Mary Su Stuart

Antoine de Bourbon has always been considered meek and weak, indecisive.From the outside world, his faith seems to have been wavering, and his behavior is not decisive at all-he turned to Calvinism when he was in Navarre, and went to mass again when he was in Paris.

His wife did not hesitate to support Protestantism, but Navarre was considered a foreign country in France.In France, the young, enthusiastic, agile and aggressive Prince Condé is the number one leader of the Huguenots.

But nominally, the head of the Bourbon family is Antoine.He has “leadership responsibilities” toward his younger brother and even his wife.

Therefore, when Prince Condé's whereabouts were erratic, Henry II first summoned his elder brother and scolded him first in a letter.

Antoine, who was scolded, had to rush from the dukedom to Paris.On the way, he repeatedly thought about the king's accusation, and felt terrified in his heart.The pneumonia he contracted on the road made him die before reaching Fontainebleau.

The news of Antoine's death caused an uproar in the Valois court.Henry II received several ministers in succession, especially listening to Montmorency's opinion.The crown prince's highly respected teacher and justice Lobitard also spoke frankly, hoping that after the death of the two important figures, he would make amends and lead the situation in a better direction.

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It was night, and Mary and the Duke of Longueville, who had recently returned home, sighed, and suddenly received a lot of comfort from Francois when they returned home.

Since Mary entered the door, Francois followed her all the way and helped her remove her makeup... Even the maid who was ordered was very attentive.When the two sat down side by side, he caressed her hand and lowered his head slightly:

"Mary, my father has decided to suspend the pursuit of Prince Condé."

Oh, thought Mary, he was worried that she would be depressed by her "unable to avenge"...

"It is said that the assassin's words are changeable and inconsistent, and he seems to be full of lies. The ministers believe that if they act rashly, they may fall into the trap of the Protestants to split the country."

"They feel that the sudden death of the Duke of Vendome this time is a very bad sign."

"So, no matter Prince Condé or Coligny... even if the suspicion cannot be completely cleared, at present, it is not easy for father to pursue it severely."

"Unfortunately... the Duke of Guise is your relative..."

Mary held him instead, feeling a little regretful and helpless in her heart.Her tone was fairly calm. "No, dear Francois, don't worry about me. I had expected this result... Actually, from the perspective of the monarch, I can understand it."

She sighed: "The Duke of Longueville... I think he will understand."

Francois pressed his fingers a little harder: "Justice Lobitard made great efforts. Fortunately, the cardinal did not insist on objecting."

Well, Mary has learned that this Lobitard was originally recommended by the Guise brothers, and he also wrote Latin poems (certainly not as good as Ronza's) to praise the Duke of Guise's military exploits.Because he knows how to be grateful, the Cardinal of Lorraine admires him more, and he can still listen to his opinions... Unexpectedly, Lobitard is really capable.

"The justice also proposed to try to convene a new three-level meeting at the end of next month."

Mary was a little surprised by the news.She remembered that the three-level meeting was mainly for collecting new taxes and solving economic problems.The Valois royal family has basically had no foreign wars in the past few years. They only paid for the Swiss mercenaries in Scotland and made a fortune from the luxury goods manufacturing industry; property, and even enabled the royal family to successfully forgive some of its debts (some of the creditors were Protestants).Why, suddenly the economy is tight again?

Mary bluntly expressed her doubts: "Uncle Charles... the cardinal didn't say it was very difficult. The Scots, and the Swiss soldiers..."

François knew what she was most concerned about.He relieved: "Don't worry, my dear Mary. Even if there are some difficulties, it will definitely not affect the funding for Scotland. That is the share reserved early."

What he said was categorical, and Mary suddenly understood.

Heck, it's true that a skinny camel is bigger than a horse.

Even if France's finances are stretched, the annual income is at least four times that of the English court - the latter usually has more than 20, nearly 30 pounds, calculated according to 1:11, about... 300 million livres.According to François, combined with the feedback from the Cardinal of Lorraine, the income of the Valois royal family has jumped from 200 million to 400 million and is expected to increase year by year after increasing the income from the Mercury Mirror.

As for Scotland, its population is only 70, which is only about one-sixth of England and Wales; the proportion of its economic volume is even lower.After Mary's hard work in the past few years, the domestic regular income will only be 50 livres, which is barely one-sixth of that of her neighbors.Compared with France, it is not enough at all.

Therefore, it is relatively easy for France to help Scotland. The so-called "your hair is thicker than my legs" is true.

But France itself was still deeply troubled by financial problems.

