"Mercenaries? Your Highness, let me think. Isabel whispered as she looked at the Duke of Richmond. In fact, at this time, she was already thinking about whether to use mercenaries. However, the mercenaries of this era were a special group of soldiers who spent a lot of money and were also politically dangerous.

In the 15th century, the "Freedom Companies", consisting of a large number of unemployed soldiers from Switzerland, Italy, and the Holy Roman Empire, were employed by monarchs and nobles. However, these foreign mercenaries often share some common characteristics: greed, cruelty, and lack of discipline, fleeing and plundering on the eve of war. However, the Swiss mercenaries (Swiss spearmen) of this period still enjoyed a high reputation. Swiss mercenaries, from the 14th century until the 18th century, have been described as "the most popular and most notorious of the mercenaries." ”

In the 15th century, the Swiss gained military glory after gaining independence, and were recognized as the most distinguished infantry sergeant in Europe. The Swiss stood out, not only for the formidable deterrent they brought to their enemies, but also for their own unusual strength.

Swiss mercenaries are considered to be one of the strongest mercenary armies in the world, and it is their bravery that often terrifies their enemies. However, the Swiss mercenaries still follow the principle of contributing as much as they give in battle. "Without money, the Swiss don't have to work" has become a common practice that employers everywhere cannot ignore. Notwithstanding the terms of the employment contract, Swiss mercenaries can leave their original employer without guilt and switch to a more paid employer.

Of course, it is also possible to hire the poorest people from within one's own territory to form a mercenary army. However, an unarmoured mercenary army of poor peasants is not as well trained as a professional mercenary in terms of weapons, mobility, solidarity and assault force.

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As the group returned to the long conference table, the Duke of Richmond, who was seated at the top of the conference table, looked at the nobles of the council, the knightly members, and the knightly attendants of the Transit Guard who had come from afar, "Ladies and gentlemen, my advisor has made two opinions, and I think they are good. What do you guys think? ”

Sir William Earle, the chief of the Eastern Border Guard, and his brother who crossed the Anglo-Soviet border and launched a number of surprise raids, plundering or buying people's hearts and minds were common throughout the Anglo-Soviet border, and could be seen as an act of bravery by the border army against the Scots. However, the pursuit of the Queen of Scots by going deep into the interior of Scotland transformed its nature into a foreign war.

The Earl of Westmoreland, who was older than the other nobles, pondered the words of the Chairman of the Committee, and then looked at the Chairman squarely, "Your Highness, I agree with the opinion of the Privy Counsellor. But is His Majesty the King willing to pay for the money for the organization of a mercenary army consisting of Burgundians (the English are generally people from all the countries of the European continent)? ”

Fighting in a foreign country relies on mercenaries, and requires the consent of Congress to rely on taxation to recruit mercenaries. In addition, according to the laws of the kingdom, the king could not raise a standing army without the approval of the Parliament. In this way, the military operation to hunt down the Queen of Scots can only be carried out by the guards on the eastern border. There is also a very real problem that the nobles were too busy fighting the French with their Spanish allies to pay attention to the Scottish Wars, which had been put on hold for the time being.

The Duke of Richmond looked at the Earl of Westmoreland pensively, and said slowly, "Your Majesty has written to me after your Majesty's expedition to France, Her Majesty the Queen Regent, to maintain the present complex and unstable relationship with Scotland. ”

The Earl of Cumberland couldn't help but shake his head, "Her Majesty the Queen Regent will definitely fully support Her Majesty's war on the European continent. The first consideration of the supply and finance issues is the French problem. ”

"Your Excellency, I am sure that Your Majesty will definitely consider the question of the Queen of Scots when he returns from France." The Duke of Richmond only said vaguely, because he also did not know when this war aimed at snatching Prince Edward's wife-to-be would end.

"Your Highness, then, what do you think?"

The Duke of Richmond looked thoughtfully at the advisor sitting on the side, and Isabel stated calmly, "Your Highness, I think Her Majesty the Queen is right. At present, when it is not possible to wage a larger war against the Scots, only some surprise attacks can be resorted. ”

"Therefore, the Burgundians cannot be used in this battle to hunt down the Queen, but only the army of guards on the border can be used to fulfill this duty"

Organizing a small force to cross the border and attack the Scots' castles, estates, and churches after a long journey was a very dangerous military operation that could wipe them all out if they were not careful. The Duke of Richmond was tempted to abandon the hunt for the queen because he did not want Isabel to venture into Scotland again. However, the idea of capturing the Queen of Scots became a great allure to him.

The Duke of Richmond's eyes sparkled, and considering the current situation, he said with a sigh, "I don't know how long the Scottish War will last, but I hope it will end soon." ”

Isabel knew the Duke too well, and she knew that he wanted to capture the Queen of Scots without adding new troubles to her father, Henry VIII. In addition, Henry VIII appointed the Duke to oversee Scotland and march against it, which meant that the Duke would command his army to invade Scotland again and snatch Mary I at any time.

When the members of the committee who participated in the meeting were silent for a long time, Isabel said unusually calmly, "Your Highness, can you authorize me to exercise the right to capture the Queen of Scots?" ”

The Duke of Richmond turned his head to look at her in surprise, and Baron Walton turned his gaze to his daughter. Furrowed his brows, he said calmly, "Your Highness, the battle to capture the Queen of Scots is very dangerous, and I object to the advice of the advisor asking you for authorization. ”

The rest of the nobles and knights also expressed their opposition that the battle was dangerous, and that the troops on a sneak attack mission would likely be captured or killed by the Scots. The Duke of Richmond, of course, did not agree with Isabel's decision to risk her life, shook his head and just said, "Everyone, the meeting is over, and I and the advisor will discuss it separately." ”

When only the Duke of Richmond and Isabel were left in the chamber, the Duke immediately said his thoughts, "Isabel, why are you going to Scotland?" ”