"Food! Money!" Adrick said without hesitation: "The local garrison is dispatched, the imperial capital is assembled, and the entire army is counterattacked. Now every day, the second- and third-line regional garrison troops from the south come to the imperial capital, so many mouths to eat, so many The army needs to be armed, but we have just experienced a major war, the finances have almost collapsed, and the rich land in the north and the middle of the empire has almost been wiped out! In previous years, we had to rely on the food transportation supply from the grain-producing areas in the north, but now , The road blocked by the rebels, the food in the north cannot be transported. In the south, because I dispatched too many garrison troops, some places have begun to become unstable... A big mess, with a lot of threads, in the final analysis, it is money and food !"
"No, I don't think this is the general's biggest problem at the moment... Money or food, but it's just an appearance." The old prime minister paused deliberately when he said this, and then suddenly raised his eyelids. Staring closely at Adrick, he said solemnly, "The biggest difficulty of the general is... His Majesty doesn't trust you, and he is always restraining his elbows!!"
"!!" Adric's color suddenly changed, and his eyes gleamed brightly, staring at the prime minister in front of him.
"Sir General, am I wrong?" The prime minister smiled softly and said leisurely: "Six days ago, the southern Kerala South local corps dispatched 2,000 people, and the military approved 1,000 sets of weapons and ten days' worth of weapons. Military salaries are exhausted, but the State Council only approved 70%. Three days ago, the Military Logistics Administration applied for 1.2 million military expenses, but when it arrived at the Political Affairs Office, 40% was cut! The new army, but His Majesty suddenly ordered the transfer of 2,000 elites to supplement the Royal Forest Army..."
The old man said every sentence, he knew everything like the back of his hand, and he was also a diligent prime minister. These things were clearly installed in his heart, and when he said it at the moment, he didn't even have to think about it.
Adrick's face became more and more ugly, and he said coldly: "These things are all approved by the military department."
"Adrick, of course you should understand that although those approvals are my decrees, but... they are not my own intentions."
Adric's face was ashen, he looked at the prime minister, and finally whispered in a dull tone: "I, Adric, are dedicated to the country, and the other side... I don't need to think about it, and I don't want to think about it!"
"Naive." The old man made such an evaluation coldly, looking at Adrick: "General, with all due respect, although you are a bit superior in military and your loyalty to the empire is impeccable, but with your personality and temperament , if you are a general on one side, or a corps commander, you are absolutely competent! But for a position like the Minister of Military Affairs... In fact, you are not the right person. Your temper is too extreme, and... Many times your thoughts are not It's too naive."
Adrick smiled instead of being angry, looking at the prime minister: "Sir, are you here to persuade me to resign?"
"Of course not!" The old prime minister looked serious: "The national disaster is at the forefront! You are now the pillar of the army! Now you can save the country and save the situation! So, although you are not the right candidate, it is now The only candidate! The military affairs of the empire, only you can support it now."
Adrick smiled lightly: "Then I am confused, Prime Minister, what is your purpose?"
"The minister is strong and the master is weak! The country's foundation is not solid! This is your biggest crisis now!" The prime minister said lightly: "I know that you must have complaints in your heart, but you should also understand that when your majesty does this, It's not that he doesn't trust you... it's that he can't trust you! Change to any emperor, no emperor, under such circumstances, it is absolutely impossible to trust you!"
Adrick was silent.
"The army of the Empire must not be the only voice of you, Adric! No emperor can allow this situation to continue. Even if you are loyal to Adric, even if you are really dedicated to the country!" His tone suddenly became sharp, and he said coldly: "You are not stupid, you should understand this truth! Lord Adric, I am here today to discuss cooperation with you!"
Adrick raised an eyebrow.
"You don't need to look at me like this." The old prime minister said lightly: "Although I am old, I am not faint. My loyalty to the empire will not be less than yours! When the imperial capital was besieged, I said that I am Sa Rembonelli will never be the prime minister of a subjugated country!"
