I Am Louis XIV

   Chapter 265 The Value of Mrs. Montespan (5)

  Prince Condé's biggest enemy is not Mr. Lorraine Jr., but Jan Sobieski. This strong soldier was born in 29 years and is in his prime. Now he is also in Versailles. Because of a sudden change, Louis gave him a special look when he passed through the hall. It was a strong middle-aged man. With olive skin, dark eyes, hair, and a curly mustache, he was as unsmiling as any soldier, and when he found the king watching him, he bowed.

For this person, Prince Louis and Prince Condé were a little hesitant. How should I put it? This Mr. Sobieski needless to say is also a Schrachta. He was born in a large noble family, and his mother's grandfather was in a high position. , He was the first on Madame Montespan's list - he was also the first noble to accept bribes, promising to elect Prince Condé according to Louis XIV's wishes, but Madame Montespan's information later showed it was also clear He pointed out that Mr. Sobieski may have been happy to accept a French king at first, but in recent years he has made no secret of his hostility to Michal, who is at least a Pole, and he His own king was so disrespectful not because France had gratified his greed, but because he was also attracted to the Polish throne—perhaps it was because a man like Michal could be king, who even Not as good as John II, if so, why can't he try it?

The reason why he accepted the bribe was most likely because he was in Versailles now, and if he showed his ambition and rejected Louis XIV, it is difficult to say whether he could return to Poland intact - Louis XIV could not kill him, But it is also possible to find an unwarranted reason to tie him up in Versailles or Paris, where he is alone and unable to escape - so should he take the opportunity to kill him and eliminate the hidden danger? Prince Condé didn't think that was a good idea, as Sobieski was a rather admirable general, one of the rare ones who could win from the Ottoman Turks in a war against the Ottoman Turks people.

Prince Kongdai would not be afraid to fight heretics, the problem is that he can't take care of his chest and back at the same time, in this case, the best way is to really convince the ambitious general, so that he can drive for Prince Kongdai , it's just that Louie has to find the bullseye that he can hit directly. What he didn't know was that Sobieski was also distressed at this time. He didn't know whether he should give up his ambition for the Polish throne, because if he wanted to compare his financial and human resources with the French king who had won the Netherlands and Flanders , he is only one of the great nobles, and he has no chance of winning. He even envies Prince Kongdai. Everyone knows that Prince Kongdai once started a rebellion and pointed his sword at the throne, but his king not only did not fear him at all, but doubted his meaning , also willing to support him to become king of Poland.

And the former John II, or the current Michal I, Sobieski's perception is not very good, John II's Vasa Dynasty, three consecutive kings, love Sweden more than Poland, thinking day and night The only thing is to return to Sweden and regain the throne. Although John II can also be said to be doing his best to rule, in 1655, the war between Sweden and Poland could have been avoided - people only saw that he first opposed John II, Then he changed course and expelled the Swedes. In fact, he was just trying to use the Swedes to abdicate John II, but he did not really want to give up Poland to the Swedes. Of course, his behavior made John II very dissatisfied, but he In any case, it is impossible to hide Sobieski's great achievements, and the power of the noble assembly is far greater than that of the king. Sobieski became the Grand Marshal in 1965 and the commander-in-chief of the Polish Army in 1967.

Michal I needless to say, Sobieski was regarded as the biggest obstacle by him. Although the king was cowardly by nature, he always tried to restrain Sobieski. When the Cossacks and the Ottoman Turks were at war, he took the opportunity to contact other great nobles and directly threatened Sobieski's territory.

Yes, he hated Michal I and made his own plans, as long as he could go back to Poland, the problem is that the voices that could never be unified in Schlachta appeared again, and this time they not only harmed Michal Charles I, also killed Sobieski. Sobieski bid farewell to the French king, but was immediately retained. Sobieski knew that Louis XIV would not get a satisfactory answer, probably not Let him go.

After the victory banquet on the 15th, most of the envoys had already left Versailles. Some were anxious, some were reluctant to part, and the envoys who remained could have a room in the Palace of Versailles. Sobieski heard about this palace. There are 1,800 rooms, but the suite he has has undoubtedly exceeded the specifications of an envoy. This is a small suite with three rooms, and various invitations are delivered to his desk every day. There are also purses with gold and Louis, beautiful and luxurious clothes, strong and tall horses, and even barking dogs... I have to say, if Sobieski was just an envoy, he would definitely be happy and forget to return, except In addition to the magnificent, paradise-like Palace of Versailles, there are continuous theatrical performances, concerts, hunting or picnic parties, and the evening is rich enough to entertain the feasts of the gods. You can walk through the halls, dance, gamble, play billiards and even meet privately with ladies...

Sobieski has no doubts that if he had not been in charge, he would have indulged in the ubiquitous indulgence that people call Charles II of England the Happy King, and Louis XIV of France, if he were to say. this qualification.

This was his third month in Versailles, and Sobieski couldn't take it any longer. His wife, Marisinka D'Quinn, a Frenchman, was trying to get around to finding someone for Sobieski. A chance to escape—perhaps in the past few days, Sobieski has found his sights less and less, but this evening he was invited by Mrs. Montespan—who, with the permission of the king, was in the Venus Hall. Throw a masquerade.

For the people of Versailles, the masquerade is nothing new, but this is the first party held by the king's new royal lady, and it is of great significance. No one dares to test the lady's weight in the king's heart. It was as if no one could deny her beauty - the king and queen also appeared as Jupiter and Juno, respectively, and the queen quickly resigned, leaving the place to the king and Mrs. Montespan, who took it for granted. Dressed as Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, she wore corset-length underwear and a long toga, boldly exposing her arms and half her chest, her loose hair covered with white roses, although she wore a long toga. She was wearing a silver mask, but as her eyes rolled around, even the women couldn't help but shake their hearts.

