Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

Before the morning mist had even dissipated, the streets and alleys of Trinity were completely awakened by the excited cries of newsboys.

Newspapers, still damp with ink, were snatched from the newspaper boys' hands by the citizens.

Such astonishing news spread wildly from the capital, Triinttelme, to all corners of Letania.

In a cheap, smoky pub in the working-class district south of the city, the atmosphere was more scorching than the strongest ale.

A burly man with a thick beard slammed the newspaper down on the table, making his wine glasses clink.

"Did you see that? Did you see that? Mr. Lacey did it! He really brought down an Elector!"

"Damn, this is more miraculous than a miracle!"

"That's the Elector, a nobleman almost on par with the emperor!"

"What kind of nobleman is he! The newspapers clearly state that Otto is a butcher! He deserved to kill so many civilians!"

"If you ask me, Mr. Lacey did a great job!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Come! For Mr. Lacey! For the Workers' Party!"

"Oh--"

Someone raised their glass first, and soon, everyone in the tavern raised their hands.

Many of them had a well-worn copy of "Mein Kampf" hidden under their pillows.

In the past, that book was a solace in despair; now, it has become a prophecy within reach.

……

On the other side of the city, in the salons of the aristocratic district, the atmosphere was completely different.

The old marquis, dressed in a silk robe, trembled slightly as he held the newspaper. The newspaper with Lacey's profile on it was more glaring to him than the Witch King's wanted poster.

"Crazy, a bunch of lunatics!"

"What is this Lacey? He's just a worthless commoner! And now he's become an Elector?"

"This is the biggest joke in the history of Letania!" he roared.

“Father, this is probably not a joke.” His younger son, standing beside him, was also pale.

"The newspapers said that Vasseur led 300,000 workers to line the streets to welcome him... The words 'the will of the people' carry immense weight."

"A bunch of fools who can be easily incited!" the old marquis scoffed disdainfully.

"The key is Her Majesty the Empress's attitude!"

"They just sit idly by? Have they forgotten how they got to the throne? Have they forgotten who put them there?"

The other nobles in the salon exchanged glances, each feeling uneasy.

They sensed a bloody undercurrent of change in Lacey's rise.

That young man and the Workers' Party he represented were like a Damocles' sword hanging over the heads of all the old aristocracy, ready to sever their hereditary privileges and glory at any moment.

They were not afraid of the emperor, because the emperor needed them too.

But Lacey is different; what he wants is something they might not be able to give him.

……

Meanwhile, in the commercial stations connecting the major regions, merchants were busy calculating their calculations.

"The mining industry in Vaser Territory is likely to be reshuffled." A fat merchant stroked his shiny chin, his eyes gleaming.

"That idiot Otto only knows how to raise taxes, driving miners to their deaths!"

"Judging from his books, this Lacey must be someone who understands economics."

"A new order means new opportunities!"

“Opportunity? I think it’s more of a risk,” another cautious businessman shook his head.

"You dare to do business with a madman who can bring down an elector?"

"If he can settle scores with Otto today, he can settle scores with us 'blood-sucking capitalists' tomorrow."

"That's why you should do it early," the fat businessman grinned like a fox.

"When he needs us, it's always better to offer our kindness and help him in his time of need than to add to his already good fortune."

"Besides, don't you think... following him might allow you to earn something more valuable than gold coins?"

……

The power center of Letania, the Triinttelme Twin Towers.

The atmosphere in the throne room was tense and somber.

Helemat Hildergard, the Black Queen, kicked over the council table in front of her.

The tableware and delicate fruit plate on the table suddenly fell to the ground and shattered, just like her mood at that moment.

"Lawless! Absolutely lawless!"

Her voice was filled with thunderous rage, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth.

Her eyes were fixed on the "Queen's Voice" spy kneeling on the ground.

"Who gave him the audacity? Who gave him the authority?"

"That good-for-nothing Otto, even if he dies, should be judged by the imperial authority!"

"When did it become the turn of a peasant from a small border town to put an imperial elector on trial?"

Helena paced back and forth in front of the throne, her black skirt billowing in the wind.

She stopped abruptly and turned to her sister, who had remained silent.

"Lizelot! We must send troops immediately!"

"Move the three legions closest to Wasser territory and crush that so-called Workers' Party and their newly elected Elector!"

"We must let all of Letania know what the consequences are for defying the imperial authority!"

Liselotte Ivignad, the White Queen, sat gracefully on her throne, holding a cup of still-warm black tea in her hands.

She didn't even glance at the mess on the ground or her enraged sister.

She gently blew on the steam from the tea before slowly speaking.

“Herlinmat, your anger is meaningless and will only make our enemies gloat.”

“An enemy? The biggest enemy right now is that Lacey!” Herlinmat retorted.

"Is that so?" Liselot put down her teacup and raised her clear eyes.

