The Rise of the European Emperor

It has been 20 days since East Friesland joined Lübeck, Hamburg and Sweden to declare war on Denmark. These days, the news spread all over Germany.

Countries reacted differently to this, with some gloating, some dissatisfied, and some supporting... For example, King Hans' brother-in-law, Frederick III, Elector of Saxony, expressed dissatisfaction. Because, his sister Christina, is the queen of King Hans.

However, Frederick III, as Elector of Saxony, was very contradictory at this time. Because, although he is the brother-in-law of the King of Denmark, he is also a vested interest in the Hanseatic League. Because there are several Hanseatic cities in the Electoral State of Saxony, which are an important source of tax revenue for the Electoral State. Moreover, Frederick III himself had also made a large loan to the Hanseatic League, which has not been repaid until now.

Therefore, Frederick III was the most contradictory for the Quadruple Alliance to attack Denmark. On the one hand, he is a vested interest in the Hanseatic League, and he sent troops to Lubeck and Hamburg, the leader of the Hanseatic League; on the other hand, Denmark is his sister's country...

Therefore, after struggling in his heart for a long time, the Elector of Saxony chose to wait and see temporarily. After all, if he offends the boss of the Hanseatic League and the city in the territory is expelled from the Hanseatic League, he will lose a lot of money. Before his own interests and the interests of his sister's family, Frederick III finally chose himself. However, the wiser he still publicly called for restraint on both sides, it is best to stop the war and sit down and negotiate. But the current situation, this kind of appeal, is no different from not saying anything. After all, the two sides have already played a real fire. And the Quadruple Alliance has such an advantage, where can it stop? But since Frederick III made a statement, he didn't disregard his sister's life or death, and morally he was barely able to pass it.

In addition, to be honest, Frederick III was also very afraid of Marin, the evil star. Last time, his uncle led an army of 26,000 people and was completely wiped out. This time, it is said that Marin led a coalition of 30,000 troops, and God knows what kind of bloodshed will be set off. The Electorate of Saxony alone has absolutely no confidence in successfully intervening. This is also an important reason why Frederick III finally chose neutrality.

However, as one of the seven great princes, Frederick III had great influence. In order to protect his brother and sister-in-law, he has already started secret activities, contacting other electors, and trying to exert political pressure so that the Alliance of Four Nations does not go too far. At least, the status of the Hans and his wife cannot be threatened. Otherwise, it would be bad if Marin, an impulsive guy, went into Copenhagen and killed his sister-in-law. At that time, he will have to be involved in the war.

In fact, Marin had also been guarding the Electoral State of Saxony to the south. After all, as the brother-in-law of King Hans, Marin didn't know whether Frederick III would impulsively send troops to save him.

When he told this concern to Weizmann, the military commander of Hamburg, Weizmann was not worried:

"Mr. Marin, you are overthinking it. Although the Elector of Saxony, Frederick III, is not yet 40 years old, he is a complete old fox. He will not do anything he is not sure about. What's more, he is also afraid of being attacked. Hanseatic League sanctions."

"Sanctions from the Hanseatic League?" Marin was a little curious. He felt that the Hanseatic League was broken. An elector who said sanctions would be sanctioned?

"Yes, if you change to other electors, you may not be afraid of the sanctions of the Hanseatic League. But Saxony... The Saxony business district is the second largest business district of the Hanseatic League. The elector of Saxony and the duke of Saxony, every year because of the number of domestic This Hanseatic city has received a lot of business taxes. In addition, the Duchy of Saxony, which has indemnified you 1 million gold coins, would not have been able to support it at all if it weren’t for the loans of Hanseatic merchants…”

"Ah? Is the Duchy of Saxony your loan?" Marin was a little dumbfounded. Feelings, their allies finance their enemies...

"Oh, of course, after all, we weren't allies at that time..." Weizmann was also a little embarrassed.

"Understood, but the Elector of Saxony is afraid of you?"

