Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

The exhibition was held on a newly opened, expansive site outside Trilintelme, where several magnificent pavilions in the “New Leitania style” rose up.

On the opening day, the square was packed with people.

Workers, farmers, and students from all over the country, along with invited ambassadors, businessmen, and journalists, witnessed this historic moment together.

Lacey appeared on the platform wearing the Workers' Party uniform.

He didn't mince words: "Today, we are here to show the world the miracles that the people of Letania have created with their own hands over the past three years."

"Now, I declare the New Letania Achievements Exhibition officially open!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than a sharp whistling sound came from the sky above the square.

Everyone looked up at the same time and saw three gray-white planes flying across the sky at an astonishing speed, with the Empire's red flag with a sickle and hammer fluttering in the wind beneath its wings.

"My God! What is that?"

A reporter from Victoria exclaimed in surprise, nearly dropping his camera.

"An aircraft? No, no, no, it looks much more advanced."

Another representative of a Syracuse family muttered to himself, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

This speed and this posture were completely beyond his understanding of aircraft.

This is just the beginning.

As the doors of the exhibition hall slowly opened, what was presented to the world was a scene they would never forget.

In the very center of the industrial pavilion, a colossal steel behemoth sits quietly.

It has sloped frontal armor, a thick and long gun barrel, and wide tracks, exuding a suffocating sense of oppression.

Next to it stands a sign that reads "Tiger I" medium tank in both Leitanian and Terran languages.

At that moment, Military Secretary Taylor, like a child showing off his beloved toy, stood beside the tank, spitting as he introduced it to a group of dumbfounded foreign visitors:

"Gentlemen, look! This is the new pride of our Imperial Army!"

"It is equipped with Drummond I composite armor, which can withstand direct fire from all known crossbow bolts and gun shells!"

"Its main gun can easily penetrate any building from several kilometers away!"

After hearing Taylor's introduction, the visitors immediately gathered around the tank.

On the other side of the industrial pavilion, Mr. Drummond and Mr. Wright, two geniuses recruited by Lacey from other countries, were jointly showcasing their latest achievements.

"...This engine is our third-generation product."

Wright pointed to a machine that was only the size of a suitcase but was outputting a steady stream of data.

"Its energy conversion efficiency is 40 percent higher than that of products from the Columbia military laboratory, while its cost is only one-third of theirs."

Mecklen Neham stood not far away, grinning from ear to ear.

He had already begun planning how to apply for a special marketing fund from Lenia.

Of course, only he knows how much of that budget includes public relations costs.

In the science and technology museum, people saw mechanical computers capable of performing complex calculations, as well as a variety of unheard-of new materials and products.

Inside the cultural center, Werner von Hochberg was proudly introducing the artistic achievements of New Letania to the guests.

The walls are covered with oil paintings depicting workers toiling in factories, farmers reaping a bountiful harvest in fields, and soldiers defending their country on the battlefield.

"Our art originates from the people and serves the people," Warner said in a loud voice.

"It records the pulse of an era and the spirit of a nation!"

Among the crowd, a middle-aged man from Victoria, wearing a top hat and behaving politely, had a cold glint in his eyes.

He is a senior agent of MI6 in Victoria, codenamed "The Watchmaker".

His task was to steal them.

His gaze was fixed on the Originium engine that was running in the science museum.

This thing is worth far more than any gold or jewelry.

He approached the booth discreetly, pretending to be a tech-obsessed scholar, and asked the staff some seemingly professional questions.

His hand quietly reached into his pocket for a specially made miniature camera.

Just as he was about to press the shutter, a gray figure appeared behind him like a ghost.

"Sir, your tie is crooked."

The watchmaker's body froze instantly.

He felt a hand gently resting on his shoulder. The hand seemed weak and powerless, yet it conveyed a force that he could not resist.

"I think your colleagues in the intelligence department will be very interested in the little gadget in your pocket."

Gertrude wore a smile, but her gray eyes held no warmth.

　The watchmaker's heart sank to the bottom.

He knew he was exposed.

He wanted to resist, but the force on his shoulder told him that any movement would be futile.

He was half-carried and half-dragged away from the scene by two men in black who appeared out of nowhere. The whole process was silent and did not attract anyone's attention.

Gertrude watched him disappear into the crowd, then whispered into the miniature communicator on her collar, "Cleanup complete. Plan B activated."

A few minutes later, the exhibition hall's loudspeaker suddenly announced: "Dear guests, in order to thank you for your support of this exhibition, the Imperial Academy of Sciences has decided to provide licensed transfers of certain civilian technologies to all registered friendly business partners."

Those interested are welcome to visit Hall 3 for further discussion.

This news immediately caused a stir.

Those foreign businessmen who had originally intended to do something shady immediately forgot about their plans to steal intelligence.

