Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 157 Meeting
Having experienced the harrowing events of the previous night, the nobles barely slept a wink.

The next morning, they all rushed to the banquet hall where they had been the day before.

However, the banquet hall had been completely renovated. The once magnificent golden curtains were nowhere to be seen.

Instead, there were neat tables and chairs, a simple layout, and the imperial emblem hanging high, as if the air itself was thick with solemnity and oppression.

The banquet hall was transformed into a true "meeting place".

The nobles took their seats, but many were still uneasy, their hearts still pounding with the memory of Joseph being taken away the night before.

This time, Louis was not late.

He arrived earlier than everyone else and stood in the center of the venue early on, with a calm and gentle expression.

He was dressed in a well-tailored black and gold-trimmed military uniform, and even had the "Northern Shield" pinned to his chest.

As he toured the simply decorated venue, free of unnecessary ornamentation, he exchanged greetings with the nobles who arrived one by one.

“Mrs. Grant, the violet brooch suits you very well today.”

Facing this middle-aged noblewoman with slightly round cheeks and an ever-cautious demeanor, Louis spoke gently and nodded slightly.

Lady Grant was taken aback, seemingly flattered, and quickly lowered her head to hide her flustered expression, stammering, "Ah... thank you, Your Excellency... I... I just..."

She was initially terrified of Louis, and the scene at yesterday's banquet almost kept her awake all night.

I had planned to keep a low profile today, but I was unexpectedly called out in my very first sentence.

Louis merely exchanged a polite greeting before moving on to the next nobleman.

This relieved her.

"Lord Bernard, your journey must have been arduous. The snow has not yet melted, it is truly remarkable that you were able to arrive on time."

“Viscount Wellen, I heard you’ve already started spring planting? The North needs more doers like you.”

Every sentence was neither arrogant nor humble, neither too much nor too little.

Polite, proper, and even friendly.

But the more this was the case, the more anxious each nobleman became.

Because they all remembered that Joseph was taken away from the crowd yesterday, and his fate is still unknown.

As a result, many people preferred Louis to be aloof and cold, as that would make him seem like a "predictable sheriff."

The more lenient he is now, the more frightening he becomes.

The bell rang precisely when the last nobleman had taken his seat.

Louis turned around and slowly walked to the head seat.

He looked down at the entire room from his elevated position.

There were no superfluous pleasantries, no preamble, just a concise and powerful opening statement:

"Gentlemen, the winter snow has just receded, and the spring chill has not yet dissipated. The northern border is in turmoil, and the intelligence brought by the Galebirds is becoming more and more alarming. This year, we must fight the Snowsworn."

This is not only a battle on the battlefield, but also a test for the entire Xuefeng County. If we continue to act independently and engage in open and covert struggles, we will only allow the enemy to reap the benefits in the end.

Unity is the only prerequisite for survival.

After he finished speaking, everyone was stunned for a moment, and then they all applauded.

Amidst the applause, no one dared to question the man to his face, nor did anyone dare to mention the name that had been taken away.

But every nobleman who took his seat harbored a question in his heart: what exactly was Louis going to do?
Some speculate that he intends to take this opportunity to weaken their power;

Some suspect that he wanted to further centralize military power and unify the command of knights and military equipment;

Some whispered that perhaps a new policy, never before tried by the empire, was about to be implemented, or even that the traditional status of the nobility would be altered...

More cautious people, on the other hand, begin to quietly consider their options for escape.

After the applause subsided, Louis got straight to the point without any hesitation.

"I know many of you are speculating about Joseph." He spoke calmly, his gaze sweeping across the room.

"This matter is indeed significant, and it is not convenient to disclose the details at the moment. However, I can tell you that he was escorted to the Northern Governor's Mansion last night, personally escorted by the Duke's confidants."

The whole place was in an uproar.

Many people initially thought that Joseph was merely being held captive by Louis and that there might still be room for maneuver, and some even worried that he might become "next".

Upon hearing the words "has been sent to the Governor's Mansion," an even deeper level of shock spread through the banquet hall.

"Even the Governor's Office has been alerted?"

"What exactly did you do wrong?"

"Not a personal grudge? Then it really is...?"

Discussions rose and fell, and many people had complicated expressions, clearly realizing that this was far more serious than they had anticipated.

Most of the nobles only now truly understood that Louis was not acting mad by arresting people, but rather dealing with a case so serious that it could not be covered up.

Those who had been close to Joseph and had even written to him for help the night before felt a chill run down their spines.

I can only silently pray that I won't be implicated.

Louis ignored the whispers and speculations among the crowd below.

His gaze was calm, and his voice, though not loud, clearly reached everyone's ears: "I know that Joseph has recently contacted some of you."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured into the meeting room.

Those nobles with guilty consciences immediately straightened their backs, their expressions wary, and some even subconsciously gripped the armrests tightly.

