On the morning after the meeting concluded, the cabinet dispatched mobilization orders throughout the realm.
Great nobles and county governors were instructed to comply immediately and arrive in Londinium within the designated time limit.
After hearing rumors of the coming war, the Crown Prince dumped the affairs of Luton Town onto others and hurried back to the royal palace as fast as possible.
Over the years, he had participated in the Irish War as a company clerk, experiencing firsthand the realities of troop training, marching, encampment, and battle.
Later, during the Danish campaign, he had followed his father as an aide-de-camp, carefully observing Vig's command methods.
After two major wars and years at the Royal Military Academy, the Crown Prince believed he now possessed sufficient experience and capability.
"Luton Town is sending two hundred militia this time. Together with the nearby towns, we can form more than a thousand men.
"I hope Father lets me command that infantry regiment."
At six in the evening, Frod arrived just in time for dinner.
He casually ruffled his two younger brothers' hair before sitting down and asking about the upcoming war plans.
Vig slowly drank fish soup with a spoon.
"You'll remain in Britain as Regent during my absence. It'll be a very busy position, so prepare yourself mentally."
Frod blinked.
"Why?"
Vig set down the silver spoon and calmly met his eldest son's gaze.
"There are three major powers on the continent:
"The Eastern Roman Empire, Francia, and Britain.
"The Eastern Romans possess immense wealth, a population of ten million, and technology far superior to surrounding powers. Overall, they are the strongest.
"Francia's total population exceeds ten million as well. As the nominal 'Emperor,' Charles the Bald rules West Francia—the finest agricultural region in Europe. Favorable climate. Flat terrain. They can field enormous shock cavalry armies.
"And finally Britain.
"Our population is only 2.7 million. Our foundations are the weakest.
"This war carries enormous risks. I'm not certain we can win.
"If I die in West Francia, you will inherit the throne and rule the Kingdom of Britain."
From childhood onward, Frod had grown accustomed to his father's victories.
Hearing these words, confusion and fear surfaced in his eyes for the first time.
The dining hall fell silent.
Vig simply picked up his spoon again and continued drinking warm fish soup before finishing a few desserts afterward.
After dinner, Vig went into the rear garden.
Using saltwater and a pig-bristle toothbrush, he carefully cleaned his teeth.
This era possessed neither anesthesia nor dentists.
He had no desire to experience tooth extraction.
Once finished, he handed the cup and toothbrush to a servant and returned to his office to handle paperwork.
Not long afterward, a knock sounded outside the door.
"Come in."
Frod entered the room and sat across from the desk at his father's gesture.
Vig produced a thick stack of documents—
Britain's future development plans.
"Compared to the Eastern Romans and the Franks, our greatest advantage is the navy.
"The Royal Fleet controls the seas from the Baltic all the way to the African coast.
"Even if the expeditionary army is destroyed, simply order the fleet to blockade the Channel. The Franks will never land on British soil.
"And you needn't worry about internal stability either.
"I spent enormous sums constructing post offices, temples, and hospitals throughout the earls' territories.
"These facilities do more than provide public services—they also help the Crown monitor the daily movements within every earldom.
"If signs of rebellion emerge anywhere, you'll know very quickly.
"As for the Nordic lands, the climate there is harsh and the population sparse. They pose little real threat."
Pointing at the wall map, Vig explained his assessment of the major continental powers.
Aside from the Eastern Romans, Francia, and Britain, the remaining states were simply too weak.
At best, they were supporting actors on the stage of history.
Take the Kingdom of Norway for example.
Little Erik had devoted tremendous effort to developing his lands, yet Norway's terrain remained rugged and fragmented.
Settlements were scattered across isolated strips of land.
Communication between regions was severely restricted, reducing administrative efficiency.
The climate was harsh as well. Crops had short growing seasons and were vulnerable to frost.
Even now, after years of work, Little Erik's annual income had only risen to roughly £2,800—
less than Vig's directly governed County of Londinium.
Halfdan was even weaker.
Despite years of effort, he still had not gained the true recognition of the Swedish nobles.
As for Rurik—
rather than a king, he resembled the owner of a massive trading company, endlessly running about Eastern Europe.
After listing each northern power, Vig's gaze shifted toward the Iberian Peninsula.
Years earlier, the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba had been capable of fielding over twenty thousand field troops and remained fairly powerful.
Then Gunnar launched an unexpected strike, devastating their field army.
From that point onward, Córdoba lost vast northern territories and declined into a secondary power.
For the foreseeable future, the north and south of Iberia would remain trapped in prolonged stalemate warfare.
Neither side had the energy to develop strong navies.
Neither could challenge Britain's maritime supremacy.
Frod asked,
"If some unlikely event breaks the balance of power there, should we intervene militarily?"
Vig smiled and shook his head.
"No need.
"The Visigoths have Frankish support, while the Moors receive aid from North Africa.
"Let them keep fighting each other."
After explaining all necessary matters, Vig returned to his chambers to rest.
Even if this campaign ended in defeat, he believed his eldest son could still preserve Britain.
Unlike himself, Frod placed even greater emphasis on naval dominance.
Most likely, he would focus on expanding overseas territories and ensuring the dynasty endured for generations.
The following day, Vig convened another cabinet meeting and issued a royal decree formally appointing the Crown Prince as Regent during the campaign.
At the same time, he once again emphasized the law of primogeniture.
"If unforeseen events occur, the Crown Prince shall inherit the primary title and the twelve counties.
"The directly governed lands of Britain must never be divided."
No one in the cabinet opposed the decision.
As time passed, the flaws of equal inheritance had become increasingly obvious.
Charlemagne (742–814) had forged a mighty empire—
yet less than thirty years later, it shattered apart.
In 843, Charles the Bald, Lothair, and Louis the German signed a peace treaty dividing the empire between themselves.
Afterward, Lothair died, and Middle Francia was split among his three sons.
East Francia under Louis the German suffered the same fate.
With each generation, territories grew smaller and smaller.
And every succession triggered war, bringing endless suffering upon the common people.
From the bureaucrats' perspective, primogeniture ensured smooth transitions of royal authority.
Though it weakened the interests of younger princes, the overall advantages far outweighed the disadvantages.
Mobilizing the militia and concentrating troops for training would require at least two months.
Concerned about information leaks, Vig decided to depart early with a smaller force.
Before Charles the Bald could fully react, he intended to seize Brittany first.
On June 7th, fifty ships assembled at Londinium—enough to transport three thousand soldiers.
Vig personally led the expedition.
This time, he brought along his recently graduated second son, Frey.
The boy displayed not the slightest anxiety.
Instead, he radiated the recklessness and optimism unique to youth, casually bidding farewell to his mother and brothers.
After departing Londinium, the fleet sailed along Britain's coastline toward Plymouth in the southwest.
Vig rested there for two days—
waiting for strong northeastern winds to rise across the sea.
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