I Am Louis XIV

The two dukes must have been indispensable in the recent chats between people in Paris and Versailles.

Some people may ask, shouldn't war be what they care more about? The problem is that although Louis XIV was prepared for a long war, even he did not expect that although his enemies were not as powerful as he first thought, they were tenacious. They were like teeth embedded in a lion's mane. The furry hyena knew that his neck would be bitten off immediately if he relaxed, so he refused to let go. At the same time, he also held on to a small hope that maybe Louis XIV would also make a mistake? Are you misappropriating military funds out of vanity, or are you being warlike and causing reputational chaos, or are you jealous of the generals and the king's brother and want to suppress them?

Unfortunately, none of these things happened.

The war between North Holland, where France belongs, and the British has turned into a war against William III of Orange. Behind William III stands the Dutch government-in-exile, which has nowhere to go—now the ministers and generals of the Grand Duke. After Schaumberg and the Indians drove them out of America, they had no way out, and so did William III... He wanted to fight the French like crazy to the end - he and his army became vulnerable and fragmented after Charles II withdrew his strength, but the bad thing was this fragmentation, like trying to separate the sand from the grains of wheat sprinkled with sand, It will take a lot of time to clean out these Dutch people who have become rebellious for various reasons.

Of course, it was not just the three provinces of North Holland, but also the territories owned by William III and the British.

For this reason, rumors spread that the Duke of Hallebour would become King of the Netherlands.

Does Louis really want to do this? No, anyone who knows a little bit about His Majesty knows that he will not. The Duke of Halepur is not the kind of person who is very sensitive to politics, but like his mother, he is an obedient and contented person, nor does he. Thinking that he has the talent to be a king, he is satisfied with the Halepur Forest, not to mention that Brussels has always had a governor sent by the king.

This governor was a veteran of the two dynasties of Louis XIII and Louis XIV. He knew the king's thoughts well - why did France want the Netherlands and Flanders? In the final analysis, it is still for Britain. Britain once almost completely engulfed France, but now it cannot even maintain its last foothold - can they be willing to do so? That is definitely not possible. Don't forget that William III was the nephew of Charles II. The fact that Charles I was willing to marry his princess to Orange speaks volumes.

We have already described the Orange family before. The first Orange was just a courtier of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. He grew up and worked in the court of the former's sister, the female governor of the Netherlands. It can be said that, Later, Mr. Orange took the side of the revolting Dutchmen, which was a complete betrayal and should be hanged.

And even if he inherited the title and territory of Prince of Orange from his deceased cousin, it was only a branch of Nassau (Earl of Nassau). At that time, his marriage to the daughter of the Elector of Saxony was considered a high achievement, and he was becoming The King of the Netherlands was murdered by an assassin a few days ago, so seriously speaking, his descendants are just ordinary nobles - although the Dutch parliament and people recognize William I as the founding father of the Netherlands.

He had twelve children, but during the long war, he exhausted his family property and left little legacy to them. His eldest son, the future William II, was as ambitious as he was and was determined to carry out his father's unfinished business to the end - but not to resist the rule of Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, but to force the Dutch Parliament to rule in Orange. Before the surname, bow your head and obey orders.

And how could such a young man gain the attention of Charles I and marry his eldest daughter to him?

Naturally, it was for the Netherlands. After William II contracted the plague at a young age and died, William III immediately became a treasure that the British and the Dutch competed for. However, the Dutch Parliament and the British Parliament later brought the war between the Netherlands and Britain to the forefront. When he got off the table, his situation became more and more embarrassing - it would be okay if the British captured the Netherlands, he might become a puppet, but if the Netherlands defeated the British - as it was, he would become a piece of food. It was a pity that it was useless to abandon it. When Louis XIV captured Flanders, William III was almost excluded from the center of power.

Therefore, when Louis XIV and Charles II were still in a period of tender love and carving up the Netherlands together, they were mentally prepared to drive each other out completely - if Britain won, then There is a basis for competing with France. If France wins, Britain can completely become an isolated island.

Also because the Governor of Brussels and the Governor of North Holland knew clearly what Louis XIV was thinking, they also taught the young Duke of Hallebourg that it would be better for Hallebourg to be in the army than to seek power in the court. Looking for a promotion step, so that even if the Netherlands eventually becomes a large province of France, the Duke of Hallebour can still maintain an identity that cannot be underestimated by others.

The king will not allow the Netherlands to become a country again. Wouldn't all the previous sacrifices be in vain?

Therefore, the Duke of Halepur did not pay attention to the whispers of some people. The Netherlands would not be his, nor would it be the Duke of Montreal's. Wait, it should be said that except for the Duke of Colonna, the king was not prepared to let anyone else. Many illegitimate children became kings. Moreover, even if it is Italy...

If His Majesty asked him to go to Montreal and the Duke of Montreal to Brussels, it might be because he had been in the army for several years, while the Duke of Montreal was only an adult and did not look very strong.

While he was thinking this, he followed the attendant who came to summon him into the amusement room.

The playroom is right next to the Venus Hall. It is used for people to rest and talk temporarily during dances and banquets. It is equipped with card tables, chairs, couches, billiards and other recreational facilities. Yes, Recreation also included gambling and playing billiards.

