"Your Majesty," he asked, "have you considered that we might fall into a prolonged internal war, and the Ottomans could take advantage of the situation?"
Even so, this war was inevitable.
Why did Laszlo hate Iri so much?
In the original timeline, Laszlo came to Prague to inherit the throne of Bohemia, but he was deliberately detained by Iri, suffering great humiliation. Later, Laszlo returned to Prague to avoid the civil war in Hungary and died there at the age of 17.
Soon after, Iri declared himself King of Bohemia, facing fierce attacks from surrounding countries, and from then on, he was constantly at war until his death from illness.
This guy practically had "I'm not a good person" written all over his face.
To eliminate future troubles, Laszlo had already begun preparations while still in Vienna, spending more than half of the 100,000 florin indemnity his father received to recruit and expand his army.
Now, the arrow was on the string and had to be loosed.
The only thing that made Laszlo hesitant was whether to bring Janos into the fold; with his support, suppressing the Bohemian heretics would be an easy task.
However, Janos would likely disagree, as such internal strife would undoubtedly weaken border defenses.
Never mind, let him guard the border well. Laszlo made up his mind that the strength of Austria would be sufficient to deal with Bohemia.
"Alright, you may withdraw. Do not leak a single word of today's conversation."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After the conversation, Laszlo sent for Aeneas again, instructing him to draft a letter to the Pope, requesting the Pope to crown him.
He wrote another letter himself, but the handwriting was so illegible that it was difficult to look at, so he skillfully pulled Matthias over to do the grunt work.
"Your job today is to transcribe this letter. Remember to write it beautifully."
Looking at the scribbles covering the entire parchment, Matthias had never been so speechless in his life.
This King really knows how to boss people around.
Complaining in his heart, he began to transcribe the King's personal letter.
"Hmm, if Iri of Poděbrady can be excommunicated, then I will clear out the heretics of Prague…"
Hiss, is this something I should be reading?
Matthias nervously turned his head to glance at Laszlo beside him; the King's face held a mysterious smile.
"Matthias, Matthias, you must forget everything after copying it, or else, hmph."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Matthias hadn't expected Laszlo to have such a terrifying side and immediately became obedient.
Just then, a servant pushed the door open.
"Your Majesty, Lord Janos has brought a man named Vlad and wishes to see you."
"Finally here? Tell them to wait in the great hall."
"Yes."
The servant left after receiving the order, and Laszlo turned his head to look at Matthias, finding him looking at him eagerly.
"Alright, I know you want to see your father, but… never mind, come with me, stay behind me at all times, do not speak, and I will give you some time after the main business is concluded." Laszlo softened; Matthias had been by his side these past few days and hadn't seen or spoken to his father, Janos, which was difficult for him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Matthias happily followed behind Laszlo.
Laszlo arrived at the court, skillfully sat on the throne, and Matthias obediently stood behind the King.
This was the first time he had observed his father from this perspective. If it were a mischievous child, he might have made faces at the people below to tease them, but Matthias was a serious and earnest young man.
He truly looked like an attendant now—if his gaze weren't always fixed on his father.
Janos was slightly surprised by Matthias's presence in the court, but otherwise, he showed no reaction.
He brought with him a thin, stern-faced young man.
This man had thick, flowing black hair and looked somewhat handsome, with very fair skin. If not for his sunken eyes and haggard appearance, he would surely have charmed many lovesick maidens.
"You are Vlad?" Laszlo asked after observing him.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The atmosphere fell silent, and Vlad felt a little uneasy, noticing that the young King was staring intently at him.
Janos subtly gestured to him, calming his restless emotions.
After so many times, Janos had grown accustomed to the young King's peculiar way of doing things; clearly, he had once again immersed himself in his own world, deep in thought.
And indeed, a new panel popped up.
[Event: The Fate of Wallachia]
[Vladislav II is not a suitable puppet; he has become more of a detriment than a benefit to the Kingdom of Hungary. It is time for another to sit on the Prince Vlad's throne. Vlad, the claimant to Wallachia, is now bowing before you, begging for help. What fate awaits Wallachia?]
[Option One: Establish an Eastern March]
[Wallachia will be incorporated into Greater Hungary as part of the Kingdom. This is a necessary price to pay.]
