In the Name of Empress-Chapter 371 - 257: I Don’t Want Rivers of Blood

If the Jin Yuan News Agency were to write a report about the banquet, it would surely say that this banquet proceeded in a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere, and might even publish a special issue dedicated to introducing the banquet’s delicious dishes.

However, the focus of a banquet at this level isn’t on what is eaten, but who is attending.

The essence of this banquet is indeed a grand feast, but the most important dish isn’t the seafood buffet; it’s the future division of power in the Jin Yuan Kingdom.

An invitation to dance may not guarantee any communication; what matters is the attitude.

Whether or not to accept the invitation, how to refuse if you decline, and how to respond if you accept—every sentence has its unique nuance.

With Marco’s death and Alina’s return to Xidai, the political landscape of the Jin Yuan Kingdom will inevitably undergo a reshuffle.

A number of old eminent families followed Alina back to Xidai.

The five Dukes and over forty Hereditary Counts from the time of the Old Empire are eager for Alina to bring the country onto the track they desire.

They are very willing to support Alina in becoming the new Emperor, as long as they can share in the benefits.

A republic having an Emperor seems strange? Then it’s better to return to being an Empire.

They desire closeness with Alina, but they also guard against each other.

Several dozen major nobles are still a bit too many.

The cake is only so big; with too many people to divide it among, each person’s share becomes small.

And the actual circumstances of these nobles vary greatly.

Some nobles maneuvered smoothly during Marco’s reign, escaping Marco’s purges. Others lacked discernment, found themselves compromised by Marco, and ended up on the guillotine.

More critically, one Duke and seven Counts have no legitimate heirs, leaving their titles vacant and needing a quick clarification on title inheritance.

Whether to retain the title, and if so, who should inherit it?

This all requires Alina to clarify her stance swiftly.

The aged Duke of Champagne extended an invitation to Alina, wanting to share a dance with her.

Looking at the Duke of Champagne, who seemed kindly like a grandfather, Alina originally did not intend to re-enter the dance floor but found it hard to refuse a reason, though the mental duel with Sif had left her somewhat exhausted.

Just as she stood up, preparing to offer her hand to the old Duke, Alfonso the Duke of Champagne smiled and shook his head, sighing softly:

"Alina, I’m getting old, my legs aren’t as agile, let’s just have a cup of coffee."

With full awareness of interpersonal subtleties, he immediately noticed the reluctance in Alina’s eyes.

He certainly wouldn’t insist.

Although Alina was very beautiful, by his age, seeing beautiful girls resulted only in pure appreciation, without ulterior thoughts.

Alina gripped the hem of her dress and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you."

The two found a table in the corner and sat down.

The court attendant brought coffee and tactfully withdrew.

It’s obvious that when significant figures drink coffee at such a banquet, it’s not for casual chat, and he dares not overhear things he shouldn’t.

The Duke of Champagne sipped his coffee lightly, seemingly casually bringing up Alina’s father.

"Your father was twenty-one years younger than me, yet we were good friends. When he relinquished his fiefdom back then, I had advised him, but his thinking was too romantic."

"He always thought others could be as carefree as he was."

Alina wanted to counter that her father wasn’t so naive, that he had a comprehensive perspective, yet thinking about her father’s fate, some words were impossible to articulate.

Political struggles don’t have ’ifs’, only results.

Failure is failure; seeking more reasons is only an excuse.

Seeing that Alina’s expression was slightly unpleasant, Alphonse’s face also took on a more pained look.

"If Carlo were still alive, he’d be most gratified to see your growth."

This remark seemed casual, but was in fact praising Alina, though she felt somewhat pricked hearing it.

If her father hadn’t died, would she not grow?

Thinking of her performance during the mission to Sussex, Alina fell silent.

She indeed was growing, but not nearly enough.

Although she didn’t want to admit it, her father’s death objectively accelerated her maturation pace. Though she believed her growth came more from Roland’s assistance and her own efforts.

Seeing the topic getting a bit stiff, Alphonse gently reminded: "Alina, pleasant words are like honey; consume too much and they cause cavities, so..."

"Uncle Alphonse, just speak plainly. You were my father’s close friend and are my elder; of course I will listen to your advice."

Alina’s reaction somewhat surprised Alphonse.

His observations showed that Alina’s demeanor tonight was a bit unusual, as though she had something on her mind.

He boldly guessed that Alina was missing her father, hence using Carlo to open the topic.

By bringing up memories of Carlo, even if Alina didn’t shed tears, she’d certainly feel stirred. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Some matters are easier to broach while she is emotional.

However, Alina’s reaction somewhat caught him off guard.

She felt no grief for her deceased father but was troubled by other matters.