"Then, under what pretext should we send troops to punish someone who has just quelled a rebellion in his territory, wiped out the remnants of the Witch King, gained the support of hundreds of thousands or even millions of people, and is the legitimate heir of the former chosen emperor?"

She paused, then continued with a sarcastic tone:

“Once we send troops, Lacey will go from being a local leader to a hero who resists the tyranny of the monarchy.”

“Those nobles who were hesitant about him will turn to him because of our foolish actions, and the people who have been stirred up by Mein Kampf will rise up in rebellion.”

"At that time, we will not be facing just the territory of Vaser, but the wrath of the entire Letania."

“Perhaps what I’m describing won’t happen, but Helena, do you want to see that? That’s exactly what the other Electors would like to see.”

Herlinmat was speechless, her chest heaving violently, unable to refute.

Liselotte stood up and slowly walked to Helenemat's side, straightening her collar, which was slightly disheveled from anger.

“Helimmat, look.”

"Lassie's knife, though sharp, is it aimed at whom?"

“It’s Otto Gladstone, one of those old nobles who no longer respect the imperial power.”

“We have always wanted to weaken the Elector’s power, but we have been struggling to find a suitable excuse and the strength to do so. Now, someone has done it for us.”

“But he’s losing control!” Herlinmat growled.

“No, he didn’t.” Liselotte’s voice carried a strange, reassuring quality.

"A knife is only out of control when it's in someone else's hands; what if it's in our own?"

She gazed at Helena and said, word by word, "The trend is unstoppable, so let's go with it."

"Instead of pushing him to the opposite side, we should bring him into our system, give him a legitimate identity, and make him a sharp weapon in our hands."

"Let him go and fight with the other electors, let him gnaw on the toughest bones."

"And we only need to sit on the throne, watch them fight to the death, and then come out to clean up the mess."

"You mean..." The anger in Helena's eyes gradually faded, replaced by deep thought.

“Give the order.” Liselotte took a step back and bowed slightly.

"In the joint name of our twin queens, we hereby issue an edict, appointing Lacey as the new electoral marquis of the Vaser Territory."

"The stated purpose was 'to appease the people and restore order and production in the Vase territory as soon as possible'."

Helena remained silent for a long time, and only her heavy breathing could be heard in the throne room.

Finally, she closed her eyes and let out a long breath.

“…We’ll do as you say.” Her voice was filled with resentment and exhaustion.

“But, Liselotte, if he crosses any line, I will break his neck myself, no matter the consequences!”

“As you wish, my dear Helena Mat.” Liselot smiled, but there was no smile in her eyes.

……

Holy Leitanian Empire: Chapter 45: The Empress's Edict

The sky over Vaser Territory seemed bluer than ever before.

The coal ash and dust that had been hanging over the city dissipated considerably as factories temporarily shut down and a new order was established.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining on the rebuilt streets and illuminating people's hopeful faces.

Not far from the tower, the square that was once Otto's parade ground and execution ground has now become the liveliest place in the Vassell Territory.

Lacey set up the Workers' Party's temporary headquarters in several halls on the ground floor of the tower, and every day he would take time to come to the square to personally participate in the promotion and implementation of the new policy.

Dressed in the same simple uniform as ordinary Workers' Party members, with his sleeves rolled up, he stood with the people and announced the first batch of decrees for the new government of the Wasser region.

"...From this day forward, all the exorbitant taxes imposed by Otto Gladstone are hereby abolished! Including the birth tax and the death tax!"

"All the land and houses that have been seized will be returned to their rightful owners! Unclaimed land will be distributed by the Workers' Party to those who need it most!"

"We will immediately open a public canteen to ensure that no one goes hungry before production resumes!"

"Long live Lord Lacey!"

Long live the Workers' Party!

Each announcement of a law was met with thunderous cheers from the square.

People cried, laughed, and hugged each other.

For them, Lacey brought more than just food and land; it brought them human dignity.

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats approached from afar, interrupting the lively atmosphere in the square.

A troop of cavalrymen in armor, carrying royal banners, escorted a magnificent carriage adorned with the royal insignia, which came to a stop at the edge of the square.

The cheers of the crowd gradually subsided, and they automatically made way for the uninvited guests.

A royal envoy stepped down from the carriage, dressed in a well-tailored court dress, his chin slightly raised, his eyes carrying the arrogance characteristic of officials in the capital.

He glanced around at the ragged people, his brow furrowing in displeasure, as if the air itself were filthy.

Taylor led a group of workers' pickets forward and blocked his way.

"Who goes there?" Taylor's voice was loud and clear, neither humble nor arrogant.

The envoy glanced at Taylor and the armed, spirited militiamen behind him, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"How dare you! I am Her Majesty's special envoy, sent to read out the decree! Where is your leader, Lacey? Tell him to come here immediately to receive the decree!"