My British Empire

  Chapter 432 War Preparation

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  Finally, after such a long time, His Majesty Edward recalled the French War of Religion.

  The beginning period was in 1562. I don’t know the exact month. It ended at the end of the sixteenth century. It was the only famous civil war in French history.

  What impressed Edward the most was that this war directly made the French royal family extinct, the Bourbon dynasty came to power, and famous figures such as the Sun King Louis XIV and Louis XVI could enter the history books.

  So, at such an important moment, Edward finally couldn't help it. Knowing the start time, how could he hold back and not get involved?

  After the resident soldiers were formed in each region, the Army Command Committee directly controlled all the military power, and reorganized all the self-built army and the original army, and the total number of troops reached 30,000.

  The army will be divided into garrison troops and conscript troops, with 5,000 people stationed in England, 2,000 in Scotland, 1,000 in Wales, and 2,000 in Ireland.

  The remaining 20,000 selected will become a full-time combat army.

  In this way, although the local finance will assist half of the military expenditure, the amount of appropriation directly proposed by the Army Appropriation Committee to the cabinet every year has reached 80,000 pounds, of which the consumption of gunpowder is the largest.

   Fortunately, the income of the cabinet continues to increase every year, otherwise it will really go bankrupt.

  Edward couldn't help feeling a little emotional for the cabinet's strong support.

  After inspecting the army, Edward began to inspect the navy again.

  Although in this war, the navy is just a soy sauce, but at least it is also a force!

  After several years of continuous development, the navy has gradually grown.

  The three squadrons are almost all the strength of the previous Henry VIII period. In other words, the strength of the navy has tripled. Although it is not half the strength of Spain, in the English Channel, there is no problem with self-defense.

   After all, the Spanish navy was basically involved in the Mediterranean, and the Ottoman Empire continued to shed Spanish blood.

  The number of large ships, that is, Galen ships over 1,000 tons, has reached twelve, and two ships are launched every year.

  The number of medium-sized ships ranging from 300 to 1,000 tons has reached more than 200. Basically, they are all equipped with bronze cannons.

  The number of employees has reached more than 10,000, and the annual cost has also soared from 40,000 pounds to 100,000 pounds, which almost bankrupted the coalition government.

   In this regard, Edward's annual support of 30,000 pounds has been directly increased to 80,000 pounds. That is to say, the cabinet only needs to allocate 50,000 pounds a year.

  The navy and army inspections were completed, and Edward met with Sir John, the Minister of Royal Affairs, who likes to flatter, is stingy, and can do things.

   "Sir, at present, how much cash can the royal family provide?"

  Looking at the aging Sir John, and looking at his gray hair, Edward felt for a moment that time passed too fast.

   "Your Majesty!" Seeing the beard growing thicker on the king's chin, Sir John couldn't help but sigh in his heart that His Majesty the King has really grown up.

  He could feel something majestic that made his heart beat faster.

   "As you wish!" Sir John put on his reading glasses after seeing his age, picked up an account book from the secretary behind him, and began to look it up.

In this way, quietly, Edward looked at this old man who had served the royal family for many years and was still working hard for the royal family. Even if he knew it, it was because of interests. Many families circled around the big tree of the royal family to gain honor money.

  After a long time, it has become a habit. People are emotional animals. Looking at this old man who has served two generations of kings, Edward was inexplicably moved.

  Hope, there will be more and more people like this, and the royal family will become stronger and stronger, Edward blessed in his heart.

"Your Majesty, it has been found out that the cash currently available to the royal family is stored in the Bank of England, and the amount is 300,000 pounds! Other income has just arrived, and there is a balance of 200,000 pounds in addition to the next year's expenditure budget, so the total Half a million pounds!"

   Sir John's old voice resounded in the room, especially clear.

  Hearing this amount, Edward couldn't help pondering: 500,000 pounds, according to previous wars, it was enough to support military expenditures for one year!

  Seeing His Majesty the King's pondering expression, Sir John couldn't help but turn pale with fright:

   "Your Majesty, the royal family has become more affluent in recent years. You must think carefully about it!"

  Seeing that Mr. Jazz, who had always been stingy, began to persuade him again, Edward couldn't bear to speak directly to him, so he couldn't help explaining:

   "Sir, the money is urgently needed. You must prepare the money and transfer it to the Army Appropriations Committee account tomorrow!"

   "What?" Sir John was a little surprised, "Is this going to war?"

   "Yes, sir, let's get ready!" Edward nodded without denying it.

   Then, taking another look at Sir John's slowly leaving back, Edward immediately left the room and came to a conference room in the palace.

   Here, an imperial meeting will be held.

  Participating in the meeting were the Earl of Argyle, the regent of Scotland, Faris Alexander, the regent of Wales, Baron John Perot, the new Governor of Ireland, the Speaker of the Privy Council of England and the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, William Selsey, and cabinet members.

   "His Majesty has arrived—" the guard shouted.

   "Your Majesty!" Everyone stood up and saluted.

  After His Majesty Edward took his seat, Your Excellency the Prime Minister stood up and said:

   "The convening of this imperial meeting is only for one thing - the increasingly fierce civil war in France!"

   As soon as the voice fell, discussions immediately rang out in the conference hall.

  Although as high-level people, many people already know the turbulent situation in France, but they still don’t believe that this European power will fall into civil strife. Your Excellency Prime Minister cleared his throat and explained:

"Since the death of Henry II, the false king of France, the young Francois II came to the throne. He has a huge head, extremely thin hair, a very thin neck, and a mouth full of saliva. It is said that when he put on the crown, he shouted loudly, Take this thing away, it will break my neck!"

  As soon as the joke was told, everyone couldn't help laughing.

  Although it was fake, the young king was indeed very weak. He went to see God less than two years after he ascended the throne.

   His younger brother Charles IX came to the throne.

  "Although Charles IX came to the throne, the French king was deeply influenced by his mother, Catherine de' Medici. He is a cowardly and uninspired king!"

"Since Calvinism was introduced into France, the political situation in France was turbulent, and conflicts occurred from time to time. The Catholic nobles headed by François de Lorraine, Duke of Guise, and his younger brother Cardinal Charles, and Condé. Huguenots headed by the Prince, Admiral Coligny, King Navarre!"

   "According to speculation, in the near future, conflicts will definitely break out between the two factions in France, and there is a great possibility of civil strife!"

  After His Excellency the Prime Minister finished his speech, everyone was thinking with their heads down, digesting the information.

   "Which faction do we choose to support?" the Chancellor of the Exchequer asked immediately.

   "In my opinion, they are still Huguenots, and they are Protestants anyway!"

   "No, it's still the Catholic sect. The Catholics are the most powerful and have more chances of winning!"

  ...

   "Stop talking, let's prepare for war first! Let's discuss the preparations!" Your Excellency the Prime Minister patted the table and said.

  Edward was still sitting comfortably, listening to their speeches and observing.

  (end of this chapter)