CHAPTER 512: CHAPTER 366 WAR CONTRACTING COMPANY_1

The decaying aristocratic class. The hereditary system meant there was only a one-third chance they were smart, a one-third chance they were mediocre, and a one-third chance they were fools.

When a strong and somewhat wise monarch reigned, the intelligent often held more sway.

But when a weak monarch held the throne, the fools would grow conceited and loudly voice their opinions.

Of course, there were those in the council who advocated for war, and they were not few in number, yet they seemed isolated and lacking support.

Among the peace faction, a considerable portion of them likely wanted to default on their loans from the Eternal Domain.

In the Eternal Domain’s grand infrastructure plans, most lords lacked the funds for such high construction costs. To push the plan forward, Yan Xing allowed nobles to use various assets or tax revenues as collateral for low-interest loans from the Eternal Domain.

If the Kingdom of Silvermane negotiated peace with the Gryphon Heart Empire and embraced Cloud Tower, they could not only default on their loans from the Eternal Domain but also reap dividends from Cloud Tower.

These lords were meticulously calculating their gains, likely having secured secret promises from the Empire.

Griffin was dead, and the kingdom lacked a unifying monarch. Karol had yet to cultivate her own core supporters.

「...」

Yan Xing’s earlier words had been extremely harsh.

The meeting room fell into an extreme silence. In the face of Thunderous Swamp’s power, everyone had to carefully consider their own standing.

After a while, Karol said, "I’ve spoken certain truths before. Those who understand, do. Those who don’t, never will. As for those who clearly understand but feign ignorance—they are truly corrupt.

I don’t understand military affairs, but I am extremely familiar with our weapons stockpiles and also know the state of the Empire’s forces.

I can’t understand why we should negotiate peace.

The Empire has offered me no such peace terms.

Has our Imperial Emperor, perhaps, made promises to you?"

At this point, a minister from the peace faction immediately defended himself, "Your Majesty, we have received no promises from the Imperial Emperor, nor do we intend to default on the loans from the Eternal Domain.

"We are merely acting in the kingdom’s best interests.

"Over the past six months, the Empire has been expanding its military, while we have been dedicating much of our labor to building roads and factories.

"The Gryphon Heart Empire has assembled a force twice the size of ours this time, and they have extensively re-equipped their troops with alchemical gear supplied by Cloud Tower. Our weaponry might be slightly superior, but we are at a significant numerical disadvantage.

"Should an unforeseen event occur on the battlefield...

"It would inevitably jeopardize our current, highly favorable development.

"Perhaps we should negotiate with the Gryphon Heart Empire, offering them something to delay the war. Once our construction projects are complete and we have massed more troops, our chances of victory will be much greater."

"Yes, yes, yes..."

The minister’s words found widespread agreement.

Karol turned to Yan Xing, "Can you convince these people?"

"I can’t," Yan Xing said with a cold laugh. "Your Majesty spoke correctly. Those who understand, already do. Those who don’t, simply don’t. As for those who understand but feign ignorance, they cannot be convinced.

The malicious actors are hiding among them; it’s just difficult to root them out. Our current situation is precisely what these malicious actors desire."

"What should we do then? If we cannot unify our stance, it will likely create problems in various aspects of the war effort."

"That’s easy to handle..." Yan Xing quickly devised a solution. "Our Eternal Commerce Guild will take the lead. In conjunction with the Eternal Grain Bank, Eternal Aviation, and the Merchant Guild, we will establish a ’War Contracting Company.’ This company will specialize in providing logistical services to the Kingdom of Silvermane’s military.

The kingdom’s military funds, provisions, materiel, and even troop deployments will be routed to the battlefield through this War Contracting Company. Should any shortages arise, the company can provide loans to the kingdom.

I’ll take responsibility for any logistical issues.

As for the kingdom’s military... generals who advocate for peace and are unwilling to fight will be relieved of command and replaced by those who are willing. Any who display passivity in combat or collude with the enemy will be subject to military law..."

When Yan Xing presented the War Contracting Company proposal at the meeting, it immediately caused an uproar.

Objections were immediately voiced.

"This is handing over the kingdom’s lifeline to others!"

Yan Xing made no response, waiting for Karol to make her decision.

The web of vested interests entangled in war logistics was perhaps something no one could fully articulate. Entrusting the entire logistical operation to the Eternal Domain’s War Contracting Company would seize the slice of the pie and power from an unknown number of people.

Karol knew that if she agreed to this proposal, political turmoil would inevitably erupt. During such a critical period, what consequences would such chaos bring? She didn’t know.

Yet, if she didn’t entrust the logistics to Yan Xing, they would face continuous wrangling between factions favoring war and peace. War was no child’s play; it was a vast, interconnected system where a failure in any single link could lead to a sudden reversal on the battlefield.

Karol looked at the ministers, their expressions varied. She couldn’t tell who among them was genuinely ignorant and easily swayed, and who had already been subverted by the Empire.

Karol looked to Yan Xing for help, but he remained silent, merely lighting a cigarette and smoking by himself.

The ministers were still arguing.

Suddenly, Karol seemed to grasp something. In the past, for the sake of political stability, she had indeed been too lenient with certain individuals. Now was the time to make decisive changes. By leveraging the Eternal Domain’s offer to manage logistics, along with the implied promise of virtually unlimited war loans, she could use the state of war to remove certain individuals from important positions. The disobedient would be demoted, the obedient promoted.