Chapter 214: Let’s Chat
Hughes was momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer number of exquisite Brambleford goods before him.
This time, Prince Simon had truly given him ample face.
After Emperor Alaric repeatedly proposed the marriage alliance on Simon’s behalf, Hughes had already made up his mind. And following the great victory at Dunmere, he became even more certain of his decision.
The Baker family had a long and distinguished heritage. When it came to scholarly households, if the Baker family claimed to be second, no one in the Eldorian Empire dared call themselves first. Because of this, the Baker family had produced generations of talented individuals, with high-ranking officials in every dynasty.
Logically, he had not originally wanted Elin to marry far away in Eldora.
But after much contemplation, his intuition told him this might be a wise choice. He also believed this unconventional Prince Simon would bring something extraordinary to his family in the future.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Such generous gifts leave me unworthy of your kindness." Hughes clasped his hands in gratitude before instructing his servants to store the presents.
After a moment of thought, Hughes sighed. "I understand the purpose of Your Highness’s visit today. Regarding this marriage, I consent."
Simon smiled. As Lady Isolde had predicted, the matter had resolved itself naturally. "Grand Secretary Hughes’s favour humbles me. I offer my deepest respects."
With that, Simon stood and bowed to Hughes.
From now on, this would be his father-in-law.
Hughes did not rise but accepted the gesture. At this moment, it was not about the ruler and the subject, but the family.
"Your Highness, please sit. Beyond this marriage, you must also wish to discuss the current state of the empire with me." Hughes’s eyes gleamed with insight.
Had this been the old Simon, he would never have spoken so frankly. But from Brambleford’s newspapers, he had glimpsed a different man.
"Indeed. I hope you can enlighten me." Simon did not deny it.
Though he possessed vast knowledge, Simon still lacked a deep understanding of the Eldorian Empire, a critical gap for Brambleford’s development.
After all, Brambleford was part of the empire. It could not thrive in isolation, as many resources had to be sourced from elsewhere.
Moreover, he needed to identify enemies, allies, and those who could be swayed. As the great leader once said: Unite all forces that can be united. Going it alone was not an option.
Hughes smiled faintly, stroking his beard. "The Eldorian Empire now faces internal strife and external threats; this much you surely know. Our most formidable enemy remains the reavers. Though Fern retreated this time, he will return to avenge his humiliation at Dunmere. According to my sources, Fern was merely reprimanded upon his return. Worse, he used this opportunity to move the Sunderlanders from Snake Pass into West Ham. Compared to the Alkamite Tribe, the Sunderland Tribe is in a league of its own."
This was news to Simon. He couldn’t help but lament how inferior his intelligence network was compared to the court’s.
Hughes continued. "The Alkamite were just a minor tribe. They only occupied West Ham by currying favour with Braut. But the Sunderland Tribe is one of Fern’s strongest forces. You’ve seen the Sunderland Guards yourself."
Simon nodded. "Those Sunderland Guards are indeed well-trained and exceptionally fierce."
The image of their corpses piled high during the Battle of Dunmere still haunted him. Even in the face of such slaughter, they had charged forward without fear.
"Precisely. Those Sunderland Guards fought alongside Fern in campaigns against the Sapphires, battle-hardened veterans. The Sunderland Tribe itself is one of the steppe’s major powers, with over 500,000 people. That’s enough to muster 100,000 cavalry, not counting slave soldiers. After the blow you dealt Fern, he will undoubtedly study your cannons and devise countermeasures."
"I’ve anticipated as much. The worst-case scenario is Fern acquiring cannons himself." Simon frowned. "But I understand Brambleford’s forces are no match for the reavers on the open plains. My strategy is to advance slowly, fortifying strongholds and using artillery to nibble away at West Ham’s territory."
Hughes sighed in relief. "Good. That was my very concern. You must never engage the reavers rashly on the steppes. Beyond them, the Eldorian Empire faces three other major threats."
"Please elaborate, Grand Secretary."
Hughes spoke methodically:
"First, as Prince Gerad mentioned in court, coastal piracy runs rampant. Of these raiders, 40% are Latin, another 40% are Outsiders, and the remaining 20% are traitors from our kingdom who collaborate with them to plunder our shores."
"40% are Outsiders?" Simon was stunned.
Hughes nodded. "Correct. Outside was once our vassal. But when the reavers grew powerful, they switched allegiance and began looking down on us. To please their new masters, they once murdered our envoys, severing all ties. Since then, seeing our weakness, the outsiders have even sent soldiers disguised as pirates to raid wealthy coastal cities and slaughter our fishermen."
"So that’s why even seaside regions like Ashenford rarely fish offshore," Simon recalled historical records from the system, specifically, the Outsider’s annals of its kings, which admitted: In previous dynasties, the Latin pirates ran rampant, leaving the people destitute. Yet the Latin numbered only one or two out of ten. Our own people, donning Latin attire, formed gangs and rebelled.
In the Eldorian Empire, emboldened by the reavers, the Outsiders had grown even bolder. But whether Latin or Outsiders, both nations had long coveted the empire’s lands.
Whenever the dynasty faltered, these jackals would pounce.
Hughes added. "This is why our maritime trade has declined. Aside from Prince Gerad, few merchants dare sail abroad these days."
Simon nodded grimly.
Hughes then said. "The second threat is the Cotre. They frequently kill our border villagers and seize our territory. Despite multiple military campaigns, we’ve mostly retreated in defeat, wasting vast resources."
Cotre had also once been a vassal state. But after the reign of the founding emperor, the pro-empire dynasty was massacred in a coup, replaced by the hostile dynasty. Since then, the Cotre had repeatedly raided the southern borders, burning and pillaging.
Hearing this, Simon felt history’s eerie parallels. In modern times, the Outsiders, the Latin, and the Cotre had all clashed incessantly with the Eldorian Empire. Even now, they remain key players in efforts to contain the nation.
Born into the Eldorian Empire, Simon could easily imagine these same nations, centuries later, still acting as deadly shackles around the Eldorian Empire.