Is the Duchy of Milan important?
Yes, very important, at least in Laszlo's view.
Milan is located south of the mountains, in the heart of Northern Italy. Its most crucial role is to suppress Venice's expansion and influence the entire Italian situation.
Moreover, Milan's economic strength is not to be underestimated; it is a significant representative of the prosperous city-states in Northern Italy.
Although decades of war for dominance in Northern Italy almost brought Milan to collapse, the Duchy of Milan ultimately survived and largely maintained its peak territory, with only Genoa failing to be reincorporated.
However, this time, it remains uncertain whether Milan, which has become a juicy target in the eyes of many neighboring countries, will still be able to survive.
Once the Milanese Pact is made public, it will be like dropping a heavy bomb into a calm lake, inevitably triggering a major upheaval in Italy and even across Europe.
Following the Balkan powder keg, the Apennine powder keg is about to ignite.
This secret pact will make everyone eyeing Milan weigh whether they are qualified to claim a share.
But to make the unruly Northern Italian states abandon their 爭奪 out of reverence for the Emperor, if France and Venice were not involved, such a possibility might exist.
Unfortunately, Laszlo's opponents will do everything in their power to hinder his continued expansion of the Habsburg Dynasty's power and influence.
This time, he may have to confront a vast encirclement, one that is very difficult to break through diplomatic means—a rare situation for Austria.
Thinking back, he used to be the one organizing encirclements against the Ottomans. Now that the Ottomans have retreated, he, the Emperor, has become the greatest threat to all independent monarchs on this continent.
Even so, the ambition in his heart still burns like a raging fire, difficult to extinguish.
He looked at the well-behaved Maximilian in his arms, and his mood suddenly calmed down a lot.
Prudence in war can save a nation from destruction, but failing to seize opportunities means never reaching the pinnacle.
If he could bring both Rome and Constantinople under his control in his lifetime, what a wonderful sight that would be.
With his mind made up, Laszlo chose option one, and the panel disappeared.
He walked towards the garden with lighter steps.
Leonor noticed some subtle changes in Laszlo, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what they were.
In the garden, Empress Dowager Elizabeth and her maids were playing with Christopher.
Looking at his son, who was learning to walk, Laszlo found the words on his lips difficult to speak.
"Laszlo, is something wrong?"
The Empress Dowager keenly noticed Laszlo's hesitation and asked.
Leonor also looked over curiously; they had been married for over three years, yet Laszlo still seemed to be keeping secrets from her.
Just a moment ago during their walk, Laszlo had relaxed and intended to enjoy the rare holiday, but after leaving the armory, he became preoccupied again.
"Something big is about to happen. I must depart for Vienna tomorrow. I regret not being able to stay with you longer…"
"State affairs are important; you can return with peace of mind."
Empress Dowager Elizabeth spoke to reassure him, telling Laszlo not to worry.
Now she spent every day with the two little ones as they grew up, enjoying family bliss, while Laszlo had, in a way, lost his mother's favor.
This relieved Laszlo; thankfully, the Empress Dowager was understanding, so he didn't have to worry about trouble at home.
In fact, after conquering Prague, he had visited his maternal grandmother's tomb.
Barbara of Cilli, Empress Dowager Elizabeth's mother, Sigismund's Empress, Laszlo's maternal grandmother—a woman once known for her beauty and consumed by ambition for power.
In 1437, Emperor Sigismund passed away, and Barbara attempted to manipulate Hungarian politics.
After a fierce political struggle, Albrecht II defeated his mother-in-law and expelled her, forbidding her from setting foot in Austria, Hungary, or even her hometown, Cilli.
Thereafter, Barbara lived in seclusion in Bohemia until her death in 1454, buried near Prague.
Laszlo didn't dare bring up this matter, fearing it would stir up sad memories for the Empress Dowager, but with such a precedent, Laszlo's court remained quite orderly.
He turned to Leonor beside him and said softly, "I'm sorry..."
Leonor was visibly downcast but still smiled and said, "Don't worry about us. Remember to take care of yourself and don't overwork."
"Mm," Laszlo nodded slightly, then immediately added, "You two should also prepare to return to Vienna. The situation will soon become unstable. Although it's unlikely, I still don't want you to encounter any danger."
"Is it that serious?"
Laszlo nodded with a solemn expression, saying, "The lands south of the mountains are about to become chaotic. I'm afraid someone might act with ill intent, so Vienna is the safest place."
The next morning, Laszlo, with a troop of guards, galloped back to Vienna, while the Empress Dowager and the Empress, along with others, also set off on their journey back under the escort of the Imperial Guard.
In Milan, two nobles jointly announced a secret pact, claiming they were both witnesses to it. According to the pact's contents, the Duchy of Milan would be inherited by the Emperor himself.
As soon as the news spread, the entire Italian peninsula instantly erupted.
The first to learn of this news were the Venetians. Inside the Doge's Palace in Venice, Doge Francesca and the members of the Council of Ten urgently discussed countermeasures. The atmosphere was extremely tense, like the eve of a storm.
"Damn it, this was a rare opportunity to completely crush Milan and establish Northern Italian hegemony, but I didn't expect..." Someone's face was very grim.
"The Emperor is a wolf with ambitions; we must not sit idly by!" an elder angrily slammed the table.
"That's right, if Milan falls into the Emperor's hands, Northern Italy will never know peace, and we will also face the dilemma of being attacked by the Emperor from two sides. We must not let this become a reality!"
The discussion was very heated, with excited voices rising and falling. Francesca slightly raised her hand, and the meeting instantly fell silent.
"Now, only by forming a grand alliance can we curb the Emperor's ambition. We first need the support of France, and then the other states of Italy. Cassandro, I'm entrusting this to you; is that alright?"
"Please rest assured, I will gather all possible allies."
The Venetian diplomat Cassandro answered confidently. This task was not difficult because all countries unwilling to be dealt with by the Emperor would rally together.
"Gentlemen, if we can overcome this crisis, Venice will become even more glorious. I hope all of you will do your best; we need more strength!"
"Yes, Your Grace!"
Venice's envoys immediately departed for various countries, attempting to form a broad alliance to counter the potential arrival of the Emperor's army.