Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 435 Shocking Project Deals and Breathtaking Corruption

In the empire, especially in Maleiburg, a place rife with power and money transactions, strength is the hardest golden crown and the smoothest pass.

When the suffocating power of the Black Forest Territory was displayed without reservation outside the East Gate, and when the number of Chosen Ones under Su Li's command exceeded the total number of Chosen Ones in the city of Maleburg at that moment, all the red tape and bureaucratic barriers crumbled in an instant.

Less than fifteen minutes after Foreign Minister Hatzig entered Maleiburg with his seemingly businesslike but actually menacing ultimatum, the entire eastern part of the city was plunged into unprecedented "efficiency."

Squads of council guards, clad in ornate uniforms but with tense and awe-inspiring eyes, were urgently dispatched, roughly but swiftly driving away all pedestrians, vendors, and carriages from the main thoroughfare of the East Gate. Brandishing their weapons and shouting orders, they completely cleared the wide central avenue. The once bustling, vibrant street instantly fell silent, save for the echoes of soldiers' footsteps and horses' hooves on the empty cobblestones. Shops closed their doors, and behind the windows, bewildered faces crowded.

Those cumbersome and outrageous entry taxes, poll taxes, and cargo inspection checklists? All of them were abolished by a special passage order urgently issued by the council! The garrison officer, sweating profusely, directed his men to remove the heavy barricades and roadblocks as quickly as possible, wishing he could double the width of the city gates to allow the fearsome caravan and army to enter smoothly. This was a privilege almost exclusively reserved for the emperor's top echelons or key allies during wartime.

Representing the Electoral Council were two heavyweight figures—Senator Smith and Representative Zoe Ramsey. These two were not only powerful figures in the council, but more importantly, they had a deep-rooted cooperative relationship with the Hessian territory. Their presence itself was a strong signal from the highest levels of the council: Lord Su Li of Hessian must receive the highest level of courtesy!

Senator Smith still maintained his shrewd businessman demeanor, but his face was no longer effeminate or arrogant as before. In fact, contrary to his usual behavior, he greeted her with great enthusiasm: "Knight of the Bauhinia! Welcome back to Maleburg! The Parliament is honored to hear of your arrival! Some mundane matters have kept me from welcoming you properly; please forgive me!"

His words were full of deliberate flattery, portraying the parliament's panic and last-minute efforts as "mediocre distractions."

Meanwhile, Senator Zoe Ramsey, a powerful woman who possesses both beauty and influence, appeared more composed, even with a hint of appreciation and amusement. Today, she wore a perfectly tailored, deep purple senator's robe that was both capable and alluring. Her gaze was fixed intently on Su Li, and she smiled brightly: "Lord Su Li, it's been many years since we last met. Your charm is even greater than before, and the power of Black Forest Territory is truly... breathtaking."

Her gaze swept over the breathtaking array of air cavalry in the sky, over the elite guards on the ground, and finally landed on Su Li's face. She said meaningfully, "It seems that my initial investment foresight was absolutely accurate." Her words carried a hint of pride and intimacy, subtly drawing them closer.

Su Li nodded slightly, a calm yet enigmatic smile on his face: "Senator Smith, Representative Zoe, thank you both for coming to greet me personally. The Hessian Territory's trip is solely for trade exchanges and to enhance friendship with Maleburg. It is truly unexpected that it has alarmed the Parliament."

With just a few words, he casually described the threat of being besieged as "enhancing friendship," but no member of parliament dared to question or deny it.

“Knight Bauhinia, you are too modest!” Smith stepped aside to make way. “Your arrival is an honor for Maleburg! Please, the council has arranged the best lodging for you and your entourage in the South Coast District, adjacent to the council building, so that you can communicate with the council at any time… uh, exchange ideas.”

He almost said "communication affairs," but thinking of the mess that the Noble Examination Committee was making, he changed it to "exchange."

