The Emperor in Milan

In the Cathedral Square in the center of Milan, Laszlo stood on a temporary high platform, giving a speech to the assembled Milanese citizens.

"I am not here to conquer, plunder, or kill. I am merely here to reclaim what is rightfully mine, what these scoundrels have stolen—Milan!"

Laszlo pointed to the republican councilors, led by Bishop George of Metz, on the gallows in the center of the square. There were seven of them in total.

They were among the few in the Council of Twenty-Four who were unwilling to acknowledge the Roman Emperor's rule.

Now, these individuals shared a common designation: rebels.

Laszlo continued to declare loudly to the crowd: "My rule over Milan is in accordance with the ancient laws of the Empire and the agreement I signed with Grand Duke Filippo under God's witness. It is precisely because I consider Milan an inseparable part of the territory under my rule that I led the Grand Army of the Empire across numerous obstacles to liberate Milan from the enemies of the Empire and the ambitious individuals of Milan."

The citizens began to whisper. Some felt that the Roman Emperor was an aggressor, but more people agreed with the Roman Emperor's statement, as the Grand Army of the Empire had not plundered Milan so far.

The order within the city had not been disrupted either. Everyone was still somewhat apprehensive, unsure when the fierce army outside the city would rush in and destroy Milan.

"I know your hearts are still unsettled, so I announce here and now that the war is over.

Milan will rightfully and lawfully come under my rule, the Roman Emperor. No one else will lose their life because of war. Look at these ambitious individuals who tried to steal Milan; for their selfish desires, they dragged Milan into the abyss of war, suffering successive invasions from the France, Swiss, Genoa, Florence, and Venetians. All of this is their fault.

Now, in the name of the Court of the Empire, I make this judgment: these conspirators are sentenced to immediate execution by hanging!"

On the gallows, the seven ambitious individuals, who harbored republican ideals, were about to meet their end.

Among them were professors from Pavia University, prominent Milanese merchants, and ambitious individuals who sought to manipulate Milanese politics. None of them were willing to abandon their foolish fantasies and serve the Roman Emperor, so the Roman Emperor granted them a dignified end.

Amidst the angry curses of the citizens, the executioner pulled the lever, and the condemned were immediately strangled by thick ropes, all dying shortly thereafter.

After their deaths, these individuals would be branded as "enemies of Milan," to be reviled even in death.

Those who chose to pledge allegiance to the Roman Emperor were not mistreated. Laszlo, using the Austria system as a blueprint, quickly selected talents to establish the Milan Court Chancellery, Milanese administrative agencies, tax agencies, and the Milan branch of the Court of the Empire. All of these individuals received suitable positions.

Piccinino, as he wished, obtained the position of Commander of the Milanese Army and was granted hereditary fiefdoms of two castles, which made him extremely satisfied.

Although the Milanese Army currently only had a name and urgently needed him to begin its formation.

He had intended to quickly assemble a force through his connections, but Laszlo required him to establish a standing army with a fixed organizational structure.

Two legions, comprising two cavalry squadrons and ten infantry squadrons.

The legions were named "Broken Spear Legion" and "Duchy of Milan Guard," with soldiers recruited from surrendered mercenaries and Milanese farmers.

In addition, Laszlo also summoned representatives from the Milanese nobility, guilds, towns, and villages to form the Milanese Estates Assembly. The primary purpose of this assembly was to apportion additional taxes and strengthen local control.

During the republican period, Milan's administrative decrees barely extended beyond the city walls. The nascent republic had no time to reorganize its domestic politics before being overwhelmed by attacks from all directions.

Laszlo rapidly restructured Milan's governing bodies, placing some Austria officials who had accompanied him to Italy within them.

The number of these officials was not large; they primarily served a supervisory role. The Bohemia region was already short of Austria officials, let alone this "remote" place like Milan.

At night, Visconti Castle—now reverted to its original name—hosted a grand celebration banquet within its walls.

People enjoyed delicious food, admired beautiful Italian music, and toasted each other, with no sign that the city had recently been shrouded in the shadows of war.

This was the celebration of Laszlo's succession as Duke of Milan. As it was merely the succession of a minor duke, a special coronation ceremony was not required. Laszlo primarily wanted to relax.

After delivering his opening remarks, Laszlo sat alone on the ducal throne, toying with the Iron Crown of Lombardy. This time, he intended to bring the genuine artifact back to Vienna for collection.

However, this Iron Crown looked rather ugly. Not to mention the Imperial Crown, it was inferior even to the ornate, jewel-encrusted crowns of Bohemia and Hungary.

If not for the historical and political significance inherent in this crown, Laszlo would have long ago ordered a new Italian crown to be crafted.

At this moment, Matthias approached the Roman Emperor and reported, "Your Majesty, they have arrived."

"Oh?" Laszlo placed the crown on the nearby tray, sat up, and instructed, "Bring them in."

Laszlo clapped his hands, and the music abruptly ceased. The generals and politicians in the banquet hall immediately moved to both sides, all looking at Laszlo.

They had been informed in advance of another ceremony this evening—the knighting ceremony.

Soon, a troop of elite warriors clad in plate armor strode proudly into the luxurious and spacious banquet hall, kneeling on one knee in sequence at the steps before the Roman Emperor.

Most of them were Austria, along with some German mercenaries who had performed exceptionally well on the battlefield and had also been recruited into the Roman Emperor's service. Some Hungarian warriors also received this honor.

This was a rare collective enfeoffment ceremony, and the observing guests watched with great interest.

Laszlo personally emphasized to the prospective knights the importance of being a good knight, loyal to the Roman Emperor and the Empire.

There were also some guidelines regarding knightly etiquette and conduct.

Subsequently, solemn music began to play, and Matthias, standing by, called out names one by one from a list. Those whose names were called stepped forward to receive the Roman Emperor's enfeoffment and instruction.

The entire process lasted a long time. The last time Laszlo went through such an arduous task was during his coronation in Rome, on the arch bridge after leaving St. Peter's Basilica, where he publicly enfeoffed 200 Imperial Knights.

This time, the number was only a few dozen, but the ceremony was more intricate.

These knights were rewarded for their military achievements, and their fiefdoms were widely distributed throughout Milan, forming the new nobility of the Duchy of Milan and serving as the cornerstone of the Roman Emperor's stable rule in Milan.

As for whether the Milanese would be happy to be ruled by German nobles, the last Czech who had such doubts no longer complained. The Milanese would surely accept such a reasonable arrangement.

After the ceremony, the guests all raised their glasses to celebrate the Roman Emperor having gained so many brave warriors.

After the knights left, the banquet continued, lasting until late into the night. People were happy to be alive and living better in this chaotic world.