In the Name of Empress-Chapter 384 - 268: Rumors Begin with the Wise

Sitting in his office, Mr. William, the Chief Minister of the Imperial Cabinet, stared blankly at the gray sky outside the window, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the table, his gaze somewhat confused.

Beside him lay a piece of intelligence, and on the desk was a handwritten letter from Empress Sylph.

He was utterly numbed, having expected Sylph to stir up some commotion overseas, but not on such a scale.

Everything she did was within the rules, yet it always caught Mr. William off guard.

As the Chief Minister of the Empire, he bore responsibility for thirty-four provinces and nearly a hundred million people...

Well, since last year, it had been thirty-five provinces and a hundred million people. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Although it was a small overseas province, it was the Empire’s first pioneering achievement of establishing a new province in nearly seventy years, which also skyrocketed the Empress’s popularity among the lower classes.

In recent decades, internal consumption in the Empire had been severe, and all overseas territorial expansions were in the New Continent and South Continent—nominally Empire territories but effectively colonies for exploitation.

The colonial governors held immense power, and although they remitted a large sum of taxes and resources to the Empire, they essentially had independent personnel, financial, and military authority, seeming like feudal lords.

This was also why the Empire’s central government opposed establishing new governors.

If more governors were appointed, who would truly hold power in the Empire?

When Sylph appointed Roland as the governor, the Cabinet Ministers sensed trouble, but the Empress’s actions did not violate any laws. Even Alben couldn’t fault it, leaving them helpless.

Fortunately, this governor was unlike the colonial governors, being temporary in nature.

As long as the Four Overseas Provinces formally gained the same political rights as the homeland, the Northern Rodinia Governor’s Territory would have no legal basis for existence and could be abolished.

But the localization of overseas provinces was a complex historical issue, a complication that could make one’s head explode.

If the four overseas provinces received homeland province treatment, it would completely alter the current delicate political balance within the country and produce a group of new nobles.

Even thinking with your toes, one could tell this group of new nobles would likely be loyal Imperial Faction members.

The increase in Imperial Faction strength would imbalance the forces within the Upper House.

Simply put, it would mean losing control.

As a seasoned politician, one could profit, one could lose, but one must not lose control.

The combination of Roland and Sylph had given him more than one headache over the past year.

Everything they did was later proven to benefit the country, but when the news first broke, it almost gave him a stroke.

Could I be wrong?

Mr. William slightly bowed his head, with a somewhat bitter expression.

Throughout his life, he had accomplished many things, most notably avoiding any fundamental mistakes.

But the overseas expeditions of Sylph and Roland this past year overturned his understanding.

While establishing overseas provinces scored highly among ordinary people, he paid it no mind.

After the Continental Pact was annulled, expansion was an eventuality, and that victory for Roland and Sylph owed a lot to luck, merely acceptable.

It was the subsequent civil war in Jin Yuan that truly changed his perspective.

After Marco took power, he leaned towards forming the Continent Alliance in diplomacy, aiming to unite the continental countries to block Sussex, forcing Sussex to relinquish its overseas territories.

For the time being, they hadn’t reached agreements with other countries; they were merely contending for dominance.

If the Continent Alliance were established, Sussex would become an isolated island nation with severely limited development space.

Facing this situation, the cabinet was at a loss, able only to bide its time and gather strength.

Yet Roland and Sylph effortlessly broke through with only a few thousand casualties.

Once Alina came to power, she immediately halted negotiations on forming the Continent Alliance and instead worked to improve relations with the Sussex Empire.

With this achievement, Sylph could stand alongside the insightful and accomplished monarchs in the Empire’s history.

At least better than her father and grandfather.

Standing up and approaching the window, looking at the gray haze, William let out a deep breath, a faint smile forming on his face.

He had long heard that Hansa’s weather was sunny, with Emre White Sand Beach being a holiday paradise, though he had never been. Now he finally had the chance.

He also wanted to meet Her Majesty the Empress, along with her close advisor and lover Roland.

The two who had disturbed his sleep for a year—it was time to meet them.

William was unlike certain others in the cabinet who had lost their way.

Though he advocated limiting imperial authority, he wasn’t a traitor, rather ensuring the country’s and the Imperial Family’s long-term stability.

After all, no one could guarantee that every monarch would be wise. Robust institutions were more crucial than one or two wise monarchs.

However, he wouldn’t be overly rigid.

If a Great Emperor-level ruler truly emerged, he could become part of the Imperial Faction.

When the Empress sailed, he even helped Sylph secure part of the startup funds, leaving room for the future, providing an opportunity even if he changed sides.

Nonetheless, some had indeed lost their way.

