People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"Shi Tongling must have a concert."

Please adjust the leave slip.

I've adjusted my sleep schedule a bit, but I'm finding it hard to keep up.

After getting a positive result, I always feel sleepy during the day and sleep until 11 or 12 at night. I also stay up late writing, so I need to adjust this strange sleep schedule.

I spent some time today collecting feedback and thinking about revising the outline. I'm reading everyone's comments, and I'll respond to any serious suggestions I see. Thank you all for your support.

I'll rest for today. Good night.

Chapter 682 What kind of organization could force the Elector to hold a concert?

"Shi Tongling, there must be a concert."

Walner spoke slowly, his tone revealing a deep sense of helplessness.

Sometimes, he misses the omnipotent version of himself he once was, even though he has never lived that life.

At least, when he was healthy, not so many people dared to jump around in front of him, treating him as if he didn't exist, and even openly discussing the division of his spoils after his death.

Where in the world is there such a logic? I am still a newly elected emperor, and you can't even wait?

If this were in the Great Yan Dynasty, with some adjustments, they might even be able to try out the Ten Clans Match-3 game.

Hiss—but who knows who's currently ruling the Great Yan!

Unfortunately, Werner could only keep this idea to himself.

The decline in physical function is an unavoidable pain for mortals. Rather, the fact that he hasn't fallen to the point of lying in bed and being told "Emperor Xuan, it's time to take your medicine" is already a result of his good performance over the years and the prestige he has indeed accumulated.

As for why Shi Tongling absolutely had to have a concert

"This is actually a simple principle to understand."

"Mr. Ernst, Letania values ​​music very much. Under what circumstances do you think a great elector would be compelled to hold a concert?"

Ernst frowned.

That's a good question. The people of Letania respect music, and concerts, dances, and magical exchanges are among the most frequent daily activities for the upper echelons of Letanian politics. Concerts, in particular, are the most prestigious and demanding, and can even be said to be occasions that showcase the status and artistic cultivation of their initiators.

The concert of a Grand Elephant is probably second only to the Queen's Celebration of the Twin Queens of Letania—that is, Letania's National Day.

Typically, concerts like this, while primarily aimed at discussing political topics, still require one or even several pieces of music of sufficient quality. It's like funeral diplomacy in countries like Victoria—everyone gathers together, symbolically wipes away tears, and then begins their own conversations, but that doesn't mean a "well-placed dead person" is unnecessary.

There are only two possibilities when a great emperor is forced to hold a concert.

The two possibilities flashed through Ernst's mind, but he found them somewhat amusing.

Because either of these two possibilities, if spoken aloud, would seem unbelievable.

"Either, it's because the position of the Elector is changing, and a grand ceremonial concert must be held."

This is essentially the same as funeral diplomacy. After all, under normal circumstances, the position of the Elector cannot be changed while an Elector is still alive—no one would give up such great power, and the interest groups behind that person would not allow him to give it up.

Unless the three great electors die, there's really no other way. Everyone has to gather together, the suona horns sound, the planks are laid out, and the whole village, young and old, starts waiting for the food to be served. At this point, no matter how much animosity the newly inherited great elector has towards the old one, according to political custom, a memorial concert must be held. This is "forced."

"Either an important person has arrived and given instructions."

This one is much easier to understand.

Within Uletania, how many figures are worthy of the Elector's "respect"?

Aside from each other, there were only "two empresses" left.

Even Ernst didn't receive this treatment. It wasn't that Werner didn't want to, but he was indeed seriously ill. Preparing a welcoming concert that matched Ernst's style would require too much energy, and he was also busy dealing with the increasingly complicated and chaotic situation in Shitongling due to his illness. He simply didn't have the energy for it.

Given the special status of the Electors, they would not easily leave their own regions to travel to other Elector territories. Doing so would give others grounds for accusations of "colluding."

A certain "ruthless authority" had recently rectified the noble market of Letania, sending so many nobles to the mines and the guillotine, but no one dared to offend her at this critical juncture, and the Elector did not want to cause any unnecessary trouble.

Having considered this point, Ernst understood Werner's words:

"Is the Empress coming?"

