The Queen Villainess Eavesdrops on My Heart and Won’t Let Me Slack Off – Chapter 213

Chapter 213: The Ultimate Secret to Coaxing an Older Sister

Angelina’s visit to Maotai Villa was not for casual chat with her brother, but to discuss the deepening reform of the empire’s financial industry.
Currently, the major powers of the Eternal Night World were in flux, either actively preparing for war or already engaged in it.
Only the Azurevine Empire displayed a different approach, frantically accumulating internal strength as it transitioned from an agricultural nation to an industrialized one.
This was a massive, systematic undertaking. It wasn’t enough to have the technology, build factories, produce various machinery and weaponry, and then call it an industrialized nation.
A modern nation, compared to a feudal one, represented an all-around advancement in systems, technology, mobilization capabilities, and the quality of its citizens.
The reduction in manufacturing capabilities alone was significant. Forging swords in a blacksmith’s shop was worlds apart from the mass production of aircraft carriers like dropping dumplings. The material throughput was on entirely different scales.
Education fostered a populace with better physical health, intellect, and overall quality, leading to enhanced capabilities in both production and military affairs. These citizens were proactive in pursuing a better life, creating greater value, and possessed higher efficiency and resilience.
A free market brought forth abundant and dynamic products. Transportation ensured the efficient and rapid movement of resources. Communication facilitated the exchange of information, and when extended to the military, it exponentially increased the central government’s control over local and border regions.
Through a series of practical experiments, it was discovered that what truly motivated the entire populace to work together towards a common goal and build the Azurevine Empire was not dreams, but the glint of gold coins.
Whether it was a noble mage or a farmer toiling the land, a smile of satisfaction would appear upon seeing gold coins.
Gold coins represented purchasing power, a better life, beautiful companions, and luxurious living. Everyone was willing to toil harder for them.
As for grand visions like dreams, ideals, glory, and the future – while they could be motivating, they were ultimately fleeting and not effective for everyone.
For the vast majority, the slow erosion of ordinary life proved more potent than fleeting fervor.
The empire had experimented with many methods and ultimately found gold coins to be the most practical.
Currently, the most popular learning programs in the Fearless Space were vocational skills training, rather than theoretical studies or advanced arts programs.
This was because, for both combat and production professions, as long as one possessed basic literacy and numeracy, and mastered a trade, their income increase was tangible and visible.
The empire was in a period of reconstruction, with industry flourishing. There was a critical shortage of workers and craftsmen, and the empire had large-scale infrastructure projects underway. Essentially, any amount of labor could be absorbed, and job opportunities were plentiful.
Captains of industry were willing to offer high salaries to poach talent, even providing advance payment for targeted worker skill development.
After all, it had been less than three years since people had enough to eat, and agriculture remained the most important industry in their minds. While the flow of people into the industrial sector was increasing, it was very slow, requiring high incomes to attract them.
This attraction even extended abroad, as many refugees risked illegal entry into the empire to find factory jobs.
Amidst this increasingly frequent and large-scale economic exchange, the quantity of precious metals became a bottleneck hindering the speed of the empire’s economic development.
It wasn’t that the empire couldn’t earn that much money; it was that the total amount of gold coins had a limit.
This issue had already surfaced when Sophie promoted the Soul-Linking Bracelet.
In such a scenario, the issuance of banknotes was highly necessary.
Even banknotes pegged to metal reserves, rather than national credit, could significantly boost the empire’s economic liquidity and accelerate commercial development.
However, this was not an overnight task. It would take a long time to change the consumption habits of the people, which had been ingrained for thousands of years, and for merchants, both domestic and international, to accept this system.
Angelina had dedicated significant effort to this endeavor, conducting research, preparing, and soliciting numerous opinions. She had ultimately formulated a very stable economic model for the empire.
A clear timeline had been established for the transition from gold coins to banknotes and from domestic currency to an international transaction settlement currency.
Previously, Angelina had already begun by establishing a series of state-owned banks, including the Imperial Central Bank, the Imperial Agricultural Bank, the Imperial Industrial Bank, and the Imperial Construction Bank.
Furthermore, encouraging other capitals to establish private banks and promoting the use of instruments like “Jiaozi” and “checks” were steps taken to gradually build credit and change trading habits.
During the construction of large state-owned infrastructure projects such as railways, highways, communication facilities, and military fortresses, laborers were issued “agricultural coupons” and “industrial coupons” that could be exchanged for goods. This allowed the populace to become accustomed to spending paper as if it were gold coins.
Not long ago, Angelina had conducted research across the empire, gathering feedback from officials, merchants, factory owners, and citizens. She finally concluded that the market was sufficiently prepared, and the empire’s creditworthiness and transactional habits had been cultivated to a considerable extent.
Last night, upon returning to Auster, she was preparing to further discuss this with Roger before proposing to the parliament that the Imperial Central Bank issue universal commodity exchange notes – Azurevine Coins – based on the state’s gold reserves.
This would