I Will Be The Crowned King

"Kingdom of Clovis-Free Confederation Trade and Military Alliance Agreement":

"Under the witness of the ring of order, the two parties recognize each other's claimed territories, and do not use any force to threaten to obtain any benefits or concessions. All disputes and contradictions are resolved peacefully in a mutually recognized manner;

If any force declares war on one of the parties, it means declaring war on both contracting parties at the same time. Both parties must immediately cut off any trade and diplomatic exchanges with the declaring country, and declare to join the war until the declaring party initiates a request for an armistice or surrender. It is jointly decided that no party shall withdraw from the war without authorization, otherwise the agreement shall become invalid;

The two contracting parties send permanent diplomatic representatives to each other, dispatch diplomatic missions twice a year, exchange information and opinions on a regular basis, and assist each other in jointly handling disputes;

The two contracting parties open all coastlines and ports to each other. Both the army and the navy are obliged to provide the most basic security guarantees for the merchants and fleets of the other party, and to maintain the stability of the shipping routes and land transportation lines; all trade tariffs and inspection requirements are the same Negotiate and decide, and do not increase additional tariffs without informing and obtaining consent from the other party;

The Ice Dragon Fjord has a special status and should be completely open to Clovis; every year Clovis will send a specific fleet to the Ice Dragon Fjord to temporarily station at the same time as the delegation, and will notify the Free Confederation in advance;

For all normal personnel movement, the two parties will not impose any additional restrictions, and will mutually recognize the personnel of both parties who entered the country through standard procedures, and respect their personal freedom and property ownership; if a major judicial case is involved, they can be detained according to the laws of the place where they are located, and then the two parties Let’s discuss a solution together…”

In addition to these six items, there are more than two hundred items related to military cooperation between the two sides, specific trade negotiation methods, mission size and status standards.

After all, one is a standard centralized kingdom, a confederation of multiple free cities "colonies", the two sides are completely different from the system to the decision-making mechanism, and it is a big problem to determine the identity of the diplomatic representative - Clovis Instead, you can send an earl at will. The chief ambassador of the Free Confederation may be the leader of a certain chamber of commerce, but in theory the relationship between the two parties is equal.

In addition, the Free Confederation is a newly established country after all, and many things are still starting from scratch; Clovis, a young man with hundreds of years of experience, but is often ridiculed by the empire as a "rookie", finally has the opportunity to The successors pretended to be old powers in front of them, taught the Free Confederation missions by precepts and deeds, and told them the diplomatic traditions of the orderly world.

This aspect is actually Queen Mother Anne's specialty—whether she was a child watching all kinds of big figures meet her father, or later serving as a teacher of etiquette at Clovis, no one knows better than her about scenes and ceremonies.

And as the leader of the mission, Baekeland Jr. nodded his head while listening to the other party's earnest teachings... This is a little trick Christian taught him. When dealing with people with higher status, if the other party obviously mentioned himself Where you are good at, no matter whether you understand it or not, you should try your best to pretend to be studying hard, which can greatly increase the probability of winning the other party's favor.

However, little Baekeland really didn't understand these things, so he took out his notes and began to record while listening; the Queen Mother, who had a rare chance to "show off", was even more elated, and deliberately slowed down her speech so that the other party could have a chance to record more detailed.

At the same time, members of the Free Confederation Mission, royal nobles, and cabinet ministers also completed follow-up negotiations, and initially finalized the share of raw material trade and imported Clovis luxury goods in the coming year, with the joy of the upcoming harvest Start toasting and enjoying the hospitality of the banquet.

On the long table of the banquet in the inner court, the two sides can be said to have a good time with the guests and the host, enjoying themselves harmoniously.

For Clovis, the position of the Free Confederation is almost a source of raw materials. The country where the goods are dumped is a diplomatic protectorate, and because the other party is far away from the old continent, the actual military cost that needs to be paid is infinitely close to zero, which is really cost-effective. A good deal.

