Academy Genius Commander

452 – Pax Reich (2)

Reich Imperial Palace, small conference room.

Emperor Michael von Reich of the Reich Empire and his ministers were smiling in a way that would be difficult to see again in life.

If you look at these people, they can’t seem to hide their joy to the extent that you might think they’ve been drinking poppy (opium) juice in a group…

Everyone will sympathize if they know the reason why they are happy.

The ministers showed a harmonious appearance, as if everyone was best friends, regardless of political faction, and as there was great reason to be happy, this effect seemed likely to last for several months.

“Your Majesty, His Excellency Grand Marshal Jaeger has finally met his archenemy of a thousand years, that bastard François, no, the snail. Anyway, you uprooted the Francois bastards. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”

“Your Excellency, it is not a dream. Before these old men could close their eyes, His Excellency the Generalissimo brought the Francois Republic to its knees before His Majesty the Emperor.”

“I regret opposing it when the royal family asked to invite the crown princess to the cafe.”

Michael looked happily at the ministers who were purely happy about the good fortune of the empire, regardless of political interests.

‘I can’t help but be happy because François, who has tormented us for nearly a thousand years, is gone.’

“hehehe, even Jim can’t believe it. As I lived, I never thought the day would come when all of François’ country would become the territory of the Reich Empire. “When my grandfather hears this story in heaven, he will faint with joy.”

“Yes, Rudolf II hated François more than the other Emperors. He will be happier than anyone else.”

“So, to share the joy, I will give 5,000 gold to each of the ministers. In addition, starting tomorrow for three days, we plan to hold a festival throughout the empire to share this joy with the people. What do you think?”

At those words, the ministers all stood up and applauded enthusiastically.

“These are very good words.”

“Happy things must be shared with everyone.”

“Your Majesty, do as you wish.”

As all the ministers agreed, for the Reich Empire, the great success of Peter Jaeger’s expedition went beyond the national level and was almost like a miracle.

The conflict and war that had accumulated over a thousand years for the nobles and people of the empire finally ended in the ‘victory of the empire.’ It was an experience that made all citizens of the empire feel affection and pride for their country by getting drunk on endless soup.

From an economic perspective, when Francois was in power, the tax revenue of the François Republic was 2.2 Times the tax revenue currently earned by the entire empire…

In addition, a huge population was secured, approximately twice the current population of the empire.

The fact that the French Republic came into the hands of the Reich Empire was in fact a proof that the empire had gained the definite power to control the European continent on its own.

“Your Majesty.”

“Minister of Military Affairs, please speak quickly.”

“You will congratulate him a little later, and then announce the meritorious work award to His Excellency the Marshal and the soldiers under him. “I’ve already worked out a rough plan, but wouldn’t you be happy if I gave them plenty of rewards when they return to their home country?”

The emperor also nodded his head in agreement with Keitel’s words.

“The Minister of Military Affairs is right. “Isn’t that what Grand Marshal Jaeger was thinking of when he asked us to prepare a military service as soon as we defeated the great army of the United Kingdom six months ago?”

The emperor immediately unrolled the scroll with the inscription on it.

“Duke Peter Jaeger, Grand Marshal of the Reich Imperial Army, is specifically awarded the title of Archduke, and is granted the entirety of Orléans, Nancy, Meze, Verdun, and Tollaire. In addition, in consideration of his achievements so far, he is bestowed with 300,000 gold coins, and a new Order of Peace of the François Republic is established and awarded.”

Generally, fiefdoms granted to nobles are often granted in the form of ’00 spirit’, but since there was no title of ‘Grand Duke’ in the Reich Empire.

Although it was impossible to grant him the title of Grand Duke, the territory granted to him was by no means small.

“Orléans is the third largest city in the Francois Republic and has a population of over 200,000 within its walls, and other cities are also large cities (with a population of over 50,000 living within the city)…”

“If you combine the population and taxes there, how many duchies are there? “There must be about six or seven.”

“I never thought I would see with my own eyes so much territory being granted to just one noble family.”

It was an award that went beyond the extraordinary and made you wonder if it made any sense, but if you add Peter Yeager’s achievements so far and his achievement of directly annexing Francois this time, it was an award.

The ministers thought about whether this was too much, but eventually reached the conclusion that there was nothing they could do and nodded in agreement.

If you try to refute it here, all you’ll do is drag on and say something that has already been decided.

“Admiral Laura von Venner is Grand Marshal Jaeger’s crony wife, and according to Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the Imperial Noble Law, no additional territory can be granted separately from Grand Marshal Jaeger, so I will bestow 100,000 gold coins. In addition, she is awarded the Knight’s Cross of Diamonds with Swords and the Order of François Peace 1st Class.”

We were all happy up until now, but hearing Laura’s award made everyone feel sick to their stomachs.

“I elevate the title of Captain Anastasia Kergit to Count and grant her the County of Montmorency and Agno. In addition, she is awarded 20,000 gold coins and the Order of François Peace 1st class.”

Considering the achievements of the three people, even awarding them this amount of reward actually felt a bit inadequate, but as they listened, some of the ministers were already feeling stomachaches.

