Chapter 687
The next strategic step is to annex the Northwest and invade the Southern Region!
Cohen leaned casually against the back of his large chair, not speaking immediately, his gaze slowly sweeping over each minister, general, and high-ranking official present.
This is a common tactic used by superiors: to use appropriate silence to remind subordinates that what they are about to say is extremely important, and to ensure that their instructions receive the highest attention.
Finally, once everyone's attention was focused, Cohen slowly began to speak:
"After yesterday's great battle, I think you have all heard about the 'Covenant of the Gods' announced by His Majesty the Prophet Madora, the God of Prophecy."
He paused, giving everyone time to process what he had said, and then continued:
"Today, I want to emphasize this again."
This is not some distant myth, nor is it the gods spreading alarmist rumors.
I want to make it clear to you all that from the moment the alliance was announced, the situation on the entire continent has been completely changed.
The will of the gods will intervene more directly in the mortal world, and conflicts of faith, rivalries between nations, and struggles for territory and resources will all be given a more brutal meaning.
War is no longer merely an extension of mortal ambitions and interests; it will become an arena for struggles of faith, a manifestation of the will of the divine realm, and even the key to determining the future survival of a civilization or a race!
The council hall was completely silent. The military and political officials sat upright, their expressions solemn. Anyone could hear the importance that His Majesty the Emperor placed on the matter.
Cohen's gaze sharpened, and he began to make more detailed arrangements:
"Therefore, from today onward, all departments of the Empire, from the central cabinet to the border outposts, must understand one thing:
War will be the Empire's highest priority for some time to come.
Of course, this does not mean that we should immediately light the flames of war and devote all the nation's resources to a specific war.
Instead, it requires everyone to raise awareness and change their mindset.
In terms of finance, contingency plans should be prepared to support long-term, high-intensity military operations and material reserves;
In terms of military affairs, the intensity of training, the updating of equipment, the adjustment of organization, and the simulation of contingency plans must all be based on the standard of responding to large-scale military conflicts.
In diplomacy, we must be more astute and proactive, reassessing the attitudes and potential of every neighboring country and every power, seeking friends and identifying enemies.
The provinces and autonomous regions must ensure the stability and mobilization potential of the empire's heartland...
In short, the entire empire must be like a bow being drawn back, with the string taut, the arrows sharpened, and the gaze firmly fixed on the target.
As for when to fire the arrows and in which direction, that is decided by the Emperor and the highest decision-making body of the Empire.
But before that, the entire empire must be in a state of readiness to wage war at any time, understand?
In his last sentence, Cohen's voice was not stern, but it carried a deep sense of authority.
Especially after Cohen broke through to the legendary rank and gained the blessing of the legendary domain of the Dragon Kingdom, this majesty became even more awe-inspiring.
A moment of silence fell over the hall. Then, all the ministers and generals rose in unison, placed their right hands on their chests, bowed deeply, and saluted in a loud, unified voice:
"As Your Majesty commands, the entire Empire is ready at any moment!"
The voice echoed beneath the dome of the hall, carrying both determination and a hint of awe.
Cohen nodded and gestured for everyone to sit down:
"What I just said was just a general idea. As for the specific implementation plans of each department, each department should first discuss and agree on a draft internally, and then submit it to the Emperor within three days."
"The court session is over..."
Cohen did not elaborate on the future direction of the empire at the court meeting; the meeting was more like a mobilization meeting to unify thinking and clarify the direction.
There was no discussion about who the specific enemy was, nor was a detailed battle plan formulated. The highest directive, "prepare for war," was simply clearly conveyed to every nerve in the empire.
After all, real planning is never carried out in front of everyone.
……
After the court session ended, Cohen and Adele went straight to a more secluded small council chamber deep inside the palace.
There is no tall dome or spacious area here, only a medium-sized long table and a few comfortable high-backed chairs.
The walls are inlaid with the continent's most advanced magical barriers, ensuring that even if demigods or saints were to visit, the conversations here would never be leaked.
Soon, the people who had been secretly summoned entered the small council chamber one after another.
Prime Minister Angus Angraën remained composed, though a deep worry still lingered between his brows.
Prince Hauge's aura grew even stronger. Cohen had recently heard that his uncle was probably close to breaking through to the Saint realm.
Arnold Constantine, Assistant Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff of the Capital Garrison Command, was dressed in a crisp military uniform with gleaming epaulets, and walked with a brisk pace.
Foreign Minister Baron Holt, the veteran diplomat who always wore a smile, also abandoned his usual smooth demeanor in public and adopted a serious expression.
The last to enter was Herman Donaldson, who had now been promoted to Chief of Staff of the Emperor and had become more reserved.
After bowing to Cohen, the group took their seats.
