Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 497 Rebuilding the Nation (Thirteen)

Kai Morland's blunt "confession" was quite unexpected, but Winters was no longer the ivory tower officer who could be easily fooled.

“Mr. Kai.” Winters politely but firmly pried Kai Morland’s hands off his forearms: “Saving the Kingdom of Galloping Horses and saving your life are two different things, and it’s best not to confuse them.”

“Your Excellency Montagne, please understand that my life is insignificant, and I am not here to save my own life. I am here to ask you to protect my ‘political life,’ which is why I am here.”

Kai Morland's Adam's apple bobbed, and he gritted his teeth, adopting the most resolute tone: "Although what I am about to say will certainly sound shameless and arrogant, I must tell you that at this moment, saving my political life and saving the Kingdom of Galloping Horses have actually become one and the same thing."

Winters remained unmoved, a half-smile playing on his lips: "That's where the discussion begins."

Kai Morland's heart sank. He realized that the young captain in front of him was more mature and composed than he had expected or as others had told him.

During their first meeting, he failed to reveal everything truthfully, missing the best opportunity to build trust. Now, gaining "Blood Wolf's" trust will be an incredibly difficult challenge.

For a moment, he didn't know how to continue the conversation.

"I'll go prepare some snacks and drinks for you two," Anna interjected, easing the tension between the two men. She smiled slightly and asked, "Grapes? Grapes? Or honey? Which would you prefer?"

“Either is fine.” Kai Morland gave Madame Montagne a grateful look. “Thank you.”

Anna curtsied slightly and gracefully turned to walk into the inner room.

Winters understood another meaning in Anna's words—judging from the guest's blunt manner, dinner was out of the question, and the dishes had been prepared in vain. He would go clean up the kitchen and take the guest to the living room.

Thus, the confrontation in the corridor came to an end, and Winters waved to invite Kai Morland to sit in the living room.

Anna then brought in a bottle of wine and some nuts in a silver cup, before leaving the living room to the host and his guests.

After drinking most of a glass of wine, Kai Morland finally composed himself and began to speak again.

He stared intently at Blood Wolf and said, “I’ve heard about your vote—the vote on ‘the nation’s army’ or ‘the nation’s army’.”

"Your information is really well-informed."

Winters placed his left hand on the back of the bench and his right hand on his knee, maintaining a certain distance from Kai Morland, a stark contrast to the latter, who unconsciously leaned forward and rested his elbows on his thighs.

“It was President Mikashi who told me,” Kai Morland readily admitted, then quickly added, “You should also be aware that for them, Maplestone City holds no secrets.”

Who are you referring to as "them"?

“Wealthy merchants, large estate owners, and heads of craft guilds—people who should possess both money and power, yet only have money,” Kai Morland replied solemnly, his hand on his knee. “In other words, the ‘free men’ you are gathering.”

“Why are you reminding me to keep an eye on them?” Winters observed Kai Morland’s changing expression and asked with a smile, “Didn’t they protect you and help you? It seems they trust you a lot, and you have a lot of influence among them.”

Upon hearing this, Kai Morland picked up his glass and drank the remaining half of the red liquid in one gulp.

After putting down his cup, a helpless, bitter smile appeared on his face: "I prefer to call it 'a deal with the devil'."

Winters lifted his back off the bench for the first time, grasped the slender-necked wine vessel, poured half a glass of wine for Kai Morland, and gestured for the latter to continue.

“Mikesh Kailemin, Bese Gyurgi, Gwadani Yuzhov…” Kai Morland called out the names one by one on his fingers: “These names may not sound special to you, but to the people living in Maplestone City, these names also represent unapproachable big shots, even more directly holding their flour sacks than the New Reclamation Legion.”

Winters tilted his head slightly, listening intently.

Kai Morland spoke rapidly, as if afraid Blood Wolf would lose patience: "Now, these 'big shots' below the legions and above the people realize that they can no longer remain uninvolved in this war—because your actions are too grand, so grand that they can't stay out of it even if they wanted to. Rebuild the Republic? Then this war will no longer be a dispute between the local and the capital, no longer a tug-of-war between rebels and government troops, but a life-or-death struggle between one regime and another."

