Chapter 351 351-A Worthwhile Trade
Edward, putting on an act of being in a difficult position, said, "But I am committed to the will of the Lumburd people, to establish a paradise for them. If I don't unify Lumburd, how can I face those who support me?"
Bosiden, gathering his thoughts and breaking away from the conventional, began pacing back and forth in front of Edward, surprising him.
Bosiden said, "A kingdom has its duties, that's true. But within the kingdom, the king wields considerable influence, and that's a fact. Since you are the king, why not make a small adjustment? Unify all of Lumburd, excluding Terni's territory. Wouldn't that suffice?"
Edward replied nonchalantly, "Ah, what are you talking about? Who views the situation like that?"
Bosiden continued, "The Valuva family, with its long history, surely understands which opponents are worth fighting and which are not."
Edward chuckled and asked Bosiden, "So, you mean to say that I am afraid to engage in a battle with Howard?"
Bosiden aptly chose silence as his response.
Seeing Bosiden's silence, Edward's brow furrowed slightly.
Then, an elderly man walked in.
His beard was entirely white.
Bosiden did not recognize him and noted that his clothing did not resemble that of any Lumburd Kingdom noble.
The old man, as soon as he entered, began to weep before Edward, speaking of the years of suffering and hardship the Lumburd people endured under forced incorporation into the Empire.
He implored Edward of the Valuva family to avenge the Lumburd people and wage war against other regions of the Empire.
Edward pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling troubled by the situation.
Before departing, Howard had Bosiden study some history books, so he was now well-versed in history.
Bosiden suddenly stood tall and pointed at the old man, saying with confidence, "The Lumburd people oppressed by the Empire? Are you trying to amuse me? The Lumburds were originally aggressors who invaded the Empire. Now, after all these years, you claim you were oppressed and incorporated by the Empire? Do you not know, or is it me who's mistaken?"
The old man became flustered.
He had assumed that Bosiden, being from Oungria Kindom, wouldn't know Lumburd history, and that Edward was not well-versed in it either.
Thus, he had thought to fabricate a story to deceive Edward and intimidate Bosiden.
But now that Bosiden had pointed out the actual historical context, the old man defiantly stood up, speaking with a tone of indignant authority, "So what? We Lumburd people can choose to be part of the Empire or not, as we please. How we view ourselves is none of your concern."
Bosiden looked at Edward, who was internally processing the situation.
Edward spent some time placating the white-haired old man, and after persuading him to leave the grand hall, he said to Bosiden, "You see, there is quite a fervor here. It's not just about unifying the Lumburd region; they clamor every day for me to conquer the entire continent. Although I have no such ambition, it still troubles my heart."
Bosiden felt he had said all he could, and ultimately, the decision lay with Edward himself.
Yet, recognizing his role as the Foreign Minister of Oungria Kindom and remembering how he had been awarded his dukedom by Howard, Bosiden, albeit reluctantly, dutifully reiterated the gist of his previous statements.
Observing Bosiden's apparent helplessness, Edward felt a sense of satisfaction, believing his plan had succeeded halfway.
The astute Edward wouldn't have difficulty managing his people, so the earlier confrontation with the old man was an intentional move.
He had covertly instructed the palace guards to let the old man in with minimal obstruction.
Edward aimed to use the old man's attitude to pressure Bosiden, gaining leverage for the upcoming negotiation.
Edward explained to Bosiden that to suppress the people's uprising, a combination of soft and hard tactics was necessary, requiring substantial funds.
He proposed that Bosiden agree to an annual payment of 100 gold coins to Lumburd Kingdom to avoid an imminent war.
Bosiden responded that he couldn't decide alone and needed to consult Howard.
Edward, however, forcefully detained Bosiden, imparting some words.
Eventually, Bosiden broke free and rode back to Howard.
Howard extended a hand to help Bosiden dismount, who hastily declined.
Howard amiably asked, "How did it go?"
After dismounting, Bosiden relayed Edward's demands to Howard.
The Finance Minister, Vettel, overhearing the conversation, quickly interrupted, strongly objecting.
Vettel argued, "Your Majesty, gold should be spent where it's needed. Giving away 100 gold coins just like that is a deal unworthy of consideration."
Bosiden, slightly upset, addressed Vettel, "Vettel, we usually have a good relationship. You should respect the outcome of my diplomacy regardless of the other party's demands. By disparaging this condition, you are essentially belittling my diplomatic achievements and my skills, aren't you?"
Vettel raised his right hand and shook it towards Bosiden, saying, "That's not what I mean."
Bosiden, annoyed, retorted, "If that's not what you mean, then keep quiet."
Howard, taking Bosiden by the arm, led him to a small hill and sat down, signaling Bosiden to do the same.
Bosiden, though unsure of the reason, complied.
Howard then inquired in detail about the situation in Edward's palace, eventually concluding that Edward was merely posturing.
Upon hearing Howard's analysis, Bosiden became anxious, "Your Majesty, you can't view the situation like that. Regardless of whether Edward is bluffing, the fact that he defeated Rolf is true. His prestige is at its peak right now, and there's no need for us to confront him head-on. If we can resolve this dispute with some money, I believe it to be a worthwhile trade."
Suddenly, Howard recalled something and asked Bosiden, "Do you remember? When Edward started his mercenary group, I invested some money in it, and he promised that the troops would be available for my use, free of charge, if needed. So, if Edward and I were to engage in conflict, whose side would that mercenary group take? His or mine?"
Bosiden, confused, admitted, "I'm not sure about that."
Howard prompted, "Then, just speculate."
Bosiden pondered for a moment and said, "In terms of both the frequency and scale of our military operations, we surpass Edward. However, we haven't frequently enlisted that mercenary group led by Briar. Moreover, the last time we hired them, some of them were rather reluctant. So, I believe if we were to engage in conflict with Edward, Briar's troops would probably side with Edward."
Howard chuckled and nodded, "They are all Edward's loyalists. If it comes to a fight, Briar's troops will definitely side with Edward."
Bosiden, a bit confused about the purpose of Howard's question, inquired, "So, what does this have to do with our current situation regarding the 100 gold coins?"
Howard took a deep breath and said to Bosiden, "Go back to Florence and tell Edward that I will no longer give him the annual 100 gold coins. However, as compensation, I will no longer require the services of his Briar troop. Overall, considering I've used them a few times during the Osland Kingdom campaign, I don't consider it a loss."
Bosiden's eyes widened, "But without Briar's troops, what will we do in future battles?"
Howard gazed towards the distant ocean and said, "Edward has already started organizing mercenary groups, deliberately forming a semi-conscript, semi-mercenary military model. He will complete the transition to a professional army sooner than I will. Now, I also need to start taking action."
Bosiden was left speechless, hesitant to comment further.
Standing up and dusting off his clothes, Howard said to Bosiden, "Take some rest, and then, I'd like you to make another trip to Florence. If Edward still refuses, then let him meet me on the battlefield."
Bosiden then returned to Florence and conveyed Howard's decision to Edward.
After some thought, Edward realized that in the long run, this was a more profitable deal and readily agreed.
He also pondered the fact that with Briar's troops solely under his command, it was now time to attempt forming a full-time professional army.
However, he was uncertain about how the conscripted soldiers would react and whether the finances would suffice.
Thus, the issue regarding Howard's father-in-law's territory was amicably resolved.
News arrived from the Oungria Kindom's governor in the New World, reporting the discovery of a peculiar animal.
After several inquiries, Howard suspected that this creature might be the same as the mysterious animal once spotted in the Ferrara and Romagna regions.
Intrigued, Howard boarded a ship bound for the New World, eager to investigate further.
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