Richelieu is actually much smarter than the King and has France’s welfare in mind.
The historical Richelieu was a Catholic cardinal who intervened in the Thirty Years war to extend it because the Catholic side was winning. He intentionally continued a civil war that “his side” was winning to bleed the Habsburgs more. The war only ended after his death. Clever? Yes. Focused on France’s welfare? Debatable, but OK. A nice person? Very much no. The 17th century is full of absolutely awful people in positions of power, but Richelieu may in fact be the worst.
The historical Richelieu was a Catholic cardinal who intervened in the Thirty Years war to extend it because the Catholic side was winning. He intentionally continued a civil war that “his side” was winning to bleed the Habsburgs more. The war only ended after his death. Clever? Yes. Focused on France’s welfare? Debatable, but OK. A nice person? Very much no. The 17th century is full of absolutely awful people in positions of power, but Richelieu may in fact be the worst.