Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1024 Alsace-Lorraine. (2)

The reason the French chancellor was confident was because of the history of France and the Holy Roman Empire. Due to the divided inheritance of the ‘Pious King’ Ludwig I, the Frankish Kingdom was divided into three: East, Middle, and West Franks. After a history of repeated division and integration, the country was divided into two: France and the Holy Roman Empire.

Here, the basis was created for France to claim ownership of the Lorraine and Alsace regions. The repetition of ‘division’ and ‘integration’ brought about enormous bloodshed. Naturally, there were more than one family that were weeded out of this government office and went extinct. Considering the inheritance system symbolized by the ‘Salica law’ and the complex blood relations, it was possible for someone other than the lord who currently occupied the area – one that suited the tastes of France – to claim ownership.

Louis, who realized the Prime Minister’s intentions, asked a meaningful question.

“Did you find the right ones?”

“There are a few people who are paying attention. But it seems like there is a more convenient way to go there.”

At the Prime Minister’s answer, the eyes of Charles VIII and Louis began to shine at the same time.

‘Are you going comfortably? how?’

“Is that possible?”

The prime minister who received the question answered with a slight smile.

“It is said that a new denomination is popular in the Lorraine region these days.”

In response to the Prime Minister’s answer, Louis turned to Charles VIII.

“The Vatican will not remain silent, and the Habsburgs will not remain silent either.”

“I see…”

“No, heresy has already been declared.”

Charles VIII, who was nodding his head while listening to the Prime Minister’s words following Louis’ remarks, sighed lightly and looked back at the attendees.

“Should this also be considered help from the empire?”

* * *

In the process of Italian unification, the Vatican lost its real power. They lost everything except the papal and episcopal states inside and outside Italy and a small amount of land surrounding the Vatican and Rome. The Pope’s authority, which was gradually fading, remained only as a ‘religious symbol’ and became something that had to rely only on the faith of sincere Catholics.

As the authority of the Pope and the Church faded, the religious world had no choice but to change. First, many high-ranking clergy returned to secular life. Most of them were bastards or illegitimate children from influential families in Italy and other European powers. What allowed them to become high priests was their background power, especially their financial power, rather than their religious beliefs.

The more money the backers had, the faster they could become high-ranking priests. If he rose through the ranks and became a cardinal or bishop, he could recover his investment by receiving a papal decree or episcopal decree. And considering the political power that a sign that reads ‘Catholic bishop or cardinal’ brings, this was quite a useful investment.

However, as Rome became a ‘toothless lion’, it lost its investment value and many high-ranking priests returned to secular life. Another reason for the large-scale conversion of high-ranking priests was that more and more demands were placed on them. This happened in conjunction with the religious reform that was gaining momentum again. For those advocating Catholic reform, the promiscuity and extravagance of high-ranking priests were a good source of attack.

-What a disgrace, for cardinals and bishops to take concubines and have illegitimate children!

-Are they really faithful priests?

– Even now, behave yourself properly and set an example as a priest!

Due to criticism and demands coming from all directions, he abandoned his priesthood and returned to the secular world.

* * *

Another change in Rome was ‘conservatism’, ‘principleism’, and ‘strictness’. Among those who advocated reform of Catholicism, many began to deny the ‘Pope’ and create new denominations.

-What Catholics believe and rely on is not the Pope, but the character on whom the Word of God is written!

-Wealth accumulated through hard work and sincerity is not a bad thing!

Emerging sects – referred to as Protestants – with values that deny the Pope and affirm the accumulation of legitimate wealth, began to rapidly expand their power. Rome also had to respond to the growth of these new sects, and those in charge of this task were newly appointed bishops and cardinals.

The new people who filled the positions were, unlike their predecessors, frugal, faithful, and much more religious. And he was very stubborn. They expelled luxury and promiscuity from the Vatican and changed the atmosphere to frugality and faithfulness. Intellectuals of the time and later historians evaluated this period as follows.

-Rome became Sparta!

In the history before the intervention of incense, it began to change into a character similar to that of the ‘Jesuits’. Unlike the fact that they set an example and were respected by believers for their frugality and faithfulness, they had a very fundamental and rigid view of faith. Therefore, their view of the new sect was very cruel.

-Just as Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden after falling for Satan’s temptation, those who believe what they say will not go to heaven!

-They are heretics!

In a way, their resolute decision was natural. The fact that the new sects denied the Pope was in itself a declaration that they would not coexist with Rome.

* * *

“…there are several sects that have spread throughout Lorraine, and all of them have been declared heretical. If this happens, the Habsburgs cannot remain silent.”

Charles VIII and Louis nodded to the Prime Minister’s explanation. Although he did not miss a moment and seized the internal bishoprics and papal decrees, Maximilian I of Habsburg was the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. And another name for the Holy Roman Emperor was ‘Protector of Catholicism and the Pope.’

