Black Iron Crown

Listening to the nobleman's words, the high-ranking queen who had been silent all this time frowned at this moment. Grand Duke Mabula, Earl Redmara, and Earl Wesley also frowned like the queen.

At the beginning, they didn't pay much attention to the things in the south. At this time, the empire was in a precarious situation. It was obviously not worth the loss to send troops to open up a trade route, and it was not necessary at all.

In addition to commerce, there is still agriculture in the lords' territories. No noble lord will give up this most important pillar industry in the feudal era.

But once the problem is eliminated in the northern border, then things will get serious. The steel supply of the entire empire will be cut off, and according to Earl Zhebo's actions, he is obviously on the opposite side of the empire.

This was actually a mistake on the part of the empire. They thought that they would not need to worry about it after taking measures to entrust and disperse the nobles. They never thought about what would happen if there was an accident in the northern border.

It is not surprising that they have such mistakes. After all, the Northern Territory is where the current Ridka Empire made its fortune. They have always regarded it as the place where they rose, thinking that they have always been under their firm rule.

Therefore, he paid much less attention to the northern border on weekdays, and focused his attention on other places.

That's why Earl Zhebo had a loophole to take advantage of. Now Earl Zhebo, who controls more than half of the northern border, cut off the steel supply from the royal family and the lords loyal to the royal family.

This means that the arming of their army will be somewhat different from that of Earl Zhebo and even other anti-imperial lords. The gap may not be too large at the beginning, but once the war starts, the armor, swords and spears will be different. The consumption rate is absolutely astonishing.

One can imagine the predicament that royalist lords without spare steel will face.

The queen was obviously worried about this matter, but she had rarely participated in the internal affairs and political struggles of the empire before, so she didn't have any ideas. Even though she was also the daughter of a king, she obviously didn't have much experience in participating in politics.

But even so, she also knew what would happen to the army that lost its steel supply, so her face was very ugly at this time.

Grand Duke Mabra frowned and said to the queen on the throne: "Your Majesty, I think we should find a way to regain the supply of steel, otherwise we will be in an extremely passive state!"

"Yes! We have to find a way!" The nobleman who had reflected on the situation in the northern border also echoed. Steel supplied by the environment.

"So, what can you do?" The queen gently held the child in her arms, which was the four-year-old crown prince of the Ridka Empire.

"Your Majesty, I think we should send a powerful army to defeat Earl Zhebo and regain control of the place where the empire arose! At the same time, let everyone see what happens when we blatantly fight against the royal family!"

This lord is obviously a hawk, and he wants to smash the enemy with his fist without thinking about anything else.

Listening to the other party's words, the queen obviously had some changes. The original royal family had great power in their hands. If the emperor hadn't suddenly fallen ill, the lords from all over the world would not have dared to make such a move.

What's more, the royal family has recently formed a new heavy cavalry unit of 200 people. The queen is still very satisfied with the deterrence of force.

But before she could speak, Earl Weasley's voice became louder: "No! The lords in the south are staring at us, the **** barbarians in the west are also dissatisfied with the royal family, and the nomads in the east are like hungry wolves. Cruel and cunning, they hope to take a bite out of us at any time to make up for the losses caused to them by His Majesty the Emperor!"

Earl Redmara also spoke: "Earl Weasley is right,

Our army cannot leave the imperial capital, and the rebel lords from other directions are eyeing us. If we don't have enough troops to deter us, I'm afraid they will rush up and tear us apart! "

"Then what to do!" The lord who proposed to send an army said loudly: "Are we waiting here for other lords to expand their army and arm themselves with iron armor, and then come to attack us?"

"Can we just wait here to die?" The noble said to Earl Wesley provocatively: "With all due respect, Lord Wesley, our strength is not enough to deter other lords. "Once they form an alliance with that northern barbarian, Earl Zhebo, and obtain a huge amount of iron from him, our deterrence and advantages will gradually decrease. We have to do something. Sitting and waiting for death is definitely not the best way!" "

"But the fire of your doing so hastened our demise!" Of course, the young and energetic Earl Redmara couldn't stand such a provocation, and directly retorted unceremoniously.

Just when the lord was about to say something, Grand Duke Mabula, who had been silent all this time, said, "Everyone be quiet! Stop arguing!"

"You are all loyal lords who support the Merland family. I understand your worries! But what Earl Redmara said is indeed true. Our current situation does not allow us to dispatch a large-scale army! Everyone, all the troops! Isn't that the reason for hoarding in the emperor?"

"We have to think of other ways. It doesn't have to be solved by force. We can use these methods to win over and divide!" Grand Duke Mabula said: "I think it is very important to give Earl Zhebo the title of Grand Duke of the Northern Territory. Appropriate, I think this is enough for him to support us and let go of the supply of steel!"

As soon as this remark came out, everyone present was immediately shocked. The title of Grand Duke is quite rare in the Redcar Empire. Except for Grand Duke Mabula, only four other people hold this title.

Moreover, three of them were dukes during the unification war of the Kingdom of Ridka, and they only retained their titles after the founding of the country. Title, which shows how high the gold content of this title is.

The people below were discussing again, but they were quickly interrupted by Earl Weasley.

"This suggestion...is indeed very good, but don't we have other options? This will make the Grand Duke position very worthless!"

"That's true, but we have no choice, right? Earl Zhebo holds the iron material we need most. I think it is worthwhile to exchange the title of Grand Duke for some hope of victory!"

Grand Duke Mabra turned his head and said to Earl Wesley, his junior.