The King

  The secret negotiation started, and the originally stable battlefield in northern Xinjiang was completely silent.

  The orc army did not come to attack, and the defenders were ordered not to come out by Hudson. The long-lost peace ushered in the northern continent filled with gunpowder.

  …

   "How about it, has Marshal Hudson agreed to send troops?"

   Duke Rodriguez asked with concern.

  There is never a shortage of smart people in the world. With the hatred between the Alpha Kingdom and the orcs, a truce during the continental war is itself an incredible thing.

   Sensing something was wrong, the Northern Noble Group took immediate action.

   "No, not only our request for battle was rejected, but also that of other generals.

  Contact the Northland children who played under Hudson. They are also at a loss now, and they don't even know what happened! "

   Duke Angel replied with a displeased face.

  For a long time, the nobles of the North have been the core force of the Kingdom's army. In the past, all major military operations had to go through their consent.

   Who knew that in the blink of an eye, their influence in the army plummeted, and even the commander-in-chief couldn't find out what he was doing.

   You must know that in the last war, the nobles of the Northland occupied 40% of the positions in the headquarters.

  A while ago, when Marquis James was in office, they still had a lot of influence in the command.

  But as soon as Hudson took office, the situation completely got out of control.

  There is no way, someone needs to be responsible for losing a battle. The commanders-in-chief of the army were all dismissed and questioned, and the other generals in the headquarters were naturally held accountable.

  Hudson played a trick to push the boat along, and replaced most of the officers in the headquarters, and the remaining generals were also labeled as guilty and meritorious.

  Originally, the officers who relied on their status and background were all cleaned out in this wave, and a group of more capable officers were promoted instead.

  The more fierce the competition in the early stage and the more positions it occupies, the greater the loss after adjustment in this wave.

   The fact that the defenders can't shrink back is not only due to strategic needs, but also related to Hudson's personnel adjustments.

   I don’t know if they deliberately targeted them. Anyway, the group of the five northern dukes was collectively kicked out of the power center.

   Even if you want to make a fuss, the flames of war have reached your doorstep. In case the kingdom's army is defeated, the five families will be the first to be unlucky.

   What's more, the newly appointed general is not an idler, not only has a strong background, but also has a lot of military achievements.

  Over 70% of the generals are from the most famous noble legion in the kingdom—the Expeditionary Legion.

  Because of the need to guard against the orcs, when forming the expeditionary army, the elite nobles from the northern provinces were not recruited.

  In fact, the five Dukes of the Northland were also within the scope of recruitment at first. After all, after a few more provinces, they can also be regarded as the hinterland of the kingdom.

   It’s just that they think the Western Expedition is hard work, and they are worried about the strength of their neighbors. They think that the seven provinces in northern Xinjiang cannot resist the invasion of orcs, so they try to refuse the call.

   "It's useless to find out, Hudson is clearly targeting us deliberately. He is the coach, and there are plenty of ways to torment us!"

  The words of Duke Torsten did not resonate.

  The strategic judgment was half correct, and the northern nobles who missed the call would naturally have to pay the price in a new round of power reshuffle.

   If we really want to talk about targeting, it is only the Lochnard family who are pulling hatred, and the four of them are at most implicated.

  The current tragic situation of the five major families is actually jointly promoted by the royal family and the aristocratic groups in the south-central provinces. Hudson alone is unable to kick them out of the core of power.

  In addition to paying for the arrogance of the past, the most important thing is that the military strength of the northern aristocratic group has plummeted, and its weight in the kingdom's army is not as good as before.

  The former northern nobles were synonymous with the elite in the kingdom, and the fighting power of the private army was not weaker than that of the standing army.

  Now the situation has reversed. After Hudson's **** training, the combat effectiveness of the kingdom's standing army has been greatly improved.

   On the contrary, the northern aristocratic group was no longer on the front line, lost the military subsidies issued by the kingdom, and the end of the smuggling trade led to a sharp drop in financial revenue of each family, and was forced to reduce military investment.

  The full-time army has become half-full-time, and after a few more peaceful days, the combat effectiveness will inevitably decline.

  After one increase and one decrease, everyone suddenly discovered that the northern aristocratic group is no longer important to the kingdom, and the original politically super-standard treatment naturally disappeared.

