Volume 2: Empire Chapter 20: The Prime Minister's Test
Luke took Dale to Qingkong's museum and took advantage of the opening day when there were many visitors to send her in. Qingkong arranged an identity for Dale as a student in the Department of Mysticism and asked the deputy monitor Lydia to take care of her.
Dai'er settled down temporarily in the museum and quickly integrated into the atmosphere of the academy. In the past, she had been taught one-on-one by a court scholar, and the large classroom was a very new thing for her. She was surrounded by people of the same age and had endless whispers.
There are also mysterious secret techniques that can attract curious girls.
"Molixiang, pay attention in class. You have just started to learn the occult arts. If you don't pay attention to the details, it is easy to cause an occult accident!" Qingkong knocked on the desk and warned Dai'er who was fiddling with the mysterious props in the audience.
Dai'er immediately sat up straight like the other students.
Qingkong continued the lecture: "When making mole exploration crystals, you must carefully distinguish the color difference changes during the reaction. 15 degrees to the left of zero degree yellow is the best value. If you are not sure about the accurate control of color difference, try not to go beyond the 15 degree line to the left..."
Through Qingkong's eyes, Luke was relieved to see that Dai'er had integrated into the class.
At this time, Luke had sneaked back to 236 Copper Mulberry Avenue.
Although he was able to obtain information about the imperial capital through various channels when he was in the lower city, it was not comprehensive enough. Now that he was back, he was faced with piles of intelligence from various parties, as well as documents sent by Nutao City that needed to be approved.
There is still no news about the missing Princess Dale. In the turbulent imperial capital, important things happen every hour. Princess Agatha, who wants to break the situation with chaos, has arrested many people. She not only investigates people and industries related to the Tedga Hills, but also extends the investigation to the imperial ministers and the royal family.
The people being investigated were not to be outdone.
One after another, political proposals to impeach Agatha were sent to Emperor Augustine . The most important one was that the first and second princes "unintentionally" requested that Agatha be removed from all positions and be investigated for "abuse of power" and other charges.
The response of the Secret Service is still tough, and a large number of corruption cases, economic cases, and criminal cases are looming on the surface.
The princess stirred up the empire's political arena, and seemed to want to fight to the death. She threw the decision to Emperor Augustine... whether to come forward to calm the situation or let the situation get completely out of control.
However, there is still no clear information coming out of the palace. The emperor of the empire wants to see what kind of ugly behavior his subjects and children can show.
Luke was glad that he came back in time.
From this moment on, no matter what happens, it will not be surprising.
In the current situation, the various forces in the imperial court have gradually reached a tacit agreement on overthrowing the eldest princess. Once the eldest princess falls, the Imperial Secret Service she runs will become a piece of cake without an owner. For the two princes, whoever can replace Agatha in the Secret Service will have half of his butt sitting on the throne.
Not to mention the City of Rage in Agatha's hands... Of course, this is something that Emperor Augustine is determined to obtain, but Your Majesty cannot manage it personally, right?
But despite Agatha's troubles in the imperial capital, Emperor Augustine was still able to remain calm because of the existence of the City of Raging Waves.
This city is too important. If one move is made, the whole body will be affected. Unless it is absolutely necessary, there must be no major unrest in this city.
The palace that seemed to have resolved the vortex in the imperial capital this time was actually on 236 Bronze Mulberry Tree Avenue.
Everyone knows it, and everyone is waiting for Chief Inspector Meteorite's statement.
"Chief Inspector, Chief Inspector..." Kylena, who was reporting in the study, called softly to Luke who was thinking about the situation.
"Yeah." Luke came back to his senses and said, "I'm listening, you continue."
"The first and second princes have secretly sent people to come here. They both want to have a private meeting with you. Mr. Yomington also wants to know your opinion on the current situation in the imperial capital. And..."
"what else?"
"There are also some of my father's former colleagues and friends who have sent people to visit me." Kylena said quickly: "I wrote down their names and what they said. I didn't accept the gifts they sent."
Kylena took out a document from the table and placed it in front of Luke nervously.
Luke briefly flipped through the pages and said, "These people were not there when you were in trouble, but now they come to you one by one to try to establish connections with you... They don't dare to do it openly, thinking of holding on to you and waiting to see.
If they give you gifts next time, you should accept them. If they want to ask you something, tell them that they can arrange a meeting with me. I want to see if they have the courage to meet me at this time.
