Chapter 25: Could You Please Place Your Trust in Me?

Ludwig heard the subdued protest for what it was—the residual emotion of a harrowing scream that came from deep within the king’s heart. He felt the pain and frustration in Yuhal’s words, for he was well aware of the existence of a treaty between the empire and Perujin that was undeniably unfair to the latter. He knew there was a problem. He understood the injustice. Nevertheless, he’d chosen to turn a blind eye...because what else could he do? It was beyond his ability to solve.

Of course, that was an inherently Tearmoon-sided view. Perujin sentiment on the issue differed significantly.

“For countless years, we’ve been forced by our treaty with Tearmoon to sell our wheat to you at unreasonably low prices. So long as your empire stands, we will forever be mocked as a country of serfs. Say what you want, but no amount of lofty rhetoric will change this fact,” declared the king.

It was indeed an unchangeable fact. Convincing Perujin to see the issue differently was impossible. Winning their trust, doubly so. Nothing could be done...except to sigh with reluctant resignation and look away.

Unless, apparently, you’re Mia.

“I see... There’s a treaty like that...” Mia mused for no more than the span of a single breath. “In that case, we should abolish this treaty.”

She said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. As if it weren’t a matter of mind-boggling complexity involving innumerable matters of national interest such that only a clueless fool would suggest it so readily. Or perhaps...as if the moral truth of it being the right thing to do was so self-evident that any other reaction was unthinkable.

So declared Mia that the treaty should be abolished. Half the hall froze at her words. The ranks of the petrified included Yuhal, Shalloak, and even Ludwig, the last of which was the first to recompose himself.

“Your Highness, you must realize...”

Mia met his gaze and nodded.

“Yes, of course. I’m aware that the decision for a matter like this does not rest with me. The most I can do is to push for its abolishment back home...” she said, qualifying her statement for Yuhal.

Then, she turned back to him and said, “Can it be done, Ludwig?”

You’re asking me?!

How had this become his job all of a sudden? Half his brain wanted to flip a table and scream. The other half beat it into submission to maintain some semblance of composure. After stifling the sudden desire to upend furniture, he forced himself to think, to discern the intent behind Mia’s words. The task they spoke of was in no way something he could possibly accomplish, and yet, she’d still said it. There had to be a reason.

First, he considered the moral aspect. In that sense, what she suggested was undoubtedly correct. There definitely existed an unfair treaty between Tearmoon and Perujin that effectively made serfs of the latter’s people. Though a tad oversimplified, it could be said that the treaty primarily existed to ensure that the empire could always purchase the wheat it required from Perujin at a bargain. Every year, the two nations would go through the motions of negotiating prices, but the stark difference in military power meant that for all intents and purposes, it was the empire setting the prices and Perujin reluctantly nodding along.

This was the exact dynamic that Shalloak had set his sights on. His plan involved incrementally raising prices over time, keeping each increase small enough to avoid provoking a military intervention from Tearmoon. Then, as Tearmoon began struggling with food shortages, Perujin could begin forcing concessions from them.

All in all, the Perujin perspective was that vast amounts of their land was effectively occupied by Tearmoon to grow wheat for them, which they then bought at dirt-cheap prices. Adding insult to injury was that after exporting the wheat for minimal profit, they then had to suffer the empire’s mockery of the fruits of their hard work. In that sense, allowing such a dynamic to persist uncorrected was patently unfair.

Mia’s vision was to forge a bond of mutual trust with Perujin. To that end, the treaty was also an obvious obstacle. Abolishing it, in that sense, was indeed the simplest and most logical option.

The problem is the feasibility...

As she’d stated herself, Mia did not have the authority to abolish treaties; that was a matter handled by the highest offices of both parties. The emperor’s obsessive fervor was certainly a powerful card, but it did not surpass the limits of her station as princess. Mere princesses did not dictate foreign policy, no matter how spoiled they were.

But Mia...was no mere princess. Her influence was nearly unparalleled not just within the empire but throughout the continent. Saint Rafina of Belluga, Prince Sion of Sunkland, Prince Abel of Remno... So long as Mia was trying to do the right thing, they would all give her their unconditional support. The young scions of the Four Houses, if prodded, would likely back her as well. Furthermore, Mia was currently overwhelmingly popular with the people.

If she were to push for some form of action, it would not simply be the will of the Tearmoon princess. Behind her loomed the towering clout of all her allies. Whether she had the technical authority to enact a policy would be irrelevant. A mere indication of intent from her held more sway than the moon ministers, the chancellor...and in some cases, possibly even the emperor himself.

The feasibility...was certainly not low.

Most importantly, the empire is in need of reformation...

As he worked through the logic, Ludwig reluctantly realized that he was starting to convince himself. If they wanted to reshape the empire for the better, what Mia proposed to do was unquestionably necessary. The reason was simple; as long as the treaty with Perujin existed, Tearmoon nobles wouldn’t bother using more of their land for farming. Why would they, when they could import wheat from Perujin for cheap? If this notion couldn’t be eliminated for good, increasing the empire’s food self-sufficiency rate would remain a pipe dream. Reducing dependence on Perujin was therefore the fastest way to reforming the empire’s agricultural tendencies.

It’s such a clear-cut line of logic. The kind they love to see...

