The Duke hurriedly smiled: "I just don't want you to worry. ”

Langford coughed, cleared his throat, and said, "That's not right, don't forget, I'm not only your husband, but also the prime minister of this country."

But you have only now let me know that the real purpose of going to sea to fight is to reclaim the crown, and I thought you were going to tear up the treaty and resume the war. ”

"I'm sorry, husband, but I didn't do it right."

The Earl of Langford stroked his beard and thought for a moment: "Hmm...... Attacking their colony is a bit risky, but I have to admit that it was a good move.

The stakes are high for this crown, and if you wear it to the right occasion, many members of the noble league will bow down to you.

In the minds of the Valstads, the crown of the first emperor was a symbol of the ruler of the peninsula, and its spiritual symbolism was too heavy, and its strength in diplomatic situations was comparable to that of a 100,000 well-equipped army. ”

"Yes, with it, I may be able to unify the peninsula without bloodshed, and in the process of recovering the empire, it is a wise move to minimize unnecessary bloodshed, which is also my father's long-cherished wish.

For the past few hundred years, the Valstas have been working for others, and the small nations of the peninsula have been fighting each other for a small profit, and this tragedy should have ended long ago! And I'm going to be the Terminator! ”

Three days later, one evening, the Duke of Salentos met with the Foreign Secretary, Count Southgate, in the conference room.

"As Foreign Secretary, I have to say a few words to you, is it not appropriate for you to send a fleet to attack the colonies of the League of Nobles and seize the Starfall Islands without declaring war, while the Treaty of Fort Flint is still in force for three years?"

"Oh? Is there a situation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Are they threatening to send troops? ”

"Then let me start with the good news, the Papal States of Frandia are preparing for the succession of the new Pope Palladia II, and it seems that they are not willing to continue to send troops to help their allies. Several princes of the Sylvinian Empire are fighting among themselves for the crown prince. I have been approached by diplomats from these two countries, who strongly condemn your aggression against the Treaty. ”

The Duke waved his hand, "Strongly condemn - that is, there will be no troops for the time being." ”

"That's what happened, but there's bad news."

"Tell me about it."

"The reaction of the Knights was more violent, and I met their diplomats in the office this morning.

He said that the Grand Master of the Knights of Cruside threatened to gather troops to enter the peninsula again, and this time they would not make a small fuss and would send a real main force.

Oh, by the way, the diplomats of the League of Nobles are also with him, demanding that you return their colony of the Starfall Islands immediately, or else they will be ready for war. ”

"Empty threat," the Duke commented, "the Grand Master of the Order is just a cruel threat, and the old decay of the League of Nobles is really unbelievable...... Do you still expect the Knights to help? ”

Earl Southgate nodded, "Indeed, the Grand Master of the Order is also troubled, because some of the free trade city-states in their territory are fighting for independence, and the new bank capitalists and the small workshop owners have joined forces to launch an armed rebellion, hoping for tax cuts and more trade freedom.

The state institutions of the Knights are in a state of disarray, their armies are fighting against the mercenary guilds, and the fortresses of the free trade city-states are extremely advanced and strong, and they are surrounded by large legions and are unwilling to surrender. ”

Hearing these news, the Duke rubbed his palms together with joy, "In other words, the threat of the Knights is still far away, and if they want to interfere in the political situation on the peninsula, they must first clean up their mess."

The only obstacle in front of us is the alliance of nobles, which is a rare situation in a century, and we must take this opportunity to complete the great cause of unification. ”

"Even so, we should be very careful, all the nations of the continent are guarding against our rise," said the Earl of Southgate, rising and saluting, "May the gods bless our cause, I will take my leave, Your Majesty, and I will have to deal with the angry diplomats later." ”

A month later, the Duke and Duchess of Salantos held a meeting in their palace on the outskirts of the capital.

Among those summoned were Marshal Simon Gallieni, the Duke's chief military adviser, Prince Orsengore, the commander-in-chief of the army, Count Baptiste, the chief of the army's general staff, and Admiral Valero, the commander-in-chief of the royal navy.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's been almost a year since the last battle ended, how is our army recovering?" The Earl of Langford, Prime Minister of the Duchy of Valstad, asked.

Prince Orsengre replied: "Your Excellency, all units of the army are replenishing their troops, and the recruitment rate is above 90 percent, but the desertion of soldiers and officers is serious, and many people sneak home to see their children."

"It's understandable, after all, in peacetime, they can't be imprisoned in barracks, but discipline needs to be strict." The Duke said.

"I have ordered that officers at and above the rank of the army colonel will have three days of paid vacation per month, and that junior officers and soldiers will have a special allowance of one-third each, and those who have families may appropriately go home for visits, but they must report to their superiors in advance.

Those who desert for more than a week without reason shall be sent to a military court for disposition, and shall be expelled from the military or flogged in accordance with military regulations, and military pay shall be deducted if the circumstances are less serious. ”

"Your Majesty is wise......," the Chief of the General Staff, Count Baptiste, looked a little hesitant, "but now the military budget is tight, about what you just said...... Can the increase in military salaries be postponed a little......

"It can't be postponed, we must use material benefits to stabilize the morale of the military, which is much more effective than awarding medals, as for money...... Go to my husband—find a way for the Prime Minister," said the duke, winking at his husband.

(She's using me as a piggy bank...... The Earl of Langford thought with a wry smile, and he shook his head helplessly, and said:

"Just do what Your Majesty wants! There is no need to worry about military spending, my free trade alliance will continue to lend to the state, as long as part of the state-owned assets are mortgaged. ”

The duke gave her husband a grateful look, "My husband's loan is not enough, what I want is an explosive rate of armament growth!" It is necessary to make the noble alliance afraid to start a large-scale battle with us, so as to reduce the casualties of the Valstads.

Well...... Later I will ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to continue issuing new Treasury bonds, which has always worked. ”

She pondered for a moment and continued: "Mr. Simon, I would like you to gather the investors and editors-in-chief of the major newspapers.

Tell them that if they want a free press, they must first listen to the command, and let them hurry up and write patriotic articles to encourage the people to buy Treasury bonds.

If a wealthy merchant buys a bond of more than 100,000 gold coins, I will grant him the title of knighthood and the Order of Merit of the Duchy of Valstad, 1st class. ”