[Vlad gains Modifier (Traitor): Wallachian Estates Loyalty -20%, Wallachian Separatist Rebellion Tendency +50%, Wallachian Tax -20%]
[Gains Modifier (Powerful March): Transylvania Estates Loyalty +10%, Kingdom of Hungary Estates Loyalty +5%, Kingdom of Hungary Production Efficiency +10%, All Neighboring Eastern European Nations Opinion -30]
[Option Two: Thorned Bulwark of God]
[Wallachia will remain highly independent as a Hungarian vassal state, with no tribute required. During wartime, it must commit all its national strength to live and die with the Kingdom of Hungary. Insert a thorn into the Shield of God; the Ottomans will like it.]
[Vlad gains Modifier (Hungarian Hound): Wallachian Estates Loyalty -10%, Kingdom of Hungary Opinion +50, Ottoman Empire Opinion -100]
[Gains Modifier (Border Guardian): Transylvania Estates Loyalty +5%, Transylvania Production Efficiency +10%]
[Option Three: Prolong the Chaos]
[The Hungarian do not need Wallachia, but it cannot be handed over to the Ottomans either. Send troops to support Vlad's ascension, and as for his future path, let him fend for himself.]
[Gains Modifier (Turbulent Border): Transylvania Production Efficiency -5%, Prince Vlad Opinion -50]
[Vlad gains Modifier (Comeback): Wallachian Estates Loyalty +10%, Land Army Morale +10%]
A classic three-choice, this time the options were surprisingly difficult to choose from.
Laszlo's deliberation this time was indeed quite long, making the other three present notice the anomaly.
After weighing the pros and cons, Laszlo finally convinced himself and chose Option Two.
"I can support you in reclaiming the Prince Vlad's throne, but you must agree to some conditions."
"Please speak, Your Majesty." Vlad's eyes flickered, and he began to calculate in his mind.
"From now on, the Prince Vlad will exist as a vassal state of the Kingdom of Hungary. I grant you and your subjects the right to retain your Orthodox faith and require no tribute, but when the Kingdom is at war with the Ottomans, you shall lead all Wallachian forces to assist in the fight. Can you accept these conditions?"
"No problem."
Vlad thought: These are very generous terms. Wallachia is on the front line of conflict between the Ottomans and Hungary, and it is difficult for Wallachia to avoid being affected whenever the Ottoman attacks Hungary.
Janos also considered the young King's demands in his heart. If it could truly succeed, his Principality of Transylvania would gain an additional barrier. All threats from the east would be blocked by Wallachia, and he could firmly contain threats from the south at Belgrade. The Ottomans would not be able to cross the Danube River a single step from here.
Thinking of this, Janos was even more satisfied with Laszlo. Although young, he knew the proper measure and discretion in his actions, which could save a lot of unnecessary trouble.
He assumed the King must have taken his previous suggestions to heart, and it seemed that Hungary was about to welcome a wise ruler.
"From now on, only the Prince Vlad who accepts the enfeoffment of the King of Hungary will have legal validity. Do you have any objections to this point?"
"None, Your Majesty." Vlad had been struggling on the edge of life and death for many years and now fully understood that without the support of Hungary or the Ottoman, no one could sit firmly on the princely throne. It was better to exchange this formal submission for the other party's protection, which was completely worthwhile.
He was very crazy, but at the same time very calm. Now he had not yet gained power, so everything was hidden beneath the surface.
"Very good. Janos, draft a treaty another day and have him sign it, then proceed as before."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Transylvania was Janos's territory anyway, and he was the one most concerned about Romania, so it was fitting to leave it to him. Janos was experienced and had done this kind of dirty work more than once.
When Vlad was previously supported by the Ottomans, it was Janos himself who personally intervened and thoroughly defeated him, scaring Vlad into hiding in Moldavia for three years.
"Vlad, you may withdraw first. Janos, stay a moment. Matthias, he… ahem, he has something to say to you."
"I thank Your Majesty on behalf of my unfilial son." Janos now understood why Matthias was accompanying Laszlo.
Vlad left the palace under the escort of guards. He readily agreed to all the conditions proposed by the young King, but to what extent he would be able to fulfill them in the future remained to be seen.