[Henry VIII] Tudor Crown

"I think you have heard about the recent plight of the Duke of Florence." The Italian envoy couldn't hide anything from William III, so his tone became more sincere: "Your Excellency knows very well that you will not be a mediator in the Italian war, So I only hope that you can help preserve the Medici family's inheritance."

William III was a little surprised that Cosimo I would lower his profile to such an extent, so he said with great interest: "Then how does the Duke of Florence want me to help him? Could it be that the proud Medici family will bow down to the King of Spain or the King of France?" under the iron hooves."

"Your joke is a bit too much." The Italian envoy probably also has some Medici blood, so he doesn't want William III to look down on the Medici family so much: "His Majesty the Pope intends to pardon England's mistakes in belief, and even promised to let England You return to church."

"Then should I thank the Pope?" William III said nonchalantly, "Perhaps I should thank Cosimo I for his understanding and not letting the Pope interfere with my recent good mood."

William III didn't think returning to the church would do him any good, and even the Italian envoys thought it was a self-defeating move.

Because the pope is already an empty shelf who can't do anything, and William III doesn't want to give up his benefits as a Protestant king.

Besides, taking a ten thousand step back, the current Pope, not to mention stopping Spain and France's iron heels, even Denmark's Christian III, or the Polish royal family that has broken away from Austria's control, will not take the Pope's will seriously. , and only the kings of Naples and Sicily in Italy can count on the Pope.

"I think rulers are people who don't benefit early, so why should I pay money and even soldiers for a war that can't get land?" William III has played Tai Chi with Italian envoys for a long time, so he went straight to the point Said: "What good will it do me to help the Duke of Florence?"

"In other words, what benefits can the Duke of Florence and the King of Spain give me?" William III had already determined that the Italian envoy not only came on behalf of Cosimo I, but also represented Philip II who had just enthroned.

Presumably his Spanish nephew had bypassed Cosimo I and reached a consensus with other Italian families, so he sent two envoys secretly to ensure that William III would not be like Henry VIII. Like the world, join hands with France to pit Spain.

"I know that the king of Spain urgently needs a war to prove that he is a great monarch no less than his father. In fact, I am in the same situation as him." William III was not only one year older than Philip II, but also In terms of succession time, it was only two years earlier than Philip II: "So I will not stop Philip II's ambition, provided that he can also satisfy my ambition."

This is what it means to team up to pit France.

The highly nervous Italian envoy finally breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that half of his mission had been completed.

As long as William III is willing to remain neutral or intends to gnaw a large piece of meat from France, the political pressure on various Italian countries will undoubtedly be reduced a lot.

Compared with the French, not only the Principality of Milan but also the Kingdom of Naples or Sicily are actually more inclined to Spain.

However, the war in the Netherlands between Henry VIII and Francois I was really famous. In addition, the Ottoman Empire only temporarily fell silent because of the war against the Persian Empire, and did not completely withdraw from the European political arena. So while Philip II was ambitious, he did not forget to inquire about the details of William III.

It is estimated that Cosimo I did not expect that Philip II was able to buy off the envoys he sent. It is estimated that the lords of various parties in Italy also provided convenience for Philip II. Otherwise, a newly enthroned king would not be able to Reach out to this point.

William III knew that Cosimo I was not an ordinary person, and even in time, he might unify the Italian peninsula and become another hegemon in Europe.

It's a pity that the day of his birth was so unfortunate.

Not only the Habsburg family and the Ottoman Empire, but also the Sun King Louis and the future Tsarist Russian Empire.

If the "magnificent" Lorenzo could have such a son, it is estimated that the Medici family would have become king and emperor long ago, so there is no need to embrace Spain's thigh for a grand duchy.

But what does all this have to do with William III?

The Italian envoy handed in a letter from Philip II with some hesitation, which stated that the King of Spain was willing to restore the old relationship with England and the price they were willing to pay for the friendship between the two countries.

Although this price was almost useless in the eyes of William III, he still carefully read it several times for the possible alliance.

"Release Spain's trade ban on England, and allow English merchants to enjoy the same treatment as local merchants in Spanish territory." William III watched this amnesty repeatedly, so that the Italian envoys could see his dissatisfaction.

