91 Another Conference

My guests were sitting at the table in my private library and enjoying the coffee that had recently been brought to Jazłowiec by merchants from Crimea ... because I hosted Gosiewski again at my place, I tried to avoid alcohol, and when I had no other option and had to drink, then I drank watered down wine. This time I wanted to wake up in the bedroom... Not some weird place with a plan to invade some country.

"What do you expect from us now, you have proved that Stanisław is a good commander ..." (Aleksander Gosiewski)

"He proved it himself, I just showed him the possibility. He acted quickly and decisively, he did not lose for two and a half years ... (MC)

"We know, but what do you expect from us?" (Aleksander Gosiewski)

"Koniecpolski must be promoted, he may become the Crown Court Chamberlain..." (MC)

My suggestion made my guests smile, although the title I proposed sounded very official ... the scope of power was very minimal, limited only to the Royal Court and keeping the King comfortable... One of the attributes or privileges of this office was the possibility of being often in the presence of the king, but in the elective monarchy it did not matter. The king had as much power as the nobility gave him.

"... and then we have to force the King to appoint as Stanisław the Grand Hetman of the Crown. I think that the families of Potocki, Sapieha, Gosiewski, Ferber and Jazlowski, we have enough influence to get what we want. For my part, I can add that I will try to get support of Vice Chancellor, Tomasz Zamoyski." (MC)

"Wilkomir, do you have a plan to force the King?" (Hetman Sapieha)

"No, but I know how to bribe him ... The king is interested in three things. The first is converting to Catholicism, which we are not going to do. The second is the war with the Ottoman Empire, it is too early for it, so we will not do it. The third thing, he wants the Swedish throne... and we will bribe him with it." (MC)

"Do you want a war with Sweden? You yourself were against the King to win the Swedish throne. We talked about it in Vilnius. You changed your mind?" (Aleksander Gosiewski)

"There will be no war, not one of our soldiers will die. We will make an agreement with the King that they will support his efforts for the Swedish throne, but preparations take time, the army, fleet, supplies ... we will be ready in 1633 at the earliest." (MC)

I was not afraid that I would have to fulfill this agreement, in 1632 two important things would happen, Sigismund III Vasa would die and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth would be attacked by the Principality of Moscow and in 1633 a small-scale war with the Turks... Even if my presence has already changed history, at least one of these three events must happen.

"And then what when it's time to live up to the contract?" (Aleksander Gosiewski)

"God created the world in 7 days, we have over 500 days, and that's a lot of time and a lot of things can happen... None of you have gone wrong with my suggestions and ideas in the past, so show more faith in me." (MC)

A few days later, everyone went home and each of us was to start acting on our own to gain as many supporters as possible for Stanisław Potocki... I directed my first steps to Warsaw to meet Tomasz Zamoyski.

"Greetings Uncle." (MC)

My uncle immediately signaled to the servant to bring us wine, walked over to me, hugged me and patted on the back.

"What kind of trouble has my nephew got into and how can I help you? Usually, you cannot be pulled out of Jazłowiec by force, and now you have come to Warsaw of your own free will, amazing." (Tomasz Zamoyski)

There was a lot of truth to it, for the time in which I live now, my behavior was not very social. The nobles, and especially the families, loved to meet and feast together, I was an exception to this rule.

"There will be time for serious talks. How is the health of Aunt Katarzyna and my cousins ​​Gryzelda and Jan? (MC)

"Thank God, everyone is healthy and thank you for the presents, Jan is still too young for this rocking horse, but this toy for Gryzelda ..." (Tomasz Zamoyski)

"Children's Bicycle." (MC)

"Yes, I had this word on the tip of my tongue ... An ingenious and dangerous toy, Gryzelda has already destroyed more than one thing, and it is her favorite toy so by the time she grows out of the bike, the losses will be greater... but I understand that I have to bill you for the damage? ... and seriously, how did you come up with the idea for this toy?" (Tomasz Zamoyski)

I didn't quite know how to answer such a question, when asked about the books I wrote, I always replied that I was inspired.

"I don't know. I just sat down, I thought and an idea came to my mind ... Of course, I do not bear any financial responsibility for the material losses incurred... but I have a few more ideas, Gryzelda will surely like them." (MC)

We talked about family topics for several minutes, and then I moved on to the topic that brought me here. I explained my intentions, plans and reasons to Tomasz. I persuaded him for a few hours, in the end I only got a promise that I had his support and he would do what he could, but he pointed out that Koniecpolski also had his supporters and he, even as Vice Chancellor, guarantees nothing. It was completely understandable, the entire Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was dotted with a small network of mutual family and business ties.

Not having much to do in Warsaw except drinking and visiting brothels, a week later I set off on my way home.