Alphonse, completely unable to fathom Alina’s mind, felt like punching a pillow filled with cotton, leaving him frustrated.

He took the opportunity of sipping coffee to adjust his emotions.

Thinking over and over, he still couldn’t figure it out, so he simply stopped trying.

He boldly bet on Alina and took sides early, already securing his voice in the matter.

Since he couldn’t guess it, he might as well speak openly.

"Alina, what kind of kingdom do you want to build in Jin Yuan?"

"Freedom, justice, equality... well, relative equality."

Under the slightly amused gaze of the old man, Alina couldn’t continue her staged words, so she smiled ironically and spoke the truth.

"Mr. Alphonse, absolute freedom, justice, and equality have never existed in the world. I mean everyone has a free identity, protected by law, and everyone’s dignity is largely equal."

After a brief pause, she sighed lightly, lowering her voice a few notches, "Of course, even in the Land of Freedom, some people are more equal than others. This is a fact, and there’s no need to avoid it."

Alphonse breathed a sigh of relief, his suspended heart settling down.

Unless he wanted to overthrow the regime and become Emperor, his power and position had reached the peak, with no further ascent possible.

He sought Alina not to seek power but feared she was too idealistic, perhaps intending to reverse all of Carlo’s policies.

Seeing Alphonse’s expression, Alina naturally knew what he was thinking.

In a gentle yet undeniable tone, she said, "Mr. Alphonse, the mistakes my father made will not continue, but good policies will also be adopted. Everyone’s legitimate rights will be defended."

"Please convey to others not to focus only on immediate interests, but to look further ahead. They cannot reclaim the lands lost from the homeland, but they can expand overseas."

This was Alina’s bottom line.

She acknowledged the status and power of the old nobility but restoring their territories was impossible.

This was the result of the struggle to overthrow the Old Empire, and going back in history would betray all those who have passed.

Over ninety percent of Jin Yuan Kingdom’s lands were held by the state, a percentage far exceeding other major countries.

With the right development strategy, the future of the Jin Yuan Kingdom is limitless.

No one should reverse this progress.

However, since these nobles supported her, she couldn’t let them be too disappointed.

Alina thoughtfully reminded, "Go to the South Continent, the New Continent, to farther overseas islands, where vast territories remain unclaimed. If you want land, go there to claim it."

Alphonse was stunned for a few seconds, mumbling with his lips, unsure of what to say.

Alina’s meaning was clear.

The domestic lands confiscated from the nobility would not be returned, but they could expand territories overseas according to their noble rank.

What does this mean?

Have their lands been returned? No. But as long as there is a strong private force, they could still expand territories.

But how can ordinary nobles maintain such a large force?

Seeing through Alphonse’s thoughts at a glance, Alina smiled and said, "Mr. Alphonse, in the war against the national traitors, I found that the private soldiers of the local lords had poor combat effectiveness; relying on them alone, it would be difficult to seize territories."

Alphonse breathed a sigh of relief and quickly nodded.

It seemed that Alina finally realized the problem and planned to use state power to help them.

However, Alina’s next words left him utterly bewildered.

"The army must have a unified organization and command to be effective. I plan to integrate all noble private soldiers, unify them, and command them as one force. This army will be funded proportionally by the nobles, with state subsidies, and the spoils will also be distributed according to a certain ratio."

"The purpose of this army is to help everyone reclaim the lands. Once the mission is completed, it will be unified into the National Defense Army, and the lands of the nobles will also be security guaranteed by the state."

Alina smiled and said, "The power of the state machinery can surely be trusted, right?"

Alphonse was left stupefied.

According to Alina’s plan, there was indeed a significant opportunity to seize enough territories overseas to compensate the nobles, but the price would be to relinquish their private soldiers.

Although nobles could still retain a small personal guard, they no longer had the power to oppose the state machinery.

Before Alphonse could argue, Alina spoke first, blocking his words.

"Mr. Alphonse, I do not wish to see another civil war with rivers of blood."

"If there is genuine loyalty to the country, why reject this suggestion?"

Alina’s eyes glistened with a cold brilliance as she said solemnly, "Too much blood has already been shed, the country cannot bear another Marco."

Alphonse and Alina looked into each other’s eyes for a long time until he couldn’t resist her clear and determined gaze and merely shook his head, sighing, "I’m old, this world belongs to you young people. I support you, but I cannot guarantee that others will think the same."

Watching the old Duke leave, a trace of weakness never shown in front of others flickered in Alina’s eyes.

Roland, Sif, I owe you, and I will certainly repay you.

Even if all Jin Yuan People oppose me, I will stand by your side.

She bit her lip, silently contemplating.