I Am Louis XIV

   Chapter 210 Henrietta's Persuasion and the Decision of Charles II (3)

This is where Charles II hesitated. According to the current situation, his ministers may be more willing to make peace with the Dutch, because there are many Protestants in the court of Charles II, who are naturally inclined to the Dutch. Protestants, England and the Netherlands may only be fighting for wealth, but when it comes to faith, they point their finger at Catholics - Charles II's faith is also entirely because of the succession to the throne, if not for the throne, he It is more inclined to the Catholic Church, no, no, not because the greed of the Roman Church is less, but because the Roman Church has always claimed that the divine right of the monarch will undoubtedly win the favor of any king.

   Therefore, the envoy from the Prime Minister of the Netherlands can go to the political opponent of Charles II calmly, but he has to toss and turn here and suffer the disappointment and contempt from his nephew.

"I'm not sure, Henrietta, it's an important thing." Although Henrietta was right, of course, the British would certainly celebrate with a pact with the Netherlands to put the French ambitions in their infancy. But for Charles II, his situation will only get worse, and if so, William III of Holland may not be able to get any better. After all, between the kingship and his ministers, it has always been you who favored me— Prime Minister John de Witte and his brother are as vigilant about dictatorship as a pair of mice nesting beside a cat's den. If they gain power, the best outcome for William III is to be exiled, or to be arrested. House arrest somewhere, dying silently in unhappiness.

Charles II looked unpredictable, and Henrietta also saw it. She was both the sister of the King of England and the Duchess of France. Standing between the two countries, she would of course hope that England and France could reach a peace treaty, so that she would There is no need to be in a dilemma, the brave lady took a deep breath, took out a rolled silk silk from her chest, and spread it on Charles II's knees. Charles II's eyes were immediately attracted, because that Exactly the map of the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is actually an abbreviation. In fact, its name should be the Republic of the Netherlands, but here, let's say the same thing. The map on Charles II's knee is a combination of the terrain explored by spies and wizards. Historical data, the latest map drawn not only includes the provinces of the Netherlands, but also the areas bordering them, as well as the North Sea it faces. The map is not only accurate, but also colored. Looking at it this way, Charles II's line of sight He couldn't move away immediately. Although there was also a map hanging in his study, it was only with the blue water and the orange-yellow Europa that he could see how unique the Netherlands was - long and tortuous coastline, vast inland sea. , behind the Holy Roman Empire, above is Denmark, below is the Flanders region, which is now occupied by France, it is like a ripe star fruit, hanging heavily in the heart of Charles II, if you say Louie's proposal did not move him, it was nonsense, and he could even say objectively and rationally that England should have united with France, that England had lost Dunkirk - it was not his fault, although people were accusing him that he should not They sold Dunkirk for a mere tens of thousands of gold louis, but why didn't they look at it? Tens of thousands of French soldiers were stationed in Dunkirk at that time, while the British soldiers who stayed there were traitors. How could Cromwell's gangsters, who dare not even come back to England, fight for England? I'm afraid they make the most sincere decision, which is to put down the musket and run away.

Charles II was right when he made that decision, and is so right now, he was embarrassed by the fact that the Parliament would definitely object - they had always been afraid of his dealings with Louis XIV, because they knew very well that Louis XIV was probably the king who valued the most The authoritative ruler, some Protestants even said angrily that this king not only regarded himself as the master of the country, but also regarded himself as a saint-like existence, and he blatantly took the title of a pagan **** on himself. , and delighted in it.

However, Charles II knew that they were just jealous. Like him, Louis XIV did this, not only did not arouse the disgust of the people, but made them admire and worship him even more. It is said that not long ago, Louis XIV was still in his new home. Thousands of guests were entertained in the Palace of Versailles. It is said that no matter from the provinces, Parisians, or Versailles, as long as they go to the new palace of the king, they can get the hospitality corresponding to their status. They eat and drink and watch Wonderful drama, enjoying the fireworks that lasted for half the night - Protestants advocate honesty and frugality, and of course they are indignant about this, but Charles II longed in his heart that he could have such a day.

   "What did Louis tell you?"

   Henrietta showed a charming smile, "There are seven provinces in the Netherlands," she said simply: "Your Majesty is willing to give you two provinces."

Charles II pursed his lips and wanted to say that the two previous naval wars between Britain and the Netherlands had failed. Even if the Duke of York was willing to obey his orders and lead the army to go out, it would only be entangled in the Dutch navy, and he really wanted to attack the city. Only the French army swept away the land. Louis' promise was not unremarkable. Charles II's finger was scratched on the map. The land of the Netherlands was like a leaf. The two provinces of Holland and Zeeland were on the edge of the North Sea, and the coastline was on their side. Wandering on the west side, Utrecht is in the center of the provinces, but it is the most important city in the north, Friesland, Groningen are above the Netherlands, bordering Denmark, Oberijssel and Gelderland and Holy Rome The empires are so closely connected that Louis would like to give Charles II three provinces—which two would they be, Holland or Zeeland, there must be one, Charles II thought.