Francois was explaining to Mary: "However, before the "Cato-Cambrezzi Peace Treaty", due to successive years of wars, the money owed is really amazing..."

Even Henry II, who enjoyed supreme royal power, did not dare to rest easy and say that he would not worry about debts—the country was his home.The Cardinal of Lorraine, who is currently in power, has neither the halo of the destined monarch, nor the royal steward Montmorency watching over him.In order to smooth the account and maintain his status, he really tried his best.

Lobitard then suggested another three-level meeting, just over two years after the last meeting.

"Moreover," Francois sighed, "this third-level meeting is not just for discussing taxes. For the past two years, my father has been exterminating the Protestants, but the result is not satisfactory, and he also lost the Duke of Guise and Wang Duke Dom..."

"Both Montmorency and the lady advised my father to calm down his anger and take advantage of this meeting to listen to opinions and coordinate the interests of all parties to see if they can find a more peaceful solution to the problem."

"If it's too tight, the string will break." Mary nodded. "We can take advantage of this meeting to integrate the needs of all levels, try to reconcile, and improve the financial situation."

Hearing this, Francois seemed to have hope, and his tone became high. "That's right, now that the Guise family has suffered setbacks, and Montmorency has regained an important position, the two sides are in a new balance... I really hope that after the convening of the third-level meeting, Mr. Lobitard's proposition can be implemented. implement."

As he spoke, Francois gave Mary a deep look. "His point of view is very similar to yours."

her point of view? "Behind religion are economic issues and the joint game between feudal lords and local self-government forces?"

François' eyes were shining. "Yes. He said that in the second rank, the great nobles like Prince Condé should take special precautions and control their actions to prevent him from gathering people in the name of Protestantism; as for the priests of the first rank, it is necessary to use eloquence to convince them Convince the lamb of God to be appeased; as for the third class, those citizens who call for city autonomy, they are the cornerstone of the kingdom, an important source of finance, and the objects that should be cared for..."

He touched his wife's face. "In these days, I have witnessed many... such as Scotland's pursuit of 'secular kingdom supremacy', more confidence to implement religious tolerance, and expand tax sources, and has gradually embarked on a stable road... Your people are well taken care of. I only hope to imitate one or two, so that the civil strife in France will stop."

Mary, who was praised, reminded him. "A secular society is indeed more suitable for the development of history than theocracy. However, Scotland is not a particularly good reference; after all, the national conditions are different, and the customs are very different. The nobles and citizens of France, the academic background of the priests... There are too many factors to consider .”

"What you said is very meaningful." Francois stamped her lips. "I see, dear Mary."

He put his arms around her slender waist, and his face was close, with a sense of solidity in his heart. "I will do my best..."

"I believe."

The two hugged each other quietly.After a while, he looked into her eyes again, with tender eyes, reluctant to part.

"I'm just sorry... we have to be separated temporarily again."

Without Mary needing to say anything, he already knew in his heart that she had just become the Regent of England, and she had worked far more than when she was the King of Scotland—it was a court vying for power. All previous efforts were wasted.This time she hurried back to Paris with herself, but in a few days, she had to go to London again.

Sure enough, Mary boarded the ship again before the third-level meeting was held.

However, Francois wrote down everything that happened during the meeting in detail in the letter.

For example, Jeanne, Queen of Navarre, the widow of the Duke of Vendome, did not show up, but a sad letter came.She stated that she remained true to her Protestant beliefs.However, she reluctantly agreed to allow her only son Henry, who was ten years old at the time, to go to Paris to receive some Valois court education under certain conditions in the future.

Prince Condé finally stopped hiding.However, he only dared to stay openly in the Bourbon fief, and did not take the initiative to meet the king.Occasionally, he still clamored to support the Huguenot cause.But after the results of the third-level meeting came out, he finally fell silent.

This three-level meeting, according to Lobitar's vision, eased some problems.For example, the first level, out of concern about the growth of Protestant forces, showed considerable sincerity and was willing to donate a sum of "support money" to help the royal family overcome financial difficulties.For example, the third level also expressed loyalty to the king and promised to obey the decision of "not holding any Protestant ceremonies in the city".Henry II reluctantly appeased the people and symbolically exempted some of the taxes that were destined not to be collected...

It may not be possible to say that the French really put down their arms and abandon their hatred; but at least, the royal family and representatives of all walks of life are willing to listen to each other and try to compromise with each other... There is still hope.Mary carefully put away the stack of parchment that came across the ocean, feeling silently.

She and Francois parted, and it was another half a year in a flash.

Half a year is enough for a lot to happen.

