Chapter 209
Chapter 209
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 209
Chapter Title: War is Diplomacy (4)
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In diplomatic arenas, what looks on the surface like a generous offer to the other side often turns out to be a treaty that benefits only one party. There are plenty of such cases.
The classic example is Foreign Minister Brahe getting duped by the King of Stockholm, who handed over half the Northlands in exchange for a joint invasion of the Reich Empire.
Exploiting the fact that the Kingdom of Sweden couldn't hold onto the Northlands, he declared war again to seize back even the territories they'd ceded as payment for their alliance.
That's why I know there's nothing to gain for either the Empire or Sweden from fighting each other. I'm planning to make that clear so we can find a path to mutual prosperity.
Because the Stockholm bastards have a kingdom so vast that even after Sweden and our Reich Empire carve it up, sample it, and savor it, there'll still be plenty left.
"How do you plan to deal with the Kingdom of Stockholm, which insulted Your Highness?"
"Those scum didn't even declare war on His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of our Reich Empire before poaching Ishtaven and forty tribes. We can never forgive them. Naturally, we intend to declare war."
"They stole over ten thousand Northerners who swore loyalty to the Empire, so claiming their territory as recompense is only just. In that case, what do you intend to cede to us?"
Anyone with even a modicum of ability to read the room—even a fresh Imperial Academy lieutenant straight out of graduation—could see what Foreign Minister Brahe was after.
They want Stockholm territory, just like we do.
But handing over the wrong areas could spark future conflicts between our nations.
From a grand strategic perspective looking to the future, for the Empire's national interests, Sweden and Stockholm need to be locked in irreconcilable enmity for the foreseeable future.
Taking all that into account, the land we should offer Stockholm is...
"Advance into northern Stockholm and take whatever you can."
Brahe looked extremely displeased at those words.
"Northern Stockholm? In the current situation, even if you offered us prime southern lands like Altolan, we might barely be tempted. Telling us to take the north, where farming is incredibly tough? That proposal will be hard for us to accept."
Land good for people to live on is good for farming, and places tough to farm are harsh barrens unfit for human habitation.
So my offer could be interpreted as:
'Spill your soldiers' precious blood to claim worthless wastelands unfit for crops.'
But northern Stockholm, pressed against the far north where farming is difficult, is brimming with far more valuable resources.
"What the Kingdom of Sweden needs most right now isn't wheat—it's iron, isn't it? I'm told northern Stockholm is riddled with iron mines. Plus, there are centuries-old fir and pine forests perfect for shipbuilding, so the farming issue is really a minor one, don't you think?"
"Ha, you're right—our Kingdom of Sweden needs iron and timber far more than wheat right now. But how did you know that?"
"Our Empire's Northerners gave us some insight into Sweden's situation. That's how I realized Your Majesty the King of Sweden values iron and timber more than wheat at present."
Countries like the Reich Empire and the Franco Republic, situated in prime habitable zones, have already turned nearly all their arable land to farming.
But Sweden's northern geography means brutally cold weather that makes farming difficult, so it hasn't been an agrarian nation for long.
Putting all the circumstances together, I inferred Sweden still has vast tracts of uncultivated arable land waiting to be opened.
The palace's austere style suggested the King of Sweden was focused on amassing resources to develop those empty fields.
Plus, the Vice Foreign Minister's analysis of trade records with Sweden showed iron and timber dominating the volumes and varieties, giving me confidence this offer would land.
Foreign Minister Brahe looked at me as if conceding defeat.
"Before you're the Emperor's plenipotentiary, you're the Empire's war hero, Lieutenant General Jaeger. Your diplomatic acumen is impressive too. It's like dealing with an ambassador dispatched from the Empire."
This kind of positive response meant he was already prepared to accept my proposal to some degree.
Otherwise, there'd be no reason to praise me while subtly bargaining for a better deal.
