Realm of Power

The Gangfei Empire has never felt so crisis-ridden. Even when it suffered a disastrous defeat in the war with the Falcon Empire, it was never so nervous.

At the imperial meeting held in advance, the seven-year-old little emperor solemnly promulgated the plan for the battle of Focodil, proposing to mobilize 300,000 troops in the Focodil area with the four directly affiliated legions as the main force, and fight with Istan's 200,000 troops broke into the empire and fought decisively.

"Only by repelling the Istani people can the empire have a chance to revive. Otherwise, everything will be empty talk." The seven-year-old emperor showed a shocking feeling on his immature face.

"Your Majesty's proposal is very wise. If you continue to be weak, the people of the empire will also question the incompetence of the military!" Minister of Military Affairs Andy expressed support for this combat plan. With him taking the lead, the attitude of the military changed, and the four major Although the commanders of the directly affiliated regiments were a little reluctant, they also expressed their willingness to carry out the order. Since it is the order of His Majesty the Emperor, we will obey it! "

"In this case, the time will be set in mid-October!" Andy breathed a secret sigh of relief, his eyes scanning the faces of every participant with deep meaning. It seemed that because of this battle decision, many faces that originally looked hesitant were changed. Finally showing a trace of relaxation, Andy looked extremely serious. Rubensak, did you see it? This is the richest legacy you left to the empire. Regardless of status and position, Gangfei is a whole. When a race faces In times of existential and death crisis, differences and frictions will seem insignificant.

And the preliminary battle plan you left for the young emperor is undoubtedly the best display platform for the young emperor's identity, and it does not require too much commanding ability. You only need to be the issuer of the battle order, regardless of the battle. How big a role the emperor can play, whether it is victory or defeat, the entire Gangfei will look at this young emperor with admiration, and will no longer regard him as a child, but as an emperor to show true respect, because in the face of national calamity, this young emperor will The little emperor embodies the responsibility of an emperor,

"In order to provide effective support for frontal battles. I believe that in view of this situation, it is imperative to organize the garrison troops in the eastern provinces into the Eastern Corps with a unified command structure. The Military Affairs Office proposed that the strength of the newly formed corps include the garrison troops in each province. The border guards transferred back from the southwest and part of the four directly affiliated corps!

After reaching the intention of gathering troops in the Focodir area, Andia took the opportunity to propose a variant of the diversion bill that he had thought about for a long time. In this proposal, he cleverly covered up the flaws in the original diversion bill. That is the resistance from the directly-affiliated legions. In fact, as long as the Eastern Legion is established, it is actually equivalent to splitting the original four directly-affiliated legions into two parts, making them larger and smaller. Invisibly, the Eastern Legion will become the Gangfei Army. The imperial military is a large and powerful army. However, the internal factions are complicated and doomed that this largest military group will not go in the opposite direction of the emperor.

The venue fell silent, and some whispers vibrated in the air. It was not that no one could not see the true intention of this proposal. But more people are looking at the new legion of the Eastern Legion. A large army that gathers one-half of the empire's provincial garrisons and one part from each of the four directly affiliated legions. Although it is a large integration, for many officers and generals who feel that they are not taken seriously or that their future is bleak, , is undoubtedly very excited, because it means that they can jump out of the big dye vat of Kyoto and find a place in the relatively relaxed new legion.

After looking at each other for a few times, the commanders of the four major corps with interests chose to remain silent. They were all waiting. Their eyes were fixed on the throne of the commander of the eastern corps. No matter how big the position of the four major corps was, unless they chose Rebellion, otherwise it will be like this for life, but the Eastern Army is different. If it finally defeats the Istani in the war, it is very possible to be promoted to Marshal of the Empire in one fell swoop. For a soldier, that is his peak!

