In the inner hall of Kawalburg, Pedi's private office, the smell of tea, coffee and smoke is mixed throughout the room.

Pedi doesn't know when he started to love cigars, and every time he had such a meeting in recent months, he couldn't resist smoking one and taking a sip of coffee, and it was a perfect match.

The old orc Morinda is the most powerful, and the smoke in his mouth has not stopped since Pedi took the lead in smoking a cigar in the office, and when he drinks coffee, he pours it directly into his mouth like drinking water.

Over time, even Syrah Marne got a cigar!

Before the official start of each meeting, everyone will talk about interesting things that have nothing to do with the content of the meeting.

Today, however, the content of the small talk was brought up by Sir Edwin, and the object of the small talk was about the nouveau riche of the realm, the growing number of new nobles.

"After the townspeople received the titles, most of them formed their own unions, and a small number of people with strong influence in some area, such as artisan owners, shopkeepers, and other wealthy families, were planning to compete for certain low-level posts in the various ministries under the city council. "Edwin was like telling a funny thing.

"Have you tried to put them in certain positions?" said Sheila Marne, who was interested.

"According to the executive order that we made at the beginning of the year, there are certain positions in the Planning Department for election examinations, such as the head of the street magistrate, the warden of the warden, the clerk of the ministries, and so on. Sir Edwin shrugged helplessly, "Unfortunately, many traditional aristocratic families have no interest in these positions, so we are only for the emerging aristocracy. In other words, if it weren't for our previous reforms, the executive order at the beginning of the year might have been a joke. ”

"Then shouldn't we have a drink for our previous decision? Danmen-Green chimed in.

"Great offer. Siala Marne leaned against the window and looked at the knights training outside and said, "But I'm more interested in why other nobles are reluctant to participate in the election?"

Because the traditional aristocracy came of age, according to the regulations, they could directly serve as mid-level officials in the local or military. "This is the honor that their ancestors have earned for them over generations. ”

Sirah-Marne's eyebrows furrowed when she heard this, and she subconsciously wanted to say something, but when the words came to her mouth, she swallowed her stomach because she realized that she was one of them. During the Orc War two years ago, she was directly appointed as the chief of staff at the corps level without any combat achievements, and for most ordinary soldiers, even if they fought all their lives, they would never want to hold such a position.

"For the current Krewling, such a system is clearly outdated. Baron Hanina had no scruples, she looked at Daisily Pombo, "Ten years from now, this kind of unfair competition will definitely lead to a series of contradictions and confrontations, and strong conflicts of interest may even directly lead to territorial class struggles... This is more terrifying than the rebellion of the Eluk Lord. ”

"It's not that serious. Danmen Green stepped forward before Daisily Pombo retorted, "After more than two hundred years of development, the number of aristocratic families in Crewe is too numerous to count, but the number of middle-level positions in various departments is limited, and what we need to do is to guide those nobles who are idle at home to go out of their villas and participate in the election for low-level positions." ”

Sir Edwin shrugged his shoulders and shrugged, "I don't think these people would consider these low-level positions even if they were at home, because they would feel it an insult to them." ”

"Then put an end to it at all!" Silah Marne looked at Pedi, who was enjoying the porridge, "Your Highness, I propose to abolish the privileges of the traditional nobility..."

"Forcibly intervening will only make things worse!" Daisily Pombo immediately interrupted Sira Marne.