Sobieski pretended to be a Faun. The Faun is what people usually call Pan. From the knees down, he was the hoof of a goat, and his body was covered with fur. Compared with other people, his dress was realistic enough. And in line with the gist of the masquerade—the masquerade was three thousand years ago, when the Celts living in Ireland, on the nights of the new and old years, in order to avoid and drive away the souls brought by the **** of death (it is said that these souls will replace the living ones. It gradually evolved from the sacrificial ritual of human beings. At that time, the Celts waved torches, put on the skulls of beasts, put on the furs of beasts, and made terrible noises in their mouths - it was a solemn ceremony, but now people do not Just for fun.

A stout figure passed by Sobieski, and Sobieski glanced at him curiously. Although the guy dressed as Bacchus was wearing a mask, a robe, and a lot of silk and satin hanging. vines, but he had no trouble recognizing that it was Cardinal La Rivière—a masquerade was frowned upon here in the Roman Church, but among popes and cardinals This commandment was just a mere **** when they were cheerfully disguised as pagan gods in the halls of the Vatican. But this is not the reason why Sobieski pays attention to him. Cardinal Lariviere is also one of Louis XIV's favorite courtiers. If he is willing to say a word for Sobieski, he will be better than others. A thousand times, Sobieski immediately chased after him, but at this time, the half-drunk crowd engulfed Mr. Bishop's figure. Sobieski only chased a few steps before he could no longer be seen.

At this time, His Majesty the King left—his appearance was enough to show his love for Mrs. Montespan. After all, everyone knew that His Majesty the King did not like such occasions. exception.

When the music played again, Sobieski returned to the back of the pillar angrily, completely unwilling to deal with the rambunctious Frenchmen. A few minutes later, a few "Fairy Mizusawa" found him, so they pulled him with a smile. his arm, trying to get him into their game - Sobieski wasn't the kind of Puritan who was demanding of himself, but as a Catholic he also believed he should be loyal to marriage, a notion that The fashion was different at this time, but it wouldn't be too surprising if people knew how he ended up with his wife Malisinka.

Sobieski's first wife was John II. Kazimierz's sister, but the person he always loved was Marisinka Daquin, and Marisinka was still a woman when they fell in love at first sight. The husband and wife, although they each had a family later, but after the death of Sobieski's wife, he has been waiting for Malisinka, and five months after the death of Malisinka's husband, he can't wait to tell him. Malisinka proposed to marry him, and no matter how others criticized them, their relationship was quite sincere.

Just when Sobieski was entangled with the group of maids, a "Mercury" with a snake stick came over and relieved him, but before Sobieski could thank him, he ordered it. Snake Stick said: "Don't worry, sir," he said, "I have come to deliver you a letter."

   "Whose letter?"

   "Master here," said Mercury, with a pun: "Goddess of love and beauty, invites you into her little hall, she wants to talk to you."

"It's a great honor," Sobieski said. Madame Montespan, the royal wife, was of course a lobbyist they were fighting for. In a letter to him, Malisinka said that she presented the lady with a diamond ring, the size of a hazelnut. Big, it seems that they finally moved her. Although Sobieski had expectations when he received the invitation, when he heard that Mrs. Montespan was willing to see him in person, especially when His Majesty was away for a short while, then He could say victory was in sight.

He clenched his fists and followed "Mercury" into the small hall. Unlike the Venus Hall with bright lights and glittering mirrors, the walls of this small hall were covered with brocade wall coverings and hung with heavy velvet. Madame Montespan was half lying on a long couch, and a fragrant smell came to her face with the scorching breeze—a balm composed mainly of nutmeg and rose, which Sobieski also bought for his wife. But even if he loves his wife deeply, he must admit that no one is more suitable for this balm full of excitement and temptation than this lady.

   "Sit down, sir," said Mrs. Montespan.

  ———

Sobieski finally got what he wanted from Mrs. Montespan, who was willing to speak well for him. Of course, it was expensive, but for Sobieski, it was worth it. He could almost say that he was desperate. Can't wait to leave Versailles.

   "I don't know what choice he will make." Prince Condé, who was standing on the terrace, watching a little torch gradually disappear into the darkness, said with a complex temperament.

   "He's a Pole," said Louis. "He also has a love for his country, and even if his ambition outweighs his patriotism, his actions will incur the resentment of others."

   "Those Schlachtas don't ask too much of a foreign king, but they find fault with their marshals." Prince Condé said, "I hope there will never be such a person in France."

   "This is the scourge of so-called aristocratic democracy," Louis said. "Excessive dispersion of power will not bring success, only perfunctory, procrastination and prevarication."

   "Mrs. Montespan..." Prince Condé hesitated.

   "I had a guess, but now I'm a little unsure..." Louis passed a word: "They shouldn't have fallen to this point."

  ——

Jan Sobieski left the Paris Basin in one breath without worrying about exhaustion. His wife and companions were waiting for him in a town. He saw them, and before he could smile, he was startled by their heavy expressions. .

   "Two bad news, sir," said one of his subordinates, "would you like to hear that?"

   "Is there a difference?" Malisinka said, stepping forward and taking Sobieski's arm: "Michal I is dead."

   "That doesn't seem to be too bad." Sobieski tried to smile. "Tell me the second one."

   "The Tatars of Lipka rebelled, and they brought in the army of the Ottoman Turks, numbering about 80,000."

   (end of this chapter)