He thought of the fellow members of his cohort—the ones he’d recently gathered to request their assistance. If he could get Wiseman Galv’s pupils to understand what Mia was thinking about and convince them it was necessary, they’d undoubtedly throw their full administrative might behind the effort. It’d be a match made in heaven. These were people who hungered for places to apply their talent. The only thing he’d have to worry about was reminding them to eat and sleep while they bustled about.

It was likely that sooner or later, the momentum they’d generate would reach those who did have the power to enact and revoke treaties.

Therefore, if the question is whether or not it can be done...then the answer is yes, it can.

There was a moral reason as well as a rational need to get it done. They even had the power to do so.

So that’s why... That’s why she brought this up now of all times.

Ludwig knew full well that large-scale reform was always accompanied by significant pushback. It was good for everyday life to be peaceful, but an enduring peace was also a state of stoppage. The same kind of days—the same kind of years—just went on and on in a cycle of inertial monotony. The sense that things did not change, that the world remained still, was a source of comfort and relief for the masses.

Shaking things up—that is, introducing motion into a still system—would always meet with opposition. An unchanging life was a familiar one; it offered peace of mind. Change represented a path toward the unknown, and there was never any guarantee that what lay at the end was better. Rather, even if it was better, more just, and entirely correct, there would still be a large and very loud group of opposing voices. Humans were fundamentally conservative creatures that feared change.

Hence his own reluctance. Mere minutes ago, he’d had plenty of reasons to oppose this idea. It wasn’t hard to see that what Mia was trying to do would earn her the ire of not only nobles but the masses. But...and this was one big but...

Right now... Specifically right now, during this very particular moment, those reasons I had for opposing the idea do not apply.

Forcing change into the peaceful rhythm of everyday life was hard. Yet change was also something that occurred on its own. In fact, it was occurring right now without any intervention from Mia. The times themselves were changing—the agent being famine. Every nation in the continent would soon have no choice but to adapt. Change would become inevitable, meaning Mia’s proposal would...

She’s riding the wave. We’re entering a period of upheaval when all sorts of things will change, and she intends to use this chance to reform the entire empire in one fell swoop.

She wasn’t going to take a broken, famine-stricken nation and restore it to its original glory. She wanted to remake it into something new. Half-hearted measures wouldn’t do; they’d only run themselves aground. This fact was now patently clear to him. No, it had always been, but it lay in a corner of his mind just dim enough for him to pretend he didn’t see it. Then, Mia came along and poked a hole in the roof, inviting the light of truth to illuminate every recess. There was nowhere left for his ignorance to hide.

The famine will force the attention of nobles and commoners alike on food self-sufficiency. It will instill a sense of urgency. She doubtlessly intends to push everything through in one go while the topic remains at the forefront of public consciousness.

As the dizzying scope of Mia’s grand vision revealed itself to him in his mind, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of vertigo. Nothing, not the world and times, not even the current of history itself was too vast for her to consider.

Rely on others. Use the talents of others. I see now why she gave me that advice. A plan of this scale and scope is indeed far beyond my ability to realize alone.

As he put his racing thoughts in order, he began to speak.

“Well... Within the empire, I am currently pushing for more land to be converted to farm use. Having more farmland will inevitably result in the empire importing less wheat. It will be a gradual process, but revising the terms of the treaty with Perujin should ultimately be possible. Slowly, we can reduce the amount of wheat we demand...”

Being extra careful with his wording, Ludwig proceeded to explain his thought process. The kind of reformation he envisioned would take years. Over time, however, Perujin’s exports to the empire would decrease, allowing them to sell more wheat to other nations at market price. Perujin would enjoy increased profits, and tension between the two nations should ease. With less land needed to grow wheat for the empire, they could also repurpose it...

But that is a domestic affair. It would be up to the Perujin people to decide what to do with their land.

He had no idea how the pieces would ultimately fall at the end of this long process of change. With Perujin lacking military power, their need for Tearmoon’s protection might continue to put them at some degree of a disadvantage during negotiations. With that said, reforming a nation should always be a stepwise process. Expecting every injustice to be righted immediately was unrealistic. Still, there would be progress, and with progress, hope. So long as the state of things improved year after year, even if only a little, it would be a significant source of hope for Perujin’s farmers. The long stagnancy they suffered would be broken. Optimism would begin to draw them forward. Though slow, every step they took would be a meaningful one in the march of progress.

Eventually, Perujin Agricultural Country and the Tearmoon Empire would enjoy a mutually beneficial partnership. Mia’s grand vision for the two nations was one that was established upon a win-win relationship.

After Ludwig finished his explanation, Yuhal’s jaw remained slack until he was roused from his stunned silence by Mia’s calm voice.

“However... None of this will happen anytime soon. Like I mentioned previously, a famine is coming, and it will last years. Even if we increased the amount of farmland in the empire, I doubt there will be enough time for us to reach the necessary scale...” She took a moment to look Yuhal in the eyes. “Therefore, the only thing I can offer right now is a verbal promise. Given that, I now ask you a great favor. Could you please place your trust in me, Your Majesty?”

What she asked was whether he would take her at her word...and ultimately, whether he was willing to return to a blank slate and forge a new bond of trust with the empire.