"Earl, the palace has arrived!"

Hearing the guard's reminder, Hudson had just poked his head out of the carriage when he was stunned by the scene in front of him.

Crown Prince Caesar personally came to greet him!

You must know that the two of them have no friendship, and a short period of contact will also break up unhappily. Now he is so enthusiastic, no matter how you look at it, it is not normal.

If you are courteous to others, you will ask for something.

After a brief pleasantry, Hudson immediately realized that something was wrong. Crown Prince Caesar's performance was too eager.

It's as if something big has happened and supporters are urgently needed, and even a nobleman like him, who has had a language conflict, has become a target for wooing.

As the only son of the king and also acting as the bond of marriage with the Duchy of Moxi, Crown Prince Caesar's position can be said to be almost unbreakable.

Now he is showing such eagerness, there is only one explanation - Caesar III is not long in life!

The most important thing for successive new kings to ascend the throne is to stabilize the situation.

As an important figure in the military and the fourth dragon knight in the mainland, as long as Crown Prince Caesar is not stupid, he will definitely win over Hudson.

Compared to the overall situation of the stability of the kingdom, the little conflict that occurred in the Duchy of Moxi is not worth mentioning at all.

After entering the hall and greeting the nobles who had arrived first, Hudson took his seat and waited quietly for the meeting to begin.

……

"Since the ancestors founded the Alpha Kingdom, it has been three hundred and twenty-six years.

The main purpose of convening us today is to discuss the future of the Kingdom.

The Orc Empire has declined, the international situation has changed dramatically, and the kingdom's previous national policy is no longer appropriate.

This is not only about the future of the Kingdom, but also about the future of your families. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to speak! ”

Heroic twilight. Looking at the trembling Caesar III, everyone couldn't help but feel sad from their hearts.

Regardless of everyone's position, Caesar III was considered a worthy king.

"Your Majesty, although the international situation has stabilized, it does not mean that the crisis is over.

Taking advantage of the great damage to the vitality of the kingdom, the three major kingdoms in the central region made more and more small movements, and the tentacles continued to extend to the northern continent.

The outbreak of the Warhammer Kingdom's civil war made it difficult to suppress the ancient remnants in the ice and snow world, not to mention the elves in the Norwegian forests.

Once the situation gets out of control, the entire northern continent will be plunged into chaos. As the strongest country in the north, we have an obligation to maintain stability in the region.

It is now the year 99,991 in the sacred calendar, and the next 10,000-year catastrophe is close to the end. How restrained everyone is now, how fierce it will be when it breaks out in the future.

In this context, the kingdom must have a strong standing army in order to be invincible in the future changes! ”

As he spoke, Archduke Ephiero turned his gaze to Hudson. Among the fiefdom nobles, Hudson, who had served as the commander of the army, had the closest ties with the military.

In the past, such positions were usually held by nobles or members of the royal family.

Hudson, who came to the position by chance, has been labeled as a military spokesman since he took the position of coach.

"Your Excellency the Grand Duke is right, the current situation, the kingdom is indeed not suitable for excessive reduction.

The mainland seems to be calm, but secretly, the arms race began years ago.

Because of the orcs, the kingdom has fallen behind in many areas in the new round of military and technological changes.

Now if we want to catch up, it is not something that we can do as a family, we must unite and cooperate sincerely.

I propose to set up a special R&D fund for the research and development of magic crossbows, magic crystal cannons, magic guides, magic beast breeding, and various magic potions.

As for the source of funds, I personally recommend that a part of the tithes be withdrawn, and the insufficient amount can be added to the tax on luxury goods such as spices and tea.

Considering the actual situation, I believe that the funding for these projects should not be less than three million gold coins.

For a short time, the kingdom was free of the pressure of war. The number of standing armies can be reduced, but considering the actual situation, it is not advisable to do it in one step before the formation of the Warcraft Legion is completed.

At present, the standing army of the kingdom has dropped to 260,000, and this number is relatively reasonable. Even if we continue to cut, there is not much room for compression.

Who made us the Third Kingdom of the Continent?

If the number of standing troops is too small and they can't deter those jackals, tigers and leopards, wouldn't they be cats and dogs, and they will be bullied! ”

Hudson's words landed and immediately caused an uproar among the fiefdom lords. Their own interests must be safeguarded, and the interests of the Kingdom cannot be ignored either.

