"So, the Duke of Brabant, Sibein I, has abdicated and lived in seclusion? The successor, Gismond II, is now in charge?" Jiang Tian casually flipped through an ancient version of the gospel and asked the envoy from Brussels: "What difference does it make to me?"
"The Duke is willing to pay five hundred pounds of gold, plus three hundred thousand escu (silver coins) of property; as compensation for offending your territory:" the messenger replied respectfully: "And sign a new feudal contract of subordination, which will be for you every year Contribute half of the taxes and a quarter of the troops; as well as the sanction of the bishop of the principality, the diplomatic rights to declare war and synchronize with the kingdom, the right of military passage within the territory, the construction and garrisoning of frontier fortresses; commercial passage and special monopoly rights... and Send an heir to your court just to ensure the general integrity of the duchy’s territory.”
"It seems pretty good..." After Jiang Tian patiently listened to the other party listing a lot of seemingly touching terms, he waved his hands indifferently and said: "But you ignore the most important issue; this is a case of betrayal. A double punishment war for alliance oath and interference in the kingdom’s internal affairs.”
"Your Majesty..." The young envoy with a beautiful beard and wig and powdered hair couldn't help but said anxiously: "Do you still want to destroy and annex the entire Principality of Brabant? Even if this is the founder of the kingdom, King Alstorfo, or Mi There is nothing that King Lorna can do.”
"You are right, of course I have no intention of easily destroying the principality with just one or two wars." Jiang Tian said with a casual smile: "But I am fully capable of changing the principality to a ruling family/ Or change the political system, for example, let several big nobles jointly govern?"
"I believe that among the dozens of large and small nobles and hundreds of vassal families in the principality, we can always find some who are willing to cooperate and obey the existence of the kingdom? Maybe, there is no need to retain the title of duke, as long as one Stack up counts, viscounts, and barons to maintain the country.”
"You...are such a cruel and persistent king!" The envoy almost groaned after hearing this: "The principality is so unfortunate to have offended such a terrible enemy...In this case, I dare to ask if your Majesty still needs What conditions can satisfy you?"
"Excluding most of the clauses that are in name only, the biggest question is, shouldn't the culprit be punished as he should, rather than continue to pay more collateral losses and harm?" Jiang Tian then raised the gospel book in his hand and said: " This is not inconsistent with territorial integrity and family rule, right?"
"This... condition, I'm afraid the Duke will never agree to." Upon hearing this, the young envoy's expression suddenly changed: "Even if Lord Xi Beien abdicates, he is still the de jure king of everyone and the elder of the Duke's family. Not to be humiliated by judgment and punishment.”
"Then most of you will wait and be destroyed together with this city!" Jiang Tian laughed and said: "Of course, if you can break through the siege in front of me, or hold on until the Saxons arrive, Maybe there is still a chance to follow the Duke in exile abroad!"
"..." The envoy suddenly became dumbfounded and silent after hearing this, and then said a rare and forceful sentence: "In this case, maybe you need to let your majesty see the determination and will of the principality's subjects in the city of Brussels before you can do something about it. Change your mind..."
"Your determination and ambition are great!" Jiang Tian waved his hand and said: "I don't know if the city wall of Brussels and the will of the defenders are better than Amiens, which was breached in one evening, or whose owner was completely changed in a few days. How will our royal capital, Seine City, become more solid?"
However, when the greasy-faced envoy walked out of the big blue tent, he saw groups of people gathered in the distant camp. They were very different from the royal army in unified blue uniforms; from their loud accents, and Wearing it looks like a local from Brabant.
It's just that they gathered in small groups, surrounded by miscellaneous weapons, and only a few of them had decent armor and stomach; they gathered around a smoking cauldron or grill, and from time to time they carried large and small bags on their backs. , leading companions loaded with pack horses or donkeys and mules to join them.
This scene made him feel resentful, helpless and cold-hearted. As long as someone is willing to spend enough money to hire these country people, who have no sense of justice or loyalty, they will not hesitate to raise their swords and guns against the rural party members from the same place, or even between fathers, sons and brothers.
】
And on the road in the distance, there are groups of farmers, bringing harvested wheat, felled firewood, and whole tree trunks to the camp like a flowing stream; Tall earth fortresses have been built; cannon after cannon has been deployed.
Between the tall earthen ramparts, there were a large number of cavalrymen shuttling back and forth with billowing smoke; no one knew how many there were, their armor shining brightly under the sun. However, judging from the raised flags and guns and the standing heraldic flags, it seems that not all the surrounding Dutch princes and their vassals are here.
