Mary Su Stuart

Chapter 18 The Basis of Governance

Another misty morning.Since entering November, the weather in Scotland has cooled rapidly, and the transition from autumn to winter is about to be completed.And Mary Stuart felt the chill of her hometown again after many years.

This may be a tough winter.The maids were all worried about the Queen's health.After all, over the past ten years, they have gotten used to the warmer European palaces; now, it is really difficult to adapt to the castle that is ravaged by the cold wind.

Mary felt that she was not so delicate-the British Isles were often visited by warm currents, which was not bad; Edinburgh was more to the south.So she still went her own way.Even when dissuaded, she claimed: "A hot bath is my most luxurious enjoyment at present, and one every four days is my limit."

Not only that, this His Majesty, who loves to exercise, rode a horse to watch her guards drill against the cold wind just after dawn.

Since her return to Scotland she had given much thought to the arrangement of her prefects, Boswell and Montgomery.

Out of the memory of the original history, she naturally preferred to keep Boswell closer to herself.

If there is no soul from modern times to disrupt the situation, the Queen of Scots will reluctantly return to her homeland of Scotland to rule after the deaths of François and Marie de Guis.Then, Mary Stuart enthusiastically but rashly chose her second husband, her cousin Lord Darnley [Note [-]].When the royal husband colluded with Lord Merry and others to set off a rebellion to seize power, it was Boswell who firmly defended the Queen's position and saved her from fire and water.

It is the same Boswell who is now loyal to Mary.He was expelled from the country because he refused to cooperate with the Lords of Scotland; he swore allegiance to Queen Mary and accepted her arrangement to defend the little queen; fighting warrior.

Similar to Mary, he disliked the conspiracy and hypocrisy of the "Lord's Gathering". After returning to Scotland, he wanted to use absolute superior force to make them completely surrender.

Such a primitive man's style, simple and rude, is very useful for the monarch; it is also very effective for those barbaric Scottish dignitaries.

Mary was almost certain that, as long as she didn't fall in love like the silly woman in history, Boswell would become an important military cornerstone of the Kingdom of Scotland.

"The Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Army and Horses" is the highest military position that Mary can appoint now - this is thanks to the Queen Mother who is "in her dying years"; although she has some criticisms of the Queen's radical measures and her dedication to everything, she is not well-known for herself , it was quite a pleasure to let go of the power, and it was all up to the daughter to toss - the queen was planning how to use it to motivate Boswell.

However, right now she can't make him rise too fast.

After all, the queen should not neglect another captain of the guard, Montgomery, who was once entrusted with important tasks by Henry II.

It would be impossible to leave the count aside.After all, he represents France, represents her husband's family, and even has the meaning of "watcher".Boswell, who is only 23 years old, has always been only this deputy.Even if Mary wanted Scotland to be more independent, the French could not be ignored at this stage.

Finally, after much deliberation, Mary handed over the commission of the Grand Commander to Montgomery.

To have a foreigner at the command of the whole of Scotland, even if more in name only, was bound to attract the envy of most lords.But there is little they can do.

First of all, their "king" also serves as the French crown prince, and the queen has a French guard, and there are still many French allies in the territory to help fight against England; secondly, it is a courtier whom Henry II admires, a powerful , the valiant earl.

Although Montgomery doesn't have many soldiers at the moment, behind him is the huge power of France.In short, the Scottish lords with ulterior motives were neither able to contend with the new national commander, nor could they bribe him, let alone change their firm position of being loyal to the French princess.

And Montgomery, who is honored, is very pleased with Mary's trust.He is not a reckless man, and he is more sensitive to political affairs than his former deputy Boswell.Right now, his inauguration means that Scotland is on the way to belonging to France.And this kind of kindness also made his chivalry for protecting his mistress reach a new peak.

Although, since then, Montgomery, who has assumed the title of Grand Commander, has separated from the Guards in disguise.What he can directly control is only a small part of the French Guards.

Boswell has been promoted by half a level, and has completely mastered the Queen's Guards.

The Praetorian Guard is relatively independent from the Northern Marshal.The Imperial Guard is directly under the Queen's jurisdiction, full of glory; and as a standing army, it also enjoys an advantageous supply of resources.So Boswell, who left his boss to go it alone, was not at all dissatisfied.

If he knew Mary's deeper plans, he might be more proud and happier-Mary estimated that after Elizabeth ascended the throne, she would start a new round of peace talks with Henry II; One of the conditions for peace; at that time, the various Scottish titles of the Frenchman Montgomery will most likely fall on Boswell.

Of course, Boswell is very full at the moment.Therefore, when Mary came to inspect early in the morning, he greeted her enthusiastically, showing the diligence and tenacity of his soldiers.

"They are all proud of your service." Although Boswell has always been arrogant, he has great respect for Mary, who is generous in salary.

