King of German Mercenaries

While Geoffrey was still in Vienna, Marin began to think otherwise. On the European continent, if a prince wants to be safe, in addition to his own strength, he also needs to have enough allies and strong enough. In this way, other princes will not dare to attack you easily. Without allies, even the most powerful princes could easily be beaten to death.

Therefore, Marin must be looking for allies. Fortunately, Marin had allies like the Duchy of Clifford. After meeting with the envoys sent by Marin, John II, Duke of Clifford, responded quickly, announcing his recognition of Marin's status as Earl of East Friesland. After all, the two sides are allies in terms of interests, and strong allies are also beneficial to themselves. Therefore, John II readily recognized Marin's status. He was also the first prince to recognize Marin's status. In addition, the Teutonic Knights recognized Marin's status without any problem. However, the country of the Teutonic Knights is a bit far away, and it will be much later that Captain Philip receives the news from Marin. Therefore, it is estimated that it will take a lot of time until the Teutonic State recognizes Marin.

However, these two allies, one is separated from East Frisian by the large Bishopric of Munster, and the other is simply 108,000 miles away.

So, Marin was happy that the two recognized his status. However, the help of these two companies for Marin is actually very limited. After all, far water cannot save near fire. And Friesland's Saxons and Oldenburg to the east, two malicious neighbors, are on the sidelines.

If the Saxons start attacking Marin, Marin can be sure that Oldenburg will take advantage of it. So, Marin decided to draw helpers to deal with Saxony and Oldenburg.

The enemies of the Earl of Oldenburg are mainly the Earl of East Friesland and the Bishopric of Münster, because the two countries had invaded the city in 1483 and forced Gerhard VI to abdicate. In terms of interests, the Bishopric of Münster should be on the same front as the Counties of East Friesland. However, it was the Serksner family who allied with the Bishopric of Munster, not the Brock family. Therefore, the relationship between East Friesland and the Bishopric of Munster is a bit awkward at present. Because the former ally of the Bishopric of Munster was actually the Serksner family. However, the main members of the Serksner family were all killed by Marin in one breath, which made the Bishopric of Munster feel a little overwhelmed.

Because, it stands to reason, the Bishopric of Munster is an ally of the Serksner family and should help the Serksner family. However, Marin attacked East Friesland too quickly, and captured all the immediate family members of the Serksner family and cut them all before other countries could react. In this way, even if the Bishopric of Münster wanted to help, it would be meaningless. The partners are all dead, so is it necessary to stand up for them? You must know that between countries, it is the relationship of interests, not the maintenance of emotions. Therefore, after learning that the Serksner family members were all dead, the Bishopric of Munster gave up the idea of ​​confronting Marin. After all, for the unambitious Bishopric of Münster, the most important thing is to fight against the Earl of Oldenburg, which is fantasizing about expansion because of its tough background.

As for the invasion of East Friesland, the Bishopric of Munster has never thought about it. why? Because the Episcopal State of Münster is a religious state with bishops in power, not hereditary. Even if this bishop swallowed East Frisland with all his might, but after his death, the next bishop is not his son, and for whom is he working so hard? Just cheap an irrelevant person.

Therefore, those bishopric states generally have little interest in expansion. Unless its neighbor is too weak to fight, it will consider annexation.

Marin was able to lay down East Frisian in a short period of time and control the situation before the neighboring countries reacted, so it is not a soft persimmon. Therefore, the Bishopric of Münster did not want to deal with East Friesland. Even, it has been worried that Denmark will one day get nervous and send troops to help Oldenburg expand. In that case, both East Friesland and the huge Bishopric of Münster would be targets of Oldenburg's aggression.

Therefore, regarding Marin's identity, the Bishopric of Munster is equally ambiguous, neither admitting nor opposing it. If Oldenburg wants to take revenge, maybe the Bishopric of Munster will join forces with Marin. The reason for not admitting it is to appear less shameless. After all, Marin killed their former ally. If you admit it right away, it would seem a little too unscrupulous.

As for Saxony's enemies, the far ones can't be used, and the near ones are only those 9 stupid nobles who lost their country. However, their strength is too weak, they can be used to cause trouble for Saxony, but they are not qualified to form an alliance. The one who is qualified to form an alliance with Marin is the ambitious company of Gede...