“No need for a post station.” Su Li’s voice was calm yet carried an undeniable air of authority. “The Hessen Merchant Guild has its own businesses and base in Maleburg, which is sufficient for accommodation. My troops will camp in a designated area outside the city, ensuring no disruption to the city’s order. As for exchanges…”

His gaze swept over Zoe and Smith, and finally seemed to casually glance in the direction of the Capitol Building in the distance. "Once we're settled, we'll naturally have a proper discussion with the 'relevant' departments."

He deliberately emphasized the word "related." Smith and Zoe knew perfectly well who this "related" department referred to. Their smiles remained unchanged, but they both knew in their hearts that those idiots on the Noble Examination Committee had really kicked a hornet's nest this time, and were probably in big trouble.

“Of course! We’ll follow your arrangements, Bauhinia Knight!” Smith immediately agreed, not wanting to risk any trouble.

Zoe gracefully gestured "please": "Then, Lord Su Li, please allow us to guide you into the city. The council has ordered a special passage to be opened for you and your caravan, leading directly to the Black Forest Merchant Guild's headquarters in the city."

Accompanied by Councilors Smith and Zoe, and under the watchful eyes of the Parliament guards who were on high alert, and amidst the fearful, curious, and awe-inspiring gazes of countless Maleburg citizens, Su Li rode the Death Claw, leading his massive caravan and his elite guards as part of his ceremonial procession, and entered the magnificent east gate of Maleburg in a grand procession.

No title?

so what!

His power was enough to command the personal welcome of a powerful member of the Maleburg City Council, to have the entire city clear the way for him, and to make way for him with all the cumbersome rules! His status as a pioneering knight now seemed ironic, highlighting the prestige and privileges he enjoyed in Maleburg—privileges far exceeding those of an ordinary earl, even approaching those of an envoy of the Elector. This "attention" was forged in the iron and blood of the Blacksin Territory, and was a resounding slap in the face to the parasites of the Noble Examination Committee.

Just as Su Li had told Helmut himself, if he couldn't pass the noble examination, it wouldn't be him who would lose face, but the Imperial Elector Council.

Su Li's gaze calmly swept over the closed shops on both sides of the street and the towering parliament building, a faint smile playing on his lips. Last year, he had only stirred the waters of Maleiburg; this time, he would unleash a monstrous wave. And all of this was just beginning.

He turned his head slightly and asked Senator Smith, who was riding beside him, "Senator Smith, where is Chairman Roger?"

Smith's expression changed, and he stammered, finding it difficult to answer. Zoe, however, brightened her eyes even more, her smile becoming even more captivating: "Lord Su Li, Chairman Roger is in some trouble lately. He's gone to a count's territory within the Empire. Chairman Smith is trying to contact him, otherwise his position as chairman of the Equipment Manufacturing and Production Committee might be in jeopardy."

Su Li raised an eyebrow, immediately guessing the reason, and asked, "Is there a problem with the equipment supply?"

Seeing this, Smith knew he couldn't hide it any longer, so he answered frankly, "There was indeed a small problem. The main issue was that the quality of our 'Star Ironclads' was rather worrying during the Great Expedition. The Third Legion suffered some losses during the Great Expedition."

"Are you sure you only suffered a minor loss?" Su Li immediately pressed for an answer.

Senator Smith's eager smile froze instantly, a fine layer of cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his body trembled almost imperceptibly.

“Uh… this… Lord Su Li…” Smith’s throat was dry, but he forced himself to remain calm, forcing a look that was a mixture of grief and innocence on his face. “About the Third Legion in Mount Oka… alas, what an incredibly unfortunate encounter! Our valiant warriors were outmaneuvered by a bunch of… a bunch of incredibly cunning greenskins!”

He cleared his throat and began his "narration" in a tone tinged with lingering fear and a deliberate emphasis on the enemy's "inhuman" cunning:
"As you know, the terrain deep in the Oka Mountains is incredibly complex! It's full of canyons, dense forests, and natural caves. The Third Legion was tasked with clearing out the Greenskin tribes that threatened the trade routes, and their advance was going smoothly until... that damned 'Broken Ridge Pass'!"