"Lord Andia's proposal is very good, but the Eastern Army has the arduous task of containing the Istan people's advance. This requires that the person in charge of the Eastern Army must be a very good general who can take on important tasks. Among the current empire's important generals "I don't know who you plan to send to the Eastern Army." Marquis Yeerdo, the new commander of the Eighth Army, asked nervously. He was not a military commander from Kyoto, so he was most worried that he would be excluded from the selection.

"I think we can wait until after the Battle of Focodir to decide on this position!"

Andy smiled slightly, and he threw the most powerful blow. The meaning was very obvious. Who can perform the most outstandingly in the Battle of Forkodil? Who is the commander of the Eastern Army? As soon as these words came out, the venue immediately rang. There was a sound of gasping, and not only the eyes of the commanders of the four direct armies gleamed, but also the generals of other armies also cheered up, and everyone seemed confident.

"What about the Kyoto side?" someone asked in a low voice. "The commanders of the four directly affiliated corps are transferred to the front line, and the generals also go to the front line. What about the Imperial Guards in Kyoto? The Imperial Guards guard Xinjing and have the same responsibility. Serious. If this position falls to someone If you are in the hands of some unscrupulous people with hidden ambitions, you will be in great trouble!" Andy showed his white teeth. "Don't worry about that. The candidates I proposed are absolutely loyal and reliable. The position of commander of the Guards."

Everyone was shocked. 

The seven-year-old little emperor opened his eyes wide and looked at Andy in disbelief. After all, he was only seven years old. Even if someone pointed him out from behind, he would not be able to react to this situation for a while. When everyone's eyes were focused on him, When he was wearing it, he realized that it was not an illusion.

Before he could say anything, Marquis Doma, the commander of the Eleventh Army of the Empire, one of the four commanders of the army, had already shouted loudly, "Lord Andia's suggestion is very good! I agree!"

Yes, no one has any objection to handing over Kyoto to His Majesty the Emperor." The generals agreed one after another.

Only Marquis Leo, who was not the commander of the New Fifth Army, argued in ignorance, "His Majesty the Emperor is talented and wise, but he has no military experience. Is it too reckless to take charge of the Imperial Guard?" Andy pushed him away unceremoniously. Go back "Everyone has seen how His Majesty the Emperor has become a wise master. It is precisely because he has no experience that he needs to learn more!"

Walking out of the meeting hall, Andy walked at the back of the crowd. Because it involves the competition for the commander of the Eastern Army, it may have begun to regard others as competitors.

After the meeting, most of the generals walked down the steps in a hurry. They did not chat for more than ten minutes as before. Andy stopped after walking down the last step. In front of the steps, he He turned around and took a look at the majestic palace hall on the steps. His eyes were deep and thoughtful. When the supreme authority is peeked at, many unexpected things will appear at that time. Some ugly dregs will rise to the surface. Some local officials will defect to the enemy, some generals with heavy troops will become self-respecting warlords, some will rebel, some will betray, some will surrender, and some will escape. War has always been a freak. No matter how ugly things are produced in it, it may even be crazy. Morality is shattered, laws are trampled, superiority and inferiority are subverted, and social order is lost. A new era of chaos is coming. 

"How can people protect themselves in that chaotic period of war? The honorable title of His Majesty the Emperor cannot help you, nor can the countless treasures left by the previous emperor, and the title of heir is of no use to protect the royal power. Only the military holds on to military power! , always with the army. That is the safest. The four direct army commanders have left the capital, and the control of the Imperial Guard belongs to the emperor. The once uneasy atmosphere has been swept away like leaves in the wind. , but why, I still feel uneasy!

In October, the first snow fell in the north of Obarro, and the war between the Falcon Empire and the Gallic Empire entered a period of calm. The advancing Falcon Army was at the end of its strength. The arrival of cold winter made the Gallic side even more convinced. At this point, Hu Keqili actually received Fatty's order to suspend the attack.

