Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 532 - 324: Calvin Clan Council Meeting (Part 2)

Chapter 532: Chapter 324: Calvin Clan Council Meeting (Part 2)

The “pieces” sent to the Red Tide in recent years have almost been completely wiped out.

Some were absorbed and became Louis’ confidants; some were estranged and couldn’t gather any core information; some lost contact and didn’t even send reports… their lives are unknown.

The entire Red Tide is like a tightly sealed iron barrel, even his feelers couldn’t get through.

“Is it because you’re too clever?” he murmured, staring down at the letter, his expression complex.

He folded the letter and slowly threw it into the fire.

The flames licked the letter, turning word by word into ashes.

Watching the words burn little by little, Duke Calvin’s lips curled into a faint, cold smile: “Want to break free from the family? Don’t forget who paved the road for you.”

His tone carried a hint of sarcasm, yet couldn’t hide a certain faint… pleasure.

This son, who was once a sideline he sent to the Northern Territory, is now a dignified Count, the most powerful military force in the Northern Territory.

Truly surprising.

“Your Grace.” A low whisper came from outside the door, “The family meeting is about to start, and the esteemed members have taken their seats.”

“Understood.”

Duke Calvin slowly stood up, adjusted his sleeves, and regained his usual calm demeanor.

The meeting hall was set in a secret chamber deep within the mansion, the stone walls were thick.

Only the core family members were allowed to participate, with no record-keepers or aides allowed.

The official topic was to analyze the situation in the Imperial Capital after the Emperor’s disappearance and to assess the Regent King’s ability to govern.

But the true theme was simply: which Prince should the Calvin Clan support?

Supporting the right one would keep the Eight Great Clans’ status rock solid.

Supporting the wrong one might mean losing even the territory of the Southeast Province.

Duke Calvin pushed open the door and calmly took the main seat.

The long table was already filled with a few of his brothers, several high-ranking elders of the family, and a few core sons of the next generation.

The candlelight reflected on each face, some ambitious, some shrewd, some silent…

But in Duke Calvin’s eyes, their thoughts were almost written on their faces.

Especially his second son, Seldon Calvin.

This rising star, who rose through the family’s trade routes, now controlled nearly thirty percent of the family’s commercial profits.

Every move exuded confidence, sitting there as if the main seat would soon be his.

But he didn’t understand that the real game had long taken a different direction, and he hadn’t figured out who was a player and who was a piece.

Duke Calvin glanced at everyone and opened his mouth in a light, casual tone: “The winds in the Imperial Capital are rising; it seems the Regent King won’t last much longer. Tonight, let’s discuss where to place our bets among the Princes.”

As he finished speaking, the hall fell into silence.

Seldon Calvin sat at the right end of the long table, his gaze slowly sweeping across everyone.

These people would ultimately become supporting characters in his future dominion.

He is the third son of the family, controlling three-tenths of the family’s trade system and dominating four crucial inter-provincial trade routes.

In terms of actual power, apart from his father, there were few here who could overshadow him.

Eldest brother Gaius? Unconscious, life or death unknown, even the Emperor is missing.

Louis? Well, Seldon admits that guy is a troublemaker.

He carved out his realm with the barren Northern Territory, supposed to be dead land.

Now he’s not only been ennobled as a Count but also controls several Knight Orders and half of the Northern Lords, even turning a few of the family’s old trade lines to his advantage.

To have taken such a leap from a sideline to his current stature, it would be foolish to say he’s not capable.

But he’s already rooted in the Northern Territory.

So let him stay put in the Northern Territory, as far as possible from the Southeast Province.

No matter how much power, it’s just a distant threat.

As for the remaining brothers?

Just a bunch of good-for-nothings with the family name.

Everything is set, only an opportunity to shine is missing.

And now is my chance to rise, Seldon understands.

“Father.” Seldon spoke timely, his tone carrying a sharp edge: “I believe we must make a clear stance; supporting which Prince is the most critical issue right now.”

