Chapter 363 Chapter 330

The direction of the matter seems to have become clear, but the old general Hughes still seemed a little dissatisfied: "Your Highness, I have no objection to being transferred from Wang Cheng's guards. I also believe that brave soldiers can defend the imperial capital. But since If the Southern Legion is transferred...Your Highness, everyone knows the situation of the Southern Legion. Historically, for many years, every time the empire expanded its navy, troops were drawn from the Southern Legion to supplement the navy. As of today, there is actually only one Southern Legion left. It's a huge shelf, if another division is dispatched this time..."

"Then let the soldiers of the navy 'return to land'!!" The regent's last words finally made up his mind! Return? This new word shocked everyone! For more than two decades, the empire's military strategy has always focused on the sea rather than the land. This is already a recognized fact! The warships are getting bigger and bigger, the navy is expanding and expanding, and the Nanyang expedition is going on... Although the recent expeditions have been smaller and smaller each time.But after all, there is still profit every time.Even the Chancellor of the Exchequer has to admit that expeditions can bring benefits to the empire—as long as there are no grand celebrations and triumphal ceremonies that waste money and people.

The old chancellor of the exchequer was not opposed to the triumphant ceremony, after all, it was an honor for the soldiers of the expedition.However, just for the sake of showing off, it is really stupid to widen the canal by hundreds of miles, mobilize more than 100,000 laborers to operate it, and spend millions of gold coins... Such an approach is really stupid. In everyone's hearts, they still maintain a certain favor for the expedition to Nanyang.After all, the benefits brought by so many years of expeditions have already left a deep "vanity" in everyone's hearts! Even Du Wei's father, Earl Raymond.Such a shrewd and capable person actually does not object to the Nanyang expedition, but just thinks that "the number of expeditions should be slightly reduced, and the time interval should be carefully calculated." The simplest point is: fatten up before killing !

But Prince Chen's "return to the land", this step, has gone far further than what everyone imagined! ! For Hughes, the military leader, every army is his lifeblood, and it is extremely reluctant for the military to abolish any army... When he heard this, his face immediately became pale As soon as he changed, he was about to protest loudly, but he felt a look from the side, and it was the old prime minister Robeschell. There was a deep warning and dissuasion in Robschel's eyes.Old Hughes immediately felt a chill in his heart, knowing that the old prime minister hinted to himself that he must not speak against the regent now.

"The number of combatants in the Imperial Navy has increased to nearly 150,000! There are nearly a thousand warships!!" Prince Chen said lightly, "There are still 20 new large warships that will be launched this year... What an honorable acquaintance, What a powerful number! What a huge number!! Huh, indeed, everyone is fascinated by the strength and invincibility of the navy... But I would like to ask you all. Such a powerful navy, such an invincible navy... I want to have What's the use??" Prince Chen slammed the table hard.With a bang, everyone's expression was shocked.

Then I heard Prince Chen questioning in a deep voice: "Use? To deal with the natives of Nanyang? To deal with those who can only paddle small canoes, hold spears made of sticks and stones, and bows and arrows made of branches to fight." Indigenous? Just to deal with these aborigines, the Roland Empire will spend tens of millions of military expenditures, 150,000 navies, and nearly a thousand warships every year?!! Fortunately, we are still intoxicated by this kind of 'victory' and dreaming of dreams!! It’s a joke! It’s a shame!! The navy is invincible? It is indeed invincible! That’s because there are no enemies at sea in this world! Since there are no enemies at sea, what’s the use of such a huge navy for the empire?! Is it for display? !"

His words, every word, hit people's hearts.In the hall, everyone was speechless, only Du Wei kept his face calm, but he couldn't help looking at the regent, and a thought suddenly came to his mind... Could it be that he... "The prairie wolves are still alive! The warlords in the northwest are divided, and now something is happening in the north! The army is struggling to support it, but it throws a large amount of military expenditure into the sea every year! Are we all blind!" The regent suddenly shouted: " Hughes! General Hughes! Tell me, why do you see that the army lacks combat effectiveness, and you know that you need to expand the army! But, seeing that the navy is wasting the empire's finances, but doing nothing, you, as the Minister of Military Affairs, are all pretending to be deaf Dumb?! Are you old Yan insane, or are you selfish!!"