There were no attendants in the council chamber. Herman, who was the last to enter, closed the door tightly and activated the magic circle on the wall before the meeting began.
Cohen leaned back in his high-backed chair, rubbed his temples, and completely abandoned the absolute authority he displayed at the court assembly; his voice also became much more casual.
"Please make yourselves at home. I called you here to have some honest conversation behind closed doors."
What is said at the morning assembly is for everyone to hear.
The decision we've reached through discussion is the true direction for the future of the empire.
The group perked up, knowing that the main event was about to begin.
Cohen didn't immediately unfold the map or take out the documents. Instead, he gently tapped the smooth tabletop with his knuckles, making a crisp tapping sound, as if he was organizing his thoughts or carefully considering his words.
After a moment of silence, Cohen narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly spoke:
"When the stone of the Covenant of the Gods is thrown into the water, ripples spread, and fish of all sizes move about."
We, the Effie, cannot wait until the waters are murky before we try to fish, nor can we passively respond to others' moves.
You must actively define your own chessboard and make the first move.
My initial idea is that, before a full-blown upheaval erupts and all factions completely break off relations, we should strike first and seize a large enough territory in the Northwest Continent to ensure our invincibility.
He leaned forward slightly, his finger tracing a line on the table as if sketching a vast territory:
"My initial idea is to unite with the Kingdom of Ceylon and take advantage of our existing military strength and diplomatic position."
"At the fastest speed and with the most effective means, seize all the remaining territories on the Northwest Continent, except for the two great empires, the Western Regions Empire and the Northern Regions Empire!"
After he finished speaking, the small council chamber fell silent.
Prime Minister Angus frowned deeply, his fingers unconsciously twisting his cuffs as his mind raced.
They were calculating the astronomical amount of resources required behind this plan and the potential chain reaction it could trigger.
He wasn't surprised by his son-in-law's ambition, but he wondered if launching such a large-scale war of annexation before other countries had even taken action would make them the target of everyone's criticism.
Prince Hauge pursed his lips, a thoughtful expression on his face.
A sharp glint suddenly flashed in Arnold's eyes, the excitement and solemnity of a seasoned veteran sensing the approaching battle.
If he hadn't noticed the Prime Minister's furrowed brow, he would have been tempted to volunteer for the mission.
Baron Holt was also deep in thought, silently strategizing in his mind the reactions of neighboring countries, especially the two great empires of the Western and Northern Regions, should Effie launch such a large-scale expansion and annexation campaign.
The most important thing is how to create the most favorable conditions for this radical expansion plan within the intricate diplomatic network.
Hermann, with his eyelids slightly lowered and no expression on his face, was simply performing his duties as office manager meticulously.
Cohen's plan was bold, radical, and even arrogant.
The Northwest Continent is vast, dotted with kingdoms, duchies, free city-states, and tribal territories of varying sizes. Although its overall strength is not as great as that of Efein, it would be extremely difficult to conquer it all in a short period of time without having to overcome the interference of the two great empires of the Western and Northern Regions.
This is tantamount to launching a rapid expansion under the very noses of two great empires, which is extremely risky.
But the other side of the risk is unimaginable, enormous potential reward.
If successful, Effie will become the undisputed hegemon of the Northwest Continent, with its territory, population, and resources experiencing explosive growth. At that time, when facing the two great empires of the Western and Northern Regions and dealing with the even greater storms brought by the "Chosen Nation," it will have unprecedented strategic depth and confidence.
Cohen took in the reactions of the group without urging them on. He knew the significance of the plan and the difficulties involved.
He slowly leaned back in his chair, his gaze calmly sweeping over his trusted advisors:
"This is just a general direction, a strategic concept."
The specifics of the operation, the steps involved, where to attack first, where to attack next, how to stabilize those kingdoms, how to deter the Western and Northern Regions, how to integrate the occupied territories… these are the details I've gathered here to plan in detail.”
After a moment's thought, Prime Minister Angus spoke:
"What Your Majesty said is a far-sighted and progressive strategy."
The political landscape of the Northwest Continent has gradually become clearer since the previous major wars.
The three most powerful forces in the region—the Western Regions, the Northern Regions, and the Western Regions—form a tripartite balance of power.
The other kingdoms, duchies, and tribes, whether they are allied with us, wavering, or struggling to hold on, are all insufficient to stand against any one of our three factions alone.
The struggle for hegemony among great powers is like a battle between giant beasts.
In the initial stages, the strongest players tend to exercise restraint, check each other, and observe and test each other.
Whoever lunges at the other head first could be taken advantage of by a third hyena, or even the surrounding hyenas.
Therefore, during this phase, none of the three will immediately engage in a life-or-death struggle with their equals; instead, they will each accumulate strength and devour the weaker ones.
