Faced with Fangzheng's question, Chancellor McDowell remained silent for a long time, while Allie looked at her grandfather anxiously. Fangzheng stood in front of the window, looking at the scenery outside with a smile, as if he did not care at all.
Finally, Chancellor McDowell spoke.
"Why … .did you do this?"
"It's simple. I need a piece of land."
"….. Huh?"
Perhaps Fangzheng's answer was too direct, so Chancellor McDowell did not react for a while.
"Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean …."
"I mean, I need a piece of land to carry out my next plan. But now that the sphere of influence of the Semuria continent has been decided, I can't even find a piece of barbarian land. At that time, I suddenly discovered, sigh, there's still a piece of land here …. So I came here and investigated the history of this land. I also communicated with the people here, and I found that this place is very suitable for my plan. That's why I want to help Croesbell become independent."
"So, you mean, you want this land?"
"Yes, that's about it."
Fangzheng nodded.
"I want this land and turn it into an independent kingdom like Libel. That's interesting. Libel's land area is actually not much larger than Croesbell's, but it has been recognized by the Empire and the Republic, and stands on this continent as an independent kingdom. On the other hand, Croesbell is like this. I think this is why you went to study in Libel, Allie. "
"….. Ah, yes ….."
Hearing Fangzheng's question, Allie was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.
"So, do you have an answer?"
"I ….."
Allie lowered her head and clenched her teeth.
"I think I know the answer. Libel was also invaded by the Empire, but when it comes to the Hundred Days War, the people of Libel are full of pride. They are proud that they were able to defeat the invasion of the Empire and protect their territory. Although there were sacrifices in the process, they resolutely protected their homeland …. "
At this point, Allie couldn't continue. Or in other words, she had seen the gap between Krosberg and Libel.
"… Although Crossrail is more prosperous and has a more important location than Libel, we lack the spirit … Grandfather, we don't have any pride to speak of. We only talk about how rich we are and how much attention we are getting, but we don't have the pride that the Libellians have. The pride that the nobles, the higher-ups, and even the commoners have."
"And this kind of thing cannot be begged for."
Fangzheng put his hands behind his back and looked at the old man.
"You can use money to buy land, honor, women, and even life, but you can never buy pride. Because pride is not something to be talked about. It needs to be defended with blood, with an indomitable spirit, and a belief that never gives up — and at the cost of blood and corpses. The latter is the most important. "
"But I can't."
Chairman McDowell shook his head slowly.
"We want to protect the people of Clothbell. We don't want them to fall into conflict and destruction."
"That's why I said all this."
Fangzheng snorted.
"You see, at the end of the day, this is Crossrail. You fear death and destruction, so you chose to lower your head and become a slave to others. Since you are all slaves, why not be a slave to someone else? At least I can guarantee that I will be a better master than the Empire and the Republic. "
"…"
Chairman McDowell clenched his teeth and clenched his fists on the desk.
"So, you want to be a king, a dictator. Such an anti-democratic approach is wrong! "
"Democracy? I'm surprised that you have the cheek to talk about democracy? "
Fangzheng chuckled.
"For the sake of your immediate prosperity, you allowed the atrocities of the Empire and the Republic to happen, causing the innocent people of Crossrail to suffer. You just lowered your head like an ostrich and said 'there's no other way', using their pain to exchange for Crossrail's peace. Now you're talking to me about democracy? About mistakes? "
"That's what most people of Crossrail think …"
"That's just the tyranny of the majority."
Fangzheng coldly interrupted President McDowell's words.
"If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked. You leaders close your eyes and pretend to be blind all day long, so what else can the people below you do besides pretending to be blind like you? Do you think they can rise up and overthrow your rule? Chairman McDowell, what you want to do is one thing, and what you do is another. Unfortunately, I only judge a person by what they do. "
Fangzheng picked up the teacup again and shook it at Allie. Allie hurriedly picked up the teapot and poured another cup of tea for Fangzheng.
"Do you know why I'm here to talk to you about this? Chairman McDowell? "
"… I'm also very confused."
Chairman McDowell seemed to have gradually regained his composure. He raised his head and looked at Fangzheng.
"With your ambition and power, you can wait until you become a member of the Crossrail Council before doing all this. I don't understand why you would say these things at this time. Aren't you afraid that I'll stop you from becoming a member and tell others what you said? "
"Haha …"
Fangzheng took another sip of the black tea and looked at the night view outside the window.
"It's simple. I'm not afraid."
"… Huh?"
"Chairman McDowell, do you know? Now, after IBC was acquired by Starlight Technology, the financial circulation of the entire Crossrail region is completely in the hands of Starlight Technology. In addition, our tourism and food processing projects in Almorica Village and the secondary development of Quarryton Town in Mainz have been completed. Now, almost all the residents in these two places work for Starlight Technology. We've also funded the Garrison Guard and the Crossrail Police Department. It's safe to say that all work and activities in Crossrail will come to a halt tomorrow with a single order from me. "
Having said that, Fangzheng turned his head and looked at President McDowell.
"In this case, does it matter to me whether I become a member or not?"
"You, you actually …"
"Please don't say it as if I'm plotting something."
Looking at Chairman McDowell's red face, Fangzheng sighed.
