Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

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 merged 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 government responsible for guiding and supervising the establishment of the republican government 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 outcome for all countries.

However, the representatives who signed the agreement 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 departments within the Alliance, successfully turning the Alliance government into a puppet and mouthpiece for Guidao City.

This manipulation eventually led to Paratu and Vineta leaving the Alliance in disgust, and the Alliance government was henceforth a name only, devoid of substance.

But The Federated Provinces also extended their control over the government, 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 game, 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 time at the Military Academy, topics like [Paratu and Vineta’s withdrawal from the Alliance government] – a decision tantamount to capitulation when faced with an unwinnable game – were frequently dragged into internal discussions for criticism, often igniting intense arguments.

The reins of Monta government were held by the United Provinces Republic, so [the country of mountains intervening in the Paratu civil war] seemed inevitable in Winters’ view.

The Paratu military government 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 government 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 equipment, but also to clarify the intentions of the Monta Republic — and it would be even better if he could deploy someone 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 named 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, some 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.

“Me?” 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.”

“Time 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 mean to say there’s still a chance?”

“What I mean is that a consensus has not been formed yet, and no one knows what the final outcome 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 settlements 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 moment before replying, “It should be the Army Committee.”

Winters asked again, “And whom does the Army Committee listen to?”

The elder pondered for a moment 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 something 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 meaning, “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 methods 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 craftsmen… 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 mention any other demands.”

“May I ask… why?”

Mr. Ed did not specify, only smiling in reply, “You will know when the time comes.”