However, their pride as nobles and the reason that they, as ministers of the empire, should be rewarded to this level were just preventing them from running to the bathroom.

Only the emperor and the ministers who had already given up on being jealous of the Jaeger family could only laugh.

“They are poor, pitiful people who find it easy once they are liberated.”

“They are pitiful and pitiful people.”

“That’s right. In times like this, you have to stay alert so you can make the most of your position as a minister.”

When territory is acquired through war, approximately 1/3 to 1/4 of the newly acquired territory is given to soldiers.

Then, part of the remaining territory was given to those among the nobles who had been good to the emperor and had upright conduct, on the grounds of ‘until now’ loyalty.

The top priority at this time is, of course, the ministers who are high-ranking administrators…

‘Our family treats His Majesty with utmost respect, and we get even a piece of bread from him.’

After such a long, long series of lectures, the emperor finally read the contents of the last one.

“One barony is separately granted to Peter Jaeger’s eldest son, Duke Friedrich von Jaeger, and a reward of 3,000 gold is given. He is promoted to captain and awarded the Bronze Knight’s Sword. In addition, he is permitted to enter the General Staff College.”

After reading the long sermon, the emperor took a deep breath and all his ministers clapped their hands and cheered.

“Long live your Majesty! Everyone will be thrilled with this fair and generous award!”

“This is a fair judgment that all soldiers of the Reich Empire will understand.”

“Long live your Majesty the Emperor!”

The emperor saw the flattery and thought.

‘These friends are full of greed for territory.’

“With this, I’ll give my luggage some rest. “I will celebrate today’s celebration with His Majesty the Emperor and his family.”

After saying that, Michael got up and left the conference room.

At this time, he took Kaitel, the Minister of Military Affairs.

“Your Majesty, I salute you.”

“Did I do it? The person who carried out all of this was the Supreme Leader. I was embarrassed when I first said I would take the crown prince with me. “The fact that he was suspicious of the Generalissimo for as many as five minutes means that he has some kind of political agenda behind him.”

He said he would drag the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to war, so under normal circumstances one would suspect a ‘treason’, but in the sense that it was only considered a political maneuver.

I was able to see how strong the emperor’s trust in Peter Jaeger was.

“When I first heard that the princess of the Cafe Imperial Family would be made the crown princess, I thought that Grand Marshal Jaeger had developed dementia at a young age.”

“I never thought I would hear you joking, Minister of Military Affairs, Kaitel. “The sun will rise in the west tomorrow.”

“I’m serious, who would have thought that making the princess of a ruined empire the crown princess would be good for the empire?”

“That is correct. “You’re right.”

Marriages between nobles are intended to strengthen each other’s power base, but it must be foolish to take the princess of a ruined empire as a wife instead of a concubine.

Even if the princess herself has no flaws, she is of no help politically.

“But now that I think about it, all of this was Grand Marshal Jaeger’s great intention. In addition, according to a report sent by an attendant serving His Highness the Crown Prince, the two of you are very close.”

When the emperor heard those words, he placed his hand on his forehead.

“I’m worried that I might destroy her bones. “She is beautiful as the crown prince, but she is so violent at night with that bastard called the crown prince…”

“Isn’t good something good?”

“……Well, the Empress and I were cold from the first day of her honeymoon. Compared to that, she is much better. By the way, I have a gift for you.”

At those words, Kaitel’s eyes sparkled.

“General Jaeger spoke of ‘Pax Reich.’ It was predicted that the Empire would now be at peace for at least several decades. So, I don’t want to let you go, but Duke Keitel, you’re getting older now, so it’s hard for you to work.”

When Kaitel heard those words, his eyes became red.

“Your Majesty…”

“I will allow you to resign, but please come visit me often. In addition, in recognition of your efforts to strengthen the current empire, I will grant you the Duchy of Colmar. “It would be a good idea to pass it on to the child since I have a new child.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Just go inside and rest comfortably. In addition, when Grand Marshal Jaeger comes to my house, Grand Marshal Peter Jaeger tells me that I must serve the empire until the age of 140.”

At those words, Kaitel wrinkled his face.

‘No, he’s 140 years old. ‘Is that something a person would do?’

But soon a smile appeared on Kaitel’s face.

‘First of all, it’s not my job, well. ‘Isn’t Grand Marshal Jaeger a man whose joy in life is living for the empire, and for whom working overtime is his vitality?’

Keitel, happy to be allowed to retire, decided to ignore Jaeger’s hardships.

“I guess you mentioned retirement while mentioning the peace of the empire. Retiring at such a young age, hehehe. “I will try my best to stop you.”

At the same time as he said that, Kaitel lifted the cane he had been carrying into his hand and began to walk slowly.

I felt lighter than usual, so I thought I wouldn’t need a cane, so I did that.

Still, there was no strain on my body at all.

When the emperor saw that, he muttered as if he was dumbfounded.

“I heard that among the students at the academy, there is one whose sick body gets better when he leaves early and goes home, and Duke Keitel…”