Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

Mecklen's smile froze on his face.

He froze, his mind racing, trying to understand the terrifying message behind those words.

Did Letania initiate the war?

Why?

With us electors who are constantly fighting amongst ourselves?

Or is it based on those twin empresses who are being roasted over a fire?

This is ridiculous.

At present, Letania is struggling to develop itself, so how can it attack others?

unless……

Unless there is one person who can unite all the electors, bring all the forces together as one, develop them vigorously, and unite against external enemies!

Mecklen looked up abruptly at Lacey, his eyes filled with horror.

"Could it be that you...you..."

He tried to say the word, but found his throat too dry to make a sound.

He finally understood.

Lacey's goal was not at all to become an Elector of Vasseur.

What he wants is the whole of Letania!

He wants to sit on that supreme throne and then drag the entire nation, the whole of Terra, into the war he desires!

"madman!"

Mecklen instinctively took a step back and shouted, "You're a complete madman! I thought you were a clever speculator, but I never imagined you were a gambler trying to drag everyone onto your chariot!"

Lacey smiled.

"A madman? Perhaps."

He did not refute, but asked quietly, "But, Your Excellency Mecklen, if, I mean if... in three to five years, what this madman said will all come true."

"At that time, will you be glad you listened to the ramblings of a madman today, or will you regret missing out on that earth-shattering gamble that could have made your family stand for a hundred years?"

Mecklen was breathing heavily, his vest soaked with cold sweat.

He was a businessman who spent his life dealing with risk and profit.

But the man in front of him was offering him a gamble he had never imagined.

The stakes are the future of all of Letania, and indeed, the entire land.

……

Holy Lytania Empire: Chapter Sixty-Three: Are You a Qualified Merchant?

"What if...there was no war?"

Mecklen's voice was a little hoarse. He forced himself to calm down and analyze this crazy deal using a businessman's logic.

He spent his life dancing with risk and profit, boasting that he was the most astute hunter in Letania, able to smell the fragrance of gold coins from a hundred miles away.

But today, he felt like the prey being targeted.

"If everything goes as I expect, and Terra maintains a fragile peace, then my huge investments and stockpiled supplies will rot in the warehouses, and the factories I've transformed will lose everything."

"I will become the biggest joke in all of Letania!"

This is a rational judgment, a question that any normal businessman would raise.

Lacey's smile widened as he slowly walked back to the table and poured himself a cup of black tea.

“I once read a sentence in a book from Victoria,” Lacey said casually.

"Merchants will be tempted to do anything for a 10% profit; they will take risks for a 50% profit; they will trample on all human laws for a 100% profit; and they will not even be afraid of the gallows for a 300% profit."

He looked up and his eyes fell on Mecklen's face.

"Your Excellency Mecklen, what I'm giving you is far more than three times the profit."

"That will be ten times, a hundred times! It's the qualification that will transform you from a wealthy elector into a tycoon who controls the economic lifeline of the empire!"

"I have never doubted your wisdom, Your Excellency; I am simply very curious..."

He drawled out, speaking with amusement:

Are you a qualified businessman?

These words struck a chord with Mecklenburg.

A qualified businessperson?

Of course he is!

He spent his entire life pursuing this goal.

He understands better than anyone that the essence of wealth is information asymmetry, cognitive superiority, and the courage to make a big bet when everyone else is fearful!

He has achieved his current status because his grandfather, his father, and himself made bolder judgments than others at every historical crossroads.

This is what led to the Nehm family's current glory.

Adventure has long been etched into the blood of the Nehm family.

And now, Lacey, this madman who climbed up from the bottom, is using his most prized identity to question and challenge him.

Mecklen's chest heaved violently, his mind racing.

On one side lies an abyss of no return.

On the other side is the ladder leading to the pinnacle of wealth and power.

He looked at Lacey, the young man standing there calmly, his eyes as deep as the sea, as if he could already see the future three to five years from now.

He was so certain!

That kind of confidence!

It didn't seem like the bluffing of a gambler at all.

After a long while, Mecklen let out a long breath.

"Your story is very moving, Mr. Lacey."

"However, it is not in my principle to gamble everything on a war that has not yet happened."

He picked up the cup of black tea and took a slow, deliberate sip.

"However, I am very interested in your first point."

Mecklen sat back in his chair, regaining his businessman's shrewdness.

"Our two families will each contribute half the funds to build this railway, and the profits will be split 50/50."

"This is the basis of our cooperation, and also the platform through which I observe you."

"As for your second point..." He shook his head.

"It's too early now. I won't immediately undertake a large-scale transformation of the military industry; that would be too conspicuous."

"However, I will use the excuse of upgrading equipment and expanding production capacity to quietly make some preparations."

"I will start stockpiling some strategic materials that are not easily perishable, such as ores and metal ingots."

"Consider this investment as an insurance policy for the future I envision for you."

In the end, he still couldn't make up his mind completely.

Because this is only the other party's side of the story.

As a qualified businessman, one must not forget to avoid risks while pursuing profits.

Making such a promise already represents the extent of his approval.

They neither completely rejected Lacey's proposal and missed a potential opportunity, nor did they completely reject it; instead, they controlled the risks to the greatest extent possible.

Even if war hadn't broken out, those ores and metal ingots could have been gradually absorbed by the market; it was just a matter of time, and the losses wouldn't have been too great.

Lacey smiled.

The fish has taken the bait.

“A wise choice, Your Excellency Mecklen.”

"I believe that your caution today will bring you far greater rewards in the future."

"I hope so."

Mecklen picked up the now-cold cup of black tea and drank it all in one gulp.

"However, Your Excellency Lacey, since this is a collaboration, I must naturally show my sincerity."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "At the next parliamentary session, if anyone brings up your background again, or impeaches you for your handling of the Earl of Austin, I will stand by your side."

This is Mecklen's true concession.

He was already fully aware of Lacey's ambitions, and his statement at this moment was tantamount to taking a small step toward Lacey's camp in front of the Twin Queens and the old nobles.

This small step may be insignificant militarily, but politically it sends a clear signal.

“Then I’ll await good news.” Lacey’s smile held a newfound sincerity.

The two of them stood up at the same time.

"Your Excellency Mecklen, in the future you will surely be pleased with the wise choice you made today."

"Pleasant to work with."

Lacey extended her hand.

"Pleasant to work with."

Mecklen took his hand.

……

Inside the carriage as we leave Eisenwild.

The old butler handed Mecklen a warm towel.

“Master, that Mr. Lacey…” the old butler hesitated before speaking.

"He's too young, and too...crazy."

"Isn't it too risky to gamble the future of the family on a madman?"

Mecklen wiped his face and tossed the towel aside.

He leaned back in the soft chair, closed his eyes, and Lacey's question echoed repeatedly in his mind.

After a long pause, he said softly, "Risk? Fortune favors the bold, old friend."

"When has the Nehm family ever done a business without risk?"

He paused, then added, "And don't you think so?"

"It's much more exciting to work with a madman who can foresee the future than to associate with a bunch of idiots who can only see immediate gains."

Seeing the excited expression on his master's face, the old butler wisely kept quiet.

……

After seeing Mecklen Neham off, Lacey returned to the throne room alone.

He walked up to the map, picked up a quill pen, dipped it in red ink, and drew a circle on the map representing the Kepranja region.

If you remove one from eight, you'll have seven left.

Mecklen's vote was an exchange of interests.

He can offer benefits, and others can probably do the same.

To truly secure that position, he needs even stronger allies.

……

Holy Leitanian Empire: Chapter Sixty-Four: If Leisi can go, why can't I?