His finger drew a large circle on the map around the regions that did not belong to the three great empires:
“String together scattered pearls into a necklace, and melt down scattered iron pieces into steel.”
By integrating the population, resources, and land of these scattered forces, we can strengthen our own foundation.
When the balance of power shifts dramatically or a decisive opportunity arises, then they can compete against opponents of the same level.
Therefore, I agree with Your Majesty's strategic direction.
Before the full-blown storm arrives, bring all the 'small fish' and 'shrimp' of the Northwest Continent, excluding the Western and Northern Regions, under the Empire's territory or control as much as possible.
Seeing that the Prime Minister, who was closest to the Emperor, had made his stance clear, the remaining officials felt less apprehensive. Foreign Minister Baron Holt quickly followed up, offering his opinion:
"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister's analysis hits the nail on the head."
Most targets, whether friend or foe, strong or weak, can be dealt with and there is profit to be made.
The only kingdom we need to carefully consider is the Kingdom of Wind.
The Kingdom of Windbreak and my Effiin have always maintained a harmonious relationship, with frequent trade and peaceful borders.
They had joined forces in previous battles. More importantly, the Winged Elves, from which Princess Windsordale is born, have a deep connection with the Windrise royal family. Their bloodlines are intertwined, and their interests are linked, making them intricately connected.
To some extent, they can be seen as a friendly buffer for us in the southeast, or even... a potential ally.
Holt looked up at Cohen, his gaze questioning:
"His Majesty's annexation plan is as powerful as thunder, sweeping across the land."
So, is the Windrise Kingdom... also included in this list?
Should we also include this long-time neighbor on the list of those "needing integration"?
The Kingdom of Windbreak is not a small country that can be easily manipulated. It is powerful, geographically important, and, more importantly, has a special relationship with Effie and Windsordler.
To regard it as a target would mean a complete shift in foreign policy, dealing with extremely complex emotional and political entanglements, and potentially being branded as a traitor.
Upon hearing this, Cohen frowned slightly.
He had been dealing with so many things these past few days that he had indeed overlooked the special existence of the Wind Breeze Kingdom for a time.
Only when Holt pointed it out to him did he realize that this was indeed a problem that needed careful consideration.
Will the Windrise Kingdom also be included in the initial annexation plan?
That almost meant immediately making an enemy in the southeast, an enemy who would betray past friendships.
However, if we disregard the Windrise Kingdom, then when planning a grand scheme to sweep across the Northwest Continent, the Windrise Kingdom would seem like a patch on a map, completely out of place.
It may also become a destabilizing factor in the future, or even be courted by the Western and Northern Regions.
His fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, his gaze lingering for a moment on the location of the Windrise Kingdom on the map.
After a moment of silence, Cohen's brows relaxed, and a look of determination flashed in his eyes.
He raised his head, looked at Holt, and then at the others present, and said in a steady voice:
"The Kingdom of Wind's Breath... will remain untouched for now."
Not only should we remain inactive, but in the initial stages, we can even provide some covert support to maintain the status quo, though not too overtly. Leave it... to the Western Regions Empire, or the Northern Regions Empire.
The Kingdom of Wind's Breath is strategically located, possesses considerable national strength, and has a long-standing relationship with my Aifei.
Whether they want to go south or east, Fengxi is an obstacle they can't avoid, and a tempting piece of meat in their eyes.
When either of them bares its fangs against the Windblow Kingdom, exerts pressure, or even turns against it...
Cohen didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already clear.
Leaving behind the Kingdom of Windbreak is to leave behind bait, a pretext for future intervention, and a "just cause" for acting from a moral high ground.
"When the Windrise Kingdom can no longer hold out and has nowhere else to turn but to ask us for help, we will then intervene in the name of 'rescuing friendly nations,' 'maintaining regional stability,' and 'resisting aggression.'"
At that time, whether it's annexation or control, it will be perfectly legitimate, and the resistance will be greatly reduced.
Moreover, after the depletion of resources in the battles against the Western or Northern Regions, Fengxi himself will be weaker and easier to control.
Hermann, who had been listening quietly, finally looked up and spoke:
"Your Majesty is wise to leave behind a relatively powerful Windrise Kingdom with a delicate relationship with us. Its significance goes far beyond being a buffer or bait."
Firstly, the Windrise Kingdom will become a delicate balance point between the Western and Northern Regions, and between them and us.
If either of the two empires wants to monopolize Fengxi, they must consider the other, and even more so, our old friendship with Fengxi.
This can effectively divert some of their attention, create suspicion, and buy us time to integrate other directions.
Secondly, when Windbreak finally sought our help, our intervention was not merely military, but a comprehensive intervention involving politics, economics, and even faith.
At that time, we will be able to make arrangements more leisurely and digest the information more thoroughly.
