VVD0D95
Banned
This is very true, and I imagine Bavaria could be a source of tension between all forces
A Britain of Panthers and Lions: House of Oldenburg Britain
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This is very true, and I imagine Bavaria could be a source of tension between all forces
Chapter 35: Sambhaji The Iron
VVD0D95
Banned
Chapter 35: Sambhaji The Iron
Sambhaji felt tired, the countless hours he had spent reading through notes, through plans and countless other documents was beginning to leave its mark on him. He suspected that deep down, there was another reason for his frenetic pursuit of information, but right now he did not have the time or the patience to analyse himself. Instead, Sambhaji wiped sleep from his eyes, and looked at the men gathered about him. His councillors, convened for a planned excursion. The first in almost two years.
“We are sitting on information that could well make things different for everyone within the Mughal Empire and ensure that there is a reliable network of allies for our dream to come true. To bring Bharat back to being.” Sambhaji began. “To sit on this information and not do anything with it, would break the bounds of Dharma, and go against the very vows we swore, when our father, the great Shivaji died. We must act, and we must act now.”
Moresvhar Pingley, the Peshwa, who held a minor position now than his father had spoke. “Sire, your words are well thought and meaningful. But I fear we cannot supply for a long drawn out war. The Rajput clans continue fighting amongst themselves, the south sits on its own issues, and the east is lost to the fighting of the Muslims. Where shall we get the allies for, Sire?”
Sambhaji looked at the man, he did not quite like him, but he was capable and that was why Sambhaji had decided to retain him. “We believe that there is nothing more necessary than showing the other states, that we are serious about what we mean and stand for. There is a convoy coming from the Mughal centre for their governor to the north of us, we must act and attack it and we must do so now. Do otherwise means we are weak.” And he would not accept that, the Marathas were not weak.
Pingley looked torn. “Sire, I understand your desire, but to act now, with our forces not yet completely trained under the auspices of what the English feel is necessary, is that not foolish?”
Sambhaji felt his frustration with Pingley grow, there was something this man was not saying and what it was, he did not know, but it was there, a clear presence in the room. He looked at Mohite, his most able general, and the man spoke. “Sire, I think that whilst there are adequate concerns to be had, we must consider other things. The Mughals are concerned with fighting the Persians, the majority of their northern strength and several of their Princes are fighting there. The Convoy going southwards is to aid someone they consider weak. We can attack it, take what we need and leave the rest. By the time Aurangzeb is ready to retaliate we shall be ready.”
Pingley spoke then. “Sire, surely we should wait and consider our options completely before making any such moves? There are things that we need to take into count, such as taxation, the men and the training and their safety.”
“All things we have already done. The men are eager to fight; they are trained in the air of warfare before the jungle becomes the natural habitat. And we know where the Mughal weaknesses are.” Mohite fired back.
“And the finances, are they secure?” Pingley asked.
Finance Minister Govinda Gaekwad spoke then. “We have enough coin for the army and the navy, as well as for bribes, Sire, should it come down to it.”
Sambhaji smiled. “Then it is decided we shall attack this convoy. Mohite, we want the men prepared and ready to march within the week. Not a day later.” The general bowed. “Dismissed.” Sambhaji said then, and the council dispersed. Sambhaji waited for a moment and then said. “You can come out now.” Sardwar, the court eunuch and his secret spymaster emerged, it smelt of perfume and all sorts of other things. “What did you notice?” He asked.
“Every time Pingley spoke he looked at his fingers, and the rings. The third one on his middle finger was a gift from the English on the Seven Isles. I believe that he is being paid by them.” Sardwar responded.
“Believe or know?” Sambhaji asked, he would not execute his minister for a probability.
Sardwar produced documents and placed them on the table. Sambhaji read through them, once he was done the eunuch spoke. “He has been receiving payments for some time, Sire. I think you would best be rid of him.”
Sambhaji nodded, then waved a hand, dismissing the eunuch, the man bowed and left. Leaving the King alone to his own thoughts. If they took the convoy and the weapons there, then they were sorted for the next campaign. If they succeeded there, then others would join them, and perhaps they could even take Delhi. If, if, if. So many ifs, he needed a guarantee.
At the very least we can see Oberpfalz being annexed to the lands of the Emperor's Neuburg brother-in-law, like OTL during the War of Spanish Succession.
TTL the Bavarian Elector would be the first electoral line to obtain Royal diginity, unprecedented at this. I think that Leopold may consider this at the very least.
VVD0D95
Banned
As consider leaving it in Bavarian hands, or consider forcing one of the other Wittlesbach mainline taking it?
