Volume 3: Artifacts Chapter 64: Split
The second round of negotiations between the Golden Shield Empire and the Golden Human Civilization lasted for four hours. While the outside world was speculating about what was discussed during such a long time, the Golden Shield Empire delegation and the Golden Human Elders left the venue one after another. No one gave any brief description of the negotiations, and no information was revealed.
Silence is better than words.
The atmosphere, already tense due to the assassination, was now filled with a strong smell of gunpowder.
Sure enough...the World Bank took the lead.
First, the World Bank increased its investment in the renovation of the At County steam system, and then frequently met with important officials from various countries who remained in the Golden Valley.
Then a new maritime anti-monopoly trade bill was proposed by the World Bank. The purpose is to prevent powerful countries from using their monopoly advantages to disrupt normal international trade ; to prevent powerful countries from using their maritime military advantages to disrupt the market; and to prevent powerful countries from destroying the existing stable international market economic system.
In order to formulate and implement the new maritime anti-monopoly trade bill, the World Bank proposed an international trade joint organization plan to form an anti-powerful country monopoly trade alliance, referred to as the "International Alliance".
Although the League of Nations had not been formally established and even the standards for member states to join had not yet been set, the World Bank still launched a large number of support policies in the military, economic and other fields.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the powerful country the World Bank refers to is the Golden Shield Empire, and the "League of Nations" is an organization that besieges the Golden Shield Empire militarily and economically.
This was an intimidation to the Golden Shield Empire, forcing it to make major concessions in the subsequent negotiations.
The Golden Shield Empire responded by actively engaging in diplomatic activities.
In response to the "New Ocean Antitrust Trade Act", the Prime Minister of the Golden Shield Empire, Meteorite, issued a "National Currency Security and Free Trade Declaration" at the Sparkling Gold Hotel.
In his declaration, the Prime Minister of the Empire pointed out that the circulation of only a single currency in the international market would be a huge financial risk for any independent country. Only when there are more credit-backed currencies circulating in the international market can countries share risks and reduce their dependence on a single international currency.
The Golden Shield Empire is a monarchy, but it is definitely not a powerful country. The enlightened Augustine the Great was one of the first monarchs in the world to support free trade and free markets, and Raging Waves City is the freest port city in the world. The Golden Shield Empire has never invaded other countries' territories. Instead, the World Bank has frequently provided financial support to powerful countries that invade other countries.
Monopoly is a phenomenon that is bound to occur when the free market develops to a certain stage, and cracking down on monopoly will not stop its emergence. If a country is suppressed when it gains an advantage in a field, it will only dampen the enthusiasm of all businessmen in trade, which is a serious damage to the free market.
The Golden Shield Empire has always advocated resolving trade disputes through negotiation rather than creating confrontation and division...
After making the declaration, the Prime Minister of Meteorite proposed the establishment of the "Raging Waves City Free Trade Body" and invited countries that have close trade relations with the Golden Shield Empire to join the "Free Trade Body". At the same time, a "Free Trade Body Bank" was established in Raging Waves City, and the member countries of the Free Trade Body could use their own currencies for transactions between the Free Trade Body countries.
The Golden Shield Empire and the World Bank engaged in a variety of open and covert attacks during the negotiations, and countries were wavering and at a loss in the increasingly divided international situation.
Should we join the "international alliance" or the "free trade body"?
Or neutral?
Every country has its own plans and is keeping a close eye on these two major forces that are hedging against each other but are unwilling to put the brakes on first.
On the sixth day after the second round of negotiations, Luke was in the room listening to his staff report on the news from all parties, when Kylena walked in: "Master Prime Minister, Miss Yin is here."
"Let her in!" Luke then said to Yomington, "You can secretly promise Lord Marco Muller that you can buy two Dreadnought-class battleships and get two Unit-01-class battleships for free, but at least one of them must be paid with Imperial Marks, and the other can be paid with whatever he wants. I won't accept gold coupons.
Go meet Bruleda again in the evening and ask him what the World Bank said to him, and bring the thank-you gift I prepared."
"Yes, Prime Minister." Yu Mington accepted the order and left with his staff.
Yin followed Kylena in.
Yin sat opposite Luke. Kylena brought Yin a cup of tea and walked out, closing the door quietly.
Looking at Yin, Luke said apologetically, "Regarding Pan, I can only say sorry to you. He endured a force that he shouldn't have endured, and was finally annihilated in the collapse of power."
