Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

The players made their moves one after another, some probing, some restraining, and some stirring up trouble.

But none of them really took the war to heart.

In their view, this was nothing more than a trivial conflict that occurred in a corner of the chessboard.

……

Holy Lytanian Empire: Chapter 104: Just a Pack of Hyenas Clinging to Life

Trinitylme, top floor of the Twin Towers.

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows and fell on Laisi's desk.

On the table lay a document containing the latest intelligence from the front lines.

Gertrude stood aside and reported succinctly: "Your Majesty, according to the information brought back by our informants in Montelupe, Madame Sicily has persuaded the major families."

"They are putting together a so-called united resistance army and preparing to set up a defensive line in central Syracuse to put up a stubborn resistance."

"Oh?"

Lacey raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable.

"A pack of hyenas, and they can actually be tied together?"

“All you need to do is throw out a few bones,” Gertrude said with a hint of sarcasm.

"The Sicilian lady promised that after the war, the inheritance of those families located on the border would be redistributed based on their war merits."

"Right now, those family leaders are arguing over who gets the bigger slice of the pie."

"As expected."

Lacey stood up and walked to the map.

His gaze fell on the land of Syracuse, his fingers lightly tapping the location of the capital, Montelupe.

"Originally, I just wanted to teach them a lesson and let them know who the future masters of this land are."

The implications of his words sent a chill down the spines of the cabinet members present.

"But since they've given us a better reason, we'll accept it."

He turned around and said, "From this moment on, the nature of this war has changed."

"We must liberate the oppressed people of Syracuse, overthrow the corrupt and brutal family rule, and bring true fairness and justice to this land!"

Lacey's voice was strong and clear, echoing in the empty office.

Mecklen's eyes lit up instantly; he was the first to understand the emperor's intention.

The pretext for war was upgraded from self-defense counterattack to liberation, which left a lot of room for maneuver.

This means that Letania's target is no longer the border region, but the entirety of Syracuse!

Lenia pushed up her glasses, her eyes gleaming behind the lenses.

She immediately began to calculate the costs of a full-scale war, as well as the potential financial gains and burdens of annexing the entirety of Syracuse.

“Serafina.” Lacey looked at his Minister of External Relations.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Serafina stepped forward.

“I need your department to draft an ‘Appeal to the People of Syracuse’ immediately.” Lacey began to dictate his ideas, and Serafina quickly took notes.

"First of all, we must emphasize the historical origins."

"Syracusa has been an integral part of Letania since ancient times; it was the tyranny of the Witch King that led to its separation."

"Now that Letania has risen from the ashes, it is only right to welcome the return of its people."

Everyone present nodded in agreement, showing strong support for this viewpoint.

"Secondly, we must expose the evils of family rule."

"Make public all the cases that our intelligence department has collected, the blood and tears of civilians and infected people who have been exploited and persecuted by family forces."

"We must make every Syracusean see clearly what kind of vampires are above them."

"Again, we must demonstrate the superiority of our New Letania."

“Write down our people’s clinics, affordable housing, and employment placement plans in the simplest and most understandable language.”

"Tell them what a good life the people are living under the red flag."

“Finally, and most importantly,” Lacey emphasized.

"I promise all the people of Syracuse: the Letanian army is a liberating force, and our only target is those family leaders who ride roughshod over the people."

“All soldiers who are willing to lay down their weapons will be forgiven.”

"All citizens who support the new order will become the masters of the new Syracuse."

“I understand, Your Majesty.” Serafina closed her notebook.

"This Declaration of Liberation will be disseminated to every corner of Syracuse within 24 hours through all our channels."

“Very good.” Lacey nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Gertrude.

"The work of the intelligence department must also keep up."

"Your Majesty, please give your orders."

"I've heard that some young people from Syracuse who yearn for freedom and justice have already crossed the border?"

Gertrude smiled slightly: "Yes, Your Majesty."

“A group of young scholars and idealists who abhorred family rule.”

“Our people have already contacted them, and they wish to have a meeting with you.”

“Make the arrangements. This afternoon, right here,” Lacey said without hesitation.

"I want to meet them in person."

"These sparks will ignite a prairie fire for us on the grasslands of Syracuse."

“Yes, sir.” Gertrude withdrew.

Finally, Lacey's gaze fell on Military Secretary Taylor.

Taylor straightened his back.