Chapter 36: Mehmed The Sad
VVD0D95
Banned
Chapter 36: Mehmed The Sad
Mehmed did not know why Allah had decided this fate for him. Had he been so cruel in a previous life that Allah thought fit to remove his son, his firstborn from this world? Mehmed had not agreed with Mustafa over the plan for another war with the infidel. They were not strong enough to continue such a campaign, especially with the Persians planning another conquest. Yet Mustafa had gone and fought and died. Mehmed had immediately been offered the throne once more, mainly because his son Ahmed did not want the throne yet. Mehmed had accepted, and now here he was, meeting with the Imperial Ambassador.
“What terms does your Emperor want?” Mehmed asked.
“Your Most Royal Majesty,” The ambassador replied. “His Most Christian Majesty, Emperor Leopold wishes for peace to be brought between the two realms, and for the land that has been conquered by his forces to be seceded to him. This means, Transylvania, Croatia and Serbia.”
So, these were the terms that Mehmed had proposed originally, before his son had demanded that there be another war. Mehmed thinks over this, whilst this treaty would secede a large part of his empire, he knows it would bring peace, and ensure that the burdensome taxation he has subjected his subjects to for the past ten years would end. He looked to his chief advisor, the new Grand Vizier Kamal Pasha, who nodded in agreement. Mehmed turned back to look at the ambassador. “Then inform your master, that we would be more than happy to agree to these terms.” Mehmed said calmly. He knows that soon some will rebel.
The man bowed. “Thank you, Your Most Royal Majesty.” He turned and left the room, returning a few moments later with a treaty, that Mehmed had already known about. “If Your Most Royal Majesty would be so kind as to sign.”
Mehmed took a quill from his servant, and took the treaty as it was handed to him. He knew there would be another formal signing much later, but this would do for now. He added his signature to the document and saw it handed back to the ambassador. The man bowed then departed. Once he was gone, Mehmed got up and walked to where the meeting of his imperial council was to be held. The advisors filed in after him. His first question was one of grave importance. “Where are the Persians?”
“They have taken border fortresses, Your Royal Majesty.” Kamal said. “They’ve massacred men and women and children at the towns they’ve taken and they are planning a campaign to move closer into Mesopotamia.”
Mehmed grimaced that was not good news whatsoever. “Who commands them?” He demanded, depending on who it was, Mehmed thought he could perhaps bribe them.
“Mirwas Hotak, a young general who has gained the favour of the Shah.” Pasha responded.
“Are they pressing on the border, or in Mesopotamia?” Mehmed demanded, depending on the answer he would give his next command.
“Mesopotamia, Sire. Though reports have led us to believe that they might also consider moving into the border proper.” Pasha responded.
“Then we want word sent to this Hotak, offer him a chance to show where his loyalty lies. And if he makes the right choice, then we shall offer him Afghanistan as his true nature.” Mehmed responded.
“But Sire, will that not needlessly antagonise the Mughals?” His son Ahmed asked.
Mehmed sighed. He knew his son spoke the truth, but if he were being frank with himself, the Mughals have grown tiresome. Aurangzeb’s needless antagonism of his many subjects for religious reasons has made it harder for Mehmed to see the man’s Empire lasting beyond his death. “We do not think there is such a concern. Their Emperor focuses internally; he did not respond to the raids sanctioned on territory we both agreed was neutral.” That raid had happened ten years ago, and it still rankled him.
His son remained silent. Erduk Pasha, the Minister for War spoke then. “Sire, there are chances that some of the corps might seek to petition for stationing in Greece.”
“Greece?” Mehmed asked. He looked at Kamal who elaborated.
“Word has come that there is some trouble growing amongst the nobles there. Some stirring about uprising.”
Mehmed snorted. “Peasants and impoverished nobles will not rebel. Not now that the great war is over. We shall reduce our taxes on them, and the other lands we hold in Europe and we shall now turn our attention to ensuring Hotak does not make a mistake.”
There was a brief silence as everyone considered what he had said. Mehmed was convinced that what he had said was the right thing. They could not afford to have a long drawn out war with the Safavids, just as they could not continue fighting with the Infidels. If they could get peace with one, and bribe the other’s commander, then that would be fine with him. Kamal spoke then. “If that is Your Most Royal Majesty’s wish?”
“Yes.” Mehmed replied knowing that quick action was needed to ensure things went as he wished. Kamal bowed, and Mehmed rose, signalling the end of the meeting. He nodded to all gathered and walked out of the room, making his way down to the harem. He needed a drink, or several.
Yes, Austria could have annexed Bavaria after the Spanish Succession War, but choose not to, for domestic reasons.
VVD0D95
Banned
Oh definitely, I think louis might try and use thay to keep Maximilian and Spain in his orbit