Smith quickened his pace, emphasizing the "insidious" nature of the Greenskins:
"Those greenskins! They're nothing like the rumors about them, all they do is yell and charge! They're as cunning as goblins... no, even more cunning than goblins! They must be the chosen tribe of Mao, cunning and cruel. (Mao is cruel and cunning.) They deliberately feigned weakness, abandoning some dilapidated camps and inferior weapons to lure our legion deep into the pass... there are towering cliffs on both sides, with only a narrow passage in the middle!"

He wore a look of shock on his face:

"And then! Our valiant soldiers had barely gone halfway in when the ambush came! Those damned greenskins! They had already piled up boulders on both sides of the cliff, ambushing hundreds and thousands of greenskin archers and... and those damned, insane Squigs bound with potent acid! They also had ballistae! Crudely made, but in terrifying numbers!"

Smith waved his arms, trying to blame the soldiers' defeat on the enemy's tactics and the terrain:

"Bodies rained down! Those mad Squigs were set ablaze, hurled like fleas or thrown off the cliff, exploding right in our ranks! Arrows and crude crossbow bolts blotted out the sky! Our valiant soldiers were caught completely off guard, their formation shattered in an instant! Many lads... alas, were crushed and blown to pieces on the spot..."

He continued to "describe" the Greenskins' cunning: "That's not all! Just when we were being smashed and disoriented, suffering heavy losses, a deafening 'Waaagh!!!' roar erupted simultaneously from both sides of the pass! The main force of the Greenskins, who had been lying in ambush in the dense forests and caves, charged out like two green tides, wielding all sorts of broken but absolutely deadly machetes, clubs, and spiked chains! There were so many of them! And... and they even knew how to divide and encircle! They specifically targeted our scattered and chaotic squads! When did those barbaric beasts become so tacticable?!" He again "emphasized" the soldiers' bravery and helplessness: "Our soldiers! They are the elite of the empire! They fought bloody battles! Really, Lord Su Li! In the face of being ambushed, divided, and surrounded by overwhelming forces, they displayed astonishing courage! The officers tried to regroup, and the soldiers resisted back to back! Spears pierced countless green-skinned soldiers, and swords dulled and chipped! Blood soaked the mud at the pass into a swamp! The warriors fought with bloodshot eyes to survive, for their brothers! The scene... was tragic!" He once again used the soldiers' sacrifice to obscure the main point.

Then, he changed the subject, lowering his voice to convey a sense of "heartache" and "discovery of a major problem": "But... alas, even the strongest will cannot withstand an all-around attack. Especially... the soldiers' armor, which has endured too many blows. Those greenskins, though crude and made of scrap metal, possess astonishing strength, and they particularly like to smash with heavy weapons and shrapnel with spiked chains..."

He finally brought up the armor, immediately pointing the finger at the "quality" problem, his tone becoming indignant and "aha!": "The result! The problem has been exposed! Those damned contractors' 'Star Iron Armor'! It simply cannot withstand the test of actual combat! According to reports from the withdrawn officers and quartermasters... many armors, when subjected to the heavy blows of the Greenskins' brute force, showed abnormal deformation or even... cracking! The protective performance seems... seems to be declining very quickly! This is absolutely not normal!"

Smith's voice was filled with "anger at being deceived": "This must be a problem with the materials or the workmanship! It's a serious case of shoddy workmanship! Those unscrupulous contractors, in order to make dirty money, used substandard products to impersonate the 'Exquisite-grade' Star Iron Armor that the Council purchased at great expense! They have betrayed the Council's trust, causing our soldiers to lose the protection they deserve at a critical moment! The Council is furious about this and has established a special investigation committee to find these parasites of the Empire and punish them severely!"

He once again portrayed himself as the blinded righteous party, never mentioning his role as the main beneficiary.

He concluded by downplaying the losses and attributing them to the enemy's "cunning" and "unexpected" equipment problems: "So... in such extremely unfavorable terrain, we encountered an overwhelming numerical advantage and an exceptionally cunning and tactically unexpected ambush by the Greenskins, plus... uh... some equipment failed to meet the expected protection standards during the battle, exhibiting performance defects not due to combat design reasons... The Third Army did indeed... suffer considerable losses."

