85_85536 The four archdukes of the kingdom of Wende were in a mess within themselves, and while they quarreled with each other for the throne of Wende, the envoys of Mazovia also encountered great difficulties in diplomacy and alliance with the Slavites.

It is well known that there is a huge historical feud between the Slavians and the Goths. Historically, in the classical era, two thousand years ago, the Gothic Empire had not yet been divided into two parts, East and West. It is a unified and centralized empire that encompasses almost the entire human world today.

This was the heyday of the empire, and during this time period, the empire had expanded vigorously abroad. The entire kingdom of Wende in what is now it. and large territories of the Carpathians and the Carpathian Valley in the south, which the empire took from the Slavians.

At that time, the Slavites, who were still in the age of mixing stone and bronze tools, did not have a civilized country. The form of organization is still backward clan tribes.

The Slavits, divided into dozens of clans and tribes that did not belong to each other, were powerless to resist the invasion of the Empire. I was beaten to a pulp. If it weren't for the snowfields of the Ulus and Tartaria regions, the steppes would have been too vast and inhospitable. If the logistics of the Emperor* could not keep up, then the entire Slavic group would have to be swallowed by the Gothic Empire.

After the Gothic Empire split, the independence of the colonies annexed by the Goths in the later period such as Britton and Asturias, and the Ostrogothic Empire, which inherited the orthodoxy of the empire, also split into eight kingdoms, the Slavites quietly rose.

Over the course of hundreds of years of experience, the Slavians have gained a great deal of knowledge and technology under the influence of the Goths. This included farming, metal smelting, and more advanced feudal and kingdom systems.

The Slavites then rose to prominence and formed several powerful kingdoms of the Slavits.

These Slavits, who had developed a strong physique and excellent riding skills in the bitter winter and the vast steppes, immediately began to launch a counterattack against the Goths. In addition to the Slavites, other nomadic peoples in the Cuman-Chincha steppe also took the opportunity to attack the Gothic Empire. A total war between "civilized people" and "barbarians" almost ruined the world.

The grudges between the Goths and the Slavians are concentrated in the relationship between Ruthenia and Wende.

As a political style line between the Goths and the Slavits. The total number of conflicts, wars, disputes of all kinds between Ruthenia and Wende is almost incalculable. The two countries are a complete feud, the kind that does not share the sky.

Against this backdrop, even in the face of the powerful rise of the Tartariya Khanate, the two states had no intention of joining hands and forming an alliance against the centaurs.

In fact, before that, the two countries had also tested each other's intentions for an alliance. It's just that in this regard, there is little sincerity on either side.

At the time of the attack on Mazovia, he asked Ruthenia for an alliance and for reinforcements. Ruthenia just watched gloatingly.

And when Ruthenia was attacked by the centaurs, the Mazovians did the same.

The two sides also formed an alliance "very unexpectedly". But in the end, the alliance became a big joke through and through.

The armies of the two sides that carried out the alliance intrigued, demolished each other, and stabbed each other in the back. Unrestrained skirmishes eventually developed into a large-scale battle that could not be stopped.

In the end, Tartaria's centaurs wiped out the combined forces with little effort.

After this example, the top leaders of the two countries never thought about the strategy of forming an alliance with each other.

"So, we don't have to think about the alliance. Now it's something else to solve.

The situation now is that they don't trust us, and we don't trust them. So much so that we can't fight the Centaur Khanate wholeheartedly.

So we hope that a non-aggression pact can be concluded in order to gain some spiritual comfort. ”

In Duke Otto's study, three members of the Hereford family's line. William, Charlumie and Duke Otto were all present. It was William who was speaking. His main work is intelligence analysis and providing diplomatic strategy. Similar to the family's think tank.

After hearing William say this, Charlumi looked uninterested and unconcerned. Duke Otto smiled wryly: "It's ridiculous to say that. Seeing that Tartaria is about to fight. We are still arguing with each other over these trivial things. It's really ......."

