monarch

Sitting opposite the king, Cecil watched Edward tear off the sealing seal of the envelope without saying a word, and pulled out the two thin sheets of letter paper inside.

The king gently unfolded the folded letter papers, put them on the tip of his nose, and took a deep breath.The letter paper carried the strong smell of salt in the sea breeze, which was the trace left by two weeks of sea voyage.He gently stroked the corners of the letter paper with his fingers, imagining that Robert's fingers touched the place he touched half a month ago.

The king carefully smoothed the letter on his knees and began to read.

"Dear Your Majesty,

This is the second letter in September, and a week has passed since I last wrote to you.If I could decide, I would write you a letter every day, but it would be a torture for those poor station officials, so I can only count the days and wait for you. Opportunity to write a letter.

I attended the farewell ceremony of Emperor Charles V today, and frankly, it was a poignant scene.The emperor's mind was still keen, and his soul was still tough, but the mortal body made him unable to bear that kind of burden, and it seemed that it would not be long before he would turn into dust again like countless giants in history.

Your brother-in-law summoned me after the farewell ceremony, and he spoke of the two Spanish treasure ships, which evidently irritated him a little.He was very excited about the loss of this money. I think the speed of Spain's financial deterioration may have exceeded our previous estimates. Regarding this matter, I think you can ask Mr. Cecil to investigate.

I also saw your sister today, she hasn't been seen in public for a long time.Things didn't look too good for her, and it was clear that the warm weather of Spain would do nothing more than delay the inevitable.Although I know this is what she deserves, all this still makes me feel a little sad, she is really an unfortunate woman.

Another interesting thing happened today. The Count de Epernian who came to trouble me before came to provoke me again today, but this time, he was obviously fully prepared and brought He hired several people to be his own helpers..."

Cecil saw that the king's breathing became short of breath, and his fingers gripping the letter became so hard that even his knuckles began to turn white.

The king read a long paragraph at a glance, his whole body was tense, and he did not relax until the end of the passage:

"...So in the end I kept one of their horses as compensation, and left the other horses where they were. The person who wanted to oppose me behind this matter was naturally the good prince. , he has been hostile to me since I came to this country. I pray every day that he grows up healthy and one day succeeds his father. Seriously, I am very much looking forward to the day he becomes king of Spain , that may be the day when this country will be condemned by God.”

"Although it is already September, the weather here is still suffocating. Although the little exercise I did on the way home didn't hurt me, it still made me sweat. some Spaniard blood, and I'll miss holding His Majesty in the water when I'm alone in the tub at night..."

The king's face turned red like that of a drunken person. Cecil lowered his head nonchalantly, opened the folder in his hand, and rummaged through it.

After Edward finished reading the letter, he refolded the letter paper, stuffed it into the envelope, and put the envelope in his arms and put it close to his body.

"Okay, what report do you want to tell me about?" He coughed deliberately and asked Cecil loudly.

As a faithful servant should be, Mr. Cecil was always blind to what he should not see; he was always deaf to what he should not be hearing.

As if in the king's study, he gracefully took out a report from the folder.

"Your Majesty, there is news from our businessmen in the Netherlands that Spain may increase taxes in the Netherlands. There are already related rumors in the markets of Antwerp and Amsterdam. If this news is true, then this is already Spain has increased taxes in the Netherlands for the third time in as many years."

The king frowned slightly, "Sir Robert sent news from Spain that the King of Spain reacted very violently to the fact that the gold and silver on the two transport ships fell into our hands, and he believed that the deterioration of Spain's finances exceeded our expectations. .”

"I have also received some information from the bankers. You know, most of the bankers in London have close business contacts with their counterparts in continental Europe. At present, the banking industry in the whole of Europe is very important for Spain. Bonds are skeptical. At the beginning of next year, Spanish bonds will usher in a climax of maturity. King Philip is expected to repay the debt of more than 1000 million ducats in the first half of next year. Many people think that he will suspend the debt. pay."