"I agree. Edwin unexpectedly sided with Daisily Pombo, "We don't need to intervene in this kind of problem, because soon the nobles who think of themselves as high will find that all their former subordinates have become nobles with the same rights as them... Perhaps in a few decades, the title of nobility will no longer be special, and those with noble titles will even have to fight with ordinary citizens for the position of clerk of a certain chamber of commerce. ”

Pedi put down the ceramic bowl in his hand, leaned back in his office chair and looked at the people in the cramped office, "If you feel that this issue needs to be discussed, you can write a copy and apply for a special meeting time." He didn't say anything about it, "And today, we need to talk about the battle in Crane Territory." ”

With that, Pedi got up from his seat and walked under the map on the opposite wall as everyone watched, "I'm sure you don't want our neighbors to be too powerful, just like me. He pointed to the elven garrison camp on the map of Klan, "The Elven Alliance is already very strong, and if they continue to capture Klan, when the time comes, maybe even the orcs will not be able to restrain their expansion." ”

"We can do it first and pull out the elves' minions in the Elok Territory!" Daisiri Pombo was the first to speak, "With the strength we have in our hands now, it will only take two months at most to capture the Elok Territory!"

"Then, we will fight a war with the elves on the Eluk Territory for more than two years!" Edwin immediately objected, "We need time, our currency and reform have just begun, if there are two years of relatively stable and safe development environment, I am confident that the krona in our hands will develop into the most valuable universal currency in the entire continent... This is more meaningful than winning one or two wars. ”

"Peace is bought by war, not by words!" said Daisily Pombo, quoting Archduke Patved, in a deep and powerful voice.

"Indeed," Morinda spat out a puff of smoke, "peace is indeed bought by war, but this war does not have to be fought by ourselves. After eagerly smoking his cigar, he pointed to the map with his right hand and said, "There are free thugs everywhere around the Crane Collar, and we don't need to do it ourselves." ”

Morinda humbly lowered his head, "As of yesterday's information, it is not only the Elven Alliance that has entered the Klan Territory, but also the Karen Leader, the Twak Leader, and the barbarians have all pushed the army towards the Klan Territory..." ”

The old orc's words made everyone in the room subconsciously look at Pedi, and in the face of everyone's inquiring gazes, Pedi pointed to the garrison of Karen on the map with a confident smile on his face, "Don't you think Karen Ling's current behavior is a little strange?"

"The boys of the Knight Guard have been deducing the war in Klan-Territory every day lately. Silah Marne stepped forward at this time to stand opposite Pedi, "Because of the war in the past two years, before the outbreak of this conflict in the Klan Territory, the regular army of the Karen Leader was at least 60,000 to 80,000 men, and at least half of them were heavy armoured legions. ”

"Half a month ago, the Karen Territory had occupied the western part of Shasterburg and the Tefero Prairie at a very fast pace, and they were absolutely sure that they would have taken the city of Klan before the other forces reacted. "Sira Marne pushed the garrison of the Cullen Territory on the map to Crane City," we have received information that the Cullen Territory and the Barbarians quickly formed an alliance after the outbreak of this conflict, and if the Cullen Territory seized the opportunity to occupy the Crane Territory at that time, the Elven Alliance's current investment in the Crane Territory would not be a substantial threat to their alliance. ”

"But Cullen didn't capture Crane City in the first place. Baron Hanina stared at the map with a pair of sharp eyes in the clouds and said, "I suspect that Trofil must be in some difficulty. ”

"It's not hard to guess about their difficulties. Danmen Green took a report from the leather bag he was carrying, "The Cullen Territory has been at war for the past two years, and the economy of their territory has been depressed by years of war, and the trade records of the Cullen Territory over the past few months show that they are now on the verge of not even being able to eat. ”

Sira Marne nodded in agreement, "Two days ago, the MIA shared intelligence revealed that the government of Trofil was imposing a war tax on their lords, which was six tenths high, and a one-time tax for the next five years!"

"Oh, is Trofil crazy?" said Edwin, as the treasurer, who knew the consequences of doing so, "He's betting on the next ten years of his territory!"

Despite this, Karen's army did not continue to advance. Daisily Pombo raised an eyebrow, "They're waiting for their chance." ”

"But no one is stupid. Pei Di helplessly spread his hands, "The Elven Alliance, the Twak Leader, and the barbarians are all well aware of this, so none of them made the first move. He reverted the markers on the map to the way they were, "It's not in our interest to have a calm Crane Territory, we have to find a way to get them to fight, and the longer the fight, the better!"