"Tell me your purpose." Adric said coldly: "I'm a soldier, and I don't like to beat around the bush. If the Prime Minister has anything to teach me, just say it."
"If Your Majesty does not doubt you, someone must divide some of your authority and power in the army." Sarumbonelli said lightly: "The art of balance has always been like this. Now Your Majesty doubts you because of you. Adric's influence in the army is too great and too strong! But if someone divides your influence, then Your Majesty will be relieved a lot, and your situation, Adrick, will also improve a lot. I don't think this is necessary. No matter what I say, you will understand."
"Lord Duke Minas?" The corner of Adric's mouth twitched and he said with a faint smile: "I used to be the old subordinate of the duke. The duke treats me like a teacher. If the duke comes out, of course I will do my best to cooperate. If you This is the purpose of your visit, so you don’t have to worry at all. As long as the Duke comes back out of the mountains, I, Adric, will definitely agree. It’s just… Mr. Prime Minister, it’s not my intention to let the old Duke come back now. I can't control this matter."
Of course, Saron Bonelli understood what Adric said: Whether Duke Minas can be revived or not is the one in the palace who decides.
However, Adrick's approval attitude still made the old chancellor feel a little relieved. Moreover, the old man who was older than Huanhai could see from Adric's eyes that this iron-boned general did not lie to himself.
I don't care at all about someone trying to weaken my authority. Just this one, Adric's conduct is worthy of the Prime Minister's admiration!
"Your Majesty has His Majesty's concerns. As ministers, we don't have much to say." The Prime Minister said lightly, "However, I have a way to prompt His Majesty to make an early decision and see the matter of Duke Minas' recovery immediately. We know! It's just that I need your cooperation, General, I don't know you..."
"Do you want me to go to the palace to persuade Your Majesty?" Adrick smiled.
The prime minister shook his head and said with a wry smile: "The temper of our majesty, you must know, general, if you go to persuade, it will have the opposite effect on the matter. Maybe your majesty will be suspicious of you and the old duke. Not pretty, so…”
Adrick was silent for a while, then raised his head and looked into the Prime Minister's eyes. The two looked at each other for a moment, and the general finally nodded: "I understand how to do it."
Hearing this, the old prime minister suddenly stood up, gave Adric a deep salute, looked sincere, and said slowly, "Thank you!"
Adrick stepped aside and said lightly, "You are the prime minister. I don't dare to accept such a big gift."
"This worship is not for me, but for this country! You have a deep sense of righteousness and you should receive this ceremony!"
※※※
No one knew about the secret visit of the Prime Minister that night.
The next morning, another secret matter quickly spread throughout the imperial capital through various channels.
It is said that Adric, Minister of Military Affairs, entered the palace to meet His Majesty early in the morning and proposed a plan for the reorganization of the army. As usual, Emperor Garcia did not immediately agree to the various requirements in the plan proposed by Adric, but picked out some problems in it.
Again, as usual, there were differences among the rulers and ministers, and there were some disputes.
But in the past, despite his stubborn nature, Adrick often gave up after two sentences. After all, the distinction between the status of monarch and minister was there, and he could only endure it silently.
But this time, Adric was extra tough!
According to rumors from the servants who served at the left and right of His Majesty at that time in the palace, Adrick shouted at His Majesty unceremoniously at that time, and his behavior was very "disrespectful". Even in front of His Majesty, Adric clenched his fists, There are also offensive words in the language.
In the end, His Majesty couldn't help but angrily scolded Adric: "If you are like this, you have a king in your heart! If you don't follow his will, what should you do?"
Adrick replied: "I'll be self-determined!"
After he finished speaking, Adric turned and left, not even saluting like the emperor, and swaggered out of the palace! Emperor Garcia turned pale with anger, and smashed the furnishings in the room to a pulp afterwards.