As everyone’s eyes gathered, he continued, “The Fourth Prince is on good terms with the Supervisory Office, and the Civil Servant system is solid, ensuring the Imperial Capital’s security. The Second Prince commands the military and can secure the borders outside.

The Crown Prince is weak and incapable, like an empty shell puppet. The Fifth Prince is even less trustworthy; intelligence suggests he’s flirting with foreign forces. If we bet on the wrong card… the family’s century-old foundation will be destroyed overnight.”

He paused deliberately, surveying the room: “So, I propose to support the strongest Prince among them.”

“We are not philanthropists; we must support the side capable of seizing power.”

This statement was decisive, logically coherent, and sounded very prudent.

Several elders on both sides of the long table nodded frequently, even some quietly praised, “Makes sense.”

Seldon felt a surge of joy inside.

But Duke Calvin at the main seat remained unmoved.

He simply lifted his wine glass, took a small sip, but already formed an evaluation in his heart.

Too safe, Seldon has always been good at gauging the higher-ups’ intentions, but precisely because of this, he could never take the stage.

These words were as good as not spoken, pretending to analyze the situation, but essentially saying nothing useful, only good at using small cunning.

Duke Calvin put down the wine glass, his tone calm: “I’ve noted your thoughts; let’s hear others’ opinions first.”

Seldon maintained composure on the surface, but his fingertips couldn’t help but grip his knee tightly, silently returning to his seat.

He understood that his father was displeased yet didn’t want to refute him publicly.

“Brother.” Count Albert was the first to speak; this duke’s brother was always mature and steady.

“The Second Prince certainly controls military power, but he has offended quite a lot of people. The Supervisory Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Civil Servant faction, they all have grudges against him… if these three join forces in retaliation, it might be hard to predict the outcome.”

“I think it’s also worth paying some attention to the Fourth Prince,” Ninth Son Bran interjected quietly from his seat.

“Ha,” someone sneered, “The Fourth Prince? That bookworm who hides in the study all day writing ’Empire Governance Proposals’? This Empire values military merit and practical deeds, not fancy words.”

The atmosphere became somewhat tense.

Until Elder Isaac slowly spoke: “Actually… there are also some voices discussing the Fifth Prince.”

The long table fell silent for a moment.

This was the Prince who had been “missing for years and recently returned to the Imperial Capital,” rumored to have secret dealings with the Golden Feather Flower Church Court, though there was no evidence.

“That path is too dangerous.” The Duke finally spoke, but no one could discern his attitude.

No one knew that at this moment, what flashed through his mind was the contents of a secret letter.

That letter was personally sent by his sister Eleanor, delivered to a manor on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.

This was precisely where he arranged secret connections with the Fifth Prince’s faction.

And more importantly, Eduardo had long since converted to the Golden Feather Flower faith, becoming a core member of the Church Court.

And all of this, no one present knew.

As everyone expressed their views, the Duke turned his gaze to an elder at the end of the long table.

Carter Calvin, one of the oldest elders in the family, rarely spoke but carried enough weight.

Carter nodded slowly, his tone unhurried: “If we have to decide on someone, I believe… the Second Prince is worth a gamble. He has support in the military, his reputation is still noticeable, and he is recognized in the Imperial Capital.”

Duke Calvin did not respond immediately.

He merely nodded slightly, his expression calm, showing no emotion.

But this gesture, seen by everyone present, was like a seal, lightly placed on the Second Prince’s column.

Some people’s eyes lit up, while others pondered secretly.

Nobody knew that at this moment, Duke Calvin’s heart didn’t truly agree with this statement.

This was false information, a baiting tactic.

The phrase “The Calvin Clan leans towards the Second Prince” was a bait he personally set out.

If within a few days, this rumor suddenly appeared in the Imperial Capital, something like “I heard the Calvin Clan plans to support the Second Prince”…

Then he would follow the trail and uncover which corner of this meeting hid the wolf.

Before the storm engulfing the Empire arrives, he must first clean up his own ship.