Volume 1: Raging Waves City Chapter 185: Great Victory
Luke and Viscount Iscolan sat down at the circular conference table. The eight current parliamentarians of Raging Waves City had different expressions.
All three councillors from the capitalist camp signed the indictment against the City Alchemist Association; the remaining two councillors from the establishment camp had heavy expressions and seemed somewhat confused about their future.
On the technical side, Mrs. Michelle had already joined the Reform Society founded by Inspector Meteorite. She considered herself the eldest princess's person, and after this great victory, her future was bright.
Councillor Valentine looked pale, not knowing whether he would survive the night.
After seeing the current situation in the parliament, Speaker Grover said to Luke, "Inspector Meteor, although you have caused the current situation in Raging Waves City, I think Her Royal Highness the Princess definitely does not want to see chaos in Raging Waves City. Stop it in time... For the benefit of all of us, and for the benefit of the empire."
Luke didn't expect that even though he had forced the general to abdicate, Speaker Grover was still thinking about getting away with it.
"Mr. Speaker, I have been in Nutao City for a while, but this is the first time I meet you. I admire your knowledge. Under your governance, Nutao City has become a shining pearl in the world.
I only gave a small push to the current situation, but the fundamental problem lies with the City Alchemist Association. If some people were not too greedy and had no limit, the City Alchemist Association would not be facing the dilemma it is facing now.
I think professionals still need professionals to do this. The City Alchemist Association's funds need a special financial organization to help you manage them. All income and expenditures must be open and transparent, and individual corruption must be eliminated, so that every mark is used where it should be used. "
When the negotiations officially began, Luke stabbed the city's Alchemist Association in the heart. After taking away the Alchemist Association's financial freedom, he completely separated all the scientific research institutions under the association. The association was left with only the functions of coordinating and organizing scientific research, which greatly reduced its influence in the city.
Of course Grover would not just let himself be bullied.
“No, scientific research is very private, and the association has independent finances to ensure that our research will not be known to outsiders through procurement or other means.
Meteorite Inspector, please don't set your sights on the City Alchemist Association. I will not back down from this."
Luke knew that the knife was a bit cruel, so he turned in another direction.
"We will discuss this issue later. I was assigned by Her Royal Highness the Princess to take up the post in the Cape District of Nutao City. I really hope to make some achievements that will add some color to my resume.
It's not too much to double the tax revenue in Raging Wave City."
Grover said coldly: "Taxation has nothing to do with your Secret Service."
"Perhaps His Majesty would like to transfer me to the Imperial Taxation Department? The taxation department is a lucrative job. It's not like me now where I have to be on guard against being plotted against every day."
Raising taxes, and doubling them, would certainly affect the interests of many people. But since he was ready to admit defeat, Grover was ready to cut his losses.
"Okay... If the Empire really needs money now, Raging Waves City will definitely help Your Majesty. From now on, the tax revenue that Raging Waves City pays to the Empire will double. Is that okay?"
Luke said: "Taxes will be doubled starting this year, so pay what you owe."
Hearing that the tax would be doubled this year, Grover angrily asked, "Where can I get so much tax for you?"
"That's your problem. I only care about my political achievements!"
Luke felt that since he was cheating people everywhere under the banner of Princess Agatha, he should try to get some benefits for her so that he could continue to make a living in Raging Waves City in the future.
Since Grover was already prepared to cut the meat, he didn't mind cutting a little more.
"Okay, Nutao City will pay the taxes owed this year. Can we put an end to the farce outside now?"
Luke said, "I just got the news that the City Alchemist Association has agreed to return the money invested in the hydrogen airship to the investors. If the Alchemist Association doesn't pay, I can't get rid of them.
Mr. Speaker, do you have any money?"
"I've already promised to pay more taxes, so don't be greedy anymore."
"Paying taxes is the obligation of the City of Raging Tides. How can I be considered greedy? The money is not given to me. This incident was caused by the financial fraud of the City Alchemist Association. I just want to help." Luke took out his pocket watch and looked at it. "Mr. Speaker, it is three o'clock in the afternoon. You don't have much time. The protesters outside have not eaten for a day and they are very anxious. When it was night, they found that they were cheated by the City Alchemist Association.
