EP.197
Reich Imperial Palace conference room.
The ministers here spoke in unison when Emperor Ferdinand von Reich entered.
“I congratulate Your Majesty the Crown Prince on this great victory from the bottom of my heart, Your Majesty.”
The emperor knew that it was flattery for his ministers to say this, but it still felt good.
Until now, I would like to consider handing over the position of emperor to the crown prince and retiring.
Michael von Reich was reluctant to step down from his position as emperor because he was certain that his eldest son, who would become the next emperor of the Empire, had no military achievements.
This time, with the sacrifice of only 10,000 people, he achieved a great feat by occupying western Austria, so the crown prince’s position will be so strong that there will be no problem at all even if the emperor election is held.
“Adventure adventure. Isn’t this all thanks to the ministers’ hard-working support from the rear and the empire’s brave soldiers risking their lives to fight? So, on this occasion, apart from the public merit awards, I would like to give rewards to ministers and administrators as well.”
“All officials will be delighted with Your Majesty’s merciful heart.”
“Joy is doubled when good things are shared. Now then, let’s start peddling non-gong. First, let’s talk about the crown prince’s achievements.”
At those words, Marshal Benner, who appeared as a substitute for military affairs, spoke carefully.
“As the commander-in-chief of this war, His Highness the Crown Prince acquired territory the size of four duchies in the western region of the Grand Duchy of Austria. In addition, we were able to escape the crisis of the joint operation between Czechoslovakia, Austria and the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, which Lieutenant General Jaeger pointed out as a major victory in this war. The Chief of Staff evaluates this war as an achievement that eliminated future crises that could shake the empire and at the same time greatly expanded its territory.”
When the Marshal, who could be said to be the head of a large army of over 500,000 people, said this, the ministers all expressed their agreement without any objection.
“Therefore, I, Marshal Lucas von Venner, request that the crown prince bestow one duchy of Austria as compensation for his achievements.”
There are all kinds of principalities and grand duchies on the continent of Europa, with a population of at least 10 million, but duchies belonging to empires or other countries are less powerful than them.
However, the place called a duchy boasts enormous economic power as it includes a large city with a population of at least 600,000 people and a commercial center.
A noble with the status of duke even has the influence to move the politics of the empire according to his own wishes.
Therefore, no matter how much a crown prince he was, he rarely received a duchy during his ‘crown prince days’ for any reason.
“Wouldn’t it be better to compromise and make it a marquisate level?”
“However, according to the view of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, without this battle, the empire could have faced an unprecedented crisis. So, it would not be strange at all if you were granted a duchy.”
“But… it is a duchy. “No matter how small a duchy is, it is the size of 4 to 5 earldoms.”
The Emperor was curious as to what Marshal Benner’s intention was when he said those words, and tried to read his intention on his face, but his expression was grave.
He passionately claims that he just read the opinions from the Chief of Staff, as if he had no interest whatsoever.
‘Under the premise that since I support the crown prince, there will be no problem in passionately insisting that he be given many rewards. ‘I guess he intended to make it known that he and his son-in-law, Lieutenant General Yeager, have no political greed at all.’
“We will accept the opinion of the Chief of Staff. However, the duchy granted to the crown prince will be the duchy of Einsenstadt, the smallest of the four duchies acquired this time. The remaining three duchies will be divided into earldoms, viscountries, and baronies, respectively, and will be awarded to those who made contributions in this war, as well as soldiers and administrators who served together, according to their achievements so far. “Then, next, talk about the deputy commander’s achievements.”
Marshal Benner closed his mouth at those words, and instead, the imperial chancellor sighed and spoke as if he had given up on everything.
“His Majesty the Crown Prince has made the greatest contribution to substantially planning this expedition and taking diplomatic interests into consideration, thereby escaping the empire from danger. In addition, there is an analysis result that shows that the new training and operational supply system for the army he proposed increased the imperial army’s combat power by nearly double compared to before. Also, in this battle, the 7th Guards Division, which he commanded, performed on its own at the scale of three divisions. Therefore, some captains at the Chief of Staff petitioned for his promotion to the first rank.”
The emperor was surprised that things had gone in an unintended direction, and the ministers were struck with their foreheads at the fact that a request for promotion to captain could be made for a man who was not even 30 years old.
What’s even funnier is that the reality that it is difficult for the captains who made such requests to refute that they made unreasonable demands created a desire to whip up children and grandchildren who are serving as officers.
“However, it is the opinion of the Imperial Council that no matter how great the achievements made by Lieutenant General Jaeger are, promotion to general is difficult. “I would like to know what your Majesty decides.”
It may seem a bit strange for the Noble Assembly, a group of nobles with titles in the military, to come up with an opinion.
If you become a captain in the imperial army, you will have a ministerial level of influence in each department of the administration while you are in office.
