In the Name of Empress-Chapter 254 - 183: Both Newcomers and Veterans Can Smile
If it were usual times, people around might laugh at the little girl, or some might hold back the angry mother, but today no one moved.
People’s moods were all very gloomy.
They did not follow the little girl in her excited slogans either.
Children might be ignorant, but adults could not be.
Police from various countries were already stationed near City Hall, shouting "We want Val City State" at this time was essentially no different from rebellion.
Nostalgia is just nostalgia, Val City State was destined to perish in the end.
People hurriedly dispersed, and Mr. Tony somewhat wistfully put on his top hat, maintaining the most elegant posture as he walked towards City Hall.
Roland and Sif happened to pass by, silently watching this scene.
Lisa and Master Anthony had exhausted much of their energy last night and returned to rest.
Christine was busy, leaving only Roland and Sif wandering around the city like outsiders.
Roland was the Governor, and Sif was the Empress. This city had interests tied to Sussex, yet due to unforeseen circumstances, it had nothing to do with them, the Dominators of the Empire.
They had no immaculate laughter for Val City State.
Educated gentlemen and ladies might lack compassion, but there was no need to rub salt into others’ wounds.
"This Mr. Tony is truly a pity."
Sif spoke softly.
"A pity?" Roland asked quietly.
Sif sighed softly, somewhat wistfully saying, "I got some intelligence from Alina and learned a bit about Mr. Tony."
"This person can’t be considered a clean official. Although he wasn’t greedy or corrupt, he helped his family make a fortune through the intelligence he controlled, fortunately without breaking the law."
"Compared to his money-making skills, his ability to govern a city is stronger. Val City is only a quarter the size of the Imperial Capital and has far fewer people, yet the city is clean, beautiful, and effectively governed, with more smiles on passersby’s faces compared to those in the Imperial Capital."
"It would be great if he were my official."
Sif sighed and shook her head.
Roland smiled and clapped softly, quietly commending, "Congratulations on finding a suitable civil servant."
"Ah? But he isn’t Sussex, is he?" Sif’s eyes widened.
"He can be." Roland smiled.
"So should we invite him for a talk?" Sif’s eyes lit up.
Roland wasn’t wrong.
Val City State was divided and occupied by five countries, and the people here would be allocated to each country according to the occupation zones.
The officials were relatively free; they could choose to stay or leave, join any country, or leave Val City to join another country.
Sif looked at Roland nervously, asking softly, "Do we have a chance?"
"We are his only choice."
Sif pondered for a moment, a slight smile appearing at the corners of her lips, understanding Roland’s meaning.
The Vladimir Empire, which proposed the partition plan, was seen as the culprit by the Val people.
If Mr. Tony chose them, he would be accused and looked down upon by the seniors and juniors of Val City State.
People would also suspect if he had taken benefits from the Rurik people.
He could go anywhere, but not the Vladimir Empire.
After excluding the wrong options, the next to be excluded would be Prudon Kingdom and Tirol Kingdom.
They had friendly relations with the Vladimir Empire, with rumors even saying they were brewing an alliance.
Turning to them wouldn’t work either.
The Weimar Federation, a nation soon to be served up as a dish, was also not an option.
Going to them, Mr. Tony might experience another partition.
The remaining choices were only the Jin Yuan Republic and the Sussex Empire.
The Jin Yuan Republic had just experienced internal unrest, and stabilizing order required time.
Their overall national strength lagged behind the Vladimir Empire, sufficient to protect themselves against the Empire but challenging to attack.
Turning to them would only ensure temporary peace.
If seeking peace, he could choose the further New Continent or South Continent, where, with Mr. Tony’s financial resources and connections, he might make his mark overseas.
Without the Sussex Empire, this might even be the best choice.
However, the Sussex Empire was right here, and there was unlikely reconciliation possible between them and the Vladimir Empire.
As long as Mr. Tony was shown that joining Sussex was better than venturing overseas, he would join.
