The King

   "Marshal, princess, please go over and talk."

  The maid's voice rang in his ears, and Hudson was slightly taken aback.

  The kingdom now has only one princess, Madeleine. After trying to let him break the marriage was rejected, the two parties have no contact.

   Now that the war is over, the urgency to marry is gone. According to the common practice in the continent of Aslante, there are no special circumstances, and the marriages that the parties strongly oppose will be canceled in the end.

   After all, the purpose of marriage is to deepen the relationship between the two countries, not to make enemies. Forcing a marriage, the bedside wind is not disrupting the relationship between the two countries every day!

  Following the maid into the back garden, I saw Princess Madeleine, but there were Caesar IV and the queen beside her.

   Obviously, it was not Princess Madeleine who invited him here today, but Caesar IV.

  A glance from Caesar IV suggested that the maids left one after another, leaving only four of them in the room.

   "Your Excellency the Marshal, the main purpose of inviting you here in the name of Madeleine is to deceive others.

   What happened just now, although we cooperated well, still attracted the attention of those who cared. In order not to cause complications, she could only let Wang Mei play a cover. "

   Caesar IV immediately explained.

  As a king, his every move has attracted countless attention. That's all in normal times, but this time the interests involved are too great, so he can't help but ignore it.

  Compared to the Near East, which is always facing the threat of orcs, the land of the Warhammer Kingdom is not only a well-developed land, but also has a much higher safety factor.

   "The Alliance of the Remnants of the Ancients", that is just the kingdom's defeat. An expeditionary army can **** them, who would regard them as a threat!

  Dare to stir up trouble, the royal family is not easy to provoke, not to mention the ally of the Principality of Moxi to share the pressure.

   "Your Majesty, it is right to be cautious. The more critical this moment is, the more we cannot take it lightly.

   But the Moxi people also need to urge them. Now that some things have been resolved, they must be implemented quickly, and accidents are prone to occur if it is delayed for a long time. "

   Hudson responded with a smile.

   It is false to urge the Mosi people to speed up their progress and annex the Warhammer Kingdom. The real purpose is to let them fulfill their promises quickly.

  Deep in his heart, he really envied Caesar IV. The family background left by the ancestors is solid, but it is different.

  The royal collar in the northern border is close to the Warhammer Kingdom, and the cakes allocated can support the merger into the royal collar, which happens to be one piece.

  As far as Hudson knows, the royal family is planning an action against the five Dukes of the North. In addition to the past hatred, the main thing is that they are in the way.

  Originally, the three northern provinces were the largest territory of the royal family. After merging the land from the Warhammer Kingdom, the area will be even larger.

  It needs a lot of resource investment in a short period of time, but its future development potential is far better than that of the royal leaders currently controlled by the kingdom.

  The royal family scattered in the provinces is nothing more than that, but including the two provinces where the royal capital is located, it is the current foundation of the royal family.

  One is "now" and the other is "future". Both are areas that the royal family cannot abandon and need to focus on.

   The best way is naturally to connect the two largest royal families together, thus forming a closed loop strategically.

  Strategic conflicts are superimposed with old hatreds, and the alliance of the five major families in the Northland in the middle seems to be an eyesore.

  Politics is so mysterious. When he first succeeded to the throne, Caesar IV made great efforts to win over the five Dukes of the Northland, and he hated Hudson so much.

  In just a blink of an eye, Hudson became the best partner of the royal family. On the contrary, the five major families of the Northland who were much co-opted became the target of Caesar IV.

   It is unrealistic to uproot the five major families. It is still possible to uproot the most eye-catching one of them piecemeal, and connect the two royal family collars together.

  Even the royal family does not need direct control, as long as the masters who control these areas change from big nobles to small and medium nobles, the strategic goal will be achieved.

  The fuse that led to the change of Caesar IV's political stance was the "transit tax" of the five major families in the Northland. The royal caravan had to pay protection fees when they passed by, which touched his sensitive nerves all of a sudden.

