Chapter 2811 - 1202: Reversal Heavenly Power_3

Chapter 2811: Chapter 1202: Reversal Heavenly Power_3

Things of a kind gather together, and people split into groups; tigers and wolves do not ally with cattle and sheep.

Anyone Prince Harried keeps at his side naturally cannot be just a pretty vase, but must have their own unique strengths.

"Of course." Prince Harried said as if it were only natural. "For this we must thank Lord Zalanda and the road builder behind her. If not for their sudden rise, already threatening the Four Dukes’ rule in the Thacel Kingdom, those four would probably wish me to stay buried forever inside the Ivory Mage Tower and remain a mere Mage Scholar.

Not only would they not welcome my return to Thacel, they would instead be the greatest obstacle to our reunification of the Kingdom!"

Clearly, Prince Harried and his people had already seen through the plan of the four Dukes to welcome the King back to the capital.

Their decision to form their own mercenary corps here was not some impulsive idea, but had its own deeper purpose—chiefly, to show it to those four Dukes.

To let them know he was not some solitary figure, and that manipulating him would not be so easy.

Only thus could he extract the greatest possible benefit in the upcoming negotiations.

At the mention of Zalanda and the road builder, the brown?haired beauty’s expression grew solemn. "Those four old foxes are crafty, but their套路 isn’t hard to figure out. From the moment they appeared here, it was already certain they couldn’t escape our grasp.

In contrast, Lord Zalanda and that road builder never play by common rules in any of their moves.

Two years ago, no one imagined they would open a breach in the Four Dukes’ economic blockade by means of collective migration.

And now, no one imagined they would make full use of the Marching Mountains’ catastrophic wildfire to carry out a frenzied expansion, bringing those stubborn non?human forces under their own rule.

Whether it’s road construction or currency unification, they’ve already gone beyond what a single city, or even a single Kingdom, would normally do. That is our greatest headache in unification."

Prince Harried still wore a light, easy smile. "Cousin Helena, I’ve never doubted your political acuity, but on the matter of dealing with Lord Zalanda, I think you’ve fallen into the same trap as the four Dukes."

"The same trap as the four Dukes?" The brown?haired beauty’s brows tightened slightly. "I beg Your Majesty, speak plainly."

Harried still did not answer directly, but instead tossed out a question. "Why must we treat her as an enemy? I don’t recall her ever openly declaring non?recognition of the Kingdom."

The brown?haired beauty understood at once, and said thoughtfully, "Your Majesty means to recognize Lord Zalanda’s legitimate ruling status?"

"Not only recognize her legitimate ruling status, but also grant her a matching investiture, and even invite her to become a member of the Governance Council."

Prince Harried’s eyes likewise gleamed with intelligence. "If my guess is right, the four Dukes will agree to most of our conditions, but will stubbornly insist on preserving the Governing Council, so they can water down our future state policies.

Since they can dilute things, why can’t we? Is there any better counter?balance than Lord Zalanda?

Once they are tugging against each other, we can seize the chance to implement our own Will and policies."

Islam and Helena exchanged an unnoticeable glance, the message between them extremely subtle.

Because this was not a proposal that originated from them, but rather from Prince Harried himself, and it was the first time he had discussed it with them.

This idea was not earth?shattering; on the contrary, it was the mark of a mature political mind.

The most important thing for a monarch is political Balance—to guard against any one side growing too strong. It is best if there are at least two factions within any one power bloc.

The key issue was the timing of discussing this idea; it was a little too delicate.

Rather than say it was aimed at the four Dukes, it was better to say it was aimed at them.

They too were part of the political Balance. Their influence around Prince Harried had previously been too great, and that likewise carried the suspicion of manipulation.

They could not help overthinking. Political games are like walking a tightrope over a bottomless abyss; one careless step, and you are doomed forever.

Their organization had already had a very personal experience of this long ago, leaving behind strict injunctions to warn their descendants.

Helena ventured a suggestion. "Using Lord Zalanda to check the four Dukes will be a dangerous move. Their expansion Speed is simply too fast. Once granted legitimacy, they very likely will accelerate further. I fear that by then, even if we join with the four Dukes, we won’t be able to suppress her."

"Which is why we must not only invest her, but invest her allies, and grant them the same status as Lord Zalanda." Prince Harried had clearly already considered this issue and immediately offered a response strategy. "In that way, her grip over those allies will sharply weaken.

So long as she recognizes Royal Family rule, then isn’t all the territory she opens up part of the Kingdom? Don’t they all have to pay tax to the Kingdom?

We can then use the same method to grant investiture to the newly opened lands and fold them into the Kingdom’s governance."

Helena and Islam exchanged another look, wanting to keep arguing and dissuade him from being too idealistic, but off in the distance, Teleportation Magic Aura was already flaring once more.

The four Dukes had returned, having reached a new tacit understanding.

Duke Walter again acted as their representative. "If Your Majesty can agree to one condition of ours, we will agree to three of yours."

"Speak." Prince Harried replied straightforwardly.

"Preserve the Governing Council, and appoint us as governors. All policies must be implemented under the Governing Council’s supervision." Duke Walter’s condition was simple and direct.

If they could not completely control the other side, they would at least secure their own interests as much as possible.

Doing things well—they might not be good at that.

But sabotaging things—at that they excelled.

Though Prince Harried’s entourage had already displayed considerable wisdom and Strength, governing a country and doing business are two entirely different matters.