According to the agreement with Prince Otto, after making preparations, Aiglon left the city of Ioannina with his entourage and a group of guards, and marched toward the southern border.
In order to celebrate Prince Otto's coronation as the king of Greece, he had already been to Athens once before to participate in the celebration. The atmosphere at that time was harmonious and warm, and everyone was cheering for the king and cheering for him.
But this time, it was much more tense. After his deliberate manipulation during this period, everyone felt that Duke Leichstetter was restless again, and the war that had just subsided in the Balkans might be reignited.
Some people are cheering for this, and some are worried about it. However, no matter what, only Aigron and a handful of his cronies know that this tense atmosphere is just a cover-up, and he has no intention of going to war now.
Now, he has to work hard to quell the flames he created with his own hands.
A few days later, Aigron and his party arrived at a small town on the border and camped in the wilderness on the outskirts of the town; King Otto and his party also arrived at this small town at about the same time.
Now, both of them are the de facto rulers of a country. Although both countries have limited strength, the proper pomp and ceremony must be done. They both brought a guard of honor to pay tribute to themselves and the other party.
The autumn weather makes people feel relaxed and happy. In the warm and comfortable cool breeze, accompanied by the roar of salutes and the cheers of people, the two people, surrounded by a large group of followers wearing various uniforms, met in an open space.
noodle.
The cheers around him were deafening, but Aiglon had long been accustomed to this kind of scene, so he didn't pay much attention. He focused on King Otto opposite.
After not seeing each other for a few months, this young man has grown taller, his expression has become more serious as an adult, and his gestures have become more like a king. This demeanor, coupled with his new and flashy appearance,
The bright uniforms and medals made King Otto even more majestic.
However, if you want to be a good king, it is not enough to show off your style. In other aspects, young Otto still has a lot to learn and adapt to.
Aigron looked at the other person with a smile while quickly approaching him, and Prince Otto also walked towards him.
Soon, the two groups of people came together. The two leading people faced each other, then stretched out their hands and hugged each other to show the friendly and intimate relationship between the two people and the two countries.
Although he was very polite on the surface, and his demeanor and movements calmly displayed the majesty that a king should have, Aigron still saw a trace of nervousness in King Otto's eyes at close range.
This is normal. After all, just a few months after he ascended the throne, he encountered the problem of possibly having to fight. It would be a bit of a headache for anyone, let alone a child who is only about thirteen years old? Aigron also felt that this was not the case.
We understand each other very well and will not despise the other party because of it.
"Otto, my brother, I haven't seen you for a few months, and I'm very happy to see you again." After the two people's arms separated, in order to show their kindness, Aigron only called each other by his first name, "And I'm even more excited.
I am happy that you have won the support of your subjects so quickly, and I feel lucky for this country."
"It is an honor for me to receive such praise from you, Your Highness." Otto also smiled reluctantly, trying to express his kindness to Aiglon, "I am very grateful for everything you have done to stabilize my country, and I will continue to do so.
I will perform my duties with the utmost enthusiasm and hope to receive more help and guidance from you in the future..."
"Of course, I will do my best to help you. After all, we have the same interests now, and our two countries share weal and woe." Aigron smiled and nodded, "I believe that today we can show the outside world that we are
Remain determined to uphold these principles, and as long as we continue to stand together, we will win anything."
After hearing these words, King Otto felt a little embarrassed and did not answer for a while.
He didn't want to fight, but he didn't dare to offend Aigron and affect the relationship between the two parties. Logically speaking, Aiglon was the one who appointed him to be the king of Greece, and he had always helped him maintain his rule and was kind to him.
From a political point of view, Aiglon has always had close allies in Greece. If he offends him, the foundation of his rule will be seriously shaken, and unexpected events may even occur.
So now he is also in a dilemma and it is a bit difficult to make a choice.
Presumably, King Otto is also worried about how to calm down the possible war without offending Aiglon.
Aigron could see what the other party was thinking, and he was secretly amused in his heart. However, he still acted smug and ambitious to hint that he was really going to make big moves, so he gave
This creates a greater sense of crisis for the other party.
In this way, the two people had their own thoughts, but still completed the courtesy greetings with impeccable manners. Then, under the cheers of their respective guards and honor guards, they walked to the big tent that had been prepared in advance.
Although the tent was large, not many people could come in. Aigron brought his captain of the guard Andre Davout, his secretary Laion, and several other personal entourage; King Otto also only brought his own
Several accompanying officers brought from Bavaria.
Now is the time to really talk about the big issues.
"Otto, please sit down." Aigron politely acted like a host inviting guests, and sat down first, then motioned to Otto, who also sat down obediently, but his expression was a bit hesitant to speak.
end.
Aigron was not in a hurry, he leaned back on the chair contentedly, and his entourage immediately poured wine for the two of them.
Because he was so worried, Otto couldn't sit still for the first time. He just took a sip of the wine glass and quickly asked.
"Your Highness... I have heard a lot of rumors about you recently. I don't know whether they are true or not, so I kindly ask you to answer my questions like an elder brother. Can you?"
"Of course, Otto, just ask if you have anything." Aigron spread his hands, "I will answer you everything I know, as always."
"Are you really planning to fight?" Otto stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point, "From the information I have received, you have been mobilizing the army and gathering them towards the northern and eastern borders...
I wrote to ask you about this, but you didn't give me a clear answer. Today, I would like to take the opportunity to meet with you to get your personal answer. Can you think of it?"
"Before I answer, can I ask what your attitude is on this?" Aigron asked calmly, "Otto, your opinion is also of reference value to me."
Otto became even more nervous. He was deeply afraid that he would say the wrong thing next and make the famous young man opposite him angry.
He subconsciously looked to the side, and the several Bavarians in his eyes finally gave him some courage. He mustered up the courage and said the words he had discussed with his staff before. "Your Highness, what are you saying to me?"
