Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: The Banquet Table is Set (1)
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Reich Empire Imperial Palace, Grand Conference Hall.
"That Patton fellow went and pulled another classic Patton stunt."
"If only he'd reined in that personality of his, he'd have been gripping a field marshal's baton by now. So, what happened?"
"He ordered the Eastern Expeditionary Force to march 1.3 times farther than Brigadier General Jaeger had planned, turning the Franco Republic into a total mess. And get this—the supreme commander himself joined a lance charge."
"Minister of War Otto must've clutched his neck in shock."
The ministers and generals—the heads of the Empire's administration—were exchanging this idle chatter that wasn't quite idle when a trumpet fanfare sounded, and the doors swung open.
"His Imperial Majesty Ferdinand von Reich, Sun of the Reich Empire and Emperor, enters!"
At that announcement, everyone rose to pay their respects. The Emperor seated himself on the throne at the head of the room and spoke.
"No need for pointless greetings. We have much to discuss today, so let's proceed straight to the rewards and commendations. Start with General Patton."
At the Emperor's command, the Chancellor of the Empire stood and declared.
"The achievements of Count Heinz von Patton are as follows. Using his authority as field commander, he expanded the scope of Brigadier General Jaeger's pillaging operation by 1.3 times, maximizing damage to the Franco Republic. In the Battle of Crécy Plain, he personally led 6,000 knights and completely routed the enemy infantry, greatly contributing to our victory."
Hearing this, the Emperor once again felt that familiar superstitious twinge of a headache whenever the name 'Pat.ton.' came up in commendations.
And rightly so. The first stunt—suddenly altering the operation plan—had succeeded by sheer luck; failure would've been disastrous.
The second was absurd: why was a supreme commander, who outranked even lieutenant generals and major generals, doing their job?
At least it was a relief for the Emperor that Patton was retiring in a year, so no more battlefield escapades from him.
"Count Patton's decades of military service and contributions as supreme commander are immense, so I propose awarding him the special Diamond Knight's Sword Medal, lifetime honorary general status upon retirement, the County of Rastatt, and 12,000 gold. What say you?"
No one objected. Instead, they shot glances at the Chancellor, urging him to hurry on to Peter Jaeger, who had racked up even greater feats.
They steadied their nerves, bracing inwardly for whatever 'Jaeger antics' might come next, then listened intently.
"Next, the achievements of Brigadier General Peter Jaeger. Under Minister of War Otto von Moritz's orders, he drafted the initial plans for this expedition. In the Hatten Forest, he annihilated a 10,000-strong Franco army with a single brigade. Additionally, in the Battle of Crécy Plain, he succeeded in capturing the enemy supreme commander."
At those words, ministers and generals from both the Crown Prince faction and the anti-Crown Prince faction transcended politics for a moment, ready to applaud in celebration.
"Though unofficial, he also participated in peace negotiations as Chief of Staff to General Venner under Your Majesty's secret directive. There, he secured the full cession of Bisch, Saver, and the territories east of Strasbourg from the Republic. Next month, the Republican chairman Robespierre—the war hawk who advocated war against the Empire—along with his subordinate committee members, will be handed over to the Papal Inquisition alongside a letter of apology."
The Emperor had learned in advance from Marquis Venner that Brigadier General Jaeger had secured vast swaths of land far exceeding his instructions, so he wasn't surprised.
But the Chancellor and the other ministers were awestruck. A single war had yielded more territory than anyone imagined—key economic pillars of the Franco Republic, no less.
"Long live the Reich Empire! Long live the Reich Empire forever!"
"Long live Your Imperial Majesty! Long live the Reich Empire! The Empire grows ever stronger!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! You've finally realized the dream of punishing the Franco Republic, cherished since the reign of the Emperor three generations back—not even preemptive, but after three wars!"
Admiration was one thing, and they'd applauded plenty for merits deserving celebration.
Now it was time for political interests to take center stage. The Emperor was preparing to be especially generous when—
"Your Majesty, I humbly report with great regret. Brigadier General Peter Jaeger stands accused of murdering a titled noble. Circumstances suggest ample grounds for leniency, but it must be considered during commendations."
"Read it out."
"Baron Leon von Granz, head of the Granz baronial family, attempted to rape a village maiden in the Franco Republic and was captured. Despite his claim that he would take her as a concubine to make amends, the general on site exercised his authority and beheaded him before witnesses. The circumstances overflow with mitigating factors, but this wasn't an emergency, and beheading the head of a baronial house on the spot demands some accountability. Here are reports from Brigadier General Jaeger's exclusive maid Charlotte and the military police officer on scene."
The other ministers and generals murmured in surprise upon hearing the report.
"The young buck's got fire in his veins now that he's a general. Legally sound by military code, but beheading a baron's head on the spot?"
"Doesn't that wipe out an entire baronial line? Papers say he's the son-in-law of Chief Cabinet Secretary Guderian."
"Who cares about that? The point is, he killed a baron's head without proper trial. Brigadier General Jaeger must not give a damn about allying with nobles, trusting only in his own abilities."
Amid this, Count Logos—the Minister of Justice and supporter of the Second Prince—stood and addressed the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, even if within military law, Brigadier General Jaeger's actions were somewhat excessive. We cannot impose civilian noble-murder penalties like execution, title revocation, life imprisonment, or dismissal. Yet he beheaded a baron without trial."
"Indeed. What punishment do you propose?"
"That is for Your Majesty to decide. The summary judgment authority granted generals represents Your Majesty's will on the battlefield. In my view, however, some disciplinary action is warranted."
The Emperor suppressed an inward chuckle.
Peter Jaeger was famed for a spotless record; this baron-slaying was likely his sole career blemish.
And Count Logos, Second Prince supporter, clearly aimed to block his promotions, plain as day.
Even so, Logos's argument had merit: preventing foolhardy generals from blindly copying Jaeger for fame.
The Emperor decided to save the Minister of Justice's face while proposing a compromise all—including himself—could accept.
"Very well. We shall weigh his faults against his merits and reward accordingly. His feats in Hatten Forest and Crécy are monumental. I even considered promoting him to lieutenant general. But no general in the Empire has jumped two ranks outside crisis-saving cases, and with this fault, we promote him one rank specially to major general."
No minister or army general could oppose promoting the man who'd captured the supreme commander and annihilated 10,000 with 4,000.
Envy bubbled up for their own sons and grandsons, who couldn't hold a candle to even half of Jaeger.
"For his cumulative merits and securing vast territories as negotiation advisor, I specially award the city of Strasbourg and its surrounding lands, 10,000 gold, and a shield and sword emblazoned with the imperial crest."
The Emperor paused to catch his breath, then spoke with feigned regret.
"Finally, killing Baron Granz was flawless under military law, so no punishment there. However, he had options to report superiors and send him to military court, yet opted for summary judgment—a slight lapse. Thus, I order his unit and subordinates back to the capital, and Brigadier General—no, Major General Peter Jaeger suspended for one month. Minister Logos, are you satisfied?"
Suddenly called out, Logos inwardly reeled—this wasn't what he'd aimed for.
He'd wanted to slap a real shackle on the mid-20s Jaeger this time. A one-month suspension?
It was meaningless—no shackle at all.
For generals nearing retirement, desperate for one last promotion, a month's suspension meant missing chances and retiring without advancement.
But Jaeger had just been promoted, so he'd rack up merits for lieutenant general next year anyway. At 20-something, he had 40 more years of service ahead.
Yet from Minister Logos's mouth came: "A wise judgment, Your Majesty. Let us proclaim this joyous news across the nation."