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The Birth of Empress Faction 2: Ludwig’s Speech ‘Mia’s Law, Mia’s Governance.”
Mia’s figurative hand then grinned with unwavering assurance.
An unconvinced listener asked “What do you mean by that?”
“What I mean,” Ludwig said, “is that Her Highness gave me a command… And that order is ‘don’t make any enemies.’”
“Do not create any enemies. What in the name of fairies is that supposed to mean?”
Ludwig couldn’t help but smirk wryly as he observed their confused expressions. Oh, it’s like seeing my former self. Like them, I was completely unable to comprehend Her Highness’ genuine motives when we first met.
In reality, he had a problem that was bothering him when he went to report to Mia. He was unsure about the best way to divide the food supplies. Fortunately, the stockpiling procedure itself was going without a hitch. They already had plenty of freedom to maneuver if their objective was just to ensure the survival of their population.
However, things had changed. Ludwig was compelled to change his perspective after Mia’s “Declaration of Succession” the other day. It was now more important to figure out how to benefit from the famine than how to end it. To remove the nobility who might stand in Mia’s way of the throne was the simplest course of action. The impending crisis presented a perfect chance to remove anyone having bad intentions toward a potential Empress Mia as well as any incompetent liabilities from their ranks. They were expected to be able to crush opposition with brutal effectiveness by winning people’s affections away from their local lords and toward Mia. Without a doubt, that would be advantageous for the Empress Mia project.
But something about that strategy just didn’t feel right. Simply put, that wasn’t how Mia operated. He battled with this uncertainty all the way inside her chamber, where she gave him the order to avoid making enemies. Although vague and more of a direction than a destination, it was sufficient. The time and the situation could only suggest that she meant…
He turned to the audience and said, “Let me ask you all a question. I brought certain paperwork, which you have all read. Did anything fall short? Is the data lacking in some way? Would you have any trouble if you were given this and told to use the divide and conquer tactic you yourself previously described? No? Her Highness admitted to me that she was still unsure when she saw this information. In other words, there is not enough information. Tell me, please, what exactly is lacking in this situation. Any answers?”
The audience exchanged puzzled expressions. After letting them talk for a while, Ludwig called for their attention and turned to face each of them individually.
“The solution is straightforward: It does not list the food stocks in each noble domain.”
When Mia quickly glanced through the parchments as Ludwig handed them to her, she remarked, “I still have no idea.” In the meantime, this group of talented and knowledgeable young elites had carefully read the material and had not raised a single objection regarding its appropriateness. What then had caused the Great Wisdom of the Empire to make such a statement? What did she think is missing? Ludwig understood the explanation since it accurately captured Mia’s philosophy.
One of the attendees said, “Well, now I have no idea. A domain-by-domain breakdown of food stocks? Sure, having it would be good, but what could possible be worth the absurd amount of work needed to obtain such data?”
The doubt was justified. even accurate in some ways. The amount of provisions preserved in each domain would be unimportant if the aim was to separate lords from their subjects. The idea would work as long as the lord in issue didn’t really use the stash. The idea was to portray the appearance that the local aristocrats wouldn’t offer any assistance, but that Mia would come to their aid right away. Exact figures were secondary to the story, which was what really mattered.
It was also simple to convey the idea since a corrupt noble would desert the masses irrespective of the extent of their riches. They continued to believe that “the more the merrier” when it came to food during a famine, even if it meant that their people would perish. For the most part, this ideology defined the noble experience.
Even though it was possible to remove bad actors and use their provisions more effectively, there was no assurance that they hadn’t already been spent up. The entire strategy was unreliable because there was a chance that a lord may be forcibly removed only to find that his stockpile was empty. Such a contradiction should not have been added to the design. The precise numbers in each cache should be treated as trivia rather than facts if Mia was really planning to divide and conquer.
She didn’t, though. She stated that she was still unsure, indicating that a crucial piece of information was left out of Ludwig’s report. What implied that? He was aware of Mia’s treatment of Viscount Berman as well as her treatment of the young aristocrats at Saint-Noel Academy who had offended Tiona. With this information in hand, he quickly figured out the solution.
“You inquire as to the necessity of a breakdown of food stockpiles by domain? It’s simple. Her Highness plans to drag the nobles as well in the effort to combat this famine.
“Drag the nobles in?” a perplexed voice asked. “What is she trying to achieve?”
“Nothing complicated,” Ludwig replied. “Duty follows privilege. Noble duties come with being a noble. She merely wants those duties to be carried out.”
Taxes were taken from nobles’ subjects. In exchange, they owed it to their people to defend them against starvation and pestilence in addition to outside attackers. This arrangement had a moral foundation, but it also had a practical component. The ability of a lord’s subjects to work would decline if he failed to maintain a high quality of living for them, which would lead to lower tax revenue and finally, a financial catastrophe for the ruler. Whether regarded from the perspective of realism or idealism, nobles had duties to their subjects.
“In my opinion, Her Highness is attempting to get nobility to take on their duties of defending their subjects, said Ludwig. She will make them use the food they hoarded first. She will supply them with food only if it is insufficient.”