It has only been 6 years since the Principality of Gede Company was restored, and it is not very strong at present. However, its Duke Charles II is a careerist and a relatively powerful character.

In fact, the reason why Charles II targeted the Duke of Saxony was not only because of his ambition, but also to prevent the greedy Wetting family from using West Frisland as a springboard to expand to the surrounding area in the future.

Charles II knew that Albrecht, Duke of Saxony, was an ambitious man who always wanted to expand. Charles II had already heard about the fact that he had been eyeing West Frisian for a long time.

Saxony is powerful, not only is it a large country with a large population, but it is also backed by a strong Hanseatic business circle. Therefore, whether it is military, financial, or the number of allies, Geddes is not comparable.

If the Saxons have established a stable rule in West Frisland, they will probably surrender their coveted eyes to the Principality of Geddes...

In addition, Charles II actually took a fancy to West Frisian, who was "ownerless" at the time. Therefore, when the Duke of Saxony occupied West Frisland, Charles II's inner anger can be imagined.

Therefore, when the nine former Frisian nobles wanted to flee to the Duchy of Gedes, Charles II accepted them without thinking.

Although the Principality of Gede is currently unable to face Saxony due to its lack of strength. However, relying on these 9 idiots can still cause trouble for the opponent, and weaken the opponent by the way.

However, after letting these 9 men lead the troops to the southwest of West Frisland, Charles II was completely disappointed with the IQ of this group of people...

You said that you are a bunch of unlucky bastards who want to restore the country. In order to restore the country, you should mobilize the people as much as possible to help you. But these 9 idiots are better, they directly robbed the locals and made a grudge against the locals, and can they expect the locals to help them fight against Saxony?

Therefore, after these nine people saw the Saxon army coming and fled back to Geddes in panic, Charles II didn't like seeing them very much, and his support for them was greatly reduced. However, although these 9 second-hand goods have lost the people's hearts, they have also recovered a lot of money and food, and they can support them for a long time...

Marin knew the mind of Charles II, and also believed that the Duchy of Gedes was a powerful prince. Perhaps, Gede company one-on-one and Saxony just have no confidence. However, to form an alliance with Marin and fight against Saxony together, the Principality of Gede is probably still happy.

After all, if Saxony takes the initiative to attack East Friesland, the pressure must be on Marin's side, and the Principality of Gede is not the main force to be beaten. When the Principality of Saxony attacked East Friesland eastward, Geddes dispatched a large army to take advantage of the fire in the south, and by the way to attract the attention of the Saxons, it was still possible to do it.

In order to form an alliance with Geddes, Marin personally took a boat and went to Geddes to see Charles II...

"Mr. Marin, you said you want to form an alliance with me?" Charles II was very surprised by Marin's arrival. In fact, Charles II has been very low-key in recent years, showing no ambition at all. No one knows about West Frisian covets.

"Yes, Lord Charlie. You can also see that the Saxons have wolf ambitions, and they are not satisfied with the annexation of West Friesland. They also want to attack the country of East Friesland. I am worried that if East Friesland is also annexed , they are not satisfied..."

"Even if they are greedy, they will not necessarily attack the Principality of Geddes." Charles II was somewhat unconvincing, and at the same time, he was covering up his ambitions.

For this point, Marin will naturally not point it out, but explain it from a safety point of view...

Marin took out the prepared map and pointed it to Charles II:

"Lord Charlie, look, this is West Friesland, this is East Friesland..."

"If Saxony captures East Friesland, then there are only a few neighbors left on their territory - to the south are the Duchy of Gedes, the Archbishopric of Utrecht and the Bishopric of Münster, To the east is the Earl of Oldenburg, to the north is the sea, and to the west is His Majesty the Emperor's Netherlands..."

"Both bishopric states belong to the power of the Holy See. I don't think the Duke of Saxony is bold enough to grab the Holy See's territory. Moreover, the Bishopric of Munster is also a vassal of the Archbishop of Cologne, who is also an elector. Therefore, They generally don't attack the Bishopric of Münster and the Archbishopric of Utrecht."

"And Oldenburg, needless to say, is a family with Denmark. If you understand Oldenburg, you will be turning against Denmark. The Duke of Saxony is a wise man and will definitely not do this. As for the Emperor of the West territory, the Duke of Saxony is even less likely to move."