The king supported his chin with his hand, watching the big trees on the side of the road receding quickly outside the window, "You mean, Spain will declare bankruptcy in the first half of next year?"

"I think there is no suspense." Cecil said with a smile, "From this point of view, the news of the tax increase in the Netherlands is probably not just a rumor in the market. If I were Philip's financial Minister, I can only make such a suggestion to him, to hold on for a while and wait until the battle with the French on the borders of Flanders and Picardy is completely decided before considering reducing military spending."

"In this way, Spanish bonds will become waste paper." The king bit his lips, "Those Dutch bankers seem to have taken on a lot of Philip's bonds?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, once Spain declares financial bankruptcy, the bankers in the Netherlands will suffer heavy losses. Most of them have decided not to buy any Spanish bonds anymore."

"And what about the nobles of the Netherlands? How did they react to the news of the tax increase?" The king leaned back on the seat back, his eyes still looking out of the window.

"Naturally, they are very dissatisfied. The nobles and merchants generally believe that the current tax rate is the maximum compromise they can make to the Madrid court. However, what they hate more than the adjustment of tariffs is the rumored stamp duty that will be levied Before that, all commercial taxes and duties imposed by Spain in the Netherlands were all indirect taxes. The merchants and nobles might be dissatisfied with this, but after all, these taxes can also be regarded as a way to regulate the business order. But stamp duty is a direct tax, and its purpose can only be explained in one way, namely, to extract as much money as possible from the Netherlands, the wealthiest possession of the Spanish Empire, without the consent of the local parliament. The nobles of the Netherlands generally believe that this will set a dangerous precedent, and if the stamp duty is implemented smoothly, it will open the door to more heavy taxes in the future." Cecil closed the folder in his hand, "They will do their best to Do everything possible to stop this tyranny."

"Includes the use of violence?" asked the king.

"I think so, Your Majesty. This unpopular policy will turn everyone who walks the streets of Amsterdam, The Hague, Antwerp, or Brussels into a potential powder keg with one or two popping up at any point." One flickering flame, and it sets off a cascade of explosions."

As if to explain what Cecil said, the wheels of the carriage hit a stone, and the body of the carriage bounced up suddenly, and then drove forward at high speed. The dull rolling sound of crushed stones.

"You mean a revolution is about to break out in the Netherlands." The king frowned at the sudden jolt.

"I think if King Philip really intends to throw the lighted torch into the powder magazine, the revolution will be inevitable, Your Majesty." Cecil lowered his voice so low that he was almost drowned by the sound of the wheels, "The fact In fact, some Dutch nobles have contacted our local representatives, and they have implicitly expressed their hope to gain our support in the possible revolution."

"What do they want from me?" asked the king.

"They want you to supply them with arms, muskets and cannon of all kinds, and as much powder as possible. Once the revolution breaks out, they want you to block the English Channel and prevent Spain from continuing by sea to their Legion of Flanders. Send supplies."

"So their wishful thinking is to let me help them resist the Spanish navy." The king looked at Cecil sharply, and his tone was full of indifference and mockery, "Is this a little too much?"

"They claim that they will arm 4 to [-] merchant ships as soon as possible to join your fleet, but the prerequisite is that you need to send an expeditionary force to land in the southern Netherlands. The total number of people should not be less than [-]. As for military expenses , they are willing to bear half of the amount.”

"Then what do I get?" said the king dryly, "although I sympathize with their situation, a war with Spain, plus the cost of sending 4 men to the Continent, is not a simple matter." A small sum."

"They suggested to my representatives that after the independence of the Netherlands, the independent Kingdom of the Netherlands would need a new king, and that this throne they would bestow upon the friend who had helped them most."

"The premise is to give them full autonomy?" The king raised his eyelids slightly.

"Indeed, Your Majesty." Cecil nodded.

"And what about the French?" the king continued. "Have they had any contact with the French?"

