Volume 1: Raging Waves City Chapter 161 Small Group
When Luke arrived at the Sisisse Palace, Mrs. Michelle and Councillor Iber, who were nearby, had already arrived. They accompanied Viscount Iscolan to watch the opera on the stage. Although they were very curious about the purpose of the Viscount's sudden trip to the imperial capital, they refrained from asking and waited for Luke together.
Luke walked into the private room. He handed his hat and cane to Kylena who came with him. After sitting down, he said to Iscolan bluntly, "Viscount, you went to the imperial capital without saying a word to us. You seem very unsociable. I don't know what Mrs. Michelle and Councillor Ibel think of you... Anyway, I am very unhappy.
Is there anything you need to explain to us?"
Mrs. Michelle and Councillor Ibr, who were sitting around a table, looked at Iscolan. Their small alliance should have united as one in the face of a huge opponent. Iscolan's departure without saying goodbye really hurt the mutual trust between the alliances.
Iscolan stood up and bowed to the three people to apologize: "I'm sorry! I was indeed too rash to do this . I promise that this will never happen again. As for why I suddenly went to the imperial capital, I can explain...
This time, the extermination of the Abyss Mage confirmed the relationship between the Abyss Temple and Duke Celtic. You may not feel as deeply as I do since you are not in the Brotherhood. Duke Celtic's protection of the Abyss Temple goes against the founding purpose of the Brotherhood of the Blade. Now there are signs of division within the Brotherhood for many reasons. I went to the Imperial Capital to meet His Majesty this time just to know what the Empire's attitude towards the Brotherhood is. "
Luke asked, "What answer did you get?"
"There is no answer... but that is exactly the answer. The Empire will not stop for the Brotherhood. The future of the Brotherhood lies in the hands of the Brotherhood.
I have made my position clear to His Majesty. I hope to bring in the reformists within the Brotherhood and take the Brotherhood on a completely new path, so that the Blade Brotherhood can continue to shoulder the responsibilities given to it by its ancestors. "
After listening to Viscount Iscolan's explanation, Luke said meaningfully, "If the Viscount went to the imperial capital just for the affairs of your Brotherhood, we really can't blame you for it. But I think what you discussed with His Majesty... should not be just this."
"I know I can't hide it from you..." Because of the relationship with the eldest princess Agatha, Isklan's attitude towards Luke has changed slightly: "Your Majesty asked me about what happened in the city of Raging Waves during this period, and I happened to bring some information about the large-scale smuggling in the city of Raging Waves..."
At this point, Viscount Iscolan looked at the reactions of the three people. Seeing that they were all listening attentively, he continued, "Although His Majesty knew that the problem of tax evasion in Nutao City was very serious, he underestimated the appetite of the smuggling group in Nutao City. His Majesty was very angry after seeing the information I presented, and even wanted to order the Nutao City Navy to take over the city and arrest all those involved..."
As a major smuggler, Councillor Ibul asked worriedly, "What will be the result? How will Your Majesty deal with the smugglers in Fury City? I... I won't be implicated, right?"
Madam Michelle said: "Obviously, His Majesty did not do so... The number of people involved in the smuggling in Fury City is too large, and it will shake the foundation of the empire."
Viscount Iscolan sighed, "Yes! The empire seems extremely powerful now, but there are too many internal problems. The eldest prince and the second prince have their own teams, and His Majesty is already old. When I saw him this time... he looked much older.
The new nobles have been clamoring to establish an Imperial Parliament.
Some people in the society admire the republican system in foreign countries.
There are also members of the brotherhood who control a certain area and have a large number of troops under their command, such as the Celtic Duke.
Although there were no signs of a major war breaking out on the border, small-scale fighting continued.
We can’t be impatient in Nutao City.”
Viscount Isklan said as he looked at Luke. He was the helmsman sent to Raging Waves City by the Princess. How Raging Waves City should proceed would depend on the opinion of Inspector Meteorite.
Luke asked, "Did the Viscount meet the Princess Royal during his audience with His Majesty?"
Viscount Iscolan sighed: "Inspector Meteorite and the Princess are indeed deeply in love!" The man who missed Inspector Meteorite thought about taking his own airship to Raging Waves City; the man who faced the important trust of His Majesty first thought about asking the Princess.
