Price of Management

Cost of management 15 copies

Chapter 1. Trust

“Are you happy now? ”

Earl McDell asked with an extremely sharp look. After digging up other people's wounds, he asked me if I would feel better.

“I wasn't asking for any satisfaction. ”

I shrugged my shoulders lightly.

There was a strange silence.

It was a tension that pierced my heart sharply.

“Let's be honest with each other. What ails the king of your country? ”

It's coming directly out.

Let's face it, you're about to write a book of dividends.

…… No.

The Book of Distortion is based on our predictions, and Earl McDell's insides have yet to be revealed. There was no need to tell us what we were vigilant about.

Then let's have a little luck.

“It has to do with the Baden River, doesn't it? ”

If he really intended to divide the book, he would immediately understand what I meant.

So, how do we get out of here?

Earl McDell nods.

“I wonder... You are the late Ligand. ”

He confessed unexpectedly.

It turns out that the dividing book we predicted was true.

Earl McDell continued:

“The emperor sent me, ‘and look for an opportunity. But you don't have to try, because you might have noticed it in advance. You said," I don't know. ”

“I see.”

As expected, the brains of our Kingdom of Leaden are not green. It was evidence that Nana, Louie, and Jeron were making the right decisions.

But it wasn't unusual for Emperor Kars to think that we would find out. He's still a ghost.

I took a chair and sat across from Earl McDell.

“An informal conversation wouldn't be so bad. What are the requirements of the Horn Imperial Court? ”

“With trade routes on the Baden River blocked, economic damage to the nation cannot be said. This responsibility lies with the sealed House of Ledon, and we demand compensation for any wrongful decisions made by the Court of the Ears. ”

“It was the least I could do in spite of the treachery of Earl Lindell and Earl Antares. Dory's responsibility lies in the Horn Empire, where one or two families have embraced the treachery of our kingdom. But given our relationship, we have taken no further action than a blockade order, shouldn't we be thankful? ”

“It is not our concern that the two families have turned their backs on the internal failures of the noble kingdoms. His Majesty only embraced them with generosity. ”

Earl McDell was a stubborn horse.

“All wrongs done to us by blockade of the Baden River, despite being in the Kingdom of Leaden, are detrimental to our relationship. We still need you to unblock them now and pay one million Redinas a year for the next 20 years as compensation for the damage. And one more thing. ”

“Is there more? ”

“Yes, His Holiness Ligand has made customs agreements with the Orient Kingdom to stimulate economic exchanges, and His Majesty commended him for being a wise policy worthy of his reputation as the Wise One." ”

“ ……. ”

“I think it's a great opportunity. The fundamental cause of all wars is economic problems, so how about abolishing tariffs in the sense of making peace with each other and activating interaction? ”

This is amazing.

I listened quietly and laughed at the rest of the funeral.

“That's unexpected, to be honest. ”

“What? ”

“I thought I'd make a realistic request. Then there's a possibility that mainstream and coin theory could divide the national monopoly of the country. But now that I've heard your words, I don't think I need to worry. It's ridiculous.”

“I think it's a reasonable condition. Did Earl Ligand think the terms I spoke of were more expensive than the horrors of war? ”

“The hostile forces. Don't argue like we're responsible for war." It was always you who wanted war. He's always wanted to solve domestic problems for centuries without ever solving them! I strongly believe that the poverty of your country will be eradicated if you plunder the property of your neighbors. ”

“Are you insulting me? ”

“The insults and the manna are true. ”

“Your responsibility is very high for our poverty. He took advantage of the geographic advantage of brokerage and took advantage of us. Are you confident that there are no tears in the Horn Empire's wealth piled up like a pile of landscapes on the Baden River? Is it more right than violence? ”

“Then it is a matter of responsibility. After all, what the Horn Empire is trying to wage now is an inevitable act of overcoming economic disaster." ”

“That's right.”

“Then we won't need a war if we have a plan to defeat the chronic economic turmoil of the Horn Empire. Isn't that right?”

In my question, Earl McDell nods with a shaky expression.

“That's right... ”

“Then let me tell you the position of the Kingdom of Leaden. We are not afraid to fight the Horn Empire. Those who are prepared are not afraid of any disaster. Of course I want to avoid war, but I don't want to be treated like one. ”

“May I take that as a refusal to accept the demands of the foreign government? ”

“Of course. I'll offer you another condition over here. ”

“Tell me.”

“During the Baden River toll negotiation, I had a brief conversation with Emperor Kars. The Emperor of the Kingdom has offered to return to the Horn Empire for all his riches. ”

Earl McDell looked surprised at my words.

“I offered it to him then, too. Appoint me as the Chancellor of the Horn Empire and enter into a nonaggressive treaty with the Kingdom of Ledon, and I will crush the economic turmoil of the Horn Empire. ”

“Are you saying you want to naturalize your country on the condition that you do not go to war? ”

“That's not true. I'm talking about economic cooperation. With our help, the Horn Empire can be a wealthy nation. ”

Earl McDell seemed troubled to me.

“What I was commanded to do was to either promise or declare war. I don't know what kind of economic cooperation you're talking about, but it's out of my hands, and I can't judge that. ”

“Does that mean you have no choice? ”

I asked.

Earl McDell pauses, then looks at me. Then I asked him a question.

“Did you know that? ”

“What do you mean? ”

“The Emperor is the most trusted man on the continent, Count Ligand. ”

“That's odd. ”

I'm the one Emperor Kars trusts the most. It sounds strange, but strangely reasonable.

Emperor Kars and I knew each other well. Emperor Kars saw that I was plunged into politics for my family, not for richer movies, and I discovered the identity behind the emotionless mask of King Kars.

“As his own flesh and blood, I'll be honest with you. I'm sure Prince Ligand knows that the Emperor is not himself. ”

I nodded.

There was nothing unusual about that human being.

“The future of the Great War is due to some madness within him. Of course, the Empty Warlords who respond eagerly to the Conquest War are also the problem... How scary is this? that so many deaths and tragedies will be caused by his sad madness. ”

“ ……. ”

“I suspect the Emperor himself is unaware of it. I wonder if there is a conflict within him before the catastrophe of history is greatly disrupted. I felt it when I saw him. ”

“What do you want to talk about? ”

“It means that the only one who can persuade His Majesty is Earl Ligand. ”

“... Are you serious? ”

“Yes. Not all the nobles of the Horn Empire favor war." ”

“I have one question. Earl McDell, do you think you understand the Emperor's intentions? ”

“I am his only blood. Almost the only person who remembered his childhood until recently, and suffered the same pain as him. Before the tragedy, His Majesty was a good and innocent man. ”

Pain means the death of the mother of Emperor Kars, the daughter of Earl McDell.

But you know what?

Now that I've convinced you, I don't think Emperor Kars' appetite for conquest will be discouraged.

The Horn Empire is ready for war.

Everyone wants war. No one can stop now.

But…….

I just couldn't give up.

Even if we can't stop the war, at least we might be able to end it early.

You must inform them that there are other options besides war.

I thought about it and said,

“Very well. It's not my decision to make on my own, so I'll give you my word when you're feeling better." ”

“I look forward to the good news. ”

After my separation from Earl McDell, I returned to the High Commissioner's office and was overwhelmed by thoughts.

In his past life, the war continued for more than a decade until Emperor Kars was a soldier. For a long time, Emperor Kars had the ability to sustain the war.

I felt sad all the time that I wanted to use such abilities to stabilize civilization ( ).

I felt strongly that I should meet with Emperor Kars.

* * *