industrial lord

Chapter 761 Post-War Arrangements
Amidst howling winds and snow, an army departs Bestburg, embarking on an unknown journey.

When Catherine arrived, there were five hundred people. When she left, in addition to more than a hundred men who could be considered soldiers, there was also a long caravan of merchants accompanying the army to provide logistical support.

Power is a deadly temptation for many people, especially the wealthy gentry who have suffered much oppression and cherish the power they have just acquired.

The second son, guards, bodyguards, strong serfs, and the food and weapons in the storehouse were all handed over to Catherine in exchange for power.

On the wall, Bell Burke tightened his collar and turned to Frederick, saying, "I thought you would come with us."

Frederick watched the troops gradually disappear into the snowstorm and said softly, "This war can only be her victory if she wins it with her own hands."

"I've done everything I can to create a window of opportunity for her where the Kingdom of Piaster is powerless to intervene."

The latest battle report from Hongshuiche Village Fortress indicates that the allied forces of the three kingdoms have been defeated.

Kosdorf and Snellman broke through the encirclement, but less than one-tenth of their troops remained.

Seeing the situation was not good, Kazimir immediately led his troops to break out to the east, but they were surrounded by the 3rd Division, which was secretly advancing westward. Of the 50,000 Winged Hussars who set out on the expedition, less than 10,000 escaped.

If the Rhine Alliance hadn't also suffered heavy losses, they might have been able to seize Flensburg and achieve their initial strategic objective.

However, seeing the pressure ease in the north, the royal family of Danma, with the help of mercenaries who came to their aid, suddenly launched a counterattack, recapturing large swathes of land and reinforcing Flensburg.

The remnants of the Rhine Alliance could only hold the Redwaterwheel Village fortress, stabilize their occupied territory, and see if they could take over the southern region.

“The Kingdom of Anglo has played this move well,” Frederick said to Beller Burke as he descended the city wall. “They actually spent a large sum of money to hire mercenaries from Green Island to help the Kingdom of Danma, giving them a major boost along the North Sea coast. Perhaps the Kingdoms of Sverrière and Suomi will also receive their aid. They’ve practically taken over the entire maritime territory.”

Bell Burke, who was quite familiar with diplomacy, frowned and said, "If they monopolize the port trade of three countries, our trade in the north will be greatly affected."

"At least, their ports will not be open to the Rhine Alliance."

Frederick said indifferently, "They don't do business with the Rhine Alliance, so what does it have to do with the Prince of Galada of the Kanto-Plan Empire, the Count of Kfitz of the Kingdom of Kush, the Duke of Lukang of the Kingdom of Gaul, and the Baron of Red Eggplant of the Kingdom of Sardinia?"

Beller Burke was speechless. Frederick's foreign titles could indeed be used in this way, and even the Dawn Merchant Guild could be quickly transformed, seemingly having no connection with the Rhine Alliance. This was what was called "one team, several names".

Most importantly, the Weisen army turned the tide of the battle, and no one dared to openly turn against the Weisen Principality.

“What do you plan to do with the Kingdom of Anglo?” Bell Burke asked. “They’ve been the masterminds behind this war.”

Now everyone has realized that this war was instigated by the Kingdom of Anglo-Saxon, with the intention of disrupting the development of the Rhine Alliance.

The Rhine Alliance will inevitably retaliate, but they are separated by the sea, and Frederick the Minister of the Navy will be involved in any action.

“War costs money,” Frederick said. “The Kingdom of Anglo has spent a lot of money this time, and has also acquired a huge fleet. The cost of this investment is not low.”

"The best way to deal with them is naturally to make it impossible for them to recoup their investment."

"Therefore, I have decided that all mineral resources, wool, and timber from the Kingdom of Anglo will be exempt from tariffs when sold to Lukang."

Bell Burke was puzzled and asked, "So what's the point besides you losing a lot of tariffs?"

Frederick asked with a smile, "Shall we make a bet?"

“No!” Bell Burke immediately rejected the idea; to make a business bet with Frederick would be asking for trouble.

Frederick didn't elaborate further, continuing, "I will contact the Kingdom of Gaul and invest in a series of textile and garment industries in the Low Countries. Your railway construction should also keep up."

Belle Burke said thoughtfully, "Everyone's saying the weather's getting colder. If we build a textile industry there, we can use the wool from the northern Anglo-Gallic Kingdom and the Kingdom of Gaul." Having worked on railways for so many years, she understood the relationship between transportation and industry, hence her thought.

Frederick nodded and said, "Selling raw materials doesn't make much money; it's the processed products that are valuable."

Bell Burke seemed to understand and said, "So, you're planning to prevent the Kingdom of Anglo from earning money from processing wool and timber?"

Frederick nodded and said, "That's right."

"Because production equipment has always been very expensive, only royalty and high-ranking nobles are qualified to build large-scale factories."

“They are the masterminds behind this war, so naturally we have to find ways to squeeze money out of them.”

Bell Burke nodded, somewhat understanding.

“We can’t fight any more wars,” Frederick continued. “With Rudolf like that, who would dare to continue fighting?”

"Wesenberg City has received more than a dozen telegrams, ordering me to return immediately to stabilize morale."

Beller Burke's eyes lit up; this meant that Frederick could extend his influence in the army even further.

The two returned to their lodgings, which were not far from the city walls, and asked the servants to prepare hot water in the bathtub before Belle Burke entered the bathroom.

“There’s something I need your family’s help with,” Frederick whispered in her ear. “Go back and spread some rumors to change the feudal obligation to send troops into military tax, and establish a unified army modeled after the army of the Duchy of Wessen.”

Bell Burke frowned. This was a matter of great importance that affected the fundamental system of the country. He couldn't help but say, "I'm afraid no one would be willing to hand over military power."

Frederick said nonchalantly, "Find a few minor nobles who have suffered setbacks in the war, have them drink and complain, and see how they react."

"I'm getting married to Maria next spring, and then we'll go abroad for our honeymoon. We'll have plenty of time to see how everyone reacts."

"If no one supports it, it's just drunken ramblings, and nobody will care."

"If many people think it's feasible, let them argue about it."

Bell Burke nodded, but then asked worriedly, "If the entire Rhine Alliance's army is unified, command might not necessarily fall into your hands. What then?"

Although Frederick was renowned, he needed to engage in various interest-binding and exchanges within the court. He was adept at this in the three southern duchies, but his influence was still insufficient in most parts of the Rhine Alliance.

If you want to fight for command of the army, reputation alone is not enough.

Frederick said nonchalantly, "What if I hand over Wesson?"

Bell Burke immediately reached out and touched his forehead to make sure he hadn't been blown silly by the wind.

The Duchy of Weisen relies heavily on the Weisen Army. If they hand over their army, what difference is there between them and meat on a chopping board?
But on second thought, handing over Weisen's army to him in exchange for control of the national army might not be a bad idea.

Berberk took a deep breath and asked Frederick a very important question: "To whom does this army belong?"

She had to confirm whether Frederick had any intention of taking that position.

This is a matter of principle, involving the extent of support for Frederick from all sides, and there must be a bottom line.

Frederick calmly replied, "Rhine."

(End of this chapter)