For example, Miss Fleming, Mary's valet, finally "returned to her hometown to get married" (this stalk is not funny and dangerous).Thank God, it was a safe journey and nothing happened.And the Queen of Scots, who only stayed in Edinburgh for three days, was quite relieved to leave the "big rear" to the newly married Maitland, and patted her horse's ass to rush to London.

The majestic England Regent, of course, has to "put all his heart on England affairs" to be decent.

Of course, she does not need to do many specific government affairs in person, she only needs to supervise the Privy Council.

Mary focused on spurring Secretary of State William Cecil.

Although the Duke of Norfolk is her most solid ally; but based on "historical records", Mary has more trust in the patriotic, shrewd and capable upstart Cecil.

——Even this Protestant, who was often entrusted by her with carte blanche to handle political affairs, still remembered the old master and met with him often.

And his old master, Her Majesty Elizabeth, has just made a decision that satisfies him as a nationalist: suspend marriage negotiations with the second son of the Holy Roman Emperor, Grand Duke Charles.

Therefore, the special envoy of Habsburg dealt with the Queen of England for a long time, listened to enough hypocritical words, and finally returned with a full stomach.

He's had enough of this capricious woman, and he's going to curse the devil's daughter, the biggest heretic in all of Europe!

Woe to women, even if this one has the kingdom of England as a dowry and looks worth it!

Mary heard that Elizabeth had a way of dealing with special envoys.She dawdled and mumbled.In the end, everything else was agreed, except for the most important religious issue, she refused to reach an agreement with Grand Duke Charles - she asked her future husband not to attend mass, not to receive communion, and not to worship the Virgin Mary; And, with her, must seriously participate in the preaching of the Protestant Anglican Church in England.

The Habsburgs are all faithful and pure Catholics, for the highest faith, never at all.To force them to betray the truth with the crown of England... Don't even think about it!

Mary laughed off the result.

It's totally expected.

Recently, however, something else happened that she didn't expect: John Knox, a fanatical Protestant who was supposed to be serving hard labor, escaped from the ship bound for Sweden.

Therefore, his "sponsor", the Duke of Langeville, who used to be known as "Toke", had to mobilize his staff to look for the Calvinist teacher again.

Mary felt ashamed of her half-brother.The Duke of Longueville was born in 1535 and is almost 30 years old. Because of her heavy responsibility, she has been running around in recent years, pretending to violate her beliefs, and doing some work that is close to espionage (although almost all of them are instructing subordinates, very not meet directly with Knox); not only wronged his noble background, but also delayed his marriage and childbirth...

What, another brother?The half-brother Lord Merry, four years older than Longwell, is still unmarried?Oh, that was his own choice—James had never stopped drinking and drinking at the French court.

Mary put down the letter from the ambassador to France, guessing the complaining look in Merry's eyes, but she refused to soften her heart and let him go back to Scotland—he, like another time and space, hoped to return to his hometown to "take power and regent".

However, Mary has been working hard to change the trajectory of fate, and he may never have the chance to get his wish.

But even if Mary considers herself a daredevil time-traveling woman, there are many unshakable historical trends.

The wheel of the times is rolling forward.

In October 1563, Cecil personally received a "young and promising" captain: John Hawkins.

He came from a seafaring family in Plymouth, and he traveled between Spain and the Canary Islands for many years.From last year to this year, he made a lot of money because of the pioneering trading method of "going to Guinea, buying a total of [-] slaves, together with the English products he brought along, and selling them on Little Spain Island; and then buying local sugar and selling it back home". The pen has become the benchmark of the industry.

Mary listened carefully to the Secretary of State's description of his deeds, and then suddenly realized - isn't this the notorious "triangular trade" in later generations?

The author has something to say: In history, Elizabeth rejected Archduke Charles with more complicated excuses... In fact, when both parties refused to convert, Archduke Charles made certain concessions.For the sake of Elizabeth, a "well-worthy disaster", he preferred to have Mass only in private.However, the Queen of England also said that "morality and religion are unified", and the Congress may not agree, and the man should come to England to discuss the marriage contract in person—as expected, Charles couldn't bear to refuse.

Of all Elizabeth's foreign suitors, only the last, the Duke of Alençon, came to London in person.However, the two sides said countless sweet words face to face, and they failed to reach an agreement.In the end, the Duke of Alençon returned to France "waving the garter booty"...

Hawkins and trade introduction, refer to Du Niangpedia.

Some data about the population and economic income of various countries in this article are based on the fourth volume of "Cambridge Economic History of Europe".But the actual number, the book also claims to be "uncertain".Therefore, as a novel, this article is not too tangled.The data can only guarantee that there are no major flaws, it may not be accurate...