In the Name of Empress-Chapter 399 - 282: Aren’t Young People Supposed to Stir Things Up? (Part 2)
Although tiring, it’s not a big problem.
However, Sif’s next words made him tense again, "Teacher, I don’t have much time to manage specific affairs, I need to focus mainly on researching the Power of Stars."
Perhaps it’s that Sif now seems too much like a delicate girl, making Wald forget she has an unavoidable battle ahead.
Sif has prestige, but if she is absent for a long time, the ministers will inevitably have thoughts.
William and Alben are not simple people, they definitely won’t miss the chance of power vacuum.
Wald felt a slight headache, probing and asked: "What about the others?"
He merely asked casually, unexpectedly Sif took out a piece of paper and handed it to him.
"Teacher, here are the cabinet candidates I have outlined, would you take a look?"
Wald looked up at Sif.
Clear eyes, seemingly unchanged. Only the innocence in them replaced by composure.
He took the list, a smile somewhat solidified on his face. His name was strikingly at the top.
Wald, nominated for Prime Minister (retirement), conferred Earl of Nottingham.
Sif softly explained, "Teacher, I know you want to retire, so I plan for you to retire as Prime Minister and Earl. The Earl’s Domain of Nottingham is about a hundred kilometers south of Hansa City, not large, but trade is prosperous and the climate pleasant, it’s a good place."
Looking at Sif’s firm gaze, Wald knew this was the final decision, indisputable.
He had worked hard for many years, following the late Emperor and not obtaining a title, yet unexpectedly Sif here realized a life leap.
All the local domains that could be conferred were already granted, Imperial family territory doesn’t flow out, government direct land can’t be reduced, new nobility can only be granted outside.
Previously, the cabinet would oppose, now Sif holds the power, if she says yes, yes it is, even if opposed, it won’t be a trend.
Besides Wald, other ministers were mostly conferred Baron and Imperial Knight titles.
No need for Sif to explain, Wald knew this was a matter of closeness and separation.
Of course, he wouldn’t refuse.
A hereditary title is the ultimate destination every minister dreams of.
There are mainly three kinds of title granting.
Wald’s Earl’s Domain belongs to the honorary reward.
Those like Ados overseas are granted for military merits.
Whereas Roland is for expanding territory.
Wald asked puzzledly, "What about Roland? Surely he won’t be without a title?"
"I originally planned to confer him as Duke of York, but he said directly becoming a Duke is too exaggerated."
Sif’s cheeks flushed slightly.
The Empire’s Imperial family is the York clan, the Duke of York has always been concurrently held by the emperor, occasionally by the Empress’s husband, in short, it’s by the emperor or family.
Wald’s eyes brightened.
Sif has finally grasped the situation, but not completely.
Directly conferring Roland as Duke of York, surely the court would explode.
Except for Duke of Jinquehua, a special existence, within the Empire dukes are the top nobility. The Duke of York is the most esteemed among them.
Roland’s sudden climb would definitely provoke jealousy.
Sif’s tone was full of regret, "Even being an emperor cannot do whatever one wishes, just letting him temporarily accept, conferring Count Swage."
Wald was speechless.
Is this even reasonable?
Roland indeed became a Count, but his countship’s value is nearly that of a duke.
Hereditary and unchanging, as long as descendants don’t betray or rebel, they remain counts forever.
A common duke descends to count after three generations.
Wald doesn’t have this treatment.
His title as Earl descends to a Baron after three generations, unless extraordinary merits or donating substantial wealth to the Imperial family to maintain the level.
Fortunately, a hereditary title only descends once, never to descend further, at worst not turning into commoners.
All are counts, yet the gap is vast.
Wald wouldn’t vie for favor with Roland, but inwardly he is envious.
Besides these counts, Sif also conferred titles on several overseas ministers.
Ados and others remain barons, and sealed from the homeland Tyrone Province overseas, but domains expanded from single baron domain to double baron domain, valued higher than a common baron.