Like a brother, I am completely confidant to you, so we should speak freely and hold nothing back. I admit that my citizens are full of revenge and hatred towards the Turks, and they are very happy to have oppressed the Turks for centuries.
Make reasonable revenge, but I think this does not mean that now is the time for a war... Our country is small and weak, and it has just emerged from a decade-long war, and everything is still in vain.
Xing, we really cannot withstand the ravages of a large-scale war. We are very willing to join hands with the Principality of Ioannina to fight against the evil enemy. However, I and my ministers believe that now is not the best time and we need to wait patiently.
a period of time."
After a pause, as if he was afraid that Aigron would become angry, he immediately added, "However, my people are full of respect for you, and we are willing to provide help to the best of our ability. If you really want to do it, we will provide it."
Provide material support within our capabilities. If anyone is willing to volunteer to fight for you, the Greek government will never stop it. We wish you all the best and will pray to God for you."
After hearing this, Aigron laughed secretly in his heart.
Obviously, the following paragraph was thought up by Otto and his staff in order to appease themselves. Although it sounds good, it has no real meaning. Provide material support, but there is no specific number and scale. Give it as you want, whatever.
You can stop it at will if you don't want to; as for "praying to God", if this kind of thing was useful, Constantinople would already belong to the Greeks, so why wait until today?
Therefore, no matter how nice it is, it is nothing more than a tactful expression of wishing to stay out of the matter. If Aigron really wants to fight, then the help he can get will definitely not be too much.
However, Aigron was not angry that King Otto did not side with him. On the contrary, he was quite happy.
Although he received a crown at a young age, Prince Otto still has some sense and knows that this world is not a place where he can do whatever he wants.
That's fine, Aigron is really afraid that the little guy's enthusiasm will get the better of him, which will eventually bring big trouble to everyone and make himself self-defeating.
"Otto, I thank you for your kindness to me, and I also understand your current difficulties. As a witness to the Greek War of Independence, I witnessed the huge sacrifices made by this country before its birth, so I, like you, do not agree at all.
It is completely inappropriate to be willing to allow it to devote itself to the sacrifice of the God of War less than a year after the founding of the country." Aigron looked at the other party with a smile, and then answered unhurriedly, "Furthermore,
Please rest assured that this war will not start, we just need to put on a posture."
"Huh?" Otto was dumbfounded by this answer. He was completely shocked.
In other words, Duke Leichstetter made such a grand gesture, but in the end it was just to create momentum? This is simply unbelievable.
Although he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and was relieved of his biggest worry, his heart seemed to be blocked by something and he felt extremely uncomfortable.
"Why did you do this?" In confusion, he couldn't help but ask Aigron.
The subtext is that nothing is wrong. Why are you bothering everyone so much?
"Otto, don't you feel it? In order to consolidate your and my rule, we need to put on such a posture to let the people remember that they need us." Aigron suddenly stopped smiling, and then reached out to pat the other party. shoulder, "You have only been in this kingdom for a few months. You have not participated in the war of independence before, nor have you paid any price for it. The people only welcomed you as king because you come from a noble and long-standing family. This Very good, but not reliable enough. Your prestige only comes from your surname and not from you personally. You have not established your own authority. Only your own authority is the real authority, Otto."
Otto was confused at first, then seemed to understand something.
"You mean that creating crises and making noise is not for the purpose of fighting, but to make the people feel that they are facing a powerful enemy, so as to unite the people's hearts?"
"Yes, yes, you are indeed very smart." Aigron nodded again, "You have just arrived, and your achievements and prestige are not enough, so don't you urgently need some opportunities to create prestige? And now is an excellent time. Now, I have brought you an opportunity... Otto, I want you to know that nothing can unite people's hearts more than hatred. As long as you become the carrier of hatred, then the people will remember that you are the protector of this nation. Naturally, it will gain the prestige it deserves."
Otto suddenly realized it, and countless ideas suddenly came to his mind.
He doesn't want to fight, but if he can avoid fighting and gain the support and prestige of the people just by showing off, this will be tempting enough for him.
He looked at the cronies next to him, and their eyes and expressions were also quite confused, obviously they hadn't gotten over the shock just now.
"Do you really not want to start a war?" He asked again carefully for final confirmation.
"I guarantee you with my honor that I don't want to fight, and I won't fight." Aigron solemnly promised the other party, "Now I am just doing something that is beneficial to both of us. You all have similar needs. If you want to gain support, you can either lead the people to wealth and prosperity, or lead them to resist the invasion of evil and powerful enemies. Since we are unable to bring wealth and prosperity to our respective countries immediately, we might as well try If you want to try the latter, you might as well join me in shouldering the burden of defending the country and the nation, and this is why I specially met with you."
King Otto is in a complicated mood and doesn't know what to do. He feels that he can't make a decision now and needs to discuss it with his ministers. But at least, he doesn't have to worry about his country being inexplicably thrown into a war. It's risky.
If it was just a performance, it would really work! He thought to himself.
Since Duke Lychstatt can act, why can't he act? In any case, as long as he is tough on the Turks, the Greeks will definitely cheer him, not to mention that if the two countries advance and retreat together, he can also gain more favor.
"Please allow me to discuss this with the important ministers." After a moment, he replied hesitantly.
"No problem, Otto, we don't need to make a decision now, it's just a posturing anyway." Aigron spread his hands lazily, "It's rare to have free time, how about we just treat it as a vacation here these days? At this time of the year
, it’s a good time for hunting…”
Otto was not disgusted with this proposal at all.
As a young man, he is naturally very keen on the excitement of hunting, not to mention that this is his first time trying it as a king.
"Of course, Your Highness, I am very happy to enjoy your leisure time with you."