The Rise of the European Emperor

But when it came to Franche-Comté, the princes realized how lax the defense here was. Because of the concentration on the Swiss battlefield, the strength of the Habsburg family was limited. Except for the core areas such as Austria and the Flanders region of the Netherlands, which must have enough troops to guard, some unimportant areas have been drawn out.

At present, there are only two or three thousand regular troops from Besançon and an equal number of militia left behind at Franche-Comté. This kind of strength can probably only be used to suppress bandits, and cannot deal with the attack of large enemy troops at all.

Moreover, the main task of the garrison of Franche-Comté was to defend against the French army across the Saône, not to the east. Therefore, when the allied forces of the princes arrived at Besançon through the mountain road in the east, the local defenders looked confused-how could there be enemy troops coming from the east?

Because there is no defense, and there are few defenders, they are not elite. Therefore, Besancon only held on for two days before breaking through.

Then, the allied forces of the princes poured into Besançon and began to loot...

But the cunning Frederick III believed that they came only to "recover" the food and military pay "robbed" by the Habsburg family army. Therefore, he ordered the coalition forces of the princes to only rob and not kill.

At the same time, Frederick III also called for the thief to catch the thief, and sent a special envoy to Innsbruck to submit a letter of protest to Emperor Maximilian I, protesting that the Habsburg family army took the initiative to attack the "army of justice" of the coalition of princes...

Then, at the end of the protest, Frederick III also said that the army was too hungry and was about to mutiny. As a last resort, we first went to Besançon to "earn out" the compensation for food and military expenses...

While sending out this shameless letter of protest, Frederick III did not stay in Besancon, but went to Worms with a group of princes...

Worms is the seat of the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire and the seat of the Archbishop of Mainz, the Grand Chancellor of the Empire. Frederick III took many princes there. In addition to visiting the Archbishop of Mainz, the leader of the church princes, he also planned to ask the church princes for money and food.

Although it is said that the occupation of Besançon this time has recovered more than half of the losses for the coalition forces of the princes. However, judging from the loss of so many people, the coalition forces of the princes still suffered a big loss. After all, the coalition of princes lost not only property, but also many soldiers and very important morale.

Therefore, Frederick III and many secular princes planned to seek financial and food support from the church princes, and at the same time, take the initiative to pour dirty water on the Habsburg family.

To be honest, the princes were a little guilty when they took the initiative to attack the Habsburg family army before. After all, they are the unreasonable party.

But,

This time Frundsberg took the initiative to ambush them, but gave them an excuse to attack. Although anyone with a discerning eye knows that it is very problematic for them to hunt down and kill Christopher I, Earl of Baden, maybe the ulterior motives are not drinking. However, haven't they attacked the Habsburg family yet? Now, the Habsburg family took the lead, and in an instant they became the right side and the victims...

Therefore, the princes went to Worms this time, in addition to asking the church princes for some money and food to stop losses, they also had the purpose of creating momentum to discredit the Habsburg family.

Only by whitewashing their own side as the "righteous side" can they continue to interfere in Swiss affairs. Otherwise, Maximilian I, as the crowned emperor, would not be so easy to dismiss.

And now, as the party that was beaten first, the princes, as the "victims" of justice, went to Worms, the seat of the Imperial Parliament, to ask for an explanation...

...

When Maximilian I received this shameless letter of protest from the princes, he was so angry that his stomach hurt...

He has seen shameless ones, but he has never seen such shameless ones. It's obvious that your army is going south, and you want to attack the army of the Habsburg family, but you have the face to bite back?

However, Maximilian I was very pleased that Frundsberg was able to discover the conspiracy of the coalition forces of the princes in time, and responded quickly, and even won a brilliant victory.

As one of the few enlightened monarchs in this era, Maximilian I knew very well that although the allied forces of the princes transferred to Besançon, the losses to the Habsburg family were great, but most of them were economic losses. . From a military point of view, Frundsberg's victory was extremely cost-effective. Because, Frundsberg's shot reduced the coalition forces of the princes by half.

If the coalition forces of the princes were not ambushed, but instead 60,000 troops went south, joined forces with the French, and surrounded Lucerne... Maximilian I could not imagine the consequences...

Once such a crisis occurs, the Habsburg family will definitely lose the whole of Switzerland. Then, the huge investment of the Habsburg family in Switzerland in the past few years has all been in vain. And the Swiss Army in Frundsberg will also end in annihilation...

Moreover, the terrain in Switzerland is extremely dangerous. If it is lost this time, it will be even more difficult to get it back. After all, if the Swiss Legion in Frundsberg is wiped out, it will be very difficult for the Habsburg family to rebuild such a veteran legion with combat effectiveness, and the investment will be huge. In addition to the reason for the strength of the troops, it is the terrain problem. Most of Switzerland are mountain cities that are easy to defend and difficult to attack. If you lose it, you will suffer a lot if you want to capture it next time.

In addition, once the Swiss Resistance Army resumes its rule in the central and eastern regions of Switzerland, it will definitely recruit a large number of troops. They have the financial support of the French behind them, and it is certain to re-raise the team of 10,000 to 20,000 troops. At that time, the Habsburg family will not only defeat the French, but even deal with the Swiss army, it will take a lot of trouble.

Therefore, Frundsberg's military operation this time is of great significance. It means that the Habsburg family does not have to lose control of the central and eastern regions of Switzerland this time. Even if Besancon is lost, that's all right.

After all, it is impossible for the vassal legion not to disband forever. Their joint dispatch of troops is temporary, and there will always be a day when they will be disbanded. Therefore, it is impossible for the princes to stay in the Franche-Comté area forever.

If the French invaded Franche-Comté, Maximilian I might be nervous. Because, France is next to Franche-Comté. They invaded Franche-Comté, probably for a permanent occupation. However, the coalition forces of the princes occupied Franche-Comté, and they were destined to be just passers-by, and they still had to return it.

After reading the letter of protest from Frederick III and others, Maximilian I suddenly realized that - next, there may be a fierce diplomatic confrontation...

Like Frederick III and others, Maximilian I realized that this diplomatic struggle was very important, and its core was that both sides must strive to become the "reasonable and just" side. Only in this way can the military actions of opponents become illegal.

Although, Maximilian I also knew that most princes would definitely favor Frederick III and others. However, he cannot back down from this diplomatic confrontation. Even if he makes trouble unreasonably, he will continue to fight with his opponent. Because the longer the delay, the better for Frundsberg.

After all, the allied forces of the princes are not a standing army. The longer the time drags on, the more they will be overwhelmed. Even, many civilians and conscripts in the coalition of princes need to go back to the country to snatch them during the autumn harvest. If the problem cannot be solved in a short period of time, then these princes themselves will be a little bit overwhelmed.

The Swiss Legion in Frundsberg is different. They are an elite force that is completely out of production, and their harvest does not affect them.

Therefore, Maximilian I mobilized a cavalry team to escort him north to Worms, preparing to quarrel with Frederick III and others. Even if you can't win the quarrel, you have to delay the time. The longer it drags on, the more the allied forces of the princes can't stand it...

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