She had warned him against foe-making for this reason. Her instruction’s timing was quite telling. She was well aware that they had enough food on hand to feed everyone. She was guiding him on how to use those reserves, which was the logical next step.
“That seems like a dubious strategy. I find it difficult to envisage all the lords and ladies overnight turning into morally upright small toddlers.”
In response to the doubter, Ludwig shook his head. “Of course, they won’t do it voluntarily; pressure will be put on them. Let me explain in clearer terms. Her Highness’ commissioning of the hospital in the Newmoon District and her most recent birthday festival serve as examples of how she has up to now consistently maintained a generous attitude toward the general populace.”
The birthday festival was probably a part of the plan, he suddenly realized in wonder while he was speaking. He was preoccupied with his emotions as she made her revelation, but she had already started to move.
He added, “Could someone like her, who loves her people so fiercely, ever have a positive opinion of nobility who would desert their people to advance their own interests? Without a doubt. She would pressure them. She would also offer them a way out at the same time. If they made every effort to assist their people, she would pick up the slack when their supplies ran low. The carrot to her stick, as it were. Keep your people nourished, and I’ll keep you fed, is essentially what she is saying to them.”
To put it another way, Mia wouldn’t give the people food directly. She would send the food to the ruling nobles, and have them distribute the supply.
“You’ll realize that the recent birthday festival was actually setting the foundation for this big scheme. It served as a trial run for food distribution throughout their territories and built ties between nobility and commoners.”
Nobles learned very important information about how many people they controlled over and how much food was required by taking part in the celebration.
“It is labor-intensive and ineffective for the central government to oversee every part of this distribution. Additionally, it increases complexity, creating barriers that obstruct the free flow of food. People will perish if food does not flow. It is therefore preferable to use current channels that the local authorities have already created.”
The empire had a huge territory. It was too big for any one person to manage—not even Mia. She was unable to directly take care of the needs of a farmer in a far-off land. But she may ask the lord of that farmer to do it; it was his responsibility. The reasoning was really straightforward.
In this manner, the rulers will also leave a favorable image on their people. Her Highness would strike a chasm between them if she entered the fray on her own and offered assistance. She would essentially be sowing resentment among the populace, making them despise their rulers.
Which, of course, was the divide and conquer strategy’s main goal.
“Her Highness doesn’t want make enemies of the nobility. If anything, she wants to take advantage of this to win them around to her cause.”
“However, that isn’t how things are done! It’s absurd,” cried one of the onlookers.
“True,” Ludwig replied. “The logical course of action would be to wait for an ineffective ruler to falter and lose power before assuming control and governing the realm effectively. It may even be the best course of action. Less effort and more effective.”
This technique worked well for getting rid of both opponents and ineffective people. It was very conceivable that incompetent nobility would also present a barrier in the way of Mia becoming empress. Ludwig shook his head, though.
“Replacing the top is unquestionably the most sensible move if the objective is to rule effectively. But that’s not how she operates. Her preferred course of action when a sword’s blade has become dull and useless is to resharpen it in order to restore its usability rather than discard it and purchase a new one. Instead of getting rid of unproductive individuals, she finds ways to use them. Her method is that.”
Similar to how she persuaded Berman to change from a bitter foe to a steadfast ally.
Another voice cautioned, “But that also gives more power to local rulers. Some of them might have less than honorable plans for using that power,” he said.
Divide and conquer is the exact reverse of what Ludwig was advocating. It urged local leaders to rule kindly and gave them the resources to do so. They would benefit from greater political influence and closer ties to their populace. With their increased might, they might band together to fight Mia. That wasn’t a hypothetical situation, but it was one that had been considered as well.
A third voice countered, “Eh, so what? She is already taking care of that. Nobody is going to oppose her at this time. Not in light of the prank she committed in the palace. With Saint Rafina, Prince Sion of Sunkland, and Prince Abel of Remno, she formed a strong friendship. She is in charge of the Princess Guard, the most prestigious unit in the empire. Additionally, Duke Redmoon’s daughter serves as the Vice Captain of the Guard, giving her considerable military influence. In addition, I’ve heard she gets along well with Duke Greenmoon’s daughter and even managed to win over Duke Bluemoon’s son by getting him elected to the student council.”
Mia was no ordinary princess at this time. Her political influence had reached such astounding heights that it was, for the most part, impossible to challenge her. With the largest domain in the empire, a superior private army, and unwavering support from their populace, one would need to exercise caution if they want to challenge her. She had exhibited authority throughout the festival by that display, and the nobles there had been appropriately subdued.
“No way…” A person who was perplexed remarked, “You’re saying it was all calculated? That she had anticipated all of this beforehand and, on top of that, made the decision to appear in that dress? It was a calculated power play to force the nobles into submission?”
“It’s highly likely that Her Highness’s vision is based on what we’ve just discussed,” according to Ludwig. “I intend to carry out her plans now that we’ve clarified them. I’d like to ask that you all use your stations’ power to help usher in the famine for the time being. While you do, I hope you will determine for yourselves if Her Highness is deserving of the title of empress.”
Ludwig then quietly bowed.