prince of europe in quintiles

What he said like Diodoric was just to heighten the atmosphere and pave the way for a peaceful settlement of the problems of Horten, Mrs. Shara and Conosha.However, everyone has overlooked a big problem, that is, Diodoric is clearly a weak heart.

The Grand Duke can be said to have experienced a mental journey of ups and downs.At the beginning, everyone told him that Huo Teng was nothing to be afraid of.However, Huo Teng leaned on himself, slapped Diodoric dizzily, with a bruised nose and a swollen face.When they hit Saarbourg, even if the Principality of Lorraine was rich in military strength, in fact, as long as they gathered their fists, it would not be a problem to beat Huo Teng away.

However, the Grand Duke himself was wrong.

He suspected that he might not be able to withstand the attack of Huo Teng's hundred cavalry. There were not many elite troops in the Principality of Lorraine, and they had already been sent away in the Battle of Verdun 14 years ago.

It is precisely because of this that Dioderic seems to be a driver who slams on the accelerator when the country is going up and down, and violently leads the Principality of Lorraine to dive into the shameful hell.

"This... this, this, this... may be that the Grand Duke is worried about the embarrassment we will face after the Battle of Verdun in the Principality of Lorraine... After all, there is the story of the Earl of Verdun, Godfrey..." Bendorf wiped With the sweat on his forehead, he could barely use more elegant language to wipe Diodoric's ass.

Fulma III has also brought the son-in-law of the grand duke for decades, and he is aware of Diodoric's soft-footed shrimp, but it is so embarrassing that it is not just as shallow as soft feet, he is clearly afraid of war. .

In Western Europe, where an iron fist is the truth, that would be tantamount to slow suicide.

"Isn't that the idiot who was captured three times and was imprisoned all his life? What's wrong with that?" Fulmar III was more vicious than his son, pointing at the Earl of Verdun and scolding him.

Godfrey, Earl of Verdun, is the cousin of Grand Duke Diodoric. His blood is very noble. His brother Aldabello, who was once the Archbishop of Reims in France, is a very powerful figure.The place of Verdun has been a very important strategic traffic artery since ancient times. Those who can master it should be able to fight well, mount a horse to fight a war, and dismount a horse to rule the country.

But it was Godfrey.He is not only the Count of Verdun, but also the Marquis of Antwerp-Brussels-Mons (now Belgium), and one of the legal successors of the Duchy of Lower Lorraine. Therefore, he set foot in the Duchy of Lower Lorraine (Germany) in 976. Northwest, southeast of the Netherlands) in the war of succession, after being defeated and captured, he was imprisoned from 976 to 985; that is, in 985, he couldn't help but participated in the French succession.In the Battle of Verdun in 985, he first disobeyed the command and sent away his elite headquarters, implicating the entire Lorraine army in retreat; he was arrested that year, and because everyone was a relative, he was released two years later.

After being released in 987, this guy still didn't give up. In 989, he wanted to get involved in the succession of the count of Vermandois (northeast of France), but was defeated again and was captured. He was locked up for six years before being released.Not to mention, he was beaten up last year and lost the country of Mons.

Just such a guy, who was captured and imprisoned for 21 years, turned out to be relying on the blood given by his father, and has never been kicked out of power.

"The Prisoner" Godfrey, the famous hip-pulling bastard, is also the most despised idiot in Upper Lorraine.

"Don't say that. This... this person is our relative..." Bendorf laughed awkwardly, concealing the embarrassment of insulting each other.

Fulma III let out a long sigh.

I really didn't expect that it was obviously a [-]-[-] battle, but it was turned into a loser by my own people.

"Father, I have a proposal."

Bendorf then suggested: "How about... I will go to Huo Teng's military camp and ask him to pay a ransom, nominally as the ransom money for Göttingen. We have both face and face when we say it. Then we retreat voluntarily, Go back to Bristol to quell the rebellion."

This is actually a proposal between him and the Grand Duke, and there is no actual agreement yet.

But looking at today's posture, it is impossible not to leave.The knights below are already on the verge of rebelling in order to return home.

"Okay... well..."

Fulma III also weakened.

As the saying goes, go all out, and then decline.The morale of the army is slackened. Unless the angel descends to earth, this battle may not be able to continue.

By the way, the angels of this era are completely monsters.An ugly birdman with six wings, an angel with a wheel, anyway, there is no beauty, and the ugliness is all kinds of strange things.At this time, people still adhere to the idea that the more grotesque, the more powerful and divine.

It is similar to believing in God and fearing falling into hell.