"Taylor, if we're going to fight a war of liberation, then we need to make it look like a war of liberation."

"Order the First and Second Armored Divisions to form two spearheads, tear through the enemy's defenses, ignore the remnants on the flanks, and don't worry about the gains or losses of a single city or territory. Proceed at full speed and strike straight at the heart of the enemy!"

"The Air Force's Stuka Wing will clear all obstacles for our steel torrent."

“You only have one goal.” Lacey pressed her finger heavily on Montelupe.

"Within three days, I want the tanks of the 1st Armored Division parked in front of the Sicilian's residence!"

A burning fighting spirit ignited in Taylor's eyes.

"I guarantee the mission will be accomplished, Your Majesty!"

He turned and strode away, eager to refine his "Syracus Blitzkrieg" plan.

On the war room's sand table, Syracuse has been painted red, representing Letania.

They have even begun to discuss which city should be established as a new administrative district after the war.

And how to reorganize those surrendered family militias.

In their eyes, Syracuse was already theirs.

……

In the afternoon, in the Emperor's office.

Several simply dressed, nervous young people from Syracuse entered the office, led by Gertrude.

The leader was a young man named Giancarlo, a history lecturer at a university in Montelupe, and the initiator of this border crossing operation.

Standing beside him was a family member—Lavinia Falcone.

This is a young girl with a strong sense of justice who, after learning of Letania's "Declaration of Liberation," resolutely breaks with her corrupt family.

With the help of others, they secretly escaped Syracuse.

“Your Majesty the Emperor.” Giancarlo’s voice trembled slightly with excitement.

Lacey smiled and came out from behind her desk, personally pouring them water. This friendly gesture instantly eased the young people's tension.

“Welcome, friends from Syracuse,” Lacey said gently.

"I admire your courage."

“Your Majesty, we have come...we have come to ask for your help!” Giancarlo said, mustering his courage.

"The people of Syracuse have been oppressed by their families for far too long!"

"We yearn for change, we yearn for the fairness and justice you spoke of in your declaration!"

Lavinia also stepped forward, her voice clear and crisp: "I despise family, I despise the privileges built on blood ties and violence!"

“I want to be a judge, a judge who truly upholds justice for the people! But in Syracuse, that’s just a joke.”

"Your Majesty, please help us establish a truly law-abiding nation!"

Lacey listened quietly to their stories, watching the light in their eyes.

That was the light of an idealist—pure and fervent.

“I promise you,” Lacey said solemnly.

"The entry of Letania's army into Syracuse will completely destroy the foundations of family rule and establish a new government where the people are the masters."

"After the war, the future of Syracuse will be decided by you, by the millions of Syracuseans who, like you, yearn for a new life."

“We need your strength,” Lacey said, looking at them.

“Go back to your people and tell them that dawn is coming.”

"Organize yourselves, protect your cities, and await the arrival of the liberators."

"When our army is at the city gates, I hope to see open city gates and welcoming people, not pointless resistance and bloodshed."

Giancarlo, Lavinia, and the others nodded excitedly, as if they could already see the birth of a new Syracuse without families or oppression.

After seeing off these young revolutionaries, Gertrude returned to Lacey's side.

"Your Majesty, you seem to have a high opinion of them?"

“They are the spark,” Lacey said softly, gazing out the window.

"And I merely provided them with a favorable wind."

……

Holy Lytanian Empire: Chapter 105: Syracuse, the Entire Territory Changes Hands

At dawn the following day, the central plains of Syracuse were covered by the Qi Yinwu.

The united resistance army, cobbled together by various families, built what they considered an impregnable defensive line here.

The trenches, barbed wire, and positions were all modeled after those in the textbook.

The commander-in-chief of the allied forces, a member of the Meredith family, was observing the calm horizon through a telescope, his heart filled with the ambition to achieve great things.

He commanded over 50,000 soldiers, including many battle-hardened family elites—the Extinction Men.

He believed this would be enough to inflict heavy losses on the Leitanian workers' army.

"Sir! Smoke and dust detected ahead!" a lookout shouted.

The commander-in-chief raised his binoculars and saw a black line rapidly expanding on the distant horizon, accompanied by a faint rumbling sound like rolling thunder.

"Ready to fight!"

He roared, and a surge of joy welled up in his heart.

coming!

The credit has been delivered right to our door!

However, his smile soon faded.