advise, not push, to set your friend on the right path—if it is for France, Lord, Monsieur Viscount, as you say to me, turn your head and see Look out the window and see the people struggling in the famine."

Viscount Turenne looked out of the window uncontrollably. Although there were only empty squares and high walls outside the window, he still remembered the hungry people and gallows he encountered along the way.

"Mr. Viscount," Louis said in a questioning tone for the first time: "How many wars do you think they can persist? Once, twice or three times? Or more times?"

"Hey, Your Majesty, please stop talking..." Viscount Turenne begged.

"I have seen my people die needlessly," said Louis, "but even if your wishes are granted, the war will not end. My uncle Gaston, Duke of Orléans, has asked the High Court in Paris to declare him as deputy. The king, and England, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire are our enemies, and our allies,” he said with a smile: “If we have, do you think they come back to help us, or come to bully us?”

Viscount Turenne was really embarrassed at this moment. He had to admit that the king's words were correct, but the promise to his friend and benefactor prevented him from making an immediate decision.

"Well," said the king, "do you gamble?"

This question made Mr. Viscount fall into confusion. To say what the king said was like a heavy punch, which knocked him dizzy. Then this question was like pouring him a glass of strong wine. He felt a little pitiful. "Occasionally, my lord," he replied, "gambling is a healthy exercise, when done properly."

"Then would you like to make a bet with me?"

"Please tell me, Your Majesty, but I'm afraid I have nothing to give you right now."

"You are wrong, you have a lot of chips." Louis said: "I want to tell you now, Mr. Viscount, you have been worried that I will be manipulated by Bishop Mazarin, but in fact it is not all like this, although People thought he looked after me like a father.

If I have to say it, I can only say that I believe in him, because he is the person my father entrusted to me. "

"So?"

"I want to prove to you that I am not a puppet in his hands. How about it, Viscount Turenne, please be a guest here for a while, and I will send a letter to the bishop, asking him to retire for me. to Liege."

"How is this possible?"

"Why is it impossible?" Louis said: "He is neither Gaston nor Condé, and he will be willing to obey my request." He stretched out his hand: "Would you be willing to make this bet with me? If Mr. Bishop Willing to obey my orders and retire to Liege, you will come to my side and fight for me, even if you have to face your friends."

"What if you can't?"

"Then I will give you a horse, a servant, a full purse, and your arms and cloak, and let you go like a gracious and generous king."

"I can not believe it!"

"This is the king's promise," said Louis.

Viscount Turenne stood up, and from his changing expression, it could be seen that he was engaged in a fierce ideological struggle, but what the king said and what he saw on the road made him make a decision. Folding his hands on the King's, he knelt down and said, "I'm willing to make this bet with you."

Louis immediately showed a happy smile, and he asked Bontang to send Viscount Turenne out. Given his trust in Viscount Turenne, he could move freely in the castle, like a guest rather than a criminal, but Bontang , When he came back, he looked worried. Louis knew what he was thinking, but he couldn't tell Bontang—didn't Queen Mother Anne say that she had received a secret letter from Mr. Bishop before the battle started? Because of what happened afterwards, she even forgot to tell Louis— - Bishop Mazaran said in the secret letter that since the rebels have always claimed that he is the culprit for their decision to rebel, then, for the king, queen mother and France, he is willing to make concessions.

Therefore, Bishop Mazaran has decided to retire to Liege. Only Queen Mother Anne knew about it before, and Louis just learned about it this morning, but this did not prevent him from cleverly taking advantage of the time difference.