Chapter 929, The Emperor and His Friends
Outside the luxurious giant wooden door of the Imperial Parliament, there is a large row of Rick Guards on duty.
The Reik Guard has always been the emperor's personal army and the strongest cavalry unit in Brunswick. They are also responsible for serving as the emperor's personal guard and in many cases representing the emperor's inspection and supervision tasks.
Flowers bloom and fall again, this year's Rick Guard has also recruited many recruits, most of them are children of great nobles or, there are no lack of heirs from knight families and elite military families, Rick Guard welcomes them with open arms For many people, the prerequisite is that their military literacy passes the test and they are absolutely loyal to the emperor.
And there is an inner ring organization in the Rick Guards, called the Rick Inner Ring Knights, this group of knights is only thirty to forty people, but they still have solid armor and agility, strong strength and ability to handle things. excellent ability.
The knights of the inner ring are responsible for isolating the people who approach the royal family and protecting the emperor. They usually hold heavy shields, equip heavy swords, axes and halberds, and two-handed giant swords, and wear full-body plate armor polished to a mirror-like brightness and decorated with beautiful feathers.
They fought mixed with other Imperial forces, and were agile and protracted heavy infantry that performed well in both siege and defensive formations.
Today is the day of the expanded emergency meeting of the Imperial Parliament, and the Knights of the Inner Ring lined up outside the gate of the Parliament, preparing to defend the emperor's court.
The closest to the gate are the two senior Rick Inner Ring Guards, named Schuler and Waldsey. While reprimanding the Rick Guard recruits to improve their concentration and spirit, they told everyone with a fierce attitude , the emperor and the electors are in a meeting, and the only and most important task of the imperial court at present is war.
"War, what war?" Many of the emperor's favorite jesters and noble lords scoffed at this. How can there be war?
In the past two years, the empire has finally breathed a sigh of relief. In the badlands of the south, after the recovery of Bafeng Mountain, the threat from the greenskins has become much smaller. , the empire can relax a little.
In the east, the High King Thorgreen captured Gunbad Peak. He threw the last Goblin of Gunbad Peak off the cliff with his own hands, and announced that another enmity had been cleared away. Thorgrim left behind An expedition team of 500 people mined at Gangbad Peak, and the victorious team came to Eternal Peak.
Needless to say in the West, after Brittania and the Empire reached the Dibu Friendship Alliance Mutual Assistance Agreement, the two sides have rarely had conflicts and conflicts. The border line has been determined, and the two sides have repeatedly withdrawn their troops. The army of 1,000 people is one-tenth of what it used to be, and a lot of military expenses and troops have been saved and used in places where they are more needed.
Then, the only possibility is the north, but didn't the barbarians go to fight the dark elves?
war? What war?
The Rick Guards were very stubborn. They refused the footsteps of any visitors. Some great noble lords and high courtiers who were covered in perfume and famous families tried to put on airs. The Rick Guards drew their weapons to let them know that they were not joking.
But the long meeting still made the Rick Guards feel overwhelmed. Some recruits couldn't hold on after standing for a long time. Even the strictest inner ring guards felt tired, but they knew they couldn't slack off.
After a while, a general came out from the door. It was Rudolf von Lichtenstein, the imperial general, and Schuler, the inner ring guard, hurriedly asked him, "Rudolf, what's the situation?"
"Generally speaking, everyone is aware of the threat of Chaos in the north. The piggies that Kislev's dogs forced to raise did not report such a big situation to us, but went to fight against the Chaos bastards on their own. " Rudolph's voice was very depressed, and the imperial general didn't close the door tightly, and just went out like this: "In general, that's it.
There is nothing to keep secret. "
The sound came from inside.
"Kataline and her court have just retreated to the territory of Ostermark. She carries the wealth of the Tsarist family for thousands of years, but the most elite troops we urgently need have almost all been lost, and she also brought a large group of court Servants and Boyer nobles, I can hardly find a place to put them." The speaker of Ostermark and Elector Hertwig of Bekafen's extremely irritated and anxious tone was also very clear in the chaotic discussions: "The wave of refugees hit the border and put enormous pressure on the defense system. Ostermark needs more reinforcements, food support and weapon support. Now we need at least 10,000 sets of standard equipment and at least 5,000 tons of food support .”
"Our situation is the same." Grand Duke Vamir von Zhukov of Ostland also emphasized: "No one expected this to happen. Kislev should have relied on the strong city to resist and ask for help, but I got According to the news, Praag has fallen, the army of Chaos has occupied it, and there is no news from Erengrad."
"Impossible!" Grand Duke Theodoric Geisel of Nord's voice was angry and pale: "I know the strength of Kislev's army. An ace army like the Rim guards will not disappear so easily, do you think Kislev is completely finished? I suspect that Katarin is saving her strength and throwing the burden over!"
