In the Name of Empress-Chapter 394 - 278: Chess Also Has Two Ministers

Only when standing on the upper deck of the Endeavor, watching the massive chimney constantly spewing thick black smoke, can one truly feel the aesthetic of industry.

Big, dumb, black, and rough?

Strong and powerful!

The slightly pungent smell of coal smoke spreading in the air is the enchanting aroma of industry.

Roland spread his arms, embracing the fiercely burning new era.

As the Governor of Northern Rodinia, he now has a new mission, to accompany the new Empress back to the Imperial Capital to take over the nation’s power.

Just three months ago, he and the new Empress Sylph went to Haidi Undersea City Petit to attend the old Emperor’s wedding, negotiated cooperation intentions with the Sea Witch, and incidentally brought back countless books from the library.

In the recent period, everything has been smooth sailing. Not only did he resolve Sylph’s issue of power legitimacy, but he also brought back the survivors of the Fourth Fleet.

The grandeur when the survivors returned to port is unforgettable to this day.

With the salute of twenty-one guns, the sailors, who had been adrift for nearly two years, set foot on imperial soil, overjoyed and dancing with excitement.

They embraced their welcoming comrades wildly, crying bitterly.

Even General Bridges, usually so composed, was moved to tears.

Of the more than thirty thousand sailors who sailed with the old Emperor, only one-tenth returned.

Such heavy losses, even in the history of the Imperial Navy, are extremely rare.

After returning to port, Roland tirelessly began translating the useful books, presenting them in a manner more accustomed to humans.

His extraordinary memory turned him into a human printing machine, constantly reprinting.

Of course, human energy is limited, and he simply didn’t have time to translate books like the love story between the Sea Emperor and the Goddess.

After finishing the translation work, he returned to the university to share the undersea experiences with every student.

In the chorus of "Principal" from the students, he felt proud and once again received numerous heritage medals.

After the thirty-sixth heritage medal was in hand, the quantitative change finally accumulated to a qualitative change.

The back of Roland’s Soul Card transformed from colorful to white.

Surprised, and then relieved.

This white is not the same as the other white.

The lowest level back is a pale and powerless white, while the highest level formed by merging colorful brilliance is also white, yet a sunlit dazzling white.

The Soul Card’s back evolved from green, blue, purple, gold, and colorful, finally returning to its original pure white state. Roland opened his eyes, a subtle smile on his lips.

Seeing a mountain as a mountain, seeing a mountain as not a mountain, seeing a mountain as still a mountain.

The mountain was still the same mountain, but the person had changed.

He walks the path that innumerous have treaded—the path of the Scholar—yet he is different from them.

While predecessors pursued the breadth and depth of knowledge, he returned to the starting point.

The end of knowledge is not only relentless exploration but heartfelt contemplation.

With knowledge from two worlds, the vast knowledge from the Elf Race and the Ocean Race, coupled with mankind’s adeptness at thoughtful summarization, the starting point of the stairway to Ascension to Divinity appeared in his mind.

He remains weak, but he will eventually reach the other shore.

When Roland once again raised the scepter, his movements were gentle and serene, without the slightest smoke and fire, akin to a teacher raising a pointer in class.

But when the scepter falls, his enemies are bound to tremble.

It’s time to return to the Imperial Capital.

Roland’s scepter pointed in the direction of the Imperial Capital.

Unlike the confusion when he left, he returned with clarity.

Fourth Fleet, set off!

Standing on the top deck gazing at the azure sea, Sylph also gained much.

The father she thought lost to a shipwreck was still alive; she finally found her kin.

Not only that, but her father also sensibly relinquished the throne, preserving the father-daughter relationship, which touched her deeply to tears.

She did not disturb her father’s married life with Adina, quietly leaving.

Although there was a minor incident at the wedding, the assassins were captured, and Adina naturally had her own ideas about handling the follow-up. She didn’t bother to ask.

No group can be united like an iron plate.

The sum of everyone’s interest requests will always exceed the team’s output limit.

Satisfaction never comes out of thin air but transfers from one person to another.

She was happy, but some couldn’t find happiness.

Such as the Cabinet members still stubbornly resisting in the Imperial Capital.

Under Alben’s influence, they connected, created public opinion, colluded with factions, and tried in vain to stop her from reclaiming all power.

This was rebellion.

Someone must pay the price in blood; some political lives are about to end, while others, without significant faults, could be forgiven.

Sif held a list.

The top two in red font are the Minister of Finance Sim and the Minister of the Navy Winston.

The top two in gold font are William and Alben.

The black font is led by Teacher Wald.

Under the monarchy, rivers of blood will flow.

Since so many in the Cabinet oppose her accession to the throne, naturally, some must pay the price.

The red is the death list.

These Cabinet Ministers are deeply unpopular and are the type people would applaud should they be killed.

The gold is the promotion list.

No need to say much about Alben; his acting skills have reached perfection, hiding within the Cabinet camp, luring the rebels to expose themselves.

Although his wealth-gathering methods are somewhat ruthless, his professional level and political literacy overshadow these minor issues.

Whether in terms of capability or achievements, he must be heavily utilized.