  In addition to the old guys in the royal family, they instilled in Caesar IV's ears every day: the five major families in the Northland are damned, so it is not surprising that their political positions have changed.

  In the face of family interests, personal emotional preferences are nothing at all.

   Hudson, who also had grievances with the five major families of the Northland, naturally became a high-quality cooperation partner. Adding the "feeling" of sharing the spoils together, it is not surprising that the relationship between the two parties has reversed.

   "Marshal, please rest assured, brother Wang has already accelerated, and will soon form substantial control over the Warhammer Kingdom.

  According to the agreement, you can get one-seventh of the income from it, which is nearly one-fourteenth of the territory of the Warhammer Kingdom.

  Different territories have different values ​​and need to be evaluated comprehensively. This income is definitely more than the royal territory in the southeastern province, and you can also get compensation from other places. "

  The queen's words made Princess Madeleine envious. This is one-fourteenth of the Warhammer Kingdom, even if it is a ruined Warhammer Kingdom, it is also worth a lot.

   Such a big piece of cake was just let out, and my brother Wang didn't object.

  Under normal circumstances, the royal family will restrict the development of the domestic nobles, so as to avoid the tragedy of the princes becoming bigger and the royal power falling.

  Especially young nobles like Hudson, who are particularly capable of fighting, are the focus of suppression.

   Fortunately, the Koslow family's background is not deep, and now it is completely dragged forward by Hudson, and its own talent pool can only support a middle-class noble family.

  The Koslow family, whose foundation is not stable, is actually a castle in the sky.

  In fact, at the beginning, the Principality of Moxi only wanted to tear off two or three provinces from the Warhammer Kingdom. No one thought that under Hudson's manipulation, they would finally get half of the Warhammer Kingdom.

  Hudson itself has enough weight, coupled with the constraints of the magic contract, the cost of breaching the contract is ridiculously high, so naturally it can only fulfill the promise.

  At least the royal family got more cakes. After digesting the results, the strength of the Koslow family will grow rapidly, but the strength of the royal family will grow even more.

  Princess Madeleine, who doesn't know the inside story, only thinks that her brother and sister-in-law are really generous, and they can give such a big benefit.

   "Queen, don't worry about compensation, it's important to finish the business first.

  Annexing half of the Warhammer Kingdom is just the beginning, the key is how to gain a foothold in the future. The alliance of the ancient survivors itself is not terrible, the key is that the elves behind it are difficult to deal with.

  I have sorted out a set of materials to deal with the threat of the elves. Maybe I will use it later, and I will trouble the queen to pass it to His Majesty George. "

   Hudson said with a smile.

  Respect is mutual. Although there are contractual constraints, the benefits that should be obtained are indispensable after all, but the specific time of handover can be flexible.

  The other party gave face, and Hudson didn't mind making things beautiful. If there is prevarication, this information will not appear.

  Intuition told Hudson that the queen in front of him was not simple. Under normal circumstances, these matters are discussed by Caesar IV.

   Robbing the king's job has not aroused Caesar IV's dissatisfaction, which requires means.

   No matter how you look at it, Caesar IV is not a soft persimmon, and it is not easy to hold him.

   Hudson couldn’t figure out whether it was the love between husband and wife, or the queen’s increased voice. The only thing that was certain was that the queen was about to emerge politically.

  According to the agreement, the interests transferred from the Principality of Moxi to Hudson and the royal family will be attached to the Queen's name in the name of dowry.

  From a legal point of view, the current queen and king have become strategic partners, and they are still inseparable.

  Three-fourteenths of the Warhammer Kingdom, even if one is to be given to Hudson, there is still one-seventh of the Warhammer Kingdom.

  After swallowing this cake, the royal family's direct jurisdiction will expand from the current six provinces to ten provinces.

  Of course, this number is fictitious. Among the ten provinces that have been really developed, only three provinces have been operated by the royal family for many years.

  From the standpoint of the royal family, in order to develop these seven provinces, it is imperative to build a defense line in the Near East.

