Savoy Truffle
Taxman
From "A History of Savoy" by J. P. Lerrier
After a short amount of deliberation the offer was accepted, and Savoy had almost doubled her territory. The new lands, including the important city of Lyon, were wealthy and prosperous, and would undoubtedly be a great boon to the Duchy.
However, Savoy's finances remained a serious issue, as a considerable sum of money would have to be raised in order to pay off the debt. Duke Amedee still had considerable money in his treasury from the loan, and so he invested it into developing a system of tax collectors in and around the city of Torino. Many within his court thought this to be folly, believing it a bad idea to be spending money when in debt, but Amedee was proved right, with 1421 proving to be an excellent and bountiful year.
All debts were cleared in 1424, and soon the Savoyard economy begun to boom. There had been quite a lot of action of the diplomatic front in the intervening years, also. Soon after the war finished, Amedee left the English alliance, not wishing to get involved in more wars in France for the time being, and instead signed a treaty with Austria. It is widely considered that Savoy's alliance with England was merely an easy way for Savoy to get involved with the war against France, and that by turning east Amedee (and of course Pierre de Megeve and Jean Comte d'Annecy) signalled a foreign policy more focussed on Italy.
14th June 1426
Duchy of Milan
As Pierre sat alone, waiting for an audience with Duke Filippo Maria Visconti of Milan, he felt severely at unease. Here he was, in Milan, a soldier doing the work of a diplomat. He felt like a fraud, but as he waited the words of Duke Amedee filled his head.
"All right, I admit your way, you're bloody, deceitful way, has brought victory to Savoy, and for that I am thankful," the Duke had said, "but I still cannot forget that you betrayed me, you forged my signature and took my Duchy to war without my permission."
Pierre had stood, silent, not knowing what to say, so he stayed silent.
"And of course," the Duke continued, "I would appear weak if I were to let you go unpunished."
Ah. Pierre's heart began to beat faster. "Let me ask you a question, Pierre. What do you most value in life, what is it you truly treasure?"
Pierre was silent for a few seconds before answering, "honestly, my lord, I most value my role as commander of Savoy's armies."
Amedee nodded, not unkindly. "As I thought. That is why I am stripping you of your commission. Instead, I wish for you to become part of my diplomatic corps."
Pierre's jaw dropped. "But my lord, I am a soldier, not a diplomat!"
"But Pierre," said Amedee quietly, "you have shown yourself to be quite the schemer, very underhand. I do not plan for Savoy to go to war again, and so I believe your talents could be used elsewhere."
And so, here he was, being led through to see the Duke of Milan. He had been told that Filippo Maria Visconti was not an attractive man beforehand, and that was not a lie. The man was hideous, with a large, protruding nose and dark, evil little piggy eyes that oozed suspicion and arrogance. Pierre, expressionless, sat, not sure what to say. Thankfully, Duke Filippo spoke first.
"So tell me, why does Savoy send a military man to Milan on a
peaceful diplomatic mission? Savoy and Milan are friends and allies, are they not?"
"They are indeed, my lord. I am no longer First Marshal, and am here in a purely diplomatic capacity."
"Ah. Well, what is your business?"
Pierre looked around, and said quietly, "There is something I wish to tell you, something important and secret. I'd prefer if it stayed purely between me and you..."
Filippo nodded, and dismissed the guards. "So what is it?"
"Don't ask me how I know, but I have good information that Venice is unhappy with your rule. They have plans to remove you, and to place someone more malleable to their interests on the throne of Milan. A
puppet.
"Venice?"
"Indeed. Of course, these plans will most likely not come to fruition, but I wish to assure you that Savoy will guarantee your integrity and will defend Milan. Of course, I assume you will need this all the more now that Carmagnola is no longer in your service..."
Filippo went red at the mention of his name. "That treacherous dog, I should have known! I bet he wants to rule Milan himself, doesn't he?!"
"Quite possibly. Now sign this, and you'll not have to worry yourself about him again."
"Yes, yes..." The Duke, worked up and red-faced, signed the document without reading a single word. Pierre left smiling, amazed that it had worked. He did not want to be there when Filippo calmed down and realised what he had signed. And the best thing was that the Duke, normally a shrewd politican and not a stupid man, would realise that there was not much he could do about it.