Chapter 413 Banquet at Berlin Manor

The Archduke of Austria was able to come up with so much money to support the rebels, which was inseparable from the support of the Catholic Church. The Archbishop of Salzburg and several others reluctantly gave up part of the money to support Austria. After all, the Habsburgs were the biggest force in the Holy Roman Empire against Bartland.

The Imperial Parliament did not stop his actions, but confirmed Vlad's sovereignty in Brandenburg. Now, it was Vlad's turn to counterattack.

In the manor of the new capital, Vlad invited many distinguished guests. Hamburg Mayor Frederick and Lübeck Mayor George, the two most important members of the Hanseatic League, Duke Bogislaw V of Pomerania, and King Wenzel of Bohemia, were all important princes or city representatives in the northern region.

In order to entertain everyone, Vlad directly served 20 sheep, 15 cows, 90 chickens, 21 peacocks and 50 pigeons, as well as wine from Burgundy and Rome. They had never seen such a grand banquet, especially spices, which were free to use. It can only be said that it was still a bit bitter in the north.

"Thank you for the Elector's hospitality. I have never attended such a good banquet."

"Yes, only the Elector can host such a luxurious banquet."

The two mayors praised Vlad's magnanimity. This was not only to express gratitude for the banquet, but also to let the Hanseatic League continue to maintain trade for the Roman Empire.

"You are too kind. These spices are just gifts from the Roman emperor to me. There are still many such things in Constantinople."

When the two mayors heard that there were still many spices in Constantinople, their eyes were shining. This is spices. Once it is resold, it is dozens of times the profit. The spices sold in Königsberg before directly increased the wealth of this alliance city. This made Lübeck, the boss, and Hamburg, the second, unable to sit still. They are the leaders of the Hanseatic League. How could they let you catch up from behind?

So they must intervene in the re-export trade with Rome. Taking advantage of this banquet, the two mayors also mentioned it.

"Oh, the strength of the Hanseatic League is good, especially Lübeck and Hamburg. Without these two cities, the entire league will be at the mercy of others."

Vlad thought about it and said.

"I want to invite Lübeck and Hamburg to participate in the trade between their country and Rome."

Hearing this, the two mayors were very excited. Now the trade between the Hanseatic League and Rome is mainly carried out through the Vistula River, passing through the cities of Warsaw, Königsberg, and Danzig. The bulk of the money is taken by them. Only when passing through the Oresund Strait can they get a little. Although it is a lot, who would complain about too much money?

"The Elector is really a friend of the Hanseatic League. I hope we can continue to cooperate."

Mayor Friedrich praised Vlad as the best friend of the Hanseatic League, and said that the League would try its best to help Brandenburg as long as there is a need.

"Speaking of which, I do have one."

"What does the Elector need us to help?"

Seeing that the two were already interested, Vlad then said: "I heard that you are providing loans to Austria and Lower Luxembourg."

Austria, Lower Luxembourg, loans, even those who are slow to react have come to their senses. The Elector is going to take action against them.

In order to gain more allies, Sigismund and Albrecht funded the opposition in Rome in large quantities. Finally, there seemed to be hope, but the money was not enough.

There was no choice but to continue to borrow from the Hanseatic League or Genoa bankers. Bankers in Hamburg, Bremen and Lübeck looked at Sigismund and used the money he spent after being elected as the Holy Roman Emperor plus part of the local taxes as collateral, and lent him 150,000 florins. The Archduke of Austria increased the army for his border and the unification of Austria, and lent him 100,000 florins.

This loan from the banker must be repaid in full. Sigismund lived a luxurious life and had to arrange for his own journey. Except for Brandenburg and Bohemia, the other five electors needed money to maintain contact. In this case, can we do without money?

"I want to buy their debts from you and pay with spices and other items."

Vlad felt that he should be able to take it out if he acted like a spoiled child to his father. After all, the fleets in the East and the caravans filled the warehouses in Constantinople. There was no problem in exchanging some money.

The two mayors didn't want to refuse. Isn't this a huge fortune? They agreed without saying anything, and also said that other electors and dukes had borrowed money from them more or less. Vlad asked them to make a list so that he could choose.

As for the King of Bohemia, Vlad just discussed the matter with his father-in-law. The recent reform movement in Bohemia gave him an opportunity to seize power, so he also supported this movement. But it was limited to support, because the power was in the hands of the nobles.

There were also such actions in Brandenburg. The electors directly supported their reforms and thoroughly investigated the property of the Catholic Church in the country, which made the Pope of Rome so angry that he issued a warning, but it seemed to be useless.

Wenzel was very willing to pave the way for his son-in-law. Sigismund could pave the way for his Austrian son-in-law, and he could also pave the way for his son-in-law.

A banquet ended happily, and the transaction could be said to be something that could affect the eastern part of the Holy Roman Empire. The inequality between the output of the princes' own land and their increasingly luxurious lives gave Vlad an opportunity, and he began to fight back.

Since the Imperial Parliament had been dissolved, Vlad turned to seek support from the princes in the northern region. Imperial cities such as Hamburg, Lübeck, and Bremen, princes such as Pomerania and Bohemia, and some earls and knights also gathered in Brandenburg to form an alliance in the new capital Berlin. The main purpose was to write to the German king, hoping to move the emperor's administrative center to the north, including the Imperial Parliament, the Imperial Administrative Agency, and the German King's Palace.

This problem is not big or small, because the southern region is usually the permanent residence of these agencies. In addition, it is close to Italy and the economy is more developed than the northern region. The southern German cities represented by Augsburg and Munich began to rise, which made the northern region feel despised.

Vlad's arrival just gave them hope, so there was this alliance. Although it did not get the support of the most important Danish king, its strength should not be underestimated. You have to know that the last Imperial Parliament really hurt those princes who supported Sigismund, especially the religious representatives. How could they allow this heretic to enter? The result was naturally internal strife. Everyone said that the other side was not working hard and was like a group of loose sand.