The situation of the Free Confederation is a little more complicated: remote geographical location, lack of industry, sparsely populated and cold climate, whether it is coffee beans, luxury goods such as red wine, or salt, medicinal materials, textiles, etc.

All necessities must be imported, and at the same time, as a newly established country, it must actively integrate into the world of order to avoid being marginalized.

What, you ask, what happens to being marginalized? Think about the Iser Elf Kingdom, which was beaten up by Clovis before, and even the royal court was destroyed, and the New World colony, which was bullied and squeezed at will, and even the three countries of the North Sea can step on it a few times, that is the fate of marginalization.

In many comparisons, it is better to become a protectorate of Clovis than to continue to be a royal territory directly under the empire, and it is the least bad choice.

Of course, this does not mean that it is absolutely safe to join the world of order. It is possible that war will not be declared for no reason. After all, when the empire attacked Coclovis, it did not consider that the other party was a member of the world of order. —It doesn’t exist, no matter how many reasons you want to start a war, you can find it.

It's just that with this level of relationship and identity, there is more or less a chance to establish diplomatic relations with the other party fairly, and have the minimum basis for negotiation, instead of being rejected directly by the other party without mercy.

In addition, Queen Anne certainly has her own thoughts—although she doesn't understand the cause of the incident, and she doesn't even know the meaning of "aligning with the Free Confederation" at all.

But she knows one thing, that is, Carlos II thinks this matter is very important, and even most of the forces in Clovis hope that this matter can be done; The former Ministry of War even lost a trial with a little brigadier general, and ended up being completely wiped out.

In other words, as long as this thing can be done, I can gain huge support from most of... no, it should be the entire Clovis Kingdom; even if the leaders of those forces are not happy to see this result, they can only do so in Applause and cheers under the steps, and toast to congratulations for his wise move.

It is also because of this that she puts such an important matter on the day of Nicholas's coronation ceremony; only today is this time, no matter whether she can attend Nicholas's place in an open and aboveboard-of course it is impossible for the newly crowned little king to get in touch with state affairs immediately, and the matter The importance has indeed reached the point where the arrow is on the string and has to be released.

"Let's drink to the future of Clovis and the Free Confederacy!"

In front of the gorgeous long table, with Nicholas I in her arms who was already drowsy, Queen Anne heroically raised the wine glass in her hand: "The Old World and the New World...the two lands bathed in the light of the ring of order will surely With our concerted efforts, it will shine with a completely different brilliance from the past—God bless the Free Confederation!"

"God bless the Kingdom of Clovis!"

Little Baekeland quickly put down the pen and paper, and held up the wine glass with both hands: "I, we are also very grateful... Thank you to the Clovis Kingdom for willing to take the initiative to accept the Free Confederation and become a member of the Ordered World!"

"Accept? No, no, no..."

The red lips sipped the wine glass lightly, and the Queen Mother Anne raised her eyebrows lightly: "It wasn't that Clovis accepted the Free Confederation, and the Free Confederation took the initiative and voluntarily joined this big family in public; we are all countries that believe in the ring of order, and there is no one who Your Excellency, please bear in mind the statement that you are superior to anyone else.”

"Tonight I can take it as your flattery while drinking, but if other people, especially the imperial ambassador, are present, they will probably fall into the trap of the other party, turning the free confederation and its original equal status into One side is superior to the other, or even the situation of the protectorate and the protectorate."

"When you set foot on a foreign land alone, it is inevitable to take the initiative to please or even flatter the local master; but always remember that what you represent is no longer yourself, but the country behind you; her dignity and decency must all be Show it through your actions." Annie said seriously: "In the most extreme cases, even... your life."

"What the Queen Mother teaches is..."

Holding the wine glass, Little Baekeland was already blushing: "I know very well that I am still far from being a qualified diplomat. If...if it wasn't for the help of Lord Ansen, I would probably never have such an opportunity!"

"If that's the case, then you shouldn't waste it."

The Queen Mother's eyes shifted, and of course she noticed some key information in the other party's words—Anson has a good relationship with the upper echelon of the Free Confederation—

— But she was not in a hurry to dig, and like a skilled old hunter, she gradually seduced her prey.