Prime Minister William, although he often clashes with Sif, Sif knows it’s for the national interest.

Of course, also for his own interest.

She fully understands, personal interest and national interest often don’t conflict; if they do, it indicates a problem with the person.

Sif is somewhat troubled as there is only one Prime Minister, but two suitable candidates.

Continuing with William stabilizes the political situation, but does not completely fulfill the promise to Alben.

Heavily promote Alben, then William has to step down. Progress is easy but retreat is hard, can he accept this?

The blacklist is the retirement roster.

If Wald were twenty or ten years younger, Sif would unhesitatingly make him Prime Minister, but unfortunately, he is over seventy now, with much less vigor.

The Teacher’s ability and loyalty are unquestionable, but he should return home to enjoy his later years.

Forcing Wald into retirement has the advantage of making it easier to order others to retire.

If even the Imperial Tutor can retire, on what grounds are you staying put?

The Cabinet’s positions are limited, with only a few from the previous Cabinet being competent; the rest are far from qualified in Sif’s eyes.

The loyal officials from the Four Overseas Provinces following her must be properly arranged, at least a few must be placed in the Cabinet.

Tony, Ados, and others have outstanding abilities and unquestionable loyalty; they are indeed her team.

While Sif was lost in thought, Roland appeared before her.

"What are you thinking about? Are you anxious to return home?"

"Not at all, having you makes me feel at ease."

Sif smiled at Roland, warmed by his concerned gaze, she sighed somewhat troubled: "If only you were willing to be Prime Minister, I could confidently hand over power to you." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"That’s impossible, I’m too young; I can’t convince the masses." Roland seriously refused.

What a joke, being Prime Minister of the world’s top empire is no easy task.

Just balancing internal faction interests would make one’s hair fall out.

He does not wish for premature aging.

Roland’s excuse was flawless, but Sif knows him too well, knowing he is lazy.

She couldn’t help but use her best coy tactics, "But I really need you."

"That’s why I’m still Captain of the White Rose Knight Order, your loyal guardian." Roland’s reasoning is always impeccable.

Sif bit her lip, helplessly giving up.

Roland was right, the importance of the White Rose Knight Order to her is equal to that of the Prime Minister.

Choosing the wrong Prime Minister gives a remedial option, but having issues with the Captain of the Imperial Knight Order can lead to fatal consequences.

The Prime Minister is a foreign servant while the Knight Order Leader is a domestic one, closer to her; hence Roland is indeed more suited to being the Knight Order Leader.

Anyway, both are at the ministerial level, so Roland wouldn’t be aggrieved.

Though she understands Roland’s reasons for not being Prime Minister, Sif isn’t willing to let him off easily.

"Besides being Prime Minister, you wouldn’t refuse other matters, right?"

"At your service, my lady!" Roland responded with the most standard Knight’s Greeting.

Sif smiled at him, throwing the most headache-inducing problem at him.

"Roland, take a look at this list."

Roland took the list; without needing an explanation, he knew the fates of those on it. He felt puzzled as he had also been involved in discussing this list; was there a problem?

"There is no problem with this list."

"Everything else can be negotiated, except William and Alben. Both are excellent candidates for Prime Minister, and it’s inappropriate to let either be aggrieved."

Sif’s slender hand pointed to these two golden names, sighing again.

"Who do you lean towards more?"

In Roland’s view, both were suitable yet not completely fitting. Using William was for stability, choosing Alben showcased a new emperor’s trend, both are high-scoring options.

As long as Wald isn’t worked to death at his post, either would do.

No matter whom Sif picks, he can fabricate reasonable reasons.

However, Sif always brings surprises; she said somewhat troubled, "I think both are feasible, what if I want to use both?"

Roland was silent for a few seconds, then clapped his hands lightly, smiling:

"Simple, just set up Left and Right Ministers and split the Prime Minister’s powers in two, letting them manage according to their respective strengths."

Like in chess, there are two bishops, so setting up Left and Right Ministers is no problem.

Roland’s suggestion made Sif’s brain freeze, unable to react for a while.

After all, the main countries of Rodinia don’t do this.

Either the Emperor holds the reins of power, or the President/Prime Minister controls the governance, it emphasizes centralization.

Setting up Left and Right Ministers would surely lead to mutual control, is it really appropriate?

When Sif questioned this, Roland explained with a smile: "Of course it’s appropriate. Real power must be yours, the Left and Right Ministers are merely your assistants."

"As a monarch, you must worry about ministers not being united, yet also worry about them being too united. Sharing power between Left and Right Ministers is good."

Although it’s an unheard-of new system, since Roland proposed it, she of course won’t oppose it.

Thinking of the collective opposition from several Cabinet members to her overseas ascension a few months ago, Sif knew Roland was spot-on.

Sif’s brain was racing, already beginning to think about how to allocate the powers of the Left and Right Ministers, allowing them to check and balance without affecting work.

As she thoughtfully contemplated, the smile on Roland’s lips grew wider.

To the Cabinet lords far in the Imperial Capital, the Sif you remember has disappeared.

Hope you’re prepared to welcome pleasant surprises.