Yin turned his head and looked out the window. "These days, the more I know, the more strange he seems to me. Is Pan the brother who has protected me since childhood ? He is much stronger than me, with talent and wisdom. We have clearly cut off our bloodline and accepted the fact that we are shining gold people, but why does he still want to be the king of Rio?"
Luke said, "We can't guess what Pan is thinking. Since he has left, let him disappear. The relationship between the Golden Shield Empire and the World Bank is getting worse and worse. You are likely to be imprisoned by the Golden People again. Leo's lookout has a plan to take you away from the Golden Valley, and the Imperial Secret Service will also cooperate in the operation. The chances of rescuing you are still very high."
Yin sighed deeply, turned to look at Luke and said, "I'm not leaving!"
Luke was puzzled and asked, "Why?"
"I know that the Watcher wants me to replace Pan and rebuild the Kingdom of Rio, but I don't want to take on responsibilities that are not mine. I made a mistake, I don't regret it, and I don't want to escape. No matter what the Elders' Council decides on me, I will accept it.
Thank you……"
Luke knew that Pan's death was a huge blow to Yin, and it was useless to persuade her now, so he changed the subject and said, "I respect your choice. Now let's talk about business. What is the response of the Council of Elders?"
Although the Golden Shield Empire and the World Bank are on the verge of a war on the surface, they use the reserved audio channel as an intermediary for dialogue and exchange of opinions between the two sides.
The obstacle to starting the third round of negotiations now is that the Golden Shield Empire demands that the Golden Man give a satisfactory response to the assassination.
The Shining Gold people would never hand anyone over to the Golden Shield Empire, even if Luke brought up the precedent of the Shining Gold people elder being assassinated in Saint Lun City.
Yin took a deep breath and said, "The conflict between the Golden Shield Empire and the World Bank has caused panic in countries around the world. The Golden Elders' Council believes that if the third round of negotiations is not started as soon as possible to cool down the situation, the situation will be led to an uncontrollable future.
No one wants war to actually break out.
Therefore, the Golden Elders Council suggested that the assassination incident be put on hold for the time being, and both sides should work together to solve the problem that the world is concerned about."
"Isn't the assassination of the Prime Minister of the Golden Shield Empire in the Golden Valley an event that the world is paying attention to?" Luke sneered, and then said to Yin: "I am not targeting you, I am just complaining. The current situation should be cooled down, but we cannot let the Golden Shield Empire unilaterally make concessions to cool down.
For the sake of the overall situation, I can put the assassination on hold for now, but the World Bank must forgive the Golden Shield Empire on the issue of energy currency. The Golden Shield Empire cannot allow gold coupons to become the only universal currency for energy transactions. Gold coupons can only account for 3% of the currency for energy transactions. "
Yin took out a notebook and pen to take notes and asked, "Only 3 percent? I don't think the World Bank would agree to that."
"Of course the World Bank will not agree. This is no different from surrendering to the Golden Shield Empire. But since it is a negotiation, of course both sides will make their own offers, and then make concessions, and finally determine a middle value that is uncomfortable for both sides but acceptable." Luke took a sip of the tea on the table and continued to say to Yin: "Let the World Bank set the time for the third round of negotiations. It doesn't matter if it's just for show or if we can really achieve results, so that everyone can breathe a sigh of relief."
"Okay, I will convey your opinion to the Elder Council of the Shining Gold. If...if there is nothing else, I will take my leave now."
"Take care of yourself. I am your friend. You are always welcome here, no matter what happens."
Yin forced a smile: "I understand...Luke..."
Yin left, and Kailina came in to report the news from the Empire sent by the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
Most of the winter is over.
Although Ate County Union received a sum of money from the World Bank, this money was a drop in the bucket when invested in the battlefield. Moreover, the County Union was ruled by oligarchs, and the front line and the rear were tight. After all parties took a bite of this aid, there was even less material left.
The Golden Shield Empire cracked down on corruption during the war. The princess of the empire personally supervised the army, and the empire's spies were everywhere, and many people were arrested. With the impact of the Reform Society on the Cross Society, the old official-business system suffered a serious blow. Although there were various problems within the Reform Society, the people below did not dare to do too much because of the relationship between Meteorite and the princess.
The mature system of Raging Waves City was moved into the palace, and with the prestige of Meteor, the cabinet handover went smoothly. The empire changed its heart and blood, and it was running with unprecedented efficiency.
