章 63: 63 Master of Puppets
It took us eleven days to get to Warsaw, I expected it to take longer due to Hetman's age, but despite almost 70 years he managed the journey better than I did... Upon arriving, the first thing Hetman did was to arrange a discreet meeting with all the major ministers. They were surprised when they found out about the whole thing. Everyone accepted the peace conditions and were even very pleased with them.
Were it not for my intervention, in the event of the war with Sweden, the Polish side wanted to give the greater part of Livonia to the Kingdom of Sweden and force Sigismund III Vasa to relinquish his claims to the Swedish throne ... now by doing almost nothing, they gained land, money and security.
Although everyone was satisfied with the win and the success, I also gained some hostility from several ministers and the Grand Hetman of the Crown, Stanisław Koniecpolski. Especially the latter was dissatisfied, which he did not hide.
"I don't have to explain to anyone, but I'll make an exception. Two years ago I warned the King and the royal council that Gustav Adolf was planning something. That he was trying to incite the Cossacks. Despite my warnings, no one did anything. When the Swedes attacked Livonia and Lithuania, I waited, but still no one did anything, almost no one Hetman Sapieha, Aleksander Gosiewski and Hetman Radziwiłł fought them, but the Swedes had an advantage, so when I found out that Gustaw Adolf was planning an attack in Pomerania, together with Hetman Sapieha and Aleksander Gosiewski, we prepared a trap for the King of Sweden. My troops captured Piława, and Hetman's army was waiting a few kilometers from the city. Fortunately, a storm broke out at sea which made it easier for us to win ... If I had waited further, the Swedes would have taken Gdańsk and all of Pomerania. One more thing ... Why should I inform you Hetman Koniecpolski? After I defeated Khan Temir, it was your man, Samuel Łaszcz, who spread rumors about this battle and about me. You thought I didn't know about it? If anyone has a problem with my person ... " (MC)
I patted the hilt of my saber.
"... I invite you to dance." (MC)
The atmosphere at the meeting immediately became heavy and after a few minutes it was over. Hetman Sapieha glared at me.
"You'd do better if you were silent instead of smacking your tongue like a cow. You're not stupid, but you are too proud ... When the King calls us, you won't go to the audience." (Hetman Sapieha)
That was good news, and I didn't want to see the King more than necessary... Two days later, however, I was summoned to the royal palace. The only plus was that it was not an audience with the King, but only with the royal council. The meeting was very formal and the atmosphere was far from friendly. The vice chancellor gave me a letter allowing me to recruit two thousand Cossacks, but only for two years. In fact, I did not need this document, as a noble I was able to carry out private military hauls, but I preferred that everything was well documented. There can always be rumors that Jazłowiecki is gathering an army to rebel ... and so I had a document that explained everything.
The second document I received was that I was deprived of the position of castellan, I could have expected something similar, but it was still annoying ... the third document was the appointment of me to the position of Podolia Voivode. Hetman Sapieha really did his best and used his influence to get it done so quickly. Fortunately, the King owed him a lot ... in fact, even the throne. If Sapieha had not sided with the King during the Zebrzydowski Rebellion, history might have looked different.
In the evening, Hetman Sapieha organized a feast on the occasion of the signing and approval of the peace treaty. Good food and alcohol always make the atmosphere better.
"I did what I could, but you will not get the position of Crown Field Hetman. Currently, as you know, this position is taken by Stanisław Koniecpolski. The position of Grand Hetman of the Crown is vacant, the King uses this position to keep the nobility and parliament in check and has been like this for 6 years and it is not known how long it will last." (Hetman Sapieha)
I knew this, the King had not appointed chief commander for a total of 12 years ... The country was surrounded by enemies, and this fool did not understand that he was doing more harm than good. I understood his willingness to undermine the nobility's influence and his desire to elect his son's next King, but such things are done in times of peace, not wars.
"So we have to get the King to fill this position?" (MC)
"It's easier said than done. Many people want this position, especially Koniecpolski. He will block any candidacy." (Hetman Sapieha)
"So we have to find an equally strong candidate and support him. If he has the support of the Sapieha family, Gosiewski, mine and a few more people, his chances will be better." (MC)
"Knowing you, you already have a candidate... You behave more like your grandfather than your father." (Hetman Sapieha)
I wasn't sure if it was a compliment or disapproval, I couldn't read anything from Hetman Sapieha's voice.
"He's still young, but in two three years, when he has enough support ..." (MC)
"Who?" (Hetman Sapieha)
"Stanisław "Rawera" Potocki, Pilawa coat of arms, a large magnate family ..." (MC)
"I know who they are, I knew his father. Andrzej fought on the King's side during the Zebrzydowski Rebellion, he was badly wounded in the Battle of Guzów and some time later he died of his wounds." (Hetman Sapieha)
It was not a surprise to me, therefore I proposed this candidacy now. In a dozen or so years he will receive this position anyway. If he receives the Hetman's mace a few years earlier, and with my help, Potocki will be even more grateful to me.
"All the better, the King must somehow compensate for the death of a faithful soldier." (MC)
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