episode_0013

“There are several ways. You can use trade as a weapon, or you can use partisan tactics. Unless the opponent is a fool, he or she will prefer to stand by and intervene moderately to take advantage rather than engage in an all-out war with the empire.”

“If we stabilize the surroundings and restore relations, we will make them economically subordinate to our empire. Even if they want to pick up a spear knife, they cannot.”

“Creusen. An order of peace that revolves around this glorious empire. Pax Kreusenka. That is the grand picture I want in the end.”

Is that what it sounds like at first glance? Words that I want to say, and are even a bit absurd.

But when I listen to it again, it seems like something is true, so I fall in love with it more and more.

It seems that the rumor that the 1st prince was excellent at speaking was not spread for nothing.

If I were not from my family but belonged to the neutral faction, I would have thought positively.

Of course, the princess sitting next to me scoffed at the prince’s words, telling him to stop talking nonsense… .

“… .”

No, princess? What should I do if you look like you’re possessed by something?

Come to your senses! You belong to the Jujeon faction, not the Juhwa faction!

“Ah.”

Fortunately, the princess soon came to her senses and her expression distorted.

“The content was so great that I was fascinated for a moment. Looking at it again, I see you’re just talking nonsense.”

“Which part is like that? Bell.”

“If the empire uses any means other than force, the other side will say, ‘Oh my. The pressure from the empire is too strong. ‘I’ll have to bow my head.’ Do you think I’ll do it? In fact, they will show even more enthusiasm and passion for military action!”

“That’s—”

“And. Do you know that acts of force only cause harm? Rather, it is the fastest and most effective method! Look at the surrounding countries! If our imperial army moves near the border, nine times out of ten they will surrender!”

yes. That’s right. When an empire and a kingdom fight, nine times out of ten, the empire wins.

The larger the country is. The more resources you have. And the more people there are. Advantageous in everything.

The reason an empire is called an empire is because those three are overwhelming.

And the reason we were able to hold those three was also thanks to the war that never stopped.

“… okay. good. Then, not the ideal part. Let’s look at a more realistic aspect. Bell.”

At some point, instead of a conversation between the prince and me, it became a fight between the prince and the princess.

But I didn’t really intervene. Rather, it is also a good sight to see.

“I don’t know how much tax was paid to the military this year. Bell.”

“… Quite a lot.”

“Not quite a lot. It went up again. As the military’s activities increased, the resources consumed also increased, which meant that the taxes that the people of the empire had to pay increased rather than decreasing or maintaining them.”

hmm. also. In the end, the most realistic yet most fatal part comes out.

Problems related to money arise at any time. It is equally important whether it is a family or an empire.

Especially taxes, which are not just simple income… Phew. My head hurts already.

“The empire continues to spend enormous amounts of taxes on military expenses. However, the resulting cost is not as much as before. Above all, we are not waging wars of conquest like the great emperors who founded the empire and many of our ancestors in the early days, but we are expending a lot of money.”

“Instead, it provides deterrence!”

“That deterrent can be compensated for by using less taxes. At the same time, it can prevent the young people of the empire from being killed or injured due to unnecessary casualties.”

The princess is fervently protesting the prince’s words, citing other reasons.

But it looks quite difficult. After all, wasn’t ‘tax’ the thing that came out of the prince’s mouth?

It’s not just money. That is the public sentiment of the people of the empire, their love for the imperial family, and their approval ratings.

When taxes rise, it means that they fall in inverse proportion.

“Prince Kael.”

The prince, who finally defeated the princess, turned to me and continued speaking.

“As you know, the cost of war is never small. Just the conflict with Novogord right now. Even moving one corps cost a huge amount of money. It was like this almost every time. How long can you handle this?”

“… .”

“As I have already said, I am not suggesting that we give up military force. Think a little more, consider a little more. The idea is not to make it the first means that comes to mind, but to make it the last thing you choose.”

shit. It shouldn’t be like this. I keep getting sucked in. That speech, that eloquence!

“Even though I can’t afford the taxes, I don’t give up on main broadcasting. Because that’s the easiest way. That’s why I even need someone who can understand what I’m saying while standing in the position of the main proponent.”

“Are you saying that’s me?”

“Possibilities in you. No, because I saw confidence.”

It’s a possibility. Confidence. I asked what exactly that was.

Then the prince smiled and began to rhyme.

“Although he went to the battlefield, he castrated and brought down the opponent’s will through other means rather than fighting. As the eldest son of the Berthier Imperial family, he could have been an ardent supporter of the military, but he took a step back and thought about it and put it into practice. I think very highly of that part.”

