Just as Helen expected, the leading dukes of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Personnel, and Ministry of Rites all came out to report.
The Ministry of Justice requested the allocation of five million gold coins to build prisons across the country, saying that there could be no further delay because the successive defeats in the war had led to a serious crime wave, and if more prisons, torture instruments, and jailers were not added, the country would become increasingly turbulent.
The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel were relatively polite, and only requested the allocation of 300,000 gold coins each. Although their reasons were very sufficient, Helen knew that the two ministries were merely stating their positions and did not really need it.
The generals looked at each other in bewilderment. Five of the six tribes launched attacks at the same time. Not to mention the amount of 13.6 million gold coins they demanded, this clear-cut attitude of obstruction was unprecedented.
"Anything else?" Helen's voice was unexpectedly calm.
"I have something to report." Although Childe felt heavy in his heart, he still spoke out loudly. The actions of the five ministries could explain some problems. If he chose to retreat at this time, then Helen, the emperor, would have a harder time.
“Go ahead.” Helen glanced at everyone and continued calmly.
"As you command." Child bowed and nodded, raising his voice a few degrees. "Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has received a report that King Wushuang is surrounded by more than 200,000 enemy troops in Menia. If we don't launch a rescue immediately, Menia will be lost, but once King Wushuang's 100,000 cavalry are annihilated and Assyria crosses the canyon to invade, the empire may not even have the strength to resist."
“Is it really that serious?!” Helen slammed the table and stood up.
"Your Majesty, what I said is absolutely true. King Wushuang is in critical situation. It will be too late if we don't send troops." Childe answered loudly.
"Tell me more clearly, how much money, food and manpower are needed?" Helen asked again.
"According to the Ministry of War, only 150,000 troops and horses, and money and food converted into 1.5 million gold coins are needed. This time the troops are not sent for a war, but are divided into two routes. One group will feint an attack on the enemy's Red Valley Bay to reduce the pressure on Menia City, and another group will cross the river to reinforce and attack the enemy formation, and attack from both inside and outside together with the Wushuang King's army to create a retreat route. The Ministry of War estimates that this move can save about 70,000 elite soldiers. Your Majesty, 1.5 million gold coins in exchange for 70,000 troops is indeed worth it. Your Majesty, please issue an order to send the troops immediately." Childe said loudly.
"Slow down!" A loud shout suddenly came from outside the hall, causing everyone inside the hall to turn around. Helen looked up and her face immediately turned ugly.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, is greeted by King Xiaoyao Adolf." The burly old man standing in front of the palace gate spoke in a clear voice, and his spirit and energy were like that of a young man.
Childe's heart sank. This free and easy king Adolf was the head of the Hitt family, the third most prestigious family in the world. The Hitt family was wealthy and powerful, with extensive connections. Since the seventh generation, every generation had produced many talented people, and none of them were easy to deal with. If the Avram family and the Petra family had not joined forces to suppress it, the Hitt family might have achieved greater success.
This Adolf is the most outstanding one in the Hitt family. For decades, he has been friendly with the first two families openly and competing with them secretly, and he has actually managed to get a draw with them. He can be so successful against two of them alone. If he can fight one-on-one, the Hitt family might really come out on top.
"It turns out that it is King Xiaoyao. Come in!" Helen remained calm on the surface, but her heartbeat suddenly quickened. Adolf came uninvited at this time, and just when she was about to respond to Childe's request, he called out to her. This was too intriguing.
Adolf walked quickly into the hall, and when he reached the front row of the civil and military classes, he stopped and bowed.
"I heard two days ago that King Xiaoyao was enjoying himself in Kimo Province. I didn't expect that he would come to Hulit so soon." Helen said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, I am not taking it easy, but am doing my part to help the disaster victims," Adolf replied with a smile.
"King Xiaoyao is kind-hearted, and the victims are blessed." Helen nodded slightly.
"I don't deserve it. It is my duty to share the worries of the king and the country." Adolf stroked his long beard. "Your Majesty, I just happened to hear what the Duke of Child said. I have some ideas. I wonder if Your Majesty is willing to listen?"
Helen raised her eyebrows, and a smile flashed across the corners of her mouth: "Go ahead."
"I feel that rescuing King Wushuang is urgent." After Adolf said this loudly, not only the ministers were surprised, but even Helen was stunned.