……

After Bendorf made his plans, he rode to the front of Huo Teng's army.

He informed the guard at the gate of his identity, and the guard led him to Huo Teng's tent.

In fact, if Bendorf is willing, he only needs to confirm the location and bring people over to attack the camp at night, there is a [-]% probability of success.This is a common method used by the Vikings, but the Western European knights who have been instilled in Catholicism for hundreds of years have already forgotten to sneak attack because of their stiff brains.

"Bendorf Fulma?" Huo Teng got up and welcomed the messenger.

"Hotten Bowenden."

Bendorf was a fat young man, and the two of them could tell at a glance that the other had a bookish temperament, and they also confirmed that the other was a member of the church.

"Since they are all priests, I hope to have a showdown with you." Bendorf didn't say much about the scene, like those old priests who indulged in the words and sentences in the scriptures, he said directly: "Reconcile with the Grand Duke, you make a fortune Money, as a buyout fee for the freedom of Göttingen. I will take care of the rest."

This was confirmed with the messenger privately before the meeting.

Even the shares are negotiated.Because of the preciousness of an uncle country, Huo Teng had to pay at least 1500 gold, or two thousand gold.

"You... are the emperor's people?" Huo Teng looked at Bendorf, and guessed immediately that this priestly noble who behaved differently from ordinary nobles should belong to the emperor's party.

Only the priests and nobles on the emperor's side will choose righteousness in terms of righteousness and interests, and maintain the basic universal empire structure.

Bendorf's expression was clouded, and he nodded: "Yes, you are right. The emperor and I have always been committed to maintaining the structure of the empire. However, the nobles only know how to compete for power and profit, and let the empire grow step by step. Going to collapse. Help you do all this, I hope you can understand that you must be loyal to the emperor."

The meaning of this sentence is to hope that Horten can maintain the independence of Göttingen County and be loyal to the emperor's policy.In many imperial conferences and church conferences, the emperor had to rely on these powerful dukes and earls to implement his strategies.

"In this case...can the emperor hold back the six thousand elites of Saxony for me?" Huo Teng's eyes lit up.

What Bendorf didn't expect was that he wanted to recruit Huo Teng to serve the emperor, but Huo Teng directly asked the emperor to help him.

No modesty at all.

Chapter 110 Dirty Political Deals

In the Middle Ages, there never existed such a supreme emperor as in the East.This may also be the charm of the Middle Ages.Everyone is the same barefoot stepping on the mud.

For the independent earl level, as long as they have a strong castle in their hands, they have the courage to face the emperor in the air.As long as you are a duke, you are entitled to set the table with the emperor at any time, take turns sitting on the throne, come to my house today.

Of course, it looks as if the emperor is dangerous and can be overthrown by the nobles at any time.But everything is relative.

You can line up with the emperor across the air, and the emperor can arrive at your door soon.

If you overturn the emperor's table, the emperor can turn around and ask someone to cut you off and lock you up in a monastery.

Considering that the emperor's big family is basically related to all the dukes in the country, then if you make him unhappy, he will try to use various excuses to seize your territory.For example, in the Principality of Swabia next door, since the old Duke was assassinated just one year ago, and his son Herman III was only 6 years old when he took the throne, the Principality of Swabia is now in a precarious state.Historically, Emperor Henry, who was supposed to be in power, shamelessly sent troops to take away the Principality of Swabia. After losing the battle, he was persecuted by the nobles in the Imperial Parliament and handed over to his son.As a result, within a few months, he died before he was 18 years old. The cause of death was unknown, and the land returned to Henry.

The current emperor has not yet gone to Rome to be crowned emperor, so strictly speaking, the current "Western" Roman Empire has no emperor, only one Romanian (referring to Germany, broadly referring to the entire Western Europe) king.But those who are close to Conrad II will call him emperor to show his beauty.

Huo Teng hoped, even threatened, that it was normal for the emperor to hold back the Saxon army.

Many people will bargain with the emperor.

"Although the [-] troops are in the hands of the emperor, they have been exhausted for a long time. The emperor will not be able to spend much money to keep them." Bendorf was very upset, but talking about business is not about faith. He patiently gave Huo Teng I hope Huo Teng can understand Conrad's difficulty.

Conrad II, originally the heir to the Duke of Carinthia (approximately in southern Austria, a poor border mountain area), after being elected as the king, his Carinthia seemed too poor, and poor as pants.Moreover, as the owner of the entire country, the king generally does not keep the principality in his hands, and all of them are managed by reliable people.And he himself took Caesar's court to eat big families all over the country.Conrad left Carinthia to his father and worked as a beggar all over the country.

