But when he arrived at Francheconte, the princes realized how slack the defense here was. Because they concentrated on dealing with the Swiss battlefield, the Habsburg family's troops were banned and were banned. Except for the core areas such as Austria and the Flanders in the Netherlands, sufficient troops must be left to guard, some unimportant areas were dimmed.
At present, only two or three thousand regular troops of Bezangsong, and the same number of militias left behind. Such strength can probably be used to suppress bandits and cannot deal with the attacks of large enemy troops.
Moreover, Francheconte's defenders' main task was to guard against the French army opposite the Thoren River, not the east. Therefore, when the coalition of princes arrived at Bezangsong through the mountain road in the east, the local defenders were confused - how could there be an enemy coming from the east?
Because he was unprepared and had few defenders, he was not an elite. Therefore, Bei Zangsong only held on for two days and was defeated.
Then, the coalition of princes poured into Beizangsong and began to rob...
But the cunning Frederick III believed that they came only to "retrieve" the food and military pay that was "robbed" by the Habsburg family army. Therefore, he ordered the coalition of princes to only rob and not kill people.
At the same time, Frederick III also called for catching the thief, sent a special envoy to Innsbruck, and submitted a letter of protest to Emperor Maximilian I, protesting the Habsburg family army's "Justice of Justice" that took the initiative to attack the princes' coalition forces...
Then, at the end of the protest, Frederick III also said that the army was too hungry and was about to mutiny. As a last resort, we went to Bezangsong to "get out in advance" the compensation of food and military expenses...
While sending out this shameless protest letter, Frederick III did not stay in Bezansson, but took a group of princes to Walms...
Walms was the place where the Imperial Parliament of the Holy Roman Empire was held, and it was also the territory of Archbishop Mainz, the Speaker of the Empire. Frederick III brought many princes to visit Archbishop Mainz, the leader of the church princes, and also had plans to ask for money and food from the church princes.
Although the occupation of Beizangsong this time saved more than half of the losses for the coalition forces of the princes. However, based on the analysis of so many people, the coalition forces of the princes still suffered a huge loss. After all, the coalition forces of the princes not only lost property, but also many soldiers, and very important morale.
Therefore, Frederick III and many secular princes planned to seek financial and food support from the church princes, and at the same time, they took the initiative to pour dirty water on the Habsburg family.
To be honest, the princes were a little guilty when they took the initiative to attack the Habsburg family army. After all, they were unreasonable.
However, this time Frenzberg took the initiative to ambush them, giving them an excuse for an attack. Although anyone with discerning eyes knew that it was very problematic for them to hunt down Christopher I, Earl of Baden, and the intention of the drunkard was not to drink. But have they not yet attacked the Habsburg family? Now, the Habsburg family took action first, and in an instant they became the ruler and the victims...
Therefore, when the princes went to Walms this time, in addition to asking the church princes for some money and food to stop losses, they also created momentum to discredit the Habsburg family.
Only by whitewashing one side as the "just side" can they have the opportunity to continue to interfere in Swiss affairs. Otherwise, Maximilian I, as the crowned emperor, would not be so easy to pass.
Now, as the first to be beaten, the princes went to Walms, the seat of the Imperial Parliament, to ask for an explanation...
...
When Maximilian I received this shameless protest letter from the princes, he was so angry that his stomach hurt...
He has seen shameless people, but he has never seen such shameless people. It is your army heading south and trying to attack the Habsburg family's army, but he has the attitude to bite it back?
However, Maximilian I was still very pleased that Frenzberg could discover the conspiracy of the coalition forces in time, respond quickly, and even achieve a brilliant victory.
As one of the few wise monarchs of this era, Maximilian I knew very well that although the transfer of the princes' coalition into Bezangsong brought great losses to the Habsburg family, it was mostly economic losses. From a military perspective, Frenzberg's victory was still very cost-effective. Because Frenzberg's move reduced the number of princes' coalition by half.
If the coalition of princes was not ambushed, but 60,000 troops headed south, met with the French, and surrounded Lucerne...Maximilian I could not imagine the consequences...
Once such a crisis occurs, the Habsburg family will definitely lose the entire Switzerland. Then, in recent years, the huge investment of the Habsburg family in Switzerland will be wasted. And the Swiss army in Frenzberg will also end up being wiped out...
Moreover, the terrain of Switzerland is extremely dangerous. If it is lost this time, it will be extremely difficult to retake it again. After all, if the Swiss army in Frenzberg is destroyed, it will be very difficult, and the Habsburg family will want to rebuild such a combat-capable old army. In addition to the reason for its military strength, it is a terrain problem. Most areas of Switzerland are mountain cities that are easy to defend and difficult to attack. If it is lost, it will be a huge loss if it wants to capture it next time.
In addition, once the Swiss Resistance Army resumes its rule in central and eastern Switzerland, it will definitely recruit a large number of soldiers. Behind them, they have the financial support of the French, and it is certain that they will regain a rank of 10,000 or 20,000 troops. At that time, the Habsburg family will have to go through a lot of trouble even if they defeat the French.
Therefore, Frenzberg's military operation this time is of great significance. It means that the Habsburg family will not have to lose control of the central and eastern Switzerland this time. Even if Bezangsong is lost, it will be nothing.
After all, it is impossible for the princely legions to not be disbanded. Their joint troops were sent for a while and there would always be a day of disbandment. Therefore, the princes could not always stay in the Francheconte area and not leave.
If the French invaded Francheconte, Maximilian I might be nervous. Because France was next to Francheconte. They invaded Francheconte, perhaps for permanent occupation. The coalition of princes occupied Francheconte, and were destined to be just a passerby and would still have to return it.
After reading the protest letters of Frederick III and others, Maximilian I suddenly realized that there might be a fierce diplomatic controversy next...
Like Frederick III and others, Maximilian I realized that this diplomatic battle is very important, and its core is that both sides must strive to become the "reasonable and just" side. Only in this way can the opponents' military actions become illegal.
Although Maximilian I also knew that most princes would definitely favor Frederick III and others. However, he could not retreat in this diplomatic battle. Even if he made unreasonable trouble, he would have to fight with his opponents. Because the longer the time delayed, the more beneficial it would be to Frenzberg.
After all, the coalition of princes is not a permanent army. The longer the time is delayed, the more they cannot bear it. Even many of the powerful people in the coalition of princes and recruit soldiers, and they still need to return to their country to seize the harvest during the autumn harvest. If the problem cannot be solved in a short time, then these princes themselves cannot bear it.
The Swiss Army in Frenzberg is different. They are a completely prolific elite force. The autumn harvest does not affect them.
Chapter completed!