I Am Louis XIV

   Chapter 381 The King's Parade (4)

To be able to see the king and be with a group of important ministers and nobles is a joy for the people of Saint-Germain-en-Laye to talk about the next king in front of the fireplace, but for a child like the grand dame who was born in Versailles and grew up in Versailles, it is only a matter of time. It was boring, so a group of young people who changed their clothes, with the acquiescence of Louis XIV, left the Palace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye as attendants and female officials-on the streets of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, such people almost surpassed the people here. The locals, after all, the king's court also came with the king. There are more than a thousand people with names and names alone, not to mention ordinary servants - but they still attracted the attention of many people, after all These children are so beautiful, especially the grand princess. The Duke of Orleans is more beautiful than Louis, and Princess Henrietta is also a beauty. The grand princess who has inherited their advantages seems to shine in the crowd.

Needless to say, Ferdinand was originally a member of the Medici family. The Medici family never lacked beauties, and his mother, the second daughter of the Duke of Gaston, was also beautiful. Only Frederick was slightly inferior, but as A young man who had already entered the army, his very serious face added a bit of a warrior demeanor to him.

The streets they saw were much simpler than before, the ribbons had been removed, the petals had been swept away, and only the wet chalk still gave off a strange smell that some people liked and some people hated, but The grand princess and the people around her are the former, because lime water is often used in the king's hospital for disinfection. When they smell this smell, they will feel that the place is clean and reassuring.

   "How should we go?" asked the Grand Princess, she turned her head and looked left and right, "This street is... the road from the monastery to the back of the small butcher's square?"

The road from the abbey to the back of the small butcher's square - don't be surprised, that's the name of the street where the houses on both sides are chalked from the waist down, since Louis XIV from Paris and Versailles decreed that every street There has to be a name, some streets were originally there, but like a street name plate fixed as neatly as possible to a gas lamppost, most of the names passed down from the end of the Middle Ages are so long and cumbersome, but the direction is obvious, like It's like a live map.

Going down the street from the convent to the back of the Butcher's Square, no doubt they will soon arrive at the Little Butcher's Square, which is literally a small butcher's shop full of sausages , exudes a sweet smell, thanks to the king's vigorous development of the cane sugar industry - now the French colony of Riga, South America, rubber and sugar cane are the main output, and as the price of cane sugar has repeatedly fallen, it is replaced by its widespread use —In order to attract customers, the owner of the small butcher shop held a fork and grilled sausages in the hearth. After the fat and sugar were burned by the flames, there was a strong Maillard reaction, and the air was filled with a strong aroma that could revive the saint.

Of course, no one knows what the Maillard reaction is, but people have always had an unquenchable thirst for sugar and oil, and the man has to cut off a big root or a small one every little while, some people Just like the boss, he grilled sausages on the small open stove, and then ate his mouth full of oil.

  This kind of small stove is also a derivative of the king's new industry, because it is not charcoal, but coal, which is much cheaper than charcoal and burns longer.

Frederick couldn't help but ran over to buy a few sausages and parted with the grand county master. Although eating sausages with a fork is a kind of stupid thing not to mention in the palace, even in ordinary families, But grilled sausages are delicious—thin layers of casing are grilled to a crisp, savory finish, with piping hot red-and-white meat mixed with black pepper, giving off a rich meat aroma, with glittering sugar dripping from the inside It came out, all the way to the fork and hands.

Maybe it's going to be called the Calling Square soon, because the children who can't wait continue to take a big bite, and their lips and tongues are blistered and screaming, but even so, they still hold tightly. Grabbing this delicious snack and refusing to let it go - their mother scolded loudly as she scooped up her skirt and gave her money.

   In such a short period of time, the lord of the county saw that three children got their wish, and she silently calculated the price of the sausage. Even if the city is not as prosperous as Paris or Versailles, it is still very rich. She turned her head and wanted to ask Eva, who was beside her, if ordinary citizens could afford such extra expenses when she was in Dunkirk, but saw that Ferdinand was helping Eva separate a piece of bread, The sausage was tucked into the bun so that the fat from the sausage wouldn't stain her fingers and skirt—perhaps her eyes were too meaningful, and Ferdinand smiled calmly: "Frederick is right behind me. "

   Sure enough, Frederick came over with bread,

"Where are we going next?" The county lord took the bread and felt the temperature of the sausages emanating from it. "There is Mill Road in the back, and the second intersection of Mill Road is Wine Street." Not only did he buy the bread, he also asked about it. Frederick, who took a look at the surroundings, said: "But we don't go to Wine Street. Most of them are pubs. Next to Wine Street is Aqueduct Street, which is a new street with several cafes."