In the big circle of aristocracy, the cards still have to be there. is also an aristocrat, and the nobles of a strong country go out to speak harder than the nobles of a weak country.

Especially for some large families engaged in international trade, they need a strong kingdom to back.

Alliances are temporary, but interests are eternal. It seems that Hudson just said some big truths that are not nutritious, but in fact it is a split in the aristocratic camp.

The alliance of great nobles, which was originally temporarily established because of interests, was instantly divided into two factions at this moment. Several of the great nobles engaged in international trade, forced by their own interests, have become hesitant at this moment.

"Earl Hudson, everyone understands the truth. If conditions allow, even if the kingdom is to form a standing army of one million, we will support it.

But the reality is: no money!

The huge debt has overwhelmed the kingdom. Continuing to maintain high military spending will inevitably bring down our fragile finances.

Three years of war have exhausted the kingdom's people. Now not only the kingdom is poor, but the people are even poorer.

You are rich in the southeastern provinces, and you cannot understand the suffering of our northern Xinjiang region. In order to complete the tax collection task of the kingdom, the nobles everywhere were white-headed.

In order to support this war, several provinces in northern Xinjiang have reached the verge of collapse. If we don't have the luxury of the Kingdom's support, we can't continue to increase our burdens. ”

Duke Tolsten was the first to open fire.

Hatred is one thing, but conflicting interests are the core factor. International trade has little to do with their group of landlubbers in northern Xinjiang.

Even if the kingdom artificially carved out a port in the north, it was previously only used for military purposes. Although it was opened to the private sector after the war, maritime trade was not something that could be set foot in a day or two.

Not long ago, a large amount of money was lost, and with the consumption in the war, the pockets of the five major families in the north are not rich.

In particular, the kingdom has also canceled military subsidies for them, and now they have to rely on their own ways to spend every expense, and the northern region is not as rich as the southern Xinjiang.

Even if they wanted to get involved in the maritime trade, they could only slow down and slowly accumulate capital. When it developed, I don't know what year or month it was.

Source change app】

Originally, the establishment of the Seven Kingdoms of the Grassland was an opportunity, but unfortunately there were several provinces further north in the middle.

The nobles who have just migrated over, all of them are poor and about to turn red-eyed, how can they let them go over and get a piece of the pie!

Since you are not a beneficiary, why should you pay for it?

"Duke Tolsten, the Alpha Kingdom is a whole, and it is absolutely not allowed to engage in small groups in private and attempt to split the kingdom!

When you faced the threat of orcs, how did everyone do their best to support you, you won't forget it so quickly, right?

Now the northern frontier is safe, but this security is also the joint efforts of the whole kingdom! ”

Hudson shot back sharply.

Frankly speaking, Hudson didn't want to do this kind of showmanship, but someone gave too much.

Although Hudson had obtained a lot of technical information through various secret deals, the Coslow family wanted to set foot in the sea, and sailors and boatmen were still a big problem.

The problems on the surface naturally cannot be concealed from the scheming Caesar III. Just last night, an uninvited guest suddenly came to the door and made Hudson, who was about to paddle, change his mind.

An offshore fleet, a large shipyard, and a fleet of sailors and shipbuilders were the price offered by King Caesar III.

Of course, these things are not given for free. All the personnel and equipment have to be bought.

Unlike in the era when capital was prevalent, any commodity could be bought and sold. If you can't buy it, it must be that the bid is not high enough.

In the aristocratic continent of Aslanth, the most important means of production have always been not for sale.

In the entire Alpha Kingdom, there are very few families that have these things, and the royal family happens to be one of them.

After weighing the pros and cons, Hudson chose to cooperate. As for the issue of the alliance of nobles, he had not been approached beforehand, so it was better not to know.

In order to reduce hatred, Hudson pretended to be a lake as soon as he came up, never mentioning the fact that everyone paid taxes with war bonds, and only discussed the military budget.

As the spokesman of the military, he does not ask for an increase in the military budget, he is taking the overall situation into account, and he cannot be expected to propose a reduction in the standing army, right?

"Hudson, you don't want to talk nonsense! We ...... Northland"

Without waiting for the annoyed Duke of Tolsten to continue, Duke Rodriguez on the side hurriedly pulled him back.

If you continue to talk about it, it will really hit the ground.

It's okay to do this kind of thing in private, and it doesn't matter if others talk about it, and if you put it on the table in public, it will really be a big hat buttoned by Hudson.

