Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 2103 Europa Universalis ([-])

On August 1690, 8, in the most honorable Republic of Genoa, Paul of the Doria family was entertaining envoys from the east coast in his villa.

The envoy came from Spain, starting from the port of Cadiz, following an old-fashioned galley warship transporting horses to Genoa, and staggered all the way to the Ligurian coast.There are more than one hundred army horses, which are a bit crowded, but there is no way, because the front line is in urgent need, so they can only be packed and transported.

Of course, these military horses are not Genoese. Although they bought them with money, they will eventually be sent to the Principality of Savoy in the west for use by the army there.There is no way, Vienna did not send reinforcements, the Italians can only unite themselves to resist the brutal French army, and the Duchy of Savoy, which bears the brunt, can be said to be their best hope.

This country currently has the largest standing army among the states in the Italian region. It looks like there are more than 1 people. The equipment and training are not bad.In the original history, the Principality of Savoy faced a French partial division and was defeated by the enemy in a field battle. More than [-] people died in the battle, which directly led to them signing a peace treaty with the French and withdrawing from the war. The states did not provide them with sufficient aid.

In this time and space of the people on the east coast, for various reasons, some states in northern Italy united together, pooled some money and personnel, and provided assistance to the Principality of Savoy.The money was used to purchase military horses from Spain and order ordnance from the east coast, and the personnel formed a volunteer army and entered the territory of Savoy, intending to fight against the French army.

However, we should also see that the quality of these volunteer troops is really mixed.Among them are veterans who have been mercenaries for many years, as well as rookies with no experience, and there are some problems in their integration. The generals who command the troops also come from multiple families. In short, it is a mess. I hope they can explode. Defeating the French is really unrealistic.The only realistic thing is to hope that they can feel the atmosphere of the real battlefield, see the blood, accumulate some experience, and most importantly, maintain it, fix it, don't disband it, and eventually become a group consisting of the northern Italian states. jointly owned army.And this is actually what the envoys on the east coast strongly demanded. They hoped to see Genoa, Tuscany, Lucca, Venice and other countries in northern Italy establish a military alliance and form an integrated army as the core of the alliance. cornerstone.

Of course they know it won't be easy.Italy has been divided for many years, and there are so many princes. There are many conflicts between various countries due to economic and political factors, and there are all kinds of shitty grievances and grievances between the families in charge of each country. If they are expected to unite, there may be no problems for a while, but If it takes a long time, it will become a big problem.However, no matter how difficult this matter is, it has to be pushed forward, because this is a great thing that is in line with the interests of the Eastern China Republic in the Mediterranean Sea. The people on the eastern coast have been working hard to promote it for many years, and they always hope that these Italians can let go of their past and unite.At present, it seems that in the face of the huge threat of the Kingdom of France, they can achieve a temporary alliance, but they don't know if they can continue to maintain it after the future armistice.In short, let’s try it first, people have to do some crazy things, and they have to be a little ideal, otherwise it will be different from salted fish.

The purpose of this wave of envoys from the east bank is to stand up for the new plenipotentiary special envoy Cai Zhenguo.Special Envoy Cai is very enthusiastic about the idea of ​​promoting the integration of Northern Italy, even more enthusiastic than Gao Wengang who formulated the plan at the beginning.Although I don't know where he got his confidence, since things have come to this point, it is impossible to look back, so we can only do our best.

Among the states in northern Italy, the strongest are undoubtedly the two old powers of Genoa and Venice.The former has strong financial strength and a navy of a certain size, while the latter has a large population and a decent army. The combination can be described as a strong alliance.Therefore, as long as these two countries are captured, the differences between them are eliminated, and their interests are coordinated, the problem will basically not be too big. Other countries such as Tuscany, Lucca, Parma, and Modena Waiting is basically just playing soy sauce, just to make a strong momentum.

But if you have carefully studied the history of Italy, you will know that it is not easy for Genoa and Venice to abandon their past and unite towards a goal.You know, in history, they started a century-long war for hegemony, and their relationship was not harmonious, and they could even be said to be competitors in Northern Italy.Although the conflicts between them have been greatly reduced after years of hard work by the people on the east coast, there are still many problems.For example, in the most realistic way, if a military and political alliance is formed in the future, who will dominate Genoa and Venice? They will not accept each other. This is a very realistic problem.

Furthermore, with more countries joining the alliance, how do you plan to distribute rights in the future?If it is evenly distributed, then congratulations, nothing can be done!The more countries there are, the more they will be confused about trivial matters. You want eggs, and he wants milk. How to do it?After all, a small city-state is also a country, it also has dignity, and it also has interests. Some things seem to be beneficial to the overall situation, but someone's interests may be sacrificed. If you want to persuade him and settle him, there are many There is a lot of work to be done, and the difficulty is often hopeless.

Of course, we must not forget the attitude of the regional powers towards this possible alliance.Not to mention anything else, is the Kingdom of Spain really happy to see the establishment of an organization like the Northern Italian Confederation?You must know that Milan, Parma and other places in northern Italy are also under its rule in name, and they contribute a lot of taxes every year, which is a major supplementary source for the weak finances of the Kingdom of Spain.What if the Confederation of Northern Italy is established and these countries intend to use the influence of the Confederation to break away from Spanish rule?Will the Spaniards sit idly by?

In addition, there is Austria, a country that is rising strongly and cannot be ignored.The Habsburgs of Vienna have long been known to covet the wealth of northern Italy and have been trying to increase their influence there for years.Especially in the 20-year war between Venice and Ottomans, when the country’s strength declined sharply, they coveted North Italy, which has a large population and a developed economy but is politically and militarily dwarf. Historically, they annexed North Italy A lot of land was only forced to spit out when Italy was unified in the 19th century. This is the time when their appetite is just right. They definitely don’t want to see military and political alliances in northern Italy. .