This last question can be regarded as a heartbreaking sentence.Old Hughes' heart skipped a beat, but he had no choice but to take two steps forward, bowing his head and saying, "Yes...it's the old minister's stupidity." "Stupid? I don't think you are stupid! You have selfish intentions! Huh, your military department has always regarded the army as your private property! It's amazing, any military affairs can only be expanded, not cut down! You are reluctant to let go of the redundant army! What is this? It is food protection!! But the army of this empire is not the food of your military department! It is necessary to protect, but you can't come to protect it!!" He had already stood Get up, lean forward, and wait for the old general Hughes: "Why don't you talk? Huh? Can't say it? Then let me say it!!"

Afterwards, Prince Chen took a breath, gritted his teeth and said bitterly: "Last year, someone proposed to abolish a division of the garrison infantry in the southern province of Lille, and you strongly opposed it! The year before last, the southern coastal areas proposed that there was a shortage of wood, and it was suggested to postpone this year You strongly oppose the shipbuilding plan!! Can you tell me why?!" "..." Old Hughes didn't dare to say a word. Prince Chen suddenly roared, and roared angrily: "I'll tell you why!! Hmph!!" It's not easy for our military to accumulate so many fortunes over the years, and every penny and penny can't be taken care of. Just throw it away'!! Hughes! Who said this! Where did you say it!! Do you know it!!"

Huston's body shook suddenly, and then his face changed wildly, his forehead was instantly covered with sweat, and with a plop, his old body knelt down on one knee. "Hmph, let me tell you! This is what you said in the military department after you opposed last year's disarmament plan! And this year's shipbuilding plan, you tried your best to oppose the delay, and even asked the Ministry of Finance to come up with the winter plan. The financial budget is used to make up for the holes in the navy's shipbuilding! The result!!! This year's snowstorm in the south is because we are financially tight, and we can't spend much money to relieve the disaster!!! As a result, we let..."

