Nations

After the Emperor's envoy departed, Sigismund and Anthony began discussing the major events that had recently occurred in Western Europe.

Although Sigismund had already begun to fantasize about his wonderful future life in Serbia, he decided to have an in-depth exchange with his colleague and good friend, Anthony, before leaving, and then offer some pertinent advice.

"Alright, first tell me what happened when you went to the Low Countries? I saw your face was very bad when I entered the room."

Sigismund took a sip of his drink, watching Anthony, who sat opposite him, with curious eyes.

Anthony sighed lightly, saying with considerable helplessness, "The situation in the Low Countries is a bit bad. Many cities, incited by the King of France, have already seen small-scale rebellions.

Perhaps a greater crisis is brewing."

Sigismund raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Anthony with some sympathy.

To be a subject of one family yet have to worry about the affairs of two families, how could it not be exhausting?

Now the Emperor had placed him in the sensitive position of Outer Austria, and Anthony's days would likely be even more arduous.

The thought of being immediately liberated from such profound suffering, no longer having to directly face the pressure of the Swiss-France alliance, made Sigismund's heart leap with joy.

Considering Anthony's heavy mood, Sigismund did not show his own happiness.

"The King of France, eh... I heard he led troops south to quell rebellions? How does he still have the energy to incite rebellions in the Low Countries?"

"Don't even mention it," Anthony's face grew even worse when Louis XI was brought up, "That fellow only took a few months to quell the rebels in Roussillon and other places, and even sent troops deep into Aragon to deal with the rebellious Catalans.

He's certainly skilled in warfare, and since his ascension, the military strength of the Kingdom of France has been greatly enhanced.

Although the nobles have many complaints about his strengthening of central authority, increased taxation, and his annexation of Aragonese territory despite widespread opposition,

nowadays, few dare to defy him."

Sigismund's expression became solemn, and his mood was no longer as relaxed as before.

The threat of the Kingdom of France was becoming increasingly prominent, and Sigismund clearly realized that there would inevitably be another great war between Austria and France in the future.

The scale of the war would likely be much larger than the Italian War.

Before that, Burgundy, as the buffer zone between the two great powers, would certainly suffer first, and Outer Austria would probably not be peaceful either.

"Is there no good news?"

"Regrettably, almost none.

Edward IV of the House of York, supported by my father, successfully secured the English throne.

Margaret of Anjou has already fled back to France with her son, the Prince of England.

She left her husband, the mad Henry VI, in England to continue the resistance.

Now they are staying in the castle of Margaret's father, Duke of Anjou Rene.

As you know, Louis XI, upon his ascension, immediately appointed his uncle, Duke of Anjou, as the kingdom's chief minister.

Now, Rene lobbies Louis XI almost daily, hoping the King of France will support his daughter and son-in-law in retaking England.

Logically, Edward IV should form a closer alliance with Burgundy to jointly counter the threat from France, but Edward IV's court seems to unanimously believe that marrying into the French royal family and abandoning Burgundy is the best choice.

My father has been saddened for a long time by having funded a ingrate, and I hope things don't reach the worst possible point."

Sigismund could only gently pat Anthony's shoulder, comforting him, "Relax, at least Emperor Laszlo will absolutely not abandon Burgundy, right?"

Anthony nodded lightly, acknowledging Sigismund's statement.

He himself was the most crucial link in maintaining the Austria-Burgundy alliance, and he would need to work harder in the future.

After emptying his glass of fine wine, Anthony poured himself another full glass, narrowing his eyes as he asked Sigismund, "Do you have any recent news from your side?

Please tell me everything that needs special attention, so as to avoid any oversight in the future."

Sigismund stroked his chin in thought, and after a while, he replied, "Indeed, there are a few things worth noting.

First and foremost are those restless Swiss."

Upon hearing Sigismund's words, Anthony immediately tensed up, as he was the acting governor of Outer Austria who would next have to face the Swiss threat.

So he quickly asked, "What new movements have the Swiss made recently?"

"Hmph, they sent envoys to see me, saying they wanted to buy Winterthur."

Sigismund's face showed a disdainful sneer, openly revealing his contempt for these encroaching Swiss.

"Winterthur?" Anthony tried to recall the place name; he must have heard it somewhere.

Sigismund ordered someone to bring a rough map of Outer Austria's jurisdiction and spread it out in front of Anthony.

Anthony immediately found Winterthur's location.

Winterthur is located west of Thurgau, which was seized by the Swiss, and is the last territory of the Habsburg Family on this stretch of the Rhine River's south bank.

Long before the Swiss Confederation was established, Winterthur had already been brought under the Habsburg Family's control.

After Thurgau was captured, Winterthur city did not fall due to the garrison's steadfast defense, and it remained part of Austria after the war.

It's just that this territory is now almost completely surrounded by the Swiss Confederation.

The Klettgau territory, which is across the river from Winterthur, is also a very important piece of land for the Habsburg Family.

Around 1020, Radbot of Klettgau built a castle in the Aargau region to expand his family's territory, naming it "Habsburg."

From Radbot's grandson, Otto II, the family adopted the name Habsburg Family.

In other words, Klettgau was already the core territory of the family long before Habsburg was established.

Klettgau is directly connected to the core area of Outer Austria, serving as a bridgehead for advancing into Switzerland from Outer Austria.

Winterthur, on the other hand, is a wedge embedded on the Swiss side, which must not be easily abandoned.

"So you refused their request?"

"Of course!" Sigismund responded as a matter of course, "I was strongly against Laszlo giving Thurgau to Switzerland in the first place, so how could I sell more family territory to those barbarians from the mountains?"

"What was the Swiss Confederation's reaction to this?"

Anthony was worried that if gentle persuasion failed, the Swiss might resort to force. Although the possibility was small, it wasn't entirely nonexistent.

After all, the Swiss Confederation rose to power by rebelling against the Habsburg Family, and they are still resisting the Emperor now.

"Don't worry, I've already found out that this was an envoy sent privately by Zurich, and their confederation had no knowledge of it."

"Zurich again?"

Hearing that familiar name, Anthony understood.

From the Zurich War, to the invasion of Outer Austria during the Italian War, to Constance's request to join Switzerland, and now the attempt to buy Winterthur.

Every incident was closely related to Zurich, causing countless conflicts between Austria and Switzerland.

"A decade ago, we had the chance to subdue Zurich and heavily damage the Swiss Confederation, but alas... well, let's not dwell on it."

Sigismund and Anthony clinked glasses, moving past the topic and beginning to discuss other affairs of Outer Austria, as well as the handover of duties.

A few days later, Sigismund and his wife left Freiburg, embarking on the long journey to Serbia.