"Even so,... can't you force it? The Salian family and the King of Burgundy are not closely related, and even a little distant. Swabia next door... yes, Swabia!" Huo Teng lashed out at Kang La Moral stupidity.

Conrad is a descendant of the Salian family. The Salian family originated from the Saar River, that is, near Brisgau and Moselgau in Upper Lorraine. This is why Bendorf and the emperor have a good relationship. Near, is fellow.The Salian family then went to Worms to multiply, and Conrad's father was once the Duke of Franconia.The Salian family has been married to the Otto family for a long time, and his maternal line is the Otto family.The blood relationship in the Middle Ages recognized matrilineal inheritance as kinship, which is why Conrad was elected king as a middle-aged man.

But Conrad's reason for trying to set foot in the Kingdom of Burgundy was not enough. The relationship between the Salian family and Burgundy was separated by the Otto family, which had been cut off. It was a forced reason.

"Swaben?" Bendorf exclaimed, and suddenly understood why Huo Teng would say that.

Although the Salian family is separated from Burgundy, the Salian family and the Herman family of Swabia are true iron relatives. The 6-year-old sister of Hermann III, who is already engaged to the son of Brother Conrad.

"Yes, the emperor can use the name of helping his niece and daughter-in-law's natal family to supervise the country, and send troops into the Principality of Swabia. The 6-year-old Herman III can't stop him no matter what. The [-] troops will find a place to go. ?” Horten shamelessly helped Conrad II plan how to invade the Principality of Swabia.

This is for very good reason, since minors cannot exercise the guardianship of the state.

In order to enhance his tone, Huo Teng also deliberately mentioned: "The family of Duke Hermann of Swabia and the Kingdom of Burgundy also have a deep blood relationship. At that time, we can use this as a springboard to compete for the Kingdom of Burgundy." (The Duke of Swabia and the Kingdom of Burgundy Upper Burgundy, which is adjacent to Switzerland)”

To put it simply, Horten hoped that the young Conrad II would not go to Italy with the Saxon army, nor would he want to get involved in the Kingdom of Burgundy (now Switzerland and Provence).

You might as well go and fight the Principality of Swabia (southwest of Germany, northeast of Switzerland), that place is a strong claim, and for good reason, it is also our country, and outsiders cannot get in.If you want to fight the Kingdom of Burgundy, you can continue to fight after Swabia is settled.

Bendorf readily agreed after researching.

Because the Principality of Swabia is just below the Principality of Upper Lorraine (the salient part of the border between France and Germany), as long as Conrad sends troops into Swabia, the rotten ship in Lorraine still has three catties of nails, and he can also benefit from this invasion. some benefits.

After the two exchanged opinions, they both got what they wanted, and they couldn't help being happy, and even chatted about the Bible with the scriptures.

The only one injured was Bendorf's father Furma.

It can be said that the father is kind and the son is filial.

……

After Bendorf left, Mrs. Sharra was not happy.

This graceful lady came into the room and scolded Huo Teng: "Are you still the father of the child in my womb? Think about it, my father-in-law has helped you so much, helped you restrain the Grand Duke, and helped you improve your connections, but you Just forget about him!"

That's right, without Siegfried Luxemburg, who came forward to help contact the truce, Huo Teng is still fighting with Fulma.

But how to repay Siegfried?

Huo Teng put his arms around Mrs. Shara embarrassingly, and asked with a flattering smile: "Then what do you think I should do?"

Mrs. Shara was also unambiguous.

She spoke directly: "You have to take the initiative to propose the election of my father-in-law, Siegfried's son Heinrich, as the Duke of Bavaria at the Imperial Parliament."

Here's the thing.The historical Emperor Henry II, after failing and dying in this time and space, left the position of the Grand Duchy of Bavaria vacant.Since Henry was a branch of the Otto family and a pure Christian, he had no descendants because of abstinence, and his inheritance fell into a state of chaos.

Henry II's wife was the Sister Gunigund, who is now in a convent.

Then, according to the inheritance law of the Middle Ages, the family of Henry II's wife, the Luxembourg family, became the most powerful heir to the Duke of Bavaria.

The closest relationship is Gunigund's brother Heinrich (historically the new Bavarian Duke Henry V).

But the Luxembourg family is really considered a first-class big family, so there is very little foreign aid.

Therefore, for this inheritance dispute, the Luxembourg family hoped that Huo Teng would be the first to speak in the Imperial Parliament.

"Then... when will it be held?"

