The upheaval in Constance began to make the situation in the southwest of the Empire tense, but this matter did not attract widespread attention within the Empire.
After all, everyone in the Empire knew that the Emperor's Habsburg Family and the Swiss Confederation were old enemies, and they neither understood nor cared about the Swiss living in the Alps.
The princes were still more concerned about the Rhineland region, which had already descended into chaos, and they were all wondering how the Emperor would deal with the rising Elector Palatine.
After all, in the Battle of Seckenheim, the allied forces supported by the Emperor suffered a crushing defeat.
However, at this time, no prince revealed his petty thoughts; they were not foolish, and anyone could see that the Emperor had not yet exerted his full strength.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Adolf, the protagonist of this war, was meticulously planning a new military operation.
In Bretten, after the Count of Württemberg disregarded warnings and insisted on leading his army back to Stuttgart, the morale and strength of the allied forces were further weakened.
Moreover, Adolf was no longer able to bear the supplies and military expenses required by several thousand troops.
He now had to condone the Imperial Army requisitioning grain and supplies on the spot to sustain the army's consumption.
If this continued, the situation might get worse and worse.
Just then, a secret message arrived, which finally firmed Adolf's resolve and led him to devise a very bold plan.
The dazzling sunlight streamed into the study, illuminating Archbishop Adolf's excited and anxious face.
Florian, sitting opposite Adolf, looked solemn, his gaze filled with caution as he looked at the Archbishop.
He had just recently led his army to the Palatinate territory, where he plundered it, barely managing to appease the increasingly discontented soldiers.
The act of delaying the army's pay made Florian, who was already somewhat dissatisfied with Adolf, now openly show his disgust.
Adolf, as if he hadn't noticed Florian's terrible expression, excitedly told him, "Florian, look at this! This is our golden opportunity!"
Florian looked at Adolf suspiciously, took a letter from his hand, and began to read its contents.
"I found reliable insiders in Mainz, and they are willing to open the city gates for us at night, as long as we can surprise Mainz when the enemy's defenses are relaxed, we can definitely end this damned war!"
Florian's brows furrowed. He heavily slapped the so-called "secret letter" onto the table and said coldly, "Has the Archbishop forgotten the miserable defeat at Seckenheim the other day?
Your so-called reliable intelligence caused us heavy losses. The Margrave of Baden is still imprisoned in Mannheim, the Count of Württemberg has also fled, countless soldiers lost their lives, and the army's morale is low.
Now you say you have reliable insiders. How do I know if what you call reliable is truly reliable?"
Upon hearing "Seckenheim," a flash of anger and pain crossed Adolf's eyes.
That battle was a nightmare for him; the grand army went to the battlefield with high hopes, only to suffer a crushing defeat and heavy casualties.
He gently shook his head, casting aside the bad memories in his mind, clasped his hands together, and sincerely said, "Florian, I understand your concerns, but I can swear on my faith that this time it's true!"
"Faith?" Florian sneered, not saying another word, just calmly staring at Adolf. Now that Adolf couldn't afford to pay the army, he no longer needed to show him any respect.
Of course, out of loyalty to the Emperor, Florian was still polite to him.
Adolf looked anxious, desperately hoping to gain Florian's understanding, but this commander of the Imperial Army clearly would not trust him easily again.
"This time's insider," Adolf explained earnestly, "this time's insider is an old friend of mine. He is angry about Dieter dragging Mainz into the war, so he secretly contacted me, hoping to cooperate from inside and outside to seize Mainz. I can guarantee he is absolutely trustworthy!
This is a rare good opportunity, as long as our actions are swift enough..."
Florian did not reply immediately. Instead, he stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the bright scenery outside. After a long while, he sighed softly and said, "Mainz's city walls are strong. Although the garrison is not strong, a frontal assault is absolutely impossible to take it.
Moreover, a surprise attack on Mainz requires us to pass through the heartland of the Palatinate. Do you know what that means?"
Florian turned and gazed at Adolf, then continued, "We would expose our backs to the enemy. Once the surprise attack fails and we can't quickly seize Mainz, we will be deeply entrenched in enemy territory, constantly at risk of total annihilation.
When the Elector Palatine leads his army, that will be a truly irrecoverable situation."
Adolf suddenly stood up, his expression gradually changing from conflicted to firm, and he replied, "Florian, risk and opportunity coexist.
If we can take Mainz, it might end the war in one fell swoop.
I know the situation in Mainz like the back of my hand, and there are people inside to assist us. This risk is worth taking!
Moreover, I don't need you to lead the Imperial Army with me to Mainz."
"Oh?" Florian was somewhat curious. "Do you have some special plan?"
"No," Adolf shook his head and replied, "this operation has only one key point, and that is speed. Therefore, I plan to take only five hundred men on a forced march through the Palatinate to surprise Mainz.
You only need to attack the Palatinate territory on the left bank of the Rhine River, preferably creating some commotion near Worms to attract their attention for me.
Of course, I hope you can provide me with some excellent warriors to help me achieve this goal."
"Five hundred men?" Florian looked at Adolf in shock. "You plan to personally lead troops deep into dangerous territory?"
Adolf nodded calmly and said, "The Emperor has provided me with so much help, but I have failed his expectations.
This is the last chance. If I can't take Mainz in one fell swoop, I will…."
Florian remained silent; he saw a desperate gambler.
Adolf carried too many burdens: huge debts, an army he couldn't afford, and the criticism stemming from defeat. This nominal Archbishop of Mainz truly intended to put himself on the gambling table this time.
With such determination, although the possibility of success was still small, Florian decided to help him.
"Alright, I will select three hundred skilled warriors to go with you to surprise Mainz," Florian took a deep breath. "You must ensure all preparations are made, and no detail can be overlooked!"
Adolf showed a faint smile, but the exhaustion in his expression could not be hidden. He said self-deprecatingly, "
What I'm betting on this time is no ordinary thing. How could I be as careless as before?"
Florian nodded gently. He had actually thought about dissuading him, but Adolf was so resolute that he said nothing more.
The two planned until late into the night, covering the army's advance plan, the feint strategy, and a host of detailed matters.
In late summer, Adolf and Florian led their armies out of Bretten, turned west to cross the Rhine River, and advanced north along the west bank of the Rhine River into the Palatinate territory.