If all the men here, then the pub is definitely the most suitable place to meet, but since there are women, the pub is not a suitable place. After all, the women in the pub are almost all famous and wandering girls, and there may be some very Unbearable sight.

   But cafes are different. Coffee is still popular from Paris, from Louis XIV, compared to Arabic coffee houses in the 15th century, Venetian coffee houses in the 1640s, English coffee houses in the 1650s, Dutch coffee houses in the 60s, and French coffee houses. The coffee shop is a hundred years later, but even if it is a hundred years later, it is still popular as quickly as most of the king's favorite things, and also because coffee has a refreshing, clear-headed effect rather than the opposite, both. Prices are less affordable, and coffee-infested guests are always milder and more polite than tavern guests.

Aqueduct Street, as the name suggests, is the street through which the newly built canal passes. The water in the canal is drawn from the Seine like Versailles and Paris. The clear water flows forward in the gray channel. There are people swimming in it. The servants have to first. Drive them away—the people didn't have swimsuits at this time, and the college students were a little dissatisfied and noisy at first, but when they saw the big county master and his party, they immediately fled in embarrassment.

The cafes of Saint-Germain-en-Laye are located on both sides of the wide canal, because wooden plank roads are erected on both sides of the canal. The flowers and trees are lush, the scenery is beautiful, and the people who come and go are like the scenery. Even in winter, the wind here should be soft. Some cafe owners have even learned to set up a big umbrella or canopy outside the cafe without a teacher, so that people can bathe in the sun and enjoy the coffee and the beautiful scenery.

   If you don't look at people's attire, this scene is almost the same as it is hundreds of years later.

  The Great County Lord and his party came to the largest cafe on this street. This cafe extravagantly used large and multiple bright transparent glass, making the indoor and outdoor almost indistinguishable. When some guests saw the elegant and well-dressed lady entering the cafe under the guidance of the attendant, they stood up, bowed slightly, held up the pipe and gave up the best position, the Grand Princess thanked them with a smile. , When everyone sat down again, she couldn't help but curiously looked at this hall that could accommodate hundreds of people.

Of course, there are cafes in Paris and Versailles, but they have always lived in the Palace of Versailles. Later, although they were taken to Nantes and other places by Louis XIV, they did not move freely from the team. : "It's so beautiful here," she said sincerely. She said it, not because of how opulent the decoration of this cafe is. Seriously, is there anything better than Versailles? She likes the atmosphere here. —The walnut-colored wall panels are inlaid with heavy bookshelves with mirrors, paintings and countless books, as well as newspapers, bulletins and various picture books, both printed and hand-copied , In addition to coffee, hookah, pipes, etc. are also provided here. The smell of tobacco is not strong, only some thick and thick smoke is added to the air.

People here are either in groups of three or five, or sitting opposite each other, or immersed in their own world alone, some people read, some people discuss, or exchange information, of course, Saint-Germain-en-Laye's People are most concerned about the king now, a group of people vividly describe to others how they greeted and received the king, and how they got the king's approval for their good work and calm attitude, and they went into every detail as detailed as possible. , From the king's cuffed boots, the embroidery on the hem, the feathers on his hat, to the tone of his speech... In short, anywhere is so noble and inviolable.

The Grand Princess and Frederick looked at each other, and did not break the false words of these rhetoric-how could someone who is really capable or qualified appear in the cafe at this time, they are all waiting at the Palace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Besides, waiting to see the king, even if it takes a long time, they, like the provincials in Paris or Versailles, will try to stay as close as possible to the king, instead of going to a café so far away to brag about it. nonstop.

Ferdinand turned his body and whispered to Eva, "They kept talking about the king's boots, the corners of his coat, the feathers on his hat, the swords of ceremonies, the sound, not because they couldn't see it at all. And hear something else." Eva laughed when she heard it, Ferdinand's evaluation was acerbic, but very true and pertinent, because the king's entourage were all noble people, and ordinary servants would not be allowed in They straightened up and looked up before they walked away - even some of the lesser nobles and officials, so of course they could only see the part below the king's knees, and the hat the king was wearing - Louis XIV pair Ladies are always respectful, and he always takes the hat in his hand when he sees a lady, even to a maid.

