The Empror's Trap-Chapter 56: Ch - The Emperor’s Visit

Seeing Pluvia personally come to check on him, Kenji quickly sat up straight: "This subject behaved inappropriately while drunk, I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."

"Oh stop, you passed out right after drinking - what’s there to forgive?" Pluvia waved her hand helplessly. "Besides, rumors about your low alcohol tolerance have been circulating in the military for ages, one more incident won’t change anything."

Kenji’s poor drinking capacity was well known among the troops. When he previously led armies, soldiers would absolutely never give him a chance to drink before battle.

But after winning and returning home, they’d deliberately try to get their superior drunk.

However, since Kenji started regularly keeping Lina by his side, basically no one dared to make him drink anymore. This time was a rare occasion when Lina wasn’t around, so everyone naturally remembered their traditional pastime.

"How did the reward ceremony go? Everything smooth?"

The first thing Kenji thought about was the reward ceremony. For Camelot, after every victory, the soldiers always focused on such ceremonies.

On one hand, the rewards could bring a decent income to their families. At the same time, bearing honors bestowed by the Emperor was quite prestigious.

"Don’t worry, everything went fine. General Balinos received a gold-threaded cotton robe and was promoted to Grand General, with 500 Camelot Gold in rewards. The fifty thousand troops each received 100 silver, with additional merit-based rewards for distinguished service. Though Dani didn’t directly participate in battle, his deployment and operations were appropriate, so I rewarded him with a large tract of land in the northern territories."

"Mm, sounds good."

Kenji said, holding his still-aching head.

Balinos had always been a great general, just shy of reaching the Grand General position, stuck there unable to advance. Now he’d finally become Grand General, which was really quite a...

Wait!?

Kenji’s foggy brain suddenly snapped to attention.

What does this mean? Promoting general-rank officers requires nomination from me as Grand Marshal. While legally the Emperor can directly promote someone... but this involves many behind-the-scenes interests.

Now Pluvia had just gone and promoted General Balinos, who’d been stuck for so many years, straight to Grand General?

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Kenji felt his headache intensify.

He understood Pluvia’s thinking - General Balinos now had both seniority and ability. If you wanted someone who could counterbalance him among military commanders, promoting General Balinos was really the only choice.

But the problem was... she really wasn’t afraid of him causing trouble?

"Your Majesty, was General Balinos’ promotion to Grand General discussed with the court officials?"

Kenji asked seriously.

Ha! As if I don’t know - if it had really gone through court discussion, the officials would never have reached any conclusion. Some civil officials were his faction members, and there were even more among the military officers - some were even old soldiers his father had personally trained.

Faced with such an arbitrary imperial decision, at least half the court would surely oppose such a resolution.

But now, Pluvia had just gone ahead and done it.

Kenji wasn’t sure what she was thinking - making such a move at this time was like dancing on a tightrope.

"I discussed this matter with the Chancellor and several generals, who all agreed with this approach. After all, General Balinos has served Camelot loyally for so many years - it’s time we gave him proper recognition."

Pluvia said calmly.

"Or does duke Anos feel General Balinos’ military achievements are insufficient for promotion to Grand General?"

"That is not this subject’s meaning. Simply that the position of Grand General cannot be decided hastily - this subject believes it should be determined after proper discussion. Promoting General Balinos so suddenly, if there are those at court who disagree, it could cause trouble for his future actions."

"You’ve seen yourself how Camelot’s people all recognize General Balinos. With such public support, and no negative opinions about him throughout the court - what’s the problem?"

Seeing Pluvia like this, Kenji was amused.

Ah, these creatures called emperors...

"Since Your Majesty insists, this subject will obey Your Majesty’s command."

Kenji said.

The imperial guard accompanying Pluvia was momentarily stunned. As one specifically assigned to protect Her, she’d never seen Duke Anos be so obedient.

This isn’t right - that woman beside him looked ready to fight just now. I was prepared to die for Her Majesty at any moment, so why did he suddenly become compliant?

However, as someone focused on martial prowess, she didn’t understand one thing.

For Kenji, whether Pluvia promoted a Grand General or not made little real difference.

Just a title. I became Grand Marshal because I had the ability and connections to control military power, with 300,000 troops that only I could mobilize - at least for now.

If Pluvia truly planned to control Kenji’s network and military authority, that would be a long-term process, not something accomplished just by appointing one Grand General.

The court officials weren’t idiots either. Yes, some might dislike him, but they wouldn’t just fall in line with whoever the Emperor appointed. Moreover... while some officials wanted to eliminate Kenji to deprive Pluvia of support, others might even be hoping Kenji would eliminate Pluvia so they could reap the benefits.

To put it bluntly, even if Pluvia appointed Balinos as Grand Marshal, he still couldn’t control the entire court. As for himself, while he couldn’t compete with Pluvia in terms of legitimacy, he could absolutely use other methods to keep them anxious.

Amusing - trying to provoke me with this method, making me actively take the bait? Fishing for lawbreakers isn’t the way, Your Majesty.

Like hell I’m going to bite.

Seeing Kenji actually comply so obediently, Pluvia couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

"Since you also agree with my decision, I can rest easy. General Balinos is a meritorious official of our empire, as are you. I hope you two can work together with one mind toward great achievements."

"But of course."

After saying this, Kenji suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, Lina, quick - have the steward brew tea for Her Majesty!"

"Ok," Lina stood up. "Oh right, Young Master, which tea?"

"Her Majesty honors our humble home - naturally the best!"

Kenji was exasperated by his guard’s behavior.

"Alright."

"Are you two... really master and servant?"

Pluvia expressed doubt.

What kind of guard and master acted like this?

"Tch, make do with what you’ve got, right? Not like I can fire her," Kenji said, spreading his hands.

"Haha, I’ve truly never seen anything quite like you two."

They chatted idly about some domestic policy matters, then shortly after heard footsteps outside.

The old steward walked in elegantly, arranged the delicate ice porcelain tea set, and poured tea for both of them.

Pluvia elegantly lifted her teacup and took a sip.

That familiar fragrance, that familiar sweetness...

Waaah, my imperial tribute tea, my Mountain imperial tribute tea...