I Am Louis XIV

  Chapter 488 The Stubbornness of the French Dauphin (Part 2)

   The day at Versailles begins at seven in the morning—if it’s summer, or eight in the morning—if it’s winter.

In the period of Louis XIII, the so-called big and small wake-up style took shape, but Louis XIV had no interest in letting those distinguished gentlemen watch him get up, serve him, wash, and change clothes. Followed, and when he returned to Paris, he never mentioned this matter, and only occasionally allowed the Duke of Orleans, or the Grand Condé, the Prince of Conte, who had the surname of Bourbon, who were sleeping with him, to talk to the side—mostly with the former One night work related.

   At about nine o'clock, the king finished taking care of himself, and after a simple breakfast, went to the Royal Chapel to watch Mass. This was a necessary statement, after all, the relationship between the French king and the church was already as bad as it could get.

After Mass, the king deliberately walked through the entire first-floor hall—from Mars Hall to Venus Hall, through Victory Hall, Neptune Hall and Bacchus Hall, on both sides of the road. They were all people who were temporarily unqualified to see the king alone, and eagerly tiptoed to the end of the passage—sometimes they knew the king had come before they saw him, because once Louis XIV got there, there would be Immediately silently, because no one dared, could or would not ignore the king's words or even an expression.

Louis XIV walked slowly through the crowd with his cane, his sharp blue eyes swept across every face of anticipation and excitement, if a face had impressed him, or caught his attention, or followed behind him The person close to him quietly reminded him, and he would stop in front of this lucky guy and ask him if he had anything important to tell the king.

Some things that Louis XIV knew through "abnormal" channels were handled in this way. He couldn't tell the minister clearly that your musician, servant or intimate lover might be my spy. , he asked some dexterous people to ask questions on his behalf, and it was logical to find a solution next.

There are usually three or four lucky people like this a day, with different identities, such as priests, lords, craftsmen or farmers. Although the number is negligible compared to the population of 20 to 30 million in France, but It also made France, and all the places where the Sun King's light could shine, that few unbelievable acts of tyranny could endure for long.

   After passing through this long passage, the king bid farewell to the people and ascended the stairs leading to the second floor. Ten to twelve is the working time of the king. Like the kings of the East, Louis XIV did not always handle state affairs in the spacious Jupiter Hall. The study or any place he feels more comfortable, even in the courtyard - there are only a handful of people who are fortunate enough to meet and participate in the king during this time period, all powerful and controlling one or more important tasks .

   From twelve o'clock to two o'clock is the rest time of Louis XIV. From two o'clock to four o'clock he continues to work with his ministers. After four o'clock is the king's personal time, spending time with his family, reading, listening to music or playing cards.

The above situation also sometimes changes or pauses depending on whether the king wants to hunt, ride horses or hold banquets, or have a big mass, especially after Louis XIV conquered Flanders, the king became more and more Do whatever you want - if he has set a time, yes, he will be on time, but if not, then all will act according to the needs of the king.

This morning, when the ministers filed in, they found that their Majesty seemed to have some ingenious new ideas. They repeatedly scrolled in their hearts about what they were responsible for, and after confirming that there was no big mistake, they were slightly relieved. With peace of mind, they took their seats one by one according to their intimacy with the king.

   There are no important issues today. The pro-French forces in Spain were disappointing, and before Pentecost had been forced into Andalusia by those "treaters"—here, those who were determined to welcome Philip, the son of Leopold I, as king In the region, they frequently asked France for help, and it was obvious that they were about to run out of support. Given that Catalonia was already part of France, it was planned that Louis XIV would lead an army to conquer Spain in the name of his son Carlos III.

  Compared to those enthusiastic generals and soldiers, these ministers still have some regrets. After all, for them, if they can get Spain through negotiation, bribes and transactions, it is better than getting it through military force. However, for the king, if he conquered Spain through a huge battle, of course, it would not be a good thing in terms of those who died and the heavy military expenditure, but for Bourbon, this method may be more beneficial for the next few decades. years or hundreds of years of rule.

Now that it has been decided, it is not the first time for Louis XIV to go on a personal expedition, and now France has more powerful strength, more advanced equipment, more brave giants, more sufficient supplies and love to the king who gave everything, they There's no need to worry.

Louis XIV has decided to leave after the wedding of the Dauphin, and has already arranged various matters for this period—mainly, the descendants of the Dauphin are the regents. Of course, the Duke of Orleans, Colbert, Conti and other important ministers are in charge of government affairs, but When the king is healthy, neither the younger brother nor the crown prince can be named "regent". If so, it is almost a public statement that they intend to encroach on the throne and are complicit in rebellion.

When Louis XIV was dying, the Queen Mother and the Bishop of Mazarin tried to put the Duke of Orleans on the throne of "King Regent". The Duke of Orleans was furious and firmly refused for this reason. If he can recover, the future king can only be Philip, and Louis will either be imprisoned for life in the name of an unknown person, or be banished to the world forever.

Louis XIV did not intend to touch the too tense heartstrings of the ministers. He let the Duke of Orleans participate in political affairs. He has already attracted countless criticisms on the battlefield. Now that the Duke of Orleans appears by the king's side, there are still ministers with subtle expressions. Therefore, although the crown prince has reached the age when Louis XIV was in charge, he still cannot appear in the debate.

But today it seems that the king has the intention to establish another exception. He ended the meeting at 11:15 in the morning. When the king got up, the ministers followed him and left one by one - he saw the little prince, the dauphin, standing nervously. Outside the door, they thought the crown prince had something to tell his father, but when he was about to avoid it, they heard Louis XIV say, "Okay, child, it's yours now."