Walner nodded, a rare hint of anger flashing across his middle-aged face, which was usually etched with bitterness.

"Already on the way."

Is it already on its way?

Ernst sent a message to Vina, instructing her to write to the Twin Queens, and less than a day has passed. Unless the Twin Queens possessed precognition, their arrival in Shitong territory must have been premeditated, taking place before Ernst even arrived.

Judging from Werner's expression, when he contacted Enciodes and sent the invitation, he probably didn't know about this. It was only after I mentioned the concert and he went to investigate personally that he belatedly learned of the bombshell news of the "Queen's visit"!

S's anger is understandable; as I said before—he's not dead yet!

He can even get out of bed and receive guests, yet his subordinates have already begun to withhold information and feign compliance?!

For those in power, the most terrifying thing is being completely in the dark, and the most infuriating thing is having their subordinates lie to them.

For the servants, they could have many excuses, such as "I didn't know you wanted to know this," or "It's not that I'm deliberately hiding it, I just haven't decided when to tell you yet." It's understandable that they would do this. The old Elector was about to fall, and the Empress had come in person, clearly intending to completely subdue the Shitong Territory. At this time, it was normal for them to choose the new master, who was in his prime, over the old master who didn't have much time left.

U. They probably didn't realize that if they chose the latter, they might indeed continue to be valued in the future, but if they didn't choose the former, their future was uncertain.

Ernst pondered for a moment, then asked solemnly:

"So what do you mean by telling me this?"

There was no need for Yi Shitong, the leader of the Imperial Selection, to tell him this.

Because, ultimately, this is a "family matter of Letania," and even if a beautiful scene has already begun to unfold in Shitongling, as long as Ernst is not harmed, it has little to do with him.

All he needs to do is sign the trade agreement as soon as possible and then return to Shelag.

To put it another way, if Werner wanted to get him involved, he shouldn't have told Ernst about it.

Once Queen Elizabeth II arrives, Ernst won't easily choose to leave. After all, he's already submitted a visit application, and now that he's met the Queen herself, how can he simply walk away? Even without an application, as the Prime Minister of Sherag and the interim Secretary-General of the World Summit, he should at least politely greet the heads of state of the five permanent members of the Security Council. Leaving without a word would be far too impolite.

But since Warner told me about it, he must have his own reasons.

Sure enough, Werner took a deep breath and nodded:

"It may be a bit sudden, but I would like to ask you to leave with Viviana."

3. Ernst opened his mouth.

For a moment, Lu almost couldn't keep up with Walner's train of thought.

Didn't you just say that you wanted to pass the position of Elector to Viviana, restore all her honors as "Hochberg," and let her wield absolute power from then on?

You've already changed your mind less than half an hour after you said that?

But upon further reflection, Ernst understood Werner's idea.

The decision to have Viviana inherit the position of Elector was made by Volner, who was simultaneously playing the roles of "Elector" and "father."

As the Elector, he certainly didn't want his position to fall into the hands of a collateral descendant. This position was earned by his father and brothers with their lives, and he had held it for decades. Even if he was initially saddened and unwilling, by this time, he had developed an attachment to the position.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have repeatedly emphasized, "I'm not dead yet!"

The naive young Werner who first encountered Viviana's mother in the alleyway of marigolds has disappeared. The current Werner von Hochberg is a traditional nobleman with a strong desire for power.

However, just as many villains can be controlled for several minutes by a single sentence, a piece of music, or a small crystal ball ornament, the last remaining softness in his heart and his sense of guilt towards Viviana and her mother prompted him to choose this method.

Find Viviana a powerful patron and then let her inherit your position.

Power was the most he could offer Viviana, the child, in the few remaining days of his life; love was too much of a luxury for the Elector.

In this way, he could ensure that the crown would continue to be passed down in his bloodline, make amends to Viviana, and at the same time show her what power really is.

In that case, perhaps Viviana will understand why he made that difficult choice back then!

Or, in this way, he could convince himself that he was right.

But Ernst saw through his idea.

His seemingly most benevolent idea for Viviana was actually aimed at alienating her. What he ultimately wanted to leave his daughter was not at least a useful mountain of gold and silver, but a den of dragons and tigers.