The territories that denied the Pope could not be left alone. Louis added to the Prime Minister’s words.

“Roman influence is a problem, but it is also a great opportunity that cannot be missed for the Habsburgs, as it can reduce the number of noisy princes.”

“I see. Then how should we move?”

In response to Charles VIII’s question, the Prime Minister looked at Louis. Louis, who received the Prime Minister’s gaze, responded to Charles with a slightly bitter smile.

“I must move. I will let the lords of Lorraine know how merciful your majesty is.”

“Even if they come over, isn’t war inevitable?’

“Instead, there is a justification.”

“I see… But the cardinal seems to be a bit noisy on our side, too.” The Prime Minister

stepped forward and responded to Charles VIII’s point.

“We can also do it the imperial way. .”

“Imperial style?”

“I don’t care what you believe as long as you follow the laws of the land and pay your taxes properly and don’t force your beliefs on others.”

“It’s okay,”

nodded Charles VIII, finally concluding.

” Then the Duke of Orléans must go to Lorraine as quickly as possible and persuade them. The same goes for the Army. You must enter Lorraine before Maximilian of Habsburg. Lastly, the Prime Minister, together with the officials, will find a solution to the war budget issue.”

To Charles VIII’s order, all parties responded with one voice,

“As your Majesty wishes.”

After the meeting, he left the treasury and took his place. Louis arrived at the office and was preparing for a business trip when he suddenly burst into laughter.

“Heh! “That’s fun!”

“Yes? What’s fun?”

“The empire entrusts the operation of the research institute and Area 51 to the crown prince, right? He said, ‘It lets you know in advance the importance of academics and technology and the heaviness of the budget.’”

“That’s right.”

“Then we should leave diplomacy to us.”

The aides and officials who pondered Louis’ words for a moment soon burst into laughter. He began to burst out. While mocking the powerful next king for rushing around as a diplomatic envoy, he also implicitly expressed another intention. -I

can’t die alone.

‘The duke has clearly been stained by the Empire.’

* * *

After finishing preparations, Louis headed straight to Lorraine. Hearing the rumor that the Duke and next King of France was visiting, lords large and small visited him. What was interesting was that all of the lords who visited Louis were lords who supported new religions. .They also knew well that Rome had declared heresy and expected the Habsburgs to make a move.

Therefore, they also knew well why Louis had visited here.

“Thank you for the welcome.”

After the banquet to welcome the visit, Louis and The lords got straight to the point. At a joint meeting with the lords, Louis expressed his intention to come to France. But the lords reacted very negatively.

France was a very centralized country. If they became part of France, they would have their own rights. It was certain that many of its privileges would be taken away.

“It is certain that the Habsburgs will not stand still. France’s support is desperately needed. But that doesn’t mean it can be subjugated to France. After all, we are lords of the Holy Roman Empire.”

“I see. But the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire will not leave you alone, so you still want to remain a member of the Holy Roman Empire?” ”

France’s help is welcome, but this is something we can’t do anything about.”

Hoey continues to spin his treadmill. While they were there, Louis made a new suggestion.

“Okay. I understand your position. Well then, let me make another suggestion. In return for our support from France, we will take the bishoprics of Lorraine. What do you think?”

“Wait a minute. Please give us some time.”

The lords were asking for time, but their expressions were not dark.

“The area that was the bishopric was quite large, but…” ”

Because it wasn’t ours to begin with.”

Lauren The local bishoprics took up about 25% of the total area of Luren. However, the lords had no affection for these bishoprics because, as they themselves said, they were not theirs. After the unification of Italy, it became a territory of the Holy Roman Empire. They were bishoprics. Those who settled there as lords were families loyal to the Habsburgs.

Therefore, even if France took the place, they had nothing to regret. When it became a bishopric in the first place, it no longer belonged to them, and a new lord took over the place. Those who accepted were not those who were close to them, but those who were even more proud of being part of the Habsburgs. The lords who passionately shared their opinions conveyed their agreement to Louis.

“I will accept the proposal. Instead, I ask for support in arms and troops.” “I will

inform your Majesty so that he can provide support as soon as possible.”

“Thank you very much.

” “The

Lorraine

region is the territory of our Holy Roman Empire! Why did you enter Lorraine without informing us? This is diplomatic disrespect!”

To the messenger’s protest, the Prime Minister replied with an expression that it was no big deal.

“Ah! You mean that? It’s not a diplomatic visit, it’s a personal visit.”

“Personal visit?”

“The Duke of Orléans is busy saying he’s planning to open a ‘small’ steel mill. He probably went to Lorraine about that issue.”

“Ha!”

The messenger was taken aback by the chancellor’s naturally virtuous answer and did not know what to do.