Chapter 1603: Mother of Eastern Rome

How did Zhao Kuangyin become Emperor?

Zhu Hengli certainly knew this period of history — he had learned it in elementary school! But why was Karl asking about it? He should have learned it too... Although he was Austrian, he had still seriously studied Chinese history. He couldn't possibly have forgotten such a simple question as how Zhao Kuangyin became Emperor.

Still, Henry decided he ought to instruct his son.

He said, "This Zhao Kuangyin was no good man! He was originally the commander of the Later Zhou palace guard, but he was wildly ambitious and wanted to usurp the throne and become Emperor. So after Emperor Shizu of Later Zhou, Chai Rong, died, he took advantage of the new ruler's youth and launched a mutiny at Chenqiao Station, where a yellow robe was draped upon him..."

At this point, Grand Duke Henry's expression suddenly grew complicated... A yellow robe draped upon him! Such a thing was most improper. But if the men below insisted that Zhao Kuangyin become Emperor, it seemed Zhao Kuangyin could hardly refuse! It was everyone's will — the minority obeys the majority — so Zhao Kuangyin had to become Emperor.

So it was not that Zhao Kuangyin's character was bad; it was all the fault of the men below...

At this thought, Grand Duke Henry had already reined in his horse. Karl and the several dozen escort knights also reined in their warhorses. The knights guarded the Grand Duke on all sides, while Karl halted his horse beside his father.

Grand Duke Henry turned his head to look at his son — at a glance, clearly no good man! Though quite handsome, he looked a bit treacherous... The Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Pu who forced Zhao Kuangyin to become Emperor at Chenqiao Station back then were probably treacherous men just like you!

"Karl..." Grand Duke Henry lowered his voice. "This is Europe! That yellow-robe business won't work here!"

True — Europeans rather believe in bloodlines. Without noble blood in one's veins, becoming a monarch is rather difficult... Of course, it is not absolutely impossible. Didn't Pepin, who founded the Carolingian dynasty, usurp the throne and seize the kingdom?

Moreover, Grand Duke Henry felt his own bloodline was beyond reproach — exceedingly noble! Otherwise Emperor Louis would never have married Marie Anne to him!

Besides, he had no intention of usurping the throne... He was a vassal of Mehmed IV! If he fought his way into Istanbul, first killed Mehmed IV, and then seized Mehmed IV's sultan's throne, that would be usurpation. Grand Duke Henry would never do such a disloyal and unrighteous thing — absolutely never!

At most, he would fight his way into Istanbul, first kill Mehmed IV, then rename Istanbul back to Constantinople, and with the support of the people and the nobility become Emperor of Eastern Rome!

At this thought, Grand Duke Henry swallowed, then said to his son, "Karl, the emperors here in Europe do not wear yellow robes; they wear purple robes... So it is a purple robe that is draped upon one!"

Right! The color is different... There is no yellow-robe ceremony here in Europe, because no one knows what a yellow robe signifies.

Karl nodded repeatedly, still speaking Chinese with his father: "Rest assured, Father, your son will not make a mistake... I will not mistake a yellow robe for a purple one! What do you think?"

Henry merely nodded slightly, noncommittal... This matter could not be spoken of openly; a tacit understanding was enough!

Karl watched his father say nothing and did not quite grasp his meaning, so he pressed with another question: "Father, do you want to be the Zhao Kuangyin of Europe?"

The Zhao Kuangyin of Europe! That would mean a purple robe draped upon him, ruling all under heaven — it sounded rather fine!

Henry de Mancini had not wanted to make things big at first; he had been quite satisfied with an Archduchy of Austria.

Going one step further, or even several steps further, would be far too costly, and the income was not guaranteed either — very likely a losing business.

Besides, his military strength had not been great before, and he seemed to have few capable fighters at hand. It had been utterly impossible to advance further with the little strength he had!

But now Henry had discovered that his Austrian army was extremely capable — very likely one of the most capable armies in Europe... With strong soldiers and sturdy horses, the thought of becoming Emperor welled up from the bottom of his heart.

Although he had changed his name to Henry de Mancini... in reality, he was still Zhu Hengli — son of the Ming Emperor Zhu Cilang, a prince of China.

But he had somewhat forgotten that his son Karl was no longer Chinese, and even less a Chinese imperial grandson.

So what he wanted was a definite word!

"Father," Karl said, seeing his father remain silent, and asked again, "Do you or do you not want to be the Zhao Kuangyin of Europe?"

Henry glanced at his son and thought: What exactly do you mean, boy? Does something so obvious even need asking? Your father is a prince... Can a prince who does not want to be Emperor possibly be a good prince?

At this thought, Henry said to his son, "My father is an Emperor, and I am a good prince!"

With that, he spurred his horse forward and led his retinue into the ranks pursuing the routed remnants of the Ottoman army, leaving behind a thoroughly baffled Karl von Mancini staring at his father's hazy receding figure, sinking into deep thought.

"Your Highness, a complete victory! We have changed the history of Europe, changed the course of Western civilization — we shall surely become heroes revered by posterity!"

"Your Highness, as a hero revered by all, as a monarch who has reshaped the map of Europe... I trust you would not object to going one step further?"

Győr, Hungary.

Grand Duke Henry, who had just led his great army to liberate this castle that had once been an important stronghold of the Holy Roman Empire, was receiving Count Eugene and John Churchill, his two right-hand men.

During the audience, Count Eugene suddenly asked a rather unusual question!

What did "not object to going one step further" mean? Further toward what? Henry was already a Grand Duke; one step further and he would be a monarch!

Henry gazed at Count Eugene and Churchill, whose eyes were bloodshot and who, because of the marching and fighting, had not had a proper sleep in some time.

"Count," Henry said after a moment, speaking thoughtfully, "I am the Archduke of Austria... I must of course consider the welfare of the Austrian people!"

Right! Henry advanced for the sake of the people! If the Austrian people came bearing a purple robe to urge him to take the throne, he would reluctantly consider it.

But Count Eugene did not see it that way. The Austrian people were doing quite well now — far better than in the days when there had been an Emperor!

It seemed this Grand Duke Henry truly had never thought of becoming a king or emperor. This was a bit troublesome!

He shot another glance at Churchill — your turn to ask.

"Your Highness," John Churchill said with a frown, taking up the question, "if the Hungarians wish to elect their own king... what should we do?"

Henry thought for a moment and replied, "We should respect the choice of the Hungarian people! If the Hungarian people can choose a truly responsible king!"