Volume 3: Artifacts Chapter 67 Return
More than a month has passed since the Golden Valley negotiations ended. As the Prime Minister of the Empire, Luke has to deal with a lot of work every day. It is precisely because of the high-intensity operation of the Imperial Cabinet led by him that the Empire can quickly turn around in the face of the international situation that is gradually moving towards camp confrontation.
Within this month, the World Bank canceled many investment projects in the Empire, and the Empire also confiscated many of the World Bank's assets within the Empire.
The World Bank immediately announced a sanctions plan against the Golden Shield Empire. All industries under the World Bank implemented trade restrictions against the Golden Shield Empire, and many countries unilaterally increased import tariffs on the Golden Shield Empire and its colonies.
Just now, new sanctions news came. Based on the "New Ocean Antitrust Trade Act", the World Bank froze a number of accounts involving energy transactions in the Golden Shield Empire, many of which were energy traders in the Innovation Society.
It is conceivable that such sanctions will increase in number and in intensity. When more people are implicated, they will surely cause trouble under the instigation of the World Bank.
The Golden Shield Empire has few means to fight back against this kind of sanctions. After all, the World Bank has been deeply involved in the international market for so long, has industries all over the world, and possesses gold certificate hegemony. The lifelines of many countries are in the hands of the World Bank.
The "League of Nations" organized by the World Bank has confirmed that nine countries have joined, while the "Free Trade Body" initiated by the Golden Shield Empire has only the Kingdom of Ruthen publicly announced its participation, and there are three overseas colonies that can only provide raw materials.
Other countries are waiting to see if the Golden Shield Empire can withstand the fierce wave of sanctions launched by the World Bank.
If the “free trade body” wants to develop, it needs a breakthrough from zero.
But who is willing to risk the sanctions from the World Bank and board the Golden Shield Empire?
There was a knock on the office door and the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, Yomington, walked in.
"Mr. Prime Minister, Webster, the former ambassador of the Republic of Rio to the Empire, hopes to meet with you. He said that the World Bank has contacted them and expressed its willingness to support them in regaining Rio..."
Luke said to Yeomington, "Sit down... and tell me what you think."
Yomington came and sat down opposite Luke's desk, and then said, "Since the Lookout captured Rio, a group of officials from the former Rio Republic have formed an exiled government overseas. Originally, they had no chance to retake Rio, but the international situation has changed too quickly recently.
Moreover, Pan died in the Golden Valley, and Yin was unwilling to return to Rio to rebuild the kingdom. Now Rio is in complete chaos. According to the latest intelligence we have collected, no less than eleven Rio nobles have declared that they have the legal right to inherit the throne of the Rio king by virtue of their royal blood. The Watchers are also divided, and there is no one who can unite Rio.
If the Rio Republic government-in-exile receives support from the World Bank, Rio will most likely soon restore its republican system.
Luke is well aware of Leo's current situation and he also has his own responsibilities.
When he was in the Golden Valley, he persuaded some of the Lookouts to betray Pan, who had serious mental problems, on the condition that Yin would reorganize the Rio Kingdom. As a result, Pan died, and Yin was heartbroken and unwilling to leave the Golden Valley.
Rio was leaderless and naturally fell apart.
Luke asked Yomington: "Since the World Bank is willing to support these exiled politicians to return to Rio, why did they come to us again?"
Yormington replied: "Webster said that there is a disagreement in their government-in-exile over whether to accept support from the World Bank or to try to gain support from the Golden Shield Empire."
"Interesting..." Luke couldn't help but become interested: "Those exiled politicians in Rio must know that it was us who supported the Lookouts to drive them out of Rio. Why would they want to win our support now?"
Yeomington replied: "I also asked Webster out of curiosity, and his answer made me determined to help him get an audience with you."
"Tell me what he thinks."
"Webster is a Rio politician who supports seeking help from the Empire. He said that Rio and the Golden Shield Empire are across the sea, and there are both competitive contradictions and potential for cooperation. If the Rio Republic is rebuilt with the support of the World Bank, it will inevitably become the frontier of the World Bank's control over the Empire, which is something the Empire absolutely does not want to see.
Therefore, Rio will be caught in an endless civil war between the World Bank and the Empire, and may even become the main battlefield for direct conflict between the two camps. Even after the war, Rio may not be able to exist as an independent sovereign state.
