Volume 1: Raging Waves City Chapter 226: Leading the Way
Agatha was in a trance when she came out of the greenhouse. She knew that in her father's heart, power was supreme, and family affection was probably not even second. She was just a tool to him, and when he felt that the tool was out of control, he would replace it without hesitation.
The corridors of the palace were magnificent, and the palace guards stood on both sides in full armor holding long-handled battle axes. The maids and eunuchs passing by saluted the princess. The inexplicable chill made Agatha tighten her clothes, and then she walked towards her own bedroom with her entourage and ladies-in-waiting.
At the same time, the news that Emperor Augustine intended to marry Princess Dai'er to the Falling Star of Nutao City spread through various channels. The intention of the Emperor caused many speculations, and all the forces in the imperial capital were considering how to deal with this Falling Star who came from Nutao City with murderous intent.
Yunxing still doesn't know what he will face in the imperial city. In order not to be passively manipulated by others, he uses the limited time he has to strengthen his control over Nutao City.
The reform plan of the Raging Waves City Council was quickly passed.
Meteor, Viscount Iscolan, Ibul, Lady Michelle, and the Elf Clear Sky served as lifelong senators of the Upper Council of Raging Waves City. Luke alone held two seats in the highest authority in Raging Waves City. Ibul was increasingly tied to the Yanyang Group in business, and it was already an inseparable interest group.
Therefore, Luke has three stable votes in the Senate of Raging Waves City.
Viscount Iscolan and Madame Michel are both good at adapting to the situation and know when to do the right thing.
The main force of the Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet was stationed on Fishbone Island, under the command of Lady Tasia. When a new batch of "Unit-01" class steel battleships are put into service, Fishbone Island will have the ability to annihilate the Navy of the Empire of Raging Waves City. This maritime deterrent force is the hard power for Luke to control Raging Waves City.
The soft power that Luke controls over Raging Waves City is the support from the grassroots people that he has been striving for.
The citizens of Nutao City have been away from the rule of the empire for a long time. They are open-minded, well-educated, and receptive. They do not believe in loyalty to the monarch. The demands of the citizens of Nutao City are very simple. They .
Luke opened the Yanyang Technical School and has been solving the employment problems of the unemployed.
The promotion of reducing working hours, increasing wages, and encouraging innovation and invention through Ibul's factory has achieved great results. Now the new wage system is being actively and passively accepted by other factories. More consumption and more work have made the economy of Nutao City not only not shrinking after so much turmoil, but also growing strongly.
Money in hand is the best lobbying.
The fact that Luke could control Raging Waves City so smoothly was inseparable from the support of industry, commerce and the lower-level beneficiaries.
Even though Luke went on a killing spree in Raging Waves City because of the assassination, it still did not affect the public's support for him. Some people even believed that without these people secretly making trouble, Chief Detective Meteorite could lead Raging Waves City into a period of rapid economic growth again.
The support of the lower classes was the foundation, the anti-smuggling fleet of the Cape District was the pillar, and the upper council of Nutao City was the grip. The lower council of Nutao City and the city administration department in the middle were only left with the function of serving the city. Anyone who was unqualified would be replaced and would no longer be a force that could influence the overall situation.
Combined with the Cape District, an impregnable fortress that has been built, Raging Tide City forms a closed loop, ready to make any sound Luke wants it to make at any time.
Everything was done, and five days after the assassination, Luke and his selected team boarded the airship to the imperial capital.
On this day, Qingkong had already arrived at Saint Lun City, the capital of the Golden Shield Empire, riding on a royal airship, accompanied by a team of royal knights.
The interior of the Royal Airship was spacious and luxurious, with gold decorations everywhere, showing the wealth and majesty of the Golden Shield Empire. Qingkong sat on a soft chair and looked at the city below through the round window.
Unlike the avant-garde city of Raging Waves, Saint Lun, as the capital of the empire, exudes a very rich historical charm. Flags representing their families are planted on the pointed roofs, and people wearing old-fashioned clothes and knights on horseback can be seen on the roads.
Of course, the fast-developing world has also influenced this ancient city. There are many fashionable houses and buildings among the modern buildings, street lamps on both sides of the flat road, and steam car tracks in the middle. There are also very conservatively dressed old people wearing glasses sitting on benches reading newspapers...
