Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

Ziegler's words plunged the side room into a long silence.

After a long silence, Gabriel finally spoke with difficulty: "But... the territory of Vassell is now completely sealed off, and the information we receive is hard to verify."

"What if Mecklen and Warner are just a smokescreen put out by Lacey, and that land is actually a trap?"

“Therefore, we must see for ourselves.” A resolute glint flashed in Ziegler’s eyes.

"We can no longer rely on hearsay."

“The three of us will each send our most reliable team, under the guise of a trade inspection, to the Vassehr Territory, to the Shiton Territory, and to the railway construction site in Kepranya, to see for ourselves what it’s really like there!”

“I agree,” Alfred nodded immediately.

Gabriel hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Alright, let's put it to the test."

"I want to see if the pie he's painted is edible or poisonous."

……

Holy Lytania Empire: Chapter 71: Lytania is now half under my control!

After Mecklen and Werner both sided with you, the balance of power in Letania shifted subtly.

The three electors who had always maintained a self-proclaimed neutrality and wavered between the two sides—Ziegler Augustine, Gabriel Alarand, and Alfred Utica—finally began to feel genuine anxiety.

When the wealth and prestige of Mecklenburg and Warner become intertwined with yours, and when brand-new highway and railway plans are laid out before you, their proud aristocratic pride proves utterly vulnerable under the onslaught of real money.

Jealousy and fear intertwined, driving them to make the same decision.

Three spies, disguised as merchant caravans, set off from their respective territories and entered Vaser Territory, Shiton Territory, and Keprania respectively.

They were ordered to find the truth about your rule—to uncover the oppression behind the propaganda, the lies beneath the prosperity, and the traps hidden behind the cooperation.

However, your intelligence network already covers this land.

Under Gertrude's command, every agent's movements and rendezvous are meticulously recorded and compiled onto your desk.

Moon/Ripples - Introduction (Seven) Lu Yan Er Zhou Er? [You decide to address the root cause and conduct a soft infiltration targeting these three electors.]

[You dispatched your best propagandists to the town square of Fordgang to tell the citizens and merchants who were worried about tax revenue how the Vassell had increased their income by developing industry and commerce, thus making the total tax revenue rise instead of fall.]

You dispatched a trade delegation laden with well-designed and inexpensive handicrafts, textiles, and various tools produced in the territory of Vaser, to visit Lord Gabriel of Erdenher.

When he saw the "Worker No. 1" textile machine, with its ingenious structure and efficiency several times that of existing looms, the shock in his eyes far surpassed any political slogan.

[You even had Arturo's Ministry of Culture organize a traveling cavalry choir to perform in the conservative Nwad.]

[While they were performing Letanian traditional opera and folk dances, they "casually" chatted about the various benefits enjoyed by the children of workers in the Vasseur tribe, and the happy life where everyone was well-fed and clothed.]

Meanwhile, Gertrude's intelligence network was spreading elaborate rumors in the salons and taverns of Letania.

Some say that Mecklen earned back a year's worth of profits in just one month through railway trade with the Vasseur territory.

[Some say that the mines in the Volna Territory have tripled their output because of the introduction of new equipment from the Wasser Territory.]

[Some even say that the Gemini Queen is considering establishing a "Special Committee for Economic Development," and that seats will only be reserved for electors who follow the trends of the times.]

[Amidst this pervasive anxiety, the three electors discovered that merchants within their territories were beginning to complain about trade barriers, scholars were discussing technological innovations in the Vasseur Territory, and even their own advisors were subtly suggesting whether they should establish initial contact with the Vasseur Territory.]

This invisible pressure from within was more suffocating to them than any external military threat.

[This is an inevitable trend.]

When the weight of these four words presses on your heart, even the most steadfast stance will crack.

Ziegler Augustine of the Fordgang region was the first to yield.

After witnessing firsthand the astonishing efficiency report brought back by his spies regarding the agricultural processing plant in the Vase territory, he secretly dispatched an envoy to sign a grain trade and agricultural technology introduction agreement with you.

