The Rise of the European Emperor

King Hans of Denmark was more confident about sending troops to Sweden this time, because Marin, whom he feared most, seemed to acquiesce in his actions against Sweden. As long as Marin didn't move, he felt that with Denmark's military strength, and some Knights and veterans of Brandenburg and Saxony, it would not be difficult to defeat Sweden.

Moreover, he also knows that the current situation of the electorate of Brandenburg and the electorate of Saxony is not very good. Because of the large war reparations to pay Marin, the current economy of both countries is very bad. In addition, these two countries were implicated because of Denmark's affairs, so this time, when inviting the two countries to send troops, Hans intends to pay a commission and has the right to hire the troops of the two countries. The money, of course, was privately given to Joachim I, Elector of Brandenburg, and Frederick III, Elector of Saxony. As for the soldiers of the two countries who were sent to fight, they could not get them.

After Hans passed the news to Joachim I and Frederick III, they both expressed interest. After all, they have a lot of shortfalls now, and it is the best to have a place to make money. However, Frederick III sent a letter to Hans - a written agreement must be reached with Marin, so as not to fight well in the front and be stabbed by Marin in the back.

Hans thought about it too, so he sent a messenger to the door to ask Marin's opinion. In addition, Hans also wanted to ask Marin to persuade Lübeck and Hamburg not to interfere in this war. Especially Lübeck, who is an old rival with Denmark, is still very rich, and is especially the leader of the Hanseatic League.

If Denmark attacked Sweden, Lübeck would suddenly spend tens of thousands of troops to stab Denmark in the back... Although it is not as dangerous as Malin's stab, it should not be underestimated. What's more, the Øresund Strait between Denmark and Sweden is still under the control of Lübeck and Hamburg.

But Hans also knew that the relationship between Denmark and Lübeck had always been very bad, and he sent him to discuss with Lübeck, which might be rejected. Only when Marin came forward as an intermediary could the two sides negotiate. Therefore, whether it is to inquire about Marin's attitude towards this, or to compromise with Lübeck, Marin needs to speak.

In fact, Marin had previously hinted to Hans that he would no longer be involved in the war between Denmark and Sweden. Moreover, it also purchased wood produced in Norway and subsidized Denmark in disguise. However, that was a hint after all. Without Marin's personal commitment, Hans dared not be careless. So he sent Foreign Secretary Horsen to Aurich for Marin's opinion...

...

On Marin's side, because he was actively preparing to attack the company of Gede, he didn't have much time to pay attention to the conflict between the two Nordic countries. However, he was still concerned. At least, in Marin's view, it is not good for anyone in Northern Europe to be stronger. Now, because Denmark has taken most of its homeland by itself, decline is inevitable. Sweden, on the other hand, has surpassed Denmark in terms of population and national strength. And this is not what Marin wants to see.

Sweden only surpasses Denmark in terms of land area and population. The key point is that Marin also helped them to come up with the super-large copper mine in Fayilun. With this big copper mine as a base, Sweden's finances will thrive. Conversely, after Denmark lost its naval and maritime trade hegemony,

Finances are bound to be difficult... In the long run, Sweden's annexation of Denmark in turn is almost certain...

If Marin is alive, Sweden wants to annex Denmark, certainly not. However, Marin is not an immortal and cannot live for long. And after his death, there is no guarantee that his country will continue to be strong. Maybe, the rising Sweden will not be able to hold back. Or, if future generations don't care, let Sweden swallow Denmark...

Denmark is actually nothing, and now there are only a few islands such as Zealand left in the mainland, but if Norway is annexed by Sweden, it means that Sweden has the three Nordic countries of later generations at the same time - Sweden, Norway and Finland... No, Iceland is also The possession of Norway... This is equivalent to taking all the Nordic countries in later generations...

Although the Nordic countries are not good at agriculture, it is no problem for Sweden to become a regional power after swallowing the four Nordic countries. Moreover, Norway is a fishing powerhouse. If you are not careful, you can create a marine country, and you may snatch the colony.