Adolf glanced at everyone and said, "King Wushuang's soldiers are all veterans of hundreds of battles. Although they are not without the strength to fight under heavy siege, we are outnumbered and will definitely lose. Since we know we will lose, why not just not fight this battle and bring all these veterans back? This will preserve our strength, and also give peace of mind to the families of these soldiers and the people."
Helen narrowed her eyes.
"Your Majesty suffered a setback in Kayikede and the Empire was forced to withdraw from Assyria. In order to give the Empire a chance to advance again, the Wushuang King led his army to defend Menia and Titania. Unfortunately, the Empire made a mess of its subsequent deployment and watched Assyria cut off the Red Valley Bay. However, the construction of the port was blocked and the Empire abandoned it. The firearms that cost a huge amount of money and manpower to produce could not be delivered to the soldiers. Every time I think of this, I sigh with regret." Adolf's eyes suddenly turned cold and he turned his head to glare at Child. "Duke Child is in charge of the Ministry of War. He bears an unshirkable responsibility for the Wushuang King's successive failures and being surrounded. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to replace Child."
Childe's brows suddenly frowned, and he raised his eyes and looked at Helen.
"King Xiaoyao, you said it yourself that rescuing King Wushuang is urgent, but you choose to propose replacing Childe at this time. What is your intention?" Helen's eyes also turned cold.
"Replacing Childe is for the good of the empire. Childe is indecisive and timid. How can he be in charge of the Ministry of War?" Adolf bowed to Helen and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to recommend myself."
"Recommend yourself?!" Helen raised her eyebrows.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I am willing to take over the Ministry of War and help Your Majesty and the Empire." Adolf said loudly, "The Hitt family is willing to contribute 60% of their wealth and 90% of their private army to expand the Empire's military strength. All the talented young people in the family are at Your Majesty's disposal."
There was an uproar in the hall. Sixty percent of the Hitt family's wealth was undoubtedly a huge fortune, and ninety percent of the private army could surpass the forces controlled by Hatra at the moment. To pay such a price just to be in charge of the Ministry of War, it must be said that Adolf was too bold.
Child's face darkened.
Helen did not expect Adolf to do this. Her thoughts were in a mess for a moment and she fell silent.
Adolf's eyes turned to the civil and military officials. "The Hitt family has limited financial resources, but it has always put the greater good first. The refugees from the Kimo flood need to be appeased, and there are minor disturbances in various parts of the empire. I, Hatra, have kept all of these in mind. The Hitt family is willing to share the worries of His Majesty the Emperor. The Hitt family will bear the cost of the Kimo flood, but the crimes and disturbances in various parts of the empire require your joint efforts."
Words praising Adolf suddenly rang out one after another...
So that's what you were thinking. Helen looked at Adolf, then glanced at Childe, and patted the armrest with her right palm: "Stop the court for now."
A trace of disappointment flashed across Childe's eyes...
Because Helen only announced a temporary suspension of court and did not say that it would be suspended today, after Helen got up and left, all the ministers left the conference hall and went to the side hall in the front yard to wait.
Child was mixed in with the officials, and he felt mixed emotions. Today, the free and easy King Adolf openly challenged him, ostensibly targeting him, Child, but actually challenging Helen, the Petra family, and the Avram family.
His Majesty will probably call me soon, right? He thought as he walked.
Just as he was thinking this, he heard two female officials shouting from behind: "Your Majesty's order!"
Everyone turned around quickly.
"The Emperor summons King Adolf Hitt, the King of Freedom, to the Qinzheng Palace for an audience." the female official called out.
Adolf laughed, stepped forward, and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, I obey your command."
…
When Adolf arrived at the Qinzheng Hall, he saw Helen sitting behind the desk with a calm face. He became more cautious and took two quick steps forward and bowed.
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"No need to be so polite, Adolf. Just tell me what you want," said Helen.
"Your Majesty is wise. I only want to serve the God's favor," Adolf replied.
"Of course it's good to contribute, but there's no need to directly control the military power, right?" Helen frowned and asked. Controlling the Ministry of War gave her control over the national army. Although the emperor had the final say on whether to attack or not, it was very convenient for her to cultivate confidants in the army and suppress dissidents. Helen believed that with Adolf's ability, at most one year, all the Tianjuan Army, except for Petra's private army, would fall into his hands. By then, it would be hard to say whether she, the emperor, could still mobilize the army.
