The Rise of the European Emperor

After talking about the artillery business, Lev, the Teutonic envoy, suddenly asked to order another 50,000 sets of swords and armor, which surprised Marin.

"50,000 sets?" Marin was puzzled. Because, as far as he knows, since the defeat in the "Thirteen Years' War", the strength of the Teutonic Knights has been greatly reduced. Even though a lot of strength has been restored through trade with the North Sea State, according to cousin Peter, the Teutonic State can currently gather up to 7,200 heavy cavalry legions composed of knights and heavy cavalry from knights, a total of 60 Cavalry flag team (120 people in a flag team).

In addition, because of the rich trade income these years, the Teutonic Kingdom can still hire 20,000 mercenaries. These mercenaries mainly come from Germany, including 8,000 people from Switzerland, which still belongs to Germany. In addition, there are also French and British mercenaries, whose combat effectiveness is very strong.

However, these people add up to 28,000 people. Even if farmers are temporarily recruited to serve as militiamen during the war, at most more than 10,000 horses will be recruited to guard the rear cities. Therefore, less than 50,000 sets of weapons and armor are needed. Besides, the original Teutonic army was not without weapons and equipment. 50,000 sets of new swords and armor means that the Teutonic Kingdom will expand its army by 50,000...

But that's impossible!

Because, the Teutonic Kingdom doesn't have that many strong men to recruit! The Teutonic Kingdom currently has only 300,000 to 400,000 people, and the number of strong men is at most 60,000 to 70,000. However, even if there are 60,000 to 70,000 strong men, it is impossible to arrest all of them as soldiers. Because if all the strong men are recruited to serve as soldiers, the economy of the entire country will come to a standstill, and even the food supply chain will collapse. Therefore, even if the Teutonic Kingdom fought a national war, it would be good to recruit half of the strong men, that is, 30,000 to 40,000 people.

In addition, because of the instigation of Poland and Lithuania, the nobles and citizens in the Teutonic country did not really support the rule of the Teutonic Knights, but were faintly opposed to the Knights. In the past few years since his succession to the throne, Grand Commander Philip has been busy rectifying the country, suppressing the nobles and the burghers. Although the resistance trend of domestic nobles and citizens has been basically controlled now, it is impossible to expect them to help him fight and die...

In other words, this batch of weapons and armor is probably not just for the Teutonic army. Because, Peter’s cousin came to Aurich three months ago, saying that the current weapons and equipment of the Teutonic Kingdom have been updated, and a large number of old weapons and armor have been eliminated...

And considering the various intelligence in Eastern Europe recently, Marin suddenly realized:

"Mr. Lev, are you purchasing weapons and armor for the Muscovites?"

Lev's face froze for a moment, then he smiled again and said:

"Your Majesty's eyes are really bright, yes, we are purchasing for the Muscovites. I heard that the Muscovites are going to send troops to attack the Kazan Khanate, so they entrust us to help purchase 50,000 sets of swords and armor to conquer those Tatars who don't believe in God. pagan……"

As expected of a diplomat,

Lev's lies came as soon as he opened his mouth. Moreover, with the serious expression on his face, what he said was true. If Marin hadn't heard about the plans of the Muscovites, he might have believed it. Because, the Muscovites do have the idea of ​​​​taking action against the other three khanates besides the powerful Crimean Khanate, which is backed by Turkey-the Kazan Khanate, the Astrakhan Khanate, and the Siberia Khanate.

Moreover, because of the alliance between Lithuania and Crimea, the cost of expanding westward is too high, and it is more feasible to annex the three small khanates eastward. Therefore, Lev's lie looks like it is true.

Because he was an ally, Marin didn't bother to expose it, so he said bluntly:

"It is impossible to provide weapons and armor to the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Because I need to consider the feelings of the Lithuanians. Uncle Yule is my uncle, but the Grand Duchess Anne of the Lithuanians is also my sister."

"So, I can provide weapons and armor to the Teutonic country, but it is impossible to provide weapons and armor to the Muscovites. After all, they have no relatives and reasons with me, and I control them to death!"

Lev blushed a little, but recovered quickly. He said with a smile:

"Your Majesty, don't worry. Selling weapons and armor to the Muscovites is a matter for us Teutons. After we hand over, it will not be counted as your sale to the Muscovites."

Marin still shook his head:

"No, the weapons and armor produced in the North Sea country are all made of fine steel, and the quality is very different from other countries. If it falls into the hands of the Muscovites, it will definitely be used against Lithuania and Poland. At that time, I will I can’t explain to my sister and brother-in-law.”

"So, I don't care if you purchase weapons and armor from others and sell them to Muscovites, but I can't sell them to you. Of course, as a neutral person, I will pretend that you have never heard of the matter of purchasing weapons and armor for Muscovites... ..."

...

In fact, Marin is implying that-I will not interfere with your assistance to the Muscovites.

Therefore, after Lev understood what Marin meant, he turned his head south and went to Nuremberg to purchase weapons and armor. Even, there are matchlock guns and artillery.

Nuremberg was an important handicraft center in southern Germany in this era, and its manufacturing industry was very developed. Marin took away the craftsman who made the world's first rifled gun from here before. There are many craftsmen here, and the products are rich. And because of the endless wars in this era, as a handicraft center, Nuremberg's weapon and armor manufacturing industry is also very developed. And the envoys of the Teutonic Kingdom will certainly be able to buy the required weapons and armor.

Although Nuremberg's weapons and armor are basically made of iron, they cannot keep up with the steel products of the North Sea State. However, for Eastern Europe, where the level of forging is backward, they are definitely excellent weapons and armor. With these weapons and armor, the combat effectiveness of the Grand Duchy of Moscow's army will definitely be able to rise to a higher level, and then complete the equipment crushing of the Lithuanian army... because the equipment and technology level of the Lithuanian army is lower than that of the German region.

In this era, apart from the North Sea country, the most developed handicrafts in Europe are probably the Venice and Milan regions in northern Italy. Secondly, it is the southern region of Germany next to northern Italy. Even in France, the number one knightly country in Europe, its domestic knights often send people to places such as Nuremberg in southern Germany to purchase gothic plate armor and other sophisticated equipment.

Therefore, after possessing 50,000 sets of brand-new weapons and armor produced in southern Germany, the Grand Duchy of Moscow, which already has a superior military force, will definitely be able to rub the Lithuanians on the ground.

And this is exactly what the Teutons are happy to see. Because, if Lithuania is defeated by the Muscovites, the friends of Poland and Lithuania will have no time to take care of the affairs of the Teutonic state. The Poles and Lithuanians must have been busy resisting the Muscovites when they attacked Livonia...

Maybe, if both Poland and Lithuania are beaten to the ground by the Muscovites, the Teutons can take the opportunity to recover the large territories previously cut off by Poland and Lithuania...

Therefore, the purchase of weapons and armor for the Muscovites this time was actually paid for in advance by the Teutons who had saved a lot of money through trade. They even let the emissary Lev personally go out to help the Muscovites to purchase weapons, in order to achieve the goal of supporting the Muscovites to suppress the old enemy, the Lithuanians...

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