Chapter 57: The Emperor Dispenses Rewards (1)
There was a saying that war was merely a process when viewed from the perspective of politics and diplomacy.
Of course, the concept of total war, as advocated in Clausewitz’s theories on war, had not yet appeared in the Reich Empire or this world.
In the Reich Empire Academy, where I was reborn, I was taught that war and politics were very closely linked.
However, no matter how much I had achieved in this war, a mere lieutenant with less than two stars had no right to even observe the post-war negotiations.
So, I enjoyed meat and drinks leisurely at the garrison until the negotiations were over.
“Ha… The Battalion Commander made us decide whether to advance in rank early and shorten the discharge date or receive money as a reward. Is it better to be discharged?”
“Nonsense. Discharging means just going home, you idiot. But if we choose money, even we soldiers will get a few golds, and the Battalion Commander will also grant us citizenship. Then, with some saved money and a piece of land, damn, we are free from being farmers.”
“Then, without a fiancée waiting, should I choose the reward and save up marriage funds? Honestly, serving under the Battalion Commander until discharge seems like it’ll allow me to save up enough to buy a significant piece of land.”
Even ordinary soldiers would achieve enough to receive a few golds, so the reward I would receive was likely unimaginable.
That was because we accomplished significant feats like diminishing over 50,000 soldiers’ supplies and morale, annihilating enemy knights and infantry battalions, and capturing the Lieutenant Colonel and staff officers.
If the Crown Prince planned to use me over a long period, he wouldn’t be able to promote me rapidly like last time due to such massive feats.
A colonel involved in politics was out of reach. Instead, a massive amount of wealth and territories would probably be granted with a one-rank special promotion.
I was leisurely dining alone when a messenger from the battalion hastily ran and shouted.
“The post-war negotiation is over!”
At his words, the soldiers collectively put down their meat and beer.
The messenger approached me and handed over a paper copy of the armistice agreement.
Chekovia and the Reich Empire Armistice Agreement
Both countries will return all prisoners to their homelands.
Chekovia will pay 150,000 gold as compensation.
The King of Chekovia will transfer the Bisochea regions (1 earldom, 5 counties, 7 baronies) and nearby regions within a month.
Upon fulfillment of all clauses, the Reich Empire will not threaten Chekovia’s army.
The bodies of the Lieutenant and Lieutenant Colonel will be immediately handed over, and the deceased soldiers will be respectfully buried. Personal belongings will be returned to their homeland whenever possible.
King of Chekovia (Acting) –Signed-
Crown Prince Mikhail von Reich –Signed-
Out of that compensation, 100,000 gold would go to the Empire’s treasury for military and administrative expenses.
The remaining 50,000 gold and territories would be appropriately given to the soldiers who followed the Crown Prince into the war.
“Too bad. If the Crown Prince had leveraged the enemy’s current situation, the destruction of their war capability, and their weakened will to war, and threatened them more, he could have fully uprooted the pillar of the Duchy.”
Honestly, I was being promoted unusually fast in the Empire, but I was still too low-ranked.
That was because I couldn’t shake off the thought that if I could’ve intervened in drafting that treaty, we could’ve plundered at least one more precious city.
With such regret, I submitted my application for staff college to Colonel Weber, my direct superior.
It was because education from the staff college was essential for further promotion.
A month after the Battle of Bissotia, in the Reich Empire Imperial Palace Conference Room.
The Emperor of the Reich Empire, Fernando von Reich, Imperial Chancellor, Military Minister, ministers from each department, Commander of the Imperial Army, Chief of Staff, Personnel Director of the Imperial Army, etc…
To exaggerate a bit, the people who could literally move mountains with the flick of a finger.
After reading the summary of the actions of the generals dispatched before the occupation of Bissotia, they were earnestly discussing the non-combat merit awards of the generals who performed in Chekovia.
It might sound like those high-ranking individuals were evaluating too casually, but the merits of generals who commanded at least thousands of soldiers were clearly visible even in a rough report, so there was no problem.
If there were unclear parts, they read detailed reports to confirm them.
“Lieutenant General Ludwig has splendidly commanded the 8th Division, playing a crucial role in subduing the Chekovia Lieutenant Colonel and winning battles. How about bestowing the Sentry Baronet near Ludwig’s baronet and promoting him to Major General?”
“Good, let’s do that. However, when I saw his personnel record, I found out he hadn’t worked in the central command after becoming a general. So, how about assigning him as Intelligence Director instead of entrusting him with a legion?”
At that statement, Imperial Chancellor Wolfgang von Fischer, the Duke, responded.
“Your judgment is wise, Your Majesty. Then, for His Highness the Crown Prince, grant the County of Georgia and a special medal of honor, and considering the unacknowledged merits of Earl Benner so far, bestow upon him the County of Wolf adjacent to Benner’s County…”
“Do so. It seems that with this, my duties to personally reward and punish have concluded.”
This was because, unless it was a very special case, these high-ranking individuals wouldn’t review the merits of those of lower rank.
As the Emperor was about to stand, Military Minister Otto von Moritz spoke up.
“There’s one more person we need to review. A personnel review for Lieutenant Peter Yaeger is necessary.”
Anyone else saying this might have aroused suspicion of favoritism, given his close relationship with the Crown Prince, but Otto, an exceptional character who rose to the rank of Military Minister purely on war merits and who disregards politics, was trusted.
Instead of doubting his political judgment, the Emperor and all participants wondered why they were reviewing the merits of a mere lieutenant here.
And then, Otto, the Military Minister, began to read the report to satiate their curiosity.
“Lieutenant Peter Yaeger, age 21, led an advanced reconnaissance battalion on the Chekovia front line, meticulously understood the enemy’s scale, morale, and supply state, and induced excessive guard postures in their territory, depleting the soldiers’ stamina.”
Hearing this, the Emperor and his ministers thought,
‘This kid is that guy. His admission to the staff college has been confirmed this time. Will he receive a star before 30?’
Considering that a competent scion of a duke family typically received a star around 30, their evaluation was higher than most, but as it wasn’t good to discuss it here, they were about to raise objections when,
“He led a battalion to annihilate Chekovia’s infantry and knight battalions, secretly proposed this Hammer and Anvil operation to His Highness the Crown Prince, and was the first to occupy the enemy base where the Chekovia supreme commander resided.”
Now everyone in the meeting understood why a mere lieutenant was being reviewed among generals.
Each of the consecutive merits was too splendid to be achieved by one person.
“In the final engagement to capture the enemy base, he warned Lieutenant General Ludwig and His Highness the Crown Prince that the commander of Chekovia might enter Bissotia Castle to defend the Bissotia region. Indeed, the Chekovia Supreme Commander was fleeing and was pursued and killed by Major General Rudolf. He also borrowed 30 horses from Lieutenant General Ludwig after breaking through the base and capturing the Lieutenant Commander and 28 staff officers below the Major General. I request a proper evaluation as Military Minister.”
Otto von Moritz, who was apolitical, felt a sense of envy seeing a junior surpassing him, but to the politically inclined Emperor and high officials, Yaeger’s merits were simply shocking.
Because it was incomprehensible that a single battalion could achieve such level of merits.
Thus, calming his surprised feelings, the Emperor declared,
“As the Military Minister said, it’s a principle to discuss rewards for merits established by officers of general rank or above here, but I’ll make an exception for him.”
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