He probably finally vented the anger in his heart, but under the excitement, he almost said too much.Fortunately, Du Wei coughed hard in time, and Prince Chen woke up immediately, and swallowed the last sentence he didn't say. However, everyone knows what Prince Chen's unspoken words mean! Most of it is "the result is that the temple gave us an embarrassment in the preparation of funds for disaster relief." That's probably what he meant. Although he didn't say it, everyone understood it. "You! You regard the army of the empire as your military's 'family business'!! Damn!! You are the ultimate goddamn!! You are the general of the empire, not the owner of a store! You don't need to do this to earn the family business Participation!! The army is not the private property of your military department!! If the army cannot serve the empire and make contributions to the empire, then it must be cut, and it must be reduced! You are good, the dignified Minister of Military Affairs of the Empire , but turned into an old hen protecting the cubs! You can’t touch this one, you can’t touch that one! Just look at the waste of military expenditure, and only know your 'family property'!" "Your Highness...I...I..." "What are you! Do you want to say that you are stupid? Or that you are old and blind? Or that you are guilty?!" Prince Chen became more merciless, and said coldly: "You pleaded guilty in your mouth, I am afraid that the first thing you do when you go back is to go Find out who leaked what you said to me? Hugh! Hughes, Hughes, the disarmament plan last year was your first chance! The shipbuilding plan at the beginning of this year was yours Your second chance! Both opportunities were given to you...and you..." After speaking, the voice became colder and colder. Now, everyone knows that today's matter may not be resolved.And Prince Chen, suddenly here, wants to attack the Minister of Military Affairs? In the audience, Du Wei and the unpredictable old prime minister were probably the only ones who remained calm. Although Du Wei was also surprised, he was not surprised.He knew that Prince Chen had been dissatisfied with the military for a long time, especially during the coup d'état, his father, who was the number two leader of the military... How could any monarch tolerate a military department that did not obey his orders? exist? It's just that he didn't touch the military at the beginning because he took the position not long ago.After more than one year and two years, Prince Chen has firmly controlled the Imperial Forest Army.After the coup, they infiltrated into the Royal City Guards Corps by rectifying the rebels of the Royal City Guards!The 10,000 security guards in the Canadian Public Security Bureau are also firmly in control. This is the last time to attack the big boss of the military department! Others can't figure it out, it's obvious that today is to discuss the matter of reinforcements from the Northern Army Corps, why it suddenly turned to point the finger at the chief of the military department?But Du Wei sighed in his heart... This Prince Chen really still has the same style of making decisions before acting, without giving you any warning in advance! But... Du Wei suddenly looked at the Prime Minister Rob Schell again. The old man also had a calm face, and he didn't seem surprised. This old prime minister who seems to have semi-retired... is not easy! "In your eyes and heart, do you have me as the regent? No! Is there an empire? No! Is there any military honor? No! In your eyes, there is only the military department! Only the military department!! In your eyes, to protect you The 'family property' of the military department is more important than the great cause of the empire, the overall situation of the empire, and loyalty! Isn't it?!" After a series of questioning, Hughes' head was almost stuck to the ground.Prince Chen finally sat back heavily in the chair, he gasped violently in his chest, it was obvious that what he said just now finally vented out the anger that had been suppressed for two years. In the hall, it was quiet for a while, and even the sound of a needle falling to the ground could be heard. The only thing was the heavy breathing of Prince Chen and General Hughes. No one dared to say a word at this moment.After a long time, Prince Chen's voice seemed to have regained his composure, but it was frighteningly cold... "Here..." His voice was low and protracted, and he said coldly word by word: "General Hughes, the Minister of Military Affairs of the Empire, has been a soldier and horse all his life. The empire loves the veterans, rewards one hundred gold, ten boxes of South Sea pearls... grants the title of duke for life, and the title of court military strategist. The post of Minister of Military Affairs is temporarily vacant, and so on..." He bit down hard when he said this Gritting his teeth, he said coldly, "Let's talk about it after I've decided on a candidate!" Old Hughes knelt there like a thunderbolt from the blue sky, his body trembling non-stop. At this moment, how could he look as red-faced as he had just been arguing with the Chancellor of the Exchequer?Finally, after a long time, he reluctantly said in a hoarse voice: "Thank you, Your Highness, for the reward..." Then he stood up staggeringly, as if he had used great perseverance, so he didn't fall down, but went to the chair next to him and sat down. However, everyone knows.The Minister of Military Affairs of the Empire, the No. 1 leader of the military... His political career has already started from this moment, and it is completely over! But it seems that there is more than one surprise! After Prince Chen finished offending the former No. 1 military leader, he suddenly announced an even more surprising decision! "Robschell, you are the prime minister of the empire. Now the position of the Minister of Military Affairs is vacant, and I don't have any good candidates now. What about the military department... You also served in the military back then. After I found a new suitable military affairs Before the selection of ministers, you can take care of the affairs of the military department as the prime minister temporarily." There was an uproar! ! Who would have thought that the old prime minister who had been deemed completely out of favor would suddenly become popular?Suddenly entrusted with the power of acting head of the military command? ! Robeschell, on the other hand, did not have a trace of