Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 1026

Episode 1026 Alsace-Lorraine. (4)

Eventually, Maximilian I, fed up with the sluggish proceedings in the Imperial Diet, began to act on his own. A force composed of private armies from the Habsburg family and lords who supported the Habsburgs began moving towards Lorraine. But their march was not smooth.

Most of the lords along the route were uncooperative. It was natural for lords who believed in new religious sects, and lords who believed in Catholicism also often refused to cooperate.

-Because it was not decided by the Imperial Council, there is no obligation to support!

This was the reason they gave. Therefore, the army departing from the Habsburgs had to obtain food and other necessary items at their own expense.

“This is treason!”

Maximilian I, who received the report, shouted and became angry, but that was all. If he went one step further, he would turn the entire Imperial Assembly into an enemy, which was the worst possible outcome. And the Imperial Diet, including the seven electors, had already sent a warning to Maximilian I.

-There is no obligation to support military action that has not been agreed upon by Congress.

-No matter how emperor he is, he cannot force the lords.

“Damn it... the enemy was inside.”

Maximilian I gritted his teeth after reading the Imperial Diet’s notice. Maximilian I, who was re-reading the Imperial Diet’s notice with gritted teeth, let out a long sigh and looked at his subjects around him.

“Whoa. Look. This is the treatment the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire receives.”

All of his subjects bowed their heads in silence at the anger of Maximilian I, which was clearly evident in his words.

“Whoa~.”

After another long sigh, Maximilian I gave an order.

“A word to Count Tilly: ‘Win at all costs.’”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The commander of the Habsburg army heading towards Lorraine was Count Tilly. He was a faithful Catholic and a loyalist to the Habsburg family. Maximilian I, who gave orders to Count Tilly, looked out the window and muttered.

“We must win this war. Only then can we overpower the arrogant bastards who run the Imperial Council.”

Maximilian I gritted his teeth as he thought of the nobles in the Imperial Council who were holding him back at every turn. Meanwhile, Count Tilly, who received Maximilian I’s order through a messenger, smiled bitterly.

“You have received a difficult order.”

The troops he currently leads are approximately 40,000, including cavalry and infantry artillery. Although it was a considerable force, the French army that entered Lorraine already numbered over 30,000 and was continuing to increase. The good news was that most of the French troops deployed were scattered across three regions in the Lorraine region.

There was a chance of victory if the scattered French troops were defeated individually before they regrouped. But this was by no means an easy operation. This was only possible through quick maneuver and concentration of firepower. However, looking at the current situation of the Habsburg army, this was close to impossible.

As mentioned earlier, there were very few people helping them. Count Tilly, who confirmed the order sent by Maximilian I, considered the situation of his allies, picked up a pen and began writing a letter. The summary of the letter to his lord Maximilian I was as follows.

-I am confident that I will win the first 1-2 battles. But after that, I am not confident.

-I will do my best to inflict damage on France. But we cannot be confident of victory.

-In the end, the final battle lies with diplomacy.

* * *

When the Habsburg army led by Count Tilly arrived in Lorraine, the French army already had more than 50,000 troops in Lorraine. However, the French army was distributed in Metz-Wirten (Börden) and Toul (Tuul). These areas were formerly bishoprics. And it was a place that would become French territory in the future.

-There is no need to scatter and shed blood needlessly to far away places.

“Yes.”

“And prepare for negotiations.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Do you really intend to show mercy?”

“You never said that?”

“Still, I think it would be good for you to show mercy.”

“If you don’t want the same thing to happen again, you should set an example and show mercy.”

At least a few of the lords. While Maximilian I was planning to cut off his head, one of his subjects pointed out another problem:

“Then what will you do about Count Tilly? He carelessly mentioned His Majesty and spread false rumors. This is a serious sin.”

Maximilian I expressed doubt at the subject’s point.

“Count Tilly said that? “I’ve never heard anything like that before?”

“Ah...”

The subjects’ mouths fell silent at Maximilian I’s words. Rumors circulated as Maximilian I had said, but there was no clear evidence that Count Tilly himself had said those words. There was no evidence. Maximilian I had a stern look on his face and warned his subjects,

“You must not carelessly dishonor the general who is currently spreading propaganda on the front line.”

Maximilian I’s strong warning made the subjects think and think. He bowed.

“I will keep this in mind!”

This conversation also reached Count Tilly’s ears through several channels. Count Tilly, who heard the story, smiled bitterly.

“I heard the ‘poisoned chalice.’”

Now, France and its lords. Because they were getting good results against the Germans, Maximilian I had given it to them without question. It was certain that if they had bad results in the future or if they were criticized, it would add to this incident and lead to even worse results.

* * *

After the Battle of Metz, France and the Habsburgs The confrontation continued on the road from Metz to Birten and Toul. After three months of small-scale clashes in which both sides mobilized at most 2,300 troops, negotiations to end the war finally began. -Now France

. The illegally occupied area is the territory of our Holy Roman Empire! Move out immediately!

-What are you talking about? We were staying for the safe supply of iron ore and coal when we were unexpectedly attacked! It was a surprise attack without a declaration of war!

Two countries . The representatives of the two sides continued their fierce war of words, drawing parallel lines endlessly. Amid continued adjournment and adjournment, cursing and shouting, the representatives of both sides glared at each other and growled.

“Do you not realize that if this happens, it will be war again?”

“Aren’t we still at war anyway?”

“France is not afraid of our Holy Roman Empire!”

“Why us? If it looks that ridiculous, let’s get together again!”

While the two sides drew parallel lines, the nobles of the Imperial Council quietly moved.

-Let’s end here. If we end here, we will also try to maintain a good relationship with the emperor.

-It would be good if France could be greedy in moderation as well . So. If you continue, we will help the emperor with all our might. Through

the subtle mediation and warnings of the great nobles who controlled the Imperial Diet, the Habsburgs and France came to an agreement.