   But what the princess heard was two chuckles. She followed the sound and saw an old man with silver hair.

   He also saw the big county master and nodded.

   "Who is that?" asked Frederick.

   "I don't know," said the Grand Princess, "but I think he should know me."

   Frederick couldn't help but worry, but when he turned around again, he found that the place was empty, and the old man left the cafe at some point.

  ——

The old man was walking on the boardwalk, the dark brown planks reminded him of drinks rippling in white china cups, coffee and other things that were pushed to the French by the Sun King Louis XIV, which had penetrated deep into the most desolate cities and villages, No, it would be more correct to say that the king's thoughts and policies should also be included. It's puzzling. When did the king who ascended the throne as a child have such talent and ambition? Whether it is a businessman, an official, or a scholar, it is not something that can be accomplished overnight in just a few years. He has only been in power for 20 years, and he has such a huge and unified country. There are 150,000 or even More standing armies, and the support of tens of millions of people.

Others see the king's parade, only see the power, power, wealth, and maybe romance of the sun king who is in full swing, but this old man has seen something deeper. Again, but whenever, this kind of behavior has far-reaching significance, and he does not think that Louis XIV is just a whim, or rather, he prefers it to be the whim of the king.

   "Old man," said a voice behind him, and the old man stopped. He turned and saw another old man with white beard and hair: "The Duke of Vendôme," he said, raising his hat.

   "The Duke of Saint-Simon." The Duke of Vendôme said: "Why did you suddenly change the meeting place?" He poked his finger at the hat in return: "I saw a lot of young ladies there. Is it for this reason?"

"We're not English." The Duke of Saint-Simon said slowly, and he stretched out his arm, so the Duke of Vendôme stretched his arm to hold it, and the two gentlemen of the same age walked slowly along the canal: "We The cafés of the world do not rudely turn away honorable ladies."

   "Ladies also have the right to enjoy coffee." The Duke of Vendôme said: "After all, coffee was shared by the King and the Duchess of Colonna from the beginning."

   "Forget the Italian woman," said the Duke of St. Simon. "We should be thankful that the king finally made a wise decision."

   "It seems that you are also on Mrs. Montespan's side."

   "I am no one," said the Duke of St. Simon, "and she is nothing but a poor creature."

   "Well, what can I say?" the Duke of Vendôme sighed hypocritically: "She is the king's favorite."

   "I saw a chair there," said the Duke of St. Simon, not to continue the subject. "Let's go over and sit down and talk, old man, we're not so young anymore."

The Duke of Vendôme agreed. Although the sun was still a little warm today, he had spent a year or two in the damp and cold Dunkirk for the king before. The room with the fireplace couldn't get warm.

Their squires had already run over a few steps ahead. They were all young and strong young men. The cloaks they wore were more decoration than necessary warmth. After they took off the cloaks and spread them on the bench, The graceful curves outlined by the belt and shoulder straps immediately attracted the attention of more ladies. The Duke of Vendôme laughed. "Look," he said. "I remember how you were so powerful in the court."

   The Duke of St. Simon glared at him. Others looked at the old couple, holding hands like a pair of best friends. They never imagined that they were a pair of deadly enemies when they were young. Although the title of the Duke of Vendome can be traced back to 1514, in 1598 Henry IV awarded the title and territory to his illegitimate son Cesar, who is now the Duke of Vendome. The Duke of Vendôme and Louis XIII were half-brothers, but the relationship between the two was extremely bad. The Duke of Vendôme had participated in three rebellions and planned to assassinate Bishop Richelieu until he was expelled by Louis XIII. England.

Perhaps it was because of the passing of time, the eldest, the Duke of Vendôme finally bowed his head at the age of fifty. He reconciled with the Bishop of Mazarin, and continued to swear allegiance to him after Louis XIV came to power. In particular, Louis XIV will not easily move this important piece, and, to whisper, compared to Grand Condé, Viscount Turenne, and even Schaumberg, the Duke of Vendôme is not a very good general. Talent, his most convincing place is his experience and pedigree.

   And what about the Duke of St. Simon? He is the humble person who was promoted by Louis XIII. Of course, this humbleness is relative to someone like the Duke of Vendôme. He also came from a family of knights, perhaps because of his family background. He was very good at horseback riding, hunting and manipulating horses. For Louis XIII, who liked hunting and built a hunting palace in Versailles, this handsome, tall squire who was also a good hunter and a good horseman was very fond of him, Thus, on the surface, at least, the title of Duke of St. Simon fell upon the provincial man.