Sif stood by the roadside, lost in thought.
Moments later, she murmured somewhat troubled, "I can offer favorable terms, but I can’t give unlimited preferential treatment, as it would disrupt the balance."
"If Ados and the others work hard, allowing newcomers to surpass them will make them feel hurt."
Sif suddenly thought of Lisa.
She had arrived later than Lisa yet attempted to secretly take Roland away; Lisa was certainly hurt.
That’s why Lisa went crazy and ran towards the volcano.
Although Ados and the others wouldn’t jump into the volcano, if Tony were heavily used, their resentment would surge like a volcano.
Roland was impressed by Sif.
She had indeed grown.
As a monarch, the most important thing was not wisdom or bravery but understanding balance.
Sif was already on the right track.
Roland did not know that Sif learned this principle from Lisa’s leap into the volcano. If he knew, he would probably have a very colorful expression.
Seeing Sif’s contemplative state, Roland gently reminded, "While it’s true that newcomers having better treatment than the old can cause imbalance, having worse treatment than the old can also discourage newcomers."
"Should they all have the same treatment, evenly dividing power?"
Sif asked, biting her lip.
Her fingertips trembled slightly.
Did Roland mean for her to share with Lisa?
Her heart stopped beating abruptly, and she was stunned.
Roland, is this really your true thought?
Sif felt a sharp blade pierce into her heart, making it hard to breathe.
This was not love.
Love is exclusive, possessive!
The books say so.
Roland did not notice Sif’s expression as his eyes suddenly lit up.
You are so right, Sif!
He said softly, "Why can’t we share? As long as Tony and the others make sufficient contributions, we can grant them Val City State citizenship, allowing them to become citizens with equal rights as those at home."
Sif was stunned.
She stared blankly at Roland for a long time before reacting.
So Roland was really just considering how to settle Tony, without using this opportunity to hint at her anything?
She felt a little embarrassed, asking softly, "What did you just say? Give them equal citizenship? Of course, we can, as you said."
Seeing Sif so receptive to advice, Roland felt great and made a gesture of invitation, inviting Sif to a cafe to calm their nerves.
After all, everything that happened last night was too exciting.
Walking side by side with Roland, Sif took a deep breath, but Roland’s words made her have to think about how to position Lisa.
In just half a second, she ruled out the wrong option of excluding Lisa.
After last night, if she couldn’t see Lisa’s feelings for Roland, she’d be an idiot.
She was very smart, seeing long ago that these two had issues.
She and Roland were innocent, but Lisa and Roland were not.
Sif tried hard to find reasons to persuade herself.
Always think positively. Roland’s refusal to abandon Lisa showed he was devoted and faithful.
If Roland abandoned his childhood sweetheart at the sight of a chance to marry the Empress, he would be too frightening a person.
Fortunately, Roland was not that kind of person.
Sitting in the cafe, looking at the bustling crowds outside the window, Sif’s mind was blank.
The Fengrao Doctrine advocates loyalty and mutual trust between spouses, strictly enforcing monogamy.
Though the wise created a system of official lovers, their status remains much lower than a wife’s.
Could Lisa accept this?
Sif’s thoughts wandered wildly, her face burning hot.
Clearly, she hadn’t confirmed a relationship with Roland yet, but she was thinking about these matters already; what was happening to her?
No, no, there’s nothing wrong with her; this is just the way a politician thinks.
Always consider a few steps ahead.
If it were before last night, Lisa might have accepted, but after last night’s adventure, Lisa’s future was limitless, would she still participate as a weaker party?
What to do?
Coffee was served, the white mist curling, making the girl’s worries somewhat hazy.
Seeing Sif still pondering how to recruit Tony, Roland jokingly said:
"Why think so much, once you’re here, you’re family, and internal conflicts can always be resolved."
"Huh?"
Sif’s eyes widened.
Is this your solution, Roland?
