Vol 5 Chapter 115: The Great Siege (28)

Ladislas II sat in the chair with a gloomy look, and his face was extremely ugly, which made the people standing in front of him nervous and restrained.
The King is now facing a difficult choice, whether to stay in Bucharest or return to Hungary immediately to preside.
The unexpected and fierce offensive of the Bosnian army made Ladislas II flat-footed. Think of Roua? He also contacted him secretly through Duke Karl of Caniola, but the Bosnians captured Sosborg shortly after. Ladislas II felt that Roy? Was really a guy with two sides and three swords.
But now is not the time to complain about the Bosnian. The king knows that the current situation is bad for him, and the choice to be made is extremely difficult.
For the Balkans, Ladislas II had great ambitions, just as his relatives in Poland remembered the territory of Moldova. Ladislas II also regarded the Balkans as a bag.
In addition, the Ottoman's step by step pressure also forced him to try to unite with the Balkan nobles to resist this terrible enemy.
Now that the Balkan resistance has caught Sudan, Hungary can be temporarily safe. If it really waits until the Balkans are completely conquered, it may be the time for the Ottomans to attack Hungary.
So the Balkans cannot easily give up, but Hungary is equally dangerous.
Although Ladislas II knew that the strength of the Bosnians alone could not threaten the entire Hungary, but with the fall of Sosborg, the copper mines of Hungary may fall into the hands of the Bosnians, this is the king It is unacceptable.
Ladislas II knew that Emperor Maximian had been coveting the copper mines in Hungary. For several years the emperor had been looking for various excuses to try to reach into southern Hungary because of his greed for the copper-producing regions.
For this reason, Ladislas II tried to stop Emperor Maximian at all costs, including his promise to give up the crown of Hungary to Maximian once he had no heirs, and he also took the initiative Made concessions and agreed that the merchant holding the emperor's permission would get the mining rights at the best price.
It's just that so many concessions didn't seem to impress the greedy emperor. Maximian tried to win the ownership of the entire mining area in southern Hungary more than once, which had to arouse the alertness of Ladislas II, and now The Bosnian invasion caused the king to worry that this might be an excuse for Maximian to intervene in Hungarian affairs.
Because of all these scruples, the king felt awkward and did not know how to make a decision for a while.
"Your Majesty, we should probably return to Hungary at once." An entourage finally broke the silence. "The Bosniacs have just gone through a fierce battle. If we can stop enough troops at this time, should we be able to teach that Ruva?"
The king looked up at the man. He knew that the suggestion was good. Although he spent most of his time in the palace of Prague, he knew that the Hungarians were still quite brave and warlike, so even if Sosburg was captured, Can you think of that Roy? It's impossible to lose everything.
If you can quickly defeat the Bosnians at this time, and then simply threaten the Ottomans from the direction of Hungary, think that even if you just make a gesture, it may force Bayesett to have to reconsider the strength of both sides.
Then there was a negotiation with the Ottomans. The bargaining chip could be to recognize the Ottomans' power over the occupied Balkans so far, and maybe Sophia ...
Ladislas II has begun to consider the next possibilities.
"The Ottomans might not give us this opportunity." Another person said with some concern. "They may directly send troops to support the Bosnians. If so, we may face the Sudan directly."
"is it possible?"
Ladislas II frowned, knowing that this was indeed the key. If the Ottoman army sent troops directly to help the Bosnians, it would mean that this would be the beginning of a full-scale war.
"Your Majesty is very likely, it depends on the success of the Bucharest war. If there is not much loss of the Sudan's strength after the capture of Bucharest, he may have a chance to invade Hungary."
Listening to the words of the people around him, the look on the king's face became darker. He knew that these people were right, and they even looked at things more optimistically, at least they didn't count the greedy emperor. among them.
It would be nice if someone could contain the Bosnians, even if it was only for a short period of time.
Ladislas II believed that his army in Hungary would not be defeated so easily by the Bosnians, so as long as it could be delayed for a short time, I believe that the Hungarian troops in other places could gather south, and then drove the Bosnians out of one fell swoop. Hungary.
But it is precisely this short duration that is the key.