“… .”

At that moment, the words that it was all a misunderstanding lingered in my mouth.

It seems that the prince thinks I have some skepticism about the use of force.

But I am not like that at all. If I was really skeptical, I wouldn’t have done the war.

“Your Royal Highness is seeking a new path.”

“If I were to put it that way, I guess so.”

“There is one thing I would like to ask.”

So far, I’ve literally only heard good stories.

And like all political figures. After carrots, there is always a stick.

“I would like to ask what the military and the main faction will do if they continue to be like this.”

“If that happens, it will be quite noisy in the National Assembly when the next imperial budget is drawn up.”

“Are you going to put pressure on the military budget?”

“I think that stimulating neighboring countries to spend more military spending without any benefit is an act of benefit to the empire. What do you think of Prince Kael?”

I was silent at the prince’s words, and the princess stood up and asked what he was talking about.

Even today, many people are working hard to protect the empire, so they are putting pressure on the budget.

They say it is an act of turning into enemies all the heroes of the empire who have ever fought honorably.

However, the prince accepted it as if he had spoken well.

“Bell. What did the heroes of that empire fight for? It was to change it. your sons and daughters. Granddaughter, grandson. And it was to prevent their descendants from experiencing the threat of war. It was not the early days of the founding of the country, and there were few countries nearby that would invade the empire on a large scale. What are you going to do if you remain stubborn even though the world has changed?”

“There is no country to invade? Right now, Novogord alone is said to be lacking in numbers compared to the Empire, but its training and practical skills are no less! and! That’s true if you only look at it as a single opponent. You don’t even predict that neighboring countries will unite to put pressure on the empire?”

“So, the situation should be dealt with through diplomacy… .”

“Shauncatchers want bigger food! Because there is a lot to eat! They are the same! Do you want the scraps we give you? Or they’ll go for the huge chunks of flesh they can rip off from us!”

This is true and that side is also true. It is difficult to conclude who is right and who is wrong.

So, while I was quietly watching the confrontation between the two siblings, the prince turned to me.

“My story will end like this. Prince Kael. How about it?”

“First of all, I was very impressed by His Royal Highness’s words.”

“That’s a good thing. I thought people would consider it idealistic and absurd.”

“Force is ultimately a means to protect and maintain peace. The same goes for His Royal Highness the Prince. The same goes for Her Majesty the Princess next to her. In the end, isn’t the goal of peace for the empire?”

The prince was looking at me with quite favorable eyes.

Despite having a father who was active in the military and was a key figure in the military.

It is only natural that I react positively to his opinion.

On the contrary, the princess had a worried look in her eyes.

“But His Royal Highness. Ultimately, force is a factor that makes countries listen more closely to each other’s stories. This is not an option, it is a necessity. History proves this.”

“… ”

“Charge. Ultimately, I will vote in favor of your opinion. But not yet. I would like to say that it is premature.”

“Even though the burden is already heavy due to frequent acts of force?”

Are you planning to attack me with tax issues just like you did with the princess?

That’s for sure. Nobility and imperial family. Angry imperial citizens are scary.

Has there been one or two countries that collapsed due to excessive taxes?

“It seems that the Juhwa faction is planning to use this as a reason to put pressure on the next parliament.”

“That will happen.”

“Is it okay for you to say all of this in front of me or Her Highness?”

“You will find out sooner or later anyway, and you would have expected it long ago.”

Nope. I never expected it. Please don’t overestimate. Stop being mistaken!

“Then. As you heard in advance, I will also tell you in advance. His Royal Highness. Perhaps such arguments will not have much force in the next Congress.”

“… What do you mean?”

“The people of the empire will not protest as much as you think about paying taxes.”

Then the prince made an expression as if he was saying such nonsense.

How could the people of the empire not rebel? It’s directly related to taxes, not anything else.

“It is said that economic reasons produce political results. majesty. There is a saying: Politics is subordinate to the economy.”

“Those are truly impressive words. I feel a deep resonance. Did Prince Kael come up with this?”

“… Yeah, well.”

I’m sorry. Mr. Wenli Yang. Since you’re not here, let’s just assume I did it.

“But if Confucius said it, it is rather strange. The economy is ultimately about money. And taxes are money too. If we think about it that way, the claims of the people of the empire would be ignored on our side.”

“That’s right. That’s right. But sometimes that turns around.”

“Turn over? Even though taxes are increasing. Are you turning it over even though the economic damage is clearly visible?”

“Yes. Your Majesty.”

Have you ever heard of Gukbbong? Prince?