"Study hard, master the qualities that a diplomat should have, and even make your work perfect. This is the greatest gratitude to those who lend a helping hand to you, isn't it?"

"I, I really can't agree more!" Little Baekeland nodded again like garlic: "So, where should I start to improve?"

"This..."

Annie seemed to think about it seriously, and then said softly: "Well, for example, our current agreement actually has a lot of content in it, which the Free Confederation can continue to fight for, but your people didn't bring it up. "

"Of course! This is definitely not negligence at work, but after all, you are only a newly established country, and it is the first negotiation. It is inevitable that there will be some people who do not know the actual situation, or have voluntary concessions deep in their hearts. It is normal to think that the agreement is easier to pass, but..." The Queen Mother smiled:

"If it's a regular negotiation, and the person sitting opposite me is the ambassador of the empire, the representative of the Hantu Kingdom...they won't let it go so easily."

"For example?!"

Little Baekeland's eyes were shining, like a student actively listening in class.

"For example... about whether the status of bilateral negotiations is appropriate, and how to improve efficiency." Queen Anne said slowly:

"The Free Confederation is a country with equality as its concept, but the Kingdom of Clovis is a kingdom with a king—well, it would be better to say that the vast majority of countries in the world of order are dominated by kingdoms, and there are many mutual sympathies. Xuan, the tacit understanding and process established by convention.”

"But these procedures are obviously inapplicable to the Free Confederation. The alliance between the two countries often takes the king's in-laws as the most important link, but the Free Confederation does not; and the representatives of the missions sent to each other are also rich. The nobles are the main ones, and in order to take care of the other party’s emotions, try to choose nobles who have a relationship with the other party, which is obviously not suitable for the Free Confederation.”

"Similar problems are placed on the Free Confederation, and there are actually the same problems: of course, foreign missions should be treated with hospitality, which is understandable; but if the other party is a nobleman, it is inevitable that they will be inferior due to the disparity in status during the negotiation process. result in damage to one's own interests."

"Of course, if the strength of the Free Confederation is strong enough, then none of the above is a problem, and you can impose your own way on the other side."

The Queen Mother smiled, her expression and tone were extremely gentle: "But unfortunately, your country may not be able to do this for the time being."

"Indeed..." Little Baekeland nodded seriously, "Then, is there any better solution?"

"It's not really a solution, it's just a small suggestion." The Queen Mother changed the subject:

"Since the diplomatic process between kingdoms does not apply to free confederations, it is entirely possible to establish a new negotiation mechanism; for example... the king of the other party, or the emperor of the empire does not directly come forward, but appoints a plenipotentiary minister to represent the royal court and the emperor. The Free Confederation established diplomatic relations and communication, thus avoiding the embarrassment of identity.”

"In addition, although your country takes equality as its creed and there are no nobles, it is entirely possible to establish an honor system parallel to the nobles, and bind this system to identities such as positions, and then establish it as a lifelong system. .”

"Not only avoiding the impact of the hereditary nobles on your country's ideas, but also at least having the ability to not belong to the other party in foreign negotiations~www.readwn.com~ Or you can easily send people with the same status as the other party to negotiate on an equal footing, which is a compromise. plan."

While speaking, a little pride flashed in Annie's eyes—this method was just thought of by her, so it can be said that she is quite proud.

Little Baekeland nodded blankly, and soon realized something: "In this case, has Clovis already selected a partner to negotiate with the Free Confederation?"

"Smart!" The Queen Mother praised without hesitation:

"As expected of the person who made Ansen Bach take the initiative to help, Your Excellency Baekeland, you are indeed a born diplomat."

"Where is that, I'm just the son of a merchant, and my interest is painting, which has nothing to do with dealing with people..." Little Baekeland scratched his head in embarrassment: "Then, who is that person?"

"That person..."

The Empress Dowager paused deliberately, her tone very playful:

"As it happens, it has something to do with Ansen Bach."

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