I Am Louis XIV

   Chapter 437 The War of Spanish Succession!

  Innocent XI has been having a hard time recently.

When he was a priest, he longed to be the second Urban II, the pope who had his name inscribed in history for the reason of launching the crusades, but reality proves this idea There is no chance of success - after all, the eldest daughter of God has been in love with the Ottoman Turks for a long time, even if Louis XIV responded to the call of the church not long ago and defeated his former allies in the great battle, but we all know that victory Failure will not affect the close relationship between countries.

So, when he chose the holy name, he couldn't help but think of Innocent III, an Italian pope like him. His most brilliant record was forcing Britain, Denmark, Switzerland, and Portugal to become ministers. The title of "Emperor" - Innocent XI did not expect to have this prestigious title, but he also had ambitions.

It is a pity that this ambition became eclipsed after he became the center of the church. When the Roman church arrived in the seventeenth century, it had fallen and declined to an almost irreversible level. The religious reformation was hated by the priests, but Innocent In the eleventh century, if there is no reform, or if the reform does not continue, then it is difficult to say whether there will be a church.

   When he took over the pure white sacrificial clothes, he already knew very well that he was also taking over a church that was riddled with holes.

Some may not believe that the Church still levies 11 taxes all over the world—at least in God’s world—and makes a lot of money from priesthood sales, inheritances (priests), lawsuits (bribery and bribes) Money, a considerable land output, and even a group of investors, bankers, and members of a commercial guild working diligently for it would still not make ends meet, and would be on the verge of bankruptcy.

   No one can tell where all the money went, maybe the magnificent churches, the bishop's robes and carriages, the cross, the servants who serve them like a swarm, or some conspiracy and deal? Anyway, don't try to trace the money back, and don't try to stop it, otherwise, even if it is the Pope - it is not that there have been "seven-day popes", "three-day popes", or even "one-day popes" in history. These short-lived, unfortunate fellows are not recorded, as if they never appeared, confounding future generations.

   But Innocent XI is clear.

He couldn't remove the dirt from the church, he could only paint gold to keep this earthly heaven splendid and pure, which is why, before he became pope, he started with the arrogant young king of France, you come to me The reason for the past - this king is wise, calm, powerful, and most importantly, rich...

Not joking. After Innocent XI took office, he found out that someone had embezzled the funds of the Inquisition... Although the priests of the Roman Church despised those members of the Inquisition who were equivalent to hounds and horses in their hearts, but in addition to some greed and short-sightedness Most of the members of the Inquisition know that their final retreat is still in the inner world. If the church cuts off their funds, it is equivalent to cutting them off from the church and making these religious mercenaries tend to secular power— Like the Inquisition in Paris.

Innocent XI didn't want to recall how stupid the two popes were. Although it was not without reason for them at that time, and it was almost successful, but... if they knew that they would lead to a situation like Louis X. Four such monsters, they would certainly wish Louis XIII a long life.

Luckily he came to the throne before things got out of hand and he made up for the inquisitions everywhere - Paris was no exception, which was a bit difficult, after all, if not for no other way of making money, neither would the clergy. Will reach out to the Inquisition - if it wasn't for Louis XIV's guarantee, maybe Innocent XI would really refer to the king's practice and boldly **** St. Peter's Basilica to relieve this urgent need.

   In any case, with this loan guaranteed by the French king, the Inquisition and the Church will not tear off the last thin fig leaf. Of course, Louis XIV of France was not a saint either. He vouched for it and inserted a person in the church—the former Grand Judge of the Paris Inquisition, that is, Elarius, who succeeded Ballas.

Ballas sold Louis XIII, Paris, and the future for the archbishopric, which Elarius got as soon as he came to Rome, and he had two dioceses with a good income, and the well-loved bishops. There is no difference, it greatly inspired the hearts of the priests and monks in the world. King Innocent XI is noncommittal. Even if there are people in the church who have been accusing and criticizing this matter, they should really look at those kings!

They only needed a second, third or fourth Merlin, and it was the wizards who foolishly sealed themselves in the inner world, and there was no point in the political field, otherwise the Church of Rome would now The mortals in the midst are about to start to panic - today's Roman church must have the same power as those wizards, no, it should be said, it is the power to fight against the kings who used wizards!

Thinking of this, Innocent XI couldn't help cursing Louis XIV. It was only the last step before they completely blocked the mortal power from the extraordinary power of the inner world. Louis XIV rudely broke through. Enter it and destroy everything like a wild boar! Their current difficulties, the king should bear at least half or more of the responsibility!

It's a pity that he can only curse in his heart. Looking at Europa, no one can keep pace with him now... Innocent XI is distressed with his forehead on the large desk that has been used by many popes. He should support Li Leopold I, for no other reason, the church without an army has been able to operate until now, relying on this ability to dance well in many countries and seize the opportunity to grab power and money, but Leopold I, if nothing else, just Even having a child is better than Louis XIV!

  Louis XIV has two sons, and he is still empty! Not to mention princesses, even if Spain allows women to succeed, it must be after there is no male heir!

  The eldest daughter of Leopold I was an idiot, not only did she not stand by Austria from start to finish like other Austrian princesses, but at most on the Habsburg side - she also took refuge with the French!

