In the Name of Empress-Chapter 328 - 224: How Do I Repay the Territory I Owe You?
Ados’s residence.
In the small dining room in the backyard, he hosted his old pals, Bordeaux and Aramis, whom he hadn’t seen for a while.
The three of them had assumed the position of governors of the Three Overseas Provinces around the same time and had been there for three to four years.
Their experiences in officialdom varied significantly, each excelled in different fields, yet all were disillusioned men.
A governor represents the pinnacle of local officials, and the greatest fear for them is working tirelessly without being noticed by higher-ups.
Except for the provinces surrounding the Imperial Capital, being a governor in other regions basically meant the end of a political career.
Aside from amassing some benefits, everywhere they turned was desperate, with no future in sight.
They tried countless ways to get closer to the Emperor, yet all ended in failure.
Starting from town administrative officers, they did partake in off-the-record dealings, and employed some unspeakable measures for progress in key positions, but they were truly capable officials.
However, the Empire abounded with talents, and capable workers were the least uncommon.
If you didn’t do the work, there were plenty who would.
Their typical destiny was an endless struggle between yearning for advancement and gloomy pessimism, aging, and eventually being replaced by newcomers.
Until the Governor and Empress descended.
For them, the Great Goddess was far in the heavens, but the Empress was right before their eyes.
Long live the Empress!
Governor Roland... was two years older than the Empress.
Since the Empress came to the Three Overseas Provinces, their world suddenly brightened.
In the past half-year, they erupted with the ambition they had when first entering officialdom twenty years ago, fighting with all their might.
While there were some setbacks, they got what they wanted.
A ticket to high society.
At the moment their ennoblement report was rejected by the Noble House, their hearts sank, believing the illuminating light of their world extinguished, but the Empress proved otherwise, soon showing them what enlightenment truly meant.
Their barony was retained.
Only moved from Suyige Province to Tyrone Earl’s Domain.
That was a royal territory less than a hundred kilometers from the Imperial Capital; they were now vassals of the Empress!
"Cheers!"
The three old pals clinked their glasses and drank heartily, their faces flushed.
On the table were the best dishes from the Three Overseas Provinces, golden crispy pork knuckles, carefully prepared blood sausages, plus fresh cod and lobster, representing high-end bar snacks of the era.
Accurately speaking, the three old pals’ delight wasn’t the dishes on the table, but the freshly acquired barony.
Within the territories of the Imperial Family and Grand Duke, changes in ennoblement only needed to adhere to convention, hence not requiring approval by the Noble House.
This was the royal privilege granted by heraldic law.
The Empress exercised this privilege, dividing her lands among them.
Half-drunk Bordeaux slurred, smiling as he asked his two old pals:
"How much revenue can you say our new baron’s domain will yield in a year?"
Listening to Bordeaux, Aramis sighed lightly, putting down his glass, gently reminding:
"My friend, if you don’t wish to stop at a baron for life, you shouldn’t ask such foolish questions."
Bordeaux was stunned.
While he was bewildered, Ados remarked with a smile: "The Empress honors you, not to let you step on her face."
"Though Tyrone Earl’s Domain is prosperous, it is still but an earl’s domain, offering a yearly tax of around eighty or ninety thousand pounds, with each of us receiving possibly only several thousand pounds."
Bordeaux was slightly disappointed, raising his glass for another large sip.
Over the past few years, the wealth they amassed exceeded five hundred thousand pounds.
Last time, under Roland’s hint, they sacrificed part of their assets to save themselves, but thankfully, the Empress was generous, forgiving them and returning part of their wealth.
"Fine then, several thousand pounds are still better than nothing," Bordeaux muttered quietly.
Ados and Aramis exchanged glances, somewhat puzzled.
This fellow truly cares about this amount of money, huh?
Aramis sighed lightly, raising his glass, with the spicy mockery turning Bordeaux instantly red.
"My old pal, after all these years, your barren mind still holds only boastful talks and speeches."
"I won’t bother with you, but I will never visit Tyrone Earl’s Domain in my life, nor take even a penny from the domain."
Bordeaux was stunned.
He grasped the hidden meaning behind Aramis’s words.
No one rejects honor. It wasn’t the Empress who gave them the royal territory but Count Sif assisting them with a graceful exit, and it didn’t mean she planned to distribute royal traditional lands.
This baron’s domain was merely transitional; upon the Empress’s full authority, they might be transferred or even elevated to higher ranks.
If oblivious, and indeed made a show on the Empress’s territory, that would be standard insensitivity.
Bordeaux drained another glass, rather dejectedly saying: "So then it’s an empty barony."
"Fool, does anyone else know that you’re an empty baron?"
