.
Chapter 329 "The Palace"
Du Wei's mood at this moment was as strange as it could get. This Prince Son's actions are really unexpected. To think that he would play such a trick at this time.
What is he trying to do? Is he trying to push himself onto the stove?
Supporting the finance minister means offending the military. Supporting the military expansion means offending the finance minister.
Just when everyone in the hall was staring at Du-Wei, Du-Wei suddenly smiled and slowly stood up. Damn it, his butt just sat down.
"Your Highness." Du Wei's smile was light, but there was a hint of slyness in his eyes: "Everyone here is an important figure of the empire while I'm just a border lord. Plus, I'm still young, so what kind of advice can I have? But … … "
At this point, he deliberately paused for a moment before continuing with a low chuckle: "I see that the prime minister has been sitting there steadily … … It seems that Sir Robscher already has a card up his sleeve. Your Highness, why don't we listen to the prime minister's advice? With his rich experience, perhaps he can come up with a better idea. "
With a few words, he kicked the ball to the old Prime Minister, who acted as if he didn't care.
Although this hot potato was thrown to the old man, the old man was still not angry. But from the looks of it, the old prime minister didn't seem to be very angry. His originally half-closed eyes finally opened and glanced at Du Wei. There wasn't any dissatisfaction in those eyes, but instead, there was a flash of appreciation.
Hmm … … This young kid, with such honor and favor, knows how to not show off and bide his time … … It seems that he is indeed a good candidate … … But your highness, the candidate you picked is a bit too young.
Forget it … … Let me make one last contribution to the Augustine Dynasty.
Hearing Du Wei's words, Prince Son also smiled with satisfaction in his eyes.
However, this is indeed a test and a test. If Du Wei really listened to me and dared to comment on who is right and who is wrong between the finance minister and the military's number one boss … … Then that would be a stupid behavior! No matter how powerful you are, no matter how much of a genius you are … in this circle, what matters is seniority!
Even if you're right and you're smart. But there are some people and some things that you should never talk about if you don't have enough experience! Because you can't afford to!
Retreating in order to advance … It seemed that this kid had been training well in the northwest for over a year.
Originally, seeing how young Du Wei was, the Regent had arranged for him to sit in the most sensitive "bottom left" seat. Even if everyone knows this young Duke is very popular, but such a "meteoric rise" still caused some of the older guys to be dissatisfied. It's inevitable that some of the older guys would feel a little unbalanced. Fortunately, Du Wei had not dared to say anything and pushed the blame onto the Prime Minister. When the onlookers heard this, they did not blame Du Wei for his craftiness. Instead, they all had the same thought:
This little brat's words and actions were considered to be on the right path!
"Mm, then please tell us what you think, Lord Prime Minister." The Regent smiled as he looked at the dozing old Robsbscher.
The old Prime Minister first coughed a few times. He had spent his entire life in the bureaucracy, and had experienced the decades of Emperor Augustine VI's reign. He was born in a large family, and had relied on his qualifications and experience, as well as his family's influence, to reach the position of Prime Minister step by step.
Emperor Augustine VI was not an easy monarch to serve. Assisting this emperor who rejoiced in grandiose achievements was not an easy job. Often, because the officials were unable to satisfy the emperor's excessive vanity, excessive waste of the country's resources, and some unrealistic demands, the situation would end in a miserable state. For example, the previous Chancellor of the Exchequer …
But this Robsbscher, his position as Prime Minister had always been as stable as Mount Tai! During the reign of Emperor Augustine VI, the bigwigs of the various departments of the Empire had changed countless times. Yet, this old Robsbscher had been sitting on the Prime Minister's seat for twenty years!
More importantly, this old Robsbscher was not the kind of slanderer who blindly flatters the emperor. He was always smart enough to find a breakthrough point and use his skillful political skills to soften all kinds of sharp contradictions. He wasn't the kind of person who blindly hugged the emperor's thigh in order to satisfy him. In fact, in the bureaucracy of the empire, the evaluation of this old Prime Minister's reputation was quite good.
"Prime Minister didn't say anything just now, so we thought you had fallen asleep." Prince Son appropriately "knocked" the old Prime Minister's head.
The old Prime Minister smiled as he struggled to stand up. His old body looked even weaker than before, but at this moment, his smile showed the calmness of an old politician!
"Your Highness." Robsbscher smiled and said: "Please forgive my silence just now … … But I was just thinking about two issues."
"What issues?"
The old man raised two fingers: "One is' urgent ', and the other is' slow '."
He calmly turned around and bowed to the Finance Minister and General Hughes: "In my opinion, what you two said makes sense. The so-called national affairs, be it finance or military affairs, there is no right or wrong between the two of you. However, although there is no right or wrong, there is a difference between urgent and slow. "
The old man opened his mouth. After all, he has been the Prime Minister for 20 years. Although he gradually went into hibernation in recent years, his weight is still there. As soon as he spoke, the big shots below didn't say anything. Instead, they quietly listened to the old man's words.