"Listen, listen, I don't think we should spend time grieving for the northerners. They may have suffered heavy casualties, but it's better than turning to Chaos or giving up." White Wolf Elector Boris Stodeb Linge still had the familiar loud voice: "Now is not the time to argue about these things. The empire must unite and immediately begin to announce a general mobilization order and recruit all troops. We will fight to the death with those chaotic bastards at the border of the empire. Since they are coming , then let them come, and Middenheim shall stand forever till the last of Ulric's sons falls."
"Stop, stop, friend!" Helmut Feuerbach, Elector of Talabheim and Grand Duke of Talabek, stretched out his hand and made a "" gesture to signal Boris to calm down: "urefkingnil! Brother, You figure it out, who will give the order? General mobilization? Are you serious? General mobilization casually? I am afraid that you, the grand duke, are going to end!"
"At present, the situation is still unclear. The general mobilization is really unrealistic, and it will cause almost permanent damage to the territory." The Grand Duke and Elector Marius Leitdorf also disagreed with the general mobilization: "All The provinces have their own problems, we should first send troops to strengthen the defense line and ensure food support, and then look at the situation, how can you ensure that this is not an exaggerated exaggeration by the female tsar to cover up her failure?"
The emperor didn't speak, he didn't seem to want to express his opinion so easily.
Edbrand Ludenhof, the Grand Baron of the Hawkeland, said clearly and loudly: "The Hawkeland is trying to mobilize, but we are alone and alone, and we must get more support, including but not limited to the army, equipment , food, and gold.”
Did Schuler listen to everything? The inner ring guards were thinking about how to help the emperor relieve his worries.
The empire is now in a very difficult situation. Now it is estimated that the Chaos army will approach the border of the empire in less than two months at the fastest, and three months at the slowest. The army is about to overwhelm the border, but the empire is not prepared. The mobilization of the army has not even started here, after all, the autumn harvest has just ended.
It will take at least three to five weeks to fully recruit a large army, and it will take six to eight weeks at the fastest to march from the capital to the northern border. Then the question arises, who will solve the astronomical military salary and daily consumption? Huge amount of rations?
In the Imperial Parliament, Emperor Karl Franz frowned all the time. He looked at Archbishop Vikmar sitting not far away, wanting to get his support, but Archbishop Vikmar was distracted by other things , the Lutherhus incident was a big deal, Esme III, one of the great lecterns of the Justice Church, is using this incident as an excuse to continue attacking Vikma, hoping to replace him, or achieve the goals of many people in the church. Demands include, but are not limited to, the sale of indulgences, hereditary fiefdoms, and the excommunication of Lutherhus.
Vicmar disagrees with any of these three items, but he knows that his enemies come from within the church. There are not a few regional bishops, cardinals, and cardinals who agree with Esme III, and no one will dislike himself. There are many benefits and benefits, but they are extremely disgusted with responsibilities and obligations.
"We can mobilize all the time, and we should start mobilizing on the spot now." Finally, after arguing for a long time, the emperor spoke: "For example, the most likely to be attacked near the front line is Nord, Oster, and Oster. The provinces of Tmark and Hawk can immediately mobilize the army when they go back, and as for the southern provinces, including Reikland, we will follow up immediately and provide military food and military support at the same time."
"When will we be able to catch up? How much can we provide? Five hundred catties of grain is also provided, and five hundred tons of grain is also provided!" Hertwig reacted fiercely. He knocked on the table vigorously, as if he didn't realize that he was concerned about this matter. How much damage has been caused by the sandalwood antiques with a history of more than 300 years: "My lord, don't deal with these falsehoods, isn't the lesson clear enough? Responses are slow, desperate? Is this the empire? Is this Karl Franz? That's enough, I should immediately go to Butcher Castle to find His Majesty the Butcher King Agrim, he is much more reliable than you, Franz!"
"It takes time to raise rations and recruit troops!" The emperor retorted: "Hertwig, I understand your difficulties, and we are already trying to solve them! What else do you want? Otherwise, I wouldn't let you come here for a meeting!"
Hertwig also realized that he was in a hurry, but the military situation was really urgent. Speaker Ostermark was restless, so he simply stood up and paced back and forth behind the desk.
"Then you should immediately send all the standing army and garrison army to the north, now is not the time to care about it!" Grand Duke Geisel of Nord said displeasedly: "Also, we need more gold coins, Those gold coins covered with the heads of emperors, electors, or dwarves and knight kings on the opposite side of the mountain! The elves are also fine, only gold coins can we use for those noble lords or city councils under our command, as well as those mercenary groups and even cannibals. The Demon Corps accepts our invitation and fights to defend the empire!"
