The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 147

147. Richard I (4)

-1201, October, Kingdom of France, Paris-

Another peaceful day comes to an end in Paris, the capital of the Kingdom of France, as the heavy sunset signals the day’s close.

– Ding, ding, ding.

The King, having worked diligently throughout the day to the satisfaction of God and Archangel Michael, wears a content expression.

He is beginning to see the fruits of his labor.

“Your Majesty, we have earned a great number of livres [French currency] once again.”

“Good.”

Profits are always welcome.

For the gold livre is the golden fertilizer that drives France.

It wasn’t just the money that was good.

“And more nobles are pledging their true allegiance to Your Majesty.”

“Yes, as it should be.”

“The people praise Your Majesty.”

“Hmph, that’s a relief. Truly a most gratifying moment.”

Philip II, who had been tutored by his predecessor, King Louis VII, knew well the importance of popular support.

‘The public sentiment that collapsed during the Sack of Paris has been restored. A fortunate turn of events indeed.’

Of course, there was something even more important.

“Count of Blois, how fares the crucial standing army?”

Philip II asked with a serious expression. The standing army was, after all, the King’s power base.

“We have recruited more than double the expected number.”

“The key is to refine them into an elite force.”

“Your Majesty, our standing army is already equipped to subdue the vassals.”

“Then we must show even more leniency. We must appease the nobles who seek to be on friendly terms with us.”

“A wise decision.”

Philip II, holding the belief that [The Kingdom of France must develop more humbly and calmly, at least until we are secure], realized that true strength was what mattered, and never outwardly spoke of the grand strategy of recovering lost territories.

The powerful nations that lead the world order do not want competitors.

The Greeks subtly envied the Holy Roman Empire, which shared the name ‘Rome’ with the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire), and the Holy Roman Empire felt the same.

So, when the Holy Roman Empire was in turmoil, the Eastern Roman Empire began to stir up trouble to further divide the Germans within the Holy Roman Empire.

The Kingdom of France also began to collude with the Holy Roman Empire, like the Eastern Roman Empire. Through collaboration with the Eastern Roman Empire, France had already begun to sell its military supplies.

The civil war was between the electors who followed the Saxon army and the imperial nobles who followed the German king.

Of course, this was a broad distinction for convenience, and a closer look at this power struggle was reminiscent of the barbaric era when Germanic tribes fought amongst themselves long ago.

‘Use this situation to earn livres, earn, earn, and earn. Repair the losses of the Kingdom of France during that time, show ‘sincerity’ to some nobles who have become estranged, and at the same time, raise a force to support the royal authority by leading a formidable standing army.’

“The important thing is military power. I, too, love ‘peace’ like Richard. You’ve worked hard, so retire for the day. I want to see my son.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Philip II called for his heir.

“The Crown Prince requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

Not long after, his son arrived.

“My son.”

“My King.”

“Call me Father.”

“Yes, Father.”

Philip II looked at his son Louis, who had rushed to his call.

His son, once a baby, was now a dignified and proud heir to the Capetian dynasty. He resembled Philip himself, with a handsome face that reminded him of his younger days.

The son who inherited the same name ‘Louis’ as his father, the previous monarch, was the heir who would ascend to the throne as Louis VIII after his own death.

‘A brilliant and ambitious heir can become a rival, but as long as he doesn’t cross the line, he must be cherished.’

Philip II treated his son, Crown Prince Louis, who spoke plainly to him, with sincerity.

What were the consequences of Henry II treating his children carelessly?

He knew how fortunate he had been to have a good relationship with his father, Louis VII.

Perhaps that was why the young King had even greater ambitions.

‘My true goal is for my kingdom not to collapse, and for my son to become a king who surpasses me, just as Philip II created the great Alexander.’

It was to make his son a peerless, wise ruler who surpassed him.

Of course, he knew that the path would not be easy.

“Son, learn from England.”

The King of France tells the Crown Prince to learn from England. If an ordinary person heard this, they would think the King was talking nonsense.

Crown Prince Louis knew his father’s intentions well.

“Are you saying I should learn the cunning of those pirates?”

“Yes, it is important to learn from the enemy you hate the most. England has been a hostile nation that has troubled our kingdom since the time of the late King, but we must acknowledge their progress and our decline.”

Learn ‘advantages’ from defeat. Words that Philip II, who was once proud, could never have uttered.

“Frankly, I respect John.”

“Safe John, you mean?”

‘Defeat Safe John’ was practically the slogan of the Capetian dynasty, but the two highest-ranking men in the Capetian dynasty did not underestimate John.

“He is the one who awakens me. Moreover, his son James, like you, Louis, is a chosen successor.”

Crown Prince Louis looked at his father and said,

“I, too, am learning through Duke James of Aquitaine. He is an heir who possesses both Safe John’s cunning and Geoffrey’s shrewdness.”

He, too, was analyzing the next generation of rivals.

* * *

-Aquitaine, England, Capital Poitiers-

-Ding, ding, ding.

The Angelus bell [a Catholic prayer bell] rang.

“I have come to report to Your Highness.”

