Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: War is Diplomacy (1)
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Reich Empire Imperial Palace, Audience Chamber.
"Northern Army Commander Peter Jaeger, Lieutenant General, humbly greets Your Imperial Majesty."
"You've come all the way from the distant north in such haste. It must have been grueling. How are things with Louise?"
"Thanks to her, I'm receiving help in all sorts of ways."
Laura and Anya, being military officers, provide direct and indirect assistance whenever I face difficulties managing the Northern Army.
Charlotte attends to my daily needs by my side and occasionally helps with the family accounts, but Louise manages and oversees the entire Jaeger Count household in my stead.
Beyond that, honestly, with just one man in the house and two women, things could easily fall into chaos.
Thanks to Louise mediating appropriately among the other three, no major issues arise at home.
"I'm truly glad to hear you're all getting along. That aside, how's the situation in the north?"
"Chief Ishtaven and forty tribes have defected to the Kingdom of Stockholm. As a result, around 10,000 northern warriors have sided with Stockholm, putting the balance of power in the north at risk."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face flushed with rage at the Stockholm bastards' insidious schemes, his teeth grinding audibly.
However, in this case, His Majesty had been aware of the crisis beforehand and ordered me to suppress it.
Thus, I'd done my utmost to overcome the worst-case scenario and achieved some results, so there would be no anger or blame directed at me.
Even so, the Emperor let out a deep sigh, as if the sky itself were collapsing, and asked,
"At least we've prevented all sixty tribes from defecting. It's a silver lining amid misfortune."
"I apologize, Your Majesty."
"These were villains plotting betrayal long before you even took command in the north. Reducing sixty treacherous tribes to forty is achievement enough. No need for further apologies. The key now is securing and safeguarding the loyalty of the remaining northerners. I know the broad strokes of your countermeasures, but explain them in detail once more."
What's done is done with the stable broken and the cattle lost, but only a fool would leave the barn unrepaired after the cows break out.
I'm no fool, so I've repaired the stable most thoroughly.
"Until now, we've discriminated to some degree against northerners who haven't fully surrendered their territories—like the Kerjite tribe—and integrated into the Empire. But we must abolish that discrimination and grant northerners the same rights and duties as imperial citizens."
"I agree with your view. The Foreign Ministry says a minor adjustment would make it feasible. But are you sure it's wise to enlist northerners in the army? They could betray us."
"They've borne heavier burdens than imperial citizens over the past four years without betraying us. Isn't that reason enough to trust them?"
It might seem reckless to advocate fully accepting them as equals after just four years of observation.
And rightly so—people date for three or four years before marriage, so judging whether hundreds of thousands of northerners are upright imperial subjects or backstabbing scum in mere years is impossible.
Still, I believe we can trust those who've followed us thus far.
Because, when I subjugated that bastard Ludwig, the Empire demonstrated overwhelming military superiority to the northerners.
And after incorporation, they've enjoyed a modest prosperity from combining nomadic life with farming—something they never knew before. Any sensible person would see the advantage of staying under the Empire.
"Moreover, the young men of the north will serve three years in the imperial army, won't they? During that time, we teach them how great the Empire is and how proud it is to serve Your Majesty. Loyalty to the Empire will naturally take root among the youth."
"My father often said something similar: loyalty must be taught directly to become ingrained. If we instill devotion to the Empire in the army, even barbaric northerners will pledge loyalty to the Empire and to me, its Emperor."
"On top of that, we must instill the certainty that merit in the army can change one's fate. They'll train and fight in earnest. Those who rise through merit—and their families—will naturally grow even more loyal to Your Majesty. Watching from their villages, other tribesmen will strive harder to serve Your Majesty, dreaming of their own success stories."
Ever since I commanded the 7th Guard Division—no, since my promotion from battalion to regiment commander—soldiers, NCOs, and officers under me openly admired me.
They fought harder in hopes of changing their fates like mine, showing thicker loyalty than officers from great noble houses.
Implant that concept in northerners—good service in the army unfolds one's destiny, effort and ability are rewarded—and they'll have no choice but to be loyal.
His Majesty, satisfied with my argument, nodded and replied.
"In nearly fifty years of life, I've never heard of enlisting barbarians in the army to instill loyalty. But it's worth trying. Your wife, Baroness Kerjite, and her northern cavalry have already developed loyalty to me through military service."
"You won't be disappointed, Your Majesty. I've also considered where to deploy them."
"Planning to put them at the vanguard against the Kingdom of Stockholm?"
Pitting them directly against the Stockholm Kingdom that incited defection in the north is a fine idea, but not enough on its own.
"From what I know, some of the forty tribes that tried to betray the Empire following Ishtaven haven't left the north yet. And their lands are currently protected by Stockholm soldiers."
To be precise, a token force of Stockholm troops is coordinating with the local tribes to establish a forward base in imperial northern territory—child's play, really.
"I plan to mobilize the northerners loyal to our Empire to slaughter those Stockholm soldiers. That will completely sever any psychological path of retreat for those who chose the Reich Empire over Ishtaven."
"You've considered the strain on relations with Stockholm?"
"Even if a few northern tribes surrendered to them, building a forward base for Stockholm in imperial territory—not even a neutral zone—is tantamount to a declaration of war. Relations can't worsen further. War is the only path left."
His Majesty nodded at my words and replied.
"Indeed. But as you know, the Empire is currently fighting no small number of wars: Ostrica, Chekobia, and the Perosia Union below. You know why."
"They aim to hand Your Majesty a massive defeat as your term nears its end, weakening your power and obstructing His Highness the Crown Prince's ascension."
"Exactly. So after this Stockholm campaign, I plan to hold the imperial election. We must proceed with utmost caution."
The imperial election—His Majesty has finally made his decision.
"Even after this campaign ends, the north must remain stable for the next three or four years. We'll need thorough measures. Any other strategic ideas?"
Strategically speaking, just as Perosia City Union, Ostrica, Chekobia, and Warsaw have done to us, we should return the favor to those wicked Stockholm bastards.
What could we do?
As I pondered, a rather excellent idea flashed through my mind.
"I have a good plan, Your Majesty."
In war, etiquette demands not just an eye for an eye, but severing a limb for the slightest graze of a blade.
Stockholm tried to slyly seize the north this time, so sending them straight to hell in return seems only fitting, doesn't it?