The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 138

138. Aachen’s Tears (1)

Richard looked at the lingering smoke and said,

“John, show them the might of that weapon once more.”

‘To expend my hard-earned gunpowder again!’ I thought. The gunpowder itself was an enormous expense, but I had to make a good impression in front of the buyer.

“Understood, Brother.”

“Lord Arc, fire.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

—Kwang.

With a great roar, another rocky mountain was split apart.

“Oh, Lord.”

“Such… power!”

“This is truly… a terrifying weapon.”

The gunpowder weapon, already ‘proven’ in the Song Dynasty, amazed the people of this era.

“Hahaha, England has gained new claws. It can be used not only for sieges but in all battles.”

That made Richard smile.

Originally, protagonists who are reborn or possess historical figures start things for various reasons, wanting to change history. They think there is no progress without changing history.

That’s why alternative history novels always feature protagonists who do various things, even if their vassals die or not.

Of course, compromise with reality is necessary.

‘In that sense, the Renaissance is difficult right now.’

The Renaissance, the dividing point between the Middle Ages and early modern Europe, did not happen all at once. The Black Death, the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire [Byzantine Empire], the end of the Hundred Years’ War, problems within the Catholic Church, and the interests of kings and nobles are all part of a massive flow.

To declare a Renaissance, an era of humanistic return like the human era, in the 12th century, the era of medieval Europe?

Then I would be neatly folding up my reputation so far and throwing it into the sky. I would probably become a heretic or a son of Satan, right?

But there is a way. Even if the Renaissance is out of reach, I can start a medieval industrial revolution. Don’t I have many talented people?

‘Of course, it cost a lot of money.’

In any era, a lot of money is needed to achieve innovation. Reforms and progress basically require spending countless amounts of money, like war.

Even though I’m spending a lot of money, I still have leeway because I am the master of the Mortain, Ireland, and Aquitaine economies.

Having territory does not necessarily mean controlling the ‘money supply’ of the territory, because the merchants in the territory only comply and are not dominated. However, I am different. I don’t use merchants. I created merchants who only follow my will.

My Safe Guild, which I created a long time ago with my funds, is composed of merchants who only listen to my orders. Everything they eat and drink is my money, and the salary they receive is also my money. The merchants of the Safe Guild themselves are cash cows that move according to my intentions.

I used these funds to get things done.

Of course, it hurts my heart because the money melts away like in a war, but it can’t be helped.

Ah, there is the Holy Mongol Empire! There is the most advanced and fearsome army in the world!

Cannons, printing presses, steam engines. For some reason, they suspiciously resemble those of the Song Dynasty (Southern Song), but even in that difficult past, there was Ak Bul-hwi, an elite commander from the Song Dynasty who was a civil official, and those from the Jin and Southern Song dynasties who did not pretend to be technicians and remained loyal until they were sold as slaves to Aquitaine.

And I was able to work more safely by using the technicians from the Eastern Roman Empire that Mary made me cooperate with.

Large and sturdy cannons, Song Dynasty-style steam engines, printing presses, threshers, plows, blast furnaces, and other symbols of progress.

Using the people, places, and funds that I could control, I was able to prepare four in a short period of seven years.

Look. It’s booming for the second time. Isn’t Richard impressed right now?

I explained progress to Richard.

“This is a printing press that can quickly distribute the Bible without transcribing it by hand.”

“These are threshers and plows to help people with their work.”

“Finally, this is the latest blast furnace used in China.”

“…Good heavens.”

“God….”

The future technologies I had prepared for seven years were revealed, and after listening to the explanation, Richard said with a friendly face.

“Amazing… to have prepared such things.”

“The many mountains in Mortain, where I can hide the future, have allowed me to prepare a lot for seven years.”

As I showed my respect.

Richard strode over and took my hand.

“John, what do you want?”

I have shown respect as a vassal, so he is asking as my political partner and lord. What I want is not that big.

“The brilliant future of England.”

What I want is a glorious future for England, a golden age where it is not harassed by France and enjoys peace.

I know very well that the future calls this era the era of England, or the Angevin Empire. And I can feel it too. That Philip, who prides himself on being the great king of France who will continue Charlemagne’s achievements, is watching me.

But I was not going to abandon my vigilance just by looking at that. Such abominations of Philip, who had been walking the path of Shura [a path of bloodshed and conflict] for a long time, rather became an opportunity to pressure me.

I said to Richard with a serious face.

“Your Highness, the world has always been in turmoil.”

There is no such thing as a golden age in this era.

Of course, whether it is noticeable or not, the world has always been unstable. That’s why we need to prepare in many ways.

In the 12th century, our Kingdom of England is a rising country. But if the two ‘Romes,’ the Eastern Roman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire, enter into a ‘newly emerging power’ alliance.

The early starters are sensitive to the latecomers.

Right now, due to various circumstances, neither the Eastern Roman Empire nor the Holy Roman Empire is saying, ‘Oh, Prince John, we don’t dislike England.’ But if we grow to the point where we cross the boundaries they have set, there will be immediate and enormous checks.

And how long will the Kingdom of France, which is being bullied by us as if living in a rented room next door, endure revenge?

Philip II has become more vicious. Now, he doesn’t show his emotions on the outside, and he pretends to bow his head to me and Richard, looking for opportunities and trying not to give us even the slightest justification.

So we must prepare for the troubled times.

As if sympathizing with my words, Richard said.

“Yes, it has always been a troubled time.”

