Chapter 124: This Is Peace Negotiation (1)
A month later, in the command tent of the Francois Eastern Expeditionary Force.
During the height of the war, I had no particular personal connection with Commander Patton, so there was no occasion for such private meetings.
However, after the victory in the battle against the Francois Republic army, I was occasionally summoned to the commanders tent.
I wasnt sure if other generals and officers were gossiping that he had gained one more high-ranking supporter in the army.
Regardless, I would have enjoyed this current situation of interacting with a four-star general, becoming the subject of jealousy and envy, recalling the times when I worried over less than five coopers as an academy cadet.
But in truth, none of that mattered, and I just wish they would let me go.
Haha, Major General! Yes, following the strategy you proposed allowed us to achieve a great victory this time. But I once used a similar type of tactic in this war to conduct a charge. That was when I was about to be promoted to Lieutenant General.
Is that so? Against which army did you fight?
I fought against an army of 50,000 led by Captain Sobievski of the Duchy of Warsaw. That damned fellow cunningly ambushed our cavalry in the forest right next to the plain
It was good to hear helpful knowledge and experience, but I was a busy person who needed to handle administrative tasks for the post-war cleanup.
To Captain Sobievski, who fought honorably then, cheers!
Commander Patton, perhaps considering my preferences, did not tell me to embrace prostitutes or drink more than my limit.
He spent hours talking about his own heroic deeds and then nagged like a drunkard
You are certainly a brilliant commander who will be remembered in the empires history. But you need to use tactics like mine, utilizing knights for charges! Because that is the true war of men.
In this way, Commander Patton shared his experience and knowledge, which couldnt be ignored, but it was ambiguous to say that they held great value.
After drinking moderately for about 30 minutes, Commander Patton looked at me with a grin and said,
Ah, by the way, do you know who is in charge of the peace negotiations this time?
Isnt it you, Commander?
At that, Patton laughed heartily, his face turning red.
I am the commander of this war, but admittedly, Im no good at politics. But these damned negotiations! It would be more believable to hear that a lion is eating grass.
For reference, I remember seeing a documentary when I was young where it was mentioned that lions eat grass when they have a stomach ache.
Honestly, the image of Patton, a staunch advocate of charges, conducting peace negotiations was hard to imagine.
This person was famous for his focus solely on military prowess and command, with little interest in politics.
It turns out it wasnt just an act; he genuinely lacked an understanding of politics and negotiation.
And yet, he rose to the rank of commander; he was truly a legend.
Then who exactly is coming as the negotiator for this peace agreement? It must be someone high-ranking from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or maybe the Minister himself
Thats not the case. I was informed last night. Its someone you know well, too.
Is that so?
Commander Patton, with a look suggesting I take another drink if I wanted to know more, poured liquor into my glass, and a very familiar voice came from the direction of the tent entrance.
Sir, are you hurt or unwell anywhere?
Thanks to your son-in-law, I had a good charge. Hahaha, after all, I am Patton of Steel.
Indeed, I heard a lot of stories on my way here, but I havent heard any news about you getting hurt or passing away. You must be in good health.
I never imagined my father-in-law, Duke Benner, and Commander Patton knew each other Although, it wasnt strange for commanders to be acquainted.
I never imagined they would be this close and informal.
While I sat there dazed, Duke Benner spoke to Commander Patton.
I heard on my way here that my son-in-laws carefully planned strategy was spontaneously altered, increasing the marching distance by 1.3 times.
Whats wrong with that? Its within the discretion of a field commander, and ultimately, the operation I modified was successful and yielded significant strategic benefits.
I acknowledge that, but due to that, the innocent soldiers must have suffered terribly. Its fortunate it was successful, but had it failed, it would have put not only my son-in-law but the entire expedition in jeopardy.
In the expeditionary force, there was no one of the same rank to counter this logically, so it passed.
Honestly, if there had been another commander of the same rank, Commander Pattons strategy plan would have been appropriately modified or implemented.
Or it might have gone straight to the trash as an impractical operation.
Because the operation I and the staff headquarters had ordered was to consider the infantrys marching speed and leave only a little room for looting
The marching and looting were ordered without almost any consideration for what-ifs.
And while the commander might not know politics, his strategic insight was on par with that of other commanders
Ahem, I surely got a bit excited at that time. Alright, I admit it.
I cant believe how you havent changed since being commissioned as a lieutenant.
If I had changed, I would have retired like my peers with the ranks of colonel or major general. But I have been gifted by Deus with the talent of leading the best charges in the empire.
My father-in-law shook his head and sighed.
As much as Id like to spend all night explaining how ridiculous what you did was, official duties come first. You do know that Ive been granted full authority for this peace negotiation, dont you?
Of course. Here is the seal of the commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Force, symbolizing the commanders authority. I have completed my duties, so from now on, I only trust you.
Very well, sir. From this moment on, I, Lukas von Benner, will act as the chief negotiator.
After that statement, both Commander Patton and Duke Benner began to work seriously.
I felt like I shouldnt stay any longer, so I tried to leave.
You should stay here too.
With that one sentence, I was obliged to stay, so I sat down helplessly.
And then, in my stead, Commander Patton left the tent.
Seeing this, I had a realization.
Ah, this must be His Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty the Emperors intent for me to observe and learn, as one day I too will negotiate similar deals as a commander or marshal.
As I nodded, understanding Duke Benners intention, he looked at me as if to say,
Just as I thought, my son-in-law!
His Majesty the Emperor wishes to make great use of you during the reign of His Highness the Crown Prince. Well, anyone who is not a fool can see that just by looking at the rank on your shoulders.
True to his words, without the Crown Princes full support, even with my immense efforts and performance on the Raintlant Front
I would still be hoping for a promotion to major general with a lieutenant colonel rank by now.
Well, so His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince, agreeing on this, have recognized your contribution in planning this expeditions operation, allowing you to contribute as my assistant in the negotiations.
Is that so? For a mere major general like me to receive such consideration
A mere major general? When I was your age, I was just starting to prepare for my promotion to lieutenant colonel. To think someone of your age with a major generals rank would call themselves mere is truly something.
Although he said that, Duke Benners voice seemed more incredulous than angry.
And as you know, excluding a rare case like Commander Patton, once someone becomes a major general or above, regardless of scale, they will inevitably be involved in peace negotiations. So, tell me, how should we negotiate this war?
May I really speak my opinion?
If its nonsense, Ill just cut it off. But Ive looked into your lectures at the Staff College, and it seems youre quite adept at negotiation. Lets hear it then.
After that, I read the document Duke Benner showed me outlining what the Emperor wanted to achieve through the peace treaty, took a breath, and said,
His Majesty the Emperor desires land equivalent to 1.5 times the area of the Bisochea region we obtained in the Chekovia front. If thats not possible, at least an area of similar size.
Thats correct.
Then, how about we initially propose a condition thats four times what His Majesty requested? After all, they are in a disadvantageous position.
Even in Korea, something that costs 100,000 won originally would be marketed in online malls as a drastic sale, tagged at 400,000 won but sold at 100,000 won after a 75% discount, luring people to buy itits human nature.
Moreover, they were in a situation where they must accept whatever we propose to survive, having been struck by the twin fires of excommunication and defeat.
If we overcharged them and then pretended to give a discount, they would very likely accept it willingly.
Of course, when we do cut the price, it would be like the computer sellers in Yongsan, making a big show of it while only reducing the price slightly.
That way, wed extract as much as possible.
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