The Rise of the European Emperor

For the time being, Marin didn't have time to pay attention to how to deceive the company of Gede. Because he was busy sending his little sister Annie to Poland to get married.

Marrying a girl this time, Marin is bleeding profusely. Not only did he pay out a dowry worth more than 200,000 gold coins, but he also had to be present for his brother-in-law's platform, which was not a big deal.

However, this investment is not without results. The European history I have read shows that my brother-in-law, Sigismund I, is not a simple thing, but a very capable monarch.

During his reign, he did a lot of great things. For example, spending money to buy the Crimean Khanate against the water has allowed Poland to avoid the situation of being enemy on both sides and facing the two major powers (the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the Crimean Khanate) at the same time. And the unfortunate Maozi changed from beating Poland and Lithuania with the Crimean Khanate to being beaten to the ground by the Polish-Lithuanian alliance with Crimea... Moreover, this beating lasted for hundreds of years, until Maozi came out with Peter the Great, and Maozi slowed down and turned to the counter-offensive stage...

Moreover, the world-famous Polish wing cavalry was also developed during the reign of Sigismund I. Relying on the powerful Polish wing cavalry, Poland not only began to beat the hair, but also beat the once powerful Teutonic Knights in 1525 and was forced to admit the identity of Poland's "leading brother"... It's a bunker...

In addition, on the southern front, during the reign of Sigismund I, it also withstood the pressure of Ottoman Turkey and maintained the security of the southern border.

Therefore, Sigismund I was a very capable monarch. If Poland and Lithuania were not centralized countries with relatively powerful vassals and nobles, Poland might have dominated Europe long ago. At least, killing the hair is not a problem.

In addition to the overly powerful domestic local forces, Poland's geographical location is also really pitiful, compared with the later Germany. To the east of Poland are savage and fierce Maozi, and to the west are a group of fierce German princes. It might be okay to bully one of the German princes, but Germany has always had the habit of fighting in groups, making Germany a piece of fat that is difficult to swallow.

There is no need to talk about the south, Ottoman Turkey, an absolutely super fierce opponent, it has never been the only one to beat others... As for the north, Sweden is now separated from the pirate Denmark, but it is a good choice for expansion. However, you need to cross the sea. But whether it's Poland or Lithuania, it's a flock of landlubbers. Therefore, it is not easy to expand in this direction.

Therefore, the development potential of this place in Poland is just like that. But in any case, Poland and Lithuania are big countries, and their combined strength is not weaker than Germany. Therefore, the political influence of the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania is no less than that of the Emperor HRE and the King of France. Even, because Sigismund I and Bohemian elector Vladislas II were brothers, their influence on Germany was probably far greater than that of Emperor Maximilian I, who was hostile to the princes.

It is precisely because of this that Marin is willing to marry him.

Moreover, now is the perfect time to sell to Sigismund I. Because, Sigismund has just ascended the throne and has not been able to control the situation. This is when he needs support the most. With such a generous dowry, and with an army of 10,000 troops, Marin was definitely supporting him.

And if Sigismund I can take control of the situation as soon as possible, it will be very beneficial for Marin. The upside is that political payoffs can be made as quickly as possible.

Sigismund I was different from his brother Alexander. Although Alexander also held the title of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, he preferred to live in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. For Poland, it doesn't matter much.

Sigismund I, on the other hand, paid more attention to the Kingdom of Poland. Even the coronation ceremony and wedding were held in Krakow, the capital of Poland.

Of course, this is also an opportunity for the rise of Poland. As the political center of the Jagiellonian dynasty returned to Poland, the Kingdom of Poland also got an opportunity to rise. First, Sigismund I defeated the Teutonic Knights in 1525 and forced the Teutonic Knights to become a vassal of Poland, and even the Duchy of Prussia. Then there is the "Lublin Union", the vast and fertile Ukraine, which was given to the Kingdom of Poland from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania by the monarchs of the Agiellonian dynasty.

In addition, during the reign of Sigismund I, Poland also annexed the currently semi-independent Duchy of Mazovia (later Warsaw Province). This series of actions made Poland stronger. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania, once on an equal footing with Poland, gradually declined and became a vassal of Poland.

However, that was historical Poland. In this time and space, due to Marin's intervention, Poland and Lithuania reached an early reconciliation with the Teutonic Knights. After the reconciliation, the two parties no longer fought each other. The Teutonic state is not as powerful as Poland and Lithuania, so naturally it will not provoke opponents to death. And Poland and Lithuania, although stronger, the Teutonic knights are also very powerful. Perhaps in the field, the Teutonic state was no longer an opponent of Poland. But if the Teutonic knights with high martial arts were defending the city, the Poles could not even think of defeating them. Therefore, the best option for both parties is to coexist peacefully.

And without the conflict with the Teutonic State, Poland's next choice is simple - either help Lithuania, or annex the Principality of Mazovia, or go to the German region to exert influence (this is Marin's demand)... …

With all kinds of thoughts, Marin set out on the road with an army of 10,000 people and a dowry of 50 carts...

There were no emergencies along the way. After all, the combat effectiveness of the Marin army has long been known in Europe, and there is basically no one who dares to make trouble. In addition, if you dare to "hijack the road", then not only Marin will be offended, but also the very powerful Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. You dare to attack the team of the two kings and queens. Isn't it obvious that you declare war on the two countries?

Therefore, Marin's family was very calm along the way and did not encounter any obstacles.

After arriving near Krakow, Marin ordered the soldiers to take off the vests that covered the outside, and showed the silver plate armor inside...

Of course, because Marin wanted to bring his "winged cavalry" ideas to the Kingdom of Poland. Therefore, the "plate trousers" that had been cut in tin for the Montenegrin knights were also abandoned, and only the breastplate and helmet remained. In this way, without the "plate armor trousers", these black-shirted knights do not need the help of their entourage to mount the horse. Just like when Marin first went out, half a set of plate armor, in his body, did not need to be served by servants. However, at that time it was forced by conditions, not that Marin really didn't want to follow.

And the original 1,000 Lancers naturally wore plate armor without trousers, and the horses did not have horse armor. However, these 1,000 people wore real plate armor, and they were also authentic knights who were good at fighting on horseback. The two thousand black-shirted knights were wearing "plate armor" cut out of fake tin. However, as long as you don't look closely, you can't see it.

Moreover, Marin hid the two thousand black-shirted knights in "plate armor" in the team. On the outside are those real knights wearing real plate armor. The real plate armor they wore was also galvanized, and also gleamed with silver.

When 3,000 knights in half "plate armor" arrived silently outside the city gate of Krakow in a neat line, it caused a huge shock to the Poles.

However, this also caused panic among the Poles - what if these people took the opportunity to seize Krakow?

Therefore, Marin simply let the "three thousand knights" dismount, and left the horses and lances outside the city, but they entered the city in a neat line like synchronised soldiers.

Watching the "three thousand knights" with distinctive clothes and armor enter the city at a very consistent pace, the Poles couldn't help but marvel in admiration - the army of the Queen's family is really elite...

In particular, the plate armor on these three thousand "knights" is so dazzling, they are all shining with silver... The Poles' eyes are blinded...