The earth was covered with silvery white under the winter snow, and the cold wind blowing from the north seemed to freeze everything. In the room with the red-burning fireplace, the fat man made an agreement to sell the first batch of 300,000 kilograms of iron ore rough stones to the Central Asian Empire at a high price. He signed his name, put down his pen, and stared at the white peeping falling outside the window in a daze. The time passed by, and unknowingly it was already his fourth year in Oparo.

After several years of fighting and the sacrifice of countless imperial soldiers, the empire has completely established its position as the northern hegemon on this main continent. However, the war against the Gauls also seems to be seriously lagging behind.

Opposite him sat John Elder, the head of the Northwest District Business Alliance. This business tycoon in the Northwest District had an aggrieved look on his face. He had just swallowed up more than a thousand acres of fertile cotton fields in the Northwest District. He was also a legend in the business community. The character, but at this moment, is a rare serious person, this This guy has amazing decisiveness. Whenever he finds an opportunity, he will bet without hesitation. But this guy always makes the right bet. His ability to find opportunities to find opportunities is extraordinary. For example, when it comes to helping the Feiruo family, he does it in one fell swoop. A large order of 30,000 border guards’ winter uniforms has been finalized this year.

"Your Majesty, this year's military uniform standards are really difficult to meet!" John Ed said with a grimace. He took the risk to meet in person simply because this year's winter military uniform procurement competition had just begun, and he discovered a potentially big problem. , as an important task of the empire in the business alliance, he immediately came to report a situation to Fatty: "The new standards for military uniforms this winter are severely affecting cotton and linen merchants! Please make adjustments to your Majesty's request."

"Whether the standard of military uniforms is high or not is not decided by you or me, but by the actual situation! This year's winter comes early and will last for three months. For soldiers fighting in the snow, military uniforms are to protect them from the severe cold. The first combat weapon!" The fat man curled his lips. , closed the document in his hand, and said in a calm tone, "In previous years, I wouldn't mind giving these sensible guys a bite to eat, but not this year. If you feel that the previous preparations were in vain, I can let Mao Mo from the northwest Family and Dylans help you digest some!”

"Your Majesty, I'm not sorry for my loss, but I'm sorry that this military uniform standard will cause countless cotton and linen merchants to mourn!"

"The whole country is filled with sorrow? Isn't it too serious!"

The fat man was stunned for a moment. The main location of the empire was still in the north. Under the severe cold, the land was frozen for thousands of miles, and countless rivers were blocked. The inland rivers formed by the empire's trade lines were completely useless, and the speed of freight carriages would also be seriously slowed down. Slow down. Under normal circumstances, most businessmen will choose to rest in winter. Winter is the low ebb period for the empire’s trade. In order to stimulate domestic consumption and promote new growth points, fat men often order the Imperial Military Affairs Department and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to purchase various items in winter. A kind of war preparation. Build various facilities to mobilize the nerves of businessmen. Let the empire's business survive the cold winter smoothly.

However, this year's requirements for military uniforms are indeed too strict. The personnel of the Ministry of Military Affairs who went to purchase claimed that this year's military uniforms must be able to operate at minus 20 degrees Celsius. John Ed, a big tycoon in charge of cotton and linen, could not stand it and proposed minus 2 degrees Celsius. Ten degrees! No one had heard such a standard. John Ed, who thought he was sure of himself, was like a leaf in the autumn wind, bursting into tears and couldn't hold it anymore, because the requirement in previous years was just to be able to fight at minus ten degrees, which is good. This year it has doubled. The stuffing of military uniforms is made of cotton, which is not something that will increase the heat on its own.

John Ed had no choice but to take the risk to see Fatty personally. The cotton field is an industry that is considered to be declining rapidly in the Northwest District. With the establishment of business trade lines in the Southwest District that extend in all directions, colorful colors have begun to appear in the civilian clothing of the Falcon Empire. of silk thread. In the past, it was a fabric that only nobles could afford. The status of cotton and linen has been increasingly weakened.