"Then, only the Principality of Ged is left, and it is the best option for expansion. Because there is no Holy See behind the Principality of Ged, and there is no such a powerful country as Denmark..."

Charles II was also shocked when he heard Marin's explanation. Listening to Marin's words, if Saxony wins East Friesland, it will really only be able to expand in the direction of the Ged Company. Thinking of this, Charles II was not only a little worried.

"Then, Your Excellency Marin, what do you mean?"

"I want to form an alliance with the Duke! If one person is not strong enough, then two people join forces. The power of a fist is stronger than a finger after all..."

"What you said makes sense, but what about your confidence? You know, not just anyone who comes here is qualified to form an alliance with the Principality of Gede Company."

"You are right, Your Excellency, please allow me to introduce the current military strength of East Frisian Country..."

"East Friesland currently has a well-trained main force of more than 5,000 people (excluding the more than 500 returned to the Frisian nobles), divided into four phalanxes. In addition, the entire territory of East Friesland, You can also mobilize 5,000 levies..."

"The conscripts have little combat power and are easily defeated..." Charles II said irrefutably.

"Yes, Lord Charlie, the levies are not good for a head-to-head battle. But what about defending the city?"

"Defending the city...well...it can be used..." Relying on the strong city wall, even the conscripts can fight against the regular army.

"So, even if the country of East Friesland cannot confront Saxony head-on, it is still possible to use the solid city defense to hold back the main force of Saxony!"

"Then why do you need the Principality of Gede? Can it be dragged until the Saxons can't sustain it?"

"No, Lord Charlie, if the war drags on for a long time, the impact on East Friesland will be very unfavorable. Moreover, the food will always run out one day..."

"Then how can I help you? If you send troops to support you, I'm afraid it will be too late..."

"If East Friesland is attacked by Saxony, you don't need to send troops to East Friesland to support me..."

"Don't go to support you? What's the point of forming an alliance?" Europeans were not very good at strategy in this age, so naturally they didn't know what "surrounding Wei and saving Zhao" meant. So, Ma Lin narrated the allusion of Huaxia "surrounding Wei and saving Zhao"...

"What do you mean, when the enemy went to besiege you, I sent troops to Groningen, the capital of West Frisian, to force the opponent to retreat?" Charles II quickly responded.

"No, you don't have to go to Groningen. Groningen is too close to East Friesland. If the Saxon army returns to help, it will easily bite your army."

"That……"

"You can send troops to besiege Leeuwarden! Although Leeuwarden is not the capital of West Frisland, it is also an important city. Moreover, the West Frisian region is larger than the Groningen region. You only need to lead your troops in West Frisian. A rampant rampant in the Ran area, looting, and a move to attack Groningen eastwards will frighten the Saxons."

"What if they call? Then don't we have to fight the Saxons? It's not worth it..."

"If the main force of Saxony attacks you westward, my East Frisian army can take advantage of their main force to leave and pursue them, forcing them not to dare to go west. What threat?"

"You dare to go out of the city to chase?"

"Of course, Lord Charlie, don't forget, I have more than 5,000 regular troops, and the enemy's main force is gone. I hit them in the tail and threaten Groningen, which is close at hand. If I If our army attacks, the Saxon army will be in a dilemma. If they turn around and attack me, I can also retreat to defend the city... In short, if our two families join forces, the Saxon army will be in a dilemma..."

"Also, if the Saxon army is defeated, how about we divide up West Frisland?" Marin threw out the bait of interest again.

"How to divide it up?" Charles II was already tempted, but still asked calmly.

"Look, West Friesland is huge, while the Groningen generation is smaller..."

"You want Groningen? Is it wrong? Although the area around Groningen is indeed much smaller than the West Frisian area around Leeuwarden. However, Groningen is a Hanseatic commercial city, and the revenue of the two places is completely different. of……"

"Then... the West Frisian region belongs to you, and the surrounding area of ​​Groningen belongs to me. As for the city of Groningen, we both own the city and share the taxes equally. How about it?" As for the end, it is not impossible to turn around.

"Well, this plan is quite reasonable..."

As a result, the ambitious Charles II, Duke of Geddes, signed an instrument of alliance with Marin and publicly recognized Marin as the Count of East Frisian...

And Marin, with such a powerful ally as the company of Gede, has a lot of confidence...