Finance Minister Sim, Minister of Justice Alben, Minister of the Navy Winston, and Chief of Military Intelligence Ricie—these old men laid paths too narrow.

They didn’t even intend to attend the Empress’s coronation ceremony in Hansa.

In William’s view, except for Alben having a legitimate reason, the other ministers’ refusal to attend the Empress’s coronation was simply a tantrum.

The first rule of navigating the sea is learning to adapt to circumstances.

Though William wasn’t an old captain, he understood the basic knowledge of sailing.

He returned to his desk, picked up his teacup, and leisurely savored it while pondering what gift to present to the Empress.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor.

William heard the report coming from outside the door and frowned with displeasure.

Although Subino is clever and capable, he always loses his composure.

If only he had half of Roland’s composure.

He sighed lightly in his heart, feeling a bit melancholy.

His two sons are useless good-for-nothings, their only merit being they know they are useless and don’t cause trouble outside.

Fortunately, he has brought in Subino as a son-in-law, ensuring the family’s future doesn’t look entirely bleak.

He gave his two sons the chance to be idle playboys and then focused on nurturing Subino.

This kid is good in every way, just lacking in composure—improving slightly in recent months, but today reverting to form.

William coughed lightly, his voice cold, "Come in."

Subino opened the door, panting heavily, struggling to calm his emotions.

He knew his father-in-law didn’t like fuss, but today’s news was too explosive to stay calm.

"Father-in-law..."

"This is a workplace."

Subino quickly stood up straight. His father-in-law is amiable usually but never jokes around at work. He mistakenly used the wrong address again.

"Prime Minister, The Sun has created dangerous rumors again."

Upon hearing the name The Sun, William’s eyebrows furrowed even more.

"Subino, these tabloids aren’t worth our time. I mean, these newspapers that have no value beyond pin-up and scandal aren’t worth paying attention to. Tell me, what rumors?"

William didn’t mind his son-in-law reading The Sun.

He read it too.

A man with power and influence naturally has many advantages, like attracting the opposite sex.

What he values is Subino’s ability; he doesn’t concern himself much with personal life aspects.

As long as Subino understands who grants the power, that’s enough.

Subino knew the old father-in-law wasn’t happy, so he quickly handed over the newspaper with both hands and stepped back.

He didn’t want to be sprayed all over with tea.

As he expected, a few seconds later, the old father-in-law lost his composure and spat out a large mouthful of tea.

The tea soaked a large portion of the newspaper.

William angrily slapped the newspaper on the table and roared, "This is a shameless lie, a malicious slander against His Majesty Edward!"

"Prime Minister, they didn’t mention names..." Subino gently reminded.

This has always been the style of The Sun.

The stories are explosive and vivid, but they never mention names.

However, their clever descriptive techniques make everyone know who they are referring to.

The greatest ocean empire’s emperor encountering a witch at sea and becoming so enraptured that he was willing to abandon the imperial throne.

This damn well implies the late Emperor Edward, doesn’t it?

William’s temples throbbed.

He was furious but had no way to trouble The Sun.

The owner of The Sun, the famous playboy Rupert, although not an heir of the Duke of Jinquehua family, holds the title of Count, leaving Mr. William no option against him.

Since no names were mentioned, on what grounds could one align this with the late Emperor?

Citing rumors to implicate the late Emperor, disgracing him, is a charge he would have to bear himself.

William took three deep breaths, finally suppressing the impending explosive anger.

In a tone as cold as without emotion, William said icily, "Go tell Rupert something for me. If he still wants to run The Sun, this is the last time."

The charge of slandering the late Emperor surely couldn’t be pinned down, but such a big enterprise like The Sun could easily be picked on.

Even if nothing could be found, there are always charges like lack of fire prevention efforts, delaying wages, or manuscript fees to use as a trap.

Following William’s instruction, Subino quickly left, disappearing at the end of the corridor, leaving a William who fell into deep thought.

William stared intently at the newspaper, racking his brains over what benefit Rupert could have from doing this.

The Duke of Jinquehua family is an Iron Blood Imperialist Faction.

Their loyalty to the Imperial Family is undoubted.

Is Rupert not afraid of hurting Empress Sylph’s feelings by doing this?

Recalling prior rumors reported by The Sun about Roland and Sylph, William’s head hurt even more.

The noble circles are too messy; he couldn’t understand them.

If he couldn’t understand, then don’t bother.

Rupert would certainly receive an invitation to attend the coronation ceremony, and he would then see how this bastard faces the Empress.

Mr. William thought angrily.

Little did he know that the author of this tabloid news was actually Sif.

No, it was the greatest reporter in history, Mr. Anonymous.