King of Mercenaries

Chapter 136: Good things for bad emperors and dukes

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Marin is a small-minded person with no broad mind. Therefore, in later generations, it will be difficult for him to get ahead. Because he doesn't know how to endure, and he doesn't know how to unite all possible forces.

Of course, that was in later generations, the era when talents came forth in large numbers. Because of the popularization of education, there are too many scholars in future generations, and there are as many smart people as crucian carp crossing the river, and the competition is fierce and cruel. Any shortcomings may be magnified in such an environment. Because your competitors are very strong.

However, in the Middle Ages, this shortcoming of Marin was greatly reduced. Because he is a time traveler, he has vision and insight far beyond this era, and he knows a lot of advanced technology. Moreover, there are very few scholars in this era, and not many smart people. Therefore, it is not a big deal to be small-minded. Besides, in this era, there are many aristocrats who are smaller than him, and they can still get along.

Because of his small-mindedness, Marin somewhat resented the Duke of Saxony and Emperor Maximilian I. Marin decided to take revenge on the two of them. Of course, due to limited strength, revenge had to be carried out in secret. Best of all, Marin retaliated against them, causing the two of them to lose a lot, but they didn't realize it.

As for how to retaliate? And what is the revenge

Marin thought for a long time and decided to do two very big things...

The first thing is to destroy the good thing that Emperor Maximilian I's grandson Charles V concurrently serves as Emperor Shinra and King of Spain.

Charles V ran rampant in Europe because of the massive supply of gold and silver from the Spanish American colonies and the combat power of German mercenaries.

Had it not been for the unlucky power of France, which attracted the firepower of Charles V in the front, and the powerful Ottoman Turkey in the east, Charles V would have truly unified Germany long ago. Shinra and Spain, which were completely united in France, were also beaten to the point of crying, and even King Francois I was captured. In the end, France had to turn to Ottoman Turkey and form an alliance with it, allowing the Turks to hold back a lot of Shinra's energy on the Eastern Front.

The son of Maximilian I, Philip, who is the same age as Marin, married Juana, the second daughter of the Spanish king and his wife, "Mad Girl" last year. At that time, Marin also gave a valuable congratulatory gift. Of course, as a little baron, Marin is not qualified to attend the wedding, he can only be too courteous.

Originally, Marin still had a good impression of Maximilian I. However, on the issue of Friesland, Marin was extremely angry, and began to be a little alienated from the emperor.

Moreover, Marin himself is unwilling to see an too powerful Habsburg family. You know, in the final analysis, Marin also wanted to become a powerful prince. But the princes are naturally opposed to a strong central government, either the east wind overwhelms the west wind, or the west wind overwhelms the east wind.

Therefore, a Charles V who inherited the fierce Germany and the rich Spain is not what Marin wants to see. Before, Marin was unwilling to destroy it because of Maximilian I's appreciation of him. But from a rational point of view, it is better not to show up that tyrannical Charles V.

Charles V was not too talented, and Marin even despised him a little. You know, this guy controls the golden mountains and silver seas of the Spanish Empire, and also holds a large number of German mercenaries, as well as the powerful Flemish army. However, this product failed to complete the true unification of Germany in the end. It can be seen that the ability of this product is actually not too strong. At most, it's okay. Moreover, when this guy finally abdicated, he failed to leave the crown of the Shenluo Empire to his son, which led to the separation of the Holy Roman Empire and Spain. Although both Shinra and Spain are governed by the Habsburg family, after all, they are not managed by one person, and it is difficult to work together. In the end, the two countries were no longer one, and Germany lost the possibility of true unification. Otherwise, if it was replaced by a talented and bold master like Li Shimin, he would have poisoned his younger brother Ferdinand I long ago, clearing the way for his son.

Of course, even if Charles V had no great talents, he was born so well that all monarchs would be jealous of him. As soon as he was born, his grandfather Maximilian I had already paved the way for him to ascend the throne. Then, when he was born, he was also the natural heir to the Spanish throne.

When he was born, Spain's American empire had not yet been established. But when he grew up, the Spaniards just conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico and began to acquire local gold and silver. Then, it also acquired the Inca Empire and developed the Potosi Silver Mine, the largest silver mine in the world at that time.

It can be said that he was born to enjoy supreme power and massive wealth.

However, Charles V was not born until 1500. And in the current year of 1497, there are two more alive than the mad girl Juana, the mother of Charles V, who has a higher order of succession to the throne.

For example, Prince John, the first in line to the Spanish throne, is still alive. However, Marin had read history books in his previous life and knew that Prince John would die on October 4 this year. Moreover, this unlucky young prince died in a very funny way. Although it is officially said that Prince John died of lung disease, folklore has it that Prince John died of excessive sexual indulgence.

Prince John is the same age as Marin. He is only 19 years old this year, which is the time when young people are in their prime. Coupled with marrying back a beautiful and noble princess (the daughter of Maximilian I), and then it is inevitable to be greedy...