"I'm just a soldier. I can't compare to lifetime diplomats like you. But viewing Sweden and the Reich Empire's issues through the lens that all war is a continuation of diplomacy led me naturally to this answer."
"....... I see. Well, fine. From what you've said so far, allying with the Reich Empire seems more in our national interest than trusting the Kingdom of Stockholm. So tell me your specific requests."
"First, it'd be best to keep fooling Stockholm to the end. Maintain your alliance with them until just before we strike. Ideally, stage a marriage between noble houses of count rank or higher to make the alliance seem ironclad."
In both war and diplomacy, the key is to deceive the enemy thoroughly—or you'll get played instead.
Because the other side isn't some snot-nosed fool. Half-measures make your intentions obvious, and they'll catch on.
Then they'll turn it around, using it as bait to lure us into our own trap.
"When we ally, you'll naturally have demands. What do you want?"
"Handing over discussions between Stockholm and Sweden would be ideal, but leaking info to the Reich Empire piecemeal risks exposure. Just tell us how prepared Stockholm is for war—that'll suffice."
"That's not hard. We can mobilize our Foreign Ministry spies to get that info easily."
Even in games like Stars' War, just glimpsing the enemy's main base like a snapshot is a huge help.
Knowing their war readiness lets us prepare leisurely and thoroughly.
That's like starting with a 10% win advantage.
Assuming Sweden's intel is accurate, of course.
"Meanwhile, until Stockholm fights the Empire, pretend to mass troops on your southern border with them. Enough so their king truly believes Your Majesty has been completely duped."
"That way, Stockholm's king will concentrate national resources south to prepare for war with us. The north will be relatively undefended."
"Strike then with a surprise declaration of war to claim both justification and gain. If they gripe about troops in the north, blame the Vinland Principality..."
"Even a diplomacy specialist like me sees this as a flawless strategy. As expected from a young war hero—your thinking runs deeper. But this lets Sweden ride the Empire's coattails to profit. Do you have ulterior motives?"
If the war goes my way, I'll maneuver so Stockholm and Sweden keep each other in check.
Securing the Northlands and southern Stockholm safely—that's the plan. But admitting it outright would make me an idiot.
"To check the Warsaw Archduchy, we want ports and land in the Bosnian Sea for trade relays. Also, southern Stockholm's herring fisheries would make fine food supplies for our people—a modest greed."
"Unlike us, the Empire's high population density makes that necessary. Enviable. Let's formalize the alliance. But such alliances need reliable tokens of trust, don't they?"
"As His Majesty's plenipotentiary, I can't promise alliance proofs lightly. But I'll petition His Majesty directly. If things go well, good news might come soon after this war ends."
The war's end will trigger the imperial election, where His Highness the Crown Prince will almost certainly ascend as Emperor with overwhelming support.
Princes will become adopted heirs to noble houses without successors, and princesses married off based on political value.
Arranging for one prince or princess to go to Sweden should be straightforward.
"I'm looking forward to it. Very well, let's draft the alliance oath."
"We've already prepared a draft—it won't take long."
"By the way, after the oath, could you attend a modest gathering hosted by my house to grace the occasion?"
"If the Foreign Minister invites me, how could I refuse? I'll bring my wife Louise."
**
And a year later, the Northern Army's expedition was finally decided.
Once again, my lieutenant general rank kept me from commanding the expeditionary force.
It was a bit regrettable, but with a major victory and the Crown Prince's ascension guaranteeing my promotion to general, no real cause for lament.
Just... the commander sitting before me now was pretty intimidating.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Gerhard von Keitel, overall commander of this expedition. It's an honor to fight alongside the Empire's young war hero."
"Thank you, General Keitel."
Hearing that, General Keitel looked slightly displeased.
"You and I are strictly professional. Address me as Commander Keitel or General Keitel everywhere."
Save me! For some reason, sticking with this guy feels like it'll mean endless slave labor in the wheat fields...