"It's not an exaggeration at all! The young ones don't dare to expire at all." John Ed said with a rare serious face and a bitter mouth. "In June of this year, many people have taken advantage of the low price of cotton and linen to buy Mian began to prepare for winter military uniforms and traveled to the northwest for three months. The region bought up cotton fields on a large scale, ruthlessly spending half of its property to build 30 uniform workshops in a row, employing more than a thousand people, and some even stocked 30,000 sets of finished products, just like His Majesty during the war. You have to make preparations beforehand. These cotton and linen merchants are doing the same thing."

John Ed's eyes flashed sharply, and his voice paused. He said boldly, "Originally, as soon as the bidding for military uniforms started, these cotton and linen merchants would hold tens of thousands of military uniforms at the lowest price, and they could suppress many new entrants in terms of price. However, this year, the Imperial Military Affairs Department went against the norm and suddenly imposed a price on the military." The standard for the winter cotton lining in the armor has reached an abnormal level. The standard has changed. Not to mention that the hard work and financial resources invested by these cotton and linen merchants in the early stage were completely wasted. Thinking that tens of thousands of already made military uniforms must be dismantled into random cotton again, the little reputation these people finally accumulated can be considered completely It’s over! There will be very few cotton and linen merchants who can survive this winter!”

After hearing John Ed's words, the fat man stood up and pondered for a while. The list of winter military uniforms was fatal to the attraction of businessmen. It was entirely possible to prepare months in advance as John Ed said. The Empire's local troops Although it has just been reduced, the total strength is still 200,000, and the front-line combat troops outside are nearly 300,000, which adds up to 500,000. Such an order is already more than 10 million. Young businessmen call it "the ladder to wealthy businessmen"

Moreover, the empire spares no effort in protecting its soldiers in winter. In order to reduce the attrition of the army caused by the severe cold, winter clothes are made of the best cotton. In this regard, the Imperial Ministry of Military Affairs has never been stingy, and many cotton merchants have found out about it. In the past, there had been scandals of using winter military uniforms to pass off as inferior quality. The result was that the entire family of Tulunand, the big businessman responsible for supplying military uniforms, was killed and all their property was confiscated. With that kind of experience, later on The tourists are still coming in droves, the temptation is really too great,

Every winter, the imperial army's winter cotton clothing is a big cake, which is a tragic war for the wealthy cotton and linen merchants in the empire.

John Ed started his career because he once climbed the line of Caesar Sauron. He obtained the military uniform list of the Northern Army of the Empire at a favorable price for several consecutive years. His assets increased to more than one million in a few years. As a player in cotton and linen, The world's leading figure, what he said is not entirely alarmist!

The Fat Man planned to fight against Gaul Kyoto in the winter. As the empire's top military secret, it was impossible for the Fat Man to tell John Ed,

what to do? Lower the standards again? The fat man stared at the map behind him and was thinking about it. In the past few years in Oparo, he had discovered that the winter in Gaul was even colder than in the empire. If the army wanted to continue fighting in the winter as planned, it would be minus 20 degrees Celsius. It is entirely possible to encounter extremely cold weather, so Fatty has greatly improved the standards of winter military uniforms. Indeed, it is still difficult for this era to withstand minus 20 degrees.

With a bit of regret, Fatty thought in his heart, it would be great if there was an army that could adapt to the severe cold!

The fat man was thinking about recruiting some new soldiers from the withered Slavs, but he ultimately rejected it because the Slavs had no more soldiers to recruit. After the tragic migration, the Slavs were finally settled in the Bergtu area in the southwest district. , according to registration statistics, there are less than 50,000 adult male Slavs, and they are no longer able to form a combat army.

Have you been watching this all winter?

The fat man was unwilling to give up. The Gauls had a strong ability to recover. With the foundation of a great empire, they could mobilize at least 200,000 troops in one winter. The empire had been delayed for 10 months in order to open up the line of Rasti, Dani, and Gaul Kyoto. If they could not take Gaul Kyoto in one fell swoop, who knew what would happen!