Before George, Duke of Saxony, could praise the deliciousness of the black pepper steak he had just eaten, he was completely stunned by Marin's words, and he didn't know how to answer for a while.

It was a long time before George spoke:

"What do you say? Let me sell you West Friesland? Duke Marin, do you know how big West Friesland is? That's twice the size of East Friesland, and it can be a principality! ”

"I know, but wasn't West Friesland also bought by Duke Albresit for 300,000 gold coins?"

George shook his head repeatedly:

"It can't be counted like this, the most important thing is that my father led a large army to help His Majesty the Emperor put down the rebellion in Flanders. You should know that the importance of Flanders to the Netherlands is the guarantee of tax revenue in the Netherlands! Therefore, the value of West Frisland is far more than the value of 300,000 gold coins! ”

Marlin nodded, agreeing with George. When the Flemish rebellion broke out in 1491, Maximilian I was too busy with the conquest of Austria to pay attention to the rebellion in Flanders.

Because, during the time of Frederick III, the father of Maximilian I, the Habsburgs were defeated by the Hungarian king Matthias I and lost half of Austria, including the capital Vienna.

The reason why Maximilian I was stationed in Innsbruck, Tyrol, in the west of Austria for a long time is also related to the fall of Eastern Austria in 1485~1490.

Had it not been for the death of Matthias I in 1490, Maximilian I would not have been able to recover Eastern Austria. Really, this guy Matthias I is too fierce and strong.

During the reign of Matthias I, he not only openly encroached on half of Austria of Emperor Frederick III, but also controlled Moravia and Silesia, which was so arrogant that he could not do it. Most importantly, Matthias I also took the initiative to attack Ottoman Turkey twice to curb Turkey's expansion in the Balkans. And the Turkish Sultan at that time was the same Mehmed II who led his troops to capture Constantinople.

In the face of such a powerful lord, it is not surprising that Frederick III of the Habsburgs failed. It was not until 1490, after the death of Matthias I, that Maximilian I was able to launch an operation to recover Eastern Austria. If Marin had crossed two years earlier and had already reached adulthood, he might have joined Maximilian I's war to regain lost territory.

In the event of a need to regain his homeland, Maximilian I could not have been able to support the Netherlands. However, the Flemish region was so important that he had to turn to his cousin, the Duke of Albresit, for help. In order for the Duchy of Saxony to send troops, Maximilian I promised to give the region of West Frisland to the Duchy of Saxony as a fief.

Of course, sending troops to help suppress the rebellion in Flanders would not be enough to offset the value of such a large territory in West Friesland. Therefore, at that time, the Duke of Albresit, in the name of a Hanseatic merchant of the Saxon family, "loaned" 300,000 gold coins to Maximilian I. It is said that it is a loan, but in fact, it does not have to be repaid. The Duke of Albresit then took claim to the West Frisland region.

George said that the trip was valuable because it coincided with the crisis of the Habsburgs fighting on two fronts. Although the Duke of Albrecht brought only more than 10,000 men, he saved the day and ensured the rule of the Habsburgs in the Netherlands. Therefore, this kind of behavior of sending charcoal in the snow is worth more than the 300,000 gold coins. Moreover, the 300,000 gold coins also helped Maximilian I a lot, helping Maximilian I successfully recruit enough troops to recover the whole of Austria.

Therefore, the help of the Duchy of Saxony in the most difficult time of Maximilian I was much more than 300,000 gold coins and the cost of sending troops to Flanders. Its value, including the premium at the critical moment, must have a total price of more than 1 million gold coins.

However, Marin also knew this, so he spoke:

"1,000,000 gold coins, how? This should be in line with the value of West Frisland, right? ”

George shook his head and said:

"Under normal circumstances, 1 million gold coins is indeed enough. But, you know, the Duchy of Saxony invested too much in West Friesland. These two wars alone cost hundreds of thousands of gold coins. What's more, this time, the other party actually asked for more than one million gold coins for the prisoners of war. You say, is 1 million gold coins enough? ”

The corners of Marin's mouth twitched - Nima, is that all your failed investment, can it represent the actual value of West Friesland......

Just like a piece of factory land, it can't be wasted because the previous boss invested hundreds of millions, which means that the price of this land has risen by hundreds of millions......

However, in order to obtain West Frisland and become the co-lord of the whole Frisian region, Marin also gave up. He gritted his teeth and said:

"I understand your concerns, Duke George, so I have decided to bid 1 million gold coins, plus send troops to help you get those prisoners of war back!"

George was stunned for a moment, and suddenly his heart was a little moved. You must know that Marin's bid is equivalent to more than 2 million gold coins, which is indeed full of sincerity. This price greatly exceeds the price of the territory of West Friesland. Moreover, not having to pay the ransom of more than a million gold coins, and getting 1 million gold coins in cash, will make the debt-ridden Duchy of Saxony immediately improve its finances.

However, after thinking about it for a while, George still felt that land was more affordable than money. After all, land can be passed on to future generations. Moreover, as long as there is a fief, a large amount of money will be obtained every year. In a short period of time, there may not be millions of gold coins, but after a long time, it is always more cost-effective.

Besides, George has not yet reached the point of exhaustion at this time, where will he accept Marin's conditions?

So, George politely refused:

"No, Duke Marin, I'm still not going to sell this fiefdom......"

"If you're going to sell your fiefdom, be sure to sell it to me! Between us, we have signed an agreement! ”

George was a little speechless, but now that he was stationed on other people's territory with his men, it was not good to be too faceless, so he had to say perfunctorily:

"Okay, if I sell West Frisland, I'll have to think about you first......"

Marin didn't give up, so he decided to hit George's self-confidence. So, as if he had just remembered, he said:

"By the way, Duke George, do you know why the Saxon coalition lost to West Friesland...... Oh no, is it Gedus' army? ”

"This ...... Bad luck...... "George was reluctant to admit that the Saxon army was inferior and that his command was bad......

"My intelligence officers just got an important piece of information, and that's why the other party is so strong......"

"What's the news?" George, as the losing side, naturally desperately wanted to know where he had lost.

"It is said that more than half of the opposing army are Swiss mercenaries...... Moreover, these Swiss mercenaries were supported by the French...... So, your enemies are primarily the mighty France, not just the Duchy of Goddes......"

"I see......" George was finally in a better mood. It was a shame to lose to the Duchy of Godes, and it was not unjust to lose to France, the number one power on the European continent.

Soon, though, George's mood worsened. Because, he thought, the opponent is the Duchy of God, and he can still fight for it. If the opponent is France, no matter how much he makes a comeback, the chances of winning are not great......

Eventually, George left in a state of great frustration......

Marin wasn't in a hurry, he knew that George wasn't desperate at this time. However, with the credibility of the Duchy of Saxony, George would have really gotten some support.

So, Marin summoned Kohler and asked him to send someone to spread the word that George's opponent was a Swiss mercenary sent by the French, and his chances of winning the game were very low......

As long as this news spreads, even countries that are good friends with George will probably have to weigh - whether investing in George will be wasted......

When George is embattled and completely desperate, Marin brings up the topic again, presumably George will see the reality clearly......