Translator: Cinder Translations
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"Fortunately, our army recruitment has already begun," said Rodney XVIII with some relief. "This way, we won't have to worry about nearby opportunists taking advantage of the kingdom's recent defeat."
He glanced appreciatively at Paul. "Thanks to the large amount of military notes shipped from the Western Bay, a steady stream of strong young men are joining the kingdom's army."
"I have to say, Paul, your idea was brilliant. You've really made a huge contribution."
Paul nodded slightly. "Your Majesty, I'm glad it worked as planned."
The king continued, "In your absence, two large military camps have been built outside of Crystal Glare City, one in the north and one in the south. I am planning to form a standing army of 50,000 men."
"Fifty thousand?" Catherine exclaimed. "That's a huge number."
"Yes," the king nodded. "If it weren't for the military notes, this would have been unimaginable before."
Previously, the kingdom's military model consisted only of an elite force made up of noble offspring and knights, with additional soldiers being temporarily drafted in times of war.
Catherine shook her head. "But even with the military notes, it's still going to be difficult. After all, military notes also require a vast amount of matching supplies to support them."
"And for those officers, they won't just be satisfied with basic necessities. Their pay must be in real metal currency."
The king's expression turned serious. "You're right. That's exactly why I need to push through reforms."
At this moment, Paul interjected. "From what I know, the economic zone centered around Westport has been very successful. Hasn't it brought some benefit to the kingdom's finances?"
"Ah... well..." The king's tone grew uncomfortable. "The economic zone has indeed benefited the kingdom, but the government's deficit was so large before that the profits from the zone have only just balanced the previous deficit. Oh!"
Rodney XVIII suddenly rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Now we've lost a large portion of land in the north, and it's clear there will be a wave of nobles coming to Crystal Glare, just like the loyalists who came from the south when Giles caused the rebellion. At that time, we had to expend a lot of effort to settle them."
He suddenly stood up from the sofa, his body seeming full of energy, and a hopeful expression returned to his face.
"I announce that, starting now, I will appoint you…"
He pointed at Paul. "Marquis Paul Grayman, you will become the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Aldor, and will lead the entire kingdom's reforms."
Everyone in the room was shocked.
Paul stood up with a troubled expression. "What about Lord Rupert?"
"Oh, I appreciate the great contributions he has made to the kingdom, but honestly, he is getting a bit too old now."
"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your trust, but I must respectfully decline such a heavy responsibility."
Rodney XVIII furrowed his brow. "Why?"
Paul answered firmly, "With my limited ability and mediocre intelligence, I might be able to manage a territory, but I cannot bear the responsibility of the entire kingdom."
The king was silent for a moment, clearly unhappy with Paul's response.
"What if I insist on appointing you?"
"Your Majesty, I understand your urgency, but please don't act on impulse," Paul said sincerely. "The complex political environment in Aldor is not something I, an outsider from the borderlands, can untangle. If I were to accept such an important position rashly, it would only make things worse."
Rodney XVIII, displeased, said, "When faced with difficulty, you just solve it. Can I take this as avoidance on your part? As a noble of the kingdom who shares its fate, shouldn't you rise to the challenge?"
Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two, Catherine quickly stood up to mediate.
"Your Majesty, if we are to reclaim the lands lost to the orcs, the Western Bay needs to be developed into a large military camp as a staging ground and logistics base for the future army. Right now, no one is more suitable than Paul."
The king fell silent again, sighing after a long while. "Alright, Catherine has a point."
He looked at Paul helplessly. "You slippery eel, you'd be better off staying where you're most suited."
Paul glanced gratefully at his fiancée.
"But…" Rodney XVIII raised his voice again. "From now on, I will establish a reform advisory group, and you will be my chief advisor. This is a non-revocable order. You must accept, Paul Grayman, or it will be seen as disrespecting the crown above my head!"
Paul placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly. "I'm honored to accept your appointment, Your Majesty. As long as it's only offering advice and not being put on the frontlines, I'm fine with it."
Rodney XVIII sighed in relief.
Then Paul added, "However, my advice may be fragmented, unorganized, or even untimely. Whether it can be implemented will require you and those wise people around you to carefully evaluate."
The king smiled wryly. "Ha, you really are like a non-stick pan. Don't worry, I won't keep you for too long. What I need you to do in Crystal Glare is to write down all the ideas you can think of, big or small, to provide ideas for future reforms, and then you can return to the Western Bay to prepare for the army."
"Yes!"
"Ah, right!" Rodney XVIII said again. "The new army in Crystal Glare will follow the model of the Alda army for training. Paul, I hope you can send a few people to help pass on the experience."
"That's certainly doable."
"And… weapons."
"Ah?"
Rodney XVIII smiled. "I've seen the reports. Your firearms have great power. How wonderful it would be if the kingdom's army could be equipped with them."
"This…"
"At this point, I hope you won't hold back! And it's not like I'm asking you to give them for free. Your Nothwestern Industrial Group, right? It will become the kingdom's largest weapon supplier, and the government will buy from you at a fair price."
Paul breathed a sigh of relief, but still asked cautiously, "I hope patent protection will also apply…"
"Of course!" Before he could finish, Rodney XVIII confirmed it.
Paul finally felt at ease. "Very well, Your Majesty. Northwestern Industrial will do everything it can to help you build the new kingdom army."
Like other technologies, the spread of firearms would be inevitable. Instead of waiting for others to secretly steal them, it would be better to create an orderly environment that works in their favor.
(End of the Chapter)
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