Catherine and the Black Emperor

Chapter 135. Let's be baptized together.

After speaking with King Adolf, Sergei and Queen Louise walked through the palace.

A short while later, Ingrid came over.

"Your Majesty, the man has been arrested."

The elegant and graceful Louisa nodded, her beautiful eyes fixed on Sergei.

"These alone won't be enough to take down William."

Sergei smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I have never targeted anyone. It is William who has shown you no respect. This is Sweden, not England."

Louisa smiled and said, "It's not Russia either."

Sergei nodded and said, "Of course."

Louisa turned to Ingrid and said, "We should follow the normal interrogation process and at least give the British ambassador a satisfactory and fair explanation."

Ingrid nodded.

"If there's nothing else, Your Majesty, I'll take my leave now."

After receiving Luisa's consent, Sergei bowed and turned to leave.

After the other party left, Ingrid said, "Your Majesty, only one box of silver coins was found, but Sergei definitely has more than just one box."

This is what she deduced from William's words and reactions.

As for how the silver coin ended up there, there is no doubt that Sergei placed it there, because it was he who instructed the Queen to order her to search the streets of Donom.

"It was Matthias who embezzled it." Louisa watched the other person's departing figure.

"Should we investigate him?" Ingrid asked.

After a brief silence, Louisa spoke up: "No need. Most of the money Matthias embezzled has been confiscated and turned over to the national treasury. What remains may be a considerable sum for an individual, but it is insignificant to the country. I still need him to help me reorganize the power in the court."

Ingrid couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, why do we need him? I can do it all. Please believe in my abilities and loyalty. I can give up everything for you, including my life!"

Who would have thought that the dignified and aloof Attorney General would have such an eager and caring side?

Louisa glanced at her and smiled, "Of course I believe in your loyalty. You are the person I trust most. But some things require specific people to do them, regardless of ability. You have done a very good job."

After saying that, she turned and walked back to the palace.

Ingrid gazed tenderly at the Queen's retreating figure and whispered, "I could have done better, Your Majesty!"

Louisa returned to her palace, picked up the Chronicle, but put it down after reading it for a short while.

"It's been so long since I felt this way."

She murmured to herself, the image of the handsome, aloof young man lingering in her mind.

In fact, when Ingrid first asked her why she condoned the conflict between Sergei and William, and even helped Sergei against William, instead of persuading them to unite and fight against the French ambassador and the Hats faction together with the Hats faction.

Her response at the time was that Russia and Britain had already gone their separate ways.

Before the alliance between Britain and Prussia collapsed, it was difficult for relations between Russia and Britain to return to what they were before. Although the two countries were not at each other's throats, their ambassadors abroad were still at odds with each other.

Therefore, as long as Sergei and William are both alive, the power of the cap faction cannot be unified, and it will be difficult to truly confront the top hat faction.

Sergei's offer—a cap-wearing faction that could truly rival the top hat faction and leave Sweden shortly thereafter—was something Louisa could not refuse.

"What kind of magic makes me trust him so much?"

Louisa shook her head, seemingly surprised that she would one day act so impulsively.

"Perhaps it's because—Sweden's powerful neighbor is ultimately not Britain but Russia."

She comforted herself with this thought.

After Sergei left the palace, he was blocked by a man who, to be precise, came to interrogate him.

"Duke Saltykov, hand over the remaining silver coins and guarantee not to interfere in this parliamentary election, and I can let bygones be bygones!" William said coldly.

Sergei chuckled. "What is Ambassador William saying? I don't understand. But even if I don't understand, I don't think we have much to talk about, do we?"

Elias, the congressman who came with William, stepped forward and stared coldly at Sergei.

"Prince Saltykov, there's no need to go to such extremes. I think you should understand that Russia needs the support of the Hat Faction; otherwise, it cannot stand against France!"

Sergei smiled and said, "I thought it was the Hat Faction that needed Russia's support."

"With Britain around, Russia is not necessary!" William sneered.

Sergei shrugged: "Alright then, I'd be happy to travel around during this time. Let Britain help the cap-wearing faction fight against the French and top-hat-wearing faction. Even distant water can be of great help in an immediate crisis."

Elias narrowed his eyes at these words.

In fact, he also knew that Sweden was sandwiched between two powerful political and political neighbors, France and Russia, and if he wanted to gain enough influence, he should choose one of them.

When Panin was still the Russian ambassador, he chose Hedwig. In order to seize power, he had no choice but to align himself with William and Britain.

But now is not the time to dwell on these issues.

Because he had to support William.

He resolutely threatened, "Duke Saltykov, I am the leader of the Hat Faction. If I openly confront Hedwig and Nyarlathotep in Parliament, I believe the Top Hat Faction will be more than happy to help. Do you think you can win?"

Sergei shrugged. "Whatever. What does it have to do with me? Besides, I think it's not like Senator Elias is afraid that the Top Hat Faction will help Senators Hedwig and Naya against you. After all, you said you're the leader of the Top Hat Faction."

Elias was furious at the other person's nonchalant attitude.

He had never seen such a shameless scoundrel before; the other party was a complete rogue!

Elias said coldly, "You should know that Sweden fell from grace because of the Great Northern War! Every Swedish person hates Russia! If I incite such sentiments, the King and Queen will be forced to abandon you due to public pressure, and you and Panin will both have to go back to Russia!"

Sergei's eyes lit up.

"Going back to Russia? That would be wonderful! Although I quite like Sweden, my family is still in St. Petersburg, and I'm a native Russian. I'd much rather go back to my homeland!"

"If Councilor Elias can help me get back sooner, I would be very grateful to you. I can give you a chest of silver coins; I do have some savings."

William glared angrily.

Those are my silver coins!

Sergei ignored William's anger and changed the subject.

"However, I don't think Congressman Elias would necessarily do that. This tactic is more likely to be used by the top hat faction, since it would be very disadvantageous to the casual hat faction. Of course, if Congressman Elias has the idea of ​​joining the top hat faction, then that's another story."

"You!" Elias was so angry he couldn't speak.

Hob meat!

That's just utterly shameless!

"We'll see!" Elias said angrily, turning and walking away.

William tried to threaten Sergei, but Sergei turned and walked away. William was stunned, and when he realized what was happening, he stomped his feet in anger.

Upon returning to the mansion, Sergei took out two wooden plaques.

"Elias, William, since you are so impatient, then let's both be baptized by the flames."

He threw both wooden plaques into the brazier, where they burned fiercely.

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