In the Name of Empress-Chapter 263 - 186: No One Knows What They Want

William furrowed his brow and asked again, "Tell me carefully, besides minting coins and accepting the citizens of Val City, what else have they done?"

"After the New Year, they mainly did a few things, continued to recruit talent, build factories, encourage trade, and establish schools."

"Establish schools?"

Several ministers were somewhat puzzled, staring at each other, unable to comprehend.

At this time, education mainly relied on private education and religion. Although there were various schools from elementary to university in cities, the enrollment was very low.

Education is a huge investment with very slow returns, a long-term venture.

They originally thought that Roland and Sif went out to build a team, wanting to come back and seize power, but didn’t expect them to spend money in this area.

William felt something was amiss.

He increasingly couldn’t understand what Roland and Sif wanted to do.

Starting education is a long-term investment; are they planning to stay in the Three Overseas Provinces long-term?

What kind of operation is this? Completely incomprehensible.

Just as the ministers were looking at each other, the Minister of the Army coldly asked, "Have they expanded the army?"

William nodded; this question hit the nail on the head.

If Sif wants to regain power with ability, expanding and organizing the army is essential.

However, the next words from the Chief of Military Intelligence left everyone dumbfounded.

"Roland announced the disbanding of the existing army in the Governor’s Territory and re-recruiting to build a new army."

This time, not only William couldn’t understand, but Wald and Alben were also stunned.

"All ninety thousand troops in the Governor’s Territory are disbanded?"

"Only less than five thousand are retained, all others disbanded," the Chief of Military Intelligence said calmly.

"Is he crazy?" Wald questioned angrily.

He was anyway seen as the iron Imperialist Faction by all, so there was no need to pretend.

Seeing Wald upset, other ministers relaxed.

Wald might not be an enemy, but certainly not a friend; if he was upset, they felt relieved.

The Chief of Military Intelligence laid a report on the meeting table.

Wald grabbed the report, and after a quick glance, he nearly spit blood.

Roland dismissed experienced veterans, using the Knight Order as the backbone to recruit large numbers of miners, textile workers, and farmers into the army to form a new military.

The former army of the Governor’s Territory retained only a few young officers and soldiers, with a large number of middle and lower-level officers being dismissed.

Is this madness? Is this how a military is built?

Wald slammed his fist heavily on the table and couldn’t hold back anymore, left in anger, not even bothering with polite words.

He was old and didn’t want to care anymore.

As Wald left, the other ministers in attendance didn’t try to stop him, some even silently wished he would have a stroke at home.

After Wald’s departure, the atmosphere in the meeting hall noticeably relaxed.

Although they couldn’t understand Sif and Roland’s actions, they had come to believe these two were acting recklessly, hence the confusion.

William turned his gaze to the Minister of the Army, signaling him to explain. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The Minister of the Army cleared his throat and said with a smile, "This is the foolish act of an outsider who completely doesn’t understand military construction."

"The level of military construction is decided not by a few senior officers, but largely depends on middle and lower-level officers."

"In my thirty-plus years of military service, I’ve never seen anything like this. Even looking at the entire continental military history and the history of the Magic Empire, such actions are rare."

"Clearly, Mr. Roland is dissatisfied with the army in the Three Overseas Provinces and wants to tear it down and rebuild. I can only wish him luck."

The Minister of the Army’s ridicule also put others at ease.

But William still felt something was amiss.

To be fair, he didn’t like Roland at all, but he didn’t think Roland was an idiot.

When did this kid ever suffer? Those who underestimated him paid the price, even including the two highest ranks in the Shadow Sanctuary.

He suddenly had a realization and turned his gaze to the Minister of the Navy.

"Mr. Winston, are they building a navy?"

"Oh, Mr. William, you really are an outsider who doesn’t understand the navy."

Winston said with a smile, "The navy is different from the army; there is no quick shortcut. Roland does indeed have the framework of the Fourth Fleet, and Bridges is indeed a capable fellow, but what about warships?"

"Why is the navy called the hundred-year navy? Besides the naval tradition requiring long-term cultivation, the oak and other materials needed for shipbuilding take a hundred years to mature."

"If Mr. Roland sows seeds now, he might have his invincible fleet by the distant 1892."

Winston was unreserved in his speech, mocking whoever he could.

His Sussex-style humor drew laughter in the room.

He was right; navy cultivation is extremely difficult. Experienced captains and sailors are secondary; fleet construction is the real challenge.

To prevent overseas rebellion, Sussex has always prohibited shipbuilding overseas; planting shipbuilding trees overseas equates to treason.

All the trees from overseas colonies and the Three Overseas Provinces combined couldn’t build a few ships.

William smiled as he offered the concluding remarks for the farce, "So, unless they can conjure wood from air or cast ships from steel, it’s impossible to have a powerful navy, right?"

"Yes."

Winston spread his hands, ruthlessly ridiculing, "As everyone knows, things heavier than water can’t float on the sea. Unless Mr. Roland has some magic that can make ironclad ships float on water."

"Goddess of Fengrao above, please forgive my ignorance."

Alben, who had been silent, was somewhat displeased with Winston’s demeanor and coldly said: