Laing knew that Talleyrand was not talking nonsense.
This lame man was good at collecting money and using public power to do private work. Since he came to Brittany, he had been making money everywhere and living like a king. He was extremely arrogant.
However, Talleyrand was indeed a genius when it came to diplomacy and internal affairs.
He knew too much about human nature and bureaucracy.
Laing and Suria both knew very well that the bureaucracy was more advanced, efficient, and powerful than the nobles. However, compared to the nobles' autonomy, the bureaucracy itself had a huge inertia and inertia. Inertia could be specifically shown by the fact that over time, the entire bureaucracy would form a kind of unspoken rule of "following the example of the superiors" and the habit of "huddling together for warmth". This was inertia. As the entire bureaucratic system operated, its inertia was so strong that even the monarch himself could not control it.
At the same time, the bureaucracy also had a huge "inertia". Since the bureaucrats were not property owners, they were just professional brokers. Therefore, they were born to hate being responsible. They liked to "avoid trouble", "always be flexible and humble", "everything is hazy and unclear", and "there are gaps in good and bad". These were the common problems of the bureaucrats.
Therefore, on the bright side, if the internal affairs of the country were all handled by a complete and sound bureaucratic system, the bureaucratic system's natural "inertia" would self-correct and roughly maintain the current route. Its huge inertia would also make it so that there would be a pre-existing rule for everything. As long as the rule was followed, there would not be too big of a problem. Even if there were problems, there would be a pre-existing solution.
In other words, the situation would not be too bad and out of control. The country would still operate and maintain the duties it should have for a long time. It would always operate at a stable speed … and at the same time, decline.
"Your Majesty, this is where the problem lies." Talleyrand said seriously, "The essence of the bureaucracy is to help the monarch to solve some of the daily, repetitive, and tedious affairs so that the monarch or the leadership group can focus on the key issues. Therefore, we can see that even if Emperor Karl-franz is missing, the court of the Empire is still operating in an orderly manner. Disaster relief, public security, price control, and news of victory are all things that the bureaucrats of the Empire are used to."
"But now, they have to deal with an unsolvable problem. First of all, the Empire is missing. Can the bureaucrats make up their minds to mobilize all materials, recruit a large number of troops, and transfer all the savings of the Empire's treasury? Even if they make up their minds, who will sign? Who will make the decision? What if the Emperor is fine? " Talleyrand hammered the ground with his cane. He was very serious. "This is beyond the authority of the bureaucrats. Nobody dares to make a decision casually, and nobody is willing to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. The Emperor has brought all the people in his court who can make decisions for him to the frontline."
"Therefore, I can conclude that something must have happened to the Emperor. He is either killed in battle or missing. It is exactly because of his lack of supervision, decisiveness, and courage that the Empire is so hesitant. The bureaucracy is very dependent on the Emperor's supervision, supervision, and decision-making. Karl-franz is the only person who can keep the bureaucracy of the Empire active and active. However, he has not said anything at all right now."
"More than that." Laing, however, shook his head at Talleyrand. "It is true that it is impossible to impose curfew on the entire city and open all the vaults and warehouses to recruit a large number of troops, but for the matter of asking for help, we only need to send a messenger. We are allies with the Empire in the first place. It is normal for us to ask for help."
"You are right, Your Majesty." Talleyrand smiled. "Then we will talk about the second point. The bureaucrats of the Empire will definitely consider their own interests."
"Their own interests?" Suria vaguely understood something. "You are saying that the Empire's bureaucrats are afraid of our reinforcements?"
"They are not afraid of us. They are afraid of the mother and son in Nur." Talleyrand said deeply. "No matter what method or reason we use to agree to help the Empire, the ones who will benefit the most will be Lady Emmanuelle and Baron Frey Derick. Then, here is the problem. The Emperor is missing or dead, and the main forces of Brunswick and Brunswick should have suffered great losses. At this time, if our reinforcements are connected to Nur, what will happen?"
Laing and Suria completely understood.
When the time comes, the political center of the Empire and the throne would definitely move from Brunswick to Nur. The Emperor's court would also move from the Empire's palace in Brunswick to the Black Tower Palace in Nur!
This was something that all the bureaucrats in the Empire's court would do their best to avoid. This was because Frey Derick would definitely form a new cabinet, which meant that they would lose their current positions and administrative power!
This was also something that all the council members and bureaucrats in Nur would do their best to facilitate. This meant that a new Emperor and a new court would be born in Nur after more than a hundred years. They would replace the people of Brunswick and form a new Empire's court and a new cabinet! This was the moment that countless bureaucrats and military nobles were looking forward to.
Both sides must be wrestling at this moment. If Laing brought tens of thousands of Brittany elites into the Empire, what would happen? Whose side would Laing stand on? Would it be Luitpold, whom he had only met a few times? Or would it be his maid and his own son, Frey?
Was there a need to say more?
"Your Majesty, when your personal interests are at risk, you must not underestimate the determination of the bureaucrats. At this time, these people are the most high-profile, fiercest, and most daring." Talleyrand continued, "I can be sure that in the Empire's palace in Brunswick, there have been more than ten rounds of meetings, but in the end, no one dared to make the decision to ask for help and mobilize all the remaining resources of the Empire, especially when it comes to asking for help."
"You're saying that unless the Empire shows up, it's impossible for the Empire to ask for help?" Laing also frowned. If the Empire did not ask for help, the Brittany's troops would not be a problem. The main problem was that most of the dukes and generals had their own opinions. A newly formed army needed time to train, and the elite guards under Laing also had a more unified opinion. They believed that the main force should be focused on protecting their own territory. If the Empire fell, the Knight King's Kingdom would have to protect themselves.
Under such circumstances, if Laing forced the Knight King's Kingdom to ask for help, the resistance and resentment of the army would be enormous.
"Not necessarily." Talleyrand also frowned at this time. The tall lame man sighed, "It depends on the countless ups and downs in the Empire's palace. After countless events and tribulations, if everyone is really thinking about the Empire itself and the survival of the Empire."
"Do you think there's such a person in the Empire's palace?" Laing asked.
"Yes, there definitely is." Talleyrand shook his head, "It's a pity that his position is not high enough. I'm guessing that when the news of the fall of Nord's capital, Coldwinter, reaches the Empire's palace, Karl-franz's internal affairs minister will definitely take action."
"How will they take action?" Laing stroked his chin. The Sun King thought about everything, "Should they ask for help from us? No, they couldn't come to a conclusion before, and it won't be so easy to come to a conclusion now. "
"Exactly." Talleyrand smiled. He shook his head elegantly, letting his flaxen curly hair swing back and forth in the air. Then, he said elegantly, "The old bureaucrats always deal with problems in three ways. One is to push, one is to delay, and one is to report. Since they can't push or delay, the final result will definitely be … to report!"
"Therefore, I'm certain that when the news of the fall of Nord's capital reaches Brunswick, the court of the Empire will convene the Empire's parliament in the name of the Empire and ask all the Kurfürsten who can still move to go to the capital so that the Kurfürsten can convene the parliament of the Empire to discuss whether or not to ask for help from the whole world!" Talleyrand said confidently, "We can talk about whether or not the problem can be solved in such a way, but there is no doubt that it will allow us to discuss and decide on the request for help and the general mobilization without all the responsibilities and real attempts. It is the only thing that can be carried out immediately without being responsible for! Emmanuel, Countess of the Empire, will definitely be asked to be present. If she is not present, the meeting cannot be held. Once the collective decision of the Kurfürsten is passed, the responsibility will be transferred, and everybody will be free to do whatever they want. "
Laing and Suria looked at each other and smiled.
"You're a f * cking genius, Talleyrand." Laing shook his head with a smile. "You are really something. I think it is exactly as you said. Alright. Then, let's hurry up and prepare for the war and wait for the news!"
After a while, Olica came with Katarina. The female Tsar was rather surprised to see Suria's scrutinizing eyes.
How much did the Knight King know after the war? She could not figure it out, so she hurried to greet Suria respectfully and even somewhat ingratiatingly.
Laing, on the other hand, delivered a countess costume and a crown that he had prepared in advance to Katarina. The Sun King pressed the Vengeance on Katarina's shoulder with a smile and said, "Now that you have worked for Brittany, I will not mistreat you. I grant you the title of Countess Valeska! You will also be a noblewoman of Brittany in the future! "
"Thank you very much!" Katarina hesitated for a long time, but she still knelt on one knee and accepted Laing's grant.
As long as Kislöw could restore the country, and as long as her and Laing's daughter could be crowned as the queen, she would accept it!
… I'm waiting for the news …
Unfortunately, Talleyrand was known as the Master of High Precision. This cripple knew too much about bureaucracy.
The truth was just as Talleyrand had predicted. Emperor Karl-franz's cabinet of ministers had been arguing about what to do, but no matter how hard they tried, they could not come to a conclusion.
The Empire's court knew that Hefffengen had been defeated, but other news was blocked. Everyone knew what the emperor's situation was, but there was no news to prove that the emperor was dead. Meetings were held one after another, but no one dared to make a decision on military and political matters.
The acting Archbishop, Esme III, had gone berserk on everything about the former Archbishop, Wickmar. He claimed that the Empire was filled with traitors and spies of Chaos (referring to Gelt and Wickmar), and that the Church of Justice had to be cleansed. In fact, that was exactly what Esme III had done. Ever since he returned to the capital, he had created hundreds of unjust cases and executed hundreds of people from the Church of Justice. Until the Grand Chanter of Nur, Casmir XI, and the Grand Chanter of Brittany, Esme III, had sent a warning letter to him.
The Chief of Spies, Sigma Frey von Valfen, was extremely frustrated by the hundreds of contradictory military reports of the Chaos invasion from the frontline. The spy network he had carefully built was on the verge of collapse. No one could be sure of the authenticity of these stories. Some of the messengers who claimed to have come from the far north to the south described contradictory things. Some of them were driven crazy by their journey, while others brought fragments of information — half-true, half-false whispers. None of them were true, and all of them could be true.
From the epic victory to the tragic defeat, dozens of versions of the Battle of Höftwingen had been derived.
The Empire's Privy Council and Foreign Minister, Amadeus Menken, told everyone that the Empire's diplomacy was also collapsing. The dwarves and elves could not provide any support. Estalia, Tyrell, and the borderlands had been destroyed. The Brittany's arrogance was unpleasant.
The Empire's Minister of Finance, Madam Hawkswold, told everyone that there were less than 28000 coins left in the Empire's treasury in Brunswick. There was not much that could be done with this money. Even if the Emperor's emergency funds were included, it was estimated that there were only about 43000 gold marks left.
This money could at most form an army of three thousand men.
In the absence of the Emperor, Marshal Rick, the flag bearer, and the Gryphon Duke, the Grand Commander of the Ryk Knights, Hans Zentler, the highest-ranking officer in the army, told everyone at the meeting that Emperor Karl-franz had taken away almost all of Brunswick's elite and standing troops. Currently, there were less than ten thousand troops in Brunswick, and most of them were semi-professional garrisons and provincial troops.
The desperate situation made it hard for everyone to breathe. There was no money, no food, and no people. Brunswick was still standing, but the city was filled with an oppressive and heavy atmosphere. The citizens did not know about the Empire's defeat, but as the messengers and scattered soldiers from the north entered the city in twos and threes, many rumors had already spread even though they were immediately controlled.
