Just when everyone was terrified, the young and vigorous Elector of Brandenburg, Joakim I, suddenly dropped his glass and shouted:

"What's in it for that Marin guy to kill us? He is also a prince, is he willing to be like the French dukes, to be the echo of the emperor? How good is it to be a prince who is in charge of his own house? He was purely angry, but he was depressed and wanted to complain.

But these words reminded Frederick III, who had been frowning—yes, Marin was also a prince. If the Habsburgs were to dominate Germany, he would not be at best a favorite, like the great French nobles, and at most he would become the king's favorite. However, after all, he lost his authority and right to speak......

So, after some thought, Frederick III, Elector of Saxony, stood up and solemnly declared:

"I plan to go north, talk to Marin in person, and persuade him to withdraw from the army!"

"Will he listen to you?" Anthony, Duke of Lorraine, expressed doubts.

"Yes, because, he is also a prince!" Frederick III said confidently.

The crowd was speechless, but there was no other way. After all, they couldn't have a better choice......

A few days later, Frederick III, Elector of Saxony, escorted by more than 100 cavalry, traveled to Strasbourg, a city on the west bank of the Rhine, about 140 kilometers north of Basel, and met Marin.

Strasbourg is still a German city, originally part of the Duchy of Lorraine, but later became an imperial free city, nominally under the direct jurisdiction of the emperor, but in fact the right to self-government was bought from the emperor for a long time.

Of course, this is the status quo. Originally, in 1681, in the era of Louis XIV, Strasbourg would be annexed by France and become a border city in the east of France. But until later generations, the locals spoke mainly German. I almost forgot to mention that Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region......

Most of Alsace was occupied by the French during the Thirty Years' War, but the capital, Strasbourg, was not occupied by the French until 1681.

Speaking of the Alsace region, Marin couldn't help but complain about Dude's "The Last Lesson". This is obviously a German area, but Dude advocates that they can't learn French, and the teachers and students are "like knives". But in fact, the locals are originally Germans, and it is sad that they can't learn French. This is like the recovery of the three eastern provinces from Japan. As a result, the people of Tohoku are "like knives" because they can't learn Japanese...... Isn't that......

……

When Marin's army arrived in Alsace, it did not continue its southward march in a hurry, but stopped in Alsace. Why? Because the Alsace region is one of the most important sources of troops in the North Sea State.

When Marin formed the First Army, the main source of troops came from the mountains of Württemberg and the Alsace region. Later, although the North Sea army was repeatedly expanded, the tradition of recruiting spearmen from Alsace was preserved. Because, although the Alsatians are not as fierce as the mountain people of the Württemberg mountains, they are very obedient and have a very good overall combat effectiveness.

Therefore, Marin ordered the army to stay in Alsace, which also meant to continue recruiting troops there. Moreover, in order to facilitate the recruitment of troops, Marin also forced the city of Strasbourg to open the city gates to welcome Marin into the city.

Marin entered Strasbourg not because he wanted to sack the city, but because he intended to make Strasbourg one of the most important recruiting points for the North Sea Army in the south.

In order to enter Strasbourg through threats and intimidation, Marin also specially gave the Alsatian veterans of the First and Second Legions of the North Sea Kingdom a holiday, allowing them to visit relatives and friends. Of course, the purpose of Marin's move was not to relax those Alsatian soldiers, but to fool more locals into joining the army of the North Sea State through their appearance.

The whole of Alsace, although not as a population of a few hundred thousand as in later generations, has a small population of several hundred thousand. Marin's plan is to take the opportunity to take another group of young people from Alsace to become recruits in the army of the North Sea State......

When Frederick III arrived outside Strasbourg with a group of cavalry, Marin had just wandered a few thousand local men in Strasbourg......

……

In the town hall of Strasbourg, Marin warmly received the visiting Elector of Saxony, Frederick III......

These days, in order to show the strength of the Beihai army, Marin keeps letting the elite veterans of the Beihai country walk in Strasbourg, so that the locals can see the "majesty" of the Beihai army......

When entering the city, Frederick III also happened to see the majesty of the soldiers of the Beihai Kingdom......

It was precisely because he had seen the "majesty" of the soldiers of the Beihai Kingdom along the way that Frederick III was a little silent, and he didn't know what he was thinking about.

It was only when he saw Marin at the town hall that Frederick III suddenly asked:

"Why?"

Marin was stunned:

"What, why?"

Frederick III, seeing that there was no one else, asked directly:

"What I want to ask is, why did you send a large army to help His Majesty the Emperor? Don't you know that you are also one of the princes? If we're finished, who knows if you'll be next? ”

Marin paused for a moment, and suddenly felt a little uncomfortable with Frederick III's straightforward way of speaking. After all, he had just returned from Daming and was used to talking in circles. Therefore, he was a little uncomfortable with Frederick III's straightforwardness.

However, he quickly reacted - this is back in Europe, so it is natural to switch the way he speaks......

So, after thinking about it, Marin replied:

"Of course I know that I am one of the princes, but, Lord Frederick, do you really regard me as one of the princes? I've always wanted to fit in with the princes, but, Lord Frederick, which of you will accept me? I have come to this point today, and I still choose to stand on the side of His Majesty the Emperor, am I not forced by you? ”

Marin threw the pot directly at the other party, but it was not surprising. Because, although Marin has been a great German nobleman for more than 10 years. However, he was never accepted into the traditional circle of German princes.

The stupid old German princes had always regarded Marin as a lackey of the Habsburgs and were unwilling to accept him. Moreover, they seem to have decided that Marin's blood was inferior and unworthy of being compared to them......

Seeing Marin's mocking expression, Frederick III's expression froze - Marin was right, it was indeed the traditional princes' circles that had been refusing to accept Marin......

After all, not all princes had such a strategic vision as Frederick III. Most of the princes are actually stupid people who stick to the old ways. They were stubborn and stubborn, refusing to accept change, refusing to recognize Marin, a newly powerful prince, and even looking down on Marin's lineage...... In this way, it is strange that Marin can stand on the same line with the princes......