If they seek the support of the Empire, they can quickly gain control of Rio with the Empire's influence in Rio, and with the help of the Empire, they can regain their strength and participate in this battle for who will dominate the future as the Empire's arm. "
After listening to Yomington's story, Luke thought about it and said, "It seems that Webster and his group of Rio politicians want to use this as a condition to exchange for the Empire's relaxation of the Rio ocean blockade, and then gamble on the country's destiny.
Do you think the Empire should support them?"
Yominton replied: "It is difficult for me to provide you with advice on such a serious matter. According to the situation in Rio, probably only the exiled government of the former Republic can quickly calm all parties. However, if we support Rio to restore the republic, we still have to be careful of their counterattack.
But if a unified Rio stands on the side of the Empire, it will indeed greatly improve the external environment we face. At least it will not be used by the World Bank to threaten the security of the Empire's eastern coast."
Luke considered how to deal with Leo's current mess.
"Your concerns are correct. If the World Bank wants to attack the Empire from the sea, Rio is the springboard that the Shining Gold People must take, and a large-scale war will inevitably break out there. If we fight a proxy war with the World Bank in Rio, many things will be beyond our control, and it will be a serious drain on the Empire's national strength.
If Leo is in our camp, we can push the battle line to Leo's eastern border, and the pressure on the empire will be much less.
As for your concern about Leo's counterattack, I think there is no need to worry. Leo wants to speculate in this faction confrontation, and only by following the Empire can they get meat . If they bite back, it is because the Empire is already defeated, and Leo will not be a big deal at that time.
Of course, the threshold for Rio to bite back should be raised a little higher. "
Yomington asked: "Is the Prime Minister ready to agree to support the Rio Republic's government-in-exile?"
Luke said, "Don't tell Webster about my attitude yet. Tell him... I'm busy meeting with the noble representatives from Rio. The Empire still hopes to have a neighbor with the same system. Even if the king of Rio has no real power and is not in Rio, it doesn't matter."
Yomington immediately understood what Luke meant: "I know how to reply to Webster."
Luke asked again: "Does the Rio Republic owe the World Bank a lot of money?"
Yomington replied: "Yes. After the war between the Empire and the Rio Republic ended, Rio borrowed a lot of money from the World Bank after the war in order to become competitive with the Empire as soon as possible."
Luke smiled and said, "Since the Republic of Rio has perished, the debts owed will naturally disappear along with the country. Those exiled politicians in Rio should have long seen what the system is. The free world they advocate can also be realized in the Kingdom."
Yu Mingdun's eyes lit up: "The Prime Minister's wisdom is really admirable."
"Haha..." Luke smiled again: "Send someone to contact the Lookout and the nobles of Rio, and ask them to form a society as soon as possible and send the society's outline to me as soon as possible. I will give more money and weapons to the society whose society I like!"
Yomington could not help but stand up excitedly: "I didn't expect that the problem that has troubled us staff for so many days would be solved so easily by you, sir. Let the original politicians in Rio take over, integrate the chaotic Rio as soon as possible, and then support a group of opposition groups. The disobedient ones will go down, and the obedient ones will come up, which can ensure that Rio stands on the side of the empire to the greatest extent.
I'll go find Webster now."
"Go ahead."
Having received the ingenious plan, Yomington walked out quickly. When he opened the door, he saw a person standing outside. Yomington immediately saluted: "Your Highness the Princess!"
Agatha asked outside the door: "Have you finished talking about the matter?"
"We're done..." Yumington made way and apologized, "I didn't know you were waiting outside, Your Highness. Please forgive me."
"You are talking about important things. It doesn't matter if I wait for a while. Go and do your thing..."
"Yes, Your Highness the Princess."
Agatha came in, and Yominton withdrew and closed the door.
"Every time I come here, you are busy with state affairs. Even at night, the lights here will be on until late at night. You can take a break and let the people below share more of the work."
Agatha walked to Luke's desk, picked up a few documents and looked at them, her words full of concern and worry about Luke's physical condition.
Luke leaned back on the chair, stretched his arms and stretched his waist, and his stiff bones made a crackling sound.
Agatha placed her hands on Luke's shoulders and chanted a spell to help his physical fatigue disappear.