The emperor's face was ugly. There was still money in his treasury, but nearly half of it was a war loan from the Supreme King. Moreover, there must be a sum of money in the treasury. There was not much money left that could be used. Satisfy the appetites of these electors. This year has finally had a bumper harvest, and the emperor's treasury has a considerable surplus, and he plans to renovate the palace.
At this moment, everyone's voices stopped, and everyone turned their attention to one person.
In the past few years, who is the richest in the empire?
Undoubtedly the ruler of Nur, Emmanuel von Lebwitz Bernardino, the Countess of the Empire, the biggest beneficiary of the Dibu Friendship Alliance Mutual Assistance Treaty is Nur, and Emmanuel also because of her relationship with Ryan The special relationship has become the most popular imperial nobleman in Britannia, bar none.
The Duchess of the Empire hasn't said a single word from the beginning until now, but she obviously listened carefully. Behind Emmanuel sat her right-hand man Nur Grand Marshal Erstein and Nur Grand Marshal Si Otto Bruckner, the Countess of the Empire is wearing a set of fresh peony, ink and rain classical hip-wrapping skirts today, and a black and gold duchess cape on the outside. A pair of delicate and straight long legs are paired with deep red semi-permeable ultra-thin velvet. Pantyhose and a pair of nude suede high-heeled shoes with a pointed strap and a skull print. Manoli's every move is full of majesty, and now she can form huge psychological pressure on people with just one look.
Feeling everyone's eyes, Emmanuel didn't have any smiles on her face. The Duchess of the Empire was already filled with contempt and hatred for the Queen. She thought for a while and said, "Nur and Wesson understand The empire will provide help within its capacity, and I can promise here, but I need to wait until I return to Nur to discuss with the city council about the specific amount. As for the army, Nur and Wessen can immediately send five legions to go north to support them. Some logistical supplies."
"That's not enough, my lord countess!" Geisel continued to complain: "Everyone knows that you can mobilize at least 30 legions, as well as those steam tanks and the Nuer armored army, not one less!"
"The Nur Iron Armored Army took it to protect you, who will protect me?" Emmanuel confronted: "Nur and Wesson Land are not without enemies, and there are still a large number of goblins in the Black Mountains in the south. The tribe is entrenched there, and the southern part of Wessen Territory will be attacked by them from time to time!"
"Solland has been taken over by Gelt's Alchemy Academy. They will solve your southern problems. You must send troops to the north now, or it will be too late!" Grand Duke of Ostland and Elector of Wolfen Howamir shouted angrily: "The army of chaos may appear on the border of the empire at any time!"
"Steel led the river patrol army and the army guarding Sylvania. None of them can move. On this basis, I will send several legions of soldiers from Utbad, but you need to solve the logistics and military pay. I No kidding." Grand Duke of Steeleland, Elector Graf Alberichhout Anderson, still dressed in a battered fur coat and woolen shirt, looked more like a beggar than an Elector.
"We need to send troops, we need to mobilize ourselves, and we need to pay for food and money. How can there be such a good thing!" The madness of the mad earl and Grand Duke Marius Leitdorf of Ivy also came up. He yelled: "Who said you won't support you? Who said you won't help? Don't bully people too much. The general mobilization order is issued casually? Do you know how much it will cost you to set up a territory like this?! You all Is it a pig? If you don’t want help, go back now!”
"Enough, shut up! Marius, we are discussing how to face this chaotic frenzy, instead of being busy fighting and quarreling!" Karl Franz slammed the small wooden hammer vigorously, making the Imperial Council Everyone quieted down, the emperor noticed that the southern electors didn't want to announce a general mobilization at this time, they wanted to see how the situation was going again, but the problem was that the northern electors were not as rich as the southern electors Have sufficient financial capacity to support their general mobilization.
After arguing for a while, the electors have indeed realized the seriousness of this chaos invasion. The 300,000 troops on the opposite side wait for no one. Send part of the standing army and conscripts to the north to support, while the northern electors will mobilize and begin to deploy defenses along the border to prepare for the tide of destruction in the north.
"Your Majesty, can the empire seek help from the high elves?" At this time, Grand Duke Geisel of Nord asked the emperor.
"I will inform Ambassador Gao Jing." The emperor nodded.
"Your Majesty, I suggest asking the dwarves for help immediately." Grand Duke Marius of Aiwei also immediately added.
"I will send a messenger to the High King," the emperor could only say again.
"So, Karl, the kingdom of knights on the other side of the mountain, should we also ask for help?" The Grand Duke of Midden, White Wolf Elector Boris Stodbringer immediately said: "Isn't the covenant signed for nothing? Not at this time Ask for help, how long do we have to wait?"
"This" emperor not only hesitated, asking for assistance from Brittania? Has the empire really reached such a difficult time? This is such a big favor.
"Countess Emmanuel, what do you think?"