Winters smiled but offered no comment.

“But they don’t want to take a clear-cut side.” Kai Morland licked his lips and said without hesitation, “They are afraid that once you are defeated and fall, the government forces of Kingsburg will return to the newly reclaimed lands and they will be purged; they are also afraid that if they do not take a stand, they will be buried before the government forces return; they are even more afraid that if they do not bet on you, they will regret it for the rest of their lives.”

He spread his hands, gave a soft hum, and said, "As luck would have it, I escaped from Kingsburg back to the newly reclaimed lands. They then decided to use me—to get involved in the new republic through an agent, so they could both exert their influence and make a clean break if the situation turned unfavorable. Killing two birds with one stone, why not?"

Winters' reaction to Kai Morland's words was unusually calm: "What you said is a very common idea, and I understand and sympathize with anyone who holds such an idea."

Winters paused, staring into Kai Morland's eyes: "But you, why do you carry such resentment?"

Winters asked pointedly, "Aren't you using them too?"

Kai Morland was stunned.

He leaned back in his chair and sighed, “Yes, I’m using them too. If it weren’t for the gentlemen of Maplestone, I would have been thrown into jail by Colonel Geza the moment I returned to the new settlement; if it weren’t for the gentlemen of Maplestone, I wouldn’t be qualified to sit here and talk with you. They’ve used us, and I’ve used them as bargaining chips. So it’s a ‘deal with the devil,’ a deal we both agreed to.”

Then, Kai Morland suddenly leaned forward, getting right up to Winters: "But I'm still furious with them."

Winters remained unmoved: "I'd like to hear more."

“I must be frank with you first.” Kai Morland made up his mind and spoke frankly: “The reason I didn’t tell you beforehand about my long-standing feud with Colonel Gisa is because I originally wanted to sow discord between you and Colonel Gisa. Once you had a conflict with Colonel Gisa, you would be isolated in the ‘Committee of Four,’ and I could then lend you a hand and turn you into my ally.”

"But the 'Committee of Four' is far more united than I imagined. Even when there are disagreements over 'command authority,' they can still stand together against external threats. Your relationship with Colonel Giza is also far closer than I expected—Colonel Giza really admires you, to the point that my actions turned into a farcical circus."

Kai Morland nodded apologetically: "I'm sorry for plotting against you behind your back."

“I forgive you,” Winters said calmly. “Let’s leave it at that.”

Kai Morland nodded again and said quipped, "I've heard that people in the Venetians are very petty, but you are surprisingly generous."

“I’ve heard that the Plattites are very bold,” Winters retorted with a smile. “You certainly are bold to tell such a joke to my face.”

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency Montagne."

"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Kai."

“From this moment forward, I guarantee that everything I say is true, without a single lie, and without any deliberate concealment. After hearing my explanation, you will understand why I have come to beg you to save Palatour.” Kai Morland’s gaze grew even more resolute: “You already know that Colonel Gaisa Adonis has a grudge against me, but do you know why Colonel Gaisa considers me a thorn in his side?”

“Someone told me why,” Winters said, resting his chin on his hand. “But I’d like to hear yours.” “Thank you,” Kai Morland said, taking a deep breath. “It’s simple: I was the only one who dared to stop Colonel Gaza from raking in money from White Mountain County.”

Winters didn't laugh: "I've heard a little about Colonel Gaisa's love of money."

“But Colonel Gaisa wasn’t the only one making money.” Kai Morland said apologetically, “Even my insistence on White Mountain County’s accounts wasn’t because Colonel Gaisa made the most money, but because our two families have a very close personal relationship, and he was the least likely to want my life, so White Mountain County’s accounts were the most likely to be thoroughly investigated.”

Winters raised an eyebrow slightly.

Kai Morland gritted his teeth and clenched his fists: "In fact, it's not just White Mountain County, the entire New Reclamation Province is considered private property by the Palatour Army. All the misfortunes and oppressions that have occurred in the New Reclamation are rooted in this!"

