I decided to take my time with my trip to Warsaw. The king can wait, and soon the guests I have invited should come to Jazłowiec... Maybe Sigismund III Vasa he will be dissatisfied, but I can always excuse myself with the obligations of the Voivode and that I had to stay longer in Podolia.
Less than two weeks later, Hetman Sapieha with his son Jan came to Jazłowiec, and two days later Aleksander Gosiewski and his son Krzysztof arrived... each visit was related to the feast to which I also invited the local nobility, they were not politically important people, but each of them had a relative or was in some way related to someone important... and that can always come in handy.
We were seated at a table that was standing a little further away and provided more privacy.
"I wonder why you invited us. When I know life, you probably plan something. Am I right?" (Aleksander Gosiewski)
"You're right, but even a broken clock twice a day will show a good time." (MC)
Hetman Sapiecha, his son and Gosiewski's son started laughing.
"Wilkomir, I listened to your advice, I hope it will bring good results." (Hetman Sapieha)
"Advice? I don't remember giving a Hetman any advice before." (MC)
"Orthodox, Unitarian Church, we talked about it in Vilnius." (Hetman Sapieha)
"It wasn't advice, it was just a suggestion ..." (MC)
...and it was just a suggestion aimed at improving people's lives and creating a better image of the Catholic Church and the Unitarian Church.
"Coming back to the topic, why did you invite us? Probably not to brag about good food and mead." (Aleksander Gosiewski)
"I have also invited Stanisław Potocki and Graf Ferber from Gdańsk, but they have not arrived yet ... but maybe that's a good thing. Without them, we can talk more freely." (MC)
"Potocki? You said you wanted him to become Grand Hetman of the Crown ... but only the King can decide that." (Hetman Sapieha)
"Perfect memory ..." (MC)
I raised the goblet and offered a toast to Hetman's health and good memory.
"...Yes, I still want him to be nominated for this position and yes, I know it's the king's decision." (MC)
"How Prince are you going to do this?" (Krztsztof Gosiewski)
For the first time during this meeting, Krzysztof, son of Gosiewski, spoke. Unlike his father, his military talents were negligible, but he made history as a good diplomat and someone with a better understanding of politics.
"We have to force the King to make concessions or perhaps offer him something in return. This is still a matter to be discussed ..." (MC)
"Koniecpolski has the right of sovereignty, and Potocki's achievements on the battlefield are not significant. Instead of choosing an experienced commander, do you want to choose someone without experience and without much success?" (Hetman Sapieha)
"Yes, I want to choose him because it will be a greater benefit for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Koniecpolski hates the Cossacks and the Orthodox ... with him as Hetman there will be no peace with Zaporozhye. Dear Hetman, I've spent my last year in the Empire, fighting Protestants. I have also been to the Kingdom of Denmark and some other places. Do you really want a religious war to break out on our land now?" (MC)
"Wilkomir, we all know Koniecpolski's disadvantages, but we also know his advantages, he is a good commander. Potocki lacks experience." (Aleksander Gosiewski)
"So he must gain experience, this year the Tatars will attack our lands. Potocki will have to defeat them ..." (MC)
"Tatars!!! Are you sure?! Crimea? How do you know about it?!" (Aleksander Gosiewski)
"Yes, Tatars, but not from Crimea, from the independent Hordes ... I have spies." (MC)
I knew this from history and they were not random attacks, sometimes Ottomans used the Tatars to "test the waters", if the attacks were unsuccessful, nothing happened, but if the Tatar attack was successful, High Porta contemplated joining the war.
"Let's say you succeed and Potocki defeats the Tatars, do you think one battle is enough?" (Aleksander Gosiewski)
"I will worry about his experience, but I have to know that I have your support ... Give me two years." (MC)
Everyone thought about my words, but I knew they weren't convinced.
"Wilkomir, you are asking us for support, but what will we gain from it?" (Hetman Sapieha)
"If Potocki becomes Hetman, each of us will gain his gratitude. I also invited Graf Ferber from Gdańsk to meet him, I have a number of interests with him, I will talk to him and ask the Sapieha and Gosiewski families to be treated preferentially in Gdańsk. I will also make my products available to you at preferential prices... Horses, muskets and everyday items." (MC)
"It's not much ..." (Hetman Sapieha)
"Not at present, but it may change in the future. One more thing. I intend to create a "Council of Magnates" consisting of several families, at the beginning I intend to invite you, Potocki and Ferber, with time someone else may join our group." (MC)
It surprised everyone, although the magnate families often joined in against the king's policy, it was on the basis of ... "Today the king demands something from them, tomorrow he may want the same from me." Therefore, even when in conflict, they were able to unite together in the face of a common "enemy". Unfortunately, it also had negative effects, too much weakening of the royal power.
"Do you want to cause a rebellion?"
It was a logical and justified question, especially since only twenty years had passed since the Zebrzydowski rebellion.
"No, as you know, our political system is not perfect. Tensions between the King and the nobility. Selling votes at the Seyms or liberum veto. How many situations were there that the nobility came to the Seym from all over the country, for example to establish taxes for the maintenance of the army, and although everyone agreed, one bribed nobleman stood up and shouted liberum veto ... and the entire session of the Seym was in vain. It is fair? That one traitor or fool would put an entire country at risk? It is foolish to call it noble freedom.. Will to one, slavery to the rest." (MC)
"So what do you want? Take away our rights and privileges?" (Hetman Sapieha)
"No, I want us to support each other, and our goal will be to make our country efficient, modern and safe. Who will the Sapieha, Gosiewski or Jazłowiecki families be without the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth? We were not here, there was a forest - and when we are not here, there will be a forest." (MC)