Chapter 9: Leopold
Winter had descended on Vienna, cloaking the ground in snow. That meant manoeuvres of the army could not be carried out and therefore the military kept itself occupied with other activities. Leopold had often found such things fascinating, having wanted to know what was happening right down to the last detail. As such he had summoned the Margrave of Baden-Baden to discuss the status of the army. With the way things were progressing against the Turk, Leopold felt confident that things would improve drastically. As if God himself were on their side, and why would he not be? They were carrying out his work after all.
The audience chamber was big, not as big as the one at Hofburg, but big enough. Leopold looked at the Margrave and asked. “We have defeated the Turk at Mohacs, and we have ensured that they do not have a chance to re-enter Hungary, with the fortifications we have built and secured. Now tell us, what more needs to be done to drive them completely out of our domains?” Leopold wanted to take all of Transylvania, and if possible Wallachia and Moldavia, so far he knew that the people of Transylvania had responded positively, but that some were trying to join that heretic Mehmed.
Baden, was a serious man, reflected in his bearing and his words. “Sire, I would argue that for the time being with winter being as it is now, we should focus on ensuring that the garrisons within Hungary have proper rest and food, to keep them going. The winters in Hungary, as I am sure you know can be quite hard, and with the populous newly freed from Turkic rule, they might not know how best to respond to the men’s presence there.” Leopold nodded, that was common sense. “However, once the winter is over, I would suggest that the army move southward to ensure that the Serbs and the people of Transylvania see that we are serious about liberating them.”
“In what number? Forty thousand, thirty thousand?” Leopold asked, he was concerned about raising the money needed to provide for this, there was a volunteer corps from England that had come, commanded by the Queen’s bastard brother, but other than that, all the men were coming from the German lands, and they would demand payment.
“I would, if I could Sire, recommend forty thousand. But if finances are an issue, then perhaps twenty-five thousand, under the command of Maximillian Emmanuel, whilst the main body continues down the route into Wallachia proper, under my command or that of Charles of Lorraine.” Baden answered.
Leopold nodded. “I see, the snows will clear by March at the earliest, I do not wish for the heretics to get the advantage therefore, you shall be prepared to march from the moment the snows melt, is that understood?”
“Yes, Sire.” Baden answered.
“Good.” Leopold replied, he then turned to Rudolf von Metternich, his chief spy master and asked him. “What word has there been from the court of Constantinople?” For a court filled with intrigue and betrayal, the heretics were surprisingly lax about rooting out spies from within their own ranks. Leopold knew they had some twelve spies in Constantinople, within the palace and the city itself.
“Mehmed has had his two brothers killed, and has now started looking for a bride for his eldest son. It seems that the military are abiding by his rule for now, he has appointed a man who has more instinct for war than previous Grand Viziers, and the man is instituting some reforms to their military. However, there are concerns arising that the Persians could be invading Ottoman territory.” Rudolf answered.
Leopold sighed, he disliked the Persians almost as much as he disliked the Turks, but they were a better ally to have, and they caused the Turks issues, so they would suite. “Very well.” He then read through a letter sent to him by William of Orange, the man spoke in such an audacious manner that he sought not to consider it for now, instead he simply said to Baden. “Ensure that the men on the northern frontier are prepared for war. Louis of France will be making manoeuvres at some point or the other.” Baden nodded. Leopold then picked up another letter, and read through it. He put it down and spoke. “After spending more time interested in the Dutch and defeating them, the English have now decided that they wish to get involved in the politics of the Empire. This Queen, has written to me suggesting ways in which we can get the Danish onside against the French.” He handed the letter to his chief advisor Franz Arnolf and waited as the man read through it. Bringing the Danish onside would have its advantages and deprive the French of another ally, but did he really want to make this compromise this woman suggested? “Well?” He demanded once Arnolf had finished reading the letter. “Is there anything to it?”
Arnolf was an old man, who had served Leopold’s father, and even his grandfather before that. He spoke slowly and with much consideration. “I believe, Sire, that these terms that the Queen of England mentions would be reasonable to the Danish and the Duke of Gottorp. I believe they would be willing.”
Leopold was himself not so sure, but the thought of the Danish fleet bringing the French to their knees was a humorous one and so he said. “Very well, send a letter to both courts, and tell them to come to Vienna, we shall sort this matter before the year is over.” If he could do this then the French would think twice before moving to war.
