Within a month, Pope Alexander VII's decree quickly spread throughout the European continent.
Of course, the first one to get the news was the Kingdom of France, which was closest to Rome. At this time, the French Prime Minister and Cardinal Richelieu had been dead for more than ten years, and the successor Cardinal and Prime Minister was Mazarin.
Richelieu had countless readers, and Mazarin was able to gain Richelieu's discernment and recommend him to serve as Prime Minister of France and Cardinal of the Diocese, which shows that this man is quite capable.
In fact, Mazaran is indeed a powerful person.
After he took over as Prime Minister of France, France continued to maintain the development momentum during Richelieu's period, and also made France the biggest winner of the Thirty Years' War.
After attending the conference in Rome, Mazarin met with the Queen Mother of France as soon as possible after returning to Paris.
Because King Louis XIV of France was only 15 years old at this time, which was only 16 years old in imaginary years, the Queen Mother Anne of Austria was the regent, and the Prime Minister and Cardinal Mazarin was the assistant.
Anne not only respected Mazarin, but also had great favor.
The reason is also very simple. Mazarin was not only good at governing the country, he was also very good at bed, and he was good at work. Anne was often served by him as much as she wanted, so she would obey him in all matters big and small.
After driving away the maid, Anne sat directly on Mazarin's lap.
Then he put his arms around Mazaran's neck and asked: "Dear, what do you think we should do?"
Mazarin said suddenly: "That old guy Alexander VII called for the Second Crusade. He obviously had the idea of reviving the prestige of the Catholic Church and trying to take this opportunity to suppress the Orthodox Church and the Protestant Church."
"So that's it." Anne said, "Then we can't agree to it."
"No, you still need to agree." Mazaran moved his hands unscrupulously on Anne's body while being lost in his own contemplation, "The rise of the Ming Empire in the far east is an indisputable fact. The force sent by the Netherlands to the Far East
It is also true that the huge expedition fleet was completely annihilated by the Ming Navy, so it is still necessary to launch the Second Crusade. The Western world cannot allow the Ming Empire in the Eastern world to continue to grow, but must destroy it.
"
"Ah? But even if we defeat the Ming Dynasty, we can only let the Holy See take advantage." Anne said with some confusion, "We in France have to send money and troops, but in the end we make wedding dresses for others?"
"This is the key." Mazarin said, "France must compete for the leadership of this Eastern Crusade. In short, the leadership of the Second Crusade must not fall into the hands of the Holy See."
Although Mazarin is a cardinal of the French diocese, his political stance is French.
In fact, the cardinals in France are relatively independent and are almost an independent diocese.
"I'm afraid this will not be easy, right?" Anne frowned, "Alexander VII will never give up his leadership."
Mazarin pondered for a moment and then said: "Of course it will be difficult for us as a French family to do it alone, but if we can unite the Kingdom of Sweden and the Kingdom of England, we will have a great chance of winning the leadership of this Eastern Expedition."
While the two were talking, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the palace, followed by the maid's loud dissuasion: "Your Majesty, you can't go in. The Queen Mother is discussing state affairs with the bishop."
Then there was a snap, followed by a slightly childish roar: "Get out of here!"
Hearing this childish roar, Anne quickly stood up from Mazarin's lap, and reluctantly put down her tutu to cover the bottom of her skirt.
Mazaran also quickly stood up and pulled up his pants.
When the Sun King Louis XIV walked in, the two were already sitting opposite each other.
"Your Majesty!" Mazarin stood up from his chair and saluted Louis XIV.
Anne asked Louis XIV seriously: "Your Majesty, is the concert over?"
"It's over a long time ago." Louis XIV looked at Anne suspiciously, sniffed twice more, and asked, "What smell? What is this smell?"
[In view of the general environment,
Mazarin and Anne's expressions immediately fell.
What does it smell like? Needless to say, it’s of course the smell of bodily fluids.
Anne couldn't help but feel a look of sadness on her face. The emperor had grown up, which meant that she was old. She would have to be more leisurely in her trysts with Mazarin or other lovers in the future, and she could no longer be as unscrupulous as before.
Although Louis XIV was young, he had already demonstrated extremely sophisticated political skills.
After giving a small blow to his romantic Queen Mother and Mazarin, the Prime Minister, Louis XIV immediately changed the topic to business matters. This was the main reason why he desperately broke into the Queen Mother's palace today.
"Mother, Bishop Mazarin, has the Holy See issued a decree calling on the entire Western world to launch a second crusade against the Ming Empire in the Eastern world?"
Annie said: "That's what happened."
Mazaran: "I am discussing this matter with the Queen Mother."
Louis XIV said: "Bishop Mazarin must support the Eastern Expedition, right?"
