Upon hearing the news, Maximilian calls an extraordinary session of all ministers.
MAX : Gentlemen, I shall waste no time, and I shall not mince my words. As of the 12th of August, 1495, this nation has shared a common border with France, due to that nation’s annexation of Milan. Needless to say, this is a time of momentous upheaval in Europe. The French, who looked all but broken just a few months ago, march triumphantly towards Spain. Calais is firmly in their grasp, and all they need is an English signature to make that acquisition official. What are we, up to this point watching pensively from the sidelines, to do? It is more than possible now that France can defeat the Spanish, and be laying waste to Madrid before the year is out. What then? Where to for the rest of Europe? Who can stand up to an Empire stretching from the Channel to the Mediterranean, From the Atlantic to the Rhine, while being allied with an equally large empire to the East? Gentlemen, the time has come to change our tack. The existence of this nation and of so many others hangs in the balance. I therefore solemnly decree that is nation shall from this day forward actively seek friendship with the Frenchman, for surely that is the only path that will secure this nation’s existence. Now, does anyone wish to object?
There is no objection, but a great deal of uneasy glances among the ministers.
MAX : Very well. Von Neunkirchen, you are to depart for Paris at once. Upon arrival, you shall deliver this letter, which I shall now read for the benefit of the ministers. You shall remain in Paris, sending me regular updates, until you have built the foundation for lasting ties between our nations. In the meantime, deputy Kremmen shall head the ministry here at home. Is that clear?
NEUNKIRCHEN : Er.. Yes, your majesty.
MAX : Now. What has been said in these hallowed halls here today, where our forefathers have for so long resisted French hegemony, and acted always for the greater good of Austria, is not to be interpreted as capitulation to the French threat. It is not to be interpreted as the death throes of Austrian indepenence, or the final caving in of united resistance to subjugation and subservience. No, gentlemen, this is merely an act of survival. For some day in the future, when the Austrian man can at once stroll through the streets of Berlin, sample the dizzy heights of the Bavarian alps, sight a fine maiden in the fair fields of Pommerania, sail into the sunset in the great German bight, and lift up his eyes unto the Creator in the fair skies above Breslau – why, that generation of Austrians will have one man to thank, and that man will be me, and they shall be reminded always, that I did not act alone, but with a group of fine and loyal ministers, who lived this dream with me, who saw across the wide expanse the shimmering horizon, and followed me unto that strange, intangible thing that seemed to be calling us toward itself. With an aggressive and hateful France so near to our borders, this dream will never be realised. Whenever we crane our proverbial necks, and see there the blue skies and the green fields, and wish to spread our wings and fly into that strange, endearing distance, the Frenchman will stretch out his arm, and he shall say unto us, “Up to this point, Austrian man, and no further.” And how will we ever reach that which calls us, if we cannot pass this imposing obstacle? No Gentlemen, it is time to strive for something better, something higher. You all know why von Bock isn’t here today. He does not believe as I do. He does not feel the call. He does not feel that strange tingling in his heart whenever he hears the word “Austria”. I hope that none of you are like him. I hope you will follow me.
After a few seconds of silence, the ministers burst into rapturous applause.
BLECHWALD : Long live King Maximilian! Long live the Austrian nation! Long live the Teutonic dream!
Maximilian sits back and smiles.
After some minutes, the commotion dies down.
MAX : Now, gentlemen, let me read this letter.
Maximilian shuffles a few pages, and begins reading.
MAX : Most wise, most munificent, your majesty Charles, king of France, I, Maximilian, King of Austria, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and thereby foremost defender of the faith, greet you and your subjects with the deepest of respect and admiration. As you know, due to your fine army’s recent successes, your nation and mine are now neighbours. Although our nations have not been the best of friends in history, I feel that the time has come to reverse this old and pointless hatred, to begin building a friendship that will endure the ravages of time, so that our nations may enjoy relative security on our common border, while we go about the business of expanding and consolidating our realms. If you are open to this possibility, I would like to extend a warm invitation to my court in Vienna, on the 1st of November. I would also like to propose a marriage between Lady von Mattling and a suitable French nobleman to signify the beginning of a new era in Franco-Austrian relations. I sincerely hope you are receptive to these suggestions and that your nation is willing to work with mine for the greater good of both our realms. I await your reply with tremendous anticipation. Yours respectfully, Maximilian.
Maximilian turns to address von Neunkirchen.
MAX : Now, Neunkirchen, take this letter with you, make haste for Paris, and may God be on our side.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Very well, your majesty.
Von Neunkirchen collects the letter and departs the chamber.
In early October, Kremmen seeks an audience with Maximilian.
KREMMEN : Sire, dramatic news! A combined army of Genoa and Naples has beaten the occupying French forces out of Milan and is besieging the city! Will the Frenchman be vanquished after all?
