Chapter 96: Dragged Along With A Star (2)
Reich Empire Palace, Grand Council Room.
Here, the Emperor along with the military leaders and heads of various administrative departments, were seated, preparing for a meeting.
Today’s difference from the usual merit discussion meetings was that each desk had a glass of top-quality wine on it.
“Finally, that Ludwig is dead. Preparing for war almost broke our finance department, but now we don’t have to worry about spending money on them anymore.”
“Count Benner has made significant contributions. We expected a victory, but never imagined that with only about 5,000 casualties, he’d kill 35,000 barbarians and capture 10,000 warriors.”
“Moreover, there are over 400,000 prisoners, and countless livestock! It’s a victory that will go down in history!”
No one here was drunk yet, the issues at hand were significant, and the main meeting hadn’t even started, yet the atmosphere was already lively.
“The only sun of the Reich Empire and the proxy of Deus, His Majesty Fernando von Reich, enters!”
At that announcement, everyone at the meeting stood up at once to pay respects, and the Emperor, maintaining his dignity, spoke with a voice full of joy.
“Everyone, please take your seats.”
After everyone was seated, the Empire’s Chancellor started the merit distribution meeting by striking a wooden gavel three times at the Emperor’s signal.
“In this war, by His Majesty’s special command, the top three merits will be discussed regardless of rank. Let’s start with the first merit holder, Heintz von Benner, Your Majesty.”
“Proceed.”
“Firstly, Commander Benner of the Northern Army not only maintained continuous supply for an expeditionary force of 70,000 but also achieved victory in the major war of subjugating Ludwig, securing hundreds of thousands of prisoners and the entire Copenhagen Peninsula. The rest is so evident that it need not be discussed.”
After that, everyone, including the Emperor, submitted their thoughts on appropriate rewards, and after about 30 minutes of discussion,
“Count Heintz von Benner is awarded the entire territory of the Countship of Alsace, 50,000 gold as a reward, the right to include the golden lion symbolizing the royal family in his house’s coat of arms, the Diamond Sword Cross decoration, and the Northern Conquest Medal. Considering his and his family’s contributions to the nation, he is elevated to a duke.”
The Diamond Sword Cross decoration was an award chosen as the final step towards becoming a Marshal, the highest rank in the imperial army, and the Countship of Alsace was among the top ten wealthiest territories in the Empire.
Furthermore, the title of duke was the highest attainable title for an imperial noble, so among the hundreds of titled families, there were only seven ducal families.
Thus, despite the factional struggles, a situation arose that could express concerns to the Emperor.
This was because he was able to prevent the danger to the empire’s already diplomatically and militarily unfavorable position, surrounded by several countries, by successfully subjugating Ludwig in the north.
Everyone merely cleared their throats, unable to openly express opposition.
“Even compared to such individuals, Baron Yaeger’s achievements are in no way lacking. Moreover, he has already made significant contributions by preventing potential defeats or averting massive losses several times. Therefore, it seems acceptable to break the existing convention in his case.”
At this point, everyone’s attention was focused, and the chancellor continued,
“Thus, promoting him to major general is in the interest of the Reich Empire. However, I think it is not good for a very young man to rapidly rise in rank due to a single battle. Please keep this in mind.”
It was an irrefutable truth, and everyone, including the Emperor, had no choice but to agree.
Because, aside from those who were exceptions for succeeding the heads of ducal families, breaking a convention that had been insurmountable was in itself a reason for Peter Yaeger to be highly esteemed.
“The Chancellor’s words are correct. Therefore, we will promote Colonel Yaeger to Major General. In recognition of his achievement in killing Khan, we elevate his title to viscount. He will be granted the territories of Töner, Grasten, and the entirety of the Rosenheim barony, along with a reward of 30,000 gold. Additionally, for decapitating Khan, we will specially bestow upon him the Golden Knight Sword decoration.”
The Emperor granted a promotion, vast lands, title, and reward, yet no one could oppose it.
Because any further argument would be futile, as it would only belittle the commander who personally killed Khan and led the victory in the war.
“I am Otto Moritz, Minister of Military Affairs. I have a request for Your Majesty.”
At this, the Emperor looked at his favored Minister of Military Affairs, who had been called the protector of the empire during his active military service.
“Speak.”
“Since last April, upon learning that the Reich Empire was troubled by Ludwig, the François Republic has consistently provoked us, resulting in the loss of many villages, fields, and peasants on the eastern border, haven’t we?”
Indeed, while attention was focused on the north, substantial losses were incurred due to the relatively less threatening François during that period.
Although, thanks to the thin pretext of shared Deus faith, there weren’t many cases of peasants being killed.
The number of displaced people who lost all their assets was nearly in the hundreds of thousands, and had the northern conquest failed, the inability to settle these displaced people could have led many to become vagrants.
Of course, they responded to the provocations, but proper revenge had not yet been achieved...
“It seems the time has come to contest even those nobles who can only debate among themselves.”
“We must confront the François Republic. Recently, Major General Yaeger’s lecture at the Staff College, ‘What is War?’, greatly resonated with me. Therefore, please assign Major General Yaeger to the General Staff to assist in planning the invasion of François.”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor said,
“A good idea. Proceed as such. Now, let’s start the next merit distribution. Let’s see... To the Northern Army’s Deputy Commander, Major General Nordenburk, we grant the baronies of Cheils and Tolen, and a reward of 15,000 gold...”
Thus, on that day, Count Benner became a candidate for the next Marshal, and Major General Yaeger exhibited the miracle of breaking the empire’s convention.
