Chapter 996: Chapter 52: Unbreakable Alliance_2
The Federated Provinces hold the smallest territory; they paid the heaviest price in the war; fully entrusting the Sheltering Mountain range to The Federated Provinces’ jurisdiction is even more conducive to the overall defensive planning against the Empire.
Paratu firmly opposed the proposal of The Federated Provinces, suggesting that Varn Territory could be annexed by The Federated Provinces as it is nearby, on the condition that Monta Territory must be rged into Paratu.
Neither bordering Monta nor Varn, Vineta could not accept either of the above proposals.
Eventually, under the appeal of Marshal Ned, a compromise was reached: Monta Territory and Varn Territory would join the Alliance as independent republics, with the Alliance governnt responsible for guiding and supervising the establishnt of the republican governnt and its initial operation, and neither of the two countries would have veto power over Alliance affairs.
On the surface, the final plan appeared to be an acceptable outco for all countries.
However, the representatives who signed the agreent never imagined that in the end, it was The Federated Provinces that won everything.
In the years following the Empire’s withdrawal, the United Provincials infiltrated and took control of key departnts within the Alliance, successfully turning the Alliance governnt into a puppet and mouthpiece for Guidao City.
This manipulation eventually led to Paratu and Vineta leaving the Alliance in disgust, and the Alliance governnt was henceforth a na only, devoid of substance.
But The Federated Provinces also extended their control over the governnt, deeply involving themselves in the political ecosystem construction of Monta and Varn, spreading their influence to every vein and pore of the two new republics.
In this political ga, it was still the more unscrupulous who took everything, and those with a greater sense of morality who lost everything.
But in reality, the real loser was “the permanent alliance of free republics”.
After the grand vision of the great alliance dissolved into nothing, Marshal Ned passed away within a few years.
And so it has been up until today.
…
Winters, having spent nine years in a military academy, hardened by three years in the archipelago, the wilderness, and Paratu, had limited exposure to politics, but still possessed a basic understanding of the inner workings of the Alliance.
At least during his ti at the Military Academy, topics like [Paratu and Vineta’s withdrawal from the Alliance governnt] – a decision tantamount to capitulation when faced with an unwinnable ga – were frequently dragged into internal discussions for criticism, often igniting intense argunts.
The reins of Monta governnt were held by the United Provinces Republic, so [the country of mountains intervening in the Paratu civil war] seed inevitable in Winters’ view.
The Paratu military governnt and Kingsfort might have a fighting chance in an arm wrestling match, but if The Federated Provinces and Monta were to deploy troops simultaneously, the military governnt would have no hope of surviving the three-way siege.
And the future of the Iron Peak County Military relied not only on their own efforts but was also influenced by the power plays of the various republics.
[Those who do not focus on the big picture cannot even defend a corner of the chessboard.]
It was precisely because he kept this saying in mind that Winters took the risk of infiltrating the mountainous nation, not just to purchase military equipnt, but also to clarify the intentions of the Monta Republic — and it would be even better if he could deploy soone to regularly send back information.
…
Therefore, the crux of the Monta issue lies in—
“To what extent is the Monta National Affairs Committee prepared to intervene?” Winters asked Mr. Ed: “Trade embargo? Political condemnation? Military confrontation?”
The elderly gentleman shook his head gently: “I don’t know… His Excellency Montaigne, may I ask a question?”
“Please, go ahead.”
Mr. Ed asked slowly, “Amidst the mountains, between the sky and the earth, does there exist a person nad Monta Republic?”
Winters understood what the elder was getting at and answered with a smile, “Of course not, a country is a collective made up of thousands and thousands of people.”
“Indeed, like a trading company, the interests between partners aren’t always aligned,” Mr. Ed gazed at Winters. “For instance, so may think you are a prized asset, others believe it’s essential to distance themselves from you as soon as possible, and there are those who have never made their position clear… especially the most important one.”
“What are your thoughts?” Winters asked courteously and formally.
“?” Elder Ed looked at Anna and said kindly, “I’m just lending a little help to our dear young lady here.”
Anna nodded with gratitude and gently took Winters’ hand, “Mr. Ed is an old friend of my grandfather and was a comrade who moved to Vineta from Rhodes Island with him.”
“Ti flies.” Elder Ed smiled with nostalgia and regret, “But let’s return to the topic of Monta. The interests of The Federated Provinces and those of Montans are not exactly aligned, nor are the interests of Monta’s State Affairs Committee aligned with those of Kingsfort. The trade embargo policy alone has seen considerable discrepancies among various Montan states.”
“You an to say there’s still a chance?”
“What I an is that a consensus has not been ford yet, and no one knows what the final outco will be,” said Mr. Ed, gesturing to the mountains. “Monta, with its vastly different customs from Vineta, as you saw on your journey here, is essentially a series of small settlents carved out by high mountains. Hence, the small Monta Republic has twenty-six states, with each state retaining a considerable degree of autonomy—a structural organization that even the United Provincials couldn’t change…”
Winters patiently listened to the end and then posed a blunt question, “According to the current power structure of the Monta Republic, to whom do the command rights of the Seventh [Mountain] Legion and the Eighth [Iron Wall] Legion belong?”
Mr. Ed hesitated for a mont before replying, “It should be the Army Committee.”
Winters asked again, “And whom does the Army Committee listen to?”
The elder pondered for a mont and laughed helplessly, “The intricacies of the military, I cannot fathom. Mr. Borso da Este should have clearer insights; you can ask the White Eagle later.”
Winters let out a long sigh, “If even you are not clear about it, then I have a rough idea what the situation is. It must be another historical issue… on the surface, they follow the orders of the State Affairs Committee, but in reality, they heed no one.”
Elder Ed didn’t quite understand, and the other two looked puzzled as well, while Winters was still emotionally reflecting, “Why can’t the United Provincials teach sothing useful?”
Mr. Ed coughed softly, bringing everyone’s attention back, “At present, the only way to find a channel to purchase agricultural tools would be to start with the divergent interests between Kingsfort and Monta’s State Affairs Committee.”
Winters quickly grasped the implied aning, “Are you suggesting that there is a possibility to bypass the embargo restrictions?”
The elder spoke unhurriedly, “If the Kingsfort Ironsmiths’ Guild is willing to trade, there could be a thousand ways to circumvent the embargo; but if the Ironsmiths’ Guild refuses to trade, a thousand thods to circumvent the embargo would be pointless.”
“What if instead of direct purchase of the finished products…” Winters asked deliberately, “We were to exchange formulas, customize machinery, or hire craftsn… would that be feasible?”
Weapons are consumables, prone to damage with usage; relying solely on purchase is not a long-term solution. Beyond procuring arms, Winters had a more pressing plan in mind—buying technology.
Elder Ed was first surprised and then laughed heartily, a laugh filled with three parts appreciation and seven parts regret.
He shook his head, earnestly advising, “Your Excellency Montaigne, your vision is far-sighted, which is rare at your age. But I still advise you to focus on the materials you need most urgently, better not to ntion any other demands.”
“May I ask… why?”
Mr. Ed did not specify, only smiling in reply, “You will know when the ti cos.”
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