Chapter 649 — Crisis, Turmoil, and the Arrangement of Affairs
Blade of Dawn · Page 3 of 4
"I hope you understand that the process of reorganizing and transforming the Northern and Western Legions is a process of reclaiming your military authority," Gao Dai said. "I will replace their command systems and rebuild their discipline and order. They will change from being loyal to you to being loyal to the Cecil Empire—of course, considering the stability of morale and your personal capabilities, the reorganized legions will still be commanded by you. But by then they will no longer be private soldiers..."
Some things he had to state more plainly. Even though the contents of military reform had already been made clear during earlier discussions, now that it came down to the two Lord Protectors specifically, he had to emphasize it once more, because this issue was both sensitive and important, and constrained by practical circumstances, he could not yet completely strip the two Lord Protectors of the power to command their original legions—on one hand because he truly could not find capable people to replace these two dukes, and on the other because he had to consider the stability of morale in the two original legions.
Had it been peacetime, he would of course have chosen a restructuring plan that left fewer hidden dangers. But now, with internal troubles and external threats, the Empire's available forces were already few, and he had to avoid as much as possible any decline in the combat effectiveness of the existing legions, even a temporary one.
After all, a nation's weakest phase is not before reform, but during it.
And while retaining this enormous hidden danger, he had to ensure Victoria's and Bai Yu's reliability and cooperation—at least reliability within the bounds of the rules.
After all, he did not wish to see warlords emerge within the newborn Empire.
"Of course we understand," Duke Bai Yu said with a smile. "And we will ensure that every family in the North and the West understands it as well."
Gao Yi nodded slightly. Then, before today's long conversation ended, he raised one last matter.
"Finally, regarding the Empire's capital—once the dust settles, the seat of this nation's governance will be moved to Xuanyao City."
Victoria and Bai Yu looked at each other, but neither showed much surprise.
"To cut off the roots of the old forces more thoroughly, is that it?" Victoria said, her expression calm, her voice cool.
"Not only that. There are several other factors as well," Gao Dai said. "Saint Sunil has been severely damaged. Its governing functions as a capital have in fact already ground to a halt—the old aristocratic system has disintegrated, its military power has all but perished, and a great many vital transportation routes are covered by contaminated zones and cannot be restored in a short time. The significance of continuing to treat it as the capital is no longer great. That is the first point.
"Second, the Empire's new order is built upon a foundation of thaumaturgical industry. The high productivity provided by thaumaturgical industry is the key to ensuring the rapid recovery of social operations, and it is the foundation of our rise. Yet Saint Sunil's industrial base can be described as a blank slate—though there are some new-style factories, they have all shut down; there are a few magic nets, but none of them form a system. Xuanyao City, by contrast, is already a relatively mature industrial center, and at the same time a developed commercial and cultural center. Around it there are also a great many new-style cities with complete functions. Compared to Saint Sunil, Xuanyao City is more suited to serve as the capital of the new Empire.
"And finally, what you mentioned just now, Victoria—to cut off the roots of the old forces thoroughly."