No one can prevent disasters from happening.
In the city court, the lawsuits against the City Alchemist Association have piled up like a mountain. Whatever happens in Nutao City is your responsibility!
Go to the gallows? Or accept my help? "
Before Grover could answer, Councilman Valentine said, "We hope the inspector can help us."
Luke looked at Grover.
Grover had no choice but to say, "How are you going to help us?"
"Of course I will lend you the money..." Luke said with a smile, "I have already negotiated with most of the wealthy businessmen in the city. They are willing to temporarily postpone the pursuit of their investment funds and are willing to lend money to the City Alchemist Association to tide over this difficult time."
"condition!"
"It's very simple... From now on, merchants will negotiate directly with the patent owner regarding the right to use the City Alchemist Association's patent. The City Alchemist Association can provide assistance, but cannot make any decisions."
Grover refused without a second thought: "The City Alchemist Association will not give up this power. We must protect the patent security of our members."
"Are you trying to protect the patent security of the members of the association, or are you trying to monopolize the patents and strangle the merchants in terms of licensing?" Luke pointed out Grover's intentions: "Raging Wave City is an open and free market, and the City Alchemist Association's overbearing terms on patents have always been a cancer in the free market.
The merchants I invited now dare not leave Councillor Ibel's mansion, which shows how much they fear the City Alchemist Association. In this negotiation, the City Alchemist Association must agree to this condition, and there is no room for negotiation. "
Mrs. Michelle said at this time: "Mr. Speaker, my husband has always been against the City Alchemist Association's monopoly on member patent licensing, but the resources of the City Alchemist Association forced him to agree to entrust the patent to the association.
Many members of the association share the same idea as my husband.
I understand that the association's original idea was to protect our patents from infringement, but now the association has used this authorization to do a lot of things that make everyone unhappy.
I agree with the proposal of Meteorite Inspector. The association will only play a supporting role in patent authorization and will no longer have the decision-making power. "
The other three capitalist MPs also agreed with Madame Michel.
Councilman Valentine, who was afraid of being hanged to appease the public anger, also persuaded: "Speaker, the merchants helped us this time, we should return the kindness..."
Grover glared at Valentine.
If the problem could be solved at the cost of Valentine's life, he would rather give up a member of parliament than agree to this condition.
But the matter has been made clear. Not agreeing will not only push the merchants to the Meteorite side, but may also cause big problems within the Alchemist Association.
"Okay, I agree!" Grover replied helplessly: "From today on, the City Alchemist Association will no longer interfere with patent licensing. Users and owners can negotiate and resolve the issue on their own."
After agreeing to this condition, Grover seemed to have lost all his energy.
Although this condition did not directly take away all the power of the City Alchemist Association like taking away the finances, it also hit the backbone of the Alchemist Association. Without patent authorization, the Alchemist Association became an equal to the city merchants, and their words would no longer be so effective.
And a major source of income was lost.
The three capitalist councillors were all very excited. Without the City Alchemist Association interfering, their future patent royalties would definitely be reduced, and they would not be blackmailed by the Alchemist Association.
It feels like I'm the master of my own destiny.
Looking at the Meteorite Detective again, the three of them looked at him as if he was the financial sponsor.
Grover agreed to this most important condition, which made Luke feel relieved. He was also afraid that Grover would be stubborn and refuse to give in, and that would end up ruining everyone.
Although it is not yet possible to make the wealthy businessmen in the city immediately turn to his side, the degree of intimacy is definitely increasing. If he wants to expand the scope of trade in the future, there will definitely be more ways.
When everyone makes money together, that’s when we become a family.
Then Luke stated his last condition: appoint Viscount Iscolan as the chief of city security and replace Councillor Virgil as the new member of the Raging Waves City Council.
Grover wanted to make a final struggle: "I think the conditions I agreed to are sufficient. Viscount Isklan is too inexperienced to take on such an important task."
Luke laughed and said, "In the City of Raging Waves, we don't care about qualifications, we only care about ability. I think Viscount Iscolan is capable enough to take on the duties of the city's security chief, and he is also capable enough to join the city council and serve all the citizens of Raging Waves.