Therefore, if the idea of ​​the Northern Italian Confederation is to succeed, it needs to start from both internal and external aspects.Internally, it is to strengthen integration, eliminate differences, increase everyone's common interests, make the cake bigger, and eventually form a relatively unified understanding and concept.There is no doubt that this is very difficult, and it will take decades or even hundreds of years, but as an old saying goes, a thousand miles can be reached without taking small steps, so let’s take it step by step, no matter how difficult it is.

Externally, the East Coast Republic has to find ways to exert influence, such as providing it with a certain degree of political and military asylum.Now the East Coast Republic is more and more involved in international affairs, and its influence in Europe is also growing. Now there is a military base in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. In the future, Ceuta may also send part of the garrison. There are also paramilitarized troops in Jixian County, and their military projection capabilities have been enhanced.It is believed that as the strength of the east coast grows in the future, its ability to intervene will become stronger and stronger, and eventually it will be able to provide a certain amount of shelter for the northern Italian region.

For another example, the people on the east coast can also integrate the northern Italian states through economic means.Currently, the Forest Development Company, Genoa Africa Company, and Delta Company, which are currently making stable profits in the control area on the east coast, have done very well. Investors bring good profits, that's influence.With money, enough money, many differences are not impossible to bridge, many hatreds are not impossible to let go, and many prejudices can be changed. This is the direction that the East Coast government needs to start.

Of course, in the process of leading to the establishment of the Northern Italian Confederation, the people on the east coast can also take the opportunity to make a move first, laying a good foundation for themselves to grab the greatest benefit in the future.Northern Italy is already an important sales market for goods on the east coast. If a unified market is formed in the future and the original plethora of tax cards and local protectionist barriers are abolished, the sales of goods on the east coast can reach a new level.

At present, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already formulating a plan for cultivating talents for Northern Italy, including the training and learning of military officers, the cultivation of economic talents, the cultivation of language translation talents, etc. These are the guarantees that the East Bank will be able to deeply control Northern Italy in the future.There are many pro-French, pro-Austrian, and pro-Western factions in northern Italy. Of course, there are also many pro-Eastern factions, but it is not enough. Deeply control the Northern Italian Confederation to reduce resistance and lay a solid foundation.

"Special envoy Qin, we actually don't mind cooperating with the Venetians, but we need to protect our interests first." Paul Doria said to the special envoy on the east coast sitting in front of him: "The Ligurian coast is narrow and cramped, so it cannot provide for us Provide enough living supplies, so we need to control the food production areas of Sicily. If a confederacy is formed in the future, I hope to have a strong navy to ensure the safety of Sicily. Of course, the trade routes in North Africa can also be taken into consideration. Oh, By the way, it is also important that Tuscany must guarantee the special status of our merchants in Livorno and Pisa."

"After the establishment of the unified market, Pisa and Livorno will naturally have no hindrance to your country's counterparts. Is there any problem?" The special envoy was puzzled, so he asked.

"Oh, Special Envoy Qin, you don't know. Those bastards in Tuscany have always wanted to expel our businessmen over there, but this is against the ancient sacred agreement, and we will never agree. In addition, Lucca's Businessmen also often squeeze out our business interests in Switzerland and France, and we must give these bastards a warning, otherwise we will not agree to join the Confederation." Paul Doria suddenly gritted his teeth and said, it seems that these two things are very hot The merchants of Na*ya caused a lot of trouble, and the losses were not light.

"But as far as I know, the Tuscans are also very angry at the monopolistic behavior of businessmen from your country in Livorno and other places. They may just want to protect their own interests." Special Envoy Qin said.

"They can't think about it!" Paul Doria raised his voice: "This is evidenced by the ancient agreement, and our merchants must have a special status!"

"But people from Tuscany and even Modena have complained to me that your country stirs up basic commodities such as grain, cloth, salt and spices locally, causing them a lot of unnecessary expenses. This is why they want to control Livorno. The original intention of pizza and pizza, has your country not paid attention to this aspect?"

"We are the most honorable Republic of Genoa!" Paul Doria emphasized: "If we can successfully form a confederation in the future, our country will definitely provide the largest share of expenditure. Just like the Dutch province in the Seven Provinces Alliance , a family that supplies 65% of the national defense and economic expenditure of the entire United Province, if we don’t give us enough benefits, how can this be? Genoa* is the jewel of the Confederation, and its special status must be guaranteed.”

When Special Envoy Qin heard this, he fell silent.Paul Doria's attitude is similar to that of Venice that another special envoy visited before. They all want a lot. The lion opened his mouth, that is, he wants to occupy a dominant position in the confederation, but the problem is that this will definitely cause other people to get angry. Dissatisfaction added twists and turns to the formation of the Confederacy.

But this is what he could have expected before he came.Italy has been divided for many years, and the princes had many conflicts before, and it will definitely need a long and painful period of adjustment.The alliance of seven provinces established to oppose the Spanish rule, the seven provinces were not harmonious at the beginning. Even with the strong pressure from Spain, the seven provinces were still fighting with swords and swords. If it weren't for the pressure from the Spaniards It's too big, and if there are religious and powerful figures (Prince of Orange) to bridge differences and stabilize people's hearts, the alliance may have been disbanded long ago.

Therefore, there is still a long way to go to form the Italian Confederation!But people on the east coast are not in a hurry. The threats from France and Austria are real, and the influence of the east coast is also growing. Take your time, and there will always be a day of success!

(End of this chapter)