joy on his face, but instead seemed to sigh lightly, with a wry smile in his eyes, and nodded: "Of order, Your Majesty." The corner of Prince Chen's mouth showed a trace of smile: "Your address is wrong, my prime minister, please remember, in the future, you will call me Your Highness, don't make any mistakes again!" Rob Schell's face turned serious, and he quickly lowered his head. "Besides, for the Northern Storm Corps, just do what you said. But... the city defense army of the imperial capital can't be transferred, so it can be transferred from other divisions. Specifically, you can get me a detailed plan. I'll see it tomorrow!" Robeschell suddenly coughed and said loudly, "Your Highness, I have another request." ... "Say!" After a suffocating silence, Prince Chen spit out such a word briefly. Rob Schell took a deep breath, but a smile appeared on his face: "Your Highness, after all, I am old and my military affairs are complicated. I am afraid that I cannot do it alone. If I delay the military affairs, it will be a big bad thing." Therefore, I would like to ask His Highness for someone to join me in the headquarters to assist me as my assistant." "Oh, who do you want?" Prince Chen asked this question as if lightly. "The commander of the Imperial Capital Police Department, Mr. Camisiro, is young and promising, and has made great achievements. He is also a person from the military. I think he is the most suitable person." Prince Chen looked at the old prime minister up and down, his eyes became more and more bright... "Very good, sure!" ... This is the end of the court meeting.What everyone didn't expect was that the military boss would collapse without warning in this meeting! And the old prime minister, who was considered to have almost finished his political career, suddenly became alive again!He also received such a great power to control the military department! As for General Hughes... no one cares about him anymore. Politics is so cruel!Although he used to be the Minister of Military Affairs, before today's meeting, he was the star among the crowd, and everyone came to fawn on him and say hello to him.But now...he left alone lonely, but others refused to even look at him again... As soon as the old Robeschell walked out of the hall, he was surrounded by several colleagues. He said a few words of congratulations, and the old man responded one by one in a tepid way.After the crowd dispersed, they saw the Minister of Finance with a somewhat lonely expression. "Munez, my friend, what's the matter with you?" The chancellor sighed: "It's nothing, it's just that I have been arguing with that old guy Hughes for so many years, and suddenly seeing his end like this, I feel a little empty in my heart." Robeschell also sighed suddenly, and said in a low voice: "My friend, you don't need to be emotional. Don't you understand at your age? This is politics!" "It's just that I didn't expect that today was originally to discuss the north..." The old prime minister suddenly sneered, pulled the finance minister aside, walked all the way, and whispered all the way: "I expected it from the middle of today's meeting. Today's statement about the north is false. His Highness's purpose is actually to make use of it. However, I didn't expect that our young Highness would be so aggressive. Hehe..." He shook his head helplessly. The Minister of Finance suddenly smiled: "I don't congratulate you. Because I know that you are probably not comfortable in this position... Acting for the affairs of the military department, hmph, this is a furnace." On Robeschell's old face, the wrinkles seemed to be tightly packed together like dried orange peels... Suddenly, he saw Du Wei who was the last one coming out of the hall. The old man's eyes lit up, he let go of the Minister of Finance's hand, and walked over: "Duke Tulip." Du Wei raised his head and saw this unpredictable old guy, and hurriedly saluted: "Master Prime Minister." "Duke Tulip, I'm hosting a banquet at home tonight, and I want to invite you to participate. I wonder if you have time to come and enjoy it?" Well? Du Wei narrowed his eyes and took a look at the old guy... This old man is so old that he can almost be blown down by a gust of wind, but judging by his performance today, people dare not underestimate him! "Of course! If the Prime Minister invites you, how dare I not go?" Du Wei laughed. The two smiled at each other, as if they could see a hint of deep meaning in each other's eyes. And the Minister of Finance next to him was about to leave, but was stopped by the old prime minister: "Munez, please also honor me tonight." The Minister of Finance was about to speak, but the last person to come out of the hall was Camisiro, the commander of the Imperial Security Department.This young man who was deeply trusted by Prince Chen, as soon as he walked out, immediately saluted these three big bosses, and then said with a smile: "Master Prime Minister, thank you for recommending in front of His Highness today..." Rob Schell smiled slightly: "Your Majesty Camisiro, you are being polite. Even if I don't recommend you, given the trust the Regent has in you, I will definitely promote you." After a pause, the old prime minister smiled again: "You and I are about to go to the command headquarters together. I am old, and I can only make up my mind about many things. The specific things will have to be done by you young people. Lord Camisiro, please come to my mansion for dinner tonight. I have already told Grand Duke Tulip..." Camisiro smiled slightly, and glanced at Du Wei: "Oh, not to mention the invitation from the Prime Minister, of course I dare not refuse. Besides, Grand Duke Tulip has gone, so why should I not go?" Du Wei understood in his heart.It was just a complete transaction just now. Although it is said that the old prime minister is temporarily acting as a military affairs officer, in fact... I am afraid that this Camisiro is the real protagonist! The regent gave Rob Schell a signal, "You are still useful, I won't abolish you now." Rob Schell immediately reciprocated. He had known for a long time that the regent wanted to put his own people in the military affairs, especially this Camisiro, who was the candidate in the regent's heart.Therefore, without waiting for the regent to say it himself, he simply made a favor. Politics...politics... Du Wei smiled, but sighed in his heart. As for the lonely and old back of General Hughes... who will remember?