Upon hearing this, Winters extended his right hand and poured Kai Morland a refill of his drink.

“I would like to ask you,” Kai Morland said, downing his drink in one gulp and wiping his mouth vigorously. “Have you ever seen anywhere in the entire Senas Alliance as Newland, with so many ‘semi-serfs’ who aren’t even tenant farmers?”

Winters pondered for a moment: "Perhaps the federal provinces will have it, but..."

“But how big is the United Province, and how many people does it have?” Kai Morland interrupted, his cheeks flushed slightly with excitement. “How many people are in the newly reclaimed land, and how vast is it!”

Winters nodded slightly.

"Sir, you also studied in the United Provinces, so you should understand. Compared to the United Provinces, which are densely populated and have little land, the newly reclaimed land is like paradise. But this land, which could have been paradise, has become a cauldron that has tormented countless landless peasants."

Kai Morland punched his thigh hard:

"The newly reclaimed land does not lack arable land. It is the New Reclamation Army that artificially created the shortage of arable land, turning the vast majority of peasants into their slaves in effect."

Mikesh Kailemin, Bessé Djurgi, Gwadani Yuzhov, and other such wealthy merchants and landowners were accomplices of the New Reclamation Corps.

They helped the legions extract money from the people, not only through land, but also through minerals, timber, fish, and every aspect of their lives, including food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

They contentedly devoured the legion's leftovers, willingly relegated to the status of second-class citizens. Once, when I challenged the Newly Reclaimed Lands Legion, they trembled in fear. But now, they've set their sights on you, this racehorse, and actually want to bet on you again, hoping to leapfrog into the ranks of the first class…”

Kai Morland stared wide-eyed. "That's why I'm so furious with them! That's why I'm so furious with the New Reclamation Legion!"

Winters listened to Kai Morland's words, scrutinizing every subtle gesture, assessing whether Kai Morland was improvising or revealing his true feelings.

Winters was not in a hurry to make a judgment. He calmly told Kai Morland, "But the New Reclamation Legion no longer exists in fact."

"But the army that treats the nation as its private property has not disappeared! In fact, because of your victory, the newly reclaimed lands are now even more firmly in the hands of the army. The root of the problem has never been the New Reclamation Legion."

Kai Morland's chest heaved violently: "I used to think that the source of all this misfortune was the greed and moral depravity of a few officers. But after I was forced to go to the Fortress of Kings, I realized that the real root of the problem was that the Republic of Palatul was half a 'military-controlled country,' and the Alliance Charter gave the Palatul Army too much, far too much power. It allowed the Palatul Army to turn the newly reclaimed provinces into private property, making the Palatul Army a de facto state within a state."

Winters said, "But the Plato army defeated the Heds."

“Yes, that’s right, I’m grateful they defeated the Heds.” Kai Morland became more and more agitated as he spoke: “But they will never truly eliminate the Heds, because the army is no longer waging war for the Republic, but for the army. Trade embargo? The generals’ caravans can travel freely and make a fortune.”

The war against the Hurds is the army's source of wealth and its ladder to advancement! As long as the situation of 'the army fighting for the army' continues, the 'Hurd War' will never end. Even if one day the Hurds are wiped out, the army will find the next target and continue their endless war.

Winters poured Kai Morland another glass of wine.

"The distorted system of the military commanding the country must end. The military must be subordinate to politics, and war should not be the goal. Otherwise, Plato will fall into another abyss."

Kai Morland was breathing heavily, staring down at his cup: "I know you all see me as Grove Magnus's lackey because I am a staunch parliamentarian and because I led the oath of allegiance to the Second Republic after the first coup."

He picked up his glass and poured the red liquid down his throat again: "But as long as Grove Magnus can end the history of military rule, even if he launches a despicable coup, I will still support him."

Kai Morland covered his face: "I just never imagined he would betray the promise he made, that he would sell out the country to the United Provinces, that he would drive out one army only to welcome another..."