* * *

—Normandy Territory—

Today, with the Lord’s guidance, Europe is peaceful and serene.

No, of course, that peace is a leisurely impression felt by our Western European friends, just like the feelings of Northeast Asians who didn’t care how much Africa and the Middle East were in turmoil in the 21st century.

But Poland is pounding Kiev from the east.

Denmark and Sweden, who should have stopped this, could not interfere in the fight due to a fight caused by ‘someone’ in Venice.

In the midst of this, a hunt was taking place in the Normandy territory.

—Awoooooooo.

A chilling howl. And there was a beast with sharp teeth.

“That guy… really.”

Crunch.

“It’s just a wolf after all.”

But to Prince Richard, it was just a beast.

Richard, a man with a physique like Hercules and Samson, killed a wolf that was eating people.

What Prince Richard hunted was a subspecies wolf, like the Beast of Gévaudan that angered King Louis XV of France in the distant future. But to Richard, a romantic human weapon of the Middle Ages, it was just prey.

“Such a boring wolf. There are no rebellious rebels; it’s so boring.”

The Count of Champagne said to Richard.

“It is the peace that Your Highness has created.”

“I just said that because I needed a territory to plunder legally.”

Richard knew it well.

The powerful, the one who wins the fight, can make ‘choices.’ That is power. It is the underlings who are forced to make choices.

‘I will devote my loyalty to the Duke of Normandy.’

‘I am different from my father. I will not tolerate betrayal.’

Prince Richard knew his brother well.

To be honest, I can’t say I know him well.

Because the image of John, who targeted his vitals so fiercely in the first swordsmanship match in his childhood, is still vivid in Richard’s mind.

“My brother has already bowed his head, showed me the future, and my grandson, who will be John’s eldest grandson, will become the King of England.”

“That is correct.”

“What John showed was amazing things that would surprise the world. But that’s not enough.”

Prince Richard is a warlike person.

He is a person who can read the times, just like Temujin [Genghis Khan], who is aiming for Goryeo [Korea] and Wa [Japan] from the end of the East.

“As John said, troubled times will come, like the era of the old Franks. So we need the power to protect the era that John created, so Count of Champagne, don’t spare any money.”

Looking at his nephew and subordinate, the Count of Champagne, Richard smiled.

“Your Highness, unlike Prince John, I really don’t have any money.”

“Troubled times are coming, so gather more money. My money is my money, and your money is my money.”

“My lord, you are too much. Anyone would think I’m a warehouse keeper. By the way, troubled times… is that why you ordered ‘that’ to be done?”

The greatest enemy of Christians, the Muslims, were driven out to the regions of Syria and Persia.

It was very satisfying to defeat those who believe in ridiculous heresies, but since the common enemy, the Islamic forces, have fallen, there will now be internal strife among the Christian forces.

The problem is that there is a turning point in every history.

There is no Eastern expression like rise and fall, but since there is a precedent called the ‘Roman Empire (Ancient Rome),’ you can be swept away at once if you are careless.

As Richard finished speaking, he asked his subordinate.

“The work I ordered? Are you talking about the work of the Seven Nobles?”

“The capable subordinate has completed the task. They have all accepted Your Highness’s deal.”

“Damn old men… If they weren’t so shrewd, I would have eaten them a long time ago.”

“Isn’t this an era where you can’t get what you want with just a ‘sword’?”

“Yes… It’s not an era where you can only do it with blood and swords.”

As John prepared for the stability of Aquitaine and the progress of the era for seven years, Prince Richard also valued the co-option of the existing core forces, the Seven Nobles.

If possible, there is a way to do it comfortably with ‘force,’ but it has not been long since the civil war ended. And with Henry II alive, he cannot point a sword at them.

So, through political compromise, Prince Richard honorably retired the nobles of the old era without shedding blood.

“Now the Seven Nobles have been disbanded. Now is the era of my people.”

For a new era.

* * *

—England, Duchy of Aquitaine—

The negotiation with Richard ended satisfactorily. There is no free lunch even for brothers, and contracts are needed even for vassals. As Prince Richard’s favorite first vassal, I properly demanded a bill for the future, and Richard added some pocket money for me to use.

It was such a rewarding deal, and I want to do it again next time.

“I’m glad my brother is satisfied. Isn’t that right?”

“That is correct.”

“Lord Godfrey, it seems we will be busy from now on.”

After finishing work in Mortain, I returned to my main base, Aquitaine.

“Father, did you have a good trip?”

“Father, I’m glad you returned safely.”

“Oh, my dear son and daughter-in-law, were you both well?”

My precious children. And now, my daughter-in-law, who will suffer a little in our family.

Of course, I don’t care about women’s work. My wife Mary will take care of that, because she is the mistress of the house.

The problem is my son.

I know that James grew up like a nobleman, receiving Eastern Roman education from Mary since he was young, and there is nothing particularly wrong with him, but how would I know about the affairs of the couple?

“Son, you have gained such a precious wife, so you must treat her very well. Got it?”

“Why are you talking so seriously about something obvious, Father?”

‘That’s so I can see my grandchildren soon. You rascal, I will be more at ease when I have secured grandchildren.’

Even if there is a son, there must be grandchildren. Only then can I become a Safe John who can focus on politics with peace of mind.

‘Such a handsome and beautiful couple.’

As I was looking at my son and his wife with satisfaction.

“Your Highness, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire… has passed away.”

I heard the news that the bulwark of the Holy Roman Empire had died.