Chapter 63: Presidential Government - The Power of Money
In the hastily convened National Assembly, the hot topic was, as expected, the economy.
“If things continue as they are, Francia’s economy will collapse. We must address the national debt immediately.”
Though a bold statement was made, amusingly, all eyes turned to Christine.
The reason everyone looked to Christine was astonishing.
A significant portion of the Republic of Francia’s debt was owed to the Aquitaine Trading Company.
“Regrettably, as the Aquitaine Trading Company, we can no longer afford to defer the principal repayment.”
Christine crisply folded the fan with a loud sound, cutting through the matter with a snap.
Originally, the Republic’s government had borrowed a vast sum from a mere trading company and hadn’t repaid a cent of the principal, using the ongoing war as an excuse.
They had only been paying the interest, which, to add insult to injury, was quite low. It was as if we were granting certain privileges to the Republic’s government when we joined them.
“The Aquitaine Trading Company is currently handling trade with the Holy Kingdom and supplying the Republic with goods. If we run out of surplus funds, even that will become difficult.”
“Cough, cough. While I understand Countess Aquitaine’s point, is there anyone unaware that the Aquitaine Trading Company is making a fortune through its trade monopoly? Given the Republic’s circumstances, if you could grant us a little more grace, the National Assembly could catch its breath, and for the sake of Francia...”
“I have provided magical amplification crystals from the Kingdom of Magic for Francia’s victory, but did I ever bill the Assembly for it? I believe I have already done enough ‘personally’ for the nation. If other members could contribute to that extent, I might consider further support.”
Any member who tried to push further instantly fell silent.
Looking back, Christine played as significant a role as Eris in the battle against the Storm Witch.
Thanks to the magical amplification crystals sent by Christine, Eris perfectly opened our army’s assault path.
Moreover, has the Assembly always extended loan repayments by pleading with a mere company owner during the war?
What a mess, a total mess.
If Christine hadn’t been a member backed by the central party, the government might have tried to default.
Members who couldn’t bear it any longer shifted the topic.
“The first priority is to lift the trade blockade. Last year the harvest was decent, but now, the Kingdom of Magic is the only neutral country willing to trade with Francia...”
The food shortage, at least, was somewhat alleviated as the civil war wound down and the front lines shrank, thanks in part to the efforts of the Aquitaine Trading Company.
However, with no market for their products, the economic crisis showed no signs of abating, and with the war against the Empire looming, there was a dire need for weapons.
“Why not try reaching out to the Holy Kingdom through Lady Saintess and Countess Aquitaine? I believe Duke Lafayette maintains a decent relationship with them...”
I exchanged a quick glance with Christine and then shook my head.
“It’s not impossible, but the Holy Kingdom will also be mindful of other nations. The Aquitaine Trading Company is already conducting trade; do we really need to appease their greed just to lift the trade blockade now?”
“Hmm...”
Indeed, there’s no need for Christine and me to go out of our way to lift the Holy Kingdom’s trade blockade, especially given the substantial profits generated by the Aquitaine Trading Company’s monopoly.
Besides, once Eris, the Saintess, ascends the throne of Francia as Queen, the Holy Kingdom will likely lift the blockade, taking their cues accordingly.
There’s no need to diminish Christine’s profits and pay a steep price to plead with the Kingdom now.
“If we really wanted to lift the trade blockade quickly, we should have kept King Louis alive.”
Nicolas Briso of the Liberal Party spoke regretfully.
The execution of the Duke of Lorraine might not have given them an excuse, but they are using the King’s execution as a reason to maintain the trade blockade.
“We couldn’t spare the one who caused the revolution and brought foreign forces to spill Francian blood.”
But Maximilian Zidor of the Revolutionary Party immediately countered.
It’s a matter of public sentiment, after all.
As I pondered, Christine spoke up.
“Given time, they’ll change their stance. If trading with them is difficult now, we could try trading with other races’ nations.”
“Other races?”
