62 Peace Treaty

I did not take part in the negotiations, I did not even visit the same room, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was represented by Hetman Sapieha, Aleksander Gosiewski, Jan, son of Hetman and a few more nobles as witnesses. Of course, the Swedish side was represented by Gustav Adolf and other advisers and officers. However, to keep my finger on the pulse, a few hours before the negotiations began, I took the prisoners for a short walk and exploring the surrounding livestock pens.

"In a few hours you will be advising the King of Sweden... if you do well, you will free, but if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of negotiations, you will be feeding piglets." (MC)

I sat in the palace library and looked through the titles of the books in the Hetman's collection, there were all the books of my authorship, which was no surprise, I always sent one or two copies of my books to Hetman as a gift. There were also a lot of books on religious issues, which also did not surprise me, Hetman grew up in an Orthodox family, when he studied abroad, he converted to Calvinism, and after a few years he converted to Catholicism... I began to wonder if I should help Hetman with solving the problem of the Uniate Church. Perhaps it would give me a favor that I could use in the future, but Hetman doesn't have much life ahead of him, and if he died earlier I would have wasted a good opportunity.

But for now I had more important things on my mind ... I was going to get involved in the Thirty Years' War on the side of the Catholic League and the Emperor, with the intention of weakening both sides. It was a risky game, I may be from the future and know the history, but my opponents won't be fools either... I will definitely want to avoid open conflict with France, in the 20th century many laughed at the attitude of the French during World War II, but for centuries France was a country to be feared ... especially now when Louis XIII appointed Cardinal Richelieu as the first minister.

After a few hours, the deliberations were over and I was invited to witness the signing of the truce and the terms of surrender ... but the funniest thing was to see the faces of the Swedish advisers when they saw me enter the room. Gustav Adolf looked at me.

"You have been very lucky, but God will not always be on your side... but Prince Jazłowiecki, you can be sure that I will not forget about you." (King Gustav Adolf)

"I am very pleased, Your Majesty. When you are in Sweden, please convey my respect to the Queen, as far as I know she is pregnant. She must be very careful, it is always a difficult and dangerous period in a woman's life." (MC)

Anyone who listened to this exchange would consider it perfectly normal. A simple courtesy conversation, but I suspect that Gustav Adolf understood the meaning.

Then the signatures and seals were officially placed ... and the truce was concluded.

As I suggested, all Livonia and all lands up to the Gulf of Finland became part of the Kingdom of Poland. Sweden undertook to pay the equivalent of one million and eight hundred thousand ducats in compensation. I thought that the amount would be much higher, but instead of 3 million which no one will pay, it is better to have some less.

Swedish troops were to disarm and leave all occupied territories. Hetman also added that Sweden could not interfere in the Cossacks' affairs, or support actions against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Additionally, several points were included in the treaty regarding trade and that the Kingdom of Sweden and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth will give preferential treatment to their merchants, lower customs duties and taxes... it wasn't something important, but I suggested these points to make Grafal Ferber an easier task.

The point about the heredity of the Swedish throne caused the most controversy and problems, Gustaw Adolf did not want to agree that Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth would have an influence on who would sit on the throne, it was logical and if I were in Gustav Adolf's place I would also not agree to such a condition.

Ultimately, both parties agreed that this point would be de facto dead, and although it was included in the treaty, it was so worded and secured by clauses that its implementation was extremely difficult... Sigismund III Vasa will not be happy with it, but he will have to swallow this bitter pill.

"What now?" (MC)

"Now we will send Gustaw Adolf back to Sweden and you will come with us to Warsaw." (Hetman Sapieha)

I didn't really want to go there, but I had no choice. I understood why Hetman Sapieha wanted me to be with him in the capital, we had to make our story credible and speak with one voice.

"I remember when we talked earlier you mentioned something about converting?" (Hetman Sapieha)

Fuck, Hetman was old, but his memory was good. If I don't answer him, he may hold a grudge against me ... it's a pity, but you can't always have everything to yourself.

"Yes, but I do not guarantee that my way is right and whether it will be possible to implement it... The most important thing is to change the attitude of priests. They have to be for the people, not the people for them ... act more like Jesus Christ." (MC)

"What do you mean?" (Hetman Sapieha)

"Let them open eateries for poor people, night shelters for the homeless, especially in winter, orphanages, hospitals, church schools and teach everyone, regardless of whether they are Catholic or Orthodox ... I do not know if it will change anything, but even if it fails, they will help many people." (MC)

Sapieha listened to what I had to say, nodded, but didn't say anything. I didn't know if he would introduce the suggested changes.

A few days later we left for Warsaw, most of my troops were sent to Jazłowiec, leaving only a hundred Tatars with me. In addition, we were accompanied by private troops of Hetman Sapieha, in the form of the Petyhorce company.