If the Bosnians failed to stop the capture of Bauderbog before the army assembled, so that the Emperor Maximian had the opportunity to intervene in the affairs of South Hungary, then even if the Bosnians were finally driven away, things would become very bad. .
"Return to Hungary!"
The king almost said this sentence with his teeth clenched. He knew that the decision meant that he would probably lose his direct influence on the Balkans, but the importance of Hungary made him have to make a choice.
After hearing that the king had made a decision, several people around him couldn't help but look different.
And the face of Ladislas II was not good-looking. Sophia and Alexander disclosed their marriage contract at this time, which has made the king feel as if he was hit hard. Now, because of Hungary, he has to give up everything in Balkan. This made the king feel frustrated that everything he had done before was abandoned.
But the situation forced him to make such a decision, and Ladislas II felt exhausted for a while.
At this moment, a servant walked into the room carefully and said to the king: "Your Majesty, Lord Count Montina, please."
Ladislas II looked stunned. He said that since he had publicly announced the marriage contract, he never met the Count separately. He was very worried that he would do something because of emotional excitement that everyone regretted. Things, but this made the king even more annoyed, because he knew that in his heart he was already a little afraid of the young count.
In addition to fear of his plots and tricks, there is his army.
The several confrontations between the Montina Army and the Ottomans not only became Balkans, but also deeply shocked the King.
In addition to the tremendous lethality of the sharp firearms, what impressed the king the most was the rigid discipline of the Montina army.
The discipline that is so strict that it seems to have penetrated into the bones of every soldier has made this army form a tightly integrated whole that seems to be inseparable. In military uniforms, every soldier will involuntarily fall into that unusual stereotype.
Ladislas II saw the training of the Montina army with his own eyes. When he saw that the soldiers were only training one action, he began to feel boring, but later the Montina army's record made him I realized that it was probably the boring movements that were repeated all day long, so that these soldiers have gradually become a part of this army, rather than a single "person".
Such an army is terrible. Ladislas II did not know what would happen if there was a conflict with the count, but the happiest thing to think about was the Sultan of Bayset.
Because of this, after receiving the news of the Bosnian invasion of Hungary, the king had to choose to give in and acquiesced to the blessing of a non-doctrinal marriage contract proposed by the Patriarch of Bucharest.
Now what does the count want to do, mock me, or show off his victory?
The king's thoughts kept turning in his head, but he asked the attendant to come in.
As soon as he walked into the room, Alexander realized the depressed atmosphere. In addition to the unabashed hostility of those next to him, the king's deliberate indifference also made him aware that he should be an unwelcome guest.
"Your Majesty, I bring you a message." Looking at the king's gloomy face, Alexander said with a smile, he knew that he was probably the second most disgusting person of Ladislas II. As for the first one, sure Emperor Maximian.
"Don't tell if it's bad news, Count, what we lack most now is the disappearance of badness." The king said a little angrily, but then he smiled bitterly again. "Fortunately, things are not so bad. I heard that Zeppes's The army defeated the Ottomans on the east bank. This is probably the only good news now, but I heard that the Ottomans are chasing him, so he is retreating to the east. I hope he can get rid of the enemy. After all, he is the only one outside Bucharest. The army is fighting against the Ottomans. "
"May God bless you," Alexander said slowly after responding to his voice. "Your Majesty, these messages come from Croatia, to be precise, from the North."
Ladislas II's indifferent eyes instantly became sharp, his eyes fixed on Alexander.
"Herva, Duke of Zagreb, is leading his army to resist resistance behind the Ottomans, and has achieved great success. However, because the Bosnians invaded Hungary, the Duke is worried that the retreat may be cut off, so he is now moving towards the border. Retreat in the direction, if possible he will probably retreat near the Machek Mountains. "
Alexander ’s words instantly opened the king ’s eyes. He felt that his breath seemed a little heavy. After secretly calming the excitement in his heart, the king asked carefully:
Count, what do you think the Duke ’s move is for us all? Does it make sense? "
Looking at the face of Ladislas II with a knowing look, Alexander couldn't help but feel a little funny.
He knew that at this time Ladislas II was in a dilemma, but even then the king obviously did not want to bow his head easily.