  Including Caesar IV, who had wooed them before, has lost interest in them now. Politicians are always the most realistic.

  The Northland aristocratic group that has lost its special value is just a few ordinary nobles. It is not worth the king to offend the old ancestors in the royal family for them.

   Knowing the positions of all parties, Hudson was not polite, and took advantage of the situation to pull them to their proper positions.

  The sensitivity of the northern nobles is mainly due to their inability to adapt to their own role adjustments.

   "Perhaps the current changes are not caused by Hudson, but from the capital.

  The Minister of Foreign Affairs suddenly fell ill a few days ago, but three days ago, someone saw his chief guard appearing in the barracks.

  If the Minister of Foreign Affairs is not really sick, but has come to the front line, then everything can be explained now! "

   Duke Hero said solemnly.

  Different from the negotiations in the mainland, which need to rely on war to exert pressure, the northern battlefield is completely in a state of strategic stalemate.

  In a short period of time, no one is sure to overwhelm the other. It is better to give each other face and stop the war first to show sincerity.

   "If this is the case, then the situation is even worse!

   We were not notified of such a big deal as the negotiation, which is much more serious than being targeted by the coach.

  Everyone has seen the fighting power of the Kingdom's standing army. I have to admit that Hudson's training is really good.

  Unfortunately, now is not the same as before. Our financial revenue is limited, and it is difficult to follow suit.

  The training method is public, even if everyone only learns seven or eight points.

   In a few years time, the military strength of those major fiscal and taxation provinces will also leave us behind.

   According to the current situation, our situation in the kingdom will be worrying in the future! "

   Duke Rodriguez said with a sigh.

  In the continent of Aslante, the right to speak is linked to strength. It turns out that the nobles of the Northland are the largest military group in the kingdom, so they are naturally tough in speaking.

  Now the military advantage has been wiped out, and it may even be overtaken by others, and its political status will inevitably decline.

   "That's not the worst!

  Although the training of the standing army is expensive, we can train a legion each by gritting our teeth. The Warcraft Legion is the real gold-swallowing behemoth.

  If we can’t find new sources of income to supplement, we can’t even keep up with the tax revenue in the territory alone.

  I don’t think you need to worry about political treatment here. If you have this spare time, you might as well find a way to resume the smuggling trade with orcs.

   It is not extravagant to hope to continue to maintain an advantage over the provinces, at least we cannot fall behind. Otherwise, those enemies who were suppressed by us in the past will come out to add insult to injury! "

  Prince Angel's words made Duke Torsten's face even more ugly.

  The seemingly ordinary emotion was actually a warning to him not to make trouble.

   It is true that the five major families are in the same spirit, but this does not mean that they are willing to get involved in the dispute between the Lochnard family and the Koslow family.

  Especially during the war, it is even more tragic to be missed by the coach.

  Looking at the situation of the Lochnard family, we can see that while the front line is basically stable, they have lost troops many times.

  It seems that these losses are all due to coincidence, as if the Lochnard family just happened to catch up with bad luck, and actually understands everything.

   There is no need to deliberately target, just a little stumbling within the scope of the rules is enough to bear.

   It is enough for the Lochnard family to enjoy this kind of special treatment, and they don't want to suffer with it.

   I don't dare to expect extravagance about military exploits. Now they just want to end the war quickly and send Hudson, the **** of plague, away.

  …

   "Count Oran, you are the most informed, do you know..."

   Before Earl Albert could finish speaking, Earl Oran hurriedly interrupted: "Count Albert, you are embarrassing.

  We are all in the same situation. It’s okay to inquire about general news, but I am not qualified to participate in real military affairs.

  But I heard from Hudson that the king sent someone over a few days ago. Counting the days, the order to stop the attack was about the same time as their arrival. "

Birds of a feather flock together.

  Unfortunately, they lost their own territory, and several frontier lords who were connected by fate naturally gathered together.

  As the unlucky alliance, they are the most embarrassing situation in the army. In name, they are all great nobles, but unfortunately they are big nobles who have lost their fiefs.

  According to past practice, they should have died in the battle to defend the territory long ago. It was only under Hudson's intervention that the kingdom issued an order to retreat, which allowed them to recover their lives.