But this, like most legends, is absolutely unbelievable, just like people insist that Bishop Richelieu was able to replace Louis XIII at that time, but the fact is that as long as Louis XIII fights or stays outside, political affairs and state affairs will be Being piled up, Bishop Richelieu never had the power to decide without authorization. Compared with a tyrant, he was more like a powerful minister, completely incomparable with his disciple Mazarin. When Louis XIV came to the throne, he was too young. Unable to handle state affairs.

As for how the Duke of Saint-Simon became the Duke of Saint-Simon, the Duke of Vendôme is very clear. Speaking of Louis XIV and his father, there are many similarities. They both love to promote those who are in status, because these People must rely on the king to enter the court and the court - what is the status of the Count of D'Artagnan today, and what is the status of the Duke of Saint-Simon, the Duke of Vendôme suffered a lot from this guy at the beginning, and even went into exile in England, Also encountered assassins from the Duke of San Simeon.

It's just that the Duke of Saint-Simon probably didn't expect that he had no one to rely on except Louis XIII, but there were too many people available to Louis XIII-not long after the Duke of Vendôme went into exile in England, Spain and France were in Pickup. A battle broke out in the first region, in which the uncle of the Duke of Saint-Simon was ordered to stick to La Capelle, because it was the Count of Chavigny, the political enemy of the Duke of Saint-Simon, who was in charge of armaments and supplies at the time, so he made a The jaw-dropping thing is that it refused to support and provide supplies to La Capelle. The uncle of the Duke of St. Simon had to give up La Capelle. Later, although France recaptured the occupied area of ​​Picardy, the Spanish had already taken this area. The trampling was almost done. Louis XIII, at the instigation of the Count of Chavigny, vowed to punish all the generals who were defeated without a fight - the uncle of the Duke of Saint-Simon was among them, even if the Duke of Saint-Simon begged the king, the Bishop of Richelieu and the queen , has not changed Louis XIII's decision.

  It is said that the Duke of St. Simon submitted his resignation to Louis XIII in a rage, and the king agreed immediately. He had no choice but to return to the fief. So far, he has not returned to Paris, nor has he been to Versailles. However, the Duke of Vendôme learned from the Bishop of Mazarin that the reason why Louis XIII favored the Count of Chavigny at the beginning was precisely because the Duke of Saint-Simon, after his sudden rise to the top, made the mistake that many people would make, that is, being complacent, Getting carried away—especially since he sent assassins to England was not at the behest of Louis XIII.

Perhaps as a courtier loved by the king, he miscalculated his own weight. After all, the Duke of Vendôme is still in the blood of Bourbon. Whether he should be beheaded, imprisoned, or exiled, only Louis XIII can decide. , Saint Simon's background is still too low, he can't understand the intricate feelings and relationships in the court and the royal family, Count Chavigny naturally took advantage of it.

   "Do you still hate my brother?" asked the Duke of Vendôme.

   "I am only one of his servants," said the Duke of Saint-Simon.

"No, you still hold some resentment, of course, you think you are sharing his worries and cutting the roots for him, but he listened to the slander, killed your uncle, and exiled you from Paris, but it doesn't matter, you reported it anyway. hated."

   The Duke of St. Simon trembled involuntarily: "Don't talk nonsense," he said: "What can I do.

   "You did nothing," said the Duke of Vendôme, "that is why Louis XIII died in the conspiracy of the Duke of Gaston and the Spaniards."

   "I was stripped of all authority when I left Paris."

"Some things can't be taken away by the king's words. Maybe, but it will take time. Count Chavigny thought he could become the king's new favorite without you, but he is really not a talented person. , Louis XIII regretted it by then, but he died before calling you back."

   "Do you still feel pity?" The Duke of St. Simon glanced at the other party: "If he is still there, although you will not be assassinated, you probably won't be able to go back to France, to Paris."

"Of course I am very happy, he is not a good brother, but we are not a good brother," asked the Duke of Vendome, "but he has been in heaven for decades, and you are still yours. In the fief, you…”

   "I think my life is very good now." The Duke of Saint-Simon said: "I am also about to receive a vocation. Whether it is the Louvre or Versailles, let the young people go to work."

   "That would be great," said the Duke of Vendôme with a sneer, "but what do you want to do to the king? I mean, Louis XIV."

   Addition completed

   (end of this chapter)