"Your esteemed Roman Emperor, I am Spalkowski, the King of Poland's envoy. I convey Bolesław IV's respect and greetings to you."
The Polish envoy, dressed in a red robe, stood in the Emperor's court, his demeanor graceful and refined.
There was one other person in the palace dressed similarly: Nicholas, who stood to Spalkowski's right.
Evidently, this Polish envoy was also a Cardinal, and there was only one Polish Cardinal named Spalkowski.
"I didn't expect the King of Poland to send you as an envoy, Archbishop of Kraków."
"I have come entrusted with His Majesty the King's wishes, hoping to reach a consensus with His Majesty the Emperor."
"What consensus does the new King of Poland wish to reach with me?"
Laszlo raised an eyebrow and asked, this Bolesław seems very afraid of being beaten; he just ascended the throne and immediately sent an envoy to Vienna.
"His Majesty the King hopes to invite the just and pious Emperor to mediate the war between our country and the Teutonic Order."
Laszlo curved his lips and immediately said, "Very well, I also intended to do so. This war has dragged on for too long; it is time to put an end to it—but I wonder if the King of Poland has the sincerity to genuinely facilitate peace?"
Spalkowski's expression subtly changed. The Emperor was attempting to probe the King of Poland's bottom line, so he replied, "The King believes that stopping the war based on the current borders would be the best option."
Laszlo snorted coldly upon hearing this and said, "It seems the King of Poland actually doesn't want to end this war. I will send diplomats to attempt mediation, but the prerequisite is that you desire true peace. If you choose war, I can also help you achieve true peace through less peaceful means, but by then…
Facing this blatant threat of war, the Archbishop of Kraków's expression stiffened.
It seemed Poland had become a thorn in the Emperor's side, and his animosity towards Poland would not disappear with the death of Władysław III.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider. The King of Poland wishes to be your loyal ally, not an enemy. Our dispute with the Teutonic Order is by no means unsolvable."
Laszlo secretly chuckled to himself: Whether this dispute can be resolved is entirely up to my word, isn't it?
However, on the surface, he maintained a peaceful demeanor, saying with an expectant look, "I hope that is truly the case. You should return to Poland with my diplomat, and await my message to convene peace talks."
"Thank you, Emperor."
The Archbishop of Kraków's expression did not lighten; instead, it grew heavier. He had a premonition that the Emperor was not genuinely sincere about mediating this dispute, and something unexpected might happen then.
After the King of Poland's envoy departed, the interrupted Privy Council meeting resumed.
After the meeting, a messenger was dispatched to the distant Diocese of Warmia.
Upon receiving the Emperor's directive, Archbishop Wilfried of Warmia, acting as a representative, mediated between the Teutonic Order, the Prussian League, and the Kingdom of Poland's army in Toruń, urging the front lines to cease fighting.
The Emperor's authority and the practical situation compelled the fighting in the Chełmno region to subside.
Lubiczowski's forces were insufficient, and there were significant internal problems within the Kingdom of Poland, so he had no desire to fight at all.
The Teutonic Order, upon learning of Poland's internal strife, eagerly launched a counterattack but was defeated at the gates of Toruń. Lubiczowski firmly contained them there, preventing them from even seeing the banks of the Vistula River, let alone counterattacking into Polish territory.
The Prussian League was also in a panic at this time; the instability in Poland caught them off guard, and it was clear that Poland was unwilling to continue this war.
Once Poland withdrew, the Prussian League would have to face the Teutonic Order's attack alone.
The League consisted of over twenty prosperous Hanseatic League cities. They had money and a navy, but they lacked a strong land army; no mercenaries in the German region were willing to fight for them.
Now, the League also had to face a naval blockade organized by Denmark and Lübeck, the leader of the Hanseatic League, which virtually drove the Prussian League to desperation.
And the Emperor's messenger made Johannes, the Grand Administrator of the Prussian League, feel even more despair and helplessness.
They had previously sought help from Albrecht II, hoping the Emperor would support the Prussian League's independence.
At the same time, the Teutonic Order also appealed to the Emperor, denouncing the League's shameful act of splitting the state.
Both sides appeared in court at the Vienna imperial court, but Albrecht II was not in Vienna at that time.
He had been ruling Hungary from Budapest, dealing with the Ottomans threat.
Albrecht directly entrusted such imperial affairs, which were beyond his reach, to Frederick.
Under Frederick's manipulation, the court ultimately ruled that the Prussian League's desire for independence was illegal and prohibited all acts of resistance against the Teutonic Order.
Disappointed and dissatisfied, the Prussian League abandoned seeking imperial support and instead pledged allegiance to the King of Poland, subsequently igniting this brutal great war.
Now, the Kingdom of Poland had changed overnight, and the new King would likely no longer continue fighting the Teutonic Order for the Prussian League.
Once peace talks began, the Prussian League would undoubtedly be betrayed by the Kingdom of Poland, becoming a plump piece of meat laid on the chopping block for the Emperor and the Teutonic Order to carve up.
"Your Grace, is there truly no room for turning things around?"
Johannes remained unwilling to give up. He questioned Wilfried, knowing that if they returned to the Teutonic Order's rule, the League cities would face even more brutal exploitation and oppression, and those who had instigated the rebellion would not fare well.
Wilfried recalled the message the Emperor's messenger had brought him, cleared his throat, and said, "His Majesty the Emperor's stance on rebellion is very clear: absolutely no forgiveness. However…"
"However what?" Johannes quickly pressed, for at this point in the war, their lives and deaths depended entirely on the Emperor's decision.
"However, the Teutonic Order's oppression is indeed unbearable. The Emperor's suggestion is that the Prussian League cities should return to the Teutonic Order, but they can obtain a higher degree of autonomy."
Johannes nodded with difficulty. Such terms would probably be unacceptable to both him and the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; unless the Emperor intervened militarily, they would inevitably have to fight another war.
"If… if we are willing to join the Empire, to become the Emperor's vassals, we are willing to pay annual taxes to the Emperor like Imperial Free Cities. Can we obtain the Emperor's protection in return?"
Johannes, like a drowning man grasping at a straw, anxiously questioned Wilfried.
Wilfried's expression brightened slightly, but he quickly hid his smile, putting on a troubled look, though inwardly he was secretly pleased at completing the mission the Emperor had given him.
"But such an act would be splitting the Teutonic Order… In any case, the Teutonic Order is, after all, our German Teutonic Order. They are protected by the Emperor and imperial law…
"We can still raise some money. As long as the Emperor can ensure we are not persecuted by the Teutonic Order, we are willing to offer one hundred thousand…" Johannes observed Wilfried's expression, and seeing his displeasure, immediately corrected himself, "One hundred and fifty thousand! We can pay the Emperor one hundred and fifty thousand florins, as long as we can obtain our freedom!"
Wilfried finally revealed a satisfied smile. He patted Johannes on the shoulder and said, "I will convey the League's wishes to the Emperor. Of course, everything will ultimately be decided by the Emperor."
"Thank you for your benevolence." Johannes looked as if all his strength had been drained, sitting in the chair with a worried expression.