Who would risk getting caught stealing something that can be bought honestly with money?

Upon hearing the broadcast, Mecklen immediately led his negotiation team to Hall 3.

……

Lacey had already returned to her office on the top floor of the Twin Towers.

He took in everything in the square through his binoculars.

Mecklen and Gertrude's actions and reactions were exactly as he had anticipated.

Serafina brought him a cup of black tea.

"Your Majesty, everything is going well."

“This is just the beginning.” Lacey put down her binoculars.

“We showed them our muscles and gave them candy.”

"Now, it depends on whether they want to get beaten up by us or share the cake with us."

He picked up a document from the table; it was the speech he was about to deliver to all of Terra.

The title is: "Peace, Prosperity and the Future of Terra".

……

……

Holy Leitanian Empire: Chapter Ninety-Seven: Peace Speech

The controversy surrounding the achievement exhibition was contained to a minimum thanks to Gertrude's swift and decisive handling of the situation.

Victoria did not even lodge any diplomatic protest, as if the "watchmaker" had never existed.

They suffered in silence, forced to swallow their anger and resentment.

This silence itself is a statement.

This means that Letania's strength has made these old empires hesitant to easily break off relations.

Three days later, Lacey held a grand press conference in the plaza beneath the Petronas Towers.

Hundreds of journalists from various countries across Terra packed the scene.

The Empire's radio station and newly established television station broadcast the entire press conference live.

Lacey stood in front of the podium, facing countless cameras and expectant eyes.

His voice, amplified by loudspeakers, clearly reached every corner of the square and every household in Letania.

"Friends, journalists, and everyone who cares about Letania."

"The world has witnessed our achievements in the past few days."

"Some people admired it, some were jealous, and perhaps some even felt fear."

His opening remarks were straightforward and immediately captured everyone's attention.

"They are afraid because they don't understand."

"They don't understand why a country that wasn't once considered top-tier could undergo such a dramatic transformation in just three years."

"They viewed a new world through the lens of the old era, which is why they felt confused and uneasy."

"Today, I stand here to tell the world the secret to Letania's rise."

Lacey paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"The secret is very simple: it is the 'people'."

"Our strength does not come from some mysterious monarch, nor from some ancient bloodline, nor from foreign plunder and colonization."

"Our strength comes from every worker, every farmer, every soldier, and every ordinary person in Letania who has contributed their sweat and wisdom to this country."

"Everything we do is not for the emperor's crown, nor for the nobles' treasury, but so that every child can have access to education, every family can have a place to live, every patient can receive medical treatment, and every worker can gain dignity."

His voice was infectious, and the crowd in the square erupted in thunderous applause.

The foreign journalists were also infected by this heartfelt enthusiasm, and their pens flew across the paper as they took notes.

“We know the cruelty of war, and we yearn for peace more than anyone else.” Lacey then shifted the conversation to international relations.

"But peace is not something that can be begged for, but something that can be won through strength."

"Leytania is developing its military not for aggression, but for self-defense."

"In order to protect our people, to protect our hard-won achievements, and to prevent them from being threatened and bullied by any external forces."

"We show the world our weapons so that everyone knows we have the ability to defend peace."

"I hereby declare that the Holy Third Empire of Letania is committed to establishing friendly relations of equality and mutual benefit with all peace-loving nations of Terra."

"We are willing to share our development experience, we are willing to open our market, and we are willing to carry out all forms of cooperation on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty."

"In order to enhance understanding and friendship among people of all countries and eliminate barriers and misunderstandings, I propose that the first Terra Peace Games be held in Trilintelme next summer!"

"We invite athletes from all over the world here, not for national honor or disgrace, not for the ownership of gold medals, but to demonstrate the human spirit of challenging oneself in competition and to build bridges of communication through exchange."

"Let sports be sports, and let politics be politics!"

"Let us replace blood with sweat, and gunfire with cheers!"

When the speech ended, the entire square erupted in cheers.

The crowd chanted "Long live the Emperor!" and "Long live peace!" reaching a fever pitch.

Laysie's speech combined Laytania's position with its vision for peace, demonstrating both its unwavering resolve to not be violated and sending a friendly signal to the world.

These words were not only addressed to the general public, but also to the rulers of countries like Victoria and Kazimierz.

The subtext is: I may be tough, but as long as you don't mess with me, we can sit down and do business together, or even play games together.

……

That evening, the Imperial Central Cabinet held a secret meeting.

Lacey, who was seated in the main seat, spoke first: "As you all can see, our external environment is becoming increasingly complex."

Serafina nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, your speech has generated a great response internationally."

"Most neutral countries welcomed our speech, but the official media in Victoria and Ursus described it as 'military intimidation disguised as peace.'"

"They have begun to portray us as a potential threat in the public discourse."