[Henry VIII] Tudor Crown

After returning to Pembroke Castle, William Tudor took a sip of water and changed his clothes before meeting the Dutch-born Jewish businessman named Solomon in a private conference room.

In order to be able to meet the Prince of Wales, Solomon changed into an English businessman's attire, lowered his head all the way, was smuggled into Wales by his informants, and then under the arrangement of Richard Cromwell, took advantage of the night Enter Pembrokepen Castle.

William Tudor, who had been tidied up, was preparing to dine, so two more tableware were placed.

Considering the taboos of Judaism, William Tudor did not prepare some forbidden food, which also relieved Solomon's nervousness, so he took off his hat to William Tudor: "Your Highness, thank you for your hospitality .”

"I have always been kind to those who can help me." William Tudor looked carefully at the Jewish businessman opposite, and saw that the other party had a gentle and friendly face, so he asked casually, "Do you mind talking about business at the dinner table?"

"As you please." Solomon was very submissive, but judging from his eating speed, William Tudor didn't feel that the other party had given up his vigilance.

The secret of dinner table talk is that alcohol and food make the blood flow to the stomach, which slows down the brain, so some things that are impossible to negotiate are possible at the table, which is why William Tudor invited Solomon to dinner original intention.

It's a pity that Solomon is not a fledgling young man, so William Tudor's tricks can't get in his way.

"Your life in the Netherlands should be difficult these days!" William Tudor knew that Charles V had raised taxes on the Netherlands recently-because he had just fought with King Francois, and he had to be careful The imminent move of the German princes and the next invasion of the Ottoman Empire: "Just the campaign for the Roman emperor and the expenses of defending Vienna have left the Habsburg family heavily in debt. If Maximilian I knew, he would definitely Surprised that the current Habsburg dynasty is more powerful than when his father was in power..."

William Tudor couldn't find the right adjective for a while, but Solomon already understood what he meant: "Do you know how many times the uprisings in the Netherlands have been suppressed?"

"You should know a rough number." William Tudor has an almighty octospider by his side, so he still understands the movements of Protestant countries: "You should be thankful that the governor of the Netherlands is the emperor's aunt and sister. Grand Duke Ferdinand, it’s not as simple as suppression.” It is estimated that there will be a package of religious trials and burning.

"Yes, the life in the Netherlands is better than the burning hell in Spain, and better than the trembling in the Ottoman Empire." Solomon's smile revealed a strong bitterness: "It's a pity that the Spanish emperor didn't give me a temporary respite." After the tax increase, there will be a new round of Jewish cleansing, but this time, where can we escape?"

"France? Navarre, or England?" Solomon looked carefully at William Tudor's face, and saw that he didn't express much.

"Your father doesn't welcome Jews, and the king of France is also a Catholic who practices religious judgment, not even as gentle as Mary of Austria. As for Navarre..." Solomon said here, only feeling stuck in his throat: "Navarre is also It is almost impossible to keep it, and even Enrique II is not sure whether Navarre will fall directly into the hands of France after his death, or will it be captured by Spanish troops?"

"Is there a difference between the two?" William Tudor said mercilessly: "No matter which side it is, the actual ruler of Navarre will not be Princess Juana."

"Unless she can find a strong enough foreign aid before her father dies like Queen Isabella of Castile." Solomon glanced at William Tudor meaningfully, who shook his head, He wrote lightly: "England is not a good foreign aid. Navarra is stuck between Spain and France, and it is thousands of miles away from England. Even if Princess Juana marries me, Navarra will not belong to England, but will be offended by it. France and Spain."

"But you are a Protestant, and it would not be appropriate for you to marry a Catholic bride." Solomon said in a bewitching tone, "You don't want the country to be divided because of beliefs, do you?"

"Oh! It seems that there is no problem of division in England now." William Tudor took a sip of mulled wine, dismissing Solomon's demagogy: "If I marry the princess of Habsburg, the Netherlands may become a Why not do her dowry? After all, the Netherlands is also in chaos, and the Spanish emperor knows that his taxes in the low countries are extremely unreasonable. Wouldn’t it be nice to simply give England a favor?"

William Tudor seized the initiative temporarily, and continued: "Why do you have to go to war when things that can be solved by marriage? If you just give up the Habsburg dowry just to marry a Protestant princess, then I am too bad. "

"But the emperor of Spain will not marry his daughter to you." Solomon had already prepared: "He has appointed his eldest nephew as his son-in-law, just to prevent the land of Habsburg from being taken by outsiders. If you marry Spain Princess, not only will she not get a piece of land, she will even give up her right to inherit the Spanish throne before marrying you."

"..." William Tudor took another sip of wine in silence, trying to keep himself calm and said: "Listen to you, it seems like you are here to be a lobbyist in Navarre? Or, what is your relationship with Calvinism?" Time has gotten so good?"

"There's no such thing as getting better. It's just that one cuts off your neck, and the other pinches your neck occasionally, looking for a moment of respite." Solomon suddenly became a bit unbelievable: "When the Spanish emperor confronted At the time of the Ottoman Empire, King Francois took the opportunity to make a truce with Suleiman the Great and plundered a lot of land in Navarra. If the next Ottoman Empire attacked and King Francois robbed the border of Navarre again, then Ala Gong Ke is in danger."

