The Rise of the European Emperor

Kohler's men acted quickly, and soon sent the secret letter to the city of Lucerne in central Switzerland and handed it over to Frenzberg. To this end, Kohler's men ran to death several horses.

At this time, Frenzberg was planning a counterattack. He was taken aback when he received Kohler's letter. Looking at the content again, he was even more shocked...

"This...isn't this the 'art of war' that Mr. Marin used to say? How could it be? Could it be... Mr. Marin didn't die, but was deliberately hiding and doing things?" Those who have been there know Marin's character well. Moreover, Marin had deliberately played "going abroad" once in relation to the Principality of Gede. Therefore, he judged this time, maybe Marin is fine, just digging a hole for others.

Soon, he turned his attention back to the secret letter...

"What? The allied army of princes came at me? There is France in the west to strengthen the enemy, and there is an army of 50,000 to 60,000 army of princes in the north. Am I dead?" Frenzberg was a little panicked.

You know, he only has 15,000 regular troops in his hands, plus the "Imperial Union Army" composed of four or five thousand eastern Swiss mountain people recruited from Switzerland. However, the four or five thousand "Imperial Union Army" who supported the Habsburg family were similar to the puppet army during the Anti-Japanese War, and their combat effectiveness was not strong. Although the Swiss mountain people are a little more aggressive, they are only stronger than the ordinary militia, and they are still incomparable with the regular French army.

As for the Swiss Resistance Army, after the French increase of troops, the total number of regular troops has reached more than 20,000, plus seven or eight thousand mountain militia who spontaneously organized to fight against the Habsburg family, which has formed a military advantage. Before, Frenzberg just didn't know the opponent's increase in troops, and accidentally suffered a secret loss. Fortunately, the loss was not large, and he retreated in time.

Without the intervention of the allied forces of the princes, Franzberg is confident that even if there is no chance of winning, he will not be defeated by the Swiss Resistance Army, even if the French increase their troops. After all, from a military point of view, Franzberg's army is more advanced in battle tactics.

However, if there is an army of 50,000 to 60,000 lords in the north, it will be different...

Frenzberg looked down on the combat effectiveness of the allied army of princes. If the number is the same, Frenzberg is confident that he can easily hang the allied forces of the princes. In time, the number of opponents has doubled, and he is also confident to win. However, when the number of allied troops of the princes was four times his, he lost confidence.

Today, whether it is the combined forces of Switzerland and France in the west, or the combined forces of the princes in the north, none of his men can compete.

Although he could also ask the emperor for help, it was too late. Even if the emperor sends troops to rescue, it will take time. And the enemy is coming. It is said that the allied forces of the princes have been besieging the capital of Baden County, Karlsruhe, for a long time.

But the strange thing is that the alliance of the princes did not kill,

Instead, it gave way to the road south of Karlsruhe, which is a bit like the art of warfare that Marin said at the beginning of "encircling three ques and one".

Before, Frenzberg, who received the news, thought that the allied army of princes did not want to lose too much and forced Count Christopher to escape.

However, judging from the current information, the alliance of princes is not only forcing Count Christopher to flee south, but to force Count Christopher into Switzerland. At that time, the allied army of princes will have an excuse to march into Switzerland - to pursue Christopher, Count of Baden...

Then, there was friction between the two sides, and the allied forces of the princes resolutely turned their faces...

Frenzberg, who was originally very talented, had already reasoned out the whole process. But it's no wonder that if it weren't for this talent, Franzberg wouldn't be valued by Marin. Originally, Frenzberg was the true godfather of German mercenaries.

However, even if you deduce it, there is no way...

There are more than 20,000 Swiss-French coalition forces, 50,000 or 60,000 princely coalition forces... No matter how you think about it, it's all hopeless...

"Perhaps, the advice given by Lord Marin is correct?" Frenzberg thought for a while, as if Marin's advice was very good.

Because the Graubünden area is not only backed by Austria, but also connected to the Principality of Milan, an ally of the Habsburg family, to the south, and it is very convenient to get reinforcements.

More importantly, the northern and western parts of Graubünden are steep mountains, which are natural dangers that are very good for defense. Xiongguan is in power, and the mountain road is rugged, which is the best terrain for defense. Seeing this, Franzberg was already certain that Marin was still alive. Moreover, this letter must have been directed by Marin.

As long as they retreat to the Graubünden area, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack, even if the Swiss-French coalition and the feudal coalition are strong, it will be difficult to break through the natural dangers. It's just that all these years of hard work in Switzerland have been in vain...

...

"What should I do? What should I do?" Frenzberg walked up and down in a panic.

At this moment, he suddenly looked at a portrait hanging on the wall and muttered to himself:

"Mr. Marin, is your solution only to retreat to Graubünden?" Obviously, the portrait hanging on the wall was Marin.

Speaking of which, Frenzberg still admires Marin. Otherwise, he would not have defected to Marin in the first place.

However, for a knight in the Swabian region, the appeal of the Habsburg royal family seems to be stronger. That's why Frenzberg turned to the Habsburgs at the outset. After all, the region where he lived, adored and user Habsburg royalty, had almost become a habit. Moreover, the title granted by the Habsburg family can also be recognized throughout Europe. Unlike the original counties of East Friesland, the title granted is not necessarily recognized by people outside East Friesland.

In fact, Franzberg did not expect that Marin could become so big later, and he actually laid a territory equivalent to 20 times the size of the East Frisian Country, and was promoted to the Grand Duke. This made him regret a little, but he couldn't go back to regret. Also, Emperor Maximilian I treated him very well, and there was no reason for betrayal.

However, this did not stop Frenzberg from admiring Marin. Because, Marin's rise career is too legendary. From a emaciated wandering knight worse than Frenzberg's to one of the most powerful princes in Germany, even the novel is not so exaggerated...

So, being a fan of Marin, Franzberg put Marin's portrait on the wall of his study. It's almost like posters of idols posted on the bedroom wall by later generations of groupies. Moreover, this portrait was originally issued by Ma Lin in Beihai Kingdom, and it was a portrait dedicated to brainwashing for the army to "request instructions early and report late", very much in the style of portraits of later great men...

...

"If so, Mr. Marin, how should we deal with it this time? Retreat to Graubünden... Although it's good, it always feels like it's not the best choice..." Frenzberg thought hard.

He was right in guessing that Marin didn't tell him the best option. Because, Marin also does not want to see the Habsburg family is too powerful. After all, the Habsburgs were royalty. If it is too powerful, it will be easy to unify Germany. And Marin himself is a separatist prince, how could he want the emperor to unify Germany? Therefore, the balance between the emperor and the princes is what Marin is most willing to see.

And letting Frenzberg retreat to Graubünden is indeed in the interests of Marin - the interests of the Habsburg family are damaged, but the strength is preserved... As for the allied forces of the princes, it is a waste of time...

However, there are better options...

"There!" Frenzberg suddenly slapped the table. Because, he remembered Marin's battle to fame...