172 – In war, it is right to deceive the enemy (1)
And the next day.
I was immediately called to the imperial palace.
I wanted to refuse the call by making the excuse that I was sick because I had just returned from the war.
Because I wanted to rest with my rabbit-like child and my fox-like pretty wife.
Furthermore, I currently do not have a specific position, and have received two months of vacation, including reward vacation, consolation vacation, and sick leave.
So, I should have the freedom to stay in the mansion and play with my cute son during the day and be bothered by Laura at night…
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The empire is a strictly hierarchical society, so if you don’t leave everything behind when the emperor calls you, you may end up paying an unimaginable price later.
‘There is no need for it all. I’m sure you’re not telling me to give up my vacation and go to work right away. Probably not. Surely you wouldn’t say that? ‘Oh no way.’
So, I am a legendary figure who killed hundreds of enemies, but when dealing with His Majesty, I entered His Majesty’s office as a mere soldier earnestly praying that Hyuga would not be cut off.
“Lieutenant General Peter Yeager meets the Empire’s only sun.”
“Raise your head. “I’m really sorry for calling you while I was on vacation.”
“If His Majesty calls you, shouldn’t you leave everything behind and come, no matter how urgent it is?”
After hearing those words, the emperor ordered the servants around him to place my chair across from him.
“Please sit down for now. “I think the story will be a little long.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The butlers and maids inside the office immediately left the office, and His Majesty sighed and opened his mouth.
“Do you know how the current political situation in the empire is going? “This is really sh*t.”
In a way, this is such an obvious story that it only hurts to say it.
Of course, looking at the results of this expedition alone, it can be said that His Majesty the Crown Prince narrowly achieved victory against the Swiss army.
In any case, the fact does not change the fact that the 50,000-strong corps was almost annihilated due to His Majesty’s mistake.
With this alone, it would not be surprising if not only all the high-ranking generals involved, but also several families that made mistakes that were not negligent, were to be destroyed.
Furthermore, the fact that the crown prince was almost captured by the enemy by mistake is a serious mistake that cannot be compared to even if we assume that all 50,000 imperial soldiers mentioned above were killed.
Even if it is better than having the emperor captured, in any case, in order to get the prince back, you have to sacrifice a few duchies and over a million people attached to them.
So, this is not something that can be overlooked simply because a major problem did not occur.
Furthermore, no matter how much I credited all of the credit for the surprise operation at Castle Dolfino to His Highness the Crown Prince, the high-ranking people would already know the truth.
“A quarter of the nobles from the faction that supported Michael have switched back to the 2nd and 3rd prince factions. In addition, among the other nobles remaining around the crown prince, those who are trying to change factions are starting to appear.”
“…… I think it’s a shame.”
“That’s right. If things had gone as originally planned, they would have taken over the three cantons of Switzerland. I was planning to hold an election for emperor after saying that I was getting older and unable to handle the position of emperor. And this old man was thinking of moving to his villa and retiring with his empress and concubines and living a comfortable life.”
He is still relatively young, around 50 years old, and has not suffered from any minor illnesses, but he has already made plans to retire and live a happy life in old age.
However, as you said, punishing Switzerland and occupying its territory was the long-awaited wish of successive emperors of the empire.
However, Switzerland’s unique scenery was beautiful and the terrain was extremely rugged for outsiders to attack, and the bandits living there were so strong that they couldn’t even think of attempting an expedition.
But honestly, the last expedition was worth doing because a completely trustworthy count-like double agent was on the side of the empire.
If the Count had not been a double agent, the expeditionary operation would have been successful according to the operation planned and designed by the Crown Prince himself.
Then, he would have become an iron-blooded emperor who wields such strong power that no one would even dare to think of opposing him.
The emperor stood up, held my hand tightly, and said with a benevolent smile.
“But the Count of Bern was a double agent, and the Crown Prince almost died there with the 50,000-strong expeditionary force. So to be honest, when I first heard this news, I thought, ‘Everything is over. I thought, ‘Now the empire will begin its path to decline.'”
The empire has many potential enemies due to its location.
So, what if the crown prince is captured by Swiss idiots who have nothing to show for themselves other than mercenaries, and how many duchies are taken away?
