"We need sufficient support, especially from the Empire!" Within the brand-new Imperial Palace, Leines I, who had just beco the Emperor, was listening to the request of the Dwarf Envoy.
This Dwarf from the Frozen Kingdom respectfully explained his purpose: "We hope that Your Majesty Leines I can provide help to the Frozen Kingdom."
"After all, Laines is a young Empire with fairly shallow experience in these matters. Our support, may not necessarily be the most powerful for the Frozen Kingdom," Leines I said as he fiddled with an art piece given to him by Tang Mo, casting a glance at the Dwarf Envoy.
It's true that we are allies, but each has its own interests. From the perspective of Leines I, supporting the Frozen Kingdom in this matter could bring no benefits to himself.
The grandeur of Leines I's rise to the throne has greatly stirred ambitions in those with intentions.
Having seized Furnace Fortress and established prestige among the surrounding Dwarf Kingdoms, the King of the Frozen Kingdom also harbored thoughts of claiming an imperial title.
Therefore, 15 days after the establishnt of the Laines Empire, he sent his envoys to seek support from various kingdoms, ready to revel in the title of Emperor himself.
However, given that everyone had just witnessed the birth of the Laines Empire, there was a lack of interest in supporting another new empire – nobody was eager to watch more powerful empires proliferate.
Especially the kingdoms that belong to the "Great Tang Corporation System" in the north; directly facing the pressure of the powerful Frozen Kingdom, they were even less keen to see it beco an Empire.
In fact, the Poplar Kingdom and the Songmu Kingdom—two Elf Empires—have always been covertly supporting Dwarf Kingdoms that were at odds with the Frozen Kingdom.
The Orc Gales Kingdom was also cautiously handling its relations with the Dwarves, unwilling to hastily take a stance on whether to support the re-establishnt of a powerful Dwarf Empire.
The Suthers Kingdom had its own strategic considerations; they did not wish to offend neighboring countries by supporting the Frozen Kingdom, which could lead to tensions along the northern borders. Hence, they diplomatically communicated their neutral position, firmly refraining from involving themselves in the Dwarfs' imperial affairs.
Seeing that these four kingdoms all had their own calculations, if the Frozen Kingdom wanted to smoothly advance to a true Empire, it could only look south for its supporters.
The Dorne Kingdom's attitude was ambiguous; in the matter of the Frozen Kingdom's elevation to Empire status, they were actually inclined to agree.
Not for any other reason but because the King of Dorne was also considering taking up the title of Emperor, and he would not refuse to do a favor for the Dwarves on this matter.
Soon, the two countries reached a consensus—the Dorne Kingdom would support the Frozen Kingdom to beco the Ice Cold Empire, and likewise, the Frozen Kingdom would also fully support the Dorne Kingdom in becoming the Dorne Empire!
Now, the Dwarves focused their strategy on the Laines Empire and the Empire of Nanla. With the support of these two Empires, the Frozen Kingdom's elevation to the Ice Cold Empire seed highly promising.
It must be acknowledged that Leines I indeed owed the Frozen Kingdom a favor—he received their support when he claid his imperial title.
But as favors are separate from national interests, Leines I had to contemplate carefully and make a cautious decision.
"I will consider this matter!" At a loss for a proper response, Leines I put down the trinket in his hand and tactfully stalled for ti.
The Dwarf Envoy knew he wouldn't easily gain the support of the Laines Empire and, with a slight bow, he exited the reception room.
The door to the adjacent room opened, and the Pri Minister, along with several Ministers, entered. They had overheard the Dwarf's request from the next room.
Originally, as part of the full support from Great Tang Group for Leines I to claim the throne, there was a condition to appoint a new Pri Minister. However, as mutual interests were traded, Great Tang Group relinquished this condition.
Thus, the forr Pri Minister from the kingdom's earlier days had retired to the second line, and the current Pri Minister was another of Leines I's confidants.
The Emperor of the Empire would not allow an old man with unclear ties to Tang Mo to remain as Pri Minister and influence the Empire's decisions.
Even among the Ministers who had co in, the sight of the Empire's Minister of Finance, Simon, was missing—he too had been excluded from the core decision-making circle of the Empire.
"Your Majesty, strategically speaking, supporting the Frozen Kingdom is beneficial for us. We can make our own demands," the Pri Minister of the Empire stated his view.
"Indeed, if we support the Frozen Kingdom's growth in the north, that would at least create pressure on kingdoms like Poplar, Songmu, and Gales, forcing them to concentrate their main efforts to the north," agreed another Minister.
"It's not that simple! If we do this, it would be just about the sa as setting a precedent for the Dorne Kingdom," another Minister disagreed, voicing his concern with apprehension.