Of course... this is the government affairs of Nutao City, and it is not convenient for me to interfere.
Now you vote.
If you agree with my appointment, please raise your hands! "
Luke emphasized that this was his "appointment" and looked at the congressmen.
If Viscount Iscolan wants to become the city's chief security officer, he must obtain the approval of more than half of the councillors, and if he wants to become a councillor, he must obtain the approval of two-thirds of the councillors.
Luke gave the choice to the councillors.
Under his gaze, Ibel and Mrs. Michelle were the first to raise their hands... two votes.
The two capitalist congressmen then raised their hands. This was their return to Inspector Meteorite... two votes.
Luke looked at the two establishment lawmakers.
The two councillors hesitated for a long time, and then raised their hands. Today, the Meteorite Inspector's field was too strong, and the City Alchemist Association was defeated. After this negotiation, the Meteorite Inspector will definitely become an important figure in the City of Raging Waves.
The sky in Nutao City has changed.
Inspector Meteor said that he would appoint a councillor, which means he would decide on this position. What would happen if you disagree? Councillor Virgil seems to be a good example.
Two more votes.
Viscount Escolane received six votes from MPs.
Luke smiled with satisfaction and said, “Speaker Grover, you see… Viscount Eskolan becoming a city councilor is what everyone wants.
Councillor Iskran, please take your seat. We need to hurry up and discuss how to coordinate all parties to quickly get the protesting citizens home.”
Viscount Iscolan stood up and saluted Luke, then strode to the seat of the former Councillor Virgil and sat down. All nine Councillors of the Raging Waves City Council were present, a rare event. Three small triangles formed a large triangle, symbolising tolerance and stability.
Luke got a seat in each of the three small triangles, and then formed an independent triangle, completing the division of power in the City of Rage.
The next thing is very easy to handle.
As long as the money is in place, the protesters can be sent home.
The City Alchemist Association first used its own cash to return the investment of retail investors. As soon as the money started to be distributed, the emotions of the demonstrators were calmed down.
The night was spent peacefully.
The next day, the businessmen's loans came in one after another. Major newspapers reported the incident, letting the public know that they had sufficient funds and could rest assured.
The return of investment funds is proceeding in an orderly manner.
To ordinary citizens, Raging Waves City is still Raging Waves City, and the prosperity seems to have not changed. But for those with a certain status, Raging Waves City is no longer the Raging Waves City of the past.
Its original old system seemed unbreakable, but Inspector Meteorite shattered it in less than half a year after taking office at the Cape District Secret Affairs Bureau. A new order is being established, and the Innovation Society, with Inspector Meteorite as the executive officer, has attracted a large number of new members after the financial fraud incident of the City Alchemist Association.
The people of the old system licked their wounds and gathered around Speaker Grover again. They watched the development and growth of the Reform Society quietly, thinking about how to regain everything they had lost.
The struggle in Raging Waves City is not over.
After "completing" the mission, Yomington said goodbye to Grover. There was no need for him to stay in Raging Tide City any longer.
Before boarding the return airship, Yomington said to Grover, "This time when I return, I will report to the Prime Minister everything that Meteorite has done in Raging Waves City. We must re-evaluate this opponent... I have a feeling that the Princess will definitely transfer Meteorite back to the Imperial Capital, and he will be a big problem for the Prime Minister."
Grover, floating in the air, asked, "What should we do? The people of Raging Waves are in a panic now, and many have joined Meteorite's Reform Society. We have lost too much, and if we can't stop Meteorite, we will soon lose the city completely."
"Let's wait for the Prime Minister's reply. Don't provoke Meteorite now. We are no match for him in terms of political schemes. If we do too much and make too many mistakes, he will easily exploit our weaknesses.
The Saxon Engineering fleet will blockade Cape Harbor. We will take advantage of our sea power to prevent him from using Cape Harbor for more purposes and focus all his attention on maritime affairs.
Let's delay time first. The princess won't leave such a person in Nutao City for a long time. His real stage is in the imperial capital!"
