Chapter 87: Conseil d'en haut
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Banned
Chapter 87: Conseil d’en haut
September, 1700
“Gentlemen, it is our great pleasure to introduce our grandson, His Royal Highness, the Duke of Burgundy to the Royal Council.” Louis said, there was applause then, the Dauphin had deigned to attend this meeting a rarity for him, but Louis was not fussed about that, his grandson was the future, and he was proud of the man he was becoming. “Our grandson is to be treated as a full and regular member of the council, and his advice is to be taken as advice from a council member for policy.”
There was more applause, and his grandson bowed and said. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Louis smiled, his grandson sat down on Louis’s right handside, Louis spoke once more. “Now, we are approaching the end of the campaign season and as such we must know what the situation is within the wider war effort.”
Tellier his Minister for War spoke. “Sire, the current situation within Aragon has turned against us. Maximilian of Bavaria has defeated the Duke of Aliaga several times and has retaken the border towns. Indeed, Aliaga has just about avoided capture, though several of his followers have surrendered their garrisons and their land back to the Crown. As such, I would advise that we cut our losses and focus on the Spanish Netherlands.”
Louis thought about this for a moment, then enquired. “And if we were to remain within Aragon, what would change? How would it effect things within the campaign in the Spanish Netherlands?”
Tellier replied. “Sire, I believe that we would needlessly be spending money and resources on a campaign that brings nothing of benefit to the nation. Aragon should be considered nothing more than a divergence. Aliaga is a terrible commander, whilst we should really be focusing on trying to persuade Maximilian’s brother to change sides.”
Louis nodded. “Then you know what your next task is.” Tellier nodded. “And what of the Spanish Netherlands, how are we progressing there?” He knew the Admiralty wanted to discuss naval matters, especially after the defeat at Dunkirk but he was not interested. The Spanish Netherlands were more of interest.
“Sire, the Duke of Vendome has been defeated by Prince William of Orange at Louvain, whilst the Duke of Chartres has maintained the siege of Brussels. Yet Chartres writes that he expects there to be battle.” Tellier replied.
“No. We do not want battle. Tell Chartres to fall back before Orange gets there. If he must leave Brussels untaken then that must be done. Fall back to Halle and consolidate his position there.” Louis demanded.
“But Sire, if he falls back now, he may never get another chance as easy as this. Orange will build up the defences and the English will try and lead him out of Halle.” Tellier pointed out.
“We do not care about that. If he were serious about taking Brussels he would have done so by now. Let the Dutch and English come together, their interests will be different, and there will be a big enough difference for us to play on.” Louis demanded.
His grandson spoke then. “Sire, if I might?” Louis gave the boy a nod to signal he could go ahead. “I think that perhaps sending a partial force under the command of another commander into the Spanish Netherlands to be waiting for the British when they come would be advised. That way we can prevent aid coming to the Dutch and the Spanish.”
Intrigued by this suggestion, Louis asked his grandson. “Who would you send?”
“Chamilly, Sire. He is good enough for this sort of manoeuvre and will be sure to engage in proper defensive thinking.” His grandson replied.
Louis agreed with the suggestion. “Very well, Tellier send the instructions to Chamilly, five regiments under his command to deal with the British.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Tellier said.
“Very well, dismissed.” Louis said, he wished to get his grandson’s perspective of this brief meeting, he watched the jealousy in his son’s eyes as he left the room, Louis ignored the man, his son was a dolt. Once the other councillors had gone and it was just Louis and his grandson left, Louis asked him. “And what did you make of that?”
The boy smiled. “It was certainly interesting. Tellier is definitely different to how he is in the salons.”
Louis laughed, Tellier was a scoundrel, but he had changed since his uncle’s death. “Indeed not. And do you agree with him that Aragon is hopeless?”
“Yes, I would rather focus on gaining the Spanish Netherlands. Though I am curious as to why you did not ask about Milan, Sire.” His grandson asked.
Louis sighed. “Milan is complicated. We must ensure that either Savoy gets it or that we take it completely. Yet, we must also toe the line there. The Papacy won’t like being surrounded. As such, mentioning Milan now is not the best decision.”
His grandson looked surprised. “You mean to say that you think that there are spies listening to conversations of the council?”
Louis sighed. “We do not think, we know. There have been spies caught numerous times. It is only now that we have finally devised ways to prevent such things from happening. Yet one must always be careful. Do you understand?”
“Yes Your Majesty.” His grandson replied.
“Good, now off with you, you have a wife to attend to.” Louis said laughing as the boy blushed.