Therefore, personnel appointments at the rank of captain cannot be dismissed as simply an ‘internal matter of the military’, so generals below the rank of lieutenant general are promoted in a manner in which a request from the Chief of Staff is reviewed by the Minister of Military Affairs and approved by the emperor.
In the case of captains and marshals, they go through the same procedures as other generals, but are placed on the agenda of the Imperial Diet and undergo thorough personnel verification before the emperor’s approval.
The emperor, who had the final approval authority, was also not very pleased with such a proposal.
‘To be honest, Lieutenant General Yeager would perform his duties smoothly even if he were appointed Marshal right away instead of the Marquis Benner who is sitting over there. However, it is also true that he is somewhat lacking in age and experience. It’s not my job to promote him to captain, it’s something I’ll handle after Michael takes the throne as emperor. But that doesn’t mean the military made a rash suggestion.’
“I admit that Lieutenant General Yeager, who received both the Diamond Knight’s Sword Medal and the Twin Dragon Medal, has already achieved such military achievements that it would not be strange at all if he were promoted to general. So, it can be said that the request of some captains at the Chief of Staff is not wrong at all, but since they are still lacking in age and experience, I will refuse to promote them to captain. In addition, I don’t think it would be appropriate to bestow the title of marquis to someone who has already received the title of count.”
At those words, there was an atmosphere of relief in the conference hall, and the ministers praised the emperor’s judgment.
Because no matter how good Peter Yeager was, they were born as high-ranking nobles and at that age, they would have risked their lives to be promoted to secretary (equivalent to major to lieutenant colonel in military rank).
No matter how great their achievements were, they did not want to see a situation where their formal rank and status were matched by someone who was under 30.
“Lieutenant General Yeager is only 28 years old. “There are plenty of opportunities ahead, so there is no need to rush.”
“The Vice Admiral will certainly understand His Majesty’s decision.”
“Instead, wouldn’t it be better to grant him territory or something like that to increase his family’s prestige and honor?”
When the emperor heard that, he smiled brightly and said:
“As the ministers said, promotion to captain and rank were uneven. It would be wise to reward him generously. Therefore, 60,000 gold will be granted to him in the County of Horn and the County of Melk.”
Hearing these words, the ministers decided to write letters to their sons who had aged well and were still behind in promotions, telling them to work harder to get promoted, or to call them in person and nag them.
“Regarding the achievements of the 7th Guards Division commanded by Lieutenant General Peter Yeager, reward them more generously than in peacetime. In addition, in recognition of the 7th Guards Division’s contribution to fending off the Austrian knights with only infantry carrying spears, we will allow the emperor’s emblem to be engraved on the division flag.”
There were currently about five division-level units or higher with the emperor’s emblem inscribed in the empire, and those who served as officers in these units were generally treated as elites.
More than 60% of those promoted to captain were those who had served as division commanders or deputy division commanders in these units.
So, with this, the emperor has not only set a deadline for Peter Yeager’s promotion to general, but has almost confirmed it.
And the emperor looked around at the ministers and declared.
“Lieutenant General Peter Yeager’s achievements were unprecedented in the entire history of the empire. In order to praise his achievements, he will be permitted to marry the fourth princess of the empire, Louise von Reich, thereby making the imperial family’s trust in him clear. In addition, the public service awards will be announced simultaneously by the Crown Prince after the triumphal ceremony. However, since there is a lot we have discussed so far, let’s eat and then meet again to handle the remaining items.”
At the same time as he said those words, the emperor left the conference room and the ministers looked at his back with an expression as if they had been hit hard in the back of the head.
“……Your Royal Highness to Vice Admiral Jaeger? “Maybe I should have just insisted first to be promoted to captain.”
“What on earth is my son doing sitting around? “Why can’t I be promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel after I’m over 40 years old?”
“Well, maybe I should have been more careful when choosing a son-in-law. Marshal Benner would be very happy to have a good son-in-law so he won’t have a stomach ache…”
However, Marshal Benner’s mind, who became the object of envy from his ministers, was quite complex.
Since there is a son-in-law who is absolutely trusted by the emperor, there is an expectation that his family’s position and wealth will greatly increase with that halo.
Thanks to the influence of his son-in-law, he was promoted to the rank of marshal, when he should have been a lieutenant general.
And the worry for my beloved daughter that more than overcomes those emotions.
‘Laura often complained in letters about Colonel Kergit, his personal maid named Charlotte, and many other ladies flirting with her. And now I’m getting married to Her Royal Highness. “I was expecting it, but already…”
“Having a great son-in-law is so hard sometimes. Those people probably don’t think I have this kind of trouble. I need to go visit senior Patton for the first time in a while and clear my head and have a drink…”
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