Peace

Constance, the seat of the Swabian Imperial Circle assembly, became the nominal center of power in the Swabian region, with peace delegates from all warring parties arriving.

After the ceasefire in Aargau, the Imperial Army began to gradually withdraw from Switzerland, while the Outer Austrian Army and the Independent Army remained in their newly conquered territories, guarding against any Swiss treachery.

However, the Swiss were truly subdued this time; the Emperor's halt at Aargau was a form of mercy to them, for which they felt fortunate.

On the Imperial Army's side, Laszlo was well aware that the troops' morale had been worn down by days of marching and intense fighting.

If he continued to lead the army deeper into Switzerland, it was hard to guarantee that no accidents would occur.

Since the League of Public Weal had already achieved a swift victory, he also chose to stop while he was ahead.

Inside the assembly hall, representatives from the various Imperial Estates of Swabia took their seats in order.

Whether or not they participated in this war against the Swiss, they would all witness the reconciliation between Austria and Switzerland.

Besides these members, there were also several special visitors.

Bishop Heinrich of Constance, Bishop John of Basel, Councillor Barthel of Schaffhausen, Lord Broger of Appenzell, and Mayor Stephen of St. Gallen, among others.

Although they did not directly participate in this war, the post-war division of power involved the forces they represented.

A scribe from Freiburg, Outer Austria, served as the recorder for these peace talks.

Due to Laszlo's special edict as the Emperor, demanding that each Swiss canton send representatives to negotiate with him, the Swiss Confederation sent a large delegation.

Bern alone sent six envoys, and the mayors of Glarus and Zug personally served as peace delegates, with other cantons also sending multiple representatives.

Austria only sent Eyczing, who had rushed from Vienna, and his two assistants, along with one representative each from Zurich and Aargau.

In addition, the two Counts of Württemberg, the Margrave of Baden, and several Swabian knight representatives were also permitted to attend the negotiations with the Swiss.

Nearly a hundred people crowded into the not-so-spacious Swabian assembly hall.

Laszlo could not stand such a chaotic place; since Eyczing was negotiating for him, he only needed to wait for the results in the adjacent room.

Inside the assembly hall, people were also waiting on site, with curious glances occasionally cast towards the closed door of the adjacent room.

Representatives from Austria and Bern had entered that room earlier, while representatives from the other Swiss cantons were kept outside.

With Zurich's declaration of withdrawal from the Swiss 'Eight Canton Alliance,' the Emperor had repeatedly denied the legitimacy of the Swiss Confederation in public.

This time, the peace talks fully revealed the Emperor's attitude.

Excluding Zurich, the representatives of the seven other cantons would negotiate with the Austrian representatives one by one.

First was the strongest, Bern; people only heard some quarrels erupt from the room, but now silence had returned.

"Baron Diesbach," Eyczing earnestly advised the head of the Bern delegation sitting opposite him, "Bern is the most powerful city in the Central Highlands, and the only western canton in your so-called confederation.

Although you have had some conflicts with the Imperial House in the past, the Emperor is still willing to grant you preferential treatment.

Those barren Forest Cantons cannot offer you much help; they will only hold you back and hinder your development. Embracing the Empire is your only choice."

Bern was once controlled by the New Kyburg counts, who were supported by the Habsburg Family, but it quickly broke free from their control and joined the Swiss Confederation.

Bern contributed significantly to past wars against the Habsburg Family.

When the Swiss conquered Aargau in 1415, the city of Aargau was captured by the Bernese, and thereafter, the half-canton of Aargau also became a vassal of Bern.

After Zurich was conquered, Bern became the most powerful city-canton in the Swiss Confederation.

Laszlo did not want the Swiss to have a chance to rise again.

Therefore, after eliminating Zurich, he hoped to separate Bern from the Confederation as well, completely cutting off any possibility of the Swiss rising again.

The Bern delegation, led by Diesbach, was well aware of the Emperor's intentions, but the current situation was extremely dire for them.

"Does His Majesty the Emperor mean..."

"To dissolve military alliances and mutual assistance treaties with the Swiss cantons, and to permanently prohibit the signing of such treaties.

Bern should send representatives to participate in the Imperial Conference. In return, the Emperor will grant you the status of an Imperial Free City.

When called upon, Bern will need to fulfill its obligations as a Free City, providing economic and military support to the Emperor."

Diesbach's face tightened. The Emperor's seemingly generous conditions actually aimed to place Bern under his control.