"Let's put it this way, Lord Marin, the Electoral State of Saxony and the Duchy of Saxony, more than half of the fiscal revenue comes from the commercial taxation of the Hanseatic cities in the territory. Lübeck and our Hamburg are the most vocal in the Hanseatic League. The two powers. If the Electors of Saxony dare to challenge us, we can completely expel the membership of the Hanseatic cities of the Electorate of Saxony. In the future, the business of those cities will be fatally hit, and the Electorate of Saxony will be dealt a fatal blow. The fiscal revenue will also be cut by more than half..." Weizmann said confidently.

Marin was a little stunned, and murmured:

"It's so arrogant... it's too much..."

At this time, Marin began to face up to the strength of Lübeck, the Hanseatic leader, and Hamburg, the Hanseatic vice leader. Although it is said that these two cities combined, the army strength is not as strong by itself. However, their influence is too scary, and they can actually force an elector to dare not come forward to protect his sister...

Sure enough, Marin waited left and right, and did not wait for the news that the Elector of Saxony would send troops, but waited for Frederick III's call for a truce. But how much is this appeal worth? No pain at all...

Before, the reason why Marin had been renovating for so long in Glückstadt, the capital of the Duchy of Holstein, was not only to teach Hamburg's mercenaries to learn the rules, but also to guard against the interference of the Electoral State of Saxony. Now, the Electors of Saxony have confessed and dared not interfere, and he can be considered relieved. At the same time, he also gained a new understanding of the influence of the Hanseatic League.

This alliance has strong financial resources and huge political influence. Marin didn't want to mess with it if it wasn't necessary. Before, Denmark was able to squeeze Lübeck and Hamburg with the combined strength of three kingdoms (Denmark, Norway and Weakness) and two principalities (Schleswig and Holstein). Today, because of their own indiscriminate entry, the two cities of Lübeck and Hamburg have the confidence to challenge the powerful Kalmar Alliance, which is incredible.

Moreover, according to Weizmann's introduction, most cities in Germany (except for some too small cities) have the existence of the Hanseatic League. They obtained many commercial and political privileges by lending money to lords everywhere.

During this period, many lords were very poor. In order to maintain a luxurious life, some people completely relied on loans from the Hanseatic League to maintain their finances. Therefore, the influence of the Hanseatic League on the lords is also huge. Even political giants like the Elector of Saxony have to look at the face of the Hanseatic League, let alone those ordinary little nobles.

At this moment, Marin suddenly had the idea of ​​forming a long-term alliance with the Hanseatic League...

Originally, East Frisian's alliance with Lübeck and Hamburg was only a temporary alliance. Because the two sides only came together temporarily because of their common enemy, Denmark.

However, it now seems that the Hanseatic League is so good, and Marin needs such a strong ally to speak for himself...

Although the Hanseatic League was only a business alliance, it did not have a seat in the Imperial Parliament (it would not be until the "Thirty Years War" in the 17th century that the Hanseatic cities would be eligible to participate in the Imperial Parliament. For example, Hamburg was granted a seat in the Imperial Parliament in 1770. and eligibility to vote). However, its political influence cannot be underestimated either.

Because many imperial cities, such as Cologne and Dortmund, are both imperial cities and Hanseatic cities, and are easily affected by the Hanseatic League. Although Aachen, Nuremberg, Augsburg and other imperial cities did not officially join the Hanseatic League, they had a very close relationship with the Hanseatic League, especially in terms of interests. As long as the Hanseatic League said hello, it was difficult for them to refuse. Because, if you anger the Hanseatic League, it will not be difficult for you to paralyze your business. The reason why imperial cities can become imperial cities is that they rely on commerce to become financially independent. If business is paralyzed, the city will not be able to survive. Therefore, the Hanseatic League has a strong influence on most imperial cities...

To this end, Marin changed his original position and began to take the initiative to befriend Lübeck and Hamburg. After all, these two cities are the main and deputy leaders of the Hanseatic League. If they come out to speak for themselves, if they don't say anything else, those imperial cities must give face...