"My schedule for this audience with His Majesty was very full. After talking with His Majesty, I rushed back overnight and did not meet Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal." Viscount Iskolan kept Agatha's instructions in mind.
Luke didn't know whether Viscount Iscolan lied to him or not, but it was impossible for him to not arouse the suspicion of the princess after all the trouble he had in Fury City. However, he had already gained power in Fury City, and when the situation shifted to the interests of the empire, Agatha didn't dare to take any action against him easily even if she knew that he was a fake.
As long as Agatha doesn't say anything, her identity will remain strong.
As long as what she did in Nutao City was within her tolerance range, she would hold her nose and clean up her mess.
"Well, since the Viscount has already let His Majesty know about the situation in Raging Waves City, I can also explain to you the important responsibility I shoulder for Her Royal Highness the Princess." Luke began to issue tasks: "In fact, even if I don't say it, you can guess roughly... Raging Waves City is the largest foreign port in the empire. It has received the greatest support from the empire in terms of policies, talents and economy. The management of the entire city has even been handed over to the city council, rather than delegated officials, and is directly managed by the empire.
The City of Raging Waves should have used its tax revenue to repay the Empire's trust and investment. Although the City of Raging Waves was still the city that paid the most taxes to the Empire, it was obviously far from the amount it should have paid. This money, which should have been used to strengthen the country, went into private pockets.
Her Royal Highness wants me to collect this tax. No matter what the reason is, you all have come to my ship and are willing to work for the Princess. Then we will work together to complete the Princess's mission and let Her Royal Highness take the credit. "
Although Iskolan, Mrs. Michel, and Councilman Ibel all knew the "mission" that Inspector Meteorite had undertaken, it was still very encouraging to hear him say it in person.
The shared mission representatives were accepted, which meant they had found the organization and became members of the eldest princess's faction.
It is easier to be an official if you have someone in the court, and it is easier to enjoy the shade if you lean against a big tree. For a train to run fast, it needs a locomotive to lead it.
Mrs. Michelle even asked: "Inspector... do you know what Her Royal Highness the Princess thinks about the future direction of the empire? Does she support the eldest prince to become the crown prince, or does she support the second prince to become the crown prince?
Or does Your Highness have other ideas?"
The three of them looked at Luke.
As subjects, they all hope that the lord they serve can make further progress so that they can rise with the tide. If the eldest princess can become the crown prince and then the emperor of the empire, they will definitely be the first choice of the cabinet ministers.
But Luke didn't know whether Agatha had any ideas about the throne.
The emperor of the empire never appointed a crown prince, and suddenly passed away after the civil war broke out. The huge empire suddenly fell apart, and the person on the throne changed frequently, but Agatha always only grasped the secret agency and did not covet the throne at all.
That's what's so clever about her, everyone wants to win her over.
As to whether Agatha has any ideas about the throne, it has always been a topic of debate among players.
As for things that haven't happened yet, of course Luke can say whatever he wants.
"Your Majesty has not yet appointed a crown prince, which means he is still observing and selecting the most suitable successor to the empire. Fighting... may not necessarily win. If you are too aggressive, doing the right thing may not necessarily add points, but doing the wrong thing will definitely deduct points.
Don't argue...Your Majesty has seen it, if you work hard, the points will be added little by little."
Luke's answer was equivalent to no answer, but after the three people heard it, it was filled with great wisdom.
If the princess had no intention of taking the throne, why would she spend so much effort to rectify the taxes in Nutao City? This was done for your majesty to see... to tell your majesty that while your son was using the taxes in Nutao City to form a clique for personal gain, your daughter was collecting taxes that should have belonged to the country.
Iscolan, Mrs. Michelle, and Councillor Ibel all knew that if the loopholes of tax evasion in Nutao City could be closed, it would bring a huge amount of sustainable income to the empire.
This achievement is undoubtedly equivalent to expanding the territory of the empire.
The three of them nodded together, indicating that they understood the detective's metaphor.
Iscolan asked, "Where is the inspector going to start?"
Luke didn't know that before, he had no idea about rectifying the taxation in Raging Wave City, and he was still thinking about how to expand smuggling.
"Before I talk about my ideas, I would like to hear your opinions first. After all, I have just arrived in Raging Waves City, and my understanding of many things is very one-sided. Your understanding of Raging Waves City is definitely more comprehensive and detailed than mine."
