I Am Louis XIV

"But Catalonia, and the whole of Spain, is different," said Eugen Jr.: "First of all, it was a country that was once powerful and is still very large today. Although it is the merger of Castile and Aragon, It was formed, but it has been unified for nearly three hundred years, and its foundation is more solid and unshakable than that of the Netherlands."

"Go on, kid."

Little Eugen paused, thought for a while, and sorted out his words: "Spain is not only powerful but also huge," he repeated: "It almost replaced Britain and became the enemy of France." Britain and France also fought for The inheritance war has been going on for nearly a hundred years, but as the Habsburg tentacles have repeatedly extended to the European countries through marriage, the Holy Roman Empire and Spain have become new threats to France. They are like two people in one person. Arms, holding France tightly in his arms: "The Habsburgs ruled Spain for almost two hundred years, and their rulers deeply imprinted the idea that 'the French are enemies' on the minds of the Spanish. During the reign of François I, Carlos I fought with him for fifty years to establish Spain's status as the largest power. The reason why Spain and France did not have frequent conflicts does not mean that the hatred between the two countries has disappeared. , it can only be said that they had to face new and more difficult enemies at that time."

“The Spanish met the English, and we fought eight religious wars,” said the Duke of Luxembourg.

"Now that Spain is declining, France is rising. We should drink deeply because our once strong enemy has become weak," said little Eugen: "But things are unpredictable and fate is misfortune. None of us can predict what will happen in the future. We can only Anyone who can focus on the present knows that as long as Spain is not destroyed, it will always be the enemy of France."

"no doubt."

"But if we want to destroy such a behemoth, even if we can do it, we will be hated by kings all over the world." Little Eugen took a deep breath: "Flanders and the Netherlands have no kings, but Spain Yes, if a king executes another king, this will be a harbinger of his downfall, and it is an evil thing that will never be allowed to happen. If His Majesty insists on his own way, he will be everyone's enemy." He looked at the Duke of Luxembourg, not surprisingly He saw the same light in his eyes: "But inheritance is different. Of course, a country will definitely need a king, the people need someone to guide them, officials and generals need someone to manage, even God, sir, needs someone who can give him freedom." A good person who shepherds the flock. This is His Highness Charles's inherent right and obligation, and it is beyond reproach."

"At that time, everyone said that our King was too cowardly to ask Philip IV for the dowry of half a million livres. Now it seems," said the Duke of Luxembourg, "500,000 livres can buy a country." , how cheap it is.”

"But for this reason, His Majesty cannot treat the Spaniards like the Flanders, and for the Spaniards, they do not all want the son of Leopold I to inherit the Spanish throne, haha Busburg has been operating in Spain for a long time, consolidating his power and attracting criticism and trouble."

"His Majesty said that the most conspicuous thing is the target." The Duke of Luxembourg said with rare humor.

"So the best way forward is for the Spaniards to accept this result calmly," Eugen said: "But it seems impossible now. The Habsburgs and the previous vested interests will not allow things to go like this. We are developing in the right direction." He rubbed his fingers, showing great interest: "Of course, we will also hope to have the opportunity to make meritorious deeds, but His Majesty is a kind man, and he would rather see our soldiers return home happily. At home, even though it is a rare honor to sacrifice one’s life for the king.”

"War is inevitable, but as you said, His Majesty will definitely avoid unnecessary casualties and losses." The Duke of Luxembourg said.

"So His Majesty needs an example. He wants everyone, especially the Spaniards who have been ruled by Habsburg for a long time, to see the difference between Louis XIV and Philip IV and Carlos II. Catalans They were the first region to bow their knees to France and express their submission, and the king gave them favors, just like giving the most docile lambs the freshest grass." Little Eugen said: "He doesn't want to plant too many seeds in this pasture. What a poisonous breed of hatred. After all, this is a vast land with a large population and complicated borders. If the Spanish natives are incited like the natives of the Netherlands, we will not have peace in the next twenty years."

"And with the example of Catalonia, His Majesty's subsequent policies can also be implemented and implemented."

"People all act according to their own interests." The Duke of Luxembourg said: "In fact, if you look carefully, my child, your Majesty's approach is no different from that of the Spaniards. He also selected young adults who are most likely to launch riots in the newly occupied areas. , they also use heavy labor and work to kill their energy and dull their thinking, they also let their own troops and officials replace the original managers, they also deprive the opponents of their wealth and land..." He winked at little Eugen. Blinking: "But we have all seen that the Catalans not only did not fall into panic and chaos, but instead bloomed with branches and leaves vigorously like a small tree that has been washed away from the dirt."

"This is exactly what I am confused about." said little Eugen: "There must be something different, sir. That is that His Majesty has given up all the taxes in Catalonia in the past few months. This is a huge sum." A considerable amount of money, but even Carlos II or Philip IV, any king and emperor can afford this loss, why don't they do this?" Even going the other way.

"Because they can't, don't want and are unwilling to do that." The Duke of Luxembourg calmly said the most terrible words: "Our Majesty has no need for nobles, son."

His eyes were always focused on little Eugen's face, but he could not find any shock or shake in it - "It seems that you young people did discover this earlier than us."

"The reason why the nobles in the Versailles court are so numb," he continued, "is because His Majesty the King has always restricted and persecuted his enemies, domestic rebels, foreign monarchs and lords. Charles VII originally borrowed Taking the opportunity of the Hundred Years' War, he obtained the power to tax and recruit soldiers, making the French king the "real king". Now Louis XIV is taking the opportunity of opening up the territory to clear out those who he considers useless and may even become The constrained lords and lords made his voice the 'only voice'. He did not need to rely on nobles and priests to manage the people for him, 'I am the country' he said, he only needed to face his The people face France, not a bunch of stubborn, conservative, greedy parasites."