Winters silently took out a handkerchief and pushed it in front of Kai Morland.

“But,” Winters calmly reminded him, “I am a soldier too.”

“But you are different from them!” Kai Morland said firmly.

“You’ve only met me three times,” Winters retorted. “And you dare say I’m different from them?”

“When I first met you, I didn’t know you. At that time, all I knew was how Mikesh and others saw you—heroic, proud, and full of vigor.” Kai Morland bit his lip. “Now, I have read all your articles in the Newsletter, checked every decree you have issued, and contacted everyone I could find who had actually met you. I know everything I can about you.”

Kai Morland stared intently at Winters, giving an unequivocal conclusion: "I'm certain you're not like Gaisa Adonis, Skul Mecklen, or Matthias Corwin! You absolutely don't want to build a nation with an army, nor do you want to become a usurper. I'm certain you genuinely believe in Marshal Ned Smith's ideals, and I'm certain you're the only one truly fighting for the Republic of Palatour."

Winters paused for a moment, then said without hesitation, "Even I dare not say what I truly want; even I dare not say what I truly am; even I dare not say what I will bring to Plato. What makes you so confident?"

“Kay Morland.” Winters put his hand on the other’s shoulder, with a hint of pity: “You’re just gambling.”

“Yes! I’m gambling!” Kai Morland grabbed Winters’ hand, his eyes still fixed on the latter. “I’ve looked at all the Palatours, and there’s no better horse than you! I lost once, but I will never lose a second time! Let me help you, Winters Montagne!”

Kai Morland didn't give Winters a chance to speak, and quickly continued, "I know you voted against Matthias Corwin and added amendments to the new charter. But that's not enough! Far from enough!"

Amendments are only a charter if they are defended with sufficient power; otherwise, they are merely a piece of paper!

“Don’t you understand yet, Winters Montagne!” Kai Morland gripped Winters’ wrist tightly, making the latter’s skin turn white. “The country you are building is more terrifying than the First Republic. The army will wield greater power in your republic than in the First Republic. No one can check it, no one can control it. At that time, the amendments you painstakingly drafted will be nothing but a piece of waste paper!”
"A wrong sapling won't bear the desired fruit, didn't you say that? But the sapling you're planting is wrong. You need me! You need me to balance the military's influence; no one is better suited for this than me."

“I beg you, Winters Montagne, I beg you to be the one I want!” Kai Morland cried, tears welling in his eyes and trembling, as if in a fervent prayer: “Let me help you!”

Winters was not swayed by Kai Morland's words; he simply asked calmly, "How will you help me?"

“Let me,” Kai Morland said, looking Winters straight in the eye, “attend the General Assembly of the Free People of the New Reclamation.”

[Supplementary Explanation]
[This chapter contains absolutely no political commentary or metaphorical intent. What Kai Morland says is limited to his perspective and understanding, and is not absolute truth.]
[This section contains spoilers, but I think it's best to mention it anyway.]
[In fact, the emergence of new land reclamation corps was inevitable. Small farming families simply couldn't afford the costs of clearing new land; they needed the protection of these corps and external resources to provide seeds, tools, and livestock for the reclamation.]
This leads to a paradox: on reclaimed land, farmers often lose more rights.
[For example, the Frankish settlements in Western Europe created the literal meaning of the manor economy.]
The Rus' settlement in Eastern Europe also created a large serf class.
In 15th and 16th century Italy, people began to claim arable land from wetlands and marshes. However, due to the prohibitive costs, land reclamation could only be led by powerful nobles and lords. Ultimately, the nobles held more power on the new lands than on the old ones.
Therefore, the small-scale farming and independent land reclamation that Kai Morland envisioned was simply impossible in the early days of the newly established provinces. However, some of the problems he mentioned regarding the New Reclamation Legion were indeed real. So, his statements contain both truth and falsehood; everyone must judge for themselves.
Ultimately, the characters' lines are their own words, not the author's. Characters say what they want to say, and the author cannot go against their wishes, otherwise it would feel very incongruous.
Thank you everyone.

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(End of this chapter)