"Yes, I fully support the Eastern Expedition." Mazarin nodded and said, "This is the responsibility and obligation of our Kingdom of France. As the saying goes, if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. If we, the Kingdom of France, want to dominate the entire Europe, we must do it.
Europe has shouldered the heavy burden, and this Eastern Expedition is an excellent opportunity."
It must be admitted that Mazarin's political vision is indeed sophisticated.
Of course, his assessment of the strength of the Ming Empire was completely wrong.
At this time, the Ming Empire was far beyond what the Western world could contend with. Even if the entire Western world and the Arab world united, it would be useless. That is, Europe could only survive if they were too far apart.
Louis XIV immediately said: "I support your decision, but there is a condition."
Looking at Louis XIV's threatening eyes, Queen Anne could not help but frown: "What conditions?"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "I also want to participate in the Eastern Expedition!" Louis XIV said with high spirits, "I want to become the second Richard the Lionheart and lead the European coalition to defeat the Ming army!"
"This is impossible, don't even think about it!" Queen Mother Anne flatly refused.
This was not because she was worried that Louis XIV would threaten her own status after he took over the throne, but because she was worried that once Louis XIV did something bad on the battlefield, she would lose her foundation as a queen mother and would definitely be expelled by then.
But Mazaran's expression suddenly changed and he came up with a brand new idea.
At that moment, Mazaran said to the Queen Mother Anne: "Your Majesty, I think this is a good idea."
"What?" Anne stared at Mazarin in disbelief and asked angrily, "Bishop Mazarin, are you crazy? Louis XIV is still a child, he is only fifteen years old!"
Louis XIV smiled and said to Mazarin: "Prime Minister, the task of persuading the Queen Mother is left to you. I have to go and train equestrian with the palace guard."
After saying this, Louis XIV turned and left.
Queen Anne was still angry and glared at Mazaran and said: "Mazarin, what are your intentions? Why do you allow your majesty to personally lead the troops to participate in the Crusades? Guns and cannons on the battlefield don't have eyes. What if?
What good is your Majesty? Who do you want me to count on in the future? Do you want me to count on you as the Prime Minister?"
"Queen Mother, please calm down for now." Mazaran was not in a hurry and said with a smile, "Listen to what I have to say."
"Tell me." Queen Mother Anne sat down on the stool angrily and said with a face, "I want to see what kind of flowers you can name, huh!"
Mazarin said: "Queen Mother, I have told you before that the leadership of this Eastern Expedition must not fall into the hands of the Holy See, nor the hands of the Holy Roman Empire, but can only be led by our Kingdom of France.
, if the King of France takes part in the expedition himself, it will undoubtedly greatly increase the weight of the Kingdom of France in this Eastern Expedition."
Annie frowned and said, "That's what I say, but the battlefield is too dangerous. The soldiers are fierce and dangerous."
"Not really." Mazaran said with a smile, "To participate in the Crusades, you don't have to fight.
If there is no situation, His Majesty can stay in the relatively safe rear and dispatch supplies. What's more, we in France also have Prince Condé and Dureny, two of the most outstanding commanders in Europe. With their protection, what can happen to Your Majesty?
"
"Speaking of Prince Condé, don't you think, Your Majesty, that his limelight has eclipsed His Majesty?" Anne said unhappily, "If this Eastern Expedition is won again, wouldn't Prince Condé's reputation be even greater?
Loud? Will it threaten His Majesty’s power and status?”
"Queen Mother, you have finally hit the point." Mazarin said with a smile, "It is precisely because of this that Your Majesty wants to participate in this Crusade, because if he does not participate, Condé will be able to use his name as the head coach of the French Army.
He has received the greatest honor, and if His Majesty participates in this Eastern Expedition, of course, the head coach of the French Army will be Your Majesty."
After hearing this, Anne finally stopped saying anything. She had been convinced by Mazaran.
But Mazarin knew that just convincing the Queen Mother Anne was not enough, she also had to wear sleeping clothes.
At that moment, Mazaran came over, hugged Anne, and said with a smile: "Queen Mother, let's continue."
"No." Anne pretended to struggle for a moment and then said, "Maybe your Majesty will come back."
"No, your Majesty will not come back again." Mazaran said with a smile, "Didn't the Queen Mother hear the meaning of what he just said? Your Majesty means that as long as we support him in participating in this Eastern Expedition, he will treat us
Turn a blind eye to the relationship, close one eye, and never ask questions again, so he will give us enough time and opportunities."
As he spoke, Mazaran pushed Anne down on the couch, and then pressed her on top of her.
After a while, a blushing murmur could be heard in the palace of the Queen Mother of France.
Mazarin's eyes moved up, just in time to see Louis XIII hanging on the wall, looking at him quietly.