"This is the only thing that Philip II can come up with." The Italian envoy explained: "I think you should be more aware of Spain's financial situation than me. After all, silver ships in America are not available every year, and your father's What you have done has made Spain's already not optimistic financial situation worse."

"It's as if what Spain has done has never troubled England." William III retorted: "My father used the Dutch war to wash away his shame in Pavia, otherwise he will not be able to rest in peace in my lord." embrace."

The Italian envoy could only shut up in embarrassment, and waited for William III to offer England's conditions.

"As a good faith in the alliance of the two nations, the King of Spain and the Duke of Florence must reduce the tariffs on English imports, and enforce the same policy in the Holy Roman Empire."

The Italian envoy hurriedly wrote down William III's request, and at the same time did not believe that Philip II had to pay only this price.

Sure enough, William III continued.

"The second is Spain's attitude towards France." William III never thought that his alliance with Henry II lasted less than a year, and he would take the lead in breaking it: "Restricting the trade of French merchants in Spain and Italy, Especially the wool trade."

William III knew that some nobles in the country had a lot of criticisms about his land protection policy, so he had to find a way to sweeten them.

As for whether those greedy idiots will ignore William III's decree.

Anyway, the largest landowner in England is the Tudor royal family, and William III is waiting for the day when the weather will be unpredictable, and he can buy the sheep or land of the nobles at a low price with grain.

The Italian envoy couldn't help reminding: "If Spain loses the French merchants, it is very likely..."

"It is very likely that Henry II will be forced to take a step back on the tariffs between the two countries." William III said calmly: "England has divided up the trade between France and the Ottoman Empire, and the Netherlands and England will also join forces to increase France's imports. Tariffs, so Philip II won't have to wait long for Henry II to back down."

After all, William III added: "I didn't expect Philip II to keep the French merchants out of the door all the time, but they must not be able to recover immediately after the war."

The tensed shoulders of the Italian envoy relaxed again, and then William III continued to speak.

"If Philip II's military strength is sufficient, I hope he can increase his attack on the Principality of Savoy and the Principality of Burgundy."

"But Your Majesty..."

"I am willing to provide the Duke of Florence and Spain with a loan of 20 pounds, as long as they can concentrate their military forces in the Duchy of Savoy and Burgundy." The words of William III are full of the domineering of the local rich.

Anyway, apart from Queen Juana, no one knew how careful William III was.

The image of the King of England in Europe has always been that of a rich and wealthy family.

Both the former Henry VIII and the current William III are loyal supporters of the route here.

"A loan of 20 pounds, plus 40 gallons of grain." William III continued to increase the price: "If Philip II can conquer the Duchy of Savoy and Burgundy, then whether it is a loan of 20 pounds or 40 Gallons of grain, none of it.”

"If he can win one of them, then only half of the loan will be paid."

The Italian envoy was stunned and forgot to refute the words of the King of England, so that he was stunned for a long time before slowly asking: "Why did you do this?"

Borrowing money to fight a war is not something that can be done easily.

Not to mention the experienced Italian envoy, even if you find any child on the street, you will think that the king's loan will definitely have to pay an unimaginable price.

"I don't think you have any special affection for the King of Spain." The Italian envoy almost swallowed a fly because of his stupidity, so he cleaned up the expression on his face and continued: "Can you please explain why you want to do this?" Do?"

William III did not directly answer the Italian envoy's words, but mentioned the old past: "The Tudors won the throne because they ended the War of the Roses."

"Before my grandfather, England was ruled by the Norman dynasty represented by William the Conqueror. In the later period, because the daughter of Henry I married the Earl of Anjou, the Norman dynasty was changed to the Plantagenet dynasty."

The Italian envoy immediately understood: "So you want to restore the glory of Normandy?"

If William III could annex Normandy, which was occupied by the Valois dynasty, his popularity everywhere would reach new heights, even reminiscent of his namesake ancestor.

"Then do you think it is worthwhile to exchange 20 pounds and 40 gallons of grain and grass for a chance to take back Normandy?" William III hoped to use the fewest people to take back Normandy, so Philip II and the Duke of Florence had to Contributed heavily to the Spanish War.

After all, there is no shortage of people for these two, and William III's England is short of young and middle-aged people, so this money is not a loss. It should be treated as a professional army to transfer the main force away from France.