After nearly a month of deceit and bickering, the new pro-war Cabinet led by Palmerston finally shook off the shackles of the peace faction and, with the covert support of Prince Albert, began to stride towards centralization.

Palmerston now wields more power than during his previous tenure as Prime Minister, and the media in London erupted into a new climax following the establishment of the pro-war Cabinet.

Newspapers, led by the "Advertising Morning News," began to shout slogans to expand the British Army under the dual stimulus of Romanian financial backers and certain "foreign forces."

Once the slogans emerged, they quickly garnered widespread support from people across society as well as from British Army officers.

As is well known, since the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, the British Army has been trapped in a "curse" of layoffs and downsizing. Especially in an era when the old generation of leaders, led by Wellington, gradually withered away, the army, centered on naval power, became neglected and unloved. Serving in the army meant nothing but enduring the incessant lash of the drill sergeant's whip, as second-class status in the army felt disgraceful.

The once "patriotic" volunteer units disappeared entirely during the Napoleonic Wars, replaced instead by impoverished, destitute individuals who refused to enter factory labor. These drunks and vagabonds were forced into the army by various coercive means, numbed with alcohol and opium, taught obedience by the whip. In the mouths of British officers, one would only hear insulting words like "swine" and "scum," and these conscripted "soldiers" felt no sense of honor. They were self-indulgent and shameless, with no purpose in life beyond dying for the Kingdom of Britain. (But who turned them into such people?),

Even so, the total strength of the Kingdom's army barely exceeds 100,000, with approximately 23,000 troops scattered in India, 36,520 dispersed across other British colonies, and the remaining 44,980 stationed on the Home Islands. (Referring to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland)

Among the 44,000 troops, nearly an eighth are officers, mostly aristocratic children, all modeled after the path of the Duke of Wellington, with the intention of leaving behind a livelihood for their descendants.

After all, with Britain's strict practice of primogeniture, the remaining children have only the monastery to turn to if they lack talent and are unwilling to join the army.

This results in an average of one British officer commanding seven soldiers, and alarmingly, the noble offspring hold ranks no lower than the captain level.

Imagine a major commanding seven soldiers in battle; the scene is simply too grandiose.

Moreover, Britain not only has an overabundance of captain-level officers, but also a significant number of general-level officers. This is due to God's favor towards the Britons, resulting in long-lived generals. To say nothing of the Duke of Wellington, who passed just a year ago, there are 13 officers over the age of 70 and 37 above 60, not to mention those young "spring chickens" aged 40-60, who are rapidly approaching three digits in number.

This has led to a complete overload of personnel, and the current command structure of the British Army shows a chaotic crisscross of authority, with many not knowing whose orders to follow.

Yet, this situation cannot be changed by the Ministry of War Government, as those who can remain and draw the royal salary are either distinguished generals or scions of powerful nobility.

A slight move could result in a cascade of personnel changes, and which noble would dare to truly reform so decisively?

So, complete acceptance is the only option, leading to a mere 100,000-strong army consuming an annual military expenditure of a terrifying 9.5 million British Pounds, which translates to 244.8 million francs.

Such a colossal expenditure could adequately sustain France's previous army of 400,000 plus a portion of their navy.

Of course, for the nobility hanging around London, eager to "make their mark," an army of 40,000 is utterly insufficient to support their grand strategic visions.

Since the ascension of Palmerston, a staunch pro-war figure against Russia, war is imminent.

With only 40,000 British troops remaining, how could they possibly withstand the onslaught of numerous cheap Slav bodies?

In order to cut corners… no, for the glory of the Queen, the Cabinet needs to allocate more funds to expand the army, which is a tangible measure.

Thus, under the fervent advocacy of certain groups, Palmerston had no choice but to convene a (small) Cabinet meeting on whether the army should be expanded.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of War, and the Minister of Finance, all significant players in this proposal, attended the meeting.

Once the (small) Cabinet meeting commenced, Palmerston first expressed his honor in once again leading Britain, followed by a slew of compliments for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, sending everyone into a sleepy stupor. It was only at the end of his speech that Palmerston truly delved into the main topic of the Cabinet meeting.