A leader who gives his subordinates room to develop is a good leader.
Viscount Iscolan, who thought he knew the identity of the Meteorite Inspector, gradually put himself in the right position. If he wanted to make a difference in the Blade Brotherhood, he had to have the support of his old rival, the Secret Service.
"Let me first talk about my ideas, some of which I have discussed with His Majesty..." Iscolan said first: "In order to maintain the stability of the City of Raging Waves, the investigation into the smuggling case should not be expanded. As we have discussed before, this case ends here with Virgil. Whether to investigate these old cases in the future or not, we will see the situation later.
Next, we will find a way to block the smuggling channel of Cape Port."
Luke said, "Many people in the Cape area make a living from smuggling. If we block them rashly, it will cause a big mess ."
Iscolan thought Luke was testing him, so he smiled and said, "The inspector has actually solved it. Repairing Cape Harbor will not only put the port management under control, but also create a lot of jobs.
Control the gangs in the Cape District, organize them to study at Yanyang Night School, and then arrange legitimate jobs for them, which is to divert the low-level personnel in the smuggling industry.
Abolishing the Cape District Security Bureau would reduce the connection between the smuggling groups in Nutao City and the lower levels of smuggling. As the cost and risk of smuggling increase, the smuggling groups will move their smuggling channels out of the Cape District.
Without these people fanning the flames in the Cape District and disbanding the gang members, as long as more investment is made in the Cape District, with the manpower and port here, it will not be difficult to restore the glory of this old city.
I heard that you, the inspector, visited Diagonal Street alone to recruit the mechanical tribe, and you were planning to build a large heavy machinery factory in the Cape District. For the sake of minerals, you also led people to rush into the mining area in the north of the city and killed many people to establish your authority.
At that time, I thought the inspector was a bit reckless, but now, combined with the responsibilities given to you by the princess, I have to admire that every step you take is meaningful. When outsiders see the whole picture, they can only marvel!
Once the Cape District develops, it will not only be able to curb the arrogance of the smuggling group in Raging Waves City, but will also contribute a large amount of tax revenue to the empire."
Luke was shocked.
I just wanted to build my own rabbit hole and monopolize the cape area, so naturally I had to exclude other forces. I just didn't expect it to be explained this way, and it makes sense.
After listening to Iscolan's explanation, Mrs. Michelle and Councillor Ibel also understood. They only knew that Inspector Meteor had taken control of the Cape District, but they did not expect that he had done so many things to block the smuggling channels at the root.
Without people working for smuggling, smuggled goods cannot come in or go out.
Awesome! Awesome!
Feeling the admiring gazes of the three people, Luke said calmly: "These things cannot be told before they are done, and our relationship was not the same as it is now. But since Viscount Iscolan has seen it, I will be frank...
Cape Harbor used to be an important import and export port for smuggled goods. Once the money for repairing Cape Harbor is in place, this port can be gradually closed. But Yomington will never easily hand over this project to my Yanyang Trading Company. He will definitely find a way to stop it. If he finds another company to take over this project, I can handle it; if he delays, I can only hand it over to you. "
The issue of repairing Cape Harbor has been approved, but the person who will take over the entire project has not yet been decided. Luke is determined to win this project, but there is a spoiler in the form of Yomington.
At this time, Councillor Ibrahim said tentatively: "Inspector, if you block all the smuggling channels in Cape Harbor, it will be difficult for the parliament to pass the resolution to give the project to you. But if you leave me a loophole, I can convince the other two capitalist councillors to vote for you.
Together with me and Mrs. Michel, you have four votes. Congressman Virgil cannot vote, and the Speaker does not attend meetings all year round. Even if Yermington lobby hard, he can only get three votes. "
"Can you promise to convince them both?" asked Mrs. Michel.
Ibel replied: "You can try. As long as you let them know that no one's goods can leave Cape Harbor without your consent, they will consider my suggestion.
But this seems to be contrary to what Her Royal Highness the Princess meant."
It's okay to go against the princess's opinion, as long as it's in line with this inspector's opinion.
"It is impossible to completely eliminate smuggling. Her Royal Highness the Princess has not thought of building a tax barrier in Nutao City, which would cause a certain recession in Nutao City's economy. Our mission is to make His Majesty see the money.
Protection fees for smuggling are also money!"