Adrick actually did what he said, and he really "self-determined"! That military order was forcibly enforced by him in the name of the Minister of Military Affairs!
What made the emperor even more angry was that, according to the imperial decree, the implementation of this military order, in addition to the issuance of the military minister himself, must be endorsed by the emperor's seal, but the military order written by Adric's hand, without the emperor's endorsement, However, it is unimpeded in the army. In the whole army, no one cares whether this military order is "legal" or not!
Such a situation made Emperor Garcia not only angry, but more of a panic!
Later that night, the Prime Minister entered the palace again to see His Majesty.
Seeing the emperor's still pale and annoyed face, the old prime minister sighed inwardly - Adric is indeed a person who keeps his promises. In order to cooperate with himself, he actually did such a thing.
It's just... He should be very clear that by doing this, he is also causing a catastrophe for himself in the future.
"Your Majesty, we can no longer hesitate."
The old prime minister spoke softly, and immediately took out something from his arms and offered it to him.
"I just came out of the palace of the Duke of Minas. This is some of his suggestions on the army building plan written by the Duke of Minas. Also... The Duke of Minas and I had a detailed discussion for an afternoon, he... "
"Prime Minister, you should know that I can't trust this family!" Garcia looked gloomy.
"The Duke of Minas said that he wanted Lord Roddy to join the army and serve the country, but after Rody joined the army, I was afraid that he would not have the experience to take care of his family... The old duke would like to ask His Majesty for mercy and allow him to be sent to the palace as the eldest grandson of the family. Come and raise him, if His Majesty is willing to accept his eldest grandson as his adopted son, that would be a great kindness…”
"Eldest grandson?!"
Garcia's face suddenly changed!
Because of the relationship between the two families, Roddy was his playmate since he was a child. The little duke of the Nas family, where could there really be a lack of women around him
Roddy naturally raised a few lovers outside. I heard that one of them also gave birth to a son for him, but because he was not a legitimate child, he could not be officially included in the Minas family tree.
"It's just an illegitimate child... Hmph, it's not worth being a proton." Garcia frowned.
"The duke said that the little duke will get married soon and marry the mother of the child, then the child is naturally the eldest grandson of the Minas family."
The emperor's face suddenly changed, and his eyes lit up!
It can be said that the conditions offered by the Minas family and the sacrifices made are already amazing!
The lover that Rhodey raised outside was definitely not a wealthy and noble girl, even if she was born, she might be very lowly. But he was willing to marry the first wife... So for the Minas family, such a move is already a huge sacrifice!
Roddy got married, and that illegitimate child was the third-generation future heir of the Minas family that is justifiable! Put it in the court as a proton, the weight is enough!
Moreover, don't say that the hostage is not a hostage, but the Minas family is willing to make such huge sacrifices and concessions... The sincerity is really not small!
Although the worries in my heart may not be completely dispelled, but…
Suddenly I remembered the domineering and arrogant attitude in front of him when Adric entered the palace this morning...
If there is no one in the army to restrain him, I am afraid...
Garcia finally let out a long sigh, looking tired and helpless.
He looked at the prime minister, turned and left.
The prime minister stood there, looking anxious as the emperor was about to leave, he said loudly, "Your Majesty..."
"Okay! I agree!" Garcia stopped, and Huo Ran looked back at the prime minister: "I agree!!"
"Your Majesty is wise." The old prime minister wiped the sweat from his forehead: "It's just, regarding the position of Duke Minas..."
This time, the emperor strode away without looking back, and a word was thrown from a distance.
"The prime minister sees what to do!"
※※※
That night, another incident shocked the imperial capital!
The Duke of Minas, who has been dormant for many years, is officially resurrected! The official title of the deputy minister of military affairs of the empire, the chief of staff, led the guards, and awarded the rank of imperial marshal.
Rody, son of Duke Minas, was awarded the rank of General of the Imperial Guard and the post of Deputy Minister of the Imperial Army.
The capital is shaking!