What's more, it doesn't make any sense to talk about the contribution of the Northland nobles, who made them overturn at the last moment?

Now everyone only remembers their mistakes in reselling military supplies, and as for the previous exploits in guarding the kingdom, they have long been erased.

Perhaps realizing that the situation was about to get out of control, Caesar III took the opportunity to speak: "Well, what we are discussing today is the outline of the future development of the kingdom, not the place to settle personal grievances.

If there is no political controversy, then vote directly, and there is no need to exacerbate the contradictions. ”

It seems that each of them plays fifty boards, but in fact who is more inclined can be seen from the gloomy face of Duke Tolsten.

If it hadn't been for his companions who pulled him in time, he would have stepped on the thunder today. Not to mention that the catastrophe will not be recovered, at least it will be disgraced.

If it weren't for his own strength, he would have jumped out to duel Hudson a long time ago. It's so insidious that he doesn't even forget to dig a hole for him.

"Your Majesty is right!"

"Dear Duke Tolsten, I'm very sorry. I was too impulsive just now, please forgive me for my faux pas! ”

Hudson said with a sincere face.

If it weren't for the little episode of digging a hole just now, maybe everyone would have really believed it. But aristocratic demeanor, that's what it is.

No matter how much you want the other party to die, you have to hold it on your face. Especially at this level of meeting, it is necessary to be personable throughout the whole process.

"It doesn't matter, everyone has a young age. Since Your Majesty has spoken, then on the issue of military spending, let's vote on the proposal according to the rules! ”

Duke Torsten, who had calmed down, replied with anger in his breath.

Deep down in his heart, Tolsten comforted himself: It doesn't matter if the bickering fails, the key is to see the final voting results, and he doesn't eat by playing tricks!

"Duke Tolsten's suggestion is good, just follow the process and go through it again, even if the two of us jointly initiate the proposal this time."

Hudson said with a smile.

Regardless of what Duke Tolsten thought, Hudson was in a good mood anyway. Stirred up by him like this, the situation has changed.

The family with a relatively heavy international trade is likely to rebel at this time, and the rest depends on Caesar III's means.

The king can buy him, and naturally he can buy others. Hudson didn't believe that Caesar III would pin all his hopes on him.

pushed him out to be this up-and-coming bird, it was because of the right identity. Even if there is no Hudson, there will be other fiefdom nobles, and it is impossible for Caesar III to argue with everyone in person anyway.

After glancing at the two of them, and seeing that the Duke of Tolsten did not object, the Chancellor, the Archduke of Newfoundland, got up slowly and said: "The two representatives jointly initiated the proposal, and the content of the proposal is valid.

The future of the kingdom is at stake, so please choose carefully. Again, there are three choices: support, opposition, and abstention.

The vote is now open: Representatives of the nobility who support Earl Hudson's proposal, now raise your hands. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, Hudson was the first to raise his hand. At this time, he can't be humble, as one of the delegates to the meeting, his statement is also counted in the votes.

Immediately after that, more than 30 hands were raised at the scene, and the number of supporters alone was more than half, but unfortunately there was a gap between hands and hands.

One vote of the middle aristocracy is one vote, and one vote of the big nobles starts with three, and the most Caesar III alone represents the right to speak with more than a dozen votes.

Seeing that the counting of votes was about to end, Earl Pierce, who had been hesitant, also slowly raised his hand, and then several great nobles from the frontier provinces followed suit and voted in favor.

There is no way, no matter how well you talk in advance, you can't resist the needs of interests.

Because of the orcs, the Alpha Kingdom, which is in a special position, has always had a good relationship with its neighbors. Even in the midst of decline, no one reached out to the kingdom's sphere of influence.

After a long time, everyone gradually forgot about the threat of foreign enemies. Now that Hudson reminded him like this, these nobles with related interests have to think more.

It's one thing to compete for the Demon Beast cubs, if the standing army is cut too hard, in case of an international conflict in the future, then it can only rely on the private army support of the nobles of the kingdom.

I also know with my toes that the speed of reinforcement of the standing army is definitely not comparable to that of the aristocratic private army.

If it happens that the central government is in a weak period, the efficiency of this reinforcement will be even lower. If you don't do it, because of such a little efficiency, you will kill yourself.

"With a majority of votes in favor, Earl Hudson's proposal passed!"