New and old collide in this city.
Although an ancient city is somewhat out of touch with the new era, it has not stopped its pace of pursuit. All the seemingly contradictory styles here present an alternative urban landscape of exclusion, integration and entanglement.
The airship was landing. Qingkong looked at the city below which was becoming clearer and clearer, and couldn't help but sighed: "I like Saint Lun City very much. It is full of the impact of the changing times. I hope we can start a wonderful life here."
This time, the only one who came to Saint Lun City with Qingkong was Jennifer. She still had the mind of a young girl, lying on the window and staring at this magnificent city with wide eyes.
"The city of Saint-London today has changed a lot from the one I saw when I was a child, but I can still remember some places. Look! That's the Triumphal Avenue, it has been widened.
Heading north along the Avenue de Triomphe is the Imperial Palace.
There is a barrier outside the palace, and no one can see inside. Professor Qingkong, can we see His Majesty the Emperor this time?"
Qingkong also saw the projection of a towering castle at the end of the Triumphal Avenue. But that was just a projection. The real palace was behind the barrier. Only when there was a grand festival or celebration would the barrier of the palace be lifted and it float into the air, allowing the people to admire the great imperial palace.
In response to the question that Jennifer was expecting, Qingkong said, "It's not easy to meet the emperor of the empire. Let's find a place to settle down first, and then go meet Dean Wilred and listen to his views on opening a branch of Oulu College in the imperial capital."
At this time, a knight came over.
He had a handsome appearance, wore an exquisite half-body armor, and had a sword hanging around his waist that was obviously a famous product.
The knight performed a standard noble salute to Qingkong: "Beautiful and charming Miss Qingkong. The royal airship is about to land, and your residence has been arranged. It is at No. 145 Zijinhua Avenue, which is a royal property.
I am the Royal Knight Wycliffe Jared. My team and I will serve as your guards and guides while you adjust to life in the Imperial City.
If you need anything, just tell me.”
Knight Jared tried his best to show himself in front of Qingkong. The first time he saw Qingkong, he was conquered by the elf's appearance.
Clear Sky observed Jared.
When the airship descends, it will experience severe turbulence. Jared stood there, his feet as steady as if rooted, obviously having great strength. Looking at the nine knights standing in other positions, they also looked elite.
It seems that Emperor Augustine attaches great importance to clear sky!
The more attention you pay, the better!
Clear Sky smiled back at Knight Jared and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty... Like Jennifer, although I have been to Saint Lun City before, it was a long time ago. The city has changed a lot, and I'm sure I will need your help in many things in the future."
Jared said happily: "It is my honor to serve Miss Clear Sky. Saint Lun City has indeed changed a lot over the years, and many residents of Saint Lun City may get lost in it.
There is a banquet in the palace tonight. I wonder if Miss Qingkong is interested in attending. I can help you two apply for invitations. You can meet many imperial dignitaries at the banquet. If His Majesty knows that you are attending, Miss Qingkong, he may summon you. "
Is the temptation starting now?
Qingkong certainly knew that Jared was a spy placed by Emperor Augustine by his side, with the responsibility of both monitoring and winning over the person.
The palace banquets that Jared mentioned were held irregularly, and their function was to provide a more relaxed and informal environment for communication between the imperial dignitaries and celebrities. They were conducive to resolving many disputes and were a platform for easing factional conflicts.
Members of the royal family do not attend banquets like this one.
Knight Jared used this banquet as a test to see how ambitious Fairy Qingkong was for power. If she was keen to attend the party, it would be very easy to win her over.
Qingkong came to the imperial capital this time to pave the way for the Oulu College branch and also for Luke.
Emperor Augustine sent his royal knights on the royal airship to Rage City to greet them, and his intention was very clear.
Divide the relationship between Qingkong, Meteorite and Agatha, and take this super power into your own hands.
Therefore, as long as the clear sky point is stable, the others will be stable.
Qingkong covered his mouth with his hand and yawned slightly, then said, "These past few days in Raging Waves City, I have been dealing with things that Chief Detective Meteorite is not convenient to handle for him, and I am very tired!