The Emperor's court could do nothing about it. The only thing they could do was gather the defeated soldiers and control them, and then tell the citizens that this was "fake news," that their Emperor was safe and sound, and that their Empire had won one victory after another.
Earl Metternich ordered the closure of all the private newspapers, and asked everyone to be on the same page. He had to thank the times for being behind. Currently, the citizens of Brunswick did not know what was going on at the frontlines. The official newspapers were constantly reporting news of various victories, and the people's hearts were temporarily stable.
"Everyone, we have to think of something!" "It's been more than two months since we received news that the Emperor might be defeated. What have you been doing apart from meeting after meeting after meeting?" Count Metny roared at the cabinet, "What have you been doing apart from meeting after meeting? I suggest that we immediately recruit all able-bodied men to begin military training, and then open all the warehouses. "
"We don't have the authority, Earl Metternich, I understand your difficulties," Mrs. Hawthorne said in pain. "Even if we open all the warehouses, we don't have much money left, unless … we ask the nobles in the city to open their private vaults. But how is that possible? Tara Beheim is still safe and sound. "
"Then ask for help!" Earl Metternich was furious. He was humiliated by Talleyrand, and the high-class cripple sent a sarcastic letter to remind Metternich that the only person we Brittany can ask for help is Emmanuelle, Duchess of the Empire! Also, the diamond brooch I saw at your house last time is really nice. Do you know where to buy it?
"…" Everyone was silent.
"Maybe … the situation is not that bad?" Professor Agatha Von Bern, the chief justice of the Empire, said. She was a high priestess of the Church of Firenna. She looked dignified, but in fact, this middle-aged woman accepted any form and any degree of bribery. As long as you paid enough money, you could be absolved of any crime except for treason, association with Chaos and vampires. Of course, most of the money went into the Empire's treasury, and she was the one who created the system called "Guilty Silver". "Maybe we can wait a little longer? Wait for Theodoric to arrive and ask for the details? "
"We can't wait any longer!" Earl Metternich said bitterly, "The capital of Nord has fallen! What else is there to ask? "
"Mildenheim is still holding on."
"Mildenheim is still holding on. As long as Todbringer doesn't want to win, Mildenheim will not lose!" Earl Metternich slammed the table. "But Mildenheim can't stop the enemy from going through the Drakwald Forest and going straight to Brunswick!"
"Duke Blucher of Karonburg and his Karonburg Legion have 6000 men. Karonburg will stop all of this."
"It will be too late if Chaos really attacks Karonburg!"
The hall was silent again.
If only the Emperor, Marshal Rick, the Archbishop, the Royal Chief Wizard, or even the temporary representative appointed by the Emperor were here, they would make the decision, and everyone here only needed to carry it out.
"Then, should we convene the Empire Parliament in the name of the Emperor and let the Kurfürst decide whether to mobilize the entire country and ask for help from the world?" The Empire Privy Councilor and Foreign Affairs Minister Amadeus Menken spoke. Everything was as Talleyrand expected. When the Empire's palace cabinet couldn't make a decision, they would try to convene the Empire Parliament and let the Kurfürst make a collective decision.
"I agree."
“Aye！”
"That's the only way."
"Also, the new Royal Chief Wizard Gregg Matak, send someone and find him. He has to participate as well."
"Nur, Nur, I really don't want to deal with that arrogant woman."
"Alright, convene the Empire Parliament and let all the Kurfürst who can still move come to Brunswick. They will make a decision on the current situation."
Just like that, the Empire's palace, which had been delayed for a long time, finally decided to convene the Empire Parliament. Messengers were sent from the palace to all parts of the Empire.
Gather all the Kurfürst for a meeting!
The time to decide the future of the Empire had arrived.
The most important letter was personally delivered to Nur by Earl Metternich.
Nur, the industrial center of the Empire, was currently undergoing the final preparations for the war under the supervision of Lady Emmanuel and Baron Frey Derick.
The "rat poison" that Alissanda had carefully designed was basically completed.
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