Ernst refused, so Viviana lost her backer and the means to directly inherit the Elector's title.

Unless she completely pledges allegiance to one side!

But Werner no longer wanted Viviana to do that kind of thing.

So this time, he chose to "be a father".

“Take Viviana away from Letania, and then let her go wherever she wants.”

"Whether she returns to Kazimierz, goes to Shelag, works at the World Summit, or continues to be her gladiator knight, her life is free. Marigolds bloom just as beautifully by the roadside; forcibly transplanting her into a greenhouse would only harm her."

"This is the only requirement I want to make in the [Business Agreement]."

Ernst nodded.

He can accept this request.

At that moment, he saw a relieved and liberated smile on Werner's face.

Unfortunately, he has to say "but".

"We're afraid we won't be able to leave."

Walner's smile froze, then turned into a hint of anger:

"what happens?"

"There will probably be more than one concert."

It's likely that more than one company is causing trouble.

Ernst Road.

He'd been pondering one thing since just now—"How many concerts are there?"

Ernst heard the news that "Schönling is going to hold a concert" three times in total.

The first time was on the road in Letania, provided by the wanted criminal Arturo, whom she "chancely encountered." This Sakota, who was a social disturbance wherever he stood, claimed to have been invited by the Elector, but the problem was that the Elector of Shitong had never invited her.

The second instance was the concert Gertrude mentioned. Ernst didn't know who Gertrude was. But judging from her own testimony, whether it was sneaking into the tower or saying, "I wasn't qualified to see you, so I used some means," it was enough to prove that she was at least not one of Werner's people.

The third time is now, when Werner himself tells us that "the Queen is coming soon" and the concert is about to begin.

Ernst initially thought that the man was a subordinate of the Elector of St. Tong, who had begun to act on his own initiative while his master was seriously ill.

But now it seems that's not the case.

Firstly, Warner's illness was not to the point where he was completely unable to manage affairs, nor could his subordinates act on their own initiative to the extent that he would hold a "funeral concert" in the name of the Elector ahead of schedule.

Secondly, they had already accepted the "Empress's" order, so even if they were to invite Arturo, it should be done "in the name of the Empress," not the Elector.

The identity of the "Elector" who invited Arturo is quite intriguing.

The Queen's welcome concert is about to take place; that's a done deal. However, the person in charge of hosting the concert is "a subordinate of Walter who has defected to the Queen's faction." At this critical juncture, they are unlikely to be opportunistic and switch sides!

So, which concert is Gertrude going to attend, which concert is Arturo going to attend, and which concert is planned by "the Elector who invited Arturo"?

Ernst didn't need to explain it too clearly; Werner wasn't a novice, and he immediately understood what Ernst meant.

In fact, it's quite obvious who's behind this "extra concert."

This is too hard to guess! Which side has been watching Shi Tongling's location the whole time, yet hasn't made a single move?

"The Witch King's remnants!"

Walner practically spat out the word through gritted teeth.

While other electors could still have their relationships with the remnants of the Witch King unclear, he was arguably the one who looked down on the Witch King's remnants the most among all the electors.

After all, his father and brothers died on the night he killed the Witch King, and he had a blood feud with the Witch King.

Even though more than twenty years in power had lowered his moral standards considerably, there were still some grudges he couldn't forget, and he couldn't forget the remnants of the Witch King's faction either.

Even if they had some superficial connections in secret, neither side could truly trust the other. He didn't trust the remnants of the Witch King's faction, and how could the Witch King's remnants, a group of disillusioned people who flew the Witch King's banner, possibly trust someone who "successfully inherited the position of Elector because of his merit in defeating the Witch King"?

Looking at the angry Werner, Ernst hissed.

It wasn't that he felt cold; he just felt that things were a bit tricky.

After all, as Walner himself said before.

There are only two ways to force an elector to hold a concert.

Either someone dies, in which case it must be opened. Or, an important person visits, in which case it must be opened.

The Elector who orchestrated all of this has yet to appear, nor has there been any news of an Elector's visit. However, Gertrude and Arturo have already gathered or are gathering in the territory of Shiton.

So how can they force Shi Tongling to hold a second concert?