"The exact number of casualties is still being tallied, but in order to preserve the Empire's fighting strength and avoid total annihilation, the Legion had to conduct a difficult but orderly breakout and retreat after inflicting heavy casualties on the Greenskins. This is certainly a setback, but the Greenskins have also paid a heavy price! Once we have investigated the equipment issues, cleaned up the supply chain, and replenished our forces, we will surely wipe out the threat of Mount Oka!"

He once again used terms such as "considerable extent," "significant casualties," and "orderly breakout" to whitewash the situation, attributing the disastrous defeat to "the cunning of the Greenskins," "unfavorable terrain," and "the shameless fraud of the contractors."

Su Li sighed and asked, "What were the findings of the investigation committee?"

“Let me answer that,” Zoe said, “I’m a member of the investigation committee. We’ve already signed off on an investigation report that confirms the cause of the problem. It’s because the supplier named the superior-grade armor ‘Exquisite Star Iron Armor,’ thus passing off inferior goods as superior ones and defrauding the company of a large sum of money, leading to this tragedy. It was an elaborate scam, and the investigation committee believes that Chairman Roger is the mastermind behind it, so we’re summoning him to the council for questioning. Unfortunately, according to the Gray Market Trading Company’s reply, Chairman Roger set off with his caravan to a count’s territory within the Empire one day before we decided to summon him.”

"As you know, without the right of way, our troops from Maleburg cannot enter the territory of the imperial nobles to make cross-border arrests."

Oh my God!
Can this still be done?

Su Li's eyes widened instantly; this was truly an eye-opening experience!
Why name a set of ordinary armor "Exquisite Star-Level Iron Armor"?
So everyone else is absolved of responsibility? Everything is deemed reasonable, justifiable, and legal! In the end, Chairman Roger took the blame for everything. Then the question arises: if Chairman Roger went to other territories, would Mallet Castle be unable to intervene?

The problem is, Chairman Roger isn't a merchant from Maleburg; he's an Imperial citizen. Whenever trouble arises, he flees Maleburg's territory. Even if Maleburg is practically next door, Maleburg's law enforcement wouldn't dare venture into the territory of an Imperial count to arrest their VIP.

In the process, Commissioner Smith earned millions of gold crowns!

Millions of gold crowns!
With 50 gold crowns, one can buy a countship in a border princely territory from the Imperial Elector Council.

Su Li, leading thousands upon thousands of men, has fought valiantly, overcoming countless obstacles, battling the Demon God's Chosen, clashing with the Green Dragon Legion, confronting legendary knights, facing numerous Chaos Warbands, and slaughtering countless greenskins, beastmen, and skeletons. His armor is soaked in blood, and he's been through mountains of corpses and seas of blood countless times, yet he hasn't earned a million gold crowns. He can't even bear to spend 100,000 gold crowns to buy a baronship.

As a result, within the empire and at its highest levels, corruption was so rampant that Commissioner Smith could earn millions of gold crowns simply by talking!

But Smith was still not satisfied with all this. He shook his head, his tone full of regret for his "bad luck". "You know what happened... Who could have imagined? Who could have imagined that the Council had just completed this large-scale deployment of 'Exquisite' Star Armor and then... then this Great Expedition happened?"

“If…if it were just a year or two later,” he said in a low voice, with an almost greedy assumption, his fingers unconsciously fiddling as if counting the gold coins that hadn’t yet been pocketed, “if the contractors had supplied a few more batches, and the council had stockpiled more…how wonderful that would have been.”

His facial muscles twitched, a painful reminder of missing out on immense wealth: "And then... alas! It just so happened that this first large-scale deployment of troops, it just so happened that the Third Legion... and it just so happened that they ran into those weird greenskins of Mount Oka! If they hadn't been caught up in this unfortunate expedition, hadn't run into this tough battle, those 'elite-class' troops could have been slowly rotated out, and then we could have purchased your truly top-tier goods later... how smooth that would have been! How much trouble the Council could have saved! We... uh, I mean, Maleburg's finances could have been more relaxed... Is Maleburg's city guard meant for fighting? Or is it just to make the citizens of Maleburg feel like they're being protected!"