"Your Majesty, I don't want to join the Ministry of War." Adolf said with a smile.
"Really?" Helen was stunned.
"Of course I am serious. I, Adolf, am already in my sixties and I think I don't have much time left. I spoke in the hall today just to..." Adolf suddenly stopped talking and looked around.
Helen understood and waved her sleeves at several female officials and maids: "You leave first."
After the ladies left, Adolf bowed again: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"No need to be polite, King Xiaoyao. I just want to hear what's really in your heart. Please sit down." Helen nodded slightly and pointed to the chair in front of the left wall.
"Thank you for your seat." Adolf thanked and sat down, then suddenly sighed, "Since Your Majesty wants to hear it, I will speak frankly. I have been working hard all my life to prosper the Hitt family, surpass the Avram family and even your Majesty's Petra family. This idea lasted until I fell seriously ill at the end of last year."
“Your Majesty, you should know that at the end of last year, I was seriously ill for three months. I visited many famous doctors and barely survived. Although I am strong again now, I am worried that if I get sick again one day, I will never recover…” Adolf sighed and shook his head again, “To be honest with your Majesty, although there are many talented people in my family, I have been conceited and competitive all my life and cannot tolerate anyone surpassing me. I have controlled the family for a long time, so once I die, the Hitt family will no longer have someone who can lead the clan members and maintain the family’s glory, not to mention…”
At this point, Adolf suddenly choked up. At this moment, he was no longer the powerful and carefree king, but just an old man...
Helen sighed deeply: "King Xiaoyao, there is no need to do this..."
"Your Majesty." Adolf raised his hand and wiped his eyes. "What I said today in the palace about the 60% of my wealth and 90% of my private army is my sincerity to Your Majesty. I know that although Your Majesty is the emperor, he does not always do things as he wished, especially because he is concerned about the Avram family. Otherwise, with Your Majesty's supreme purity as the Saint of Heaven, how could you marry Hatra Avram?"
Helen frowned and was about to scold him, but suddenly a voice in her heart said, "What Adolf said is really right."
"I have always believed that if it were not for the support of your Majesty's Petra family, how could the Avram family, with so few talented people, have been in the forefront of the heaven for so long?" Adolf's long beard trembled slightly, and he was obviously a little excited. "I have always believed that if the Hitt family could get the support of the Petra family... Alas... Your Majesty, I spoke out of turn, please forgive me."
"There's nothing wrong with being loyal and speaking the truth," said Helen.
"Your Majesty, I will speak frankly. I guess that once I die, the Hitt family will soon fall apart, and my descendants will gradually fade into obscurity because there is no one to support them. Eventually, the glory of my Hitt family will be buried in the dust. So, I want to entrust the Hitt family to your Majesty while I can still make the decision. Your Majesty should know that after a series of wars, the Petra family and the Avram family have consumed huge financial and human resources, and those small and medium-sized families have been secretly accumulating troops. Although they may not necessarily have ill intentions, once they unite together, they should not be underestimated. But if your majesty holds the Hitt family's private army in your hands, then there is nothing to worry about." Adolf said.
"Just to take care of your descendants?" A trace of doubt flashed across Helen's eyes. It was obviously not wise for Adolf to pay such a huge price in exchange for a promise that no one could predict whether it would be fulfilled.
"No, in addition to taking care of it, I also hope that Your Majesty can bring greater glory to the Hitt family, because I believe that Your Majesty, without the constraints of the Avram family, is the true king of the empire." Adolf said solemnly.
Helen glanced at Adolf and fell into deep thought...
…
When the afterglow of the setting sun shone on Wu Lai, Ye Renwu suddenly felt that the man in front of him seemed to be bathed in holy light, solemn, sacred and majestic.
So she lowered her head and didn't look at him.
Wu Lai glanced at the setting sun at the end of the distant mountains again, and said with a smile: "Do you know why Helen was defeated in Kayikede?"
Ye Renwu frowned: "Wulai, are you trying to show off your abilities to me?"
"No." Wu Lai smiled slightly. "I just want to tell you that although Helen is talented, she is still a little immature. Over the years, although she has learned a lot in the Assyrian Citizens College and from me, some things need to be constantly adjusted in practice. They can't be applied mechanically or in a fanciful way. Unfortunately, she doesn't understand this very well..."