The ambition of the King of Dorne was almost as clear as Sima Zhao's heart; the maneuvers of a vast Kingdom aiming to elevate to Empire status could hardly be kept secret.
Therefore, anyone who cared to investigate could hardly fail to notice that after annexing the kingdoms of Taren and Xilun, the territory of Dorne Kingdom had grown as large as that of the Laines Empire.
With nearly equal national strength naturally ca equal ambitions, so the little sches of Dorne Kingdom were crystal clear to the Laines Empire. Read exclusive content at empire
As a result, Leines I was extrely cautious about supporting the Frozen Kingdom's transition to an empire.
The intelligence he held was that Dorne and Ice Cold had been secretly supporting each other, and this information was very likely true!
Supporting the Frozen Kingdom to beco an empire would an soon facing the situation of Dorne Kingdom becoming the Dorne Empire—this was highly unfavorable for the Laines Empire.
At that point, the Laines Empire would face a pincer attack from the Dorne Empire to the south and the Empire of Nanla to the east—a situation that the Laines Empire certainly did not wish to see.
Even just the added pressure on the border regions in terms of strategic positioning would be enough to leave the newly erged Laines Empire struggling to catch its breath.
"Although in fact, Dorne Kingdom has already put huge pressure on our borders, if they beco an empire, our pressure will only increase," he said, then turned to look at Leines I.
Leines I said nothing, contemplating whether he should accept such a scenario: one where three empires were established one after the other, squeezing the worth of his title as Emperor infinitely.
If the other two prospective empires were established one after the other, what would he be then? A joke? Or a tragedy?
Why did he offer so much, even at the cost of incurring huge debts, to beco Emperor? Wasn't it because the title was worth the price?
Now, just when he was not paying attention, this damn situation had beco one where empires were as common as dirt, and emperors were less esteed than dogs—with so many emperors around that you couldn't even count them on two hands. What the hell was the use of the title then?
Thus, Leines I felt wronged, and even a bit resentful: it seed that the Great Tang Group had also given all-out support for the Frozen Kingdom's upgrade to the Ice Cold Empire.
In other words, behind the rise of the Ice Cold Empire was the machination of the Great Tang Group! With this thought, Leines I once again felt uncomfortable all over.
It seed Mr. Tang from the Great Tang Group was becoming less and less reliable! Did this an he needed to be prepared for defense on the Jade City front as well?
With these thoughts, he felt terrible all over. The Laines Empire had risen rapidly with the backing of the Great Tang Group, and now it found itself in a passive situation, caught between attacks from three sides.
The Dorne to the south and the Nanla to the east were small troubles in comparison, but the most lethal was the terrifyingly powerful and unfathomably strong Great Tang Group!
If it weren't for the fact that the Group was currently fully engaged in conquering the East Coast of the Endless Sea, Leines I would be even more restless.
Recently, the Great Tang Group was tackling Zheng Country, but once they took care of Zheng Country on the East Coast of the Endless Sea, where would Tang Mo's attention turn next?
Considering its power, the Great Tang Group, after taking control of Zheng Country, would definitely possess the strength of an empire, no longer constrained by population and land, and in the future would also have terrifying mobilization capabilities and warti potential.
He had confidence in dealing with the Empire of Nanla and did not believe he would be defeated by Dorne to his south, but the re thought of competing with the formidable Great Tang Group sent shivers down his spine.
"Your Majesty! We must consider the opinion of the Great Tang Group on this matter," the Pri Minister said after so thought, uttering words that made Leines I uncomfortable.
But as uncomfortable as he was, Leines I really had to consider this suggestion. If he ignored the Great Tang's opinion, he might not even be able to pay the interest on the loans the next day.
After thinking it through from all angles, Leines I's annoyance only grew as he looked at the gift from Tang Mo on the table in front of him; he grabbed it and wanted to throw it to the ground.
His hand was already raised, but it slowly lowered—rembering the so-called price of the object, he couldn't help but feel a little pain; and considering that it was a "state gift," he worried that the Great Tang Group would take offense if they got word of it.
Eventually, he put the ornant back in its original place, sighed, and nodded, saying, "Then send soone to inquire about Mr. Tang's opinion..."
15 days later, the King of the Frozen Kingdom was crowned emperor at Furnace Fortress, and the Frozen Kingdom was officially renad the Ice Cold Empire. Both the Empire of Nanla and Dorne Kingdom sent their congratulations, and the Laines Empire also sent a gift to express their goodwill.
Another month passed, and the king of Dorne proclaid himself emperor.
With the succession of three empires being established, that year was thus called the Year of the Empires.
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