Morinda's loud voice sounded, "The Tekawa Collar and the barbarians don't fight because they don't have the confidence to challenge the current Elven Alliance, and the Elven Alliance doesn't fight because they don't have the confidence to end the war in a short time... In addition, although the Shikan-Silveraxe chose to retreat temporarily, their large army was still active in the eastern part of the Kemir River. ”

"We need to give my cousin more confidence. Pedy smiled, "Didn't Duke Andy always want us to sign a treaty of offensive and defensive alliance?" he looked at Sir Bipp, the foreign minister, who had not spoken, "You replied to Duke Andy immediately after the meeting... Offensive and defensive coordination is counted, but a mutual defense treaty can be considered. ”

"Yes, Your Highness. Sir Bipp took up the task with a serious face.

"In addition, the ocean-going trade with the barbarians is completely open, and they are given whatever they need. Pedi looked at Sir Edwin, "Magical gear, heavy armor, and explosives!"

"Didn't the barbarians always want us to send officers to help them train their troops?" said Sirah-Marne suddenly, "now is the right time to promise them." ”

"Yes, the Knight Guard has full authority to deal with this matter. Peddy didn't even think about it.

"There are at least 30,000 regular mercenaries under the command of the three goblins, and the current Klan Territory is obviously the time for this army to show its talents. The old orc's eyes gleamed red, "We can hint at the barbarians that Fort Kawar is willing to lend them money to hire this army." ”

"That's not a small amount. Sir Edwin, who was in charge of finances, frowned.

"In a few months it will be winter, and the finest furs of the barbarians will be worth more than gold. Morinda grinned and exhaled a puff of smoke: "I'm sure this must be a good deal...", saying this, he seemed to think of something Looking at Danmen Green, who was acting as the secretary of the meeting, "Don't remember these words." ”

Danmen Green, who was about to pick up the pen, looked at Pedi in a daze, and Pedi nodded and said, "If the goblins are willing to participate in entering, of course it would be the best." ”

"Don't worry, as long as you have money to earn, goblins will definitely run faster than anyone else. Morinda said firmly.

"The three goblin princes are coming to visit recently, and I can mention this to them. Peidi agreed to this suggestion, "But this is not enough, the Elven Alliance is very strong now, even if the Twak Leader and the Barbarians have our help, they will not necessarily be their opponents." ”

"However, the Elven Alliance must fail!" Pei Di's voice was small, but the resolute will in it made everyone present unconsciously straighten their backs.

"Maybe... Well, I mean maybe—" Morinda obviously wanted to say something, but he was now more decisive than before, and his words were a little slurred, and when someone was impatient, he took two puffs of his cigar and said, "Maybe we can consider an alliance with Shikan-Silveraxe." ”

"Reasonable advice. Sira Marne first supported Morinda Morinda, "The elves have destroyed the empire, but the army empire in their alliance accounts for at least thirty percent, and if you look at the nobles of the Misha Kingdom and the Hoko Islands, don't they also get along well?"

Daisily Pombo shrugged, "Although I don't want to admit it, honor is being trampled on, and people are increasingly focused on so-called interests." ”

"This is a manifestation of the progress of our civilization. Sir Edwin added.

"I don't want that kind of progress. Daisiri shook his head.

"Why not Napps. Danmen Green stopped his pen and looked up at Morinda, "Shikan-Silver Axe is too dangerous!"

"Napus is more old-fashioned than the human aristocracy, and it is certain that our messenger will be torn to shreds before he has even seen him. Morinda explained, "But Shikan-Silver Axe is different, he only looks at profits, and as long as it is beneficial to the orc race, he will consider and adopt it." ”

Pedy nodded imperceptibly and looked at the Foreign Secretary, Sir Bipp, "Let's try to get our hands on the Stone Ridge - Silver Axe." As he spoke, he looked at Morinda again, "You are solely responsible for this matter." ”

"My pleasure, Your Highness. ”

"Yes, my lord. ”