"Is it not dangerous? After all, the opponent's front line has been pushed to the door, and whoever is not in a hurry?" William Tudor said casually: "The Hundred Years' War between England and France is not as good as the blood feud between King Francois and the Spanish Emperor. It is no wonder that the Spanish emperor did not force Navarre to carry out the Inquisition, and the co-author was to allow Enrique II and the Calvinists to resist the French invasion."

"But this kindness will soon disappear." Solomon said, "The Ottoman Empire's invasion will take some time, and France is also limited by financial problems, so it cannot interfere with the Spanish emperor."

"When he has time to clean up the Netherlands and Navarra, you will all be finished." The Habsburg family has a lot of debts, but there is no doubt about the military strength, so William Tudor does not doubt that Charlie Pope V and Archduke Ferdinand will conduct more cruel religious trials in the Netherlands and Navarrean-after all, Enrique II's voice in Calvinism is second only to Renee of France, who was defeated by Franc After King Sova was imprisoned.Navarra has become another center of Calvinism’s asylum: “There are quite a few Catholics in Navarre. It is estimated that King Francois and the Spanish Emperor did not have a big difference in instigating the Catholics in Navarre. .”

"However, it is difficult for you to let go of your grievances and join forces to save the Netherlands and Navarra." William Tudor's tone was very negative, because in his opinion, this is a war that must be lost: "If you can make Charlie Cousin suffers, my father doesn't mind blocking their supply line at sea, as for the others..."

"At that time, your father and King Francois will take the initiative to invade the Netherlands." Solomon said, pulling out a piece of brown paper from his sleeve, and before William Tudor could recover, he handed it to him In front: "Whether it is a Jew, a Lutheran, or a Calvinist, this time the whole family will do their best to keep either the Netherlands or Navarre. We have reached the point of no return, and we don't want to let My own beliefs have become a speck of dust under the wheel, so..."

The moment Solomon raised his eyes, William Tudor was shocked by his firmness: "We have united the kingdom of Navarre, the Calvinists and Lutherans in France, and the German princes who are dissatisfied with the Spanish emperor, just wait The next time the Ottomans invade, strike back."

"But can you really wait for that day?" William Tudor was very suspicious: "You may not wait for the invasion of the Ottoman Empire, and you will be killed by the Spanish emperor first."

"If we don't wait until that day, we will have to fight to the death." Solomon smiled wryly, "Do we have any other way out?"

William Tudor couldn't answer Solomon's words, but glanced at the brown paper he handed over, his expression gradually becoming serious.

"I see." William Tudor burned the kraft paper directly in front of Solomon, which made Solomon Wei Wei completely let go of his vigilance.

If William Tudor tied him back in front of Henry VIII after reading the news on the brown paper, then Solomon would also have a way to make the little prince take off a layer of skin.

In this way, the Prince of Wales is not a fool.

In William Tudor's view, this Jewish businessman is a model who is not afraid of death.

Just what he wrote on the vellum was enough to hang all the Jews in the Netherlands.But rabbits will bite people when they are in a hurry. The front is dead, and the back is dead, so these people really have nothing to be afraid of.

Anyway, after their death, Wan Guan's family wealth will benefit others, so it's better to take the opportunity to add trouble to the sworn enemy.

Moreover, even if the Jews survived, they would be used as a tool for usury and money-making (Christianity believes that usury is a sinful thing), and they will live a life of slaves who are blackmailed to death.

Instead of this, it is really better to defend.

"As long as Cousin Charlie agrees to Enrique II's request to exchange Navarre for the Netherlands, then I will propose to Princess Juana after the matter subsides." William Tudor specifically told Solomon before he left Some whispers: "I still want to sit safely in this seat, so it is impossible to change your status quo, but I will do my best to repay your efforts. It has nothing to do with race or belief, just the trader and the traded relationship with the

"If there is a war in the Netherlands, I will turn a blind eye to your smuggling of women and children, and at the same time say hello to the English Navy. You... have a good trip!"

"Your promise will be my greatest reward." Solomon saluted William Tudor solemnly.

After Richard Cromwell took it away, he couldn't help asking: "Do you really believe that the Netherlands will make the Spanish emperor suffer?"

It's not that Richard Cromwell looked down on Jews, it's that he really didn't think unarmed businessmen could do that.

William Tudor glanced at the incredible Richard Cromwell, stared at the drizzle outside the window and said, "If you were standing in his seat, what else wouldn't you be able to do?"

Richard Cromwell was speechless, and he could only mutter about making the merchants of the Netherlands catch up with the good times, so as to fight for the marriage of Princess Juana and the Prince of Wales.

"They really have them." William Tudor drew three lines on the window, representing the three powers that the merchants of the Netherlands had persuaded.

France on military pay.

German princes with arms.

And the bribed Queen Suleiman and the mother of the Crown Prince - Locke Serana.

When these three major forces counterattacked against the Spanish emperor...

It is estimated that Charles V will seriously consider Enrique II's proposal.