130 Pressure

The next day I wrote three letters, the first to Rome, I was not sure if the Papal State would engage militarily in the war with the Ottoman Empire, but there was a good chance for financial support. The second letter was addressed to the Kingdom of Spain, and more specifically to Fernando de Monroy, whom I had the opportunity to meet in Warsaw. As in the case of the Holy See, I was not sure of Spain's participation in the war, although the construction of the canal violated their interests, Spain now focused more on France and the Caribbean and South American colonies.

I wrote the last letter to Bishop Mohyła, expressing my regret over the tragedy that happened in Kiev and I offered financial support in the reconstruction of the Monastery of St. Michael the Archangel. I also mentioned the preparations for the war are starting and that he would inform his brother, Moldavian Hospodar, to start discreet preparations... organize supply points, repair crossings, roads and get rid of people of uncertain loyalty.

I walked with Potocki along the streets of Warsaw, in winter this city changed beyond recognition, snow covered dirt, and the cold meant that there were fewer people on the streets ... only in the air, you could smell the smoke from stoves that heat the houses.

"Re vera... I understand the assumptions of your plan, but are you sure that you want to go with the Cossacks and Tatars? Re vera You would be useful to me as the commander of the left wing." (Hetman Potocki)

"Me under your command? Forgive me, Stanisław, but Non Ducor, Duco... and secondly, by commanding them, I will be able to weaken them... every fallen Cossack or Tatar is one less problem for us in the future. You, too, use the Moscow troops and the soldiers of the Electoral Prince for the most difficult tasks... the weak are easy to control." (MC)

Potocki nodded, understanding my thinking well, although I did not want to weaken the Cossacks, because it was part of the military strength of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, many of them were not loyal, and I could not afford it.

"Changing the subject... for some time in the Palace, your name, re vera how to say it... is not mentioned with warm words. Although it is not officially said, the king would prefer you to return to Podolia... re vera." (Hetman Potocki)

"When the time is right, I will return to Podolia, so you can calm down His Majesty... but before I leave the capital, I will leave something behind so that he does not forget about me." (MC)

"You think it's wise to provoke the King?" (Hetman Potocki)

"You know very well that the King needs us more than we need him, this is an advantage and a flaw of our political system... If I don't cross the border, the King may be upset but he won't do anything." (MC)

After returning to my palace, I immediately sent Wroński to look for architects, I was going to build two things... a permanent bridge over the Vistula River and a theater... and more specifically the Jazłowiecki Bridge and the Jazłowiecki Theater. Ever since I scattered my prize gold into the crowd and started publishing a newspaper, I have enjoyed great popularity among the city's residents. If I build bridge and theater, my popularity will increase even more. Especially since the constant crossing of the river will cause a drop in food prices, and the theater will provide entertainment... and additional opportunities for propaganda. As it was called in Rome "Panem et Circenses".

(Jadwiga Zebrzydowska / Maria Kleota Blehemin POV)

"Have you seen these dress designs in the newspaper?" (Maria Kleota Blehemin)

"Yes, they are interesting, but they seem a little bold to me. I don't know if Hetman Jazłowiecki invented it himself or someone else... but he certainly doesn't know women." (Jadwiga Zebrzydowska)

"I ordered my seamstress to sew one of them, maybe they are a bit brave, but it doesn't hurt to try... I have heard some rumors about Hetman, but it is not right to repeat them." (Maria Kleota Blehemin)

"Apparently, he is not much different from the Tatars who serve him, he is as wild and uncouth as they are." (Jadwiga Zebrzydowska)

"I have heard worse things, it does not improve his image that he has been in Warsaw for several months and he did not give any party, and even refused every invitation... but never mind, you recently mentioned buying something for your son." (Maria Kleota Blehemin)

"Yes, yesterday the furrier provided us with a pram for our son, covered with leather and furs, at first I was skeptical, but it worked. Its only drawback is its weight, the rest is comfortable and useful. This is also one of the strange inventions from this newspaper, they are very popular." (Jadwiga Zebrzydowska)

"I heard from my husband that the King was interested in the balloon, someone gave him the idea to spy on the enemy camp during the war. I do not understand how something so heavy can rise in the air." (Maria Kleota Blehemin)

"Apparently it's the warm air, but I don't understand much of it... When will you have your dress ready?" (Jadwiga Zebrzydowska)

"In a few days, it will cost five ducats, but my husband is unlikely to regret the expense, and I couldn't resist the temptation." (Maria Kleota Blehemin)

(End POV)

I put down the quill pen, picked up the parchment and blew on it to dry the ink faster... it was the last article for the next issue of the paper.

This time my task was more difficult, I tried to describe the atmospheric pressure and vacuum as far as my skills and knowledge allowed me... as a point of reference, I used Otto von Guericke's Magdeburg hemispheres experiment. Of course, without mentioning him by name, I named the experiment... Podolia hemispheres.

This was not a discovery hundreds of years ahead, and my article only accelerated the description of atmospheric pressure and vacuum by twenty years... I also decided to recruit Otto von Guericke, if possible.