Chapter 718 Charlemagne's Dream
Chapter 719 Charlemagne’s Dream
An hour later.
Francis II knelt on one knee in front of Archbishop Chiaramonti, kissed the ring on his finger, and recited a prayer:
“My soul longs for your forgiveness and guidance, and my life, thoughts, and deeds are dedicated to you…All glory to God, now and forever, forever and ever…”
According to Catholic rites, it was God whom he knelt down to worship.
However, it also clearly shows his attitude.
In the Schönbrunn Palace Square, Giacinto Reale looked at the palace gate in front of him and took a few deep breaths, but his hands were shaking slightly.
He heard news that the papal legate had arrived in Vienna.
He was originally supposed to go to see the Emperor of the Shinra before the envoy, but his master Muzarelli encountered heavy snow in Villach. According to the itinerary, he could not leave Austria until this afternoon.
For the absolute safety of his master, he could only delay coming to Schonbrunn Palace until now.
Yes, a mysterious person told Muzzarelli a week ago that the Pope sent a special envoy to Vienna - the messenger also encountered snow and wind, otherwise he would have arrived a few days earlier.
Muzzarelli immediately left Austria for the Papal States, leaving Reale behind to complete important tasks.
Reale was soon summoned by Francis II.
Emperor Shinra's first words when he saw him were: "Where is your master?"
"I think he is almost in Rome." Reale leaned forward.
"What?" Francis II was shocked, "Isn't he giving a speech in Bologne? Damn it!"
Reale's heart was beating wildly, and he mustered up the courage to say: "Your Majesty, it seems that you have reached an agreement with the Pope?"
People who knew his master said he was a gambler, but he preferred to call him an adventurer. There is an essential difference between the two - gamblers will bet everything without looking at the cards, while adventurers will choose to take action only when they are sure.
Therefore, this follower believes that he will not be hanged by Emperor Shinra today.
Francis II nodded and said calmly: "It doesn't matter. As long as he doesn't have my support, the Pope himself can deal with him."
"No, Your Majesty," Reale said firmly, "You must support Archbishop Muzzarelli!"
Francis II smiled and motioned to the guards: "Lock him up."
Reale increased his voice: "If you do this, then the letters you wrote to my master are about the rumors that asked the Holy See to declare the Crusades, as well as the contents of the negotiations between your Foreign Secretary and him, and the matters involved. All manuscripts will be made public!”
Franz II immediately stood up, waved his hand and shouted angrily: "I swear, if he dares to do this, I will throw him into hell!"
Reale recalled his master's instructions and continued: "Moreover, the master will also take the initiative to confess to the Holy See and 'confess' that you conspired with him to assassinate the Pope!"
Franz II was immediately stunned.
If only the news that he and Muzarelli had conspired to refute rumors about the Crusaders was leaked, the soldiers fighting in Poland would be a little dissatisfied at most.
But combined with this incident, Muzarelli continued to slander himself and planned to assassinate the Pope. He couldn't explain it at all!
In the eyes of the outside world, it is obvious that he wants to support the Austrian power of the Holy See, so it is logical to get rid of the current pope. Especially when one of the people involved admits it himself.
Even Pius VI would believe it!
By then, I will be cast aside by the entire Catholic world...
Franz II shouted with a livid face: "Is he crazy? If he does this, he himself will be finished!"
When Reale saw the uncontrollable fear in Emperor Shinra's eyes, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the master had won.
He grinned: "The master said that he felt very honored to have such a noble emperor accompany him to hell. Even thousands of years later, people will still tell his story."
"Madman!" Franz II's forehead veins appeared, "Muzzarelli is a complete madman!"
He turned around and looked around, like a drowning man trying to find a piece of driftwood, but found nothing. He fell back on the chair and shook his head: "No, no! Over there with the Pope..."
Reale repeated Muzarelli's words: "Yes, the Pope will definitely be dissatisfied with you, declare support for the Crusade, and even impose 'excommunication' on you."
Franz II immediately raised his head and looked at him.
Reale continued: "But it doesn't matter. Archbishop Muzzarelli will put pressure on the Pope in the Holy See. As long as he has your support, he will be able to 'persuade' the Pope to give up these ideas."
"But……"
"If you are still worried, you can ask Tuscany and Venice to cooperate." Reale smiled, "Oh, the French method works very well, what is it called? Oh, 'military exercise' ', yes, let the two countries conduct a large-scale exercise on the border of the Papal States.
"I believe the result will definitely satisfy you."
Seeing that Franz II was sullen and silent, he leaned forward and said, "Your Majesty, this is actually a rare opportunity for you.
"You know, the Pope is already very old. And when Archbishop Muzzarelli ascends to the Holy See, you will become the new 'Charlemagne'!
“Of course, this process also requires your selfless support.”
The Charlemagne he was talking about was the creator of Charlemagne's empire.
When people talk about the Papal States, they usually think of "Pepin the Short", the Frankish king who gave Rome to the Holy See. But in fact, the one who made the greatest contribution to the Holy See was Pepin's son Charles.
With the absolute support of the Holy See, Charles led his army to conquer the vast territory including France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and northwestern Italy at that time.
Later, he divided the family among his three sons, and then the Western European countries came into being. The complete Holy Roman Empire is just a "fragment" of Charlemagne's Empire.
At the same time, the Papal States also received huge rewards from Charles, including a large amount of land and dominance over religion.
It can be said that this is the most glorious period of the Holy See in the past few hundred years.
When Francis II heard this, he was immediately moved.
Muzarelli's meaning was very clear. If he became Pope, he would help Francis II sweep across Western Europe just like Leo III supported Charlemagne.
Coincidentally, Leo III also became Pope through a coup.
Franz II pondered for a long time, and finally, his eyes became firm, and he raised his hand to signal the captain of the guard: "Go and bring back Archbishop Chiaramonti."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Joseph didn't expect that he just didn't want the Pope to cooperate with Austria. But the message he sent had a revolutionary impact on the political situation of the Holy See.
...
United States.
Philadelphia.
"Excuse me, it is impossible for Parliament to pass this bill." U.S. Treasury Secretary Hamilton showed a regretful expression to Lord Grenville, "Besides, the materials needed to support your country's expeditionary force must be extremely expensive, and given our country's financial situation, we absolutely cannot afford it."