This big scandal can be said to have shocked everyone. The Queen of Spain escaped from Toledo on a rainy night. With the help of the French, she first escaped into Portugal, and then entered France from Portugal, and she was caught by lightning. From Marseilles to Pisa by boat, and then from Pisa to Rome day and night... Innocent XI is receiving a report from spies (yes, almost all the priests of the church are spies of the Pope), saying that Queen Antonia may The reasons for not consummating the marriage required him to declare her marriage to Carlos II annulled...

   Can this be declared easily? ! Merciful God, it is said that Carlos II will die soon. Although there are many lovers, the king has only one illegitimate child so far. The secret messenger of Spain is still negotiating and negotiating with them in Rome, hoping to judge this child as a wedlock. , If Antonia's marriage contract with Carlos II is not established, how can a tree without flowering bear fruit? No matter how much coveted the bribes of the Spaniards were, the church would not be able to do such a slap in the face.

In Innocent XI's position, whether it is to fight against France, the half ally of Innocent XI trembles at the thought of France and Spain being united, or for what the Church might get in Austria and Spain. It is impossible for him to agree to the request of the Austrian princess and the Spanish queen.

  The problem is that the French envoy, Prince Conti, came to Rome with this lady.

The French are bound to destroy the marriage at all costs, and at the same time ensure that Carlos II cannot have an orthodox legitimate child - which may have been planned by Louis XIV. At that time, he did not pursue the dowry of half a million livres that the queen should have brought, just to leave Spain to his son, a Bourbon.

   Then, just a few hours ago, he received another bad news - Carlos II had died.

  The king is dead! Long live the king!

   "Does Antonia... Madam know about this?" he asked the priest who came to report.

  The priest also knew that the Pope would definitely ask about the Queen of Spain's reaction, "She said..." He paused, not knowing what expression to make: "She said thank God!"

  “…”

   "Forget it," said Innocent XI, "I'd better go and see her."

  ——

  Although not loyal enough or respectful enough to her husband, Antonia showed enough obedience to the Pope, and as soon as she saw Innocent XI, she knelt down and kissed his ring.

   Innocent XI withdrew his hand, "Sit down, child, I want to have a good talk with you."

   "Please speak," Antonia said, her tone and demeanor made Innocent XI feel that she might be about to fail, she looked as if she had been unshackled and released from the cage.

"You are younger than my youngest child," King Innocent XI said frankly: "Your Majesty, if my granddaughter has a child, he or she may be much older than you, from my heart, and Not from the heart of an old man in charge of the church, I would like to see you get what you want..."

   "This marriage," Antonia said, "was a mistake, you must admit. My father, my aunt, and the archbishop of Toledo and Vienna deliberately contributed to it."

"I admit it, but you should also know that since my bishop presided over this marriage for you and Carlos II, and you swore an oath at the altar, the marriage was established. It was won by God. Like the blessing of the saints, like many marriages, it may not be so perfect, flawed, flawed, but your majesty, since it has been promised, it should be continued."

   "The unhappy marriage was not mine," Antonia said, "but the marriage that was dissolved was not mine either."

"But what about after the release?" King Innocent XI gently persuaded: "Your guardianship will return to your father, and I don't want to lie to you. Your father clearly told me, If you insist on breaking the engagement, and it succeeds, as the devil has cursed, he will send you to a women's monastery on an island, far from the world, and rely on the hands of the nuns, starting from the most basic food and clothing. Work to get it, and they also go through severe penance—you know, the penance of nuns is not as simple as you say a rosary in a chapel, they pray from three or four in the morning until dawn, and then Work in the fields, or weave or sew in the house; the daily meals are only black bread and water, and even then there is not enough supply, but that's okay, because they often fast; they keep silent, unless necessary, They are not allowed to talk, and they will beat each other to drive the devil out of their bodies... None of the nuns there have lived past thirty..."

Innocent XI looked at her emotionally: "Now that things have changed, I think, Your Majesty, you don't need to go down that holy but inevitably difficult path—Carlos II, your husband, and you His mother-in-law is dead, and may God forgive them for their sins—and you, if you will, you and he already have a wedlock child, and you can go back to Toledo and become the new king’s regent and queen mother…”

   He lowered his voice: "Your Majesty, Spain is yours."

Antonia listened quietly. King Innocent XI almost thought he was going to convince her. Antonia was the princess of Austria and the queen of Spain. She had also seen how Maria Anna, the queen mother of Spain, who was also an Austrian princess, behaved recklessly. enjoy the benefits of power.

   Now Spain is no longer **** for Antonia, but is almost like heaven.

On the contrary, if she insists on breaking the engagement and returning to Austria, she will definitely not be greeted with flowers and warmth, not to mention Leopold I, her behavior is like giving Spain's hands to the Habsburg enemies - King Louis XIV of France, even the humblest peasant, as long as he is an Austrian, will not have any goodwill or pity for this princess.

   This is human nature. When there is no harm to themselves, people usually show great generosity, but if there is... they will be very careful.

   "I know I should trust you," Antonia's answer made Innocent XI frown, which was not a good answer.

   "I also believed in my father, my minister, my friend, my mother..."

"But at that time, it wasn't even God who answered my prayers," Antonia said calmly, almost blasphemous: "At that time, I said to myself, if anyone wanted to save me, it would be the devil , I will also resolutely complete the contract with him. So... Your Highness, although I am very grateful for your comfort, I also know that once I return to Austria, my fate will be very unbearable. If I give up the appeal and return to Spain, I will It's possible to be the second Maria Anna..."

   She smiled: "But do you know what that means?"

   "Means that the last person who would not lie to Maria Antonia is also dead."

   (end of this chapter)