Aramis contemptuously mocked:
"In the Imperial Capital, they only know you as a hereditary baron under Earl Tyrone and a direct vassal of the Imperial Family’s inherent lands. This honor is something that many people desire but can’t obtain."
Bordeaux chuckled awkwardly, using the act of drinking to mask his embarrassment.
Indeed, he didn’t understand the nuances between the ranks.
"Ados, you once let slip that your ancestors were also wealthy. Is this guy right?"
Upon hearing Bordeaux’s words, Ados’s expression was somewhat grim.
He picked up his wine glass, paused for a long time, then took a sip.
"Bordeaux, remember, never go to Count Tyrone’s Domain, never."
"Drink!"
Ados rarely spoke in such a cold tone, sending shivers down Bordeaux’s spine, sobering him up quite a bit. He mumbled quietly, "Fine, I won’t go. Enough of this, let’s drink!"
Ados exhaled deeply, raised his glass, clinked glasses with his two old buddies, and then drained it.
His gaze turned toward the northwest.
That was the direction of the Empire’s mainland.
Bordeaux simply couldn’t go to Count Tyrone’s Domain, but he couldn’t return to the mainland at all.
Sometimes, he really envied these simple-minded folks.
He curiously glanced toward the square where the Empress’s Palace and the Governor’s Mansion were located.
What were Her Majesty the Empress and Governor Roland doing at this moment?
Everyone received compensation, except for Governor Roland.
No matter how generous the Empress might be, she couldn’t possibly give away all her private lands to Roland.
Wait, maybe she really could.
Ados’s lips curled into a slight smile as he poured himself more wine.
"For the glory of the Empire, for Her Majesty the Empress and the Governor, let’s drink another glass."
Aramis and Bordeaux exchanged glances, almost bursting into laughter.
This guy Ados, who is he saying these high-sounding words to at a time like this?
Whatever, drink!
Tonight is joyous, let’s drink to oblivion!
Tonight, many people were going home to open champagne and celebrate, but not Roland and Sif.
After enjoying a somewhat sumptuous dinner, Sif and Roland went to the best spot on the top floor of the Empress’s Palace to admire the night view.
The late autumn night breeze was refreshing and crisp.
Sif was in high spirits; today’s meeting went exactly as anticipated.
Everyone’s reactions were almost exactly what she and Roland had predicted.
Sitting in the seat of honor in the conference hall, she overlooked the entire venue, as if she were controlling the whole world.
However, this was an illusion; there were two people she couldn’t control.
Roland and Sofia.
Looking at Roland’s calm expression, Sif sighed softly, "Even though I knew the outcome, the Noble House’s rejection still disappoints me."
"Why?" Roland asked softly.
"They don’t have faith in me."
Sif squinted her eyes, sighing somewhat confusedly, "Did the achievement of establishing a new province for the Empire in the Three Overseas Provinces in just over seven months not stand out enough?"
"It does and it doesn’t."
"Lord Roland, please use language I can comprehend." Sif’s tone was somewhat dissatisfied, not at Roland, but at the old nobles.
"It’s simple: your achievements surpass those of the recent emperors, especially your father, there’s no doubt. But the Cabinet’s authority is now stronger than ever. Even if you officially ascend the throne, how much power can you reclaim?"
"There’s a specific term for this phenomenon, called a ’lame duck Emperor.’ No matter how outstanding your ability is, it can’t change the century-long trend of the Cabinet growing stronger while the imperial authority diminishes. In the face of such a trend, individual strength is irrelevant."
Sif fell into prolonged silence.
Actually, Roland was protecting her dignity; he left something unsaid.
The old nobles doubted she’d live many years.
Being Sofia’s enemy was her greatest misfortune.
If Sif voluntarily abdicated, she would just be Count Tyrone. Would the old nobles bother to curry favor with a powerless Count?
Those who could vote in the Noble House were top-tier nobles; weren’t they all at least Counts?
Sif’s little fist clenched and unclenched.
She was neither angry nor dejected; her expression was exceedingly calm.
This world had always been so cruel and real.
But beauty still existed in this world.
Seeing Roland’s gentle gaze, Sif’s lips curled into a slight smile and she said:
"Time will prove everything. Have a drink with me."
Sif’s reaction took Roland somewhat by surprise; he smiled and teased, "Do I have any reason? I’ve just lost a Count; I’m not in the mood for a drink."
"Rest assured, the Count you lost will be refunded doubly."
Sif’s voice was full of confidence.
Though not entirely sure of Sif’s reasons for such confidence, Roland raised his glass.
To this confidence!
He certainly didn’t know that Sif had just thought of a way to transfer Count Tyrone’s Domain to Roland.
She intended to win it all.
If she couldn’t win, she could owe everyone in this world, except for Roland.