It was just that although he wanted to continue to put some pressure on the king and wait for a while, after careful consideration, Alexander felt that he should not be forced too far.
Alexander was always on guard against Ladislas II.
The king has always been known for being timid and capricious, and because of this, no one can guarantee that he will not choose to have peace with the Ottomans in the face of great pressure.
And when he thought of Sophia being called Joan of Bucharest by some people, Alexander reminded himself that he must be cautious even at this seemingly dominant position, otherwise he will be defeated.
Another reason not to delay the showdown with the king for too long is that Emperor Maximian is not actually in Vienna, but in troubled Switzerland.
The defeat of Schwa, a pro-empire in the Swiss Civil War, caused the emperor to have to come down to cheer for his younger brother.
But in this way, the emperor's containment of Hungary was weakened, just because the news was blocked, so Ladislas II did not know that this was undoubtedly good news for him.
What Alexander wants to do is seize this rare opportunity.
"The Duke can contain the Bosnians on the front line of Miceqi," Alexander said slowly, and he should give the king enough time to let him think about the benefits. "Or he should continue to retreat. After all, the Ottomans The siege has cost the Duke a great deal. "
Ladislas II made a heavy hum in his nose, the tone was dull, like the sound of bubbles bursting from an old wine barrel.
"So what do you want," the king tried to struggle despite guessing, "I can provide you with a sufficient amount of remuneration, I believe you should know that the Venetian is very generous in exchange for security, and I can send someone Tell them to send the money they should pay me this year directly to your territory. "
Alexander's heart jumped, and he couldn't help but think about the number of hundreds of thousands of Florin.
But compared with the huge benefits of copper mines, this "protection fee" is really nothing.
"Your Majesty, I don't want this," Alexander replied calmly, watching the look on the king's face as if it would be gloomy at any time under the storm, he said slowly but very firmly "I will be with the Duke of Zagreb Contact, his people can attack the Bosniacs from the rear, so that you can get enough time for you. As far as I know, the Hungarian army is preparing to counterattack, but it will take time. "
A moment of annoyance flashed across Ladislas II's face. If he needed anything now, it was precisely time.
It is undoubted that Hilva can get enough time for him, but the price he should pay makes the king hesitate.
"What count do you want?" Just after asking, Ladislas II whispered again, "Please think clearly before you say, your chances are not many."
Alexander was not frightened by the king's bluff, he thought for a moment and stretched out two fingers.
"Two things, one is the throne of Bosnia."
Ladislas II opened his eyes wide and looked at Alexander, as if to see from his face whether it was a joke.
"Do you want the Bosnian throne?"
"No, it's Helva," Alexander shook his head slightly. "He is one of the most qualified candidates to be called the King of Bosnia, and I hope you can support his claim to the Bosnian throne."
Ladislas II looked at Alexandria silently, he was thinking about the pros and cons of this matter to himself, and after a moment of thought, he was surprised to find that it seems that no matter what aspect, Alexander ’s condition is extremely important to him advantageous.
If Helva can be called the King of Bosnia, with his hostility towards the Ottomans, Bosnia is likely to be the front line against the Ottomans in the future, which makes Bosnia undoubtedly the strongest ally of Hungary.
Even if Helva ca n’t shake the status of Luva, which is backed by the Sudan, a throne battle is enough to weaken Bosnia ’s power, and it may even make this country a buffer zone between Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.
And even if Hurva fails, Ladislas II himself will not lose anything, so this can be said to be a favorable and harmless condition.
But the king cares more about the second condition.
Sure enough, as soon as Alexander spoke, Ladislas II's heart burst into anger.
"Count, do you mean that you want to obtain the mining rights of Bauderbog?" The king's face was uncertain, and several people in the room had already seen that he was on the verge of eruption.
"Accurately speaking, 30 years of mining and sales rights, Your Majesty."
Alexander did not know whether there is a so-called 99-year lease term, but he heard that the Venetians bought the dominance of two islands on the Adriatic Sea from the original Bosnian king.
But he knew not to say that Ladislas II would not agree to the unrealistic condition of permanent exploitation of the right to nearly cede the territory, even if the 99-year ownership period is unlikely to agree.
And Alexander did not want to make such a request, because he knew that the Kingdom of Hungary would not last that long.