  After a bout of unnutritious business bragging, Caesar IV suddenly got up and opened a map of the Northern Continent, and said in a serious tone: "Marshal Hudson, here are all my own people, so I won't hide it.

  At present, the compensation that the royal family can provide, except for the royal territory in the southeastern province agreed in advance, the rest is in the northern border.

   We can discuss what we like. However, considering the political influence, it must be a "land transaction" when publicizing to the outside world. "

  How to publicize to the outside world is not important at all. No matter how much the transaction amount is, he doesn't need to write a big word.

  The territory of the royal family in the southeast province covers an area of ​​only 4,000 square kilometers, equivalent to a small county, with a population of only 400,000 to 500,000.

  Because of the perfect development, it is equivalent to half a deserted province in terms of value.

  Theoretically speaking, Hudson can also get a large province from the royal family, or a semi-ordinary province as compensation.

   It just so happens that the royal family’s territory in northern Xinjiang was also harmed by orcs, so the value of direct exchange is not much different.

  The key to the problem is that the three provinces of the royal family in northern Xinjiang are all concentrated in the inland area, and none of them are what Hudson wants.

   Caesar IV seemed generous, but in fact he wanted to find a gatekeeper for his own territory to avoid constant threats from orcs.

   "Your Majesty, the direct division of so many territories from the royal family has caused too much impact. Even if it is in the name of trading, it will still be noticed by the nobles of the kingdom.

   I think it is better to make appropriate compensation from other aspects!

  All parties in the kingdom have the same position, and they all want me to go to the Near East to preside over the overall situation to ensure the safety of the northern Xinjiang region.

   After suffering such a big loss, there should be some compensation, right? The size of the fief is a bit large, and everyone can accept it.

  Near Xueyue Lake, I want this area. In addition, the kingdom must contribute to open up a large port for me, forge seven fortress cities, plus thirty subsidiary fortresses, and connect them with city walls to form a basic line of defense.

  The required expenditure input can be paid by the kingdom or by the royal family. "

  Hudson calmly drew a circle on the map, including the land from Xueyue Lake to the seaside.

   Calculated purely by area, it is equivalent to one-third of the Near East region, far exceeding the normal encapsulation specifications.

  There are also lakes and rivers running through the territory. The water source is abundant and the land is fertile, which is very suitable for agricultural production. It can be said that it is the best land in the Near East.

   Not only land, but also supporting infrastructure. Under normal circumstances, if anyone dared to make such a request, Caesar IV would definitely let him go.

  The current situation is obviously different. Hudson's appetite is big enough, but the royal family is also a beneficiary.

  Originally, he wanted to take away a province and a half from his own territory, but now he only needs to ask the orcs for land, and earn money with blood.

  Infrastructure investment is also paid by the kingdom. The royal family is nothing more than leading a little more, and the overall expenses are still controllable.

  According to the plan, the Near East will be divided into ten provinces.

  Hudson alone can take away the fiefdoms of several counties, add the land bond to convert one county, and consider the compensation premium for the development of the Near East, it is also reasonable to win the fiefdom of a province.

  Although they are all border areas, the Near East is obviously more dangerous than Northern Xinjiang. For one and a half provinces in northern Xinjiang, it is reasonable to exchange them for two provinces in the past.

  From 30% to 1/3%, Hudson just took a few more points of land, plus a bunch of infrastructure, which is not worth mentioning compared to the increased income of the royal family.

  After weighing the pros and cons, Caesar IV looked at Hudson differently. What kind of power minister is this? He is clearly a loyal minister of the royal family.

  Hudson did get more, but the royal family got more benefits.

   Swallowing the six provinces of the Warhammer Kingdom in one gulp, the royal family's control area is directly doubled, and what is paid is only a piece of royal family territory in the southeastern province, and a part of political resources from the outside world.

  Once Hudson takes root in the Near East, the security of the royal family's territory in northern Xinjiang is also guaranteed, and they can freely invest in development.

   "Your Majesty, Marshal, you are straightforward. The fief issue will be handled as you say. However, the infrastructure construction in the later stage will take some time to promote.

