King of German Mercenaries

Even if Marin understood what happened in Switzerland, he couldn't intervene at the moment, mainly because he didn't have the ability. In fact, as a lord, Marin also disliked the existence of Switzerland.

It's not that Marin has a grudge against the Swiss, but that Switzerland's political system is very different from other countries. The current Swiss Union consists of about 10 cantons. And each state seems to have a lot of autonomy. This is somewhat like the federation of later generations, or it should be said that the federation of later generations like Laomei actually learned from Switzerland.

In each canton of Switzerland, a democratic system similar to the ancient Greek city-state is implemented. Therefore, Switzerland is the source of modern democracy. Later, the republic of the seven provinces of the Netherlands also learned from Switzerland.

And, decades later, a terrible Protestantism was born in Switzerland - Calvinism...

Calvinism may be nothing to ordinary people, but it is really terrible for nobles...

Because Calvinism advocates equality and decentralization. Perhaps, this is indeed a progressive sect. However, "the butt decides the head", Marin has become a nobleman, and he will become a great nobleman in the future. Well, Marin's position is naturally opposed to a federal democratic system like Switzerland.

The reason why Calvinism developed in Switzerland was not Calvin's own independent invention, but the various teachings he summed up based on the current experience of the Swiss city-state democracy.

From the day Calvinism was born, it has been fighting against nobles. Calvinism spread to the Netherlands, the Dutch rose up, overthrew the rule of the Habsburg family and established a republic without kings; Calvinism spread to France, called Huguenots. The Huguenots also set off a huge storm in France and fought to the death with Catholicism, causing a bloody French Civil War.

Calvinism spread to England, first made the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, and then spread to England. The Calvinists in England are called "Puritans", a faction that is very keen to rebel against and hack the king to death. It was Cromwell, the leader of this faction, who chopped off the head of King Charles I...

The French Revolution, the Huguenots of the French branch of Calvinism, was also an important driving force. Louis XVI was not a bad guy, but he was still beheaded by the Huguenots...

So, all in all, Calvinism is a sect that is very keen to rebel, very keen to hack kings and great nobles...

Faced with such a sect, Marin certainly wanted to destroy it. However, Calvin, the founder of the sect, was not yet born. Moreover, Marin is also worried that even if Calvin is killed, it will not prevent the birth of another new sect similar to Calvinism.

Because Calvinism just summed up the political way of life in Switzerland, and then promoted it to the rest of Europe, triggering various revolutions...

Therefore, as long as a federal system such as Switzerland exists, it is difficult to avoid the birth of the "King-killing faction" like Calvinism.

As a big lord now, Marin may be a king in the future, and he is very disgusted with such a sect. But the most fundamental way to prevent the emergence of such a sect is to destroy the Swiss Confederation and return Switzerland to the "order" of aristocratic rule.

However, the Swiss were very powerful, and it was estimated that they could mobilize 30,000 or 40,000 spearmen. Because Switzerland has always had a tradition of all people being soldiers. So, although Switzerland has a population of less than one million, there are really many mercenaries. When the French King Charles VIII recruited Swiss mercenaries, 25,000 were recruited at once, far exceeding the recruitment requirements.

Therefore, to remove the "cancer" of the feudal era in Switzerland, Marin is at least not qualified, and must develop slowly first. When you have the strength, you can help the emperor to destroy the Swiss Confederation.

...

Of course, that's all for later. Right now, what Marin has to do is to accompany the whole family and go to Markburg to watch Adler's knighthood canonization ceremony.

The family, escorted by a large cavalry, arrived at Fort Mark a few days later. And John II had been waiting at the Markborough Palace for a long time.

As an ally, Marin naturally went in to visit John II, and then discussed how to help Philip Grand Commander quickly establish a foothold in the Teutonic Knights, and how to gain trade benefits in the Teutonic Knights.

Marin naturally talked eloquently and used various modern viewpoints to fool John II, a medieval native, for a moment. John II is not only full of emotion - why can't such a talent work for me?

John II actually wanted to appoint Marin as his palace minister, because Marin not only knew how to train and fight, but also how to make money. The mere West Frisian Islands were able to spend nearly 100,000 gold coins to help Philip run for the post of Teutonic Grand Commander.

You know, as the ruler of the two great powers, the Duchy of Clifford and the Country of Mark, John II himself couldn't come up with 100,000 gold coins. Not to mention 100,000 gold coins, it is difficult to take out 50,000 gold coins.

Of course, it's not that these two vassal states don't have so much money, but that the expenditures of the two states are also amazing. Even if there is so much financial revenue, the expenditure is very large, and there is no way to have so much money left.

In this era, because of the huge expenses, many nobles actually want to have a subordinate who can help them make a lot of money. In this way, they can also splurge more happily and unrestrainedly...

However, Marin was destined to be a man of Maximilian I. Moreover, he is also the lord of a self-governing territory, and he is a tyrant in the West Frisian Islands, so there is absolutely no need to go to a principality to be a palace minister. In terms of spare money in his hand, Marin is estimated to have more than John II. Why do people want to be a servant of a poor duke?

However, John II was not stupid. Even if you can't win Marin to serve him, you can still have a good relationship with Marin. Because, Marin is a real genius. Maybe one day, you will be able to use it yourself. And now, Marin has helped Philip a lot. It is also very honorable for the Lamarck family to have a great Teutonic head. Therefore, the Lamarck family must accept this.

Adler's promotion ceremony is solemn, but also very simple. There were many people watching the ceremony, many of whom were nurses called by John II, as well as some friends of the Hoffman family.

The specific process is also simple, that is, Adler came out first, and showed off his martial arts and riding alone like a monkey. Then, John II, Earl of Mark, will send an Inner Knight from the court to fight Adler twice. A battle on foot, a battle on horseback. If they all win, they will be considered qualified, and then the canonization will be a matter of course...

Since John II is here to go through the motions, naturally he will not really embarrass Adler. So, he sent a weaker inner palace knight to fight against the tall and strong Adler. Moreover, the knight also put water...

In fact, even if not waterproof, the skinny knight is no match for Adler. Therefore, Adler easily defeated the knight and successfully passed the test. Moreover, what Marin admired was that although this knight was releasing water, his expression was extremely serious and desperate, as if he was doing his best...

Marin not only secretly gave the knight 120 likes, but his acting skills are really impressive. If there was a TV movie right now, this guy might be a star. Look at how desperate he was when he shot... Look at how painful he was after being hit - in fact, Adler didn't use much effort to avoid hurting his opponent...

However, this little brother was only lightly rubbed by Adler, and he flew out several meters upside down, so that he could let out a shrill scream... That expression seemed to be crushed by the human ape Tarzan, look The people who eat melon without knowing it are all worried about him...

After the assessment of this kind of performance, King John II personally issued the appointment document to Adler, signed it on the spot, and sent his cronies to help Adler cut off the tail of the swallowtail flag, symbolizing Adler's official transition from a Apprentice knight, became an official knight master...

All the spectators stood up and applauded, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Of course, there was no Zhao Ritian who jumped out of the scene to shout "I'm not convinced" like a TV series...

Then, John II also held a court reception, entertaining the Hoffman family and many guests...

After the reception, John II set off to return to the Principality of Clifford, where he often stayed, but before leaving, he asked the officials from the Palace of the Earl of Mark to follow the Hoffman family to the vicinity of the Hoffman Manor to confirm a 500-dollar estate. Graham's place, set aside for Adler as a seal...

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