Capítulo 1713: Chapter 109: The Battle Cart on the Verge of Losing Control
Jade Palace.
“What are the frontline troops doing? The enemy can’t possibly have emerged from the ground, right?
So much manpower, materials, and finances were invested at the kingdom’s border, and now the towns have turned into ruins, the citizens brutally murdered, yet even the enemy…”
Faced with the fury of Caesar IV, Duke Richard could only feel deeply wronged in his heart.
In theory, the frontline garrison is under the control of the Military Department, but in practice, his say as the Minister of Defense is very limited.
The system of military merit and nobility itself is a major limitation on the personnel rights of the Military Department, and with a strong Commander like Hudson, the department has its hands further tied.
Currently, the promotions and appointments of frontline commanders are essentially conducted according to established protocols.
As long as everyone carries out their duties step-by-step, they can completely ignore the Military Department.
Hudson also keeps a strict watch on logistics; anyone who dares to misuse logistics to make things difficult for others will first face the wrath of the kingdom’s Legendary Marshal.
After several years, frontline commanders gradually understood who indeed was in charge in the military.
In this power struggle, the Military Department can be said to have been completely defeated.
From the moment Richard took over, the Military Department was already weak.
Even if he wanted to be assertive, he was unable to; Hudson adhered to principles from start to finish, completely acting according to the kingdom’s system.
Although this system was invented by Hudson himself after his military reforms, it didn’t mean the Military Department could go against it.
Even during conservative rule, trying to alter the military’s rules of the game was extremely challenging.
Power struggle was secondary; the key was Duke Richard’s own lack of confidence.
He feared that modifying the system would affect the army’s combat effectiveness and thus sabotage the grand plan to overthrow the Orc Empire.
These realistic problems, Caesar IV naturally understood.
Letting the frontline commander, who was the primary person responsible, off the hook and scolding Duke Richard was itself just an excuse.
The conservative faction’s ruling philosophy and that of the king were almost diametrically opposed, and the conflict between the two was destined from the start.
Unable to politically deal with these old hands, Caesar IV could only seize opportunities to make excuses. If he could prematurely anger a few to death, that would be even better.
Unfortunately, this idea was destined to be just a pipe dream.
Those who have played politics their whole lives have long trained both their mentality and thick skin.
Watching Caesar IV perform silently, there was not a trace of abnormality on Duke Richard’s face, as if the scolded person wasn’t him.
“Your Majesty, whether or not the enemy is found is not important.
The one able to mobilize the Orc army must be a certain faction within the Orc Empire.
As long as we kill them all, the issue will be resolved naturally!”
It was apparent that Duke Richard was a ruthless man, suggesting genocide offhandedly.
The plan certainly had no issue—if all Orcs were dead, the vendetta would be avenged.
“Your Grace, are you planning to start the war prematurely?”
Caesar IV asked discontentedly.
The kingdom was not yet ready for war; while weapons and equipment were almost ready, the kingdom’s grain reserves were still far from sufficient.
Once a war of annihilation breaks out, it is destined to be protracted. Just hunting down fleeing enemies across the vast grasslands cannot be accomplished swiftly.
Without a grain reserve for an army of a million to eat for more than three years, launching a war is being irresponsible to one’s own nation.
“Of course not!
Your Majesty, the kingdom is not suitable to initiate a war at this time.
Our material reserves can at most sustain the army’s frontline combat for one year; this short period can at most defeat the Orcs.
Not to mention wiping out the Orc Empire, it would be difficult to even severely damage them.
The Alien Coalition is an unavoidable challenge; without a way to hold them off, the kingdom will struggle to achieve a decisive breakthrough.
Investigating the truth is secondary; what is most needed now is to quell the tide of public opinion quickly. We have so many grievances with the Orcs; adding one more doesn’t matter.”
Duke Richard replied placidly.
Politics is just that simple; what the truth is completely depends on what everyone needs.
The frontline has not produced investigation results for a long time, certainly partly because the truth is hard to discern, but more because the kingdom does not need the truth right now.
If there is a political need, the spearhead could immediately point to the Orcs or equally to other enemy forces of the kingdom.
“Your Majesty, Richard is correct, we need to quell public opinion quickly now.
Even if we are to initiate war, we must first hold off the Alien Coalition.
The reforms of our allies did not proceed smoothly; except for the Moxi Duchy, which remains relatively peaceful, political struggles in the other three countries have drawn blood.
The military power of the Three Kingdoms in the Central Continent appears to have increased significantly, but internal conflicts have also increased, leaving considerable hidden dangers for the future.
If possible, it would be best to incite the Frank people and the Iberian people to start fighting first, to divert the attention of the Alien Coalition.”
Duke Zuell chimed in with an agreeing tone.
Under normal circumstances, the department most reluctant to go to war is certainly the Ministry of Finance.
Destroying the Orc Empire is a “great and lasting achievement,” but in the short term, it brings no fiscal returns.
Looking back at previous expansions, the kingdom acquired vast lands, but to this day, the increased tax revenue remains zero.
The most fundamental reason for the cessation of expansion throughout history is finances.
If it weren’t for the deep hatred between the kingdom and the Orcs, etched into everyone’s bones, there would undoubtedly be an anti-war faction in the court now.
All of this misery was self-invited by the Orcs; over the past three hundred years, they have beaten the kingdom so badly that they forced the tradition of noble children having to go to war.