  The war has just ended, and no one is rich. The resources that the Kingdom can invest in the short term are limited, but within five years at the latest, the construction of corresponding projects will definitely be completed.

  If the kingdom doesn’t have enough resources, the royal family will try to make up for it. The specific detailed plan will be discussed after the site selection is completed. "

   Caesar IV said vigorously.

   Hudson, who stayed in southern Xinjiang, was the key defense target of the "power minister". Went to the Hudson where the Near East developed, that was the pillar of the kingdom.

  Historical experience told Caesar IV that with the good territory of orcs living there, even if the Koslow family really grew bigger, it would be consumed by orc invasions again and again.

   Compared with the big threat of the Koslow family, he is more worried that the Koslow family's lack of background will drag Hudson back and fail to gain a firm foothold in the Near East.

   "Your Majesty, it might be hard to account for such a large fief in one go, right?

  As far as I know, in the history of the kingdom, no one has been able to obtain the fiefdom of a province at one time.

  The Near East region has not yet set up a province, so there is more space for maneuvering, but if such a large piece of land is acquired at one time, the domestic nobles are afraid that they will make trouble. "

  Hudson reminded.

  It is one thing to make a promise, but another to implement it. Caesar IV is not Caesar III after all, and he can't make a promise in the kingdom.

  If the operation is not good and a large number of nobles resist, the canonization plan may be ruined.

  After all, bad things are easier than good things. Even when self-interest is not involved, jealousy can make people lose themselves.

   "Don't worry, Marshal, they don't want the land in the Near East. If anyone dares to jump out and make trouble, I will transfer him to the Near East!"

   Caesar IV said with a sneer.

   Thinking of everyone's rejection, he was furious. If all the great nobles in the kingdom were united, developing the Near East would not be a problem at all.

  It's a pity that the uncertainty in the Near East is too high, and everyone has no love for enclaves that may fall at any time.

  The nobles of the kingdom are unwilling to accept it, and the government is also unwilling to accept it. Naturally, the king can only find a way to deal with it.

   "Your Majesty, if there are no great nobles in the past, then it is best not to set up a province in the Near East for the time being, and first set up a Protectorate for unified management.

  When the development has reached a certain level and a firm foothold can be established, the Capital Protectorate will be abolished and replaced by provincial rule. "

   It is estimated that only Hudson can do it in such an upright manner. The truth is not that he is greedy, it is entirely for the sake of the overall situation.

  If there are big nobles who are willing to spend their money to develop in the Near East, there is nothing wrong with directly adopting provincial rule.

  It's a pity that these old guys are too sensible and don't want to waste family resources in the uncertain Near East. Just relying on a group of small and medium-sized nobles simply cannot support the defense of the Near East.

   Just look at the seven provinces of northern Xinjiang. None of the veteran middle-ranking nobles with the strongest strength in the kingdom could support the defense of the northern border.

  If you can't do it alone, you can only cooperate. It was originally planned that Hudson was only in charge of the military defense of the provinces in the Near East and northern Xinjiang. Once the Protectorate was established, it would be the military and political power.

   "Marshal, the issue of setting up the Protectorate's Mansion is too involved, we must first seek the opinions of all parties, let's wait until the next meeting to discuss it!"

  Caesar IV declined.

   In the end, reason still prevailed, and he was not dazzled by the immediate interests. The establishment of the Protectorate is indeed conducive to strengthening the control of the Near East, and it will also lead to the enlargement of the place.

  The kingdom now has a total of thirty-two provinces, and the Protectorate, which is composed of the Near East, is directly equivalent to ten provinces. The size of this giant is really too big.

  Even if the royal family can get six provinces from the Warhammer Kingdom, the actual control area is equivalent to twelve provinces, which is almost the same as the Near East in terms of territorial area.

   King's vigilance, Hudson just smiled. The birth of the Near East Protectorate is only a matter of time, and he doesn't need to be involved too much. As long as there is a little wind, the unlucky nobles who are going to the Near East will spontaneously promote it.