And everyone who knows me knows that I don't like this kind of boring socializing. I want to rest first, and then go see Dean Wilred...
By the way, if you have nothing to do, please help me make an appointment with Her Highness Agatha. I haven't seen her for a long time. This time I helped her so much in Raging Waves City, she should give me some reward. "
Qingkong spoke very intimately to Agatha, as if they were really best friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time.
Knight Jared was not really intoxicated by Qingkong's appearance. He kept in mind the instructions of Emperor Augustine. One of them was to confirm the relationship between the elf Qingkong and the eldest princess.
Now it seems that their relationship is indeed unusual.
Yes... To be placed in Nutao City by the eldest princess to secretly cooperate with Meteorite's strategy, the relationship must be more than an ordinary trust relationship.
Jared did not show any abnormality in his emotions, he still said with a bright smile: "Indeed, this kind of palace banquet is actually very boring, there is nothing to regret not participating.
After returning to your residence, Miss Qingkong will take a rest first. I will send someone to contact Dean Wilred, and also send someone to inform Her Royal Highness the Princess of your arrival..."
At this moment, the airship shook and landed safely.
The hatch opened, and a wind with a different scent from that of Raging Waves City blew in.
Qingkong stood up and walked towards the cabin door. Jennifer wanted to get her luggage, but Jared took it first.
There was a carriage waiting outside the airship, and the knights' mounts were stopped around the carriages, led by their followers, and the team expanded again.
After Qingkong and Jennifer got into the carriage, Knight Jared led the way, and the knight team escorted the carriage towards Purple Gold Flower Avenue under the flag of the Golden Shield Royal Family.
People along the way thought that this was the prince and princess out for a trip, and they all moved to the sides of the street.
The grand treatment made Jennifer very excited while she was sitting in the carriage.
"Professor Qingkong... you will be greeted by the royal airship and escorted by royal knights in the royal carriage. If you were not an elf, I would suspect that you were the princess of Emperor Augustine who was left behind among the people.
Just like the stories in the bard's poems, a romantic emperor met a beautiful commoner while traveling incognito. The two of them..."
Qingkong was afraid that Jennifer would say something that would give people goose bumps, so he stopped her and said, "The bard you're talking about is a story from a hundred years ago, right? The popular stories now are about the wonderful encounters between overbearing factory owners and female workers on the assembly line. The stories haven't made any progress in a hundred years.
Jennifer, the Imperial Capital is different from Raging Waves City, and even more different from Oulu College. You have to be careful of everyone here, including Jared, who always glances at you and me.
In the future, no matter who asks me about my situation, you must tell me what you told them. I will not blame you for what you said, I just want to know what you said? "
Jennifer was made nervous by Qingkong's words: "Professor Qingkong, I won't tell anyone about you."
"Relax, relax..." Qingkong comforted Jennifer: "There is nothing about me that is difficult to tell others, and if someone wants to find out my secrets, they can always find a way to get something out of the people around me.
Although you were born more than a hundred years ago, your heart is still that of a college student. No matter what you said to others, I will know it before I can deal with it. Of course, you have to tell me what others tell you, especially those things they told you not to tell me..."
After hearing this, Jennifer had a strange expression on her face.
"Professor Qingkong, the imperial capital seems to be in danger."
"At Oulu College, we faced a group of disobedient students who only thought about making trouble. In the Imperial Capital, we faced a group of conspirators who made a living by harming and deceiving others. Our opponents have improved by several levels, so we can only be more careful."
Jennifer looked out the window again, at the man standing respectfully at the edge of the road, her expression no longer showing the excitement she had just had.
"Professor Qingkong, I want to go back to Oulu College."
Qingkong said sadly: "I also want to go back, but there is more than one Oulu College in the world. Oulu College has been closed in that small subspace for a long time, and it is an attempt for us to come out.
Whether to change the status quo or maintain the status quo, actions and practice can tell us which path will allow Oulu University to stay at the forefront of the world. "
Jennifer stared at the clear sky.
"Professor Qingkong, what you said is too profound. Although I cannot understand it, I know you are definitely right, and I will support you unconditionally."