[And he swore an oath of family honor that he would cast his vote for Fordgang in the future parliament.]

[Next is Gabriel Alarand from the Odenhel region.]

He was utterly impressed by the industrial potential of Vaser territory. After rejecting the textile machines you offered, he made an even more ambitious request: to establish a joint technical exchange center in Odenher, with Vaser providing the technology and him providing the land and workers.

In exchange, Erdenhel's votes will be yours.

The last Alfred Utica, during a territory inspection, was blocked from his path by a group of people who had spontaneously gathered to petition for the establishment of a workers' welfare society, similar to that of the Vasseur territory.

Looking into those fervent and hopeful eyes, he felt for the first time the power of "popular will."

He returned to the tower and wrote a personal letter agreeing to the Workers' Party's legal expansion within his territory, and implicitly expressing his willingness to "maintain alignment" with you in Parliament.

[At this point, the territories of Wasser, Keprania, Shitong, Fordgang, Erdenhel, and Enwad are known.]

[Of the nine electorates in the Empire, you have already secured six votes.]

Most of the obstacles on the road to imperial power have been cleared.

[You instructed Serafina and Gertrude to immediately begin deepening cooperation with these five allies, using a vast network woven from shared interests such as railways, highways, and trade orders to completely bind them to your cause, forming an unbreakable alliance.]

……

Inside the throne room of the tower, the flames in the fireplace burned brightly, casting flickering light on the map on the wall.

Lacey stood in front of the map, silent.

His finger lightly traced the six areas marked in red, representing Vaserland, Keprania, Shitongland, and the newly incorporated Fordgang, Erdenhur, and Enwad.

Six votes.

This means that he can convene the Electoral Council at any time, and place himself on the crown throne that symbolizes the highest power in Letania, whenever he wishes.

The prerequisite is that he first needs to launch a coup to overthrow the Gemini Queens.

This is obviously not that easy.

If a coup were to occur, the only person who would truly stand by his side would probably be Werner.

Even whether Mecklenburg supports it is questionable.

Therefore, it is wishful thinking for someone with the strength of only two or three major regions to try to seize power through an armed coup.

“Everything is going better than I expected,” Gertrude’s voice came from behind.

She walked up to Lacey, her gray eyes reflecting the crimson of the map.

“That old fox Ziegler praised you as a ‘once-in-a-millennium economic genius’ in his letter.”

“Gabriel is even more impatient and has already allocated the land for the technical exchange center.”

She paused, her tone now tinged with undisguised contempt: "A bunch of opportunists, they sway faster than anyone else when the wind changes."

“I suggest that more people should be stationed in their territory, and if necessary, their guards should be directly controlled to prevent them from having any further disloyal thoughts.”

Lacey said, “Gertrude, your vigilance is necessary; the loyalty of these old nobles is thinner than paper.”

He turned around and glanced at his most capable assistant.

“We cannot maintain it with fear alone, nor can we naively rely on their goodwill.”

Lacey drew a circle on the map with her finger, encircling the six red territories.

"We must use the chains of interests to bind them even more tightly to us."

Gertrude raised an eyebrow.

Lacey continued, "The trade agreement is just the first step."

“I intend to invite these five electors, as well as all those who are willing to join, to jointly establish the ‘Leytania Economic Community’.”

"Leytania Economic Community?" Gertrude repeated the word softly.

“An internal free trade zone,” Lacey explained.

"Within this community, we will unify tariffs, dismantle trade barriers, and standardize railway gauge and freight wagon dimensions so that goods can move freely within the six major regions."

“Grain from Keprania can be easily transported to Erdenher, industrial products from Vaser Territory can fill the market of Fordgang within a day, and ore from Shitong Territory can be sent to the furnaces of every one of our factories at the lowest cost.”

He paused.

"When their economy is deeply integrated with ours, when their businessmen and people are accustomed to this efficiency and prosperity, any attempt to break away from this system will be economic suicide."

"By then, their loyalty will no longer need to be guaranteed by swords and spears."

