"Marshal, it’s fine for everyone to jointly prepare strategic materials, but how exactly should it be implemented?"
After exchanging glances with several Conservative Faction big shots, Richard, Duke and Minister of Military Affairs, asked with concern.
When it comes to strategic materials, this task is most likely to fall on the Military Department. Hudson only manages the army and never gets involved in the logistics of material procurement.
If the army is short of anything, they simply ask for it, and the Military Department has become an enhanced version of the Logistic Department.
Complaints aside, the work still needs to be done.
Even if their power has diminished, the Military Department remains one of the most important departments of the Kingdom.
In times of war, the influence of the Minister of Military Affairs can surpass that of the Chancellor, which is not a new thing.
The high position with significant power corresponds to heavy responsibilities, and any blunder in military matters could be fatal.
"Duke Richard, this problem is easy to handle.
During wartime, the way the Kingdom prepares strategic materials can stay the same.
Directly assign the tasks to the provinces and counties. If they can complete the material collection tasks at the front line, there’s no need for transportation from the rear.
Provinces and counties that can’t gather enough materials will have to find a way to transport them from their homelands.
In short, once the war breaks out, the materials gathered by the provinces and counties must not be fewer than necessary!"
Hudson answered calmly.
Since the banner of preparing strategic materials has been raised, it must be pursued to the end.
How exactly to achieve it is the business of the Noble Lords themselves; he just wants the results.
If some choose not to participate, it’s fine. As long as the materials can be delivered to the front lines on time during the war, everything can be negotiated.
Everyone present had experience on the battlefield and knew very well how difficult it is to transport materials over long distances during wartime.
A cart of supplies sent from the rear to the front line soldiers often has only a tenth or a fifth of the supplies left by the time it reaches them.
If unlucky enough to encounter a natural disaster causing delays, the food might even be consumed halfway through. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ noveⅼfire.net
As the Kingdom’s territory continues to expand, the traditional land transportation model is being passively phased out.
Maritime transportation consumes less, but it’s only applicable to coastal provinces. Some inland provinces are thousands of kilometers from the coastline, requiring another transfer to reach frontline ports.
In every big battle against the Orcs, logistics have always been the heaviest burden on everyone.
While ostensibly intending to leverage everyone’s strength to develop territories, Hudson’s words turned it into helping solve logistical challenges for everyone.
The specific reduction in pressure is uncertain, but the new plan does indeed save money, especially for the Kingdom Government.
After every major war, the Kingdom Government is left with a mountain of debt, largely due to insufficient logistical supplies that necessitate external procurement.
Beyond the Kingdom’s own logistical forces, merchant caravans from all corners of the land are also crucial logistical support for the Kingdom’s Army.
If just a few frontline provinces can provide the majority of the strategic materials, then even within the Light Kingdom, the resources needed for war can be gathered, significantly reducing financial pressure.
"The Marshal’s proposal is good; by clearly assigning tasks, there’s no fear of anyone shirking their duties.
Once this strategy is completed, the strategic materials the Kingdom can mobilize during war will definitely increase significantly.
After defeating the Orcs, we will also have sufficient time to expand our victories, unlike the previous two times which ended hastily."
Marquis Zuell, Minister of Finance, was the first to chime in.
How many other strategic materials can be gathered is uncertain for now, but the problem of food is definitely solvable.
From the intelligence gathered from various places, all the frontline provinces have the foundation for agricultural development, and many are uninhabited regions.
Solving the major issue of food will significantly enhance the Kingdom’s endurance in war.
Even if the battle progresses unfavorably, with abundant troops and provisions, the Kingdom can still wear down the Orc Empire.
The price paid is merely the mobilization of nobles to dispatch a group of serfs to the front lines for farming.
The most crucial part is that the Ministry of Finance doesn’t have to spend a dime!
The serfs and craftsmen in the hands of the nobles are free labor, and the basic resources of land and mines are provided by local lords.
The seemingly large-scale industry transfer actually only requires the provision of some food.
Coincidentally, the Kingdom’s grain has had a bumper harvest, and the Noble Lords are fully capable of bearing this consumption.
The giants of the Conservative Faction express their support, and the Emerging Aristocrat Group is even less likely to object.
This wave of war preparations makes the emerging nobility beneficiaries.
Hudson favors the manufacturing industry, which doesn’t resonate with them much, but everyone is familiar with farming!
The benefits of the farming settlements go to the Kingdom, but this is only temporary.
Once the Orc Empire is destroyed, the lands developed will become those of these Lords.
With someone helping to clear the land for free, as an interest group, it would be terribly unwise to oppose it.
"Marshal, this plan can be implemented as our national policy, but the ownership of industries must be clarified first.
To destroy the Orc Empire, everyone can make sacrifices, but the nobles who contribute more still need substantive compensation.
Simply converting credits to military merits is still somewhat elusive; more tangible rewards are needed."
Prime Minister Beckett took the opportunity to set terms.
A sense of the big picture is necessary, but sacrifices must be rewarded.
"Chancellor, I suggest everyone discuss these detailed issues privately.
Noble Lords have autonomy and are free to choose with whom they wish to cooperate. They can choose to support collateral lines or form strong alliances.