1626 Summer(June-August)

I’ve received the report from the East India Company that the Ming Dynasty – the Chinese dynasty at that time – was about to fall.

“Long live Basileus! Allow me to report the situation of the Far East!”

“Hmm? As far as I know, your current master is Richard Edward Henry Arthur, the 2nd Imperator of the New West Roman Empire, not me! I’ve inherited all my stocks of your company to him!”

“Y, yes, t, that’s true, Basileus. But...”

Oh, I’ve got it. Although Richard is a talented scholar, being a member of the Royal Society of London in specializing in Jurisprudence, Latins, and Ancient History,

(*See Like Father, Like Daughter)

The Far East isn’t his specialty.

“Very well, go on.”

“T, thank you for your understanding, B, Basileus!”

“First, Ming was able to crush the weakened later Jin Dynasty(*which was supposed to conquer China and to become Qing Dynasty in original history) and conquer Manchuria thanks to the butterfly effect we’ve sold more firearms to Joseon(*Korean Dynasty at that time, which was not in good terms with Later Jin Dynasty) from 1613 Spring(*3 Kaisers of the Holy Roman Empire), which led to the slaughter of the Khan of the Later Jin Dynasty by allied forces of Ming and Joseon armies in 1617 Fall.”

“Hmmph, that’s not bad.”

“However, Ming paid a heavy price. Ming Emperor’s Praetorian Guard suffered a heavy loss and Ming’s national budget went bankrupt.”

‘tut-tut-’

“Since Ming raised taxes several times and drafted many men to conquer Manchuria, its’ public mind couldn't be worse. Several popular revolts by peasants are springing up everywhere in entire China.”

And I replied

“It seems that Ming might fall. So, don’t interfere within its’ internal politics, but just continue watching the situation.”

“Yes, Basileus.”

Seeing Richard’s temper, he wouldn’t be that successful in foreign affairs, especially in the Far East. So, at least while I was alive, I should do fine-tuning on that matter.

1626 Fall(September-November)

Prussian army successfully burned Moscow and received the Tsardom of Russia’s surrender. Having unforgotten the effects of economic sanction from 1625 December to 1626 February, the Prussian King – John Sigmund – himself led the army, and received Russia’s surrender, enduring heavy losses.

‘Penny wise and pound foolish, huh! If you’ve done this in the place, I would have gladly let you annex Livonia as well, but not now!’

Anyway, what’s done is done.

“Well done, John Sigmund, King of Prussia! From this day till the end of your days, continue your duty as the shield of Europe from the Slavic barbarians!”

So, I cheered his feat with compliments and a handsome amount of bounty.

At my words

“I...I won’t ever let you down again, B, Basileus.”

John, who had to accompany envoys from Russia to Constantinople, knelt before me and bowed his head to the ground before leaving the palace.

‘E, er....’

Hildegard - my 3rd wife and John’s youngest daughter, - who was by my side, didn’t plea for her father, thanks to what she had learned from me so far, although she looked regretful towards him.