Chapter 1172 - 185: Shocking Project Deal and Thrilling Corruption

Chapter 1172: Chapter 185: Shocking Project Deal and Thrilling Corruption

Power, in the Empire, especially in Marle Castle where power and money transactions are rampant, is the hardest Golden Crown, the most unobstructed passport.

When the suffocating power of the Hesse Territory was displayed without reservation outside the east gate, and the number of Chosen Ones under Su Li’s command exceeded the total number of Chosen Ones within Marle Castle at that moment, all bureaucratic barriers and red tape instantly crumbled.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hartskline Von Stoke delivered the seemingly official yet covertly pointed memorandum to Marle Castle in less than a quarter of an hour, plunging the entire East City area into an unprecedented "efficiency."

Teams of parliament guards in magnificent uniforms, but with eyes filled with tension and respect, were urgently dispatched, rudely yet swiftly clearing all pedestrians, vendors, and carriages from the main road of the east gate. They waved weapons, shouting loudly, completely emptying the wide central avenue. What was once a bustling and vibrant street became silent, with only the sound of soldiers’ running footsteps and horse hooves echoing on the empty cobblestone road. Shops closed en masse, their windows filled with faces marked by suspicion and uncertainty.

The cumbersome and outrageous entrance taxes, head taxes, and goods inspection lists? All were abolished under a special passage order urgently issued by the parliament! The city gate officers, sweating profusely, commanded their subordinates to remove the heavy caltrops and barricades at maximum speed, eager to double the width of the city gate to allow the intimidating caravan and army to enter smoothly. This is a privilege nearly reserved only for visiting top empire nobles or crucial allies during wartime.

Welcoming on behalf of the Electorate Council were two heavyweight figures—Senator Smith and Zoe Ramsey. These two are not only powerful figures within the parliament but, importantly, they have a "profound" cooperative foundation with Hesse Territory. Their appearance is a strong signal from the highest levels of parliament: Hesse Lord Su Li must be accorded the highest honors!

Senator Smith maintained his savvy businessman demeanor, yet his face showed none of his usual effeminate arrogance, instead welcoming warmly and somewhat unusually: "Bauhinia Knight! Welcome to Marle Castle again! The parliament is honored to hear of your arrival! Apologies for slight delays due to mundane matters, please forgive us!"

His words were full of deliberate flattery, turning the parliament’s panic and last-minute scrambling into "delays from mundane matters."

As for Zoe Ramsey, this powerful woman with both beauty and influence appeared even more composed, with a hint of admiration and playfulness. She wore a tailored deep purple parliamentary robe that showcased a blend of professionalism and allure. Her gaze burned upon Su Li, her smile radiant: "Lord Su Li, it’s been years, your presence is more esteemed than ever, and the might of Hesse Territory is truly... awe-inspiring."

Her gaze swept over the suffocating array of air cavalry in the sky, across the elite guards on the ground, finally returning to Su Li’s face, speaking pointedly: "It seems that my initial investment vision was indeed exceptionally precise." Her words carried a hint of pride and intimacy, cleverly closing the gap.

Su Li nodded slightly, with a serene and inscrutable smile on his face: "Senator Smith, Senator Zoe, I appreciate your personal welcome. Hesse Territory comes for trade exchange, to enhance friendship with Marle Castle, and did not expect to alarm the parliament, it’s truly unexpected."

With just a few words, he lightly brushed off the threat of armies at the gates, calling it "enhancing friendship," but there was no parliament member who dared to question or deny it.

"The Bauhinia Knight is too modest!" Smith stepped aside to clear the path, "Your arrival is an honor for Marle Castle! Please, the parliament has arranged the finest inns for you and your entourage at the South Coast District, adjacent to the Parliament Building, to facilitate anytime communication with the parliament... uh, exchange."

He nearly said "communication tasks," but seeing the mess the Noble Assessment Committee was, forcibly amended it to "exchange."

"The inn will not be necessary." Su Li’s voice was calm yet carried an undeniable meaning, "The Black Forest Commerce Association has its own properties and foothold in Marle Castle, sufficient for accommodation. My army will camp in the designated area outside the city, not disrupting the inner city order. As for exchange,"

His gaze swept over Zoe and Smith, finally seemingly unintentionally casting a glance in the direction of the distant Parliament Building, "Once we’re settled, naturally we will properly exchange with the ’relevant’ departments."

He emphasized the word "relevant" slightly, and Smith and Zoe knew perfectly well which department was implied. The smiles on their faces didn’t change, but they both clearly understood that the fools from the Noble Assessment Committee had truly kicked an iron plate harder than adamantium this time and were in for serious trouble.

"Of course! All shall follow the arrangements of the Bauhinia Knight!" Smith promptly agreed, unwilling to court bad luck.

Zoe elegantly made a "please" gesture: "Then, Lord Su Li, allow us to lead you into the city. The parliament has ordered a special passage for you and your caravan, directly leading to the Black Forest Commerce Association’s premises within the city."

With Senator Smith and Zoe accompanying personally, under the parliament guards’ protective "escort," countless Marle Castle citizens watched with fear, curiosity, and awe as Su Li rode Death’s Claw, leading his massive caravan and elite guards as a display of military might, grandly into Marle Castle’s magnificent east gate.