"I'm not an idiot like Dita who has to do some sneaky schemes under the table. Every investment by Starlight Technology in Crossbell has been reviewed and approved by the city council, as well as your signature, Chairman McDowell. Your memory can't be that bad, right?"
Having said that, Fangzheng looked at Ellie.
"Allie, you have to remember that a political entity must never allow capital to interfere in the political field. Otherwise, it will become like this. That's me. To be honest, if a despicable, shameless, and despicable guy came and asked you to be his lover, I think your grandfather would only nod his head and agree. Are you wondering why the Crossrail Council didn't think of this? "
"Ah … .yes!!!"
At that moment, Ellie was also in a state of confusion. She subconsciously nodded when she heard Fangzheng's question. Fangzheng shrugged his shoulders in response.
"It's simple. They don't have this kind of awareness at all. Everyone was thinking about how to make profits for themselves. After all, every investment by Starlight Technology could not only solve Crossbell's urgent needs, but it could also bring a large amount of taxes and profits to the city council. Naturally, they had no reason to disagree. But that's all they can do. They don't care how much control a huge capital entity has over Crossrail. Can you guess why? "
"Uh … .this …."
Allie felt as if she was standing in a classroom again, being asked a question by Fangzheng in public. But faced with this question, Allie did not seem to have an answer for a while. But at that moment, Allie suddenly thought of something. Her eyes lit up.
"Could it be … the Empire and the Republic?"
"That's right. Ten points."
Fangzheng snapped his fingers.
"As you said, Crossrail is nominally an autonomous state, but at the end of the day, it's still a slave of the Empire and the Republic. They think that no matter what, this land is managed by the Empire and the Republic, so even if Starlight Technology does anything out of line, the Empire and the Republic will take action to suppress us without them doing anything. When that happens, they might even be able to wave flags and shout battle cries at the side and get a share of the profits. "
With that said, Fangzheng could not help but laugh.
"Hahahaha, interesting, isn't it? On the one hand, they don't want to be slaves, but on the other hand, they're counting on their masters to make decisions for them. Maybe they think they're so smart that they can play with the Empire and the Republic at the same time. That's why I say these people are useless … .hahahaha …. "
Hearing Fangzheng's words and merciless ridicule, Allie's face turned pale with anger. She turned her head and looked at Chancellor McDowell.
"Grandfather, is it really like what Mr. Fangzheng said? Is this the reason why the Crossrail parliament can't do anything? "
"… .Sigh …."
Chancellor McDowell could choose not to answer Fangzheng, but he couldn't not answer his granddaughter. He let out a long sigh and nodded.
"That's right, but what can we do? We don't have Libel's powerful conduction technology, and the Republic and the Empire are so powerful. Even if we want to change something, we can't …. "
"That's true."
Fangzheng put down his teacup and nodded.
"Without power, you can only lower your head. After the first time, there will be a second time. In the end, you'll become a servile slave who can no longer stand up straight."
"Easy for you to say. It's not like you don't know how powerful the Empire and the Republic are …."
"So in the end, only the one with the bigger fist has the right to speak."
Fangzheng waved his hand and interrupted McDowell again.
"I'm not a fool. Since I dared to say that I want Crossrail, I naturally have enough power to fight against the Empire and the Republic. I can assure you that the power I have is enough to protect the whole of Crossrail. Otherwise, I wouldn't be standing here and talking to you, Chancellor McDowell. "
As he spoke, Fangzheng looked at McDowell again.
"The so-called ruler has to protect his territory and people, right?"
"… I don't know."
Chancellor McDowell let out a long sigh and slumped into his chair. The conversation with Fangzheng exhausted him. It was a brainstorming session. Everything Fangzheng said was wrong in McDowell's opinion. Fangzheng wanted to be a dictator and rule this land. This was unacceptable to McDowell.
But … he had to admit that what Fangzheng said made sense. After all, Crossrail was also being interfered with by the Republic and the Empire. Besides, if Fangzheng really had enough power to fight against these two countries ….
"What's your decision? Chancellor McDowell? "
"I …. can't make a decision."
"I guess so. After all, I'm getting old. I think too much."
Fangzheng wasn't surprised by McDowell's answer.
"But fortunately, there are still young people.
Perhaps old people like you think this is the end of your life, but young people still yearn for power in the future. "
Having said that, Fangzheng looked at Ellie.
"Allie, I'll be staying in Crossrail from tomorrow onwards to prepare for my next plan. If you're interested, you can come over and have a look."
"Huh?"
Allie was taken aback when she heard Fangzheng's invitation.
"Is that really okay? Mr. Fangzheng? I can't guarantee what I'll say …. "
"Hahaha, it's not like I'm going to do some shady business. Although I won't go around announcing it, since I've said it in front of Chairman McDowell, it means that I'm not afraid of others finding out. I'm not an idiot like Dita who has to hide things and pretend to be smart. But in the end, isn't it because I'm not strong enough? "
Fangzheng put down his teacup and nodded at the two.
"Well, it's getting late. I'll take my leave now. Think about it carefully. By the way, Allie, the tea is pretty good. "
After saying that, Fangzheng turned around and left the study, leaving Allie and Chancellor McDowell speechless.
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