Chapter 1691: Chapter 101: Court Conference (Part 4)
Whether it was supporting the military reform and agricultural reform he led, or overseeing the rear and collecting provisions for the frontline troops during wartime, Caesar IV did well.
Especially during the war, in order to gather more strategic resources, he implemented it according to the quota.
Occasionally causing trouble during peacetime, but he was capable of listening to reason, giving up as long as the ministers collectively opposed him.
Moreover, he basically made the same mistake only once.
The most crucial aspect was the peace of mind working under him!
Though comfort could not be guaranteed, at least he had no inclination to kill; he had not sought excuses to execute ministers over many years.
The most severe consequence was merely sending someone home.
For a king to achieve this means he’s already qualified.
The effects were very clear; regardless of how fiercely the reformists and conservatives fought initially, none wanted to pull him down from the throne.
"Recently caught a cold, not a major issue, but concerned the Marshal!"
Caesar IV said with a smile.
There was no accusation, no complaints, nor any veiled insults.
It could be seen that Caesar IV had become increasingly mature, very aware of his circumstances.
The Royal Family’s strength was not weak, effectively ensuring his personal safety and authority.
The Conservative government indeed engaged in sidelining, but their conduct was sufficiently secretive, and governance proceeded completely by the book.
For trivial matters, the government had full authority to handle them independently.
They didn’t consult him as King simply because no major issues occurred in the Kingdom.
If there’s a significant issue, it would be the diplomatic negotiations with the Frank people and the Iberian People.
However, this negotiation is currently in a secret phase, not yet reaching a final decision, so delaying it is reasonable.
If unable to catch the Conservatives in wrongdoing, launching unwarranted accusations would only lower one’s dignity.
"Your Majesty, please take care of your health; the Kingdom cannot do without you!"
After the courtesies, Hudson suddenly shifted, looking at the ministers and said:
"There’s no need to doubt, everyone invited here today is to discuss how to deal with the Orcs.
The situation on the Continent is turbulent recently, and our nemesis, the Orc Empire, has also initiated reform movements.
We may ignore how other countries reform, but the reform of the Orcs must fail!
In this context, our previous response plans are too flimsy.
Compared to over ten years ago, the Kingdom’s actual controlled territory has more than doubled, and the boundary line has been pushed further forward.
This is good, but also bad.
The vast territory provides the Kingdom with a foundation for continuous development, but simultaneously restricts the Kingdom’s external expansion.
Frankly, during the last conflict with the Orcs, I felt the Kingdom’s logistical weakness.
Now the boundary line has pushed forward another eight hundred miles, in future conflicts between the two countries, the logistical pressure we need to bear will further increase.
Clearly, this is undesirable.
The Kingdom’s goal is to annihilate the Orc Empire, not just defeat it, which means we must first solve the logistical issues.
After a series of studies, I gained inspiration from the Kingdom’s original strategic layout.
Since we can accumulate supplies at the front line, why can’t we directly produce strategic resources there?
The Northern Border, Near East, Lakeside of the Snow Moon—these vast lands possess sufficient resources.
We can mine, smelt steel, forge weapons there, and also cultivate fields to produce grain and cloth locally.
Once these regions are developed, our logistical supply lines can be shortened by at least half.
If war breaks out again with the Orc Empire, the range of our logistics-supported attacks will surely increase significantly!"
Barely after speaking, the hall erupted.
Everyone knew the benefits of developing these areas, but the problem was genuinely not achievable in the short term!
"Marshal, we’ve tried our best to develop the territory, but ultimately incapable!"
Earl Doug’s words expressed the grievances of the emerging nobility.
Territorial development requires extensive input in manpower, material, and financial resources; lacking these core elements, hard work alone will not suffice.
"His Excellency the Count, at the normal rate of development, it certainly won’t work.
But the Kingdom is a whole; as long as everyone unites, everything will be different.
My personal idea is: The Lords of the Northern Border, Near East, Snow Moon Lake provide land and some manpower;
Nobles in the Southern Region of the Kingdom provide technology, manpower, equipment to jointly complete this plan.
Focusing on military industry and agricultural production first, and once materials are produced to meet our needs, stockpile all to serve as strategic resource reserves for war with the Orcs.
After the war, everyone can take their personnel and equipment away, and the Kingdom will convert these into military merits based on each one’s contributions."
Hudson patiently explained.
The more one persuades, the more selfless it should appear.
Those slightly familiar with provincial development know that once the industrial relocation happens, Snow Moon Territory with relatively well-developed infrastructure will naturally be the main receiver.
In such a context, he proposed that all produced materials are for fighting the Orcs, effectively removing himself from the equation.
Seemingly, post-war, everyone can relocate their people and equipment, but is there a need to move old equipment?
Low-price sale to local Lords is almost the only choice.
External personnel leave, but local workers stay behind.
Injecting funds, the industry immediately revives.
Understanding Hudson’s machinations isn’t difficult, but the issue is everyone is tempted.
War is the biggest gold-eating beast; once the war ignites, everyone must provide people, money, materials.
Considering heavy logistical pressure, directly relocating industries saves economically instead.
At the very least, the number of labor conscriptions will be significantly reduced, and agriculture disruption in territories due to war will be minimized too.
For a moment, everyone began weighing the pros and cons.