Feeling more comfortable, Luke patted Agatha's hand and said, "The world's strongest economy is completely decoupling from the Empire, and is imposing sanctions one after another. The Empire has never experienced this kind of confrontation. I must pay more attention to ensure that the Empire completes a smooth transition."
Agatha placed her other hand on Luke's other shoulder and pressed slowly.
"When the World Bank started to withdraw its capital and impose sanctions, Her Majesty the Queen and I were completely confused and had no idea how to respond. I really admire you for leading the cabinet to withstand all the difficulties. This month's empire's financial report is surprisingly good.
I don’t know how you do it.”
After returning from the Golden Valley, Luke could clearly feel that Agatha and himself had made great progress in their relationship. Although they still liked to talk about state affairs when they were alone, it felt like lovers were talking to each other.
The pressure on the shoulders brings a comfort that magic cannot provide, and the fragrance of the woman behind you makes you relax physically and mentally.
"No matter how the World Bank imposes sanctions on the Empire, the Empire's vast industrial system and market cannot be erased from the world system just because the Shining Gold People want to. Moreover, the technology integration and development capabilities of the Raging Waves City make many of the technologies in our hands unique and irreplaceable.
The Cape District Shipyard received orders for 146 new freighters and 28 dreadnought-class battleships. There will be more and more orders in the future, and the Empire's coastal shipbuilding industry will have to work overtime for several years. "
Hearing Luke talking about the order for the Dreadnought-class battleships, Agatha asked in confusion: "Can the Dreadnought-class battleships also be sold to foreign countries? Will it dilute the Empire's maritime advantage?"
Luke closed his eyes involuntarily due to the feeling of relaxation: "The Dreadnought-class battleship is just the bait I threw out for the ocean arms competition. There will be 30,000-ton or even 100,000-ton battleships appearing in the ocean later.
It won't be long before the Empire and the World Bank are the only ones left on this track.
The concentration of manufacturing is our advantage. The World Bank's industry is too dispersed. The more it needs to concentrate its strength to build big things, the more obvious its weaknesses will be. At that time, the World Bank will have to engage in armed conflict with the Empire when they are at a disadvantage in the ocean. The Imperial Fleet ensures that the Empire's troops can reach the place where they are needed to fight at any time.
In terms of economic confrontation and conventional military confrontation, the Empire's current national strength is sufficient to cope with the provocation of the World Bank. The biggest shortcoming is the reserve of high-end military forces. There is still a gap between the Empire and the five ancient civilizations. "
Agatha knew that Luke was a little sleepy, so she eased the pressure and spoke softly, "According to the intelligence collected by the Secret Service, the Golden Man has no intention of personally taking action. The World Bank has injected a large amount of funds into the Art County Federation to help the County Federation form a magic corps and build large warships.
They probably want to provoke a full-scale war , or to instigate other countries in the "League of Nations" to besiege the Empire, with the World Bank hiding behind to reap the dividends of the war.
We still have time to develop warriors and weapons to fight against the Shining Gold People. Hasn't the Steam Titan developed by Fury City already been confirmed as a mass-produced model?"
"Yes, the Steam Titan has already been confirmed as a mass-production model. The Royal First and Second Magic Legions are very satisfied with the Steam Titan. The cabinet is preparing to place an order for 500 units and form a Steam Titan pilot tactical verification team for each of the two magic legions.
But to deal with the Shining Gold Man, the Steam Titan is too heavy and cannot fly, so we need to wait for the Magic Titan to be developed. The Magic Titan prototype test machine has been assembled by the Magic Laboratory of Raging Waves City. When Shelley returns with the Raging Waves City Armored Assault Division, we can test the Magic Titan. "
Luke's voice became lower and lower, as if he was about to fall asleep.
At this moment, the door of the office was suddenly opened, and two people rushed in from outside, shouting: "Governor... Governor, we are back!"
When Agatha saw Luke being awakened, she immediately gave the two people who came in a murderous look.
The ones who came in were Shelley and Pisco who had returned from the North. These two generals who had followed Luke the earliest had no idea that they were jumping in and out of the gates of hell. Seeing Agatha being so intimate with their boss, they had no intention of retreating at all.
Pisco even shouted excitedly: "Your Highness, Princess, why are you here?"