Some people lowered their heads, some held their breath, and others cautiously glanced at the person in the main seat.

Louis, however, remained calm and seemed to have no intention of delving into the matter.

He paused slightly before continuing, "I am not a dictator either."

He surveyed the room and said calmly and confidently, "On the contrary, I am willing to share some of the power."

He held up a piece of paper with the names of several nobles on it and waved it gently.

“I have decided to establish a new system – the ‘Snow Peak Council’.”

Everyone involuntarily held their breath and listened.

"This council will be composed of some of you who are prestigious, capable, and genuinely concerned about the future of Snowpeak County."

You can participate in political discussions, offer policy recommendations, provide feedback on the actual situation in your respective territories, and assist in monitoring resource usage.

This surprised everyone. Louis's authority had reached its peak, yet he was willing to relinquish and share power.

Louis changed the subject, his expression softening and his tone becoming more gentle:
"I will confirm the specific list of parliamentary members step by step. But today, I can first mention a few candidates who are worthy of your knowledge and trust."

He turned his head to look at the tall, young baron beside him, a smile of encouragement appearing on his face:

“For example, Edward Nott.”

A low murmur arose in the hall, and many nobles turned to look at the young man.

"The Nott family, born into a family of battlefields, are no less brave than the nobles of the North, even as pioneers from the South."

Louis said firmly, "And at such a young age, he is already an extraordinary knight, a rare pillar of the nation."

Edward was a little embarrassed by Louis's praise, his face flushed slightly. He stood up under everyone's gaze and waved slightly to the hall. "Thank you... thank you, Governor. Thank you everyone."

But Louis had already prepared for the next one: "And Roland Sirius."

He looked at the sprightly, white-haired old man sitting on the other side, "Mr. Roland comes from an old and prestigious family in the North. He is humble, polite, knowledgeable, and familiar with the local situation. He is one of the elders I respect the most."

With a nobleman of your high standing presiding, I believe the Snow Peak Council will not go astray.

Mr. Roland coughed lightly and waved his hand dismissively, but he couldn't hide the smile on his lips.

He nodded slightly and calmly replied, "If the Prefect truly intends to do so, I will naturally do my best."

After saying that, he even stroked his beard a little embarrassedly and secretly glanced at the reactions around him.

“The third one…” As soon as Louis finished speaking, many people already knew who he would name.

"Jon Harvey".

"The territory is well-governed and wealthy. What's more, they always abide by the laws and regulations of the county government and never overstep their bounds. They are a trustworthy partner."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Yorn stood up abruptly, grinning from ear to ear: "I'm willing to do my part for Snow Peak County! It's an honor to work with the county governor!"

With a few people taking the lead, the atmosphere was completely ignited.

Louis pressed his advantage, firmly gesturing to quiet everyone down, and continued, "Of course, this is just the beginning. Everyone here has the potential and the qualifications to enter the Snow Peak Council."

“This is neither a reward nor a handout.” His gaze was piercing as he spoke each word clearly, “This is an opportunity for us to jointly govern Xuefeng County and get through the harsh winter.”

After a brief silence, the words were followed by thunderous applause.

At first, it was the nobles in the front row, such as Jon, Edward, and the old man Roland Sirius, who clapped first, their expressions filled with excitement and pride, as if it were proof that they had been chosen.

Immediately afterwards, more people stood up, and applause echoed in the banquet hall, spreading rapidly like a rare warm current in the winter snow.

Louis spoke eloquently, and they enjoyed listening to him.

In reality, the so-called "parliament" was ultimately just an empty shell.

Its establishment was nothing more than a puff of smoke on Louis's chessboard.

On the surface, this was an unprecedented power-sharing, a sign of the prefect's respect and trust for the nobles.

But in reality, the final decision-making power, the power to issue orders, the power to appoint personnel, and the power to allocate funds are all firmly in his hands.

The meeting was merely a way for them to feel they had a chance to "be involved".

A sense of participation, a touch of glamour, is enough to soothe restless hearts and satisfy vain appetites.

It is safer and more effective than outright suppression.

Louis only needs to stand calmly in his superior position, occasionally nodding, smiling, and listening, and that will be enough.

Louis never promised to truly decentralize power.

He simply elevated each nobleman to a seemingly respectable high position, and then made them willingly bow their heads.

However, some minor nobles began to show disappointment and lack of enthusiasm in their applause.

After all, it would never be their turn to be a member of the meeting.

At this point, Louis spoke up again: "I know that not all territories have a powerful army, rich mineral resources, or enough prestige to be considered 'representative'."

His tone was unhurried, his gaze sweeping over the middle and lower-ranking nobles sitting on the edge, silent for a long time: "But I do not intend to disappoint the others."

The venue fell silent again.

“Starting this quarter, I will establish a special program called the ‘Revitalization Fund’.”

