eastern european eagle

Chapter 504 Peace Talks
William came to the Roman camp again. Because it was already late at night, Peter had an empty military tent prepared for him and a simple dinner.

William did not complain. He wanted to get enough rest to ensure that he had enough energy to meet the Roman emperor and deal with the possible cross-examination.

Early on the next morning, William, who was still sleeping soundly, was awakened by the sound of high-pitched military bugles. He hurriedly put on his clothes and wanted to walk out of the military tent to see what was going on, but was stopped by the guards guarding the door.

"What happened?" William couldn't help but asked curiously in Romanian.

The guard hesitated for a moment, then replied: "They have to do morning exercises."

Roman levies needed training every day to maintain combat effectiveness, including tactics, physical strength, camp construction and other training to improve their skills and physical strength. Heavy labor tempered the soldiers' will and physique, and also taught them better knowledge of obedience and mutual help.

Such a large amount of exercise every day is based on sufficient logistical support. The Roman soldiers had three meals a day. In addition to sufficient bread, there was also a large amount of meat, vegetables and fruits. Behind these people were the full efforts of the people of the empire. Protection and dedication.

"Your Majesty, the Count of Holland wishes to see you."

"Invite him in."

William walked into the big tent and saw Peter sitting at the top, looking at him with a smile. Thoughts were running through his mind, but there was no hesitation in his actions. He bowed respectfully and said loudly: "Your Majesty the Emperor, King Sigismund of Germany sent me as an envoy to visit you and discuss this matter with your country. A war that should never have happened!"

"Back then, you secretly formed an alliance to deal with the empire, and you were the one who started the war. Now you can start a war if you want, and stop the war if you want. But this is not a war game, it's not that simple!" Peter interjected sarcastically.

"I told you a long time ago that you will definitely come back." Peter sighed with a smile on his face.

"Your Majesty, today's war should never have happened! It has lasted for such a long time and caused huge losses to this land. Business has declined, farmland has been barren, and civilians have suffered heavy casualties... We realize that we cannot continue like this. , so I am sent here, hoping to discuss with your Majesty whether we can cease the war, allow the two countries to restore peace, restart trade, heal the wounds of the war as soon as possible, and promote prosperity together!”

"Since Sigismund has such sincerity, let's get started. However, I am currently busy with military affairs and have no time to spare. I will let Mason, as the negotiator of the empire, discuss peace talks with you. I hope you will have a happy cooperation. Finally, We can reach a consensus and bring good news to the people!”

William looked at the other party subconsciously, and Mason was also looking at him with piercing eyes. Although Peter readily agreed to negotiate, which made him happy, it also made him realize that this armistice negotiation might not be that easy...

Mason also realized that His Majesty's urgent call to him was responsible for changing history. He read the emperor's peace terms, and it was time to truly test himself.

The negotiation venue was arranged in an empty military tent not far from the camp tent. There were only four people in the tent—Mason, William, and a scribe each brought. Such a simple configuration would determine this outcome. The direction of the war is related to the future situation in Europe.

After the two sides sat down, Mason put his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and said bluntly: "Your Majesty, since you want to cease war and negotiate peace, you must have accepted His Majesty's conditions." "...Yes," William looked at Mason, who was somewhat imposing, hesitated for a moment and said softly: "Before I left, His Majesty had agreed... that the two sides would stop the war and resume the sphere of influence that was delineated when the peace agreement was signed. We are willing to resolve this issue." A certain amount of compensation will be made for the losses caused by the war to Rome, and the specific amount will be decided after discussion between the two parties——"

Before he could finish speaking, Mason stood up and walked out.

William was stunned: "Sir, what do you mean?"

Mason turned around and said with a sarcastic face: "Earl, you are not here to negotiate, you are here to tell a joke. You have to understand that this war was not started by us, but now we hope to end this war." But it's you again! But you are negotiating with such an attitude, as if it is not the empire that has the advantage in the entire war, but you! If this is the case, then there is no need to negotiate anymore, go home and continue to wait for the war. Come on, maybe you will wait for our envoy to go to Mainz and ask for an armistice! "

William was a Dutch earl after all. He had argued with many scholars in the Frisian parliament before. He said slowly and calmly, "Negotiation is like the sale of goods. You give a price, I give a price, and both sides bargain and finally reach a reasonable price to complete the transaction... Now we have offered a price for a ceasefire. Since you are not satisfied, I would like to hear what your country's current price is?"

Mason began to tell the conditions: "I think you should have known the conditions the empire gave you before, but now they have changed."

Hearing this, William was in disbelief, "How could you go back on your word? I can only go back and forth from here to Mainz for a month."

"In this month, the imperial army entered Milan, Genoa surrendered, and soon the whole of Italy belonged to the empire."

"You occupied it by force, and you may lose it under the threat of force in the future... How about we use more compensation to redeem the land you occupied. I hope you can consider it!" William's tone softened slightly. Come down.

"When you start a war, we can only use swords and artillery to reason with you!"

"You!..." William finally couldn't help but stood up and shouted: "Romania is so greedy, it seems that it has no intention of armistice and peace talks with us!"

"His Majesty the Emperor is indeed interested in peace talks, otherwise he would not have put forward these detailed conditions." Mason said seriously: "He also told me that except for the amount of compensation, which can be negotiated, other conditions must not be changed! Of course, for such an important matter, I don’t think the earl can decide, but I hope you can finalize this matter as soon as possible, otherwise as time goes by, our conditions will become more than these. "

William couldn't stand the conditions that changed every month. Not only him, but the Duke couldn't stand it either. They needed to reach an agreement faster, William thought.

However, William and Mason agreed on a condition, which was to recognize Florence and Siena as belonging to Rome. As for the recognition of the Swiss Confederation, Habsburg has not yet agreed, but it should be soon.

(End of this chapter)