William and Alben also received Baron titles, with annotations beside their names.
William (mature and prudent).
Alben (abandon darkness for light).
Wald couldn’t help but laugh, although Sif has grown, she inevitably still held traces of youthful innocence.
After reading the list, he wisely did not ask where Sim, Winston, and others went.
Politics is like this, the end of political life often means life itself ends.
Some people’s paths simply end.
The only choice he could not understand was Rupert.
"Sif, are you really planning to make Rupert the intelligence director? I’m not questioning your decision, nor doubting the Duke of Jinquehua Dynasty’s loyalty, but he acts without caution, even speaking carelessly about your father, think it over."
"Teacher, you’re referring to the article saying my father doesn’t love the country, loves beauty, recuses in the Undersea City, marrying the Sea Witch?"
Wald nodded, unable to resist reminding, "And even earlier articles, he’s simply... I concede he has intelligence skills far surpassing Ricie, but he’s just too flippant."
He couldn’t find words to describe Rupert.
Accusing this guy of disloyalty, the Duke of Jinquehua Dynasty is an Iron Imperialist Faction; loyal he might seem, yet often uses the Imperial family to draw attention, even jokingly.
And often using Sif and Roland as material for humor.
As Wald tried to think of persuasion, Sif had already ended the topic.
"Teacher, he’s quite suitable."
Since the Empress expressed, insisting further was impolite.
Wald shrugged, saying nothing.
This wasn’t acquiescence; it was reserved opinion, like abstention, contradicting non-opposition.
With cabinet selection resolved, Sif thought of Roland, still couldn’t help but sigh softly.
"Teacher, I still hope Roland can join the cabinet, even in a minor role."
"Cabinet doesn’t keep idlers. If one idles, others will follow suit."
Wald chuckled and teased, "Since you can’t be without him, I do have an idea."
"Tell me quickly, Teacher, how extraordinary you are, even finding a solution here."
Sif was not flattering, she genuinely admired Wald. The old fox is cunning, solving such tough riddles.
Wald enjoyed Sif’s admiration, alas now Sif is the Empress, he had to clear his throat without keeping her in suspense.
"During the Magic Empire era, although the emperor was the Supreme Leader, often secluded in magic towers researching various Forbidden Curse Magic, seldom attending affairs personally. For management convenience, the Supreme Governor was set, standing above other governors, but below the emperor."
"The Supreme Governor’s status was exalted, not in the cabinet, no need to manage specific affairs, yet can inquire about political, military, personnel, and finances. During the emperor’s absence, they’d perform emperor duties."
Wald considered, offering the clearest explanation.
"Roughly it’s like the Vice Emperor in action."
"That’s good, let’s do it then!" Sif agreed without hesitation.
She happily stood, clapped her hands lightly, pondered briefly, and smiled saying:
"However, the title Supreme Governor lacks grandeur, during the Magic Empire era the Vice Emperor had another title too, an honorary one."
Wald’s face changed slightly.
He certainly knew the Vice Emperor’s title.
Caesar.
He wished to persuade a bit, but quickly abandoned the idea.
Comparing to conferring Duke of York to Roland, ’Caesar’ seemed acceptable.
Seeing Sif had no intention of returning to her seat, he followed suit, laughingly saying:
"It’s late, I’m feeling sleepy too. Alas, getting older can’t stay awake like young ones."
"Then teacher, rest early, don’t need to see me off."
Though Sif said not needing to see off was caring for the teacher, Wald not doing so showed lack of tact.
He chuckled, walking to the door, "I’m not that old yet."
Accompanying Sif to the door, thinking of her insisting Rupert as intelligence director, he couldn’t resist reminding:
"Sif, you can employ Rupert, but must discipline him, tongue must be controlled."
As Sif reached the door, she halted, turned back to her teacher, whispered:
"Teacher, the article on my father’s wedding to Sea Witch was my submission."
Watching Sif vanish into the night, Wald stood stunned, until a refreshing sea breeze woke him.
Indeed...
Old now.
