Chapter 356

EP.356

“Before that, may I tell you what I think the current situation of the empire is?”

The Emperor nodded his approval to my words.

“The current Reich Empire has grown incomparably compared to 17 years ago when Your Majesty and I first met. In recent years, the Duchy of Venetia and its associated principalities have acquired vast territories and peoples, as well as merchants and trade routes that generate enormous wealth. The empire is always protected by reliable and powerful soldiers who can be called elites who made all of this possible. The empire has now become a strong country that neighboring countries both envy and fear. Isn’t that so, Your Majesty?”

“That’s right. Actually, I can’t say this in front of other ministers or nobles, but I know very well that all of this is thanks to you. If it weren’t for the master named Peter Jaeger, I would have been an idiot who couldn’t even own the Weinberg castle and lived like a stupid fifth brother, inheriting the family of some marquis. “The empire would have ended up as a slightly stronger country on the continent of Europa.”

His Majesty looked at me with regretful eyes, like an old man reminiscing about the path he had walked before me.

In fact, His Majesty is said to be in his mid to late 40s, so he has a long life ahead of him, but in order to ascend to the position of emperor, he had to go through tremendous adversity and must have lived in agony.

When you look back on your life, you are bound to feel many things.

“The empire has overcome crises and has steadily grown stronger. And I think the current Reich Empire is at a crossroads.”

“A crossroads? What kind of crossroads are you talking about? ‘To be or not to be alive?’ is a popular question these days. Are you trying to say that the empire is also at the crossroads of life and death?”

“Yes, either achieve hegemony or fall. “I think there are only two options.”

When he heard the words “hegemony,” the emperor’s expression was happy and he smiled brightly, but when he heard the words “fall,” he immediately showed a very bad mood.

However, since I did not tell an unfounded story, I thought I would just push through with evil, like His Excellency Kaitel, the Minister of Military Affairs.

I added to the person who was looking upset.

“According to what I learned as a student at the Imperial Academy and as a professor at the General Staff College, the continent of Europa has a beautiful tradition. Is there any country seeking hegemony on the continent? “Let’s hold hands for everyone...”

When the emperor heard those words, he sighed, touched his forehead, and said:

“Gather an army and crush them so they can never rise again. But do you think the empire has already grown to the point where it can aim for hegemony? “The Prime Minister and Minister of Military Affairs say there is still a long way to go.”

That statement is not wrong. In order for an empire to become a hegemony on the continent, its territory and population must be increased by more than 1.5 times its current size, and it must become a powerful country with a population of about 70 million and a large territory.

Currently, the population of our empire is only about 45 million, and in terms of food production, which is a measure of national power in this era, it is falling behind the Francois Republic.

So, as His Majesty said, there is quite a sense that it is not enough to aim for the position of hegemony, but there is some negativity in that statement.

In the Empire, reserve force training has become a routine exercise regardless of whether there is a war or not, so gradually increasing the frequency and intensity of training will not lead to the thought that we are preparing for an all-out war.

The nobles will probably notice it to some extent, but in order to protect their honor and courage, they will most likely choose to keep their mouths shut and prepare quietly.

“If that’s the case, why not make new weapons just because the current soldiers’ equipment is a bit outdated? Those in poor condition are melted down and made new, and those in poor condition are stored separately in the castle as equipment for reserve forces. “I think increasing the number of weapons and armor you have in that way will be helpful in many ways.”

Although I have never participated in reserve force training in Korea, it is said that when I go there, I often see old weapons such as the M16 carbine rifle, which is still not used by the Korean military.

There are some idiots who think that it would be more economical to issue such old weapons for training purposes rather than discarding them while replacing equipment...

Well, the Imperial Army is not completely free of such tendencies, so Class A weapons are used for soldiers fighting on the front lines or on guard duty. It is paid to soldiers who stand.

Class B~C weapons are to be used by reserve forces, so if we take measures like that, we can increase weapons while minimizing the impression that we are preparing for war.

“That is a wise decision, Your Majesty. And I have one request.”

“Something?”

“Please send me to the United Kingdom of Britannia. I will persuade Brian, the monarch and king of that place, to make sure that even if an all-out war breaks out, Francois will not even dare to invade the empire. “I will step in and make Britannia and Francois fight each other.”

When the emperor heard me, he nodded and asked.

“The intention itself is very good. But the United Kingdom probably doesn’t want to go to war with Francois. “Are you confident that you can persuade them?”

The empire is in a crisis, and it would be foolish not to use a method that we can use in advance just because ‘it will be difficult in some way’.

So, whether you are confident or not, you should give it a try and see.

“Don’t worry, Peter Yeager will do something.”

His Majesty put both hands on my shoulders and said.

“You have never once failed my expectations. So, I expect success this time too.”

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