There was one thing Claude had been wondering about. Why did Prince Hansbach say that he was going back to his manor to recuperate?
Logically speaking, the first prince was responsible for hundreds of thousands of soldiers under his command. Even if he were to go back to the royal capital and shut himself in, he should still have a grasp of the situation in the army.
It was impossible for him to ignore something like Major Skri's death. Instead, it was Captain Durioro who sought him out to inform the eldest prince about the changes in the army through Madam Maria. Wasn't this very suspicious?
Durioro shook his head with a bitter smile. He told Claude that no one forced the first prince to do anything, nor did anyone lock him up in his manor.
The problem was that the first prince was angry with Stellin X over the truce negotiations.
The first prince insisted on fighting to the end, but the kingdom didn't have the confidence to continue the war.
Nearly 1.6 million soldiers were fighting at the frontlines. The daily expenses of the soldiers and horses were astronomical, not to mention the fact that the war had lasted for more than four years. The wealth that the kingdom had accumulated during the first twenty years of peace had been completely depleted.
The prime minister, Duke Cryus, had gone to the palace that very night to reason with the first prince and explain the predicament the kingdom was facing to the first prince.
The war could no longer continue, and the kingdom now hoped to stop while they were ahead. Occupying the territories of three duchies was already enough to account for the past.
After the truce, they had to restore the people's livelihood, provide for the injured, and rebuild. Those were the kingdom's biggest expenses in the future.
Hansbach hoped that the royal court could grit their teeth and hold on for a little longer. It wouldn't be too late to negotiate with Nasri after he led his army to destroy Canas.
However, the first prince couldn't guarantee that he could destroy Canas as soon as possible. He estimated that he would need at least a year to conquer Northbay and destroy Canas.
The kingdom wouldn't be able to hold on for so long and Stellin X rejected the first prince's request.
Prince Hansbach was furious. He did not have the face to return to the frontlines to see those who wished to avenge the annihilation of the three legions. He locked himself up in his mansion and refused all information from the outside world.
All the information regarding the frontline military affairs couldn't even enter his door, and was pushed to the Ministry of War by his personal attendants.
It was precisely because of this that the noble officers found an opportunity to use Major Skri's incident to suppress the civilian officers who had been promoted during the war.
Claude looked at him suspiciously. The captain smiled bitterly. "I know you think I'm suspicious. Why would I tell you all this?
Because we, the business nobles, believe that the eldest prince must return to the scene to clean up the current situation.
Not only do they monopolize the military industry, but even the trade routes to Nubissia are under their control. New nobles like us can only get a small share of the profits from them.
The war this time is the best opportunity for us business nobles to expand the influence of free trade. The territories of the three duchies are a new source of wealth. Don't be fooled by the fact that the war has destroyed everything. The three duchies have been smashed to pieces, but there are unlimited business opportunities in rebuilding the places and restoring the people's lives.
We've already come to an agreement with the royal family to prevent the expansion of the old nobles' influence in the new kingdom and prevent them from extending their hands into our territory.
The plan had been going smoothly all along and the eldest prince was very cooperative. The progress was very satisfactory.
But now, the eldest prince has abandoned all of that in order to vent his anger and shut himself in.
It's not that the nobles in the royal capital haven't thought of paying him a visit, but they couldn't even enter the door. The eldest prince's servants didn't give them any face at all and threw their gifts out the door.
Everyone knows the reason. The First Prince hates the nobles for not supporting his position, so he went back on his words and stood on His Majesty's side to support ending this war … "
Duriolo stood up and paced around the room. Some things had to be made clear. "Actually, in the hearts of us nobles, the eldest prince isn't a good successor to the throne.
He's a good soldier and commander, but he won't make a good king. "
Claude's interest was piqued. "Why do you think so?"
"It's simple. His long military career has shaped the eldest prince into a straightforward soldier. He's generous and loved by his soldiers. That's one of his strengths.
But at the same time, the eldest prince looks down on negotiations and compromises in politics and neglects the development of the kingdom's economy and commerce.
Indeed, having a gun can bring stability to the kingdom, but he forgot a famous saying from the late king, Stellin IX. Politics is an art of compromise.
The eldest prince hates compromising with enemies, be they from within or without the kingdom.
There's a saying in the royal capital about Stellin X's children: the eldest prince is steady, the second is romantic, the third is unruly, the fourth is cowardly and the fifth is petty.
It sounds like the eldest prince is the most reliable, but that's not the case. While steady is a good way to describe him, he's actually the most willful and childish.
However, his childishness isn't directed at others, but at his father, Stellin X.
If there's anything he doesn't like, he'll throw a tantrum at His Majesty, such as shutting himself in and ignoring the kingdom's affairs. It's not like this hasn't happened before. In the end, Stellin X had to admit defeat. "
Claude's jaw dropped. That didn't match the first prince he knew at all.
But it was understandable. After all, he had only met the eldest prince a few times. It was hard to truly understand a person based on what he saw.
Duriolo shook his head and sighed. "The eldest prince always thinks from a soldier's point of view. He believes that war can solve all problems.
But he doesn't understand that the only thing keeping the war going is the economy. Once the kingdom's economy collapses, no matter how many victories he obtains on the battlefield, he won't be able to avoid defeat.
"He believes that the kingdom can still persevere through the war. Indeed, the kingdom can still accumulate the last of its wealth to support the war.
"But the problem is that even if we win on the battlefield, the kingdom will face a long period of economic stagnation. We won't have the funds to restore the people's livelihood or stabilize society.
"The royal court's proposal for a truce and a peace treaty during this period is the most appropriate course of action. We've already occupied three duchies and need time to stabilize and strengthen our rule. We need time to develop the local economy and provide the kingdom with an endless supply of wealth. However, that requires investment of time and funds.
