In the spring of 1526, the two most eye-catching events in Europe were related to the Habsburg family. Whether it was Cassus' high-profile announcement of his official return in Vienna or the ongoing talks in Madrid, they were the most important events in Europe.

The Duke of Bourbon could not see the connection between himself and the former incident for the time being, but the latter incident was obviously closely connected with his interests.

He is in Naples, and his recent life can be said to be a mixed bag.

Worryingly, the terminally ill Marquis of Pescara finally suggested to Ferdinand that the Prince of Orange should take over his position as governor of Naples.

This position is now one of the most important positions in Spain. Although the Marquis of Pescara was unable to use this as a springboard to become the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain because of his old age, the fact that he handles one-third of Spain's military expenditures every year fully illustrates the importance of this position.

importance.

But the Duke of Bourbon doesn't care much anymore. This position is not important to him. He doesn't even care that his noble wife, who was once very close to him, has lost his wife. Although the widowed eldest sister of the Warlock Royal Family, Elanova, is no

The top nobles dream of a wife, but no matter how good a woman is, she cannot compare to her own country. Compared with the Duchy of Bourbon, she still eclipses her.

According to the emperor's recent letter, the King of France will marry Princess Elenova and give up the Principality of Burgundy to Spain. The Habsburg family has developed from a relatively powerful prince in the Holy Roman Empire to the leading superpower in Europe, relying on "Burgundy"

"Heritage of Burgundy", the grandmother of Charles and Ferdinand was the heir to the Duchy of Burgundy.

After a fierce battle after the death of the last Duke of Burgundy, the Habsburg family obtained the most prosperous and wealthy Netherlands Lowlands in Europe occupied by the Duchy of Burgundy. Based on this king's capital, everything that followed came into being.

However, the Burgundy region, the homeland of the Duchy of Burgundy, was taken back by France, and this time it finally deserved its title.

In addition, the French king will also give up all territorial claims to Italy, and the Duchy of Bourbon will return to him, Charles Bourbon.

Although it is far from the pie promised by Charles V, it can still be said to be a good result, and as long as the Duchy of Bourbon is recaptured, a wife of suitable status can naturally be found.

In fact, he is already very popular in Naples, with this lady and that lady. He is too busy day and night.

Compared with Ladislaus's bottom line of never having an affair with a married woman, the Duke of Bourbon had fewer - as he himself told an outraged husband - "unnecessary rules", which made

He was even more disadvantaged in the fight for the governorship.

Compared with him, the Prince of Orange was very conservative and steady, which allowed him to eventually gain the trust of the Marquis of Pescara.

For the Duke of Bourbon, although the personal connections of Spanish nobles are very important, he must also become a prince after taking back the Principality of Bourbon. Although he is still nominally a vassal of the French King, it is obvious that his independence will be very strong in the future.

of.

As a prince, it actually didn't matter whether these nobles liked him or not. As long as the Habsburg family still needed him to contain the King of France, he didn't need to worry about what these people thought.

Moreover, he would not be able to continue serving the emperor until he found a wife and gave birth to an heir. After all, if the territory he had finally regained had no heir, it would be a waste of time.

He was looking for a suitable wife all over Europe through the church of Barbarossa, but Ladislaus's family was declining and he had no suitable sisters and daughters, so he was somewhat surprised when he received Ladislaus's letter.

Ladislaus did not mention his judgment on the possible breach of contract by the King of France in his letter. This is the difference between closeness and distance.

No matter how conflicted Ladislaus and Ferdinand were, they could still express their views openly and honestly on issues involving the overall interests of the Habsburg Empire. And speaking out so bluntly to the Duke of Bourbon was likely to make Bourbon

The Duke is wary and misunderstood.

Therefore, Ladislaus mainly expressed his joy in the letter that the Duke of Bourbon had regained his country, and proposed to support each other when they were oppressed by the French power in the future.

The Duke of Bourbon was skeptical about the value of the alliance between Austria and Bourbon. To maintain his independence, he obviously needed the continued support of Spain.

The Duchy of Bourbon originally had no direct contact with the areas controlled by the Habsburg family. However, after the Burgundy region was ceded to Spain, the Duchy of Bourbon was no longer surrounded by the territory of the Kingdom of France. It was also in contact with Spain and France.

The two big countries border each other and have sufficient strategic freedom.

"But it wouldn't be a bad idea to strengthen relations with Austria." The Duke of Bourbon is not worried about the rumors of conflicts between the two monarchs of Austria and Spain. To protect the Principality of Bourbon is to attack the Kingdom of France, and attacking the Kingdom of France is what they undoubtedly have in common.

Benefit.

Even if it loses the Burgundy region and the Duchy of Bourbon, two important territories with a population of close to two million, the overall strength of the Kingdom of France still requires close cooperation between Spain and Austria to fight against it, so the Duke of Bourbon does not need to take a clear stand.

So after reading Ladislaus's letter, the Duke of Bourbon wrote back an equally enthusiastic letter.

"His Royal Highness the Duke of Bourbon believes that his principality and Austria can cooperate closely in all aspects such as economy and diplomacy and jointly contribute to a prosperous and stable Europe." Ladislaus handed the letter from the Duke of Bourbon to Machiavelli

See the Hohenzollern Chancellor. "I said that it is impossible for him to take the initiative to attack the Kingdom of France."

"It is true that as you said, His Royal Highness the Duke is satisfied with being able to take back the Duchy of Bourbon and has no greater ambitions." Justice Hohenzollern did see from this letter that the Duke of Bourbon hopes to live a peaceful life, but

He didn't understand why Ladislaus insisted on continuing to stir up trouble. After this contract, there should be more than ten years of peace anyway.

As usual, both Spain and France need some time to digest the results or lick their wounds to prepare for the next round of competition.

"But it doesn't matter. The Duke of Bourbon has noticed your hint." Machiavelli has accepted Ladislaus's point of view. Although he may still be a little skeptical deep down in his heart, he has devoted himself to following Ladislaus's point of view in his work.

Sloth's instructions came to prepare.

This personal letter to Bourbon was also read in detail by him and Ladislaus.

At the end of the letter, Ladislaus briefly mentioned that His Majesty the True Chosen Pope might continue to support the King of France. He hoped that the Duke of Bourbon would be wary of the Cyric Church after taking over his principality.

Although the Duke of Bourbon replied that he really chose His Majesty the Pope because Ladislaus had been overwhelmed by last year's military operations and was unlikely to be able to strongly support King Francois, but Ladislaus knew that the nails he planted would be revealed at the right time.

It works. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile phone users please go and read.)
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