"I understand, Chief Inspector." Kylena was relieved that she was not blamed: "If there is nothing else, I will withdraw."
"Go down, I'll call you if there's anything else... Wait a minute, send someone to find Yomington and tell him I want to see him.
Have him come here immediately."
"Yes, Chief Inspector."
Kaileena left and closed the door, and Luke focused on dealing with the affairs of Raging Storm City.
The financial department has always been managed by Ibul, so we can rest assured letting this shrewd businessman manage the money.
In order to win over the people of Raging Waves, Luke increased the investment in urban public construction. The previously neglected urban areas have received many construction projects. With the money spent, the city residents who have reduced working hours have more money and time, which naturally boosts the city's consumption.
Ibul recently conducted a survey and found that the average consumption capacity of ordinary residents in Nutao City is 1.5 times the average consumption capacity of international cities of the same level, 2.3 times the average consumption capacity of Saint Lun City, and 5 times the average consumption capacity of ordinary cities.
Consumption power is an important indicator of prosperity.
The prosperous Raging City is like a strong heart, powerfully completing the flow of wealth and materials between the Golden Shield Empire and the world. It brings not only taxes to the empire, but also the nutrients that keep the entire empire running normally.
The reason why Luke can sleep peacefully in the imperial capital is because of the booming economic activities in Raging Waves City.
Therefore, Luke had a very stable control over the economy of Raging Wave City, and was willing to make the pie bigger and share it with others . For example, he did not take all the "Unit-01" class all-metal battleships and newly developed all-metal civilian ships in his hands. Instead, he transferred some technologies to other shipyards and let them be responsible for the production of some unimportant module parts.
There is also the Alchemist Association of Nutao City, which was taken over by Mrs. Michelle. Many technologies have lowered the fees and thresholds for patent use. In their own advantageous areas, they increase production, ensure quality, and appropriately reduce prices to impact the market and seize market share.
In order to support more enterprises and factories, Luke used his relationship with the World Bank to open an investment office under the Government Hall of Nutao City, specifically to provide government financial support to companies and individuals in need of loans.
In addition to the World Bank, Nutao City is also actively attracting other foreign investments. Policies and taxes are given as much as possible, with the goal of building factories, building factories, and building factories...
3 million people are too few for the Raging City that Luke imagined. Only jobs can attract more people and talents.
Viscount Iscolan is still mainly responsible for the city's security. At the same time, he relies on the intelligence provided by the Secret Intelligence Bureau and his previous foundation to fight against the infiltration of the Imperial Capital into the City Government Hall.
Emperor Augustine seemed to be sitting on the fishing boat, but in fact, he had been making many small moves in the city of Raging Waves. It was just that some people died accidentally, and there was no splash in the booming environment of the city of Raging Waves.
Luke carefully read the report sent by Nutao City, and cross-compared it with the intelligence from the Secret Service and other channels, firmly grasping Nutao City in his hands.
I don’t know how long I worked, Kylena came in and reported: Yomington has arrived.
Yomington is now the commissioner of the Nutao City Office in Saint Lun City. The liaison department of the two most important cities in the empire makes him very prosperous now. The daily affairs and social activities leave him no time to rest. The losses of some new nobles in Nutao City have also been gradually recovered through him.
As their financial resources were not cut off due to the change of hands of Raging Waves City, many new nobles who had no deep hatred against Luke gradually accepted the current situation of Raging Waves City.
After all, there is no need to be stingy with money.
Moreover, the Reform Society organized by Luke is essentially a branch of the new aristocracy and can be considered one of their own.
Luke met with Yomington in the study, and when Kylena brought tea, he asked her to watch outside... and not let anyone come in to disturb.
"This is the midday tea grown on Clarke Island, picked at noon between June 20th and 30th every year. It is brewed with tulip essence, and has a mellow taste with a lingering floral scent..." Luke picked up the teacup and invited Yominton to drink tea, and casually said, "I have read the report you sent. Your connections and relationships in the imperial capital have been well utilized, and the trade and logistics between Nutao City and Saint Lun City have not been affected by special events. This is a very good result.
I have specifically informed the Government Affairs Office of Nutao City to give priority to the import and export of goods from Saint Lun City. For those who need attention, you can give them special channels. Politics is politics, and business is business. Without my special mention, anyone can go to Nutao City to do business. Don't let your work be affected by the court."