Maximilian stares at Kremmen in shock.
MAX : Hmm… do I attempt to intercept Neunkirchen… When did he leave exactly?
KREMMEN : Your majesty, von Neunkirchen left Vienna on the 3rd of August.
MAX : Bah! That letter will make me look like a fool! We have to try anyway. Send a man to intercept him this instant!
KREMMEN : Very well, your majesty.
Kremmen departs the chamber.
Some days later, Neunkirchen seeks an audience with Maximilian.
MAX : Neunkirchen! What are you doing here?
NEUNKIRCHEN : Sire, I decided to pass through Milan en route to Paris, and upon arrival there was greeted not by French victors, but by Genoese liberators! I decided that I should return to Vienna to seek your counsel before moving on to Paris.
MAX : Yes, I’ve heard the news from Milan. You have performed your duty to Austria commendably, minister. I shall reward you generously.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Thank you, your majesty.
MAX : You may rest now, Neunkirchen, you have earned it.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Thank you, your majesty.
Neunkirchen departs the chamber.
On the 1st November, von Neunkirchen is updating Maximilian on the war.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Sire, the tide appears to be turning once again. France’s economy is buckling under the pressure of prolonged war. She has been forced to cede Champagne to Lorraine, Marseilles is under siege, and as we well know, Milan seems about to change hands. In addition, England has retaken Calais and is poised to march on Paris.
MAX : Goodness, Neunkirchen, how things have changed in so short a time. We have only your ready wit and the goddess of fortune to thank, that our letter was not delivered to Charles, whose war effort is now coming apart at the seams.
Neunkirchen nods in agreement.
NEUNKIRCHEN : With all this chaos in Milan, your majesty, we have forgotten about Rome. Do you know more of the situation there now?
MAX : No, Neunkirchen. Billenstein has been despatched to find out.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Very well.
MAX : Is that all, Neunkirchen?
NEUNKIRCHEN : Yes, your majesty.
MAX : Then you are dismissed.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Thank you, your majesty.
Neunkirchen departs the chamber.
On 2nd February, 1496, the Pope pays a large indemnity settlement to relieve the Spanish siege of Rome. Minister von Bock had presumed correctly.
On 30th May, French soldiers returning from the successful siege of Genoa, from whom they extracted a large indemnity payment, drive the besiegers from Milan, and once again Neunkirchen is despatched to Paris, but ordered to again pass through Milan and to wait until 1st August before delivering the letter, lest there are more developments.
By late August, Austria crosses the point of no return. Maximilian’s policy seems to be reinforced by the French capture of Emilia.
On November 15th, England initiates siege in Rome. Maximilian is again furious. A month later, Naples cedes Emilia to France, further cementing the French position in Italy.
Von Neunkirchen, still in Paris, sends a detailed progress report to Kremmen as material for the state of the nation meeting. At the meeting, Kremmen is called on by Maximilian to summarize the report.
KREMMEN : Your majesty, Neunkirchen sends his warm regards from Paris. Things are progressing satisfactorily, although the French have reacted indifferently thus far to the idea of a royal marriage. Neunkirchen asks your permission to increase spending on bribes and gifts, as up to now he has been operating on a shoestring budget.
MAX : Allright, Kremmen, I shall send him a letter. Is that all?
KREMMEN : Yes, your majesty.
MAX : You may be seated. Minister Von Billenstein, you have a lot to answer for. Where is phase two of “Fortress Austria”? Where is the invasion force for Bohemia? Where are the defenders of Tyrol?
BILLENSTEIN : Sire, the ministry is having severe financial difficulty. These projects are all exceedingly expensive, and with so much of our ministry’s funding being redirected to foreign affairs, it’s well nigh impossible to raise the funds required for such undertakings.
MAX : Allright, minister. I expect a massive foreign affairs spending cut within four years. That takes us to 1500. In 1500 I expect our military development to begin in earnest. Is that clear?
BILLENSTEIN : Yes, your majesty. With sufficient funding we expect to make excellent headway.
MAX : Very well, you may be seated.
Von Billenstein is seated.
The session continues without notable event.
Some days later, Maximilian sends a letter to von Neunkirchen, authorising spending increases.
On June 2nd, 1497, the Pope achieves reprieve at last as the English are bought off. This brings an end to hostilities in Western Europe.
In July, a Milanese uprising appeared to be wresting control of the city from the French garrison, when over twenty thousand Frenchmen arrived from Emilia to crush the rebellion and with it surely the last hopes for Milanese independence.
In early February of 1499, after much labour and expenditure on the part of von Neunkirchen and his staff, Lady von Mattling is wedded to Count Philippe de Carentan, in a high-profile event of great splendour and pomp, attended by both king Maximilian and the recently coronated king Louis, as well as a large number of high-ranking officials from both nations.