With the resolution of the Northern and Western Legions, the Empire can invest more financial, material and human resources into the counterattack against the Art County Alliance.
When rumors spread that Queen Christina was going to become the emperor, the Snow became even more brave. Even though the northern border was freezing cold, it could not suppress the Snow Legion's enthusiasm to conquer the lost territory and present a gift to the queen to become the emperor.
As long as the negotiations in the Golden Valley were delayed a little longer, it would not be a problem for the empire to restore its original territory.
As for the "rumor" that the Queen was going to become Emperor, it was of course Luke who sent people to spread it secretly so that all parties would be mentally prepared and avoid scaring people with a sudden announcement.
"How do all parties react to the 'rumor' that the Queen will become the Emperor?"
Kylena replied: "Except for some old nobles and former officials who have lost their power, all parties have not shown much rejection of this rumor. Some people went to see His Royal Highness Alex and His Royal Highness Sinclair, but neither of them made overly angry remarks. Instead, some of the royal side branches were making a fuss.
besides……"
Luke listened and thought.
It has been more than a year since the Queen took power and became the regent. The palace cabinet has changed, and the power of the empire is in the hands of the three giants. Even if everyone does not say it, they all acquiesce to the fact that Emperor Augustine will not return.
Such a big empire cannot be without an emperor for a long time. Now Sinclair has expressed his intention to give up his right to inherit the throne, Alex has resigned from his post as commander of the Western Legion and returned to the imperial capital, and it is common knowledge that Meteorite wants to find a new monarch for the empire.
It's just a matter of who sits on the throne.
It is impossible for Meteorite to ascend the throne by himself. Even though his power is almost equal to that of an emperor, this position is not something he can usurp.
The only ones left were the eldest princess Agatha and Queen Christina, who had been regent.
It wouldn't be surprising if any of them came up, it all depended on Meteorite's intention.
Now there is a "rumor" circulating everywhere that the Queen is going to ascend the throne and become Emperor. Anyone with a little bit of common sense knows that this rumor could be widely spread under the close monitoring of the Imperial Secret Intelligence Bureau. Who on earth let it spread?
Moreover, along with the "rumor" spread Queen Christina's bloodline... Queen Christina has the blood of the Augustine family flowing in her body.
If anyone still stands out to oppose something that has been made so clear, he is either a fool or an insignificant person.
But there was still one heavyweight who expressed an opinion that had a certain influence.
"And the Duke of Celtic said a lot of... unpleasant things. He also said he wanted to avenge Emperor Augustine..."
Kylena didn’t dare to say what the Duke of Celtic said, but Luke could imagine it.
When General Joshua committed suicide and Sinclair led the Northern Army to accept reorganization, the Duke of Celtic had no possibility of going north and could only be trapped in the Tedega Hills. Now the Duke of Celtic is actively promoting the industrialization of the Tedega Hills, hoping to survive under the pressure of the empire.
But the Celtic Duke didn't know that the industrialization he was promoting was a shackle specially created for him by Luke.
A turtle trapped in a jar, Luke didn't care what he said. His opinion was irrelevant to the overall situation.
After Kylena finished her report, she stood aside and looked at the adult in front of her, to whom she had sworn allegiance both mentally and physically.
The modified brain allowed her to remember every moment and every event after she encountered the meteorite. She liked standing aside and watching him thinking. In the past, he was thinking about how to get funds to keep the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau running, but now he was thinking about who should sit on the throne of the empire.
These memories made Kylena feel unreal again. She quickly used the breathing method taught by adults to find the answer from the bottom of her heart.
Soon Kylena breathed a sigh of relief.
These are not altered memories, these are all my own experiences. I am working for the most powerful man in the world, and I am doing a pretty good job.
“Kylena…Kylena!”
Hearing the Prime Minister of Meteorite calling her name continuously, Kylena immediately focused her scattered thoughts. She said in a panic, "I'm sorry, Prime Minister, I was a little distracted... Is there anything you need me to do?"
Luke originally had something for Kylena to do, but when he saw her look, he changed his words and said, “You are the busiest person here these days. You are transforming your brain, not your physical strength, so go and have a rest.
Once the World Bank sets a date for the third round of negotiations, we will be busy again.”
"Yes, Prime Minister. I am very happy to work for you. I... I'm going to rest..."
Kylena picked up a pile of documents that needed to be processed from the table and ran out.
