The Emperor was still as humble as ever. Many people who met the Emperor in the palace of Brunswick would have a strange impression that Karl-franz never put on any airs. He was shorter than many people imagined, lacked a sense of majesty, and had a very vulgar sense of humor.
Metternich had a deep understanding of this. After seeing the Knight King, who was 1.95 meters tall, and Queen Suria, who was 1.75 meters tall, the Emperor did seem a little short and not majestic enough. He was not like Laing, who could intimidate everyone around him as soon as he opened his eyes, nor was he like Queen Suria, who could dominate the crowd as long as she stuck out her chest.
However, as a believer in the Empire and a believer in the Empire, Metternich believed that Karl-franz was the best and the most suitable Emperor for the Empire. There were only two reasons. First, Karl-franz was the purest direct descendant of his great-grandfather, Great Prince William, his grandfather, Emperor Leopold, and his father, Emperor Luitpold. In addition, the selection process was completely legal, so the Emperor never had to emphasize his legitimacy, because there was no need. No Kurfürst had ever questioned Karl-franz's bloodline and the authority of the Empire.
The second reason was the Emperor's excellent ability. Needless to say, although Karl-franz's ability might not be the best in the old world, he was definitely better than the wolf cub in the north who always wanted to use force and had no achievements in diplomacy, or the crazy woman in the south who knew nothing about military affairs and was only interested in all kinds of social afternoon tea parties, playing with fashion, arbitrating disputes in the city council, and giving birth.
Seeing that the Emperor kept laughing, Metternich did not say anything and waited quietly for Karl-franz to finish laughing.
Who knew that the Emperor laughed more and more bitterly and dryly. Karl-franz almost pushed all the documents in front of him in the end. The Emperor closed his eyes and suppressed his anger. "I think I should also arrange a great expedition and let all the incompetent nobles die. Not only can I free up enough land, manors, and noble titles, but I can also select those who are really useful from those rotten nobles. I think it's not impossible for Rick to gather an expedition army of 20,000 people, right?"
"Your Majesty's joking mood is understandable, but you must not." Metternich immediately denied. "This will make Your Majesty lose the support of the nobles."
"If Laing can do it, why can't I?" The Emperor angrily took a towel from the table and wiped it twice on the table. "You know, Metternich, there are many problems in our nobles. I should let those greedy fellows go on an expedition! All of them! Every noble family must show their loyalty through an expedition. Not only do I want them to send people, but I also want them to send money! "
His Majesty is trying to rebel! Metternich thought to herself.
However, the diplomat also knew that the Emperor's words were just words of anger. Karl-franz, who received a rating of 6 in internal affairs and 5 in foreign affairs and 4 in military from the dwarves, couldn't be so stupid. Otherwise, he wouldn't have the support of so many nobles and civilians in Rick.
Of course, there was still a gap. According to the latest update from the dwarves, King of Knights Leon's rating had been raised to the legendary 667. His military ability had received the highest rating of 7, which was the dwarves' highest rating. His wife, Queen Sulia, had also gotten her rating corrected from 543 to 644 after she came up with the plan to sell medals and defeated the World Walker army led by Ulvric the Wanderer with her own judgment and leadership skills.
As expected, Emperor Karl-franz quickly restrained himself after his outburst. He regained his cheerful smile. "I lost my composure a little. Sit, Metternich, sit. We still have many things to discuss."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Metternich sat down.
However, what Metternich didn't know was that while the Count was observing the Emperor, the Emperor was also observing Metternich.
Karl-franz's anger was all fake. He was testing whether Metternich was a useful person, and at the same time, he was also trying to improve the relationship between the two sides. Occasionally showing a little emotion in front of his subordinates would make them feel close and trustworthy.
Now it seemed that this diplomat was also a very shrewd person. Not a drop of water leaked out, the Emperor thought to himself.
I have to try again.
"All the time, there have been two Empires, Metternich." Karl-franz decided to continue the test. "One of them is the Empire of the Emperor, the nobles with military exploits, the rich merchants, and the owners of manors. In this country, there are fresh bread and butter, inexhaustible wealth, and boiling desires, as well as all kinds of political deals and under-the-table manipulations.
"The second Empire has much more people. This Empire is full of people who wake up early and work late to make a living, struggling on the line of hunger in poverty and ignorance. This is also the Empire. Metternich, do you think I'm right?"
"I don't think so." Metternich shook her head softly. "I also think that there are two Empires at the same time."
"One of them is under the glory and reign of our Lord, by strengthening the legitimacy and maintaining the balance of power among the Kurfürsten, the authority that belongs to you as the Emperor will be established, and the whole territory of the Empire will be controlled in your hands. By gathering all the forces, the glory of the savior will be reborn."