Louis XIV actually didn't like gambling. In order to cater to the interests of the Queen Mother or the Queen - before that, there was Marie Mancini - he would participate in gambling. If he didn't go hunting or walking, he didn't want to read. , just playing billiards with his children - it was the first time among his children that the Duke of Halepur participated in this kind of activity.

The attendants looked at the Duke curiously. The Duke of Hallebour, who had never appeared in Versailles, was simply the comparison of the Duke of Montreal - the Duke of Montreal was slender, he was strong; the Duke of Montreal was gentle, he was rough; the Duke of Montreal was polite, he was ...is too straightforward. It can be said that as much as the Duke of Montreal was respected and loved by people in Versailles, he was so dissatisfied and defensive that if the king had not been there, he might have been excluded from the court by rumors.

Duke Halepur lived up to expectations and hit a ball that almost jumped off the table. The werewolf bloodline allowed him to see many thin cracks on the ball: "Oh," he said, "this ball..."

"It's ivory." Louis XIV said with a smile. "What ball did you use in Brussels?"

"A copper ball wrapped in rubber," said Baptiste, Duke of Hallebour, and his brother Auguste immediately showed an admiring look.

"Well, it's so strong." Louis waited for the attendant to change the ball and hit a shot smoothly. "I heard Viscount Turenne said that you are the best grenadier he has ever seen."

"I have talent." Baptiste said. He didn't show any pride. There was nothing to be proud of. He faced all mortals. Although he did not inherit the characteristics of a werewolf, he was compared with mortals. , still has sharper eyes, stronger limbs and greater strength. He can easily throw the iron can containing gunpowder hundreds of feet, and can throw it non-stop for half an hour or more.

"You are already a captain." Louis said, "Have you heard that I intend to exchange August's territory with yours?"

"I heard it, Your Majesty." Baptiste said, hitting a ball from the ground: "It's up to you, Your Majesty, I don't care," he said sincerely and indifferently: "I like to fight, not to be a Officer, I heard that the land of America is extremely vast."

"Yes, I also thought that America would be more suitable for you." Louis said, and August, who had been listening beside him, couldn't help but exclaimed: "Your Majesty!"

"Don't worry," Louis said, "I want you to go to America." Then he pondered for a while: "With Auguste."

"Ah," Baptiste said clearly: "You mean...you want me to protect him?"

"No," Louis said, "You are my son too, Baptiste. Even if you don't grow up beside me... I still love you very much."

"So……"

Louis set up his cue, and Bontang retreated with his attendants, "You know, the Netherlands will eventually become a province of France."

"You always have your ideas and arrangements, and you never fail or miss." Baptiste said: "Even if I am not your son, I will not change my attitude. You are a great king. .”

"Come to my side," Louis said. "You too, Auguste." When they were all standing over - just the narrow side of the pool table, "Consider this pool table as the existing territory of France." And the range that can be affected." He looked at Baptiste and estimated the length of the latter's arm: "Baptiste, go get the red ball."

The red ball was only a few inches away from them, and Baptiste simply reached out and got it.

"This is Paris, or it could be Versailles," Louis said: "Then go get the white ball." Now Baptiste was having a hard time. The white ball was just within reach of his fingers. "This white ball is Brittany, Lorraine or Marseille." He nodded: "Although it takes a little effort, it is still within the range that can be controlled freely."

"Then there's the yellow ball," Louis said.

"I'm going to go over there," said Baptiste, "or I won't be able to touch him."

"A king can't always be out there. Look at Richard the Lionheart." Louis said. "You can take the cue."

Baptiste did as he was told, using his club to move the yellow ball to his side.

"This club is my ministers, generals, and people. I rely on them to manage my new territory - although it can be done, it is not your or my arm. It is always awkward and powerless to use it." Louis Said: "But there is no way, they are too far away from me, so we must be better to anyone or anything that can help us."

"Those Indians too?"

"It can be said that," Louis stared at the blue ball that was farthest away from them, almost on the other side: "It can also be said that it is not, because America and other colonies are just like that blue ball, sir. They, it is too far away from us, so far that even if I clear it all, there is nothing I can do to prevent them from becoming another country."

The expressions of the two dukes couldn't help but change.

"So I thought and thought, yes, not only do I want Auguste to go there, but I also want you, Baptiste, to go there."

"Should I stop them?"

"How is that possible?" Louis laughed: "I just hope you can take my place..."

"In your place?"

"Witness the birth of a new political system on my behalf, and ensure that it does not become a sharp sword against France."

Baptiste was silent for a moment: "But father, can't you be their king?" He thought for a while and said: "Although America is far from here, Marseille is not close to Paris. With the wizard, we It can ensure smooth communication. As for your generals and officials - if this is what you are worried about, then just like the British governor, rotate them every few years. You can also use it as a reward and encouragement for loyalty and talent... …”

"What about the people there?" Louis smiled: "I can't let them move every few years."

"They're French, too."

"Not when I leave France." Louis said: "People call me Caesar, and I also hope to be Caesar. Caesar also hopes that the great Rome can survive forever. Unfortunately, it is just like a transplant from Provence to Lower Normandy. Citrus trees will produce fruits with different flavors. When a person moves to another place, different changes will occur as time goes by. The long distance will catalyze some intense thoughts, which depend on the worship or fear of a person. Maintaining a huge empire - ah, let’s not talk about Caesar, just look at the Sultan of Ottoman Turkey, everyone is his slave, did he succeed?”

Still a little uncomfortable, I only have one chapter today, sorry.