But the problem is that the prince was born thin and weak, and his health was not good, and then he worked too hard on the princess, resulting in physical weakness. Then the disease took the opportunity to invade, causing the weak prince to develop a high fever, and finally died.

Marin is more willing to believe this statement, because, in the history books, there is such a detail. That is, when the prince was seriously ill with a high fever, King Ferdinand II of Aragon, who was eager for his son, hugged his only son in the past, and was in great pain.

If it was the official lung disease, then Ferdinand II, who was hugging the prince, would hardly be spared. Because lung disease is a highly contagious disease. Coupled with the fact that his son was seriously ill and dying, Ferdinand II must have been physically and mentally exhausted at that time, and his resistance was inevitably low, so he could not avoid the infection of lung disease.

However, Ferdinand II was fine and lived until 1516. Therefore, Marin felt that it was impossible for the prince to suffer from lung disease, but the folklore that he died of physical weakness caused by greed was more credible.

You know, in Europe in this era, there is no effective way to deal with colds. In the East, there is at least one way to boil water with ginger and brown sugar. In Europe in this era, the death rate was very high when encountering a cold. What's more, Prince John's resistance to colds is weaker because of his physical weakness. As for the lung disease, that's just what the royal family advertised to cover up their ugliness.

Thinking of this, Marin had a mature idea in his heart——

His solution is very simple, that is, to rush to Spain to heal the prince while Prince John is sick. As long as Prince John survives, whether it is the crazy girl Juana or the princess Isabella who married Portugal, they must say goodbye to the throne.

Because, as long as Prince John is around, the princesses have no chance of inheriting the throne. After all, Spain was also largely influenced by Salic law, which prioritized male heirs. Unless there is no male heir, it will be the female's turn.

For Prince John's illness, Marin thought it was easy to deal with. As long as there is a pack of ginger, a pack of brown sugar, boiled water to drink, cover the quilt and sweat all over, everything will be fine. As for having a high fever, the protagonists in countless novels have provided Marin with a solution-wiping his body with alcohol or shochu. After the high fever subsides, use ginger and brown sugar water...

Unless, the prince really has some kind of lung disease. But even so, Marin has a recipe. It is to use 500 grams each of fresh leaves of aloe vera, white vinegar and rock sugar. First boil the white vinegar and rock sugar and let it cool down. Then put the aloe vera leaf into the jar, put in the mixture, and keep it sealed for 7 days. Then, take a small bowl every morning and evening.

This prescription is not very effective for severe lung disease, but it is very useful for mild patients. Prince John has never been known to have a lung disease before, and if he did, it must have been mild. This prescription, if Prince John really has lung disease, even if it cannot be cured, it can prevent Prince John from dying. As long as Prince John perseveres, Marin, who has studied Chinese medicine with the old doctor in the village, will also have a way to save Prince John. Many dare not say, but it is no problem to persist until this kid gives birth to a baby.

As long as Prince John survived, or left a baby. Well, the Spanish Empire has nothing to do with Charles V...

And Marin's plan to quietly retaliate against Maximilian I succeeded quietly. Moreover, if the dying prince is really cured, the Spaniards will also accept their own kindness, and it is a great favor. At that time, if you go to America to occupy territory by yourself, there will be discussions.

And even if the treatment fails, there is not much loss. Because, if it is really an "incurable disease" like lung disease, Marin failed, and the Spaniards can't blame him. If it is a cold caused by physical weakness, it will be even better, and the cure rate is very high.

Anyway, Marin made up his mind to quietly destroy the great thing that Charles V will lead the Holy Roman Empire and Spain in the future. This is also to clear the way for him to participate in the vassal hegemony in the future.

As for how to target the Duke of Saxony? That's a big deal too...

Marin had studied European history and learned that Frederick, the youngest son of the Duke of Saxony, would be elected as the head of the Teutonic Knights next year and become the supreme leader of the Teutonic Knights.

This is a very big event. Frederick became the head of the Teutonic Knights, so the strength of the Duke of Saxony will also increase greatly. Because, the Prussian and Livonian business districts where the Teutonic Knights are located are the third largest business districts of the Hanseatic League!

If the youngest son of the Duke of Saxony became the grand master of the Teutonic Knights, it would be equivalent to the Wetting family reaching into the third largest business district of the Hanseatic League. At that time, the Weiting family, who controlled the Saxon business district and the Prussian and Livonian business districts at the same time, would not be able to go to heaven

The Duke of Saxony snatched Friesland, which he was aiming at. How could Marin let the enemy's son be the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights

Marin knew from the book in his previous life that the current head of the Teutonic Knights passed away around the end of August. Then, in the second half of the year, the Teutonic Knights were busy electing a new grand master.

The State of the Teutonic Knights is a very strange place. In this place, the local Prussians have no status. Those who control the local area are actually knights from all over Germany. The main force is the wandering knights from the German knight family.