If they truly separated from the Confederation, Bern's strength alone would be insufficient to resist the Emperor's control.

At that point, they would be at his mercy.

"Such terms are too harsh, Mr. Eyczing."

"Harsh? Diesbach, think carefully. The French war is over, and the Burgundians should now be looking for new targets..."

"As rumored, the Emperor always uses such despicable means to threaten the subjects of the Empire."

Diesbach slammed his fist on the table, cursing through gritted teeth.

Eyczing's expression became stern, and he said coldly, "You need to maintain reverence for His Majesty the Emperor.

We all know that Bern and the Duke of Burgundy have had many conflicts in the past.

To avoid being swallowed by the Burgundians, your only option is to comply with the Emperor's arrangements.

Only obedient people are considered subjects of the Empire by the Emperor. For those who resist, His Majesty has no obligation to protect their rights."

"Shameless! Who in the entire Empire doesn't know that the Burgundians and the Austrians are in cahoots!"

Another Bern representative sitting beside Diesbach shouted, but was quickly glared at by Diesbach.

Faced with such slander, Eyczing's face also turned cold.

"Is this your answer?"

"No," Diesbach said with some difficulty, "We accept the conditions proposed by His Majesty the Emperor.

His Majesty should also protect the territory of the Empire from falling into foreign hands."

"Of course," Eyczing smiled slightly, "Withdrawing from the illegally formed confederation is the basis for our next step in the peace talks.

Next is the issue of war reparations, the cession of Aargau's territory, and a war indemnity. I don't think you will refuse, will you?"

Diesbach nodded helplessly, then slumped into his chair as if all strength had been drained from him.

Soon, the first "Treaty of Constance" was released.

After the negotiations with Bern, Eyczing then divided the spoils with the Swabians who participated in the war.

The Emperor gained the most land and monetary benefits, while the Swabian nobles who had distinguished themselves in battle each received some Swiss territory, with some choosing to forgo land for more war reparations.

This treaty largely satisfied everyone, and they announced the contents of the signed treaty immediately after the negotiations concluded.

The Swabian princes were not surprised by Bern becoming a Free City loyal to the Emperor, but this was a significant blow to the remaining six cantons of Switzerland.

The appearance of the first, and a major, crack accelerated the fragmentation of the Swiss Confederation.

Next to negotiate were Zug and Glarus, who had been on tenterhooks.

Neither canton had a population exceeding ten thousand, and their combined forces amounted to less than three thousand men.

These few troops were completely annihilated by the Emperor in the Battle of Niederwyl.

To prevent further devastation in their two cantons, the representatives of Zug and Glarus fully accepted the Emperor's conditions.

They would break their alliance and withdraw from the Confederation, pay war reparations, cede the Imperial territories they had illegally occupied, and swear allegiance to the Emperor.

As the two smallest cantons within the Swiss Confederation, they knew very well that their independent status was achieved through the Swiss Confederation's might. But now, it was clear that the Emperor's might was greater, so Zug and Glarus, originally Habsburg Family territories, could only submit.

The first day of negotiations ended, and only four cantons remained from Switzerland's "Eight Canton Alliance": Lucerne and the Three Forest Cantons.

Laszlo was very pleased with this outcome. There was only one way to deal with illegal organizations: dissolve them.

However, Laszlo was currently troubled by a problem unrelated to the peace talks, so he chose to summon Eyczing at night to consult him on a solution.

"Your Majesty, you intend to elevate three Imperial Dukes at once?"

Eyczing listened to Laszlo's complaint, his eyes wide with surprise as he stared at the generous Emperor before him.

"The Margrave of Baden and the Count of Württemberg-Urach provided considerable assistance in the war, and the Count of Württemberg-Stuttgart even died on the battlefield..."

"Your Majesty, I originally thought your promises to me were merely to persuade them to send reinforcements, but I didn't expect you would actually intend to fulfill them."

Eyczing rubbed his brow, a hint of distress on his face.

"I had originally intended to suggest that you assume the title of Duke of Swabia after winning this war.

But if you elevate any Imperial Duke in Swabia, then the title of Duke of Swabia will lose its practical significance."

"Duke of Swabia?"

Laszlo pondered with interest.

If he were to bestow upon himself the title of Duke of Swabia, then this war might give rise to four Imperial Dukes.

Before this, there were only a dozen universally recognized dukes in the Empire, one of whom was the Duke of Holstein, ennobled a few years ago.

Suddenly having so many new ones would indeed have a significant impact.

