"You been drinking? Jerzy, I knew you had a problem with alcohol, but I didn't know it was so big." (MC)
At first I was surprised by Ossoliński's words, but after a while the prospect of me as an auxiliary ambassador to the Kingdom of England began to amuse me.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I had some wine with my meal, but not more than usual." (Jerzy Ossoliński)
I do not know what idiot could come up with such an idea, there was still a possibility that someone wanted to get me out of the country for a while... but it was unlikely, for two years I had not been away from Jazłowiec for more than 70 kilometers, and my only political activity were articles in the newspaper.
"Let's say I believe you. You know I don't have any diplomatic skills? And I'm not very good at such tasks. Do you remember how it ended the last time? You could have escaped from Prussia on horseback, but you don't look like a good swimmer, you won't reach shores of the Kingdom of France." (MC)
"It was the king's decision, not mine. If it were up to me, I'd choose someone else... actually, everyone would be better than you, no offense." (Jerzy Ossoliński)
Well, I already knew what idiot had come up with, and you didn't have to be a genius to understand the reason.
"I didn't take offense, it's the first thing you said today that makes sense... and yes, our infallible King. I must congratulate him, I have not seen such unity among the nobility for a long time, within one month the Seym was convened and a resolution was unanimously adopted prohibiting coronation in places other than Krakow... I rarely say it, but our king may be a genius." (MC)
In a theatrical and mocking gesture, I raised my cup of wine.
"Are you done mocking? The king wants us to sail to London and make an alliance if possible..." (Jerzy Ossoliński)
"I know and understand that, an alliance against Sweden, but why does he need me there? After so many years it must have come to Władysław that I neither fear him nor respect him... The fact that I do not fight against him is only because I do not want to shed blood in fratricidal fights. When he ceases to be king, then we will choose someone better. I don't have to do anything, just wait him out, just like bad weather." (MC)
"You haven't changed anything during this time... Władysław believes that maybe this trip and I will somehow convince you to support the war against Sweden." (Jerzy Ossoliński)
I was not interested in this diplomatic mission, not that this mission was of great importance, the English king will lose his head in a few years, and power will be taken over by Oliver Cromwell who openly supported Protestant countries against Poland... besides, as someone from the future, I had a poor opinion of alliances with the English. Even it wasn't their attitude during the Second World War that wasn't a problem for me, but rather what they did after the war... but those were different times.
However, I can't get emotional about it, as the old saying goes, every stick has two ends... even though I wasn't interested in politics, I can use this diplomatic mission for another purpose... to recruit some talented people, such as Ahasuerus Fromanteel, who developed lenses and microscope, or William Gascoigne.
"Suppose I agree to this, but what I will get out of it and spare me the talks about the merits for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. My merits are written on my face with iron and gunpowder." (MC)
Unfortunately, Ossoliński was not able to promise me anything, but sometimes having a debt of gratitude is more valuable than material gains.
"One more thing, I heard that London is a dangerous city, so for personal protection, I am taking my hussars and some Tatars with me... it is not up for discussion." (MC)
I could see from his face that he wasn't happy about it, maybe he had some traumatic experiences... but 17th century London really was a dangerous place, especially after dark.
"But when we stand in front of the King of England, you say nothing, I will conduct all the talks." (Jerzy Ossolinski)
"It suits me, if the King doesn't ask me anything directly, my lips will be sealed and I will be as meek as a lamb." (MC)
Then we worked out all the details together, we were supposed to leave Gdańsk in less than two months, on board my galleon, Jurata... After Ossolinski left Jazłowiec, I informed Wronski, Galina, Katarzyna and Rotmistrz Czarniecki that we were going to London for a few weeks or maybe even few months.
"Lord?" (Wroński)
"Before we leave, order a few children's bikes and prams from the blacksmith and carpenter, they will be useful as gifts, and probably will arouse more interest than a necklace or other nonsense. Unfortunately, we will have to suspend the newspaper again, let the printing house print at that time 'Paradise Lost' and 'Dracula'." (MC)
"What about theater and training of soldiers?" (Wroński)
"The theater will have to repeat plays they have already staged... as for training, we won't be in England that long and we'll be back before winter." (MC)
I was going to sort out some other matters before my departure, I even wrote to Piotr about our plans, so that he would not worry about his sister. During the time of my departure, Hetman Potocki would carry out tasks related to guarding the border... When everything was ready, you set off for Gdańsk at the beginning of March.
As I traveled with Galina, her daughter and Katarzyna, I was forced to spend this journey in a carriage, I often complained about horse riding, especially over long distances, but the carriages were not better... and after leaving Podolia, the roads made the situation even worse, but luckily we managed to get to Gdańsk.