He paused, his eyes resolute, "All nobles with scarce resources and difficult territories, as long as they submit a detailed development plan, whether it's to mine salt, develop farmland, or develop the fur and hunting industries..."

Provided it is reasonable, my government will provide initial support in terms of supplies, technology, seeds, and labor, and will grant tax breaks as appropriate.

Many people were already discussing in hushed tones, surprised that this policy was directly aimed at the lower-class nobles.

"I will personally oversee this plan to ensure fairness, transparency, and freedom from interference," Louis said succinctly, yet his words were enough to gradually brighten the eyes of those marginalized nobles.

The great nobles of the past would never have given them such an opportunity.

To gain any resources, one can only rely on currying favor, showing loyalty, and barely surviving.

But now, the prefect himself has opened a window.

The applause rang out again, this time not just a perfunctory gesture, but a genuine expression of anticipation.

Louis didn't want to be a philanthropist.

On the surface, this was an act of universal benefit to the weak and support for marginalized minor nobles, a benevolent and far-sighted gesture.

But this is not charity; it is the art of distributing power.

Although the funds for the "Revitalization Fund" come from the Red Tide Territory, they are not a free gift.

As long as resources are allocated and support is implemented, those minor nobles who were originally dependent on other great nobles in the North will naturally gravitate towards more reliable protectors.

Louis, the young county governor who held resources, funds, and policies in his hands, was their only direction.

More importantly, each support plan requires the submission of detailed data on the current status of the territory, asset valuation, personnel structure, and other relevant information.

In what appears to be an open, transparent, and professional process.

Louis quietly completed his investigation into the geography and resource structure of the minor nobles.

Based on this, a "direct vassal network" was gradually established around the Red Tide Territory, bypassing the control of the great nobles.

He didn't use soldiers or swords; he relied solely on a few documents and a few cartloads of seeds.

This would break the monopoly of the great nobles on resources such as furs, salt mines, forests, and reindeer belts.

Once those minor nobles become dependent on him, they will voluntarily hand over their finances, military affairs, and even territorial administration to the prefectural governor's office for assistance.

Louis thus indirectly gained control of their land.

This is actually a true takeover of power.

There's no need for war, nor is it necessary to strip them of their titles; all we need to do is make them relinquish their rights out of "gratitude."

Of course, not everyone is truly convinced.

Among the nobles present, there were indeed intelligent people.

They may not yet see through Louis's overall plan, but the vague sense of control and the step-by-step encirclement arrangements are enough to make them wary.

It wasn't a simple parliamentary setup; it was more like a carefully orchestrated scheme in which they were gracefully drawn in.

But no one dared to question it.

After all, the screams Joseph made in this banquet hall yesterday still seemed to echo in his ears; his cold sweat hadn't dried yet, and his courage had already been broken.

So they just sat quietly, their eyes darting around, and fell silent amidst the applause and responses.

Along with the crowd, they conformed to the superficial "joint discussion".

They quietly hid their doubts and unease.

Hidden behind the wine glass, hidden beneath the lowered eyelids, and hidden in the applause that expressed loyalty.

Then Louis raised his hand, as if to introduce a mundane matter: "The last item on the agenda is that, while the parliamentary mechanism is being established, I intend to add a new auxiliary agency."

Everyone was stunned.

He paused, but his tone was as light as if he were discussing tomorrow's weather: "It will be named the 'Inspectorate'."

These three words caused the air to freeze slightly.

Louis spoke calmly, as if to soothe unnecessary panic: "Its duties are not complicated and have nothing to do with you if you follow the rules."

He gave a faint smile: "The Oversight Bureau will be responsible for four things: First, ensuring that taxes are paid on time; second, verifying whether the war preparedness and construction of each territory meet the standards."

Third, be wary of those who attempt to collude with foreign enemies and endanger border defenses; fourth, monitor whether the conduct of our parliamentary members is in accordance with their oaths.

The nobles below the stage did not respond immediately. Their smiles froze on their faces, like masks frozen in the wind.

Some people instinctively tightened their grip on their wine glasses, while others' eyes flashed, only to be met with silence as they lowered their heads again.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” Louis said casually. “The Ombudsman’s Office isn’t here to spy on you, but to protect our shared future from being eroded by scoundrels.”

He looked around and said, word by word, "So do not follow in Joseph's footsteps."

When that sentence was uttered, the hall fell silent as if the air itself had frozen.

Even the crackling sound of the burning firewood in the fireplace seemed particularly jarring and clear at that moment.

The nobles, who had been whispering among themselves, all fell silent.

No one spoke.

No one was willing to be the first to step forward at this time.

The nobles exchanged glances, their eyes revealing complex emotions: suspicion, unease, and struggle.

But in the end, it was all swallowed up by silence.

