211 Pacification
At the meeting with Wiśniowiecki, I offered my help in the case of the rebellions, which the he willingly took advantage of... The prince's private army was divided into three smaller ones, each of them also assigned a different commander... me, Bychowiec and Wiśniowiecki himself. My task was the simplest, I had to command a punitive expedition to the villages that helped a rebel, a hundred hussars and two hundred dragoons plus my own people who accompanied me to Moscow... using hussars or even dragoons against a peasant was like shooting a fly with a cannon, but it was Wiśniowiecki's will.
"You will lead the troops and do not take this task as easy, even though it is only peasants and not a trained army." (MC)
Although I dismissed the task myself, I warned Jan against it... he was young and had no experience of mine, he didn't smell gunpowder or blood on the battlefield. It will be his first real life lesson.
"I know, cousin. I will not bring you shame." (Jan Sobiepan Zamoyski)
"Shame? Me? Zamoyski is a respectable name, I don't want that to change." (MC)
(Random peasant mother daughter POV)
"Go get some water before father comes back from the forest." (Mother)
God punished me with such an unruly child, she only plays outside and does not care about chores.
"MOTHER!!! MOTHER... ANGELS!!!" (Daughter)
What now?... God give me patience... what that girl came up with again.
"Mom see? Angels!" (Daughter)
"Run child, run... and god save us. Lachy!!!" (Mother)
(End POV)
The outcome of the battle was as expected... though calling it a battle was a gross exaggeration. Those who did not manage to hide or escape lay trampled on the ground with horse hoof marks... when I approached I saw a mother trying to cover a little girl, probably her daughter... both were dead, broken bones, crushed skull and a pool of blood... although I wasn't directly involved in the fighting, the sight reminded me of wars in the Empire... and I got a little hungry. In less than half an hour, all the peasants were gathered in the middle of the village, of course only those who did not resist, those who resisted... died.
"What do you want to do with them?" (MC)
Jan was surprised by my question, maybe he thought it was enough to defeat them and the matter was settled.
"I don't know... I didn't think about it. What would you do?" (Jan Sobiepan Zamoyski)
"I would show them mercy... I would have men hung, women resettled and remarried, and children taken and placed in monasteries... but you do as you see fit, every decision will be right." (MC)
"You've always said that killing someone must serve a purpose, and killing just for the sake of killing is pointless..." (Jan Sobiepan Zamoyski)
"At least you listened. If you spare the women and children, they will still be able to work, although they will not love us, they will be afraid. If you kill them you will show everyone what happens to the rebels. Any option is good." (MC)
Eventually, Jan decided to show mercy to them, all men and boys over the age of ten were hanged. He spared the women and the rest of the children... then we headed to another village further north. The cleaning of the surrounding villages took two weeks and the scenario was always the same. Jan, after carrying out several attacks, gained more self-confidence, he also hardened his heart, it was easier for him to pass next death sentences... after a few days our three armies merged into one and we moved towards Moscow.
"I see you haven't suffered any losses." (Jeremi Wiśniowiecki)
"There is nothing to brag about, our opponents were peasants with pitchforks, hoes and scythes... I was at more dangerous banquets than this rebellion. What did you do with the priests?" (MC)
If I ever write a diary or an autobiography, I won't even mention these events.
"I wanted to punish them, but it would only worsen the situation. I do not want to make martyrs of them, so I will lock them up in some monastery, where they will spend the rest of their lives." (Jeremi Wiśniowiecki)
It was a good decision, the death of the priests could spark further rebellions, and the situation in the East was far from stable. We rode the horses side by side and talked about various topics, but finally it was time to reveal the real reason for my visit.
"You should invite more Jesuits here and open a few schools, you won't change their behavior with a whip, and the more you do now, the easier your son will have in the future... Jaremi, listen. I did not come to Moscow only on a courtesy visit nor to give you advice. You must have heard about the death of my mother-in-law and her sons?" (MC)
Wiśniowiecki was not a fool and probably guessed that I wanted something more than to visit family.
"I heard about it, terrible tragedy. You have my condolences." (Jeremi Wiśniowiecki)
"Thank you... but I want to avenge them and I will need help... I will need an army. I already have the promised help from Transylvania Prince, I also have my own army and I plan to bring some Cossacks from Zaporozhye, but your people would also be useful to me." (MC)
"Are you going to attack Vienna? It is a mighty fortress, even a hundred thousand people may not be able to conquer it." (Jeremi Wiśniowiecki)
It was a good sign, at least he didn't refuse immediately so there is some room for negotiation. Of course it can still do that.
"No, I'm going to attack Bohemia, Elisabeth has a claim to the throne as the eldest daughter." (MC)
"I see that you do not lack ambition, but do not you think that the crown is too much? People who are bigger than you have been driven to the grave by this ambition." (Jeremi Wiśniowiecki)