Neighboring countries, including the Czech Republic, the François Republic, the Federation of Cities of Peronia, and the Grand Duchy of Austria, will rush in and say, ‘Is this the famous Reich Empire restaurant?’
In that case, there is a high probability that the empire would not be able to handle a war that would be fought in multiple directions simultaneously and would have gone down the path of defeat.
“However, thanks to you and the 7th Guards Division remaining until the end and guarding the retreat route, the crown prince returned home safely. We were able to protect the soldiers of the empire, the pride and honor of the empire, and even the safety of the people of the empire. So personally, I would consider you a benefactor. Additionally, as long as Peter Jaeger is alive, I will never doubt the Jaeger family.”
Being told that you are the emperor’s benefactor is the same as saying that even if you gamble and do something that costs you all your family money and puts you in debt, he will repay you from the national treasury or the imperial budget.
Also, saying that there will be no suspicion of the family means that we will give you absolute trust as long as you do not commit outright treason.
Seeing as the introduction is getting too long, it seems like His Majesty the Emperor has a lot to say…
Drool flows down my throat.
“The conversation went on for a long time after calling someone who needed to take a break. Now, let’s get to the point. “Isn’t there a good way to restore the crown prince’s position?”
There are many different methods you can use to regain your position.
First, His Majesty appears directly to the people and helps them by distributing his assets, or he selects officers or low-level administrators in the same position as me to gradually increase his power.
Meeting officers belonging to the 7th Guards Division in person and making a good impression on them, solidifying their families on their side, etc.
“First of all, what Your Majesty needs now is thorough reflection. “We will never repeat this mistake again, and we must clearly show what efforts we will make to achieve this in order to prevent the remaining faction nobles from leaving.”
“That guy is reflecting a lot in his own way. He is immediately collecting all the taxes coming from the County of Brandenburg and distributing them to his casualties and their families. Thanks to this, he lives only on the living expenses paid by the palace.”
“That is somewhat insufficient. At the very least, you should personally visit the homes of officers or soldiers who lived in the capital Reichburg and its vicinity, who died in heroic battles or were awarded medals after their deaths, to offer words of consolation and provide living expenses.”
The Emperor’s eyes widened at first, probably shocked by what I said, but after a while he nodded, probably thinking it made sense.
“If he does what you said, his pride will be broken a little. Of course, if word spreads, you will later receive an honor worth several times that amount. Also, the nobles of our empire will be impressed by the generosity and grace of the crown prince who comforts even commoner soldiers and low-ranking officers.”
It is difficult to bend the knee for a mere soldier or a low-ranking officer, but most nobles know this well because they have served in the military.
The imperial army is not run solely by generals and high-ranking officers.
So, only by showing respect and care for junior officers and soldiers can we maintain the best condition as an army.
“Of course, His Majesty’s anecdote like this will naturally spread throughout the country. Nobles who were planning to leave Your Highness’s faction will see potential in Your Highness when they hear of Your gentleness in mourning the death of even a low-ranking officer and soldier.”
“It makes sense. “Then do you want to go with me?”
To be honest, I feel like I want to comfort the bereaved families of the soldiers of the 7th Division and other unit members who participated in this battle.
I would even give up all my vacation time to comfort them with harsh words.
“I have already built up a very high reputation in this battle. So, right now, I cannot go with you for your sake.”
I didn’t say it, but you don’t have to watch the video to see how I will react if I go with the crown prince.
Of course, the bereaved and wounded soldiers of other divisions will welcome the crown prince, but the 7th division will welcome me more than the crown prince.
Even if it was because of strategic necessity, His Highness the Crown Prince, he was the one who ran away, leaving the 7th Division behind as a shield.
I am the general who stayed on the battlefield until the end with my own sword in order to send back at least one more of them.
If that happens, a battle for position will arise between you and me, even if you do not intend to do so.
“So, I’m really going to stay at home and rest for two months. In the meantime, if you comfort them, it will definitely be of great help in maintaining your position.”
After hearing those words, His Majesty asked with a very satisfied smile.
“I think you have much bigger plans than what you just said. Please don’t be afraid to say it. “Isn’t it between you and me?”
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