Chapter 1436: Reward

At this moment, Britain, the Upper House.

George II looked at the intelligence sent up by Dike, the Spokesperson for the Egypt Colonial Area.

A long-absent smile appeared on his face.

Britain and France are mortal enemies.

The British are happy to do anything that is disadvantageous to France.

If something is disadvantageous to France while also being advantageous to Britain, then the British are very happy to do it.

Dike had achieved exactly such a thing: it was disadvantageous to France but advantageous to their Britain.

"Not bad, Dike has done a good job with this matter." George II rarely praised anything, but this time, he used the word "not bad" twice, which was rare.

This man who led Britain to its peak had actually used the phrase "not bad" twice.

A British Councilor chimed in: "Dike has indeed done a good job in Egypt all these years."

"The agreement reached with the Longyan is also not bad."

"Not only can we utilize the Longyan Steam Engine to achieve progress in our technology."

"But we can also suppress France and cut off the shipping route France uses to connect to Africa via the Mediterranean Sea."

George II was in a great mood; in his view, this was also the case.

He had not expected that Dike would use only one Iron Mine to curb France's development in Africa; the two cities in Egypt were now extremely relied upon by France.

They had to transport almost all of their African resources through these two ports, crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach their own country.

But now, only one or two port cities remained.

Moreover, the remaining port city would soon be captured by himself and the Longyan in a joint effort.

By then, France's maritime transport lines would be under his own control.

This would greatly increase the risks and costs of French maritime transport, and there would even be raids from pirates.

And not only that, Dike had also exchanged for the Longyan Giant Steam Engine for Britain.

With this Giant Steam Engine, once the technology behind it was fully researched, Britain would be able to build a truly invincible naval fleet on the seas.

Although Britain's naval forces reigned supreme in Europe, they were not the best in the world.

The world's number one navy was that of the Longyan; the Longyan navy possessed an equipment advantage that they could not compare to.

This equipment advantage could not be compensated for by tactics alone.

The latest Longyan Supply Ship had stunned everyone the moment it appeared.

Upon first entering the Mediterranean Sea, it had routed the interception fleet formed by the Franco-Austrian Alliance.

In the second engagement, the Franco-Austrian Alliance fleet, while in an ambush position, had clashed with the Longyan supply fleet with several times the numbers.

The result: the Franco-Austrian Alliance fleet was wiped out, and one Longyan Supply Ship survived in the end; although it was scarred, it still completed its mission, bringing a ship full of supplies back to the Longyan port city in Austria.

At the thought of this, George II felt inexplicably excited; the reason their Britain could reign supreme in the world was because of its incomparable naval forces.

"Dike deserves a reward," George II said briefly.

But they all knew what George II meant; Dike deserved a reward, but how big of a reward?

A reward of what?

This was an intriguing question.

A Councilor asked for instructions: "Your Majesty, it is true that General Dike has performed meritorious service, but currently General Dike has only reached a cooperation with the Longyan."

"As for the Giant Steam Engine and port cities guaranteed in the cooperation, we have not seen anything yet; is it not illogical to bestow a reward so rashly?"

In fact, the underlying meaning was that they did not want to see Dike receive too high a reward.

For a Spokesperson stationed abroad like this, having performed great service for Britain, becoming a Councilor after returning to the country was almost a certainty.

And calculating the term of office, Dike was about to return to the country.

By then, there would be one more rival competing with them for the position of Councilor, which was something they absolutely did not want to see.

But the current King of Britain was not a man who was easy to talk to.

"What you say also makes sense, but why not reward someone who has rendered service?"

"The fact that Dike could negotiate such a deal with the Longyan is already a merit," George II said coldly.

He continued: "Rewarding Dike, this matter is decided as such; there is no need for further discussion."

Upon hearing this, the Councilors had no way to persuade this monarch, no matter how much reluctance they felt in their hearts.

This monarch had always been a man who stood by his word.

Once he made a decision, no one could change it; sometimes they even felt that this Upper House was like a mere decoration.

It had not played the role of limiting the King's power in the slightest.

Of course, if the Prime Minister spoke up, perhaps there might be some room for a turnaround.

The Councilors looked with hope toward the other end of the long table at an elderly man; he was very old, but his health was still quite good.

He still held the position of Prime Minister in Britain.

Sensing all the gazes, this British Prime Minister glanced at George II.

George II looked at him coldly without speaking.

The Prime Minister tightened his collar, looked at George II, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I also believe Dike should receive a reward, but not now."

George II looked at him coldly, not asking why, just watching him quietly.

The Prime Minister ignored George II and instead spoke on his own: "Currently, Dike has only negotiated the deal; it would be somewhat rash for us to reward him directly."

"It would be better to wait until Dike has finished handling the Longyan affairs and we have obtained those Giant Steam Engines and port cities; it will not be too late to reward him then."

"Therefore, I propose giving Dike a verbal commendation for now and not bestowing a reward yet; after this matter concludes, we can then speak to Dike about the reward."

George II sneered, having long known he would say this.

"Giving a verbal commendation with no actual reward—Prime Minister, don't you think this is quite disheartening?"

The Prime Minister did not answer, nor did he need to; he only wanted to make His Majesty concede.

Now, hearing the tone of George II, he knew he had succeeded.

As long as George II conceded and did not give Dike too great a reward, that would be enough.

Having this point was sufficient.

George II also understood the Prime Minister's meaning; to him, face was more important, and rewarding a Dike was a small matter.

The most important thing was what to reward him with.

In fact, what George II liked most were subordinates who shared his burdens; they always appeared when you needed them most.

Why hadn't his other Councilors realized this point?

"Dike's reward remains as planned, but this time just bestow some money; after his trade with Longyan concludes, we shall discuss other matters."

Hearing their once-decisive Majesty soften his stance, the Councilors also felt a sense of relief in their hearts.

They were quite satisfied with this result.

George II was also satisfied with this result; for him, now was indeed not a good time to reward Dike.

But as a monarch who hunts, the things he ought to do must still be done.