Then there is Utrecht. Although Utrecht is not close to the sea, it is the transit point between Amsterdam and the Rhine. Without Utrecht, the development of Amsterdam will also be curbed. Charles II is not sure whether Louis will Give Utrecht to him, but he doesn't want to go to Ethel and Gelderland, he doesn't want to go directly to the Holy Roman Empire, it is no exaggeration to say that if Leopold I decides to take it back The Netherlands, then these two large provinces will inevitably fall into endless war, but in this way, there is not much room left for Charles II, so is it the one of Friesland and Groningen? There is no doubt that Friesland is better than Groningen, which is separated from the Holy Roman Empire by the estuary of the Emme, but in this way he takes almost all the advantages, and after that, he must also take into account the development of France and England.

There is no doubt that if it were to be seen by his ministers, Zeeland, or Holland, and one of the above-mentioned provinces, they would definitely be willing, England is a huge island, and what they need most is in Europa A place on the continent—Dunkirk was their last stronghold, but the damned traitor lost it anyway, Charles II rebuked in his heart, and bowed his head: "Well, Henrietta ," he said, "if he would give me three provinces, I would be willing to consider it."

Henrietta was really taken aback. In fact, the United Kingdom did not have much to pay for this covenant. After all, the war between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands almost never stopped. In exchange for more benefits, she could not help frowning and let out a sigh.

   "I'm not all for England, but for myself," said Charles II hastily: "I just want you to know, Henrietta, that the third province I want is for our little William."

   "Little William?"

"Wilhelm III of Holland," said Charles II patiently, "I need Zeeland, or Holland, then Utrecht, and then, as Louis arranges, if he wants Holland, take Friesland, If he wants Zeeland, then take Gelderland, and Utrecht, we leave it to William III, so that there is a natural separation between England and France, so that at least between me and When Louis was in power, a precious friendship could be preserved."

Henrietta glanced at Charles II. Although she was just a princess, she was not a fool in the court. Of course, she could see the intention of Charles II. Charles II was the only one that William III could. If it wasn't for this happy king to intervene, William III would have been imprisoned in the hands of his aunt and uncle, and nothing would have been accomplished—although what Charles II did afterward could be said to have betrayed him, but at that time, There is only one king of Utrecht, and whose help can one turn to? It can't be Louis XIV, or the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire who is full of disgust for the Orange family. Charles V is the ancestor of Leopold I. William Oran, who betrayed the emperor's trust. I am afraid that Leopold I will not have much patience.

If William III can only rely on Charles II, then Charles II also has three provinces in the Netherlands, and with the buffer of William III, the United Kingdom is also exempted from the possibility or must have with France before settling on its heels. conflict.

"I will take your words back to Your Majesty." Henrietta said with a complicated mood. She hurriedly put away the silk map and stood up from the carpet in front of Charles II's knees. Charles II also Realizing that he had put Princess Henrietta in an embarrassing situation, as if to express his apology, he took the cloak that the Duchess of Orleans had thrown on the chair, put it on her graciously, and then I took her out of the room in person - only so far, there were eyes and ears all over the court, and it wouldn't be good for her or for Charles II to let others know that Princess Henrietta was back in London.

After completing her mission, Princess Henrietta could only stay in London for one day and two nights, and the next day, she saw the Duke of York from the small building where she was staying on his way to Whitehall Palace. , soon after, he left the palace again, and then the king's messenger came to Henrietta and gave her a note, written in familiar handwriting, asking her to come back to the palace tonight.

Henrietta had to come to the king's residence for the second time. The palace was completely foreign to her. She left London when she was a baby and came to Paris when she was three. So when she started, She really hopes to marry Louis XIV, because for her, the Louvre is her home. Even if she becomes the Duchess of Orleans in the end, she can't help but feel a burst of satisfaction, and the Whitehall Palace let her Feeling terrified, especially thinking that her father was dragged out from here by the thugs, thrown into prison, and then beheaded.

  Charles II was waiting for Henrietta in the original room, and as soon as he saw Henrietta he said impatiently: "I have persuaded the Duke of York. He will do what I will."

   "You promised him?"

"Yeah." Charles II thought of this, and a shadow flashed in his eyes. Of course, the Duke of York would not agree to this easily. He not only obtained the oath of Charles II (swearing to God), but also obtained the king's oath. Handwritten instrument - no wonder Charles II was uncontrollably angry and remorseful, because Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, the former Lord of the Admiralty, was inclined to the king, but Charles II, considering Hyde's old age, may at any time be removed from it. The position of Lord of the Admiralty receded, so he presided over it and let the Duke of York marry Hyde's daughter Anne.

He thought that the Duke of York would not be another Gaston if not the second Philip. Who knows, maybe the Duke of York was really willing to submit to the authority of the king and his brother at first, but since Charles II has repeatedly Provocatively provoking those Protestants and MPs, their thoughts will of course change, for example, they don't seem to mind changing the king, and Charles II has no son, if he has an accident, the Duke of York is the undisputed new king. King, Duke of York's ambitions may have been accumulated in this way in gatherings, salons, or private meetings.

For his brother's request, he not only did not stand on the side of Charles II immediately, but even strongly opposed it. If Charles II hadn't come up with what he wanted most... Of course he knew that Charles was dead and he was the new king, but Charles II was the new king. It is not impossible to have his own heir, and the queen is only thirty years old, but with the canonization and documents, even if Charles II eventually has a son, the Duke of York will still have a competitive edge. ,

"I know that it is a little dangerous to ask you to come here again," said Charles II. "But I must let you know, Henrietta, to tell Louis that although my request may have exceeded his expectations, I also He has shown extraordinary sincerity."

   (end of this chapter)