"The other Empire is divided and the Kurfürsten are acting on their own, ignoring the Emperor's authority and making their own plans. Their troops are scattered and weak, and they only consider their own interests and respect and believe in the traditions and customs of their own provinces when they encounter foreign enemies. The Empire is gradually disintegrating and declining."
The Emperor was silent. Karl-franz suddenly leaned back and put on a vague smile. "I've given up on persuading you, Metternich. Perhaps you are right, and perhaps I am, but it is meaningless for us to discuss that right now."
"But Your Majesty, the Knight King on the other side of the mountain has already unified the Empire!" Metternich was no longer able to remain calm. He hurriedly said: "I'm sure you understand how powerful the Knight Kingdom is right now. It's the honor of a race, the prosperity of a nation, and the glory of the world. Knight King Leon has become the mighty ruler of a unified nation."
"Well said, Metternich." Karl-franz agreed. "I also understand your request. But where is my Eight Peaks Mountain? Where is my Old Guard? Where is the Church and the Knights of the Holy Grail that support me? "
"…" Metternich was speechless for a moment.
"I've studied how Ryan managed to achieve such a grand unification many times." Card Emperor was a little depressed. "If we were to talk about the Great Expeditions, it would be fine. I am also confident that the wealth of Rick Hill is far greater than any other Principality in Brittany. But there are two things that I can't do."
"First, Laing achieved the first time in the history of the Knight King Empire that the Church and the Empire were united." The Emperor raised a finger and said, "The Empire only approached this standard when Emperor Charlemagne established the Empire as Yuric's Chosen Champion, and when Ludwig the Savior received the blessings of Emperor Charlemagne and the White Wolf God, Yuric, at the same time, they did not achieve the complete integration of royal and religious authority. Only Leon did it. God knows how he did it. I've tried countless methods with Vikmar, but it's obviously impossible. No one can make a behemoth with several powerful legions, independent and complete financial resources, and a huge administrative team listen to orders. Even His Holiness Vikmar himself can't do it. Only the Church of the Lake can do it."
"Second, Laing's personal strength … Even you have to admit that his personal strength has surpassed the limits of mortals." The Emperor raised a second finger. "You know, Metternich. Since the establishment of the Rick Guards, why did my grandfather build the castle in a corner of the city instead of directly next to the palace?"
"There are many reasons, Your Majesty. For example, knights need space to charge, eggs can't be placed in one basket, and the cost of land." Metternich finally opened his mouth. "But the real reason is that the emperor is also afraid that the Brunswick Praetorian Guards will suddenly turn on him. With this arrangement, at least the royal guards, the Brunswick Honor Guards, and the legendary guards of the war court will protect the emperor."
"Ryan, he's an army by himself." Karl-franz sneered. "And the two to three hundred Grail Knights of the Knights of the Holy Grail … Assuming the White Wolf Knights, the Teutonic Guards, and the Gryphon Knights don't appear, their combat power is stronger than the eight major knights of the Empire and the several thousand knights of the Church combined."
"The Old Guard that the Old World envies is actually a very difficult force to control. The strength of these elite veterans is too strong, too strong, so strong that any monarch would be afraid of any problems arising from them. They must immediately be divided, roped in, suppressed, and dismantled. Even if their combat power is reduced, they will not hesitate." The Emperor said in a low voice, "Only Laing, only Laing can skillfully control this elite force. He is not afraid of the possibility of the Old Guard betraying him at all. Naturally, he can completely trust the Old Guard, and the Old Guard can feel this trust. Under the binding of interests and emotions, both sides can truly erupt with the greatest combat power."
"This is really … something that can't be done." Metternich had to admit that the Emperor was right.
"I know that you don't like Laing very much and have done a lot of small things in private." Karl-franz shook his head. "Give up, Metternich. If something really happens, I won't stand on your side. It's the same for the entire Rick territory."
"I know." Metternich was shocked. His expression changed, and he finally lowered his head and admitted his mistake. "But Talleyrand has already accepted a lot of our wealth. If we just give up like this …"
"No, keep that. Laing must have acquiesced." Karl-franz smiled. "We need a secret communication channel like this. You did a good job on this. Do you know why so many people buy the pastry shop in Nur opposite the gate of the Countess' palace? It's obviously ordinary and very expensive."
"Because of what?"
"Because that shop is owned by Talleyrand." The Emperor wiped his mouth. "Alright, you'll represent the Empire at the ceremony of the ten marshals!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
… I'm the section dividing line of the pastry shop …
Early October, Brittany's capital, Culona.
