Chapter 729 - 321: Lost in Confusion

Chapter 729: Chapter 321: Lost in Confusion

As the core operator of the campaign during this period, Nalan had unconsciously become a bit too conspicuous. His main competitors, Yan Tianguang and Hong Ban, had successively exited the stage. In the eyes of outsiders, a defeated Preparatory Angel was considered to have a poor foundation, forcibly elevated only to exhaust potential and ruin the fundamentals, lacking growth potential. As for Hong Ban, with Hong Yan’s death, it all came to an end—simply put, a failure. No matter what means the Potter Family employed, history is written by victors, and there’s no need for them to explain; plenty will do it for the Potter Family.

Even Ji Mingyue’s attitude was improving, not entirely reserved and passive anymore, occasionally showing concern for Nalan. This also led to Nalan habitually commanding everyone, and people silently accepted this change, as after all, Nalan Jingguo was merely paving the way for his enthronement.

Unexpectedly, he stumbled in the most significant place; the Giyi faction, constantly lagging behind, suddenly surpassed them after Hong Yan’s death. It was hard to believe.

Earlier, the Giyi faction engaged in many strange minor actions. Chen Rutang’s performances in the slums had become a regular joke, considered futile struggles not only without effect but even pulling down support rates.

Yet the current situation turned out like this.

Patir didn’t know why this happened, but she knew it was related to Li Xin and Lu Shuai. The Upper Council’s comparison wasn’t unexpected as every vote represented factional and familial interest struggles and influence in the Li Long Kingdom. Unless a major event occurred, fluctuations wouldn’t be significant. However, the Lower Council saw a massive reversal. Previously stable and calm, the Lower Council had now drastically diverged.

"Silence! There’s still time before the election. This sudden change must have a reason. Find the cause, correct it, and bring things back to normal," Nalan Jingguo said. "This is just a small test on our road to success. Sudden changes are unstable; identifying the root can fully reverse them. It’s a random change, not a long-term accumulation. If the opponent provides terms, we offer better ones, identify their needs, and meet them doubly, at all costs!"

Nalan Jingguo said coolly; he knew what burden he carried. This equally related to the life and death of the Nalan Clan. Win this battle at all costs—future high-interest loans are another story.

Everyone also didn’t believe Chen Rutang could compare to Nalan Jingguo in terms of reputation or foundation. Temporary changes could be rapidly corrected.

"Can they offer better terms than us?" Freeman was a bit disbelieving. Of course, not everyone can be swayed; most have positions, but targeting certain key areas for contest, in these points, they are definitely offering better terms.

"We have connected with every councillor, talked with all possible. The terms they can offer, we can offer, and more. Moreover, they don’t have that much money," Isaiah Maksin said. As for wealth, no one can compare with the Lot people.

The participants present were all shared interest communities, each responsible for a segment, not merely decoration, and families would willingly invest out of their own pockets as an investment, promising higher future returns.

"Li Xin is Chen Rutang’s student. Will he use the money from the Black Market? Recently, many from the Canon Law School have joined the Night Patrol."

"I had someone specifically investigate. This person spends all the money from the Black Market on the Night Patrol’s daily expenses and pensions, with accounts so clear it’s baffling. The carriage he uses was cast aside by Lei Qinglu, and his residence was initially assigned by the Night Patrol, at a Deputy Captain Level, without lavish consumption for food and drink. An old uniform is constantly worn, so we haven’t made an issue of expanding the Night Patrol, even pushed it forward, just to deplete his money." Feili said, biting her small white teeth. "In terms of funds, they can’t compare to us even on horseback."

The attendees fell into silence, all seeing the mute expression in each other’s eyes, wondering if Li Xin was insane, becoming a mortal enemy with the Hundred Martial Hall, indeed genuinely to improve the Night Patrol’s living conditions.

If not Black Market money, then where did this massive investment come from?

"What about Lu Shuai?" Nalan Potter abruptly asked.

"Funding is definitely insufficient. He’s poor himself, sought donations but with limited amounts I understand. While he has a certain effect on publicity, it’s puzzling why in the North District he has considerable prestige and reputation, though all amongst the poor, not stirring a wave, changing one or two councillors counts as notable." Feili replied.

On this level, they are very clear; so-called fame is fundamentally less important than interests. Ordinary people support it but lack direct voting rights, producing no direct threat, and time left for them was scarce.

Mentioning this made Nalan Jingguo feel a bit nauseous, thinking the Potter Family were foolish—sufficing a small amount to this kid would settle it, forcing him to the enemy’s side.

Now it was trouble.

Their eyes inevitably glanced at Feili, the incident had become a stain on her, the greater Lu Shuai’s role, the more foolish she appeared.

"Lu Shuai has no personal networks, that’s for sure. With such a significant transformation in the Lower Council, we cannot locate the cause, have we underestimated Luthor’s influence? Recently Lu Shuai marketed himself strong; could it have produced unknown effects?" Nalan deep voice stated.

In the past, to save Tanggao, Lu Shuai’s actions indeed impacted quite a few people, and seized much of Potter Family-inherited Luthor’s prestige.

Reputation—claimed useless, yet sometimes particularly valuable.

"Could it be Giyi faction having new moves?"

"I believe it’s Chen Rutang’s acts making an impact; the street’s reputation is excellent."

"Nonsense, such reputation can hardly affect Lower Council elections; these councillors aren’t fools!"

"They must have used secretive methods; it’d be wise to let Church Court people investigate."

Watching everyone argue chaotically, losing typical pretense, Patir felt like a spectator enjoying it, suddenly wanting to share such amusing matters with Li Xin and Lu Shuai.

Of course, this was merely a thought; she felt these were factors but likely not core ones, yet she couldn’t figure out why those councillors would change their minds.

Actually, not only Lower Council councillors but Upper Council too. Logically, with Hong Yan dead, the Giyi faction should be internally struggling and ununified; Free faction’s side used many relations to make contact, exploiting the crisis. Any Giyi internal reversal or abstention would be a great assist, typical in the past, Free faction had also experienced it. Both sides privately had interactions, possibly even alliances. Essentially, personal interests are paramount.

After contact, many intentions agreed upon, yet the Upper Council ratio hadn’t visibly decreased, showing their firm support for Chen Rutang, inherently odd.

However, Patir lazily disengaged; she merely wanted to watch excitement, caring little who became Grand Governor, wishing if given a choice, it might be Chen Rutang. Should Nalan Jingguo become Grand Governor, Dragon Capital would certainly dull, she preferred novel things such as beauty pageants, though now uninterested. However, Chen Rutang’s win would definitely bring new fun events, making Dragon Capital more intriguing.

This conservative old fashion dull, not better than Ye Shidao who was at least hands-off.

Nalan Jingguo watched everyone’s fierce argument, face calm but inwardly extraordinarily angry. Initially expecting now they’d lead, even greatly ahead, unexpectedly surpassed now, wondering where it went wrong, or do they really believe Hong Yan’s death involved him?

Really unjust, he was already ahead of Hong Yan, no need, yet the current situation wasn’t good. Despite speaking lightly just now, less than a month remains, can it truly reverse, he’s uncertain.

At this moment, he also wished Chen Rutang might suddenly face some mishap.