"First, let's talk about the Finance Minister's suggestion … … The issue of the Empire's local garrison forces. Hmm, we must understand that there are some things that can be done quickly! But there are some things that can't be solved in a day or two! The size of the local garrison forces has been a headache for the Empire for decades or even generations. Low combat power, yes. The number is too large, yes. Military spending is too wasteful, yes. "
He glanced at the old General Hughes who seemed to want to argue. Without waiting for the other to speak, he continued: "Hughes, my old friend. Don't refute these questions. Because they are indeed facts. Of course … … I also don't approve of attacking the huge local garrison forces right now. After all, now is not a good time! We face many problems and the Empire is far from stable. More importantly, the vast territory of the Empire requires a large number of troops to guard it. This problem needs to be solved slowly. Even if we want to reduce the troops, it will be a long process. "
Old Hughes had a complicated expression on his face. He shook his head and didn't say anything in the end.
"Next … … let's talk about the North. The Tempest Legion's situation is urgent! There is no time to delay. The lack of military power is an undeniable fact. " Robscher glanced at the Finance Minister again. "Alright, Munoz, you don't need to refute. I think your idea of 'moving the local garrison forces to the North' is a very stupid idea. The combat power of the Tempest Legion in the North is second to none among the Empire's main forces! If even they can't stop those damned demonic beasts … … Oh, I'm sorry, Your Majesty. My words were a bit crude and beneath my status … … "
He spoke calmly, but Du Wei's eyes suddenly lit up!
Because when this old man finished his sentence, the way he referred to Prince Son had unknowingly changed from "Your Highness" to "Your Majesty"!
Regarding this title, Prince Son didn't seem to notice – perhaps … …
"If even the Tempest Legion can't stop those demonic beasts, then what reason do we have to believe that the local garrison forces can do a better job than the brave Tempest Legion? Munoz, my old friend. I know you are worried about the finances, and in fact, I also agree with your point of view. But you must understand … … South of the Tempest Legion lies the vast Northern lands of the Empire! If the North falls into chaos, then next year … … No, we don't even need to wait until next year. This spring's revenue will be greatly affected! So, since you are worried about the finances, then you need to consider this even more. If we don't inject new and reliable forces into the Northern Tempest Legion, once we lose our northern barrier … … then the North will fall into chaos and the loss of revenue will be even greater! Gentlemen, this is a difficult problem! I can't think of a perfect solution, but perhaps we can weigh the pros and cons and choose a more important and 'urgent' problem to solve. As for the other disadvantages, we might as well endure it for a while. "
Listening to this, Du Wei couldn't help but sigh … …
Watertight, watertight … … Is this the experience of an old politician who has been in the bureaucracy for his entire life? So soft and hard, yet not offending anyone … … He clearly criticized the finance minister and the military minister at the same time, but at the same time supported both of them … … And finally, he tactfully expressed his position.
This kind of speech was definitely not something that could be done just by relying on intelligence — it required experience! And even more so, it requires status and qualifications!! Among all the people present, Du Wei may be in the limelight compared to this old man, but if he were to say something like this, it would only anger the two big shots. Even if they don't dare to refute him directly due to Prince Son's presence, they would still mock him in their hearts for not knowing the immensity of the heavens and earth.
Only this old prime minister, with his twenty years of influence and prestige, could say something like this. Even if he criticized the finance minister and the military minister, the two old men could only accept it and not refute it. If it were anyone else, they definitely wouldn't have the same prestige and experience as the prime minister!
"So, you are in favor of expanding the army?" The Regent smiled.
"No, Your Highness, I am not in favor of 'expanding the army', but I think we can make some appropriate adjustments. My suggestion is that this matter should be done in three steps! As for the first step, we can mobilize two divisions from the imperial city guards and head north immediately! The second step can be carried out at the same time as the first step. That is to order the Southern Legion stationed in the Southern Swamp to mobilize a division to supplement the royal guards! As for the third step, that is to recruit new soldiers! However, these recruits will be used to supplement the Southern Legion. What I mean is, this recruitment must be carried out according to the standard of the main force. And the number is not two, but four! At the same time … … I suggest that we reduce the military budget for next year's local garrison troops. Also, we can make some adjustments. "
Prince Son thought for a while and murmured: "Transferring two divisions of the royal guards to the North … … Prime Minister, wouldn't this approach be a bit risky? The Northwest … … "
When the sensitive topic of "Northwest" was brought up, everyone fell silent. Especially the military boss General Hughes, his face was a bit ugly. After all, he was the one who promoted Rugaard back then. This is a stain on his political career that can't be washed away.
Although in Du Wei's view, this isn't his fault. After all, the disciple of the Witch King of the Great Snow Mountain, Crimson Water Duan, is not an ordinary person! With his strength and intelligence, he should be able to stand out from the rest! But this old minister of the military can't be blamed.
"Therefore, I believe that this is a decision that requires courage." The old prime minister's soft words seemed to carry a heavy weight.
"A decision that requires courage … …" Prince Son nodded. After a while, he smiled: "Hmm, yes, this does require courage. However, my Augustine Family has never lacked courage! Even if the royal guards are down by two divisions, do you think we should be afraid of the Northwest? Not to mention … … In the short term, I think we still have the famous Duke of the Tulip Family in the Northwest! "
He gave Du Wei one last look.
(Sweats, the opponent is getting closer and closer … … Requesting monthly votes for support!!
There is one more chapter tonight ~)
.
.
If you want to know what happens next, please go to www.qidian.com. There are more chapters, support the author, support the original reading!)
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
