112 Meetings
I didn't have the strength or desire to deal with it now, I knew Sveta would sooner or later tell Piotr the truth... I was hoping for a later, but right now I had more serious things on my mind than taking care of this kid. I also had to think what I would tell him... I had already invested some time and money in Piotr, hoping that he would become the Primate of Poland in the future and I did not want this investment to turn out to be a failure... I also realized that there was also Sveta and Jerzy's daughter, Olena. She was 18 this year and it was time to get her married... and I could use Olena, Piotr half-sister to gain in his eyes... of course I won't make her a noblewoman, but I can give her a nice piece of land somewhere near Tarnow, an additional hundred or two hundred ducats and choose a rich husband for her... and even if Piotr is not affected, Sveta will be pleased.
The next day I was sitting in the library and I was going through my old notes, when my uncle Tomasz Zamoyski came to my palace.
"Greetings, my nephew. How is our Moscow Hector?" (Tomasz Zamoyski)
"Hector defended the city, I conquered it... Sit down, Uncle and we'll talk about serious things, capturing Moscow is the past, we have to think about the future." (MC)
"Hector or Achilles doesn't matter... You have made your name very famous. If only Hieronim was alive. Everyone in your position would celebrate victory..." (Tomasz Zamoyski)
"Not everyone is in my position... I explained to you in the letter what lands will be obtained in the peace treaty by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. However, the most important thing is Moscow." (MC)
"Well... what are you proposing, or who? That's the only reason you wanted to meet. You were to visit us... Aunt asked for you." (Tomasz Zamoyski)
"Prince Jaremi Wiśniowiecki, Korybut coat of arms. I would like him to take the position of the future Voivode of Moscow. I've heard many good things about him, a good commander and from a good wealthy family ... but he cannot communicate with the Cossacks. Therefore, it is better to send him to the east and let him guard our borders there." (MC)
"You want to have a good commander away from the Cossacks, and the rebellions?" (Tomasz Zamoyski)
"Cossacks and rebellions are my problem, I will take care of them." (MC)
"Is this all you want?" (Tomasz Zamoyski)
"I have a few names in my head yet, but Wiśniowiecki is the most important... I advise you, Uncle, take a closer look at him... Gryzelda will soon reach the appropriate age, and Jaremi is still a bachelor." (MC)
This was a joke on my part, but also a hidden suggestion to my uncle. Gryzelda and Jaremi got married in 1637 or 38, and later their son Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki became the king of Poland ... not the best king.
"You don't have a wife, and you want to sew the others together?" (Tomasz Zamoyski)
"Are you starting again? I'm about to be 28 years old, and since I was 16, I've been fighting a war almost every year. I've been in Livonia, Brandenburg, Denmark, Austria, Rome, Venice, Crimea and Moscow... I will not die of old age in my own bed, surrounded by children and grandchildren who will wonder what inheritance they will get... If we are on the topic of dying ... I heard that Hetman Sapieha is not feeling well, perhaps he will not live to see the end of the year." (MC)
"I know that, and it makes me sad ... death awaits all of us." (Tomasz Zamoyski)
"Gosiewski proved during the defense of Smolensk ... he deserves the Hetman's mace." (MC)
"You know that the King will decide about it, we can press him to appoint Gosiewski, but he will want something in return. Radziwiłł will not be pleased either." (Tomasz Zamoyski)
I was not worried about it, now he fell out of favor with the king and the Catholic nobility, so it was certain that he would not get the position of Sapieha.
"I have to meet the King anyway and I will have the opportunity to probe his behavior and opinions." (MC)
While I was talking to my uncle, Hetman Potocki came to my palace. We sat down together and started discussing current political and social matters ... Both agreed to support Wiśniowiecki and Gosiewski at my request, and we postponed the rest of the decision ... after I had a conversation with the King.
Two days later I was called for an audience in the royal plaza, I expected it to happen sooner, but the king's health left much to be desired, he had rheumatism, often swollen legs and kidney problems. Władysław usually spent the first half of the day in bed listening to the mass, and only in the afternoon he became more active.
"Your Majesty, Hetman Jazłowiecki has arrived, he is waiting in front of the door." (Chamberlain)
"Quick... bring him to us..." (King Władysław IV Vasa)
After a few moments the chamberlain returned and took me to the King's private quarters... I hated all this court ceremonial... to many people, court etiquette may seem cute, but the reality was a pain in the ass... at least for me.
"Your Majesty" (MC)
I bowed slightly, just enough to show respect for the king's position, but not low enough to make me look worse than him... We were in Poland, the King was just a figurehead.
"Prince Jazłowiecki, Greetings and please sit down, the servants will serve you wine and something sweet soon... or maybe you want a coffee or something else?" (King Władysław IV Vasa)
Cyanide, hemlock, mandrake, brucine in any amount... unfortunately, according to what Weles said, I am immune to poisons... I was here for less than a minute and I already dreamed of being somewhere else... even in the cemetery.