It would be much easier and more stable to swallow a kingdom that has been ravaged by an enemy, yet is grateful to us and dependent on our protection, than to forcibly swallow a whole and wary kingdom now.
This is tantamount to paving the way for future 'integration'.
Herman's analysis dissected Cohen's intentions more thoroughly, perfectly demonstrating the professional competence of a senior office director.
Cohen nodded slightly, acknowledging Herman's understanding.
The Windrise Kingdom's policy was thus decided—to temporarily shelve the matter, observe the situation, and wait for a better opportunity.
With the biggest questions and potential obstacles removed, the atmosphere in the council chamber became noticeably more lively, and the thinking became clearer.
Cohen tapped the map with his finger, drawing everyone's attention back to the vast northwestern continent:
"Alright, let's handle the Fengxi Kingdom's problem in this way for now."
Now, let's get back to the main topic.
Hermann, Angus, Arnold, Holt…
He glanced at the several important officials one by one.
"Following this strategic direction—unite with Ceylon, eliminate direct intervention from the Western and Northern Empires, and rapidly integrate all other forces in the Northwest.
"Let's begin. I want to hear a detailed, feasible, phased plan for mergers and expansions."
As Cohen finished speaking, the small council chamber fell into another kind of busy silence.
The only sounds were the rustling of a quill pen across paper, the occasional hushed discussion, and the subtle rustling of fingers moving across a map.
Herman took out a thick stack of intelligence summaries from his leather folder.
They began by introducing detailed information about each potential target, categorized by region and importance of influence—military composition, ruler's personality, domestic factions, relations with neighboring countries, and potential weaknesses…
Prime Minister Angus then presented a rough assessment of the empire's finances and material reserves, exchanging opinions with Arnold in hushed tones.
They calculated the minimum resources needed to support a large-scale, multi-directional, and rapidly expanding war, and how to maximize the war potential without excessively impacting domestic livelihoods and development.
Baron Holt unfolded another parchment, on which was his preliminary plan of diplomatic relations and timeline, with key points marked in negotiations with each neighboring country.
Different deterrence or appeasement strategies might be adopted towards the Western and Northern Empires, as well as methods of dividing and winning over smaller powers.
Cohen leaned back in his high-backed chair, his fingers lightly tapping his forehead, his gaze shifting between maps, documents, and several key ministers.
The brain works at lightning speed, integrating information from military, intelligence, diplomacy, and domestic affairs.
He sketches out a vast and complex strategic blueprint in his mind, and from time to time raises key questions and gives directional instructions.
In this secluded room, the empire's core decision-making gears began to spin at full speed toward a goal fraught with ambition and risk.
The prelude to the annexation of the Northwest Continent quietly began amidst silent planning and intense deliberation.
Inside the small council chamber, time slipped away quietly amidst heated discussions, repeated deductions, and the rustling of quill pens across paper.
The magic hourglass on the wall flowed silently. When the fine sand had completely fallen into the lower half, the light coming in from the window had changed from the clear morning light to the slightly lazy warm yellow of the afternoon.
On the long table, the map was covered with markings and lines of various colors, and next to it were parchment filled with data, lists, routes and contingency plans.
Several of the empire's senior officials looked visibly weary, but their eyes remained bright, gleaming with the sharp light of excessive contemplation.
The initial framework, major obstacles, and general strategy have gradually become clearer during this brainstorming session.
Cohen leaned back in his high-backed chair, let out a long breath, and rubbed his throbbing temples.
He glanced at the pile of achievements on the table, then looked at his trusted confidants who clearly needed a rest, and finally raised his hand to make a pause gesture.
"Alright, the direction is set, and the skeleton is in place."
But how each piece of flesh grows, how the tendons connect, how the blood flows... this isn't something that can be fully planned in a day or two, or even a month or two.
He sat up straight, his gaze becoming serious:
“From today onwards, this place,” he tapped the long table in front of him with his finger, “will be the supreme command center for the ‘Northwest Annexation Strategy’.”
All related plans, simulations, intelligence analyses, and resource allocation schemes will ultimately be compiled here.
His gaze swept over Angus, Arnold, Holt, and finally settled on Hermann's face:
"Each of you in your respective areas should come up with the most detailed plan."
But the final decision doesn't require consulting me on every single thing.
Upon hearing this, the senior officials were slightly taken aback, and then showed expressions of understanding mixed with helplessness.
As expected, His Majesty the Emperor will once again become a "hands-off manager".
Upon hearing this, Arnold immediately handed Herman a banknote—before the meeting, the two had made a bet, with Herman certain that Cohen would not stay in the Empire for long.
Without a doubt, this astute office manager had once again guessed Cohen's thoughts correctly. (End of Chapter)