Knight King Laing held a grand welcome ceremony at the city gate to welcome the return of the Marquis of the Wretched Land and the commander of the three guards of the Wretched Land, Lucian.
Following Lucian's arrival was the second custom-made ironclad warship. After much discussion, the name of this ironclad warship was finally decided to be Varyag.
Similarly, after being given a name by Laing, the commander of the three guards of the Wretched Land, Lucian, also changed the name of his personal guards to the Varyag Guards.
After staying in the Wretched Land for a few years, Lucian's skin had become much darker. He looked more like a hardworking man. Also, because he had been fighting in the desert and mountains for a long time, this Winford man's temperament had become like a vulture in the desert. His sharpness was restrained, and his eyes looked like they were constantly searching for prey.
Of course, his hair was also starting to go bald like a vulture.
"Commander of the Wretched Land, Lucian." Knight King Laing and Queen Suria were on the steps to welcome Lucian's arrival. Morgiana stood behind Laing.
"Everything is for the Lady and the King, for the Brittany." Lucian first knelt on one knee and bowed to Laing and the others. He then presented the register of all the soldiers and residents of the three guards of the Wretched Land, as well as tributes and gifts from the King of the Eight Peaks. Laing didn't have time to see what was inside, but this year, the Brittany also sent a large amount of food to the dwarves of the Eight Peaks.
The citizens of Colona also came out of the city to welcome Lucian's return from the Wretched Land. Many of the Wretched Land's soldiers had completed their rotation. Most of them had become qualified and brave soldiers after three or four years of service in the Wretched Land, and they had earned enough wealth. Everyone had a smile on their faces.
The Varyag Guards began to play the military music of the three guards of the Evil Land. This was an Arabi style music that Laing found very familiar.
"Thump ~ thump ~ thump ~ thump ~ thump ~ thump ~ thump ~ thump ~ thump ~"
"Ancestors, heroic spirits, Ma 'am, gods of the old world ~"
"Ancestors, heroic spirits, Ma 'am, gods of the old world ~"
"Brave and fearless, Brittany!"
"Your knights have been famous throughout the world for many eras. Their chivalry is unparalleled."
"Your knights have been famous throughout the world for many eras. Their chivalry is unparalleled."
"Knighthood ~ Knighthood ~"
"Love your Lord forever!"
"In the name of the Lady, judge your enemies and give them the punishment they deserve."
"In the name of the Lady, judge your enemies and give them the punishment they deserve."
After listening to this song, Laing almost burst into tears. The Knight King said emotionally, "This is the military song sung by the Germanic palace guards of the Western Roman Empire to celebrate the revival of Rome when the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Third Tsar of Rome, and the Viceroy of the Venetian Roman Empire met in Istanbul in 1453. Later, because the Roman Empire's Lord Protector Skarnik of the Eight Peaks Mountain felt that this period of history was too magical, he changed the song from Rome to Brittany. Today, with the help of Lucien Pasha, I, Sultan Laing, am overjoyed to hear it again! "
No one understood the meaning of this song. Only Suria, who had been hearing from Laing all day long, understood a little bit. The Knight King then patted Laing's arm. Seeing that the atmosphere was awkward, he took the initiative to take over the topic. "Your Majesty is talking nonsense again. Let's ignore him. Knights and soldiers, please come in. A banquet has been prepared in the palace."
Only then did everyone enter the palace. Laing and the others sat down in the large reception room of the palace.
"How is the situation in the Eight Peaks Mountain?" After sitting down, Laing asked Lucien, "How are the dwarves of the Angran clan?"
"King Belegar and his clan are doing well," Lucien nodded. The commander of the Wasteland thought for a while and picked a few important things to say. "In the past few years in the Wasteland, we and the Angran clan have fought more than a hundred battles around the Eight Peaks Mountain. Basically, we have wiped out all the green-skinned forces around the mountain. According to King Belegar's judgment, there won't be any green-skinned forces around the mountain for at least the next ten years."
"Are there many casualties?" Laing could not help but feel happy after hearing this.
"The dwarves basically have no casualties," Lucien said helplessly. Lucian said helplessly, "Most of them are small scale security battles. We have more than two thousand casualties, but Durant has a way to get us a lot of new recruits."
Durant, the head of the mercenaries, who had inherited the title of Baron Leipu of the border and was now the number one warlord in the border territory, smiled flatteringly. "Many people are willing to fight, as long as the price is right. Your Majesty, there are many princes on the border who are willing to accept free food and accommodation. Although there are some losses, everyone is willing to come."
"Yes." Laing asked some more questions and nodded. The Knight King thought for a while and suddenly asked, "In that case, I have a question for you, Lucien. Please answer in detail."
"Your Majesty, please go ahead."
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