"...I think His Majesty is more than that." Little Eugen said after being silent for a while.

"So I hated him at first, not just for my brother and friend." The Duke of Luxembourg said: "But after leaving France, without the crown that the French brought to him, his enemies will definitely be able to see through His Majesty. If they really think about it, they will resist at all costs even if it is for themselves." He picked up his tea cup and swallowed the cold tea. "So, kid, the enemies we encounter may be the same as those your Majesty encountered. completely different."

"And that's what I'm fighting for," Eugen Jr. said.

"I really don't know whether I should feel happy, sad, or depressed." The Duke of Luxembourg said: "You know, this means that your descendants will..."

"There will be a better future," said little Eugen gently, "if I had one."

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Of course, little Eugen cannot be just a soldier. Even if he is not the eldest son of Count Soissons, he still graduated from the Royal Military Academy. Although he can only command five companies for the time being, which is equivalent to half a regiment, but among them There was a group of grenadiers and auxiliary soldiers, totaling about 800 people. At the beginning, the company captains were worried about this young commander. Don't get me wrong, they were not worried about little Eugen, but that such a young nobleman, even if he had not yet despised ordinary soldiers, would Serious battle damage caused by impulsiveness on the battlefield, or seeing the horrific scene of blood and flesh splattering for the first time makes the whole body tremble with fear, lose the ability to think, and will only run away or collapse to the ground.

Although little Eugen didn't know what the company captains were thinking behind their respectful masks, in addition to what he learned in school, he also had an advantage that no one else could match as he had his own room in Versailles, which was that he could ask for advice at will. Famous battlefield generals such as the Vicomte de Turenne, Vauban and even the Grand Condé may not be able to immediately teach a young man who has never seen a battlefield into a victorious general, but it is really hard to make him understand and familiar with the battlefield. It couldn't be easier.

Let little Eugen see that the real battlefield is scary, but it will not shake his firm will. After several small-scale but tragic battles, he also understands why the Duke of Luxembourg started such a conversation with him. ——The royal power of Spain was severely weakened during the reign of Philip IV. By the time of Carlos II, the situation of fragmentation became even more serious. What they faced was not the large-scale and organized Spanish standing army, but the local The private armies of nobles, these are only "vassals of vassals". They uphold the "chivalry spirit" that has been passed down for hundreds of years. They fight bravely and are not afraid of death and injury. However, the retinues and soldiers who accompany the knights on expeditions, although most of the latter are They are farmers and craftsmen, but they are just like the kind of people Louis and Eugen mentioned. They have not received education and cannot have their own thoughts. They are just a group of blindly obedient animals, only willing to follow those they know. Even if you tell them that as long as they are willing to come to the French, they can enjoy low-rent land, spacious houses, and gentle laws, they will not believe you and betray their "master."

In the face of the well-trained and well-equipped French army, even if these private soldiers were as fearless as Don Quixote who dared to challenge the windmill, they could not stop the Duke of Luxembourg. What only made little Eugen feel uncomfortable was that those surrounding him The eyes around them were fearful and hateful... He saw damp tombs built on both sides of the road. It was like a silent protest and curse, but the most terrifying thing was the mortals hiding in the shadows.

"They will soon be removed," said the Duke of Luxembourg. "You see, just as the King did at Orleans and the Huguenot settlements."

Little Eugen breathed a sigh of relief unconsciously. He had seen the information and maps, and knew why the king did that - people would become cautious in strange places, and no one would be so easy for someone they didn't know. Taking risks, not to mention forced relocation will not allow them to take away all their property, and the fields, workshops, and shops that cannot be moved can only stay in place. When villagers and citizens who hate the French are moved to another place, it is difficult enough just to ensure the survival of themselves and their families. Even if they want revenge and resistance, they may not be able to hide it. neighbor's eyes.

In this way, when they finally settle down and can continue their plans... they will find that time will always take away many things, courage, energy, memory... If not, then death can too.

Although the Duke of Luxembourg's advance was not as stagnant as Louis XIV's, it was not fast either. Young Eugen saw people constantly coming across the Pyrenees. French priests and officials took over cities and villages in an orderly manner. All kinds of affairs in the world - they were all trained in the junior high school opened by Louis XIV in the past twenty years. They are familiar with all the things that the king wants them to know, even if they are not very familiar with the situation in their area. It is clear that with a strict and rigid "containment", all things can be taken care of properly together with the French garrison responsible for stuffing the people into the "containment".

Countless businessmen followed one after another. Although only Catalonia was declared tax-free by Louis XIV, but a city has a new ruler, can't businessmen still find opportunities to make huge profits? The license issued by the Spanish officials will be invalid. Whoever can get the license issued by the French officials first will be able to make a fortune?

There were also attacks on soldiers, officials and businessmen. However, Louis XIV had already informed the Duke of Luxembourg about this. In any city or village where this kind of thing happened, not only the attackers would be hanged, but also the attackers would be hanged. Not only will the taxes in this place not be preferential, they will be doubled. If this happens again and again in the three places, the taxes will continue to rise until the people here have to use their own land and assets to offset the tax. Until tax is paid.

Once such a doctrine was widely publicized, the situation in the occupied areas became much calmer.