"It is said that they have also sent people to Paris." Cecil said, "Obviously, they hope that the French will put more pressure on the Spanish Flanders Legion on the border." This legion is the most elite in Spain An army of the United States, which annually spent one-third of the Spaniards' military expenditures, was the most immediate threat the Netherlands faced if they did declare independence.

"Then what did they promise the French?"

"I'm not sure about this, maybe some cities in southern Flanders?"

The king shook his head, "That's not enough to impress King Henry II. If I ask you, they offered the king of France the same price as they offered me."

"You mean the throne of the Netherlands?" Cecil asked.

"It's a pity that the Netherlands only has one crown, while the king of France and I have two heads." The king sneered, "These guys have a good plan, using an illusory throne to make the two most famous A powerful kingdom became a tool for them to seek independence."

"You mean it's a bad check?"

"Otherwise?" asked the king, "are they trying so hard to get rid of the yoke of Spain, just to be brought into her sphere of influence by another great power? After driving Philip away, are they eager to give themselves back again?" Looking for a foreign master?"

"The Netherlands is the crossroads of Europe, occupying the position where the Rhine River enters the sea. If we occupy the Netherlands, a closed North Sea trade circle will be formed. Our merchants can travel all the way along the Rhine River and the connected water system. Arriving in central Europe, by then the west of Germany will also be our sphere of influence, do you think the French will tolerate this situation? If the French occupy the Netherlands, then their eastern border will be extended to the Rhine, and Their military port will be built on the opposite side of the Thames River estuary, facing our capital, and our only stronghold on the European continent, Calais, will become an isolated island. I absolutely cannot accept this situation. Then in the end we The two sides can only take a step back and use an independent Netherlands as a buffer zone between France and Britain... What an ingenious plan to drive away tigers and wolves!"

"Then you are going to refuse their request."

The king's expression became even more indifferent, "But at present, our primary enemy is the Spaniards. Neither we nor the French hope that the Spanish forces will continue to occupy the Netherlands. You see, this is the cleverness of this plan. There is no way to refuse."

"Then how does His Majesty want me to reply?" Cecil continued to ask.

The carriage seemed to be driving from the gravel road to a harder road. The king looked out the window, and the figure of Hampton Palace had gradually emerged from the end of the woods.

"Agree to them first." Edward said softly, "Now they have not raised the flag of rebellion, so naturally they can make demands at will, and when they really face the Spanish army, it will be our turn to make conditions to them. Once Ned The Lan War really started, even if they wanted something from us, at that time they would be more straightforward when making conditions and give us some practical benefits, instead of trying to pull us into the game with a blank check like they are doing now."

"The gunpowder and weapons they need can be given to them. Since Philip is going to ignite this powder keg, we might as well sprinkle some more sparks on it." Edward gritted his teeth, "As for the throne of the Netherlands... the future will be long. "

The carriage drove through the gates of Hampton Court Palace.

The king nodded towards his minister, "Is there anything else?"

"That's all for now, Your Majesty."

"Very good." The king pushed open the car door, as if he had thought of something, he stopped his legs to go out, "If there is any news from the Netherlands in the future, please inform me as soon as possible."

After speaking, he stepped out of the car door and jumped to the ground without stepping on the pedal.

The King flew swiftly through the wide corridors, blind to the courtiers and servants who saw him and bowed to him on either side of the corridor.

His Majesty went straight back to his study. He walked behind his writing desk and removed a life-length portrait of Robert hanging there. On the wall behind the portrait was a heavy safe.

The king picked up the chain hanging around his neck, and on the chain hung a golden key. He inserted the key into the lock, turned it lightly, and opened the cabinet door.

The safe is full of identical envelopes, and every letter Robert sent from Spain is stored here in chronological order.

The king took out the newest envelope from his bosom, kissed the wax on the envelope lightly, held it with both hands, and placed the envelope on top of the pile of envelopes.

After doing all this, he closed the door of the safe, locked it again, and put the key next to his heart, with only a thin layer of skin between the tirelessly beating heart.