There are even many nobles and vassals from the defeated and surrendered Luxembourg of the Triangular Alliance and the extinct Principality of Namur, with their various family emblems. However, the next moment his eyes suddenly shrank, and he saw several logos and coats of arms belonging to the vassals of the Principality of Brabant.
It was one of the dozen noble lords abandoned in Amiens by the Duke of Brabant who fled after the city was broken. After a moment, the envoy turned around without hesitation and returned to the main tent of the Royal Army. But he had already taken off his wig and wiped off the ointment and powder on his face.
"The contemporary Duke of Brabant, Count of Leuven, Viscount of Brussels, Head of the Silver Frost Knights, Gismund, co-lord of Flemish, Walloon and Breda, is here to see His Majesty the Knight King." At this moment, the young envoy looked like A new person was replaced, and he saluted again solemnly:
"I swear by the honor and tradition of the Reuven family, I am willing to pay any price except the title and territory of the duchy in exchange for your forgiveness of the previous duke." The young man who called himself Gismond proposed again: "Just ask to be spared the humiliation of a public trial."
"What an admirable courage and courage, as well as an enviable family affection." Jiang Tian couldn't help but clapped his hands gently and said: "Just pretending to be one's subordinates and entering the enemy camp is not what a lord should do; Aren’t you worried that there is a risk of no return?”
"I can only place my hope in Your Majesty's magnanimity, honor and virtue as a king." Gismond spread his hands on his chest and said with a wry smile: "After all, apart from the besieged city of Brussels and those titles, I have nothing more to lose.”
"But my father, after all, is the man who gave me bones and blood, and he has shaped me into the heir of the principality since I was a child. With God as my witness, I have no way to abandon him or sit back and watch the dangers he is about to receive. and humiliation.”
"In this case, I am also willing to give you a chance, or to exchange for additional terms." Jiang Dan nodded confidently: "As long as you surrender in Kaicheng and let Xi Beien I go to Seine City for supervision, I can keep the principality. Title and basic right to rule.”
"However, in addition to the terms proposed before. You must also lead the remaining troops in the city in accordance with the highest level of vassal and vassal obligations, join the coalition of the Dutch princes, and even participate in the fight against the Northern Rhineland Alliance and Saxony. Go to war in the principality..."
"This..." Gismond only hesitated for a moment, and then made another suggestion: "Your Majesty the Knight King, if I can contact the Senkesen and the Northern Alliance, and try to persuade them to give up or withdraw their troops, What? Can you exchange for my father’s freedom?”
"This is not enough...far from enough." Jiang Tian put down the gospel, shook his head and said: "Unless you can let the Saxon and Northern armies continue to attack the Netherlands as planned. areas, and even invade the territory of the kingdom..."
"Your Majesty..." Upon hearing this, Gismond's expression changed slightly: "Are you planning to make my father and the Luwen family stigmatized for betraying alliances and being capricious?"
"Otherwise? If the Principality of Brabant and its ruling family are cut off from your hands, what's the point of these reputations?" Jiang Tian sneered and looked at him and said: "Or in the future, you are going to face it alone. , those angry Nordlanders or Saxons?"
"Maybe... you are right." Gismond's expression changed several times, and finally turned into a long sigh: "But please have mercy, Your Majesty, give me three days, no, two days, to persuade Those potential opponents; let Brabant return to the wings of the kingdom.”
"No, there is only one day since you left." Jiang Tian shook his head unmoved and said: "After more than twenty-four hours, I will launch an attack no matter what; all verbal agreements at this moment will also It no longer exists..."
"No, Your Majesty, I beg for your mercy and forgiveness!" Gismond shouted with some pain: "For this reason, I am willing to tell you a piece of news from a private secret... My father was willing to Continuation of the kingdom’s vassal contract, only hesitating on the specific terms.”
"However, when he met a lady from the kingdom, he suddenly changed his mind overnight, and even exiled his long-trusted palace advisor and many courtiers who raised objections and admonitions; Expelled back to his own territory..."
"Therefore, I once suspected that the Duke's decision was made under some abnormal mental conditions. Especially after returning this time, he even rejected the bishop and the bishop in a fierce way. A visit from the palace physician..."
"Oh! Then how much do you know about this woman?" Jiang Tian asked with interest: "For example, her pseudonym and apparent identity, appearance and other characteristics?"
"I only know that her name is Ms. Delami. She first appeared at a palace ball and was secretly introduced to the Duke by a courtier." Gismond shook his head slightly and recalled: "Then she was arranged by the Duke. In Du Juan's Garden; but almost no one has seen her true appearance, even the maids and servants in the garden... By the time I sent someone to arrest her, she had disappeared."