"Although the title of Duke of Swabia was once claimed by my ancestors, it ultimately vanished with the Hohenstaufen dynasty.

If I were to reclaim this title now, would it appear too ambitious?"

"Your Majesty, this is also a powerful means to increase the legitimacy of your rule."

Eyczing still tried to persuade him, but Laszlo waved him off.

"Let me think about this matter further. For now, let's discuss who should be elevated."

"From the perspective of strength, only the Margrave of Baden is qualified to be promoted to Duke.

If you want to elevate a Count of Württemberg to Duke, you can only choose one of them.

After the elevation, issue an edict to restore the unity of the Württemberg Family, and then Württemberg will be qualified to be elevated to a Duchy."

"That's a good solution."

Laszlo understood Eyczing's intention. After unifying Württemberg, the Margrave of Baden's advantage in Swabia would disappear, making it easier to balance the two families' power and control Swabia.

"It's just, whom should I choose?"

Eberhard, the son of the fallen Count Ulrich V of Württemberg-Stuttgart, the Venerable, had already inherited the title, becoming Eberhard VI.

And the one who followed Ulrich into battle was his nephew, Count Eberhard V of Württemberg-Urach.

These two cousins, both named Eberhard, were of similar age and had comparable achievements.

The former served him in the Mainz War, and the latter contributed greatly to this Swabian War.

"Your Majesty, according to Imperial tradition, it is best to elevate the elder branch of the two lines, which is Eberhard V of Urach.

Of course, Eberhard VI, as the descendant of a hero who died for the country, should also be compensated, for example, by letting him inherit his father's position."

"That's a good idea. Let's do that."

Laszlo finally overcame his decision paralysis and was immediately in a much better mood.

"I hear the Swiss have lost their will to resist. You must break their spine for me."

"That is my duty, Your Majesty," Eyczing replied, though still with some concern, "Although Bern, Zug, and Glarus have left the Confederation under our coercion, the remaining four cantons are not so easy to deal with."

Laszlo smiled slightly, saying indifferently, "Just sever their ties with the French and reclaim the inheritance of the Count of Toggenburg.

Oh, and all cantons must join the Swabian Imperial Circle and assume corresponding Imperial obligations, otherwise my Imperial ban will not be lifted.

There are also those scattered smaller forces around: Appenzell, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, and Basel.

Try to bring these forces into our sphere of influence as much as possible, at least ensuring they won't collude with the Swiss again."

"I understand, Your Majesty."

Eyczing fully approved of the Emperor's decision.

As long as they could completely confine the Swiss to the Central Highlands, their subsequent actions would be much easier.

However, after opening the passage to Outer Austria, the Swiss cantons were separated from Swabia.

Perhaps the Emperor disliked the Swiss too much, as he did not force them to join the Austrian Imperial Circle, even though the Three Leagues of Graubünden had been compelled to join the Austrian Imperial Circle.

Perhaps the Emperor's action had a deeper meaning, Eyczing could only think so.

"Also, the Imperial Conference to be held this year, or next year... never mind, you go prepare for tomorrow's negotiations first. This matter is not urgent."

"Then I shall take my leave."

With the conversation concluded, Laszlo remained alone in the room, beginning to make more long-term plans.

Thereafter, negotiations continued for several days, and compared to the first day's talks, the arguments that erupted during these days were clearly more intense.

Ultimately, Lucerne withdrew from the Swiss Confederation, accepting the Emperor's conditions to cede some territory and pay reparations.

The Three Forest Cantons finally agreed to join the Swabian Imperial Circle but were unwilling to dissolve their Three Canton Alliance.

Laszlo allowed them to retain their small confederation; in exchange, they had to grant the Emperor priority in recruiting soldiers.

All cantons were also required to recall all Swiss mercenaries sent to France.

In the final day of negotiations, St. Gallen chose to merge with Austria, and the Lord of Appenzell also chose to submit.

Schaffhausen and Basel retained their status as Imperial Free Cities but were prohibited from entering into any alliances with the remaining Swiss Confederation.

A peace agreement, tens of pages long, was bound into a volume, collecting nearly a hundred seals, almost encompassing all the forces in the entire southwestern region of the Empire.

Under the gaze of numerous witnesses, the Emperor, at the Swabian Assembly in Constance, revoked the Imperial ban on the Swiss Confederation and declared the restoration of peace.

A warm round of applause erupted, as many had gained from this war, while others had lost their lives.

Regardless, peace is always welcome, especially after a bloody and brutal war.