Chapter 234
Chapter 234
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 234
Chapter Title: Imperial Election and Changes (1)
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Reich Empire Imperial Palace, Grand Conference Hall.
"Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger... is that man really human? The operation he led is utterly incomprehensible. Reading the operation report, I had to doubt my own eyes."
"One could gloss over it as a brilliant victory achieved through superior tactics, inflicting nearly 100,000 casualties on an enemy force of 200,000 with just 110,000 men. But no, it didn't stop there—he besieged the enemy kingdom's capital and forced the king to surrender."
"From what I heard, during negotiations, he threatened King Christian of Stockholm that if he didn't accept the expeditionary force's terms, they would collaborate with the Swedish Kingdom's army to storm the capital. All while fully aware that the Empire's supply lines couldn't possibly support that."
"Even reaching Oslo with supplies was only possible because Field Marshal Kaitel pulled some strings."
The ministers continued their backchannel gossip—not quite gossip, but close—about how Lieutenant General Jaeger, absent from the room, was an existence beyond common sense.
A mix of emotions swirled in the hearts of those gossiping ministers.
Expectations that their own administrative support for the victory from the home front might earn them some rewards.
Gratitude for the triumphant achievement that swelled their pride as nobles of the Empire.
Jealousy toward him, whose abilities were in a league far beyond their own.
Pity when thinking of their own children, roughly the same age as Lieutenant General Jaeger but woefully inferior in talent.
These feelings were binding together ministers who, in normal times, supported different princes and factions and barely interacted beyond minimal courtesies and social niceties.
However, Field Marshal Banner, standing in as Minister of Military Affairs since no permanent appointee had been named, was excluded from that circle.
It might look like he was being ostracized, but in truth, Field Marshal Banner inwardly felt a sense of superiority and pity watching these pitiful men who lacked outstanding sons-in-law.
At that moment, someone announced, "His Majesty Ferdinand von Reich has arrived. All pay your respects!"
The ministers instantly ceased their chatter, rose as one, and paid homage to the emperor.
"Sit comfortably, all of you."
The ministers quietly took their seats, and the emperor spoke in a voice brimming with elation.
"Thanks to Field Marshal Gerhardt von Kaitel, Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger, and Colonel Anastasia Kerzhit, we have achieved a great victory in this war. Though they are not here today, let us toast to commemorate their feats!"
With those words, the finest vintage wine was poured into the glasses before the ministers, and all drained their full cups in unison.
"Now, let us first discuss the gains from this war."
"We successfully escaped the crisis where the traitor Ishtaven nearly killed Ludwig and cost us the northern territories we had secured. Moreover, we personally punished the rebel Ishtaven and his followers. Going further, at the Osby Plains, we slew or gravely wounded 100,000 enemy troops, or took them prisoner, elevating the prestige of the Reich Empire's forces and securing vast ransom payments."
Since everyone already knew this from the reports, not a single person feigned surprise.
Yet for these ministers, proud to be part of the Reich Empire, it was a report that thrilled them no matter how many times they heard it.
"Additionally, thanks to Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger's tactical shift, we besieged the Stockholm Kingdom's capital, Oslo Castle, spreading word of the Empire's might across the entire Europan continent. As a result, the peace treaty cedes all territories south of the Osby Plains by 50 kilometers or less—formally ours, Your Majesty."
Emperor Ferdinand von Reich of the Reich Empire already knew this, but hearing it reaffirmed stirred his heart to a rapid beat.
He even felt gratitude to Deus for granting his crown prince the fortune of picking up Peter Jaeger, though outwardly he responded in a cool tone.
"Is that truly the case?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Factoring in all this, the General Staff's analysis concludes that our northern borders will remain peaceful for decades to come."
"Field Marshal Kaitel and Lieutenant General Jaeger have done magnificent work. Colonel Kerzhit lent a hand as well, ho ho. Very well, now let us begin discussing rewards for the top three contributors to this battle. First, any opinions on Field Marshal Gerhardt von Kaitel?"
In truth, except in very special cases, a deputy commander never outshone the supreme commander in merits.
Even these seasoned ministers, experienced in such reward deliberations, pondered how to handle this.
After a moment, the prime minister rose cautiously from his seat.
"Field Marshal Kaitel's feats pale somewhat compared to Lieutenant General Jaeger, who directly commanded the Osby battle and besieged Oslo Castle to secure King Stockholm's surrender. However, as noted in Lieutenant General Jaeger's report, the encirclement after Osby was possible only due to the field marshal's exceptional supply support. Thus, he merits substantial rewards."
"What specific rewards do you propose?"
"Promotion from his current rank is untenable, so a medal befitting his station, territories, and a monetary bonus would be appropriate. How about granting one county with a population of around 100,000, plus other lands?"
Normally, even a field marshal deemed second in contributions wouldn't receive a county of that size.
But this victory not only elevated the Empire's prestige but also annexed vast territories, necessitating generous rewards.
"And what of rewards for Lieutenant General Jaeger, Prime Minister?"
The prime minister pondered at the question.
'Lieutenant General Jaeger's promotion to field marshal is all but confirmed, but raising his noble title isn't timely yet. In such cases, a high-grade medal could offset the size of granted lands... Tricky.'
Even as he mulled, true to form as the Empire's prime minister, he devised the most fitting plan.
"He is young, true, but his abilities are already recognized by the Empire's other field marshals as equal—or superior—to theirs. His feats are so monumental that debating them is pointless. Thus, promote him to field marshal and have him serve the Empire further."
The emperor, pleased that the prime minister echoed his intentions, made a mental note to award him a bonus later and nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Given his merits, we should spare no rewards. How about granting all the lands where Ishtaven and his rebel followers dwelt as his territory? Of course, rebuilding them will require effort, so include capable administrators and ample funds."
"Isn't that too barren a land for a lieutenant general of such great service?"
"The northern lands appear barren at a glance, but as prime minister, I've reviewed it—they're that way due to the northerners' primitive farming techniques. Now, they yield the same as the Empire's other fields, so no need for concern, Your Majesty."
From the emperor's perspective, the prime minister's words held no downside.
Because in our Emperor Ferdinand's mind, he planned to one day plant Peter Jaeger and Anastasia Kerzhit in the north as its symbols.
Centering them to fully integrate the northerners, and since the north's 'development' was incomplete, its land productivity and economy outpaced its noble ranks.
Thus, he could easily grant the count-level Jaeger sizable territories in the future.
"Very well, so be it. I decree Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger's promotion to field marshal and grant him the territories of Ishtaven and his tribal followers. Since those lands are somewhat barren, for the sake of Jaeger and the northerners there, I also grant 100,000 gold."
Hearing this, the other ministers seriously contemplated summoning their children tumbling about in the military for a scolding.
Field Marshal Banner, now certain his son-in-law's rise to field marshal ensured the Banner Marquess house's continued fortune, grinned broadly.
The others, seeing him beam with pride over his successful son-in-law, inwardly sharpened their knives for future revenge amid work piles.
"Finally, for Colonel Anastasia Kerzhit's feat of taking Ishtaven's head, promote her to brigadier general, bestow a viscountcy encompassing the Hovro area as Hovro Viscountcy. Also, the General Staff shall reward the northern chieftains and soldiers who distinguished themselves as generously as possible."
With that, the emperor rose and departed, postponing deliberations on the other generals until tomorrow.
Afterward, from his office, he wrote and sent a letter to the crown prince.
[The election to choose the next emperor will soon begin. Give it your all.]