69novels Chapter 432 Imperial Council
Chapter 432 Imperial Council
Chapter 432 Imperial Council
"The question is, why did the Duke of Lorraine start a war?"
At the royal meeting, Prime Minister Ryan Ramirez surveyed the crowd with an air of authority, his voice deep and masculine.
From the first time Caroline met Ryan, she felt that this man was somewhat serious and frightening.
However, those who aspire to great things must not be filled with fear.
Caroline sat calmly at a small table to the side, listening to everyone's questions.
He meticulously recorded all sorts of impromptu ideas in a blank book in front of him.
Generally speaking, no one other than a member of the cabinet should be present at a royal council meeting.
But this meeting may take a long time, and someone will need to assist them.
Attendants and wine servers are not worthy of too much trust, and servants should be treated with even greater caution.
The heraldic attendant, being an official, took on all the trivial tasks in the room.
Jonah specifically assigned this task to Caroline.
It is estimated that Jonah believes that attending such decision-making meetings is helpful for Caroline's development.
Jonas was Caroline's fellow student, but his relationship with her stemmed more from his approval of her father.
It is said that the former prince was so respected that everyone was willing to kneel before him.
Unfortunately, Caroline could not imagine her real father from those descriptions.
Is the prince more charming than a petty librarian?
Caroline didn't know, but she knew she had to focus on the meeting at hand.
In addition to the Prime Minister and the Chief of Heraldry, the meeting was attended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Minister of the Army, the Minister of the Navy, the Captain of the Guard, and noble representatives elected by the first-class lords.
They were discussing the Lorraine Plains, where the newly appointed Duke Brianna Lorraine had declared war on the surrounding regions.
"Of course it's out of anger," the Secretary of War grinned. "How old is that woman? Not even thirty. She's easily swayed by emotions and lets hatred cloud her judgment."
“Even if it’s for honor, it’s perfectly justifiable,” the Minister of the Navy replied. “The previous owner of the Golden Wheat Plain was murdered. Rumor has it that it was the lords of the surrounding areas who hired assassins to kill her.”
"Rumors? Lord Miles," the captain of the Guard said dismissively, "rumors are no different from gossip. If the women of the plains declare war on this basis, it will be an unjust war."
"There is no justice in war! Robert," the Prime Minister said solemnly, looking at the Captain of the Guard, "Justice belongs to the victors. Only those who win the war have the right to interpret it."
"The key point is that the Golden Plains are not only formidable in combat," the Chancellor of the Exchequer said, "their family is also incredibly wealthy. You know, decades ago, after the Servants defeated the Kingdom's coalition, the Lorraine family has been one of the wealthiest noble families in the land."
“The land of Goldenwheat Plains is fertile, and almost any crop can grow there,” Jonas said. “It is said that the people there hardly have to worry about food and drink. If anyone can’t afford to eat, they can even receive relief food from the Lorraine family.”
"And this is a common tactic used by the church," said Captain Robert, "using charity to win people's hearts, actually trying to control their thoughts."
"But you cannot deny that the land ruled by the women of the Lorraine family truly prospered."
At this point, Cai Fuda suddenly showed a worried expression. "In fact, the tribute from the Lorraine family is an important source of income for the royal family. You are unaware of how generous the lords of the plains have been throughout history."
At this moment, the meeting fell into a brief silence.
Caroline also knew the reason.
The royal family's recent financial difficulties are something that every cabinet member is well aware of.
The Minister of War said, "That's simply because they were born on good land. Whoever gets so much land can contribute a considerable amount of wealth to the royal family."
The captain of the guard narrowed his eyes: "Could it be that you support the other nobles uniting against Duke Lorraine?"
"That is indeed a solution," the Secretary of War said. "Those women are always arrogant and unruly. Women should stay at home and take care of their children, not get involved in politics."
"This is a tradition in Lorraine, and you cannot interfere," the Chancellor of the Exchequer replied.
"Traditional my ass," the Minister of War spat, "before the Evil Ones, the Kingdom had never had a female lord."
"And she proved with her strength that she deserved the title of lord," said the Minister of the Navy. "How many years have passed since that war? Forty years? Sixty years? But even now, some old lords still marvel at that lady's beauty and power."
The Guardian Knight nodded in agreement: "She solidified her position through strength. And the Duke of Lorraine who followed not only inherited her power and wealth, but also her mysterious, powerful, and evil abilities. Therefore, no one can shake the Lorraine family's position."
The Chancellor of the Exchequer reminded him, "Remember that highland war? The Duke of Lorraine single-handedly turned the tide of the battle."
The Minister of War replied, "No one can deny the past glory of the Dukes of Lorraine. However, all indications suggest that their family's power is gradually waning."
"The fact that someone was able to assassinate the previous lord is proof enough. Can you imagine that someone could assassinate a villain? Even that duke in the Highland War was inconceivably powerful."
No one refuted this view.
From their descriptions, Caroline also sensed that the Lorraine family seemed to be on a downward spiral.
The Prime Minister asked, "So what are your thoughts?"
The Secretary of War said, "The war on the plains of Lorraine was an unjust act, and their original land was less than a quarter of what it is now. It was the wicked who forced the royal family and nearby lords to cede territory. Perhaps it is time to give history its due.
Jonas said worriedly, "Don't underestimate the power of the Lorraine family. Loyal Dog once forced the royal family to compromise, and this man pales in comparison to the Duke of Lorraine."
"The loyal dog is a dead dog now, and the Lorraine family is not what it used to be," the Minister of War argued. "That woman's insistence on starting a war seems more like an attempt to prove herself. Only those who lack self-confidence would want to prove themselves."
"This means that even Brianna Lorraine believes her family is not what it used to be. And who can guarantee she won't be assassinated like the previous lord?"
"You want to hire the Block Alliance?" Jonas frowned. "Sir Wayne, that's a very bad idea."
“Of course,” said the Minister of War, “we cannot do that. But who can guarantee that the lords who have been declared war on will not do the same? Listen, gentlemen, the rise of the House of Lorraine is over. If we want to grab a leg of the lamb before that fat sheep is divided up, we must act decisively.”
The Prime Minister asked, "Do you want the royal family to support those surrounding nobles?"
"Women shouldn't be in power," Wayne laughed sinisterly. "It's time to set history back on track!"