Gertrude's breath hitched slightly.

She could almost see an economic empire, with Vaser territory at its heart and railways and trade as its veins, slowly taking shape on this map.

“I understand,” she murmured. “We don’t need to bribe them; we can assimilate them.”

“Yes, in a way that they can’t refuse, and they might even hug you willingly,” Lacey added.

“What a... vicious yet brilliant plan.” Gertrude’s lips curled into a genuine smile of admiration.

"While those old nobles were still playing petty power games and conspiracies, we had already begun to set entirely new rules for the game."

"I even felt a little sorry for them."

Lacey smiled and drank the hot tea in her cup in one gulp.

"Then let's get ready." He gave the new instruction.

"Inform Lenia to take charge of drafting the preliminary treaty for the 'Economic Community,' and send Serafina as a special envoy to visit our five allies and explain the grand prospects of this plan to them."

"Understood." Serafina nodded earnestly.

“Gertrude, your propaganda and intelligence departments must also cooperate fully.”

“Keep a close eye on those two old friends, Heidenschwell and Oschdenheim. They won’t stand by and watch us consolidate our forces in peace.”

Gertrude said with a sneer, "I can't wait to see their expressions."

……

Holy Lytanian Empire: Chapter 72: One Trick Pony, and You're set for life

As you turn your gaze to the northwest corner of the map—the Rupercan region—a complex and indescribable emotion wells up within you.

That's your hometown, the place where you spent your carefree childhood, and also the burial place of your parents, bearing witness to your initial anger and deep-seated hatred.

Elector Iraq Congreve of Rupercan, a typical Old World nobleman, was corrupt and incompetent. His territories were impoverished, factories closed, farmland lay fallow, and the people were filled with resentment and suffering.

Gertrude's intelligence department, using Salem as a springboard, had secretly been established in Rupercan for many years.

Through various underground channels, they spread "Mein Kampf" and the ideals of the Workers' Party across this barren land like dandelion seeds.

Those passionate words ignited a wildfire in the hearts of every Ruperthom resident yearning for change.

You, Lacey, have been portrayed as "the avenger and liberator who emerged from Rupertham."

Your rise, every victory you achieved against the old aristocracy, was portrayed as the most direct resistance against oppression.

This ignited the hope and passion of the people of their hometown.

The workers and peasants of Rupercan, because of your background and the promises of the Workers' Party, hold you in almost religious optimism and trust, regarding you as their sole savior.

Their hatred for Elak Congreve grew to a boiling point, and countless people secretly prayed that you would liberate them from their suffering as you had liberated Vasseur.

[Taylor has found you, your former neighbor, the loyal blacksmith, now the Minister of War, his eyes bloodshot, requesting to personally lead the elite of the Workers' Party Guard to storm Rupercan with lightning speed.]

[Avenge your parents, and avenge all your oppressed fellow countrymen.]

He knows the pain you once felt and wants to share it with you, so he personally beheads his enemy.

Serafina, however, was deeply worried. She feared that direct military action would provide the twin queens and other electors with an excuse to openly interfere, putting you in a double bind, both politically and militarily.

She suggested adopting a more moderate political approach, gradually infiltrating through the influence of the economic community to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.

……

Inside the throne room of the high tower.

Lacey's gaze lingered on the area called "Rupercan" for a long time.

That place is where his memories begin, and also the reason for his struggle.

Gertrude emerged from the shadows, holding a stack of documents, and reported in a relaxed tone: "Our 'economic community' plan is more popular than we expected."

"The five electors have sent their respective delegations and are arguing fiercely over the standardization of tariffs and railway gauge."

“Gabriel even suggested that we send someone to guide them on how to establish a union, as he felt that this would allow them to manage workers more efficiently.”

She let out a soft laugh, with her usual sarcasm: "Look, they learn new things much faster than they learn how to stand up straight."

Lacey didn't turn around, her voice calm as she said, "Let them argue. Arguing means they care, it means their interests have bound them together."

"Once the tracks are laid and freight trains start running, they will never be able to go back."