Marin's uncle, Yule, had gone to the Teutonic Knights, an important destination of the German wandering knights, but his life and death are unknown now.

The Teutonic Knights were actually a colony of the Germans on the east coast of the Baltic Sea. And every year, a large number of German wandering knights go to the country of the Teutonic Knights to replenish the knights with fresh blood.

In the country of the Teutonic Knights, there are five major forces, which are very powerful. They are - Saxons, Swabians, Rhinelanders, Westphalians, and Franconias.

As for the knights in other regions, the strength in the Teutonic Knights is too small, and some of them are not ranked. The country of Uncle Mark, where Marin's hometown is located, belongs to the Westphalia region. The Westphalians belong to the fourth largest force in the Teutonic Knights.

Moreover, within the Teutonic Knights, the Franconias and Swabians were basically opposed to the Rhinelanders and Westphalians.

However, Saxony has a large number of people and does not need to form an alliance with others. This time the grand master election, the opposing Franconia-Swabian alliance obviously will not agree to the knight from Rhineland-Westphalia being elected as the new grand master. Similarly, the Rhineland-Westphalian Alliance will not agree to the person from the other side being the Grand Commander.

The Saxons already have a large number of people, and the Saxons are also barely acceptable to both factions. Therefore, Frederick, the youngest son of Duke Albrecht of Saxony, was successfully elected as the new grand master. In terms of prestige, Frederick, who is only 23 years old, has the prestige of a shit...

Of course, these five groups are not the only ones within the Teutonic Knights. There are also many knights from other regions. For example, the grand master Johnny von Tiffen, who is still alive, is from Switzerland. In other regions, such as Austria, Bohemia, Silesia, Pomerania, and even the Netherlands and Switzerland, there are wandering knights mixed in the Teutonic Knights.

It's just that the wandering knights in these areas have not yet formed a climate in the Teutonic Knights and cannot influence the overall situation of the Teutonic Knights.

As far as Marin knew (Old Hoffman had inquired about things there because his brother went to the Teutonic Knights), the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights was elected by more than 800 core official Teutonic knights. Among them, the Saxons accounted for 180 seats. The Franconia-Swabia Alliance occupies 230 seats, and the Rhineland-Westphalia Alliance occupies 210 seats... As for the remaining about 200 seats, they will be divided among wandering knights from other regions.

Among them, the status of the Saxons is detached. As long as they win the support of either the Franconia-Swabia Alliance or the Rhineland-Westphalia Alliance, and attract a few retail investors, they can be elected firmly. Conversely, the two alliances had to win the support of the Saxons if they were to launch their own candidates. And if it is the opponent's candidate, they will definitely block it with their lives...

Marin's plan is actually simple and brutal...

His solution is to spend money!

There are 200 retail knights with voting rights from other regions, and they are also a considerable force, all of which are votes. As a Westphalian, Marin must have supported someone on his side to be elected as the head of the regiment. And the votes of the knights of the alliance will definitely vote for their own people.

At that time, as long as Marin spends money to buy those retail investors, he can barely reach half of them. As for the candidates put forward by the Saxons, the Saxon Knights must fully support them. However, the Franconian-Swabian Alliance may not all support it.

At that time, Marin does not need to buy the knights of the Franconia-Swabia Alliance to vote for those on his side. As long as they don't vote for Frederick, that's enough.

To do this is actually very simple. All it takes is one more candidate not from the Rhineland-Westphalian League or Saxony.

Then, Marin could send someone to help this person to spend money to canvass votes in the Franconia-Swabia Alliance. As long as dozens of the 230 Franconian-Swabian alliance knights vote for this person, then Frederick will certainly not be able to get half of the votes obtained from the Franconian-Swabian alliance. And I bought enough retail investors to support the candidates of the Rhineland-Westphalia Alliance. Beating Frederick would not be a big deal, then.

Moreover, he paid his own money to help drop the position of Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights. The new grand master will definitely be grateful to himself. Even, in the future, it will open the door for me to do business in the Teutonic Knights.

You know, the Teutonic Knights are also a well-known business circle, which belongs to the third largest business circle of the Hanseatic League - the Prussian and Livonian business circles.

Because it is on the coast of the Baltic Sea, which has the lowest salt content in the world, the price of salt here is very expensive. As it happens, Marin is a large supplier of table salt. As long as there is the help of the Grand Master, it is not difficult for him to earn a lot of profits in the Teutonic Knights...

Therefore, this plan is also a good plan that does not lose money...

All in all, whether it is saving Prince John of Spain or supporting a candidate in this region to become the new head of the Teutonic Knights, it is not a loss-making business. Moreover, of these two plans, the first one is not only beneficial to oneself, but also prevents the emperor's grandson from becoming the overlord of Europe; the second one can make his rival, the Duke of Saxony, lose huge benefits. Both things can be said to kill two birds with one stone...