"But if these things are not finalized before the outbreak of the war, then I am afraid that when the war breaks out, I am afraid that it will be ......" William shook his head: "But this matter is not the most important thing, and my father does not need to care too much." What Mazovia could really rely on was still the various powers within the empire. ”

"That's true...... Duke Otto nodded, and then changed the subject: "Recently, your father-in-law, the Grand Duke of Leszek, wrote to me asking me what to do with the dispute over the throne of Wende. William, what do you think I should answer?"

When listening to Duke Otto mention "your father-in-law", Charlumi was obviously not too comfortable. But she didn't say much. Not even the expression changed. It's just not very comfortable in my heart.

However, her discomfort was clearly and keenly observed by William.

So William quietly stretched out his hand and shook Charlumie's hand.

After William made this little move. Xia Lumi's mood immediately improved a lot. After that, he smiled uncontrollably......

William didn't care, as if he was fine, looked at Duke Otto very seriously and said:

"So what does the Grand Duke mean?"

The Grand Duke was very hesitant. Duke Otto pondered for a moment, and then replied, "I don't think his words are clear. Nominally, it's a dilemma. But actually, I think he meant that he had some thoughts about the position of King Wende. So I don't really want to respond to Archduke Henry. ”

"It's all about time. William snorted lightly: "Mazovia is congenitally deficient. His Excellency is also ...... Hum...... This combination, in this troubled world, is good to pray for a good result, and I want to hope for more. What a ......."

Speaking of this, William shook his head, his posture looking contemptuous. This made Duke Otto a little dissatisfied. He frowned, but didn't say anything. Instead, he asked:

"So, what do you mean?"

As a result, William's expression became serious again:

"If it's me, I'd better choose Shilonsk. The Grand Duchy of Livonia in the north is stronger than Shilonsk in terms of overall strength. But the vast majority of the power was devoted to seafaring and commerce. The strength of the army is not very strong.

In contrast, the Grand Duchy of Shilonsk had a very good army force. In several local wars there are better expressions. If we choose them, we can get more assistance.

And in addition to this, Archduke Henry is also a member of Trieste's family, no matter what he says. Supporting him as King of Wende would also guarantee the interests of Archduke Leszek. If you persuade Grand Duke Lesek for this reason, Your Excellency will probably be willing...... Time is running out. In any case, we need to come up with a solution. ”

"Hmm. Duke Otto nodded: "Then in my reply to the Grand Duke, I will give an answer according to this plan." ”

After settling one problem, Duke Otto eased his mood a little, and then began to discuss another issue with William:

"Also, Grand Duke Leszek wants me to go to Krakow. Meet him about the current situation. How do you think we should answer this, or rather, what is the mind of His Excellency the Grand Duke?"

After a moment's deliberation, William replied, "There should be no danger for my father to go to Krakow now—even if you are now only a baron."

In the context of the imminent attack of the Centaur Khanate, as long as he still has a little sense, he will not do anything to you. It's too late for him to woo you and make you die for him. ”

"That's what I thought, too. Duke Otto nodded, and then said, "But I still feel that I should not go." ”

"Why?" asked William.

"Because it's not there yet. Duke Otto replied: "If war has broken out now, and His Excellency the Grand Duke asks me to command the army of the Duchy, then it is my duty to do so."

But now it's still in terms of pre-war preparations. What the Grand Duke needed was a political, diplomatic and strategic adviser. And in these respects I am not much better than His Excellency the Grand Duke. ”

After saying these words, Duke Otto looked at William with blazing eyes. William quickly understood what his father meant.

"Father, you mean you want me to go to Krakow?" asked William.

"Yes, that's what I meant. Duke Otto asked expectantly, "What do you mean?"

"I'm afraid ......" William shook his head: "Father go, I won't be in charge." But if I did, then I could be in danger of my life - even being taken by His Excellency the Grand Duke, placed under house arrest, and held hostage. to balance our family. It's all possible.

I'm not like my father. has enough self-protection ability, as well as a status that people are afraid of. So, I wish I could stay in a safer place. ”

"That's the case......" Baron Otto said this, showing a somewhat disappointed expression, "Since you said so...... Shall we, then, reject His Excellency?"

"No, father, my advice is that you should go to Krakow. William said.......