"Given the current situation faced by Britain, I hope we can increase the size of our military. I invite everyone to speak freely! Thank you!" With that, Palmerston gestured invitingly to the three ministers.

The first to respond was the Duke of Newcastle, the Minister of War, "Can I say a few words first?"

Both Prime Minister Palmerston and Minister of Foreign Affairs Clarendon, along with Minister of Finance Gladstone, cast curious glances at the Duke of Newcastle.

This Duke, who had served as the Minister of War since the Russell Cabinet, unexpectedly took the initiative this time? For a moment, Palmerston and the others speculated whether it was because some noble heirs were rallying behind the Duke of Newcastle.

"Minister Pelham (the full name of the current Duke of Newcastle is Henry Pelham Alexander Clinton), please go ahead!" Palmerston responded to the Duke of Newcastle with a harmonious smile.

"Ahem... ahem," the Duke of Newcastle cleared his throat, rearranged his words, and began, "I believe our country's army does indeed need slight expansion; maintaining safety at home with only forty thousand troops is simply not feasible!"

"Is it the interests of the nobles behind you?" Palmerston couldn't help but internally retort, and queried Newcastle in a negotiating tone, "So, Minister Pelham, how large of an army do you think Britain needs to ensure domestic security?"

"In my humble opinion, to ensure domestic safety and prepare against any sudden assaults, it's vital to maintain an army of at least 150,000 to 200,000 troops!" The Duke of Newcastle's statement startled the three present considerably.

Especially Minister of Finance Gladstone, whose expression resembled someone constipated, unable to relieve himself.

He was unsure of what to say; expanding Britain's domestic army to 150,000–200,000? Not to mention whether Britain's current population could withstand the mobilization that such expansion would entail, the military expenses alone would undoubtedly be massive, likely doubling or tripling the current military budget of 9.5 million British pounds.

It is imaginable that if Newcastle's proposal went through, the noble heirs would indeed obtain what they desired, but the cost would be borne by all Britons and regions alike.

Thinking of this, Gladstone immediately declared loudly: "I oppose!"

Seeing his Minister of Finance voicing opposition, Palmerston finally breathed a sigh of relief. If there was no opposition within the small Cabinet, the proposal might actually pass. In these times, the Upper House's weight clearly overshadowed that of the Lower House, and once submitted to the Upper House, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Gladstone's opposition effectively saved Palmerston, who gratefully shot a glance at Gladstone: "Minister Gladstone, what is your reason for opposing?"

With a stern face, Gladstone responded to Palmerston: "Britain's finances cannot afford such enormous military expenditures!"

"Impossible!" Duke Newcastle decisively countered Gladstone: "Based on Britain's current expenditures, we can completely afford to support an army of 150,000 to 200,000!"

"If emphasis is only on the military at the expense of other aspects, Britain might indeed sustain such an army, but we can't focus solely on the military to the neglect of everything else!" Gladstone replied diplomatically.

"I'm not suggesting maintaining a continuous force of around 150,000 to 200,000; we must ensure the ability to swiftly mobilize a combat force during wartime!" Duke Newcastle slightly retreated in stance, suggesting to Gladstone: "Then, surely 100,000 will suffice!"

"100,000?" Gladstone recalculated the annual costs per soldier versus the benefits, still shook his head, and categorically denied: "100,000 is still excessive; it would be a waste domestically!"

"80,000! At least 80,000!" Duke Newcastle gritted his teeth as if making a significant decision while negotiating with Gladstone.

"80…" Just as Gladstone was about to say something, a knock on the door was heard from outside.

Prime Minister Palmerston, involved in a small Cabinet meeting, slightly frowned, then stood up with an apologetic smile and said, "Please wait a moment!"

Palmerston walked to the door, opened it, revealing the figure of his private secretary.

At this moment, he was looking at Palmerston with a panicked expression, speaking swiftly like he was leasing his mouth: "Prime Minister, urgent intelligence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!"

Palmerston took the intelligence, looked it over carefully, then took a deep breath, his expression growing more grave.

"Alright! I understand!" After securing the intelligence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Palmerston nodded to the secretary, then closed the door and addressed everyone present in a heavy tone: "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid we have major trouble ahead!"

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