Ch.150Neighboring Countries (2)

“Your Majesty, are you truly alright with this?”

“With what?”

“Granting trade permissions to Albion.”

Although the meeting with the Albion envoy had ended on a gloomy note despite its amicable beginning, my initial promise to continue trade with Albion remained intact.

Ines, who had silently observed the proceedings throughout the meeting, seemed displeased with this outcome. As soon as the talks concluded, she asked me with a puzzled expression.

“Blocking trade would cause an even bigger uproar. If someone wants something but can’t obtain it through peaceful means, the remaining option is… you know?”

“Hmm… that’s certainly true.”

It’s quite irritating to bestow favors upon those who speak so rudely, but we must continue trade relations to make Albion’s economy dependent on Rotharing-Caroling.

What happens if trade with the island nation is completely blocked? There’s a perfect example in 14th-15th century Japan.

It wasn’t for nothing that Korean and Chinese officials permitted Japanese ships to enter their ports for trade despite their piracy. If they had refused, those peaceful merchant ships entering ports could have instantly transformed into pirate fleets.

Above all, trade with Albion isn’t purely disadvantageous. While we suffer losses in some areas, we gain in others—which is the natural concept of any transaction.

“We need to instill the perception that they can obtain what they want peacefully, and use that to train them properly. It’s like throwing meat to a hunting wolf to turn it into a dog.”

If we make Albion dependent on trade with Rotharing-Caroling, they’ll have no choice but to be mindful of my reactions.

The fact that Albion just came to seek my permission to continue trading in Caroling territories suggests that foreign trade constitutes a significant portion of their national foundation.

This means that if we not only permit but continuously expand trade with Albion, eventually they’ll become so startled by even my slightest cough that they’ll be paralyzed with indecision.

“But… wouldn’t that harm Your Majesty’s honor?”

Of course, this perspective only considers national interests, not my personal viewpoint.

I merely refused their demand to surrender legitimately acquired war spoils without expressing any anger about it. From a medieval perspective, such behavior seems equivalent to willingly accepting dishonor.

This is an era where any action can be justified for the sake of personal honor, and everyone living in this age greatly disapproves of my decision. Not just Ines, but other attendants and knights around me are exchanging glances with expressions of utter incomprehension.

“Ines, you’re dissatisfied because I’m not punishing Albion at all, right?”

“Y-yes…”

“It’s alright. I’m not saying I won’t punish them. I’m postponing it.”

“…?”

“Isn’t it better to both restore honor and inflict critical damage on the opponent, rather than simply recovering honor?”

It’s not time yet.

I’ll lead the island nation of Albion to become completely dependent on the continental power of Rotharing-Caroling… and then I’ll settle the debt.

……….

“Phew… what a relief.”

“Your Grace, did the King of Rotharing really accept that demand?”

“What kind of person would ever agree to such demands?”

“Then why…”

Having returned to their lodgings, the Duke of Richmond, Albion’s envoy, wiped away his cold sweat and sighed in relief. His attendant, misinterpreting his words as meaning the demands had been accepted, received an incredulous response.

“The King of Rotharing accepted our other demands while rejecting that one.”

“Oh my…”

When Edward suddenly assigned me to lead the delegation, I initially thought it might be an olive branch.

But when I learned that one of the demands I was to make to the Rotharing King was the return of the Duchy of Neustria, I truly wanted to stab my lord right then and there, titles be damned.

Making such demands to a king rumored to be insane was practically begging for death.

Of course, no matter how insane, he probably wouldn’t actually kill a foreign envoy of ducal rank like myself, but the probability of receiving comparable humiliation was extremely high.

Yet, nothing happened? And all our other demands except those related to Neustria were met?

‘Very good.’

I don’t know what Edward’s scheme was, but even he couldn’t have expected such unreasonable demands to be actually accepted.

If his intention was to force rejection of all demands by including this unreasonable one… then appointing me as delegation leader makes perfect sense.

He could attack me for failing to secure demands that should have been granted.

But that attack became impossible thanks to the Rotharing King’s patience. I should send him a personal gift when I return to Albion.

Anyway, when I get back to Albion, that bastard Edward won’t get away with this.

“Why did the Rotharing King act that way? Depending on perspective, it could be considered an insult.”

“I’m not entirely sure, but Rotharing has been at war continuously for several years, so perhaps they’ve determined that further conflict is impossible. That’s why they want to avoid causing more trouble.”

While most nobles would be displeased by a servant asking such probing questions, the Duke of Richmond, ugly in appearance but kind-hearted, patiently answered his servant’s curiosity.

Moreover, organizing his thoughts through conversation was his preferred method of analysis.

“Indeed, Rotharing must be reluctant to cause further trouble when they’re already struggling to stabilize Caroling.”

“Exactly.”

“But the problem is that such judgment came from that madman king.”

“…True.”

The Duke of Richmond deflated at his servant’s entirely reasonable observation.

The Rotharing King’s thought process was utterly incomprehensible.

All the information he had desperately gathered on the way to Dijon indicated that the Rotharing King was impulsive and eccentric. It was difficult to imagine such a person enduring this kind of humiliation.

What is it? What is he aiming for?

No, am I missing something…?

“…I don’t know.”

From his twenty years of experience traveling through various countries, he had learned that when dealing with any nation, one need only consider its ruler’s character.

A country moves according to its ruler’s will. Even if the vassals beneath are exceptionally powerful and the ruler’s influence has weakened, the ruler’s will remains paramount in governing the nation.

Thus, the most crucial aspect of diplomacy is understanding the character of the ruler of the country you wish to engage with, carefully catering to their preferences to achieve your goals.

But this meeting with the Rotharing King was… how to put it? Yes, it felt as if the fundamental concept had changed.

It wasn’t that the country moved according to the ruler’s will, but rather the ruler moved according to the country’s will.

…No, that’s going too far.

There could be many reasons—perhaps he’s not as impulsive as rumored, or he simply doesn’t want to create more problems.

……….

“…The Albion envoy has gone to Dijon?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Holy Roman Emperor pondered deeply upon receiving reports of contact between Albion and Rotharing.

Albion maintained deep relations not only with Rotharing and Caroling but also with the Holy Roman Empire. If Albion formed some agreement with Rotharing, it would be extremely troublesome for the Empire.

Currently, the Holy Roman Empire was focused on building its strength internally. Any external stimulus would disrupt this process.

‘…Tsk, I shouldn’t have granted that customs exemption or whatever it was.’

For a certain period, all Rotharing goods entering the Empire would be exempt from any customs duties, and even after that period, they would receive substantial discounts on customs.

Initially, it seemed fortunate that they demanded only material concessions without territorial claims, but now it’s clear there’s no more disadvantageous treaty.

Though I leave such internal affairs to my administrators and my oversight may be limited, I understand perfectly well that controlling prices and restoring artisans and farmers are essential for post-war recovery.

But the cheaply available Rotharing goods are endlessly disrupting the Empire’s prices and making life difficult for our artisans and farmers.

As a result, our efforts to strengthen our internal foundations have been greatly hampered. Damn it…

“…Send someone to Albion immediately. We need to know what they discussed.”

“As you command.”

In any case, if Rotharing, having swallowed Caroling, wishes to turn its blade toward the Empire next… they would want to strengthen relations with Albion across the sea.

If Rotharing has engaged in dialogue or transactions with Albion from this perspective, it could spell disaster for the Holy Roman Empire.

To formulate countermeasures, we must learn as quickly as possible what they discussed with each other.