Several ministers couldn't help but change their faces, but before they could say anything, the crown prince clenched his hat and stepped into the center of the political center of France. The members, several dukes, and senior priests also entered with them. At this time, some people couldn't help but say: "Your Majesty..."

   "Ah, don't worry," said Louis XIV with a smile, "it's just that the father lends his child a room temporarily."

Someone else wanted to say something, but someone already grabbed him, and the latter made a gesture—meaning the Duke of Vendôme, although the Duke of Vendôme was of less orthodox background, it was undeniable that he was now Po The eldest and the oldest in the next family, they should believe that the honest and upright prince will not do anything rude, and they should also believe that the Duke of Vendôme will not let the seeds of disaster grow recklessly.

  ———

  The crown prince little Louis handed the hat to the entourage and sat down on a chair in front of the desk - of course he would not sit behind the desk, which was the seat of his father and His Majesty the King. But maybe only a few seconds later, he stood up, but soon he sat down again.

There was a smile on the face of the Duke of Vendôme. The Dauphin was about the same age as his grandson Joseph. He was a classmate and friend in the military academy. He was no stranger to little Louis. It can be said that he was the same as Louis XIV. I'm not annoyed by the Crown Prince's actions, and I even look forward to it... This gentle and amiable, almost weak little highness, how is he going to fight the first battle in his life?

Little Louis was not a mean-spirited person, no, it should be said that he was virtuous, good-natured, healthy, handsome in appearance, delicate in mind and intelligent, no wonder he was such as Philip IV, Charles II, Leopold De I and others all have their eyes red with envy when it comes to the issue of heirs - you must know that sometimes it is more important and crucial to have a son who can bear the legacy of his parents than to achieve a great cause.

   But for a king, having such a father as Louis XIV, the Sun King, is too tragic.

No star's light can cross the sun. If Louis XIV can win the final victory in the battle of the Spanish throne without making the country empty, then his achievements may not be able to be achieved in hundreds of thousands of years. Beyond, not to mention the little Louis who followed closely. Not to mention, he can't gallop on the battlefield like his father and open up the frontier for France - now France has a third of Europa, plus Spain and Poland, which also belong to Bourbon, someone has already shouted "" Caesar" - this time, Leopold I was able to unite so many countries, even the Church, to prevent the French Bourbon from taking Spain, not because he was afraid that the terrible empire would really appear on this continent again What?

Therefore, anyone with a discerning eye can see that once he obtains the throne of the King of Spain for his second son Charles, the frantic galloping pace of the golden carriage of France will slow down. What illustrious feats, admirable miracles, and finally flattering scholars find it difficult to start writing a biography of Louis XV.

   But is it really as simple as people see it. how can that be possible. The crown that little Louis will wear on his head may be heavier than any previous king, and his path will be more complicated and unpredictable than any king. France and its possessions have grown to an almost unparalleled size—more than any country, and there are innumerable warriors, eyes and ears—people like Vauban, Conti, the Duke of Luxembourg, the Marquis of Lois , Colbert and others, although they bowed their heads in front of Louis XIV, they were docile and credible, but would they be willing to submit to a gentle young king?

  Even those young people—even if Little Louis was studying at the Military Academy, he couldn’t guarantee that the classmates who were talented and arrogant would bow their heads to him.

   When the crown prince is watching someone, someone will bow their head and knees humbly, but when he turns around, he can feel that the eyes gathered on his back are almost full of evaluation and doubt.

  Can he really take over the power left by Louis XIV and bring France to a more glorious path?

  Little Louis couldn't be sure, he just knew that he had to pass the test.

  Yes, just a test.

   He looked around, and here were all the ministers whom his father loved. They waited quietly, no one urged or looked contemptuous, but it was not because of him, but because of his father. He touched the inside of his jacket, which contained the speeches he and a few friends, led by the Marquis de Lafayette, had written for him overnight, a thick stack filled with all the available reasons and conclusive evidence. Argument, but suddenly, an impulse grabbed Little Louis.

  If it were my father standing here, what would he say?

   Little Louis didn't know, but he thought that his father and the king would never be as sympathetic to his courtiers as he expected.

   He stood up straighter than ever before, and people heard him speak calmly.

   "We must affirm three things, gentlemen, first: France is stronger than Portugal."

   "Second: the greatness of the Sun King is unparalleled."

   "Third: I am the Dauphin of France, the son of Louis XIV, the Sun King."

   After saying that, he walked out with his head held high.

  ————

   Bontang sighed deeply.

   "Relax," Louis said, taking a sip of tea.

Bontang and His Majesty the King are in the dark room next to the study. This dark room has the same wonderful sound transmission and peeping devices as other rooms of the same type. Toggle the cover on the small hole to probe the situation in the study from the small hole.

Hearing what the king said, Bontang couldn't help but glance at his master: "But as long as you give a little signal..." Those people will not continue to be embarrassed by the crown prince. You must know how many so-called traditions have changed since Louis XIV came to the throne. ? What's more, this time it wasn't the marriage of the French princess, it was to welcome the bride. As long as Louis was willing, many people were willing to pretend to be deaf and dumb.

   "But then we won't see such a brave little Louis." Louis said with a smile.

   "...how do you think he's doing?" Bontang asked after a moment of hesitation.

   "Um... pass... let's go."

   "Your Majesty!"

   "Okay, Bontang," Louis put away his smile: "You should know that I never care what he said."

  It doesn't matter what little Louis said, but Louis must know whether his heir, when he encounters a problem, thinks from the standpoint of a scholar, a general, a minister, or...

   Of course, little Louis passed—the old father took his last sip of tea contentedly.

   (end of this chapter)