Seeing those tall and straight figures solemnly saluting themselves and swearing allegiance, Mary smiled and waved back. "They are indeed well-trained and tough, and they are worthy of the deepest trust entrusted by the monarch."

Encouraged, Boswell couldn't help feeling complacent. "It took so much effort to pay off."

He glanced at Mary's equally upright figure, and he rarely developed a bit of admiration for women.

This queen, in a sense, was very much to his liking—Mary Stuart, in spite of everyone's objections, insisted on riding with her legs apart in private, and wore trousers like a man, so deviant, reckless, and without taboo.However, she has a face that fascinates all beings, and she smiles softly and charmingly, like a delicate porcelain doll; in great contrast to her pride and stubbornness, she has a special charm.

Boswell, however, had nothing to think about at the moment.He is tall and strong, known as "wild and vigorous like a bull", he is very popular with some ladies in France, and he has won many hearts again within a few days after returning to Scotland.He has never been short of women, so he will not be so hungry and thirsty to miss his mistress.

Moreover, this samurai who is proud of love has always preferred big breasts and wide buttocks, so he doesn't have much sexual interest in Mary, who has not yet grown up.

However, while riding with the Queen and discussing the country's military system, Boswell occasionally fell into confusion.

In his eyes, this young queen who is said to be "extremely favored by God" has a wonderful scholarly aura; but when she expounds various viewpoints, she seems to suddenly lose her gender characteristics and become... like a book Book titled "The Monarch".

Boswell did not like to read; but listening to Mary talk about her military and political ideas seemed not at all boring.

It can even be said that it is quite attractive.

"The mercenary system certainly has the advantages of saving manpower and being professional in combat. But they lack national awareness and loyalty to the monarch, and their morale and willingness to fight often fluctuate due to military pay..."

"The discipline of the mercenaries is not stable enough. Sometimes looting along the way will bring huge damage beyond the strategic goal. Therefore, if the conscription system is implemented to tap the potential of the free people, it will be difficult for a kingdom like Scotland that is not rich in resources. more meaningful."

"Moreover, we need to develop iron ore, develop metallurgy and military industries, and ensure the self-supply of weapons and equipment. You must know that only excellent equipment can fully enhance the combat effectiveness of soldiers."

"I think that when fighting, we need to pay more attention to the role of fire(;;) guns. Moreover, we have seen that as the times change, the performance of guns is constantly improving, and the lethality of individual soldiers is also increasing. In traditional formations, Dense spearmen are not flexible, it is a waste of manpower. Therefore, appropriately increasing the proportion of fire (;;) spearmen will be able to defend the enemy more efficiently. Moreover, compared with other arms, the training period of □□□ is shorter , which is very beneficial to the expansion of combat troops."

If Boswell, who was born in 1535, lived to be a hundred years old, he might know that Mary copied Gustav II of Sweden [Note 24].But now, at the age of 16, looking at the little girl who is less than [-] years old, his eyes can't help showing reverence.

What a profound insight!It's like being possessed by some military god.

Ahem, Boswell has never been able to look up to anyone since then—the queen with sharp views and hard work seems to have gradually become a shining bright spot in the night sky that he looks up to.

However, when facing other Scottish lords, he was still domineering, like an arrogant Viking.

Today, he found another opportunity to show off his might in front of them.

Calculating that "Mary I next door" was about to die, Mary I of Scotland decided to call more than 20 lords from across the country to the capital for a meeting in time.

The repair work in Edinburgh has not been completed, and many places are still "bang bang dangdang".The lords of Scotland looked around the cold and simple hall, almost suspecting that the queen in front of them was a French abandoned wife, rather than a well-known crown princess—look here, Queen Mary, the eldest daughter of the French Guise family, did not forget to show off even in the most difficult times Almost all the tapestries, mirrors, and draperies were put away...

Could it be that the French court now regards extravagance as a sin, and is about to start an ascetic royal life?

"It's so empty." Lord Seton complained softly.

In fact, the most luxurious thing in the room is the neatly arranged gold and silverware.Their dazzling light keeps the palace from being shabby; at least the lords feel that their identities have not been humiliated.

Maitland, who was familiar to them, Queen Mary's chief adviser—now the young queen's first secretary—cleared his throat and said, "My lords, Your Majesty thinks this will be more efficient."

Boswell was the last to go inside.

The commander of the Imperial Guard's eyes were piercing.He was in armor, arrogant and bold, and quickly glanced at almost everyone, except for a solemn salute to the queen.

Overwhelmed by his gaze, the murmurs of the lords became fainter and barely audible.

Mary smiled softly, but her voice was deep and steady.

"let's start."

The first news she announced was also the fastest news that "prophets" and "power holders" could get, which startled the eager lords:

"Mary Queen of England died on the seventeenth day of November."