Jerzy Ossolinski was not supposed to come to Gdańsk until three days, if nothing prevented him, of course, so I decided to meet with Graf Ferber and offer him a new joint business. Gdańsk was a large commercial port, visited by many wealthy merchants, therefore it was the perfect place to open a casino... I had prepared projects and rules of games, such as poker, blackjack, roulette. Graf Ferber would only have to find a suitable location and train employees... regarding possible legal problems, I was Hetman, and Graf Ferber was the mayor of Gdańsk from 1632, so it wasn't much of a worry.
The second person I decided to meet was Jan Heweliusz, with whom I had only exchanged correspondence so far, I was going to order from him a set of telescopes, periscopes and other tools for observing the stars and ask for help in designing an astronomical observatory.
Jerzy Ossolinski arrived in Gdańsk at the appointed time, and Jurata was already waiting in the port... Even though I had abandoned my political ambitions, as a history buff, it was one of the best times for me to see old London... before the 1665 epidemic would kill 100,000 people, and a year later the Great London Fire would destroy more than 13,000 buildings... and before the civil war of 1642, after which Oliver Cromwell would come to power. It was definitely an interesting time for the people of the Kingdom of England.
The journey itself was not very interesting, I spent my time mainly in the company of Galina and Catherine telling them various sea stories, Slavic, Greek and other myths, especially those related to gods of sea. My second favorite pastime was, teasing Saddat... despite that the waters of the Baltic Sea are rather calm, he did not take this sea journey well, which was a reason for many jokes... relating to vomiting.
Despite not always favorable weather, we managed to reach our destination after a week... the first thing that could be felt in the air was the smell... the overwhelming smell of dirt, people, animals, smoke and things better not to think about. I always complained about Warsaw, but London was much worse in this regard. I gave orders to Rotmistrz Czarniecki that, after mooring, he would ensure that the horses were unloaded and set up the hussars in parade formation, and at that time, together with Ossolinski, we were to wait for the arrival of representatives of the English royal court... Galina and her daughter, Katarzyna and Wroński were to wait on the ship until the carriages arrived.
"Remember that you promised to behave with dignity?" (Jerzy Ossolinski)
"Stop whining like an old woman... if I knew you would complain like that, I would stay in Jazłowiec." (MC)
"The king cares about this alliance, I don't know if we can sign it, but even if not, we don't need more enemies." (Jerzy Ossolinski)
"And I do not care about the king, but I do not intend to disturb him in his inept political endeavors... the Kingdom of England gains nothing from an alliance with us." (MC)
"Perhaps, but if we don't try, we won't know for sure." (Jerzy Ossolinski)
I shook my head in resignation, sometimes talking to him felt like talking to the wall... I liked Jerzy, he had a great sense of humor, he was sociable... he drank a bit too much, but it was something that many Poles practiced... I understood his respect for the position of king, unfortunately, at present on the throne there was someone who did not deserve respect. Ossolinski also always belonged to the peace faction, at least in relation to the Cossack rebellions, he did not want to spill his brotherly blood, which sooner or later would make us stand on the opposite sides.
When the unloading of our luggage and horses was coming to an end, a royal messenger arrived at the port, informing us that he would take us to Hampton Court, which would be our place of stay for the duration of our diplomatic mission.
It was a big surprise for the messenger to see so many hussars in full gear. One hundred large horses, on them a hundred soldiers in ornate armor with the skins of wolves, tigers, leopards on their backs and the legendary wings... one cannot forget about five-meter lances with two-meter banners attached to them. He began to inquire about the reasons for such a large number of soldiers, but Ossolinski explained that it was for my personal protection and that in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the law prohibits Hetman from traveling without an army accompanying him... which was a lie.
I gave a sign to Rotmistrs Czarniecki... after a while I heard his loud voice.
"Mount the horses, parade formation." (Rotmistrz Czarniecki)
I got on my horse too, looked at my army and started to laugh... compared to them I looked like a beggar.
"We're not at the funeral, sing, let all London know who's here." (MC)
A few seconds later I heard the first words of the song I taught them, all I had to do was change the word uhlan to hussar.
"There's no such village, there is no such cottage, Where married women wouldn't love an hussar.
Hey, hey, the hussars, simply lovely kids, Many a girl will follow you (x2)
Many a girl, many a widow
When sees an husar, for love is ready.
Hey, hey, the hussars, simply lovely kids, Many a girl will follow you (x2)
While grandma was dying, still she was asking: If in the heavens will be the hussars?
Hey, hey, the hussars, simply lovely kids, Many a girl will follow you (x2)"
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