If Norway is in the hands of Denmark, it will be difficult to grow. why? There is still a gap between Norwegians and Danes, and they are separated by a sea. The Danish royal family actually pays more attention to the homeland and less attention to Norway. But the Swedes are also a Scandinavian country. If they swallow Norway, they will definitely pay more attention to Norway than the Danes.

Therefore, Marin would rather Denmark continue to control Norway, rather than let the emerging Sweden get Norway. Even, that Denmark should take away the fertile areas of southern Sweden. In this way, the momentum of Sweden's rise will be suppressed. In his opinion, a Nordic country that is evenly matched is the most in line with his own interests...

After listening to the careful probing of Danish Foreign Minister Holsen, Marin didn't go in circles with him. After thinking about it, he said to Holson:

"Tell Your Majesty Hans that I am very angry at the behavior of the Swedes. So, this time, I support Denmark's use of force against the perfidious Sweden in principle..."

"That's great!" Holson was overjoyed.

"Don't be busy, listen to me first!" Marin interrupted the surprised Holson.

"You said it!" Horsen immediately became honest.

"I agree with Denmark attacking Sweden, but I don't agree with Denmark destroying Sweden, do you understand?"

"What do you mean?" Horsen was a little confused about Marin's attitude.

Marin didn't bother to talk nonsense with him, so he took the map directly, pointed it to Halson, and said:

"I mean, Denmark can get the southern part of Sweden, including the southwest coast. However, it can't get more. The south of Stockholm can be, and the north, including Stockholm, can't! Otherwise, I will send troops to intervene!" Finished, Marin also drew an east-west line on the map of Sweden, south of Stockholm, cutting Sweden into two parts, north and south. And the western end of this line just happens to border Norway, and the southwest coastline that Sweden has now acquired has been demarcated. If this line is used as the national border in the future, Sweden will once again lose its access to the Atlantic Ocean...

Horsen looked embarrassed because he didn't know King Hans' bottom line either. So he said cautiously:

"Lord Malin, I can't control this matter, I have to go back and ask Your Majesty!"

"Alright, take this map back and show it to His Majesty Hans." After speaking, Marin gave the map that he had just drawn a line to Holson.

However, before leaving, Holson suddenly turned around and asked:

"Grand Duke Marin, Your Majesty asked me to ask you, how to persuade Lübeck not to stop the Danish operation? You know, the Oresund is still in their hands. If the Danish army wants to cross the sea, they have to agree."

Marin nodded and said:

"I have considered this matter, so let's go back and ask your Majesty Hans if he agrees with the line I drew. If he agrees, I will send someone to Lübeck and Hamburg to intercede for you. Of course, Denmark needs to pay Some costs, for example, need to agree to hand over the shipping rights to Lübeck's merchant ships. In addition, it is necessary to recognize Lübeck's occupation of the Swedish port of Malmö. Of course, there is no need to cede it, it can be said to be leased. For example, leased to Lübeck 99 years, but the sovereignty still belongs to Denmark... This way, you can save face..."

Marin is very clear that for a city composed of Hanseatic businessmen like Lübeck, they value their interests the most, and they don't care about previous contradictions. They are willing to cooperate as long as they give enough benefits. What's more, they have to give some face when they come forward.

All Lübeck is worried about is the Danish navy making a comeback. Therefore, they paid great attention to suppressing the appearance of the Danish merchant ships, and they did not allow Denmark to regain the warships. Poor Denmark is now sending ships to contact the kingdom of Norway under the joint rule, and they can only use small boats of less than 100 tons. Large ships of more than 200 tons, Lübeck will never allow Denmark to own again.

Therefore, to convince Lübeck, Denmark must first give up its maritime interests in order to gain the support of the other party...

"Okay, I'll report all this to Your Majesty!" Halson nodded, took the map marked by Marin, and hurried back...