Yomington was not as reserved as he was when he first met Luke. His good performance at work made him feel relaxed here. He took a sip of tea, savored it carefully, and waited for Luke to finish speaking before replying, "Chief Inspector, I admire your broad mind very much. Now all parties in the capital are gradually accepting the facts of what has happened in Raging Waves City. Even Prime Minister Gabriel praised you highly. Although he was still a little unwilling, he had to admit that Raging Waves City is now yours.
No, it's Her Royal Highness the Princess."
Luke smiled and said, "You don't have to test me. The main reason I called you here this time is to discuss how to rescue Her Royal Highness the Princess from this predicament.
What is the attitude of the Prime Minister? "
Yomington asked in confirmation: "Chief Inspector, have you decided to continue to follow the princess? According to His Majesty's appreciation of you, as long as you show your willingness to serve, you will definitely be entrusted with important tasks. Although Princess Dale has not been found yet, it is very likely that you will be allowed to join the cabinet as compensation.
It is now very obvious that His Majesty wants to deal with the eldest princess, and the entire court is impeaching the eldest princess. Your attitude is crucial. Following the eldest princess will make His Majesty very unhappy and will also create many political enemies.
Especially the eldest and second princes."
Luke knew that Yomington was trying to find out about him for Prime Minister Gabriel, so he told him the truth: "If I want to be valued by His Majesty, it's not just as simple as betraying the Princess, I have to hand over the City of Raging Tide. But if even the Princess could be dealt with, how can I guarantee that I won't suffer the same fate?
You can express my attitude accurately to the Prime Minister and prevent him from making a wrong judgment.
Moreover, as the Prime Minister of the Imperial Cabinet, Lord Gabriel should immediately cool down the overheated situation in the palace, rather than continue to add fuel to the fire. If this powder keg explodes, Lord Gabriel may not necessarily gain any benefit, but he will definitely be seriously injured... and may even fall from power. "
What Luke said was exactly what Gabriel was most worried about right now.
Once the palace struggle got out of control, the first person to be affected was the cabinet prime minister. Emperor Augustine might not really kill his own children, but if he wanted to find someone to take the blame, he would definitely find someone with great weight.
Now the Chief Detective of Meteorite has made it clear that he is determined to pledge his loyalty to the princess. With this kind of support, the princess will continue to escalate the incident! Maybe tomorrow he will just find a case to arrest the Prime Minister of the Empire and eliminate a political enemy first.
Yomington asked, "Chief Inspector! Princess Dale's assassination and disappearance has put Her Royal Highness the Princess in a disadvantageous position. She has been arresting people everywhere these past two days, which has put herself in the spotlight.
The princess's appeal is so loud, do you have any way to save her?"
"Find a powerful external enemy. All parties in the palace will naturally put aside their internal conflicts and unite against the enemy."
"Who is the foreign enemy?"
"The Celtic Duke of Tedegar Hill."
"The Celtic Grand Duke is indeed a suitable foreign enemy, but how can we make all parties in the court regard the Celtic Grand Duke as an enemy that must be dealt with?"
"Force him to rebel!"
"Fuck..." Yomington immediately stopped his exclamation. He looked at the tightly closed door and whispered, "You are crazy. If this gets out, we will all die."
"You should think about it carefully. The most important thing is to let Prime Minister Gabriel think about it carefully. His Majesty is actually very uncomfortable with this fire. If he wants to deal with the eldest princess, he must first pull me over, but Princess Dai'er's life and death is unknown. He wants to deal with me, but he is afraid that Nutao City will be in chaos.
And there is also the powerful Miss Qingkong by her side.
But if he did not punish the eldest princess, he was afraid of damaging his dignity as an emperor.
At this time, the Prime Minister should help His Majesty share his worries and find a way to let His Majesty get down from the fire.
Everyone knows that His Majesty has long intended to take back the fiefdoms of those great hereditary nobles, and the hereditary nobles headed by the Grand Duke of Celtic are also becoming increasingly alienated. This war will have to be fought sooner or later, and it is better to fight sooner rather than later, and it is better to fight now than to fight earlier."
Yomington lowered his head, carefully analyzing whether Chief Inspector of Meteorite had set a trap for him. He was afraid of being cheated in Raging Waves City.
But considering the interests of Prime Minister Gabriel, there are so many benefits to forcing the Celtic Archduke to rebel.