“There are the Eastern Empire ruled by the Elves under Tsar, and the Alpine Kingdom governed by the Dwarves of the mountain ranges.”
“Hmm, but aren’t they quite arrogant?”
“At least they won’t refuse to talk just because a human king was killed. Any other alternatives?”
When Christine asked with a lifted corner of her mouth, no further objections were raised.
“The Central Party supports Countess Aquitaine’s opinion.”
“Rather than waiting indefinitely for them to lift the trade blockade, it’s better to make an attempt.”
With the agreement of the two leaders, Count Anjou and Nicolas Briso,
“...Let’s consider it.”
Eventually, Maximilian Zidor also responded positively, and the issue of the trade blockade was temporarily resolved.
Next was the agenda I had submitted.
Maximilian Zidor, glasses on, skimmed through the documents before speaking up.
“Duke Lafayette. You’ve proposed a complete overhaul of the military education program as part of the Grand École Plan.”
The Grand École Plan is a government-led educational reform initiative. Given the feudal system maintained until now, Francia’s educational curriculum is quite outdated.
Moreover, the few existing schools focus primarily on theology, making it imperative for the Republic, which seeks to foster talents for the nation without the influence of religion, to take action.
And I wanted to improve the military education program.
“That’s correct, Chancellor.”
“The Revolutionary Party’s position is to postpone the complete overhaul of the military education program you proposed.”
“The revolution may have succeeded, but we are currently facing trade blockades and condemnation from almost every nation. They are unlikely to view the Republic favorably, so we must reorganize and prepare in advance to ensure our safety.”
Maximilian Zidor responded without much change in expression.
“I understand your intention, Duke, but further review and adjustment are needed.”
Considering plans for training professional officers regardless of their background and magical training for ordinary soldiers, my proposal shouldn’t be bad news from their perspective, right?
Well, it’s the Revolutionary Party, often opposing just for the sake of opposition.
“The Liberal Party also believes that your proposal requires further review.”
...Even the moderates?
I couldn’t help but grimace.
What’s their problem now?
As the assembly members glanced at me and whispered among themselves, I let out a small sigh and turned my gaze toward Christine.
As our eyes met, Christine crisply folded her fan with a snap and slowly opened her mouth.
“...One year.”
The room fell silent at Christine’s words, amid the previous commotion.
“I am willing to extend the principal repayment deadline by an additional year. Of course, depending on the cooperation of the assembly.”
She had kept this as a decisive card to play at just the right moment.
Amidst the murmuring from various corners, Nicolas Briso awkwardly spoke up.
“Cough, cough. The Liberal Party will take some time to reconsider.”
Voices of dissent and debate rose within the Revolutionary Party as well, and eventually, even Maximilian Zidor, with a look of discontent, adjusted his glasses before speaking.
“...The Revolutionary Party will also positively reconsider.”
Zidor, speaking these words, looked a decade older than when I first met him.
Forced into the role of a leader to prevent the collapse of the radicals, the uncompromising idealist seemed to be in agony, continually having to compromise with reality.
“It’s reassuring to see the leaders acknowledge the necessity of the matter, which makes Aquitaine optimistic about contributing positively to the government.”
At Christine’s words, with a twisted smile, I almost burst into laughter.
Ah, this is the taste of the power of wealth.
Already affluent, the trading company leveraged pre-return knowledge for speculative buying of raw materials to raise capital, and with Christine at the helm of its monopoly trade, she’s a genius in managing funds.
With the government, on the brink of bankruptcy and under trade blockades from all nations, about to face a blow, they must be utterly disoriented.
***
As a result of the discussion, the agenda I submitted was swiftly passed.
It provided common soldiers with the opportunity to learn magic. Initially, I couldn’t understand why the Assembly was lukewarm about an educational program that seemingly aligned perfectly with the Republic’s ideals.
Later, I learned that the National Assembly was concerned that soldiers trained in magic by me and other nobles might become a personal force under my influence, heavily swayed by the Southern Army.
