Chapter 1366: Sudden Change

Babite led his remaining subordinates, not knowing how far they had run, and escaped into a forest.

Looking at the few Cavalry he had left, with the moonlight hanging in the sky, a sense of sorrow rose in Babite's heart.

The once-mighty Spanish Empire had begun to decline; these Cavalry were something Babite had managed for many years, but he had not expected that in less than a single night, the entire army would be wiped out.

Yet the gains were minimal.

Damn the Longyan!

Damn Qin Zhangfeng; if it weren't for him, he wouldn't have been defeated so miserably. He never expected him to set an ambush there.

"Leader, what do we do now?"

What to do?

Babite gazed in the direction of Yun City, the place they had fled from, a city of the Longyan, and was instantly consumed by rage.

He wanted to destroy Longyan City, but the current Spain was powerless to do so.

Ever since Britain rose to power, large swaths of Spain's colonies had been plundered, and they had been driven into some remote and desolate places.

These territories had no profit at all, and the Panama Isthmus, which was originally their vital route in America, had now been occupied by the Longyan as well.

Their Spanish military strength in America was insufficient; although the Longyan territory was not large, if they really started a fight, with his own backward armaments and few troops...

There was no advantage to speak of, and it was precisely because of this that Babite had thought of launching a surprise attack to see if he could deal a heavy blow to the Longyan.

At the very least, he could weaken the Longyan's power, but he had not expected that the Longyan would not only suffer no losses this time...

But he had also thrown away a Cavalry unit!

"Let's go back and defend." Babite took one last look in the direction of Yun City and helplessly turned to mount his horse.

The other surviving Spanish Cavalry felt no joy in having survived; instead, they were utterly dejected.

"Leader, I heard that France and the Longyan are currently at odds; should we..."

"Go back!"

Babite retorted with a blunt, angry shout.

That Spanish Cavalryman immediately stopped speaking; it was not as if Babite had not thought of that.

But they, Spain, and France were still enemies; if word got out that they had sought help from France right after a defeat, would he have any face left?

However, Babite narrowed his eyes; Britain and France were locked in a fierce struggle and had not discovered that the Longyan were making small moves.

They didn't even know that the Longyan had already begun building a second city in Panama; he could not lower himself to take the initiative to tell them.

But... no one said he couldn't let them hear this news.

"Spread the news that the Longyan are building a city here, and see how Britain and France react."

At this moment, the Tsarist Russia Empress, Elizabeth I, frowned with her beautiful brows as she looked at the battle report sent from the front.

"Empress, General Boerniefu has lived up to expectations and achieved a great victory in Poland; he should be rewarded."

At this time, a Councilor from the Conservative Faction, the Naryshkin Family, spoke up.

Elizabeth glanced at the Naryshkin Councilor who had spoken and said indifferently: "He should indeed be rewarded."

A look of joy appeared on the Naryshkin Councilor's face; Boerniefu was a general promoted by their family, and having made a great contribution in this war, if he were rewarded, the Naryshkin Family would also have glory.

"Bestow upon General Boerniefu the title of Count."

The Naryshkin Councilor immediately thanked her; a Count, that would make him a Noble of Tsarist Russia.

And not just an ordinary Noble; Boerniefu was being enfeoffed for his performance on the battlefield, so in the future, when he returned, his reward would also include military power.

Although the status of Count was only a third-rank Noble, with military power, his status would be no worse than some Viscounts!

It might even be stronger!

The war had only just begun; if Boerniefu made great contributions for Tsarist Russia, it was not impossible for him to become a Senator.

"However, regarding the war in Poland now, how do you all..."

"... Councilors view it?" Elizabeth I asked.

Her eyes remained fixed on Poland; originally, Elizabeth had no doubt that Boerniefu would take Poland.

Poland was still a country with Serfdom, its army had not undergone reform, and its society was still very backward.

If Boerniefu could be defeated by such a country, it would show that these generals of the Conservative Faction truly had no real substance.

"Hmph, Empress! Everyone knows Poland is a country with Serfdom; wouldn't it be strange if Boerniefu won? It would be a ghost story if he didn't win against that kind of country."

The Naryshkin Councilor immediately showed a look of dissatisfaction and looked at the Councilor who had spoken, the Councilor from the Dolgorukov family, Dolgorukov!

Although both their families were of the Conservative Faction, Elizabeth was now in power, and she had been supported by both of their families together.

Therefore, regarding the distribution of power, the two families held different opinions; in short, neither wanted the other to take advantage.

"If you're so capable, you go; does your family have any generals who can fight?"

"You..."

The Councilors of the two families immediately began to argue, but Elizabeth I had no intention of stopping them at all.

After Osilev glanced at Elizabeth's calm face, he also remained silent.

Now, Osilev's status and position could no longer be compared to before; he had brokered the cooperation between the two major Conservative Faction families in Moscow to eliminate Menshikov.

In one stroke, he had ensured Elizabeth I's ascent to the position of Tsarist Russia Empress.

Up until now, having sat in the position of Chief Councilor, his power on the surface could be said to be second only to Elizabeth I.

After both sides had enthusiastically exchanged opinions, neither had convinced the other.

"Naryshkin, in any case, this guy Boerniefu, who used to shine shoes, cannot become a Count!"

"Heh, someone who shines shoes can defeat the Polish; you Dolgorukovs are all cowards. If you have the guts, send someone yourself!"

"You!" Dolgorukov immediately slapped the table, but his expression suddenly relaxed as he said: "This is the Upper House; let us Councilors raise our hands to vote."

Upon hearing this, Naryshkin was immediately rendered speechless.

Excluding Elizabeth I, there were thirteen Councilors in the Upper House.

Naleishi and his affiliated families occupy four seats in the Upper House.

Yet the Dolgorukov Family occupies six seats in the Upper House, and nearly half of the people in the Upper House listen to his judgment.

Therefore, it is very simple for the Dolgorukov Family to pass a bill they wish to establish in the Upper House.

As for the remaining three seats, Osilev stands on the side of Empress Elizabeth, while the other two Councilors remain neutral.

"What, are you chickening out now? Vote, let me see if this bill can pass!"

Naleishi looks toward Elizabeth I, this...

Elizabeth I is quite helpless; although she is the Empress and has the greatest power on the surface, in private, her decisions still need to be discussed and voted on by the Councilors.

She can confer a title upon Boerniefu, but the treatment, power, castle, and land associated with the title.

All must be discussed.

Just at this moment, Osilev suddenly speaks: "Then let us vote."