If no major changes have taken place in history, the Kingdom of Hungary will probably only have more than 20 years of life left, and then this kingdom will be annexed by the Ottomans and the Holy Roman Empire of the Habsburg family.
So thinking about this not-too-distant future, Alexander felt it was better to be realistic.
Even so, Ladislas II still showed an angry look.
"Count, don't you think this condition is an insult, or you forgot to stand in front of you are the kings of Bohemia and Hungary, the electors of the Holy Roman Empire, descendants of the Jagiellonian family."
Anger flashed in the king's eyes, and when he stared at Alexander, it was as if the falcon was watching its prey.
It was just that the king's momentum did not scare Alexander. Instead, looking at the angry look of Ladislas II, the last worry in Alexander's heart disappeared.
In his opinion, the reason why Ladislas II was angry was not so much as insulting him, it was as if the condition was like a ruthless iron fist, which hit the king's softest abdomen hard.
Only those who are desperate will be angry because they are helpless, and Alexander knows where Ladislas II ’s weakness lies.
"Your Majesty, if the Ottomans continue to advance, they will directly threaten the security of Bauderbocher. I believe you must be very clear that once the entire south falls into the hands of pagans, the imperial emperor cannot ignore them."
Hearing Maximian's name, a moment of anger flashed across the king's face.
The Holy Roman Empire Maximian had many powerful enemies in his life. Ladislas II was not the weakest among them, but it was obviously the most unlucky.
Maximian never concealed his ambitions for the thrones of Bosnia and Hungary. This is the kind of painful feeling that Ladislas II always seemed to be held by a sharp knife on his neck.
When he heard that the Bosnians were about to invade Hungary, the first thing he thought about was how to deal with the emperor Maxima taking the opportunity to intervene in Hungarian affairs. In the eyes of the king, this danger was even more imminent than the Bosnian invasion.
Now hearing the threat of Alexandria, the anger of the king instantly rose to his heart, but then he reasonably told him that the danger from the emperor was indeed much greater than that of the Bosnians.
Looking at the silent expression of the king, Alexander had really completely let go of his mind at this time.
He knew that he had taken a coincidence that no one could imagine. The king could not know that Emperor Maximian had just left Vienna to solve the Swiss trouble at this time, and he would not have thought of the seemingly serious situation. In fact, Subtle changes have taken place as Hurva enters the Machek Mountains.
When receiving the news that Hurva's army entered the Machek Mountains, Alexander was so suffocated that she picked up Sophia in the face of the crowd and excitedly kissed her.
This even stunned Busaco, who was quite familiar with Alexander's manner.
While Alexander looked at the inexplicable men with all his faces, he could only shout in his heart: "Success!"
Herva ’s smooth entry into Hungary meant that he had reached some kind of tacit agreement with Ayrup, the governor of the occupied area.
Under Arup ’s arrangement, Hurva ’s army successfully avoided Bosnia and Ottoman siege. At this time, Hurva not only got rid of it, but also successfully blocked the Bosnian retreat!
Hurva has taken the initiative on the battlefield facing the Ottomans, so on another battlefield, what kind of results did the Alexander Conference achieve?
Alexander steadily lifted the glass in front of him, his eyes met the king, and then slowly took a sip of red wine.
After some time ~ EbookFREE.me ~ is the mining right and selling right of Bauderbach? "After a long wait, the king spoke. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the young man in front of him. He asked in a tone that seemed helpless but unquestionable." So what do you use as collateral for these two powers? " Well, do n’t tell me that you do n’t have any mortgage, and I wo n’t agree to such a shameful condition. "
Alexander smiled. He took a well-sealed document from the bag around his waist and handed it to the king.
"Your Majesty, what I want is a successful transaction rather than an enemy with you or anyone, so I believe this is enough to compensate you for your loss in Bauderburg."
The king was slightly curious about the result of the document. When he saw the content above, Ladislas II's always gloomy face finally showed a weird expression that he could not say surprise or joy.
"This is your bargaining chip?" The king asked stupefiedly, and then looked at Alexander with a complex eye. "Count, I can't help but admit that I never really knew you."
He said that the king put the document on the table, and it just read "Sugar book for sale".