Louis's sharp gaze swept across the room, and his tone suddenly became frank: "If any of you still have questions about the establishment of the Oversight Bureau, I am willing to hear different opinions, and we can have an open discussion."

His tone was not provocative at all; in fact, it carried a hint of sincerity.

But it is precisely this sincerity that makes it all the more chilling.

Who dares to speak?

Joseph's screams still echoed from last night, and the scene was still vivid in the minds of everyone present.

Furthermore, Louis did indeed mention two "righteous acts": the establishment of Parliament and the revitalization fund, both of which are truly good things.

If anyone were to stand up against the Control Yuan at this time, wouldn't they be putting themselves in the position of the bad guy?

Opposing the new policy of "protecting the border and investigating taxes" is just... a sign of a guilty conscience, isn't it?
The scene fell silent for a few moments.

No one responded to him.

Louis nodded, seemingly unsurprised, his tone calm and almost gentle: "In that case, the establishment of the Oversight Bureau is settled."

A single, simple sentence can set the tone for the entire situation.

Sitting slightly behind him on his right, Yorn twitched his fingers slightly, as if he was about to get up and say something.

Seeing that no one in the room made any move, he simply nodded slightly, making a gesture of "agreement and support".

Veris had also prepared a speech to rationalize the responsibilities of the "Inspectorate" from the perspective of institutional design, supplemented by considerations of efficiency and security...

But at this moment, all he needs to do is show a slightly relieved expression.

Louis originally intended for Jon to stabilize the situation and for Willis to adopt a "public-spirited" approach, so that the Oversight Service could emerge as the "most popular choice."

But who would have thought it would go so smoothly?

Before the play even began, Louis had already taken control of the pace.

The establishment of the Oversight Service was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, nor was it something Louis made up on a whim.

Although this body is named "oversight," its responsibilities extend far beyond simply monitoring the parliament.

He can access all tax reports from other territories and verify the accounts of income and expenditure against the actual granaries.

They have the right to inspect war reserve warehouses, training grounds, recruitment, and even personally conduct spot checks on military equipment at the border.

Record the statements, actions, and private interactions of every member of parliament... monitor all unexplained contacts, suspicious communications, and clandestine collusion.

They even possessed the privilege of submitting secret reports directly to the prefect, bypassing the checks and balances of the council itself.

This power, which originally belonged only to the "intelligence system," has now been given the guise of legitimacy and public authority.

They no longer held the title of "secret agent," but acted as "lackeys and henchmen."

Moreover, they are not subject to parliamentary accountability and follow the orders of the prefect alone.

It can be described as the Eastern Depot of Xuefeng County.

Applause erupted immediately after Louis finished speaking.

At first, they came in twos and threes, like testing the waters.

A viscount sitting in the middle seat hesitated for a moment, then clapped twice. Seeing that no one objected, he quickened his pace.

Then, more people followed suit.

"Clap, clap."

The applause grew louder and more rhythmic, like footprints left in the snow, one after another, yet no one dared to stop.

But behind the applause, the hearts of these intelligent people had already turned cold.

Sitting in the far corner, Baron Eugene, who was originally a close friend of Joseph, now had cold palms and cold sweat on his forehead.

He clapped his hands, maintaining a polite smile, and even deliberately nodded to meet Louis's gaze.

But my heart felt like it had been pricked by a fine needle.

"The Oversight Council... this is not for overseeing the parliament at all, but to tie us up one by one and tighten the ropes around us."

Tides of applause echoed through the high-ceilinged banquet hall, as if crowning a new king.

But just as the applause was gaining momentum, Louis raised his hand, and with a simple gesture, the applause was cut off like a knife.

The hall fell silent instantly.

He didn't rush to speak, but simply stood there, his gaze slowly sweeping over each face, as if he were taking a final roll call.

To determine who has submitted and who still harbors resentment.

Then he spoke, his tone no longer sharp, but carrying a tolerant and calm warmth.

“From this day forward,” he said, “Snow Peak County will no longer be a loose aggregate.”

“We are no longer just families or nobles who have been brought together by mistake, no longer just pawns who are looking out for their own interests.”

His tone was slow yet firm, like driving stakes into the ground, fixing people's hearts in a common direction.

"We are a community. Because from today onwards, we finally have a direction, a path, and a weapon."

His voice was lower, but carried an undeniable weight: "From now on, we're all one family."

These words sent a shock through many people.

Louis smiled slightly, a smile that was not sharp, but rather showed a gentle and approachable quality.

"I trust you, and you can trust me too."

I will not let you down in any of the steps to come.

As soon as the words were spoken, the oppressive atmosphere that had been building up for so long seemed to finally find a way out, and applause rang out again in the hall.

Some people clapped even louder, as if eager to show their loyalty;

Some people filmed slowly, as if they were measuring Louis's true purpose.

(End of this chapter)