"The reason why the new merchant nobles like us can come to an agreement with the royal family is because we each have our own needs.
"The royal family needs to stop the old noble families from expanding their influence, while we merchant nobles need our own commercial territory to expand the influence of free trade in the three duchies.
"That's why we merchant nobles are actually in a cooperative relationship with the royal family and not unconditionally.
"However, the eldest prince misunderstood that and treated us as his subordinates, using our funds to support the continuation of the war.
"That's why he saw our support for a truce and a peace treaty as a betrayal and rejected all our attempts at persuasion.
"He thinks that his stubbornness can change His Majesty's mind, but he doesn't understand that the war can't be sustained any longer. This isn't something he can change by staying in his room."
"Actually, there are many ways to get the news to the first prince, such as having His Imperial Majesty personally talk to the first prince, or sending someone suitable to meet with the first prince. Those are all possible." "That's right," Claude said with a hint of curiosity.
"That's the eldest prince's childishness and willfulness. When His Majesty went to meet him, the eldest prince claimed that he was seriously ill and refused to come out to meet His Majesty, so His Majesty had no choice but to return to the palace.
The moment they talked about frontline matters, the eldest prince would fly into a rage and chase them away.
"Many people knew that the eldest prince and His Majesty were angry and avoided them. Nobody was willing to get involved.
"It's not that His Majesty didn't think of replacing the frontline commander to handle the matters after the truce, but that's not the problem. It's easy to find a suitable candidate, but none of them are as capable as the eldest prince in suppressing the old nobles from interfering with the new territories of the three duchies.
"Of the 16 corps at the frontlines, two-thirds of them are nobles' subordinates. If it wasn't for the eldest prince personally coming to the frontlines, someone else might get into a conflict with them and delay the plans of the merchant nobles and the royal family in the new territories."
Duriolo sighed as he told Claude the inside story. Anyone would have a headache dealing with an irresponsible boss like the eldest prince.
"But what's the point of looking for me?"
Claude was puzzled. All he wanted to do was save Skri, but he didn't think he'd get into so much trouble.
Come to think of it, it was nothing more than the royal family, the old nobles and the new merchant nobles fighting for their own profits after the war. But what did that have to do with him? He was only a captain and didn't want to get involved.
"Also, my herbalism teacher, Maria, once wrote to me that her relationship with the eldest prince isn't that good, so she didn't ask him to take care of me in the army.
The prince only calls her his aunt in name. Their ages aren't that far apart, so the prince isn't willing to treat her like an elder. She also tries her best to avoid contact with the prince, "Claude said. He believed that the merchant nobles were well aware of the situation.
"We understand what you're saying.
Captain Duriolo nodded, "But for now, Baroness Maria is the most suitable candidate."
He waved his hand to stop Claude's questions. "It's not that our friends in the royal capital haven't paid her a visit, but she refused to go and persuade the prince.
Just like how she usually does, she doesn't want to get involved in the affairs of the kingdom, nor does she want to see the royal family at odds with her father.
But as the royal herbalist, Baroness Maria is the only one who can enter the prince's residence freely due to the prince's illness. She can easily see the prince.
"According to our investigations, there are many noble officers around the prince who support him in his stubbornness to force His Majesty to give in.
"The prince is influenced by those officers and isn't willing to compromise easily. He doesn't understand the true intentions of the frontline soldiers and thinks that they're all like him, determined to take revenge on Canas and wash away the humiliation of having three corps wiped out.
"But you know the truth. After four and a half years of war, the frontline soldiers are weary of it. The signing of the peace treaty is great news for everyone.
"We hope to let the prince understand the situation at the frontline, but he's in seclusion and the noble officers around him are encouraging him, so he's the only one who's kept this information a secret.
"It's not a good idea to send someone to persuade him. It doesn't matter whether the prince believes us or not. What's more important is that our people won't be able to see the prince. Also, the prince might think that we have ulterior motives and shirk responsibility.
We found you because you are the most suitable candidate. Firstly, you want to save Major Skri and clear his name. This requires the return of the First Prince to the frontlines to set things right and stop the atrocities committed by the noble officers.
"Second, your identity can convince the prince that you're a talent he pays attention to and receive a knighthood from him.
"You're also Skri's subordinate and participated in all of 1st Ranger Tribe's battles. So, it's only right for you to speak up for him after he was captured.
"Third, your herbalism teacher is Baroness Maria. She's the only one who can enter the prince's residence.
"You don't need her to speak up for you. All you need is for her to show your letter to the prince.
"As long as the prince sees your letter and it's only about Skri being wronged, he'll understand the situation at the frontlines and won't insist on fighting to the end."
"I need to think about it."
Claude furrowed his brow. The merchant nobles had a good idea. They wanted him to report the situation at the frontlines to the prince. Since it didn't have anything to do with the bigger picture of the country, it wouldn't affect the distribution of benefits between the merchant nobles and the royal family. That would make it easier for the prince to believe Claude's report.
Duriolo looked at Claude and nodded. "I hope you don't take too long to think about it. My friends at the top revealed that some of the strategists at the frontlines want to use Skri's incident to drag you into this mess and then use you to implicate Lieutenant-Colonel Ledefonk.
Lieutenant-Colonel Ledefonk was appointed by the first prince to be the deputy head of the military inspection department. He's in charge of the military industry in the three southern prefectures. The noble families behind the officers have always wanted to get involved in the military industry there.
"Also, it's best if you send someone to deliver the letter after you're done. Don't use the military mail, as it's in the hands of the nobles. Not only will your letter have to be checked by them, it'll also be easily 'lost' and never reach the recipient."
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