His sigh was long and bitter, filled with endless regret that the perfect opportunity to make money had been interrupted by the unexpected war. He seemed to see a small mountain of golden crowns, half of which had collapsed because of a damned, unplanned war. The soldiers' deaths were cold numbers, troublesome reports to be processed, but the missed, endless stream of huge orders and kickbacks were the real losses that tore his heart apart. He wasn't lamenting the soldiers' sacrifices, but his own grand money-making scheme, which had been "unfortunately" interrupted by the Oka Mountain Greenskins, and could have been even more magnificent.

Su Li glanced at him helplessly. Why was the empire so dark and hopeless? It was because there were too many corrupt and greedy officials at the top of the empire!

"So this is the end of it? What's next?" Su Li had no choice but to ask.

“Yes, Lord Su Li.” Senator Smith finally found his voice, which carried a sense of exhaustion from surviving a disaster, as well as a hint of barely suppressed greed. “The committee has determined that this was a unilateral act of fraud by the supplier. The necessary review and process streamlining have been carried out within the parliament.”

He glanced quickly at Su Li and added, "Of course, the Third Legion's losses are enormous, and the Council is deeply saddened by this. Our primary task is to restore the Legion's combat effectiveness as soon as possible."

He licked his slightly dry lips, a familiar shrewd eagerness rekindling in his eyes: "Therefore, the council has decided to urgently procure a batch of Star Iron Armor that truly meets the 'Exquisite Grade' standard! Genuine Star Iron Armor! Its quality must be absolutely top-notch, capable of withstanding the most severe battlefield tests!"

"The Council's procurement intentions are very clear, Lord Su Li." His tone became resolute, as if the defeat and fraud he had just discussed had never happened: "Given that the Star Iron Armor produced in Black Forest Territory has already proven its superior protective performance and reliability on the battlefields of the border prince territories against Chaos, Greenskins, and Beastmen, the Council hopes... to procure it directly from you."

He paused, looking directly at Su Li, "Considering the enormous impact of this incident, the council needs to ensure that it obtains the top-tier, undisputed Star Armor, and needs you to guarantee large-scale supply capabilities in the shortest possible time... Therefore, the procurement price will... double again!"

Wow~ Not only did they just let the matter drop, but they also continued to purchase Star Armor, and the price was going to keep going up?

Su Li took a deep breath, feeling as if her entire worldview had been violently shaken. Just how much do these senators earn?
Their purchase price is 400 gold crowns per set, and if you double that, it will be 800 gold crowns!
The exquisite armor provided by Su Li would not exceed 200 gold crowns at most. Even if Senator Smith did not embezzle or engage in corruption, he could earn more by simply purchasing it at the normal price!

Su Li now truly understands where the $9 for a bag of linings came from. It was all perfectly legal and without any consequences. Wouldn't it be foolish not to be greedy? Of course, he'd have to double it!

Su Li was still somewhat incredulous and deeply shocked, asking, "So, after such a serious corruption incident, there really are no problems or consequences?"

Zoe's lips curled into a smug smile: "There is a reason, otherwise Senator Smith wouldn't be so heartbroken. If he can't find Chairman Roger to confess in Congress and take full responsibility, his chairmanship of the Equipment and Manufacturing Committee will have to be handed over to someone else."

So Smith's deepest grievance wasn't about corruption itself! It was that he wasn't the one enjoying the fruits of corruption!

Corruption continues, or even intensifies, only the beneficiaries have changed?
All of this truly gave Su Li a slight shock at the corruption of the empire. The dark and despairing style of this world was vividly displayed everywhere.

The crucial point is that Senator Smith wasn't just a member of this one committee; he also held positions on other committees. It's unimaginable how much wealth he embezzled.

(End of this chapter)