When Huo Teng said that, he suddenly slapped his head.

He proposed to allow Conrad II to invade the Principality of Swabia, isn't it just to open the Imperial Parliament first, and then let everyone vote symbolically?

Just take advantage of this time to mention it.

Because in Huo Teng's view, Conrad II's own family is not strong, so he will definitely not allow a stronger one to inherit the Principality of Bavaria.Therefore, the weakened Luxembourg family happened to be a good candidate, and they were also Conrad's fellow villagers, so it was convenient to form an alliance.

Chapter 110 The Truth of the Christian Faith

The political transactions of the nobles, like their love, are bound to happen, but it is really something else to talk about.

Although in this era, there are a large number of important figures with high religious morality recorded in the literature, but when they have high religious morality at the same time, most of them have surprisingly bad character.The representative figure was the late Henry II, almost irreproachable in his personal religion, posthumously canonized.But his character is outrageously rotten, with the style of snatching underage nephews, harshly oppressing all nobles, from dukes to knights, there is no noble in the whole country who does not hate him.

It can be said that religious morality is not compatible with personal morality, and if political factors are added, it will be even more outrageous.

For example, Huo Teng himself, he has been a preparatory monk for eight years, and he can officially join the job after passing the exam.But in fact, although he understood the content and knowledge of the church very well, he could even be said to be an excellent student, but he scoffed at God.According to religious ethics, he is a hard bastard, a heretic.But his personal morality is not too bad, and he has basically fulfilled his promises.

When the war in Saarburg ended, Huo Teng was not surprised to escalate.

[You have upgraded, available skill points: 1]

Huo Teng considered that the next period would be a period of diplomacy and strategy, so he put this skill point into the strategic direction of personal, military and strategy.

[Ambush Level 1: Increase the probability of ambush success +5%]

However, the benefits obtained cannot be said to be non-existent, but they are not very general.Ambush is a very common form of warfare, but for the knights under the Christians, an ordinary village battle with hundreds of people cannot be done like this.Generally, ambushes are mainly aimed at pagans, Vikings, nomads and green-skinned bandits, etc.

Moreover, Huo Teng needs a bonus in the direction of diplomacy, so this addition can only be said to be a pity.By the way, Huo Teng also acquired a brand new trait due to his special use of mercenaries.

[Mercenary leader: strategic movement speed +5%, recruiting mercenary cost -10%]

With this trait, Huo Teng also unlocked a new buff for mercenary recruitment by the way, allowing him to recruit more special soldiers.

[Congratulations on unlocking: special mercenary unit.When you come to a new area, there is a chance to trigger a special event and get a unique mercenary unit. 】

But loot.

Nothing.Horten would also pay 1500 gold coins in exchange for the independence of Göttingen County.

In any case, Huo Teng himself can still leave about 4500 gold coins, which is enough for him to build Göttingen and continue to compete with the surrounding lords.

Mrs. Shala didn't keep her too much. She is pregnant now, and she hasn't gone crazy enough to ask Huo Teng for sex with her big belly.Besides, they also have their own territory to manage. After a war, I don’t know how many farmers ran away, and I don’t know how many refugees can be recruited. In short, Mrs. Sharah was also worried, but she kicked Huo Teng out of Saarburg very politely. .

"What woman, after she became pregnant with a child, she seemed to be a different person."

Huo Teng rubbed his forehead and received a letter from Bishop Willikis of Worms City.

"Mediation? At Worms Cathedral?"

After leaving 500 gold for Madam Shala, Huo Teng ran away without hesitation.

……

In order to mediate the conflict between Horten and the Duke of Upper Lorraine, after Horten repelled Fulmar III in Saarburg and reached peace with Grand Duke Theodoric through Siegfried, Earl of Luxembourg, Bishop Willikis was considered a good thing Do your best and take the initiative to help to be a witness this time.

It's like making a deal, and there must be a middleman to testify that the deal has been reached, and the two parties will not regret it after paying the money and goods.

So a few days later, Huo Teng led the army back to the great city of Worms.

Grand Duke Theodoric, also under the protection of Siegfried's son Heinrich and the furnace guard, came to Worms.

The two sides met in the side chapels of Worms Cathedral.

Huo Teng looked at Diodoric, who was haggard and restless, with a weak appearance, and felt that this guy's fate is really good. He was born into a top nobleman in Western Europe, and he can go wherever he wants with a bloodline.It can be the king of France and the emperor of Romania.Just like this, we can still make a splash in Verdun, burying the country's elite troops and high-level mysterious troops together, forming a miniature civil fortress.