Robin, the leader of the intelligence agency Shadow, began to deliver the latest news.

“Hmm….”

Each report was so extraordinary that he had to manage his expression several times.

That was just how world news was. Europe, the neighborhood I lived in, was always a complex and enigmatic exhibition of history in motion.

“…. That is all for the recent movements in Europe.”

Robin’s report contained news of people cheering or despairing at the cauldron that was the Holy Roman Empire.

Among them was the fact that the Kingdom of France was currently enjoying a sweet war boom from unseen places.

They were joining hands with their friends in the Eastern Roman Empire and creating pro-French merchants in Venice and Genoa.

It seemed as though the Kingdom of France was engaging in the kind of diplomatic maneuvers and cunning that the future British Empire would favor, but in reality, Europe at this time was a place where one had to be more vile than the other to survive.

“I understand. Let me think for a moment. You may leave.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I shall withdraw.”

Duke Robin of Norfolk was an excellent vassal.

Outwardly, he uncovered the corruption of promising nobles as an inspector, and in unseen places, he acquired information.

Having received the latest international news, I looked out the window. A bountiful autumn had arrived. The weather was ambiguous, both cold and cool.

I called out the name of a man who was clearly my rival.

“Philip….”

My adversary, and a great French monarch whom I would have to keep in check later on.

Honestly, I used to think of him as just that Philip guy, but as time went on, I saw him as a monarch to be respected, not just a rival. He was a prepared villain. It was as if Philip II was there to complete me as Safe John.

Philip II was showing the image of a wise king, receiving the support of the people, and raising the national power of the Kingdom of France.

‘I, too, will become a king of France who loves peace. The other matter is the problem now, isn’t it?’

He sent people to Rouen, where Richard I was, and to the Duchy of Aquitaine, where I was, to talk about peace. He said to watch the ‘German’ bastards fight.

‘As expected, the monarch of the Kingdom of France is great.’

Although it was practically giving the West France region as a gift to England, the Kingdom of France was a powerful nation. Therefore, one could not be careless against Philip II.

Regarding him as a true adversary, I did not want to waste a single day. Philip II was working hard to the point of death, so how could I delay?

So I swore to Richard I in Rouen. I would treat you not as my brother, but as my lord, and my loyalty would not change.

And in return, I was promised by Richard I. He would treat me not as his brother, but as his heir, but he would be a shield against the political offensives of others.

Of course, I didn’t just trust Richard I’s word, so I put many of my close aides in Rouen. Because you never know what might happen.

There was much for me to do in order to do that.

“Summon the greatest scholars and priests. There is something I want to do.”

* * *

Thinking about the things he had done, the Duke of Brittany, Henry II (the title of the retired monarch), was having a decent end to his life, though his conscience was a little troubled.

“Grandpa, we’re too tired.”

“I’ll go in first.”

Charles, who was growing up, was becoming more perceptive, and Louis hated being tired.

So the grandsons who were not the eldest returned to the mansion, and Duke Henry of Brittany spoke to the only grandson who remained in his seat.

“Your younger brothers are bowing their heads on their own.”

“Grandpa, this is natural. It is right for the order of the brothers to be decided in advance. Shouldn’t that prevent chaos?”

James told his grandfather his thoughts without a care. Of course, it was half a rebuke to his grandfather.

In the first place, Duke Henry of Brittany, when he was king, did not appoint a proper heir in order to keep his children in check.

As a result, had there not been two civil wars, the ‘Great Rebellion’ and the ‘War of the Lions’?

The Duke of Brittany, who knew what his eldest grandson meant, was filled with regret along with the thought that his grandson was admirable.

“You’re talking about the painful part. You are truly blessed.”

“I know that too, Grandpa.”

“Hahaha, a grandson as clever as John.”

James, who had become someone’s husband, was no longer the Prince of Ireland. Because he had experienced a lot.

Now, he was able to read the ways of the world and survive in a world where bloodline, responsibility, and ability were necessary to live.

He was also able to know the identities of his mother’s close aides… in short, people like the Palaiologos family.

So he knew very well what kind of blessing he had received.

Unlike his ancestors, he was a noble being from birth, and he was already a person who had been chosen as an heir in terms of political interests.

Everyone was obeying and expecting just one drop of blood flowing through this body.

‘That’s not a good thing. Everyone wants something from me.’

But James was being more careful because of that. Were his capable uncles incompetent and defeated by his father, John? No! It was because they were careless.

So James needed a teacher.

Not just people who knew the Bible or academics, people who learned politics through ‘writing’, people who approached him to gain political advantages, or his father John, who loved him but had to keep a slight distance for various reasons.

A person who could really teach him everything without wanting anything in return.

There was only one person, his grandfather, who was now looking at him with a benevolent expression.

So James said in an earnest voice.

“Grandpa, please tell me a lot. I am really lacking.”

“I’m just a failed old man?”

To the Duke of Brittany’s half-joking words, James pointed to himself and said.

“But in the end, you have a young and kind grandson.”

“You rascal….”

Just as the Duke of Brittany was feeling proud, James continued.

“A grandson who is qualified to create the Third Rome.”