I hadn’t considered such a thing until Christine pointed it out, that commoners learning a bit of magic would turn against the revolution and become a personal guard for the nobility.
Sure, they might be influenced, but if just that makes them my personal guard, wouldn’t it imply that the revolution’s ideals are that trivial?
Worrying is indeed part of one’s fate.
Anyway, after the agenda was passed, I found myself facing Ballian in the Francia Army Headquarters in the capital, Lumière.
“The military education program will be divided between officers from the Northern and Southern Armies. The Southern Army will take charge of magic and basic curriculum, while the Northern Army will handle tactical doctrines and artillery operations.”
“Haha, as expected of the Duke. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to pass so quickly.”
Raphael Ballian said this with a bitter smile.
In the end, the National Assembly dragged out the process to extract as many concessions from me as possible, wanting to limit the curriculum dominated by the Southern Army and expand the influence of Ballian’s Northern Army.
Although tactical doctrines and artillery operations are indeed areas where Ballian’s Northern Army excels over the aristocracy-led Southern Army, I conceded that part to the Northern Army.
Ironically, despite the Assembly’s intentions, my concessions ended up involving the Northern Army while facilitating the passage of other agendas by the Central Party.
“Do you still think I’ll face difficulties because of the Assembly’s checks?”
As I asked with a smile, Ballian raised his hands in surrender.
“Ah, I’ll admit it. In politics, a mere soldier like me can’t compete with Duke Lafayette or Countess Aquitaine. Honestly, isn’t that cheating? Who would have imagined that someone of noble birth could maneuver the Assembly like that?”
Indeed, no one in the National Assembly would have thought so when we first joined the revolutionary government.
“But this should make it clear, Commander. Regardless of the Assembly, I have no intention of unnecessarily checking the Northern Army.”
Whatever ambitions Raphael Ballian might harbor, as long as external threats exist, he is a talent this country needs.
I need to protect this country for Christine and my people, and Raphael, for his ambitions, will also contribute his abilities for the country.
That’s enough.
Ballian responded with a grin.
“Haha. Thank you, Duke. I won’t forget that you included the Northern Army in matters where the Southern Army could have taken the lead.”
As Ballian and I were fine-tuning the details, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
General Louis Dezy entered, saluted, and began,
“Excuse me, Commander Ballian, Duke Lafayette. A messenger has arrived from the border guards in the Southern Mountains. It seems something that Duke Lafayette, as the commander of the Southern Army, should hear directly.”
The Southern Mountains.
Ah, Shit. Is it about that kingdom those barbarians established?
“Sorry, but let’s discuss the rest later, Commander Ballian.”
“Understood. The Southern Mountains fall under the Southern Army’s jurisdiction, so I hope it’s nothing serious.”
Ballian responded with a grin.
Somehow, when he says it like that, it feels like it’s going to be quite serious...
***
After Duke Lafayette and Dezy had left,
Raphael Ballian, now alone, propped his feet up on the empty table and leaned back against the sofa.
He was quite taken with Duke Lafayette.
Objectively, Lafayette made for an excellent partner, and he was cooperative with Ballian, leaving no reason for dislike.
From their first meeting, Ballian was favorably impressed by Duke Lafayette, and the duke’s conduct had exceeded Ballian’s initial expectations.
However, Duke Lafayette had declined Ballian’s proposal.
Ballian possessed both capability and ambition, and fortunately, he lived in an era where his abilities, not his origins, could afford him opportunities.
But having tasted power once, the craving for more became an insatiable thirst for Ballian.
He yearned to climb higher, ever higher.
But with the National Assembly being manipulated by Duke Lafayette instead of checking him, a mere soldier like Ballian could never see such days.
Duke Lafayette would use his political standing to ascend higher, and Ballian would have to be content with whatever secondary or tertiary position Lafayette offered him.
Then a knock on the door brought Ballian slowly to his feet.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and an elderly man in bishop’s robes entered.
Seeing the opportunity before him, Ballian smiled broadly.
“It is an honor to meet such a distinguished figure, Bishop Richelieu.”