   A noble lord whose life is saved temporarily but unable to fulfill his obligations, is he considered a noble lord?

  In the army, they were often looked down upon, and could only behave with their tails between their legs. The right to speak had nothing to do with them.

  In name, he is the governor of a province, but his actual status is not as good as that of some legion commanders.

   It’s not that everyone is discriminating, it’s purely that the military strength of their province is not as good as that of a main army.

   "Count Oran, is the news confirmed? This kind of thing is no joke!"

   Earl Albert said in fear.

  The kingdom is negotiating with the orcs, and it's good to be able to take back all the territory. If they can't get it back, it will be a complete tragedy for these lords who lost their land.

   "Your Excellency, do I dare to joke about this kind of thing?"

   Count Oran asked back.

  …

  Similar scenes continued to be staged in the military, and all powerful factions received news of the negotiations one after another, and rumors arose in the military for a while.

  Hudson, who should have taken measures at the first time, not only failed to take action in time, but chose to let it go.

  The delegation, which had originally concealed its identity, was soon dug out by the powerful nobles, and the enraged Minister of Foreign Affairs, Earl Francis, went straight to the headquarters.

   "Marshal, you..."

  Xingshi questioned the crime, and the words came to his lips, but he didn't know where to start.

  From the beginning to the end, Hudson did not get involved in the negotiations, including the arrival of the delegation.

   If you don't do anything, you won't make mistakes.

   It would be too far-fetched to accuse him of leaking information.

   Throwing the blame to a powerful marshal is a major political event.

   If the crime is confirmed, it may not be able to do anything to Hudson.

   If no evidence can be found, his own political life may be over.

   Earl Francis, who regained his rationality, immediately sweated for himself, and then changed his words:

   "Marshal, now that the news is leaked ahead of time, I'm afraid it will affect the follow-up negotiations!"

  The same thing, another way of saying it, has changed from provoking teachers to inquiring about crimes to discussing countermeasures together.

  The nature has changed, and everything has changed. Regardless of how the news got out, Hudson is now dragged into the aftermath.

   Even if you want to shirk it, as the commander of the army, you must have the responsibility of the commander.

   "Your Excellency, the problem should not be too big. Judging from the feedback below, the voices of the main battle and the main peace are quite equal.

  I can stabilize the situation in the army and not let them interfere with the negotiations.

  However, the progress of your negotiations is about to speed up. No matter whether it is successful or not, you must get a result as soon as possible.

   It has been delayed for a long time, and the Human Race Alliance has received news, and it will be troublesome to intervene! "

   Hudson said calmly.

   It's not that he deliberately dug a hole, it's just that there are some blames that he can't bear. When negotiating with the elves earlier, Hudson had the courage to take responsibility.

   But the orcs are different, they are the kingdom's sworn enemies. The fact that the Chinese can tolerate compromises with the elves does not mean that they can also accept compromises with the orcs.

  At this moment, the Kingdom's army has not gained an absolute advantage, and hastily started negotiations with the orcs. It is difficult to achieve satisfactory results for all parties.

  After the war, old accounts were turned over. These are ready-made excuses for political opponents, and Hudson does not want to end up with a notorious end.

   Simply played "non-participation, ignorance, non-interference" and allowed the situation to develop freely.

   As for worrying about the intervention of the Terran Alliance, it is purely an excuse to urge the delegation to speed up the progress.

  Message delivery also takes time, and Hudson doesn't think anyone would dare to activate the magic circle of communication under his nose.

  Even if there are spies placed by major forces in the army, it is very difficult to pass the news out. After all, the military camp is not a place where you can come and go freely.

  Even if they escaped from the barracks by chance, the surrounding area of ​​a hundred miles was cleared by solid walls, and it was difficult to find someone to connect with.

  Even with the cooperation of the great nobles, it would not be possible in a short time to spread the news from the Northern Continent to the Southern Continent without exposing themselves.

   What's more, what is spreading now is only rumors, and there is no solid evidence.

  Beastmen are not as expensive as elves, and the death of vassal races will not affect the high-level decision-making.

   Randomly fighting a few symbolic battles on the border can make all parties speechless.

  In fact, the current Alpha Kingdom has been geographically separated by the alien coalition forces, and the human race alliance has little binding force on the kingdom.

   "Marshal, don't worry. According to the preliminary contact, the orcs want to end the war sooner than we do. The negotiation is progressing very smoothly.

  If it is just to regain lost ground, an armistice treaty can be signed now. The current dispute between the two sides is the issue of war compensation. "

  Earl Francis' words made Hudson call it sloppy.

  With the relationship between the Alpha Kingdom and the orcs, there is no need for an armistice treaty, and what is being discussed now is clearly an armistice treaty.

  As long as one side is ready, the war will break out again. Since it is only a short-term truce, some issues can be blurred.

  Anyway, the current Orc Empire doesn’t have the ability to develop so much territory, so it’s not a big problem to let the Alpha Kingdom occupy it for a while.

   Perhaps in the eyes of the orcs, allowing the Alpha nobles to develop the prairie is to cultivate leeks.

  Compared to these densely packed fortresses, the emerging nobles are still easy to grab. This time it was mainly because of their misjudgment and mistake, they did not expect the Kingdom to retreat voluntarily.

  After suffering a loss once, they will be prepared for the next war. The emerging nobles in the border areas will not be so smooth if they want to retreat.

   It takes time for the development of the territory. If the seven provinces of Northern Xinjiang want to develop to the level of the five major families in the Northland, it will be difficult to do it without 180 years of hard work.

   This is still based on the support of the kingdom, relying on the territory's own blood production, God knows that the year of the monkey can develop.

  In this context, the future of northern Xinjiang is a big pit. Once you're in, don't even think about getting out.

   Every year when the orc tribe comes to fight "Grass Valley", they can beat them to death. It is difficult for the local noble lords to organize an effective counterattack.

  And this kind of hard life cannot be ended in a day or two. It must be persisted until the kingdom recovers and is able to launch the "Eastern Expedition" before it can end.

  There is nothing wrong with it, it is the "Eastern Expedition", not the "Northern Expedition".

   From the map, after the Alpha Kingdom regained the seven provinces in the northern border, the orc empire not only existed in the north of the kingdom, but more territory was in the east of the kingdom.

  From the perspective of the mainland, this place still belongs to the Northern Continent, and the war launched is naturally the "Northern Expedition". After adjusting the perspective to the northern part of the kingdom, there are two options for future wars: "Northern Expedition" and "Eastern Expedition".

  The climate in the east is more suitable for human survival, and the land is more fertile. The five royal families of the orcs are all entrenched here. To go deep into the prairie and fight the orcs, it is natural to focus on the east.

  In order to call it conveniently, Hudson took a new term "Near East" from the kingdom's seven northern provinces all the way to Xueyue Lake.

   "It's best if the negotiations go smoothly. If the war ends as soon as possible, the kingdom will be able to recuperate as soon as possible."

   Hudson said without changing his face.

  Deep in his heart, he has already said countless times "Fuck". If nothing else, the delegation is now insisting on asking for land from the orcs, mainly to honor the land bonds issued by the previous kingdom.

  As for the quality of the land, how to solve the security problem, and whether the creditors can gain a firm foothold after obtaining the land, most of them are ignored by the bureaucrats.

  As long as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gets enough land from the negotiating table, and after satisfying the rewards for the meritorious ministers, it can still cash in the previous land bonds, and then it can stop the mouths of the main fighters.

  Hudson is very skeptical about the ownership of these lands, which will be blurred in the treaties, and the orcs only need to temporarily cede control.

  Follow-up questions, let’s deal with it after the next war breaks out!

   Only this kind of ambiguous treaty that does not need to bear infamy or political consequences can be reached by the two parties in a short period of time.

   It has laid hidden dangers for the future situation in the Near East, and that is only a small problem. Anyway, there are a lot of conflicts between the Alpha Kingdom and the orcs, some of them are fuses, and it doesn't matter if there is one more.

  The only ones who are cheated are the next owners of these lands. Maybe just after it was sealed, the orcs came to rob.

  Perhaps there will be a classic saying in the future kingdom: "Whoever has enmity with you, let him go to northern Xinjiang to be the lord."

  Remarks: For convenience, some Eurasian maps are used. The Orc Empire is now almost cutting off the African part of the Ottoman Empire, the Black Sea has shrunk into a lake, and further east is the sea.