"Sigmund, why are you here?" Archduke Alexander was somewhat surprised. Pen, fun, and www.biquge.info

Through the words of Grand Duke Alexander, Marin also immediately realized that the handsome man in front of him was the future Grand Duke of Lithuania and King Sigmund I of Poland.

Upon entering the hall, Sigmund nodded and smiled politely at Marin, who immediately responded positively. After all, this is a future king, and the relationship with him cannot be stiffened.

In fact, Sigmund is currently only a prince, but he is the heir to the Grand Duchy. Because, Grand Duke Alexander had no heirs, so he could only choose Prince Sigmund as his heir. Speaking of which, the Grand Duke originally also had a wife, Helena, the daughter of Ivan III of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. However, not long after they got married, there was a big conflict between the two parties. Coupled with the feud and war between the two countries, Helena simply returned to live in Moscow, and Grand Duke Alexander did not divorce her. Then, because the lawful wife was not around, it was impossible for the Grand Duke to have a legitimate heir. In this way, it is certain that Prince Sigmund will inherit the position of Grand Duke and King of Poland.

So, knowing that he would become an archduke and king, Prince Sigmund began to care about politics. He paid attention to the turmoil in the Grand Duchy. This time, when he heard that a distinguished guest was visiting, he also rushed over to hear what was going on. After all, his elder brother, Grand Duke Alexander, was frail and sickly, and God knows when he would burp. As the crown prince's younger brother, he must also be ready to be a receiver at any time......

For his younger brother to be so keen on government and politics, he has long been thinking about how to kill him if he is replaced by the emperor of the East. However, the Grand Duke of Alexander was different, because of his weak body, the Grand Duke was actually not very good-looking. The point is, there is a weak heart......

Therefore, after Princess Helena in Moscow "returned to her mother's home", the Grand Duke had no intention of divorcing and remarrying. Therefore, the succession of the younger brother Sigmund to the Grand Duke and the throne is almost certain. Under such circumstances, the Grand Duke turned a blind eye to his younger brother's enthusiasm for politics. Anyway, sooner or later, this country will be lost to Sigmund......

Archduke Alexander also seemed to be interested in cultivating his younger brother, so he told Prince Sigmund about his previous conversation with Marin. After hearing this, Sigmund thought for a moment, and then said:

"Lord Marin, my brother made the right decision. Until the Crimea betrayed the Grand Duchy of Moscow, Lithuania really could not rashly send troops. Otherwise, it is easy to be jointly flanked by the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the Crimean Khanate. Of course, if you can really convince the Crimean Khanate on this mission, it will be great news! ”

"It's not persuasion, it's bribery! His Royal Highness Sigmund, the Crimeans have an eye for money. In order to get money, he did not hesitate to plunder the populations of Eastern European countries and sell them into slavery. It can be seen that we can impress them with money. ”

"Yes, every year in the Ukrainian region south of our Grand Duchy, many people are captured by Crimean bandits......" Prince Sigmund said wistfully.

"Your Highness, this time, of course, we chose to buy the Crimean Khanate and the Grand Duchy of Moscow to break off diplomatic relations in order to help Sweden break the siege. But in fact, the biggest beneficiary of this matter is not us, but Lithuania. Marin said seriously.

"That's true!" Both Grand Duke Alexander and Prince Sigmund nodded.

"As long as the Crimeans do not help the Grand Duchy of Moscow, I suppose, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is no worse than the Grand Duchy of Moscow, right? At the very least, there is still the strength to fight. ”

Grand Duke Alexander and Prince Sigmund continued to nod their heads, without the help of the terrifying Crimean Tatar cavalry, Lithuania would not be much worse, if not defeated, the Moscow army. At the very least, it is possible to take a defensive position and contend with the Grand Duchy of Moscow.

"I don't know if the 50,000 gold coins I brought this time are enough......" Marin showed a melancholy look......

In fact, this guy brought 100,000 gold coins. Moreover, he was completely sure that he would be able to buy the money-eyed Crimean Khanate, Möngkegire Khan. It's just that, seeing that Archduke Alexander and Prince Sigmund were so "on the road", Marin couldn't help but have the idea of extorting some money from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. After all, this time it was done, and the biggest beneficiary was actually Lithuania. It makes sense to knock them out for some money......

Archduke Alexander and Prince Sigmund discussed in the Lithuanian language in front of Marin for a long time. It seems that under the urging of Prince Sigmund, Archduke Alexander made up his mind:

"Count Marin, we, Lithuania, are willing to pay 50,000 gold coins to help bribe the Crimean Khanate! If you can convince the Crimean Khanate to send troops to the Grand Duchy of Moscow, I thank you very much! ”

Although Grand Duke Alexander was frightened by the Grand Duchy of Moscow, it was precisely because of this that when there was an opportunity to make such a strong enemy and mortal enemy as the Crimean Khanate turn his face and even break out into war, coupled with the strong advice of Prince Sigmund, Grand Duke Alexander also made up his mind and decided to take a gamble.

As long as the bet is won, the security of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania will be greatly guaranteed. If they are targeted by such fierce bandits as the Crimean Khanate, it is too late for the Grand Duchy of Moscow to defend the Crimean Tatar cavalry, where is there time to find trouble with Lithuania?

Moreover, Prince Sigmund specifically demanded that Marin explain that the Hanseatic League and Lithuania jointly financed the bribe. In this way, after receiving money from Lithuania, the Crimean Khanate will also be somewhat restrained, and will no longer burn and loot the southern regions of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania......

Marin thought for a moment and agreed to Prince Sigmund's request. Speaking of which, Prince Sigmund is also quite shrewd. The so-called "short manpower", no matter how shameless the Crimean Khanate is, it has accepted money from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and when it robs in the future, it will definitely be restrained. The most important thing is that it will not easily attack the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. After all, I have received money from others......

So, the Lithuanians are not stupid either. Although he was "knocked" by Marin with 50,000 gold coins, this money was indeed worth it......

The allocation of 50,000 gold coins is not a small amount. Grand Duke Alexander brought the matter to the Council of Nobles. The members of the noble council are not stupid either. Although a small number of people feel sorry for the money, most people know that national security is the most important thing. So, the council of nobles agreed to the plan and promised to allocate money from the state tax without the Grand Duke's money.

When Marin got the money, Archduke Alexander also took the advice of Prince Sigmund and sent a cavalry to escort Marin south. At the same time, Archduke Alexander also wrote a letter of state, asking for reconciliation with the Crimean Khanate, and handed it to Marin to bring to Möngogile Khan of Crimea. In this letter, Prince Sigmund wisely advised Archduke Alexander to call the Crimean Khan Möngkegire "Great Khan of Kipchak" instead of the Great Khan of Crimea. Because, Crimea destroyed the Golden Horde (Kipchak Khanate) and began to claim to be the Great Khan of the Kipchak Khanate. At present, no other country has recognized their status as the Great Khan of Kipchak. The Lithuanians were the first to admit that it was obvious that they would win favor with many parties.

In fact, historically, Sigmund I called Montgogire Khan when he bribed him in 1512. Möngkejire Khan was overjoyed, and was bought for a mere 15,000 gold coins.

In addition, in the letter, Grand Duke Alexander addressed him not only as "Great Khan of Kipchak", but also as "co-ruler of the Rus' states......

I want this title to be provocative. This is a secret reminder to Möngkegire Khan that since you have become the Great Khan of Kipchak, the Grand Duchy of Moscow, one of the Rus' states, should be your servant, not an ally......

After Marin read the letter, David admired Prince Sigmund's political wisdom. So, he immediately revised the national letters of the previous three families, and changed the title to the same as Lithuania, first patting the sycophants to make Montgogire Khan comfortable, and then talking about things, it would be much easier......

Then, escorted by 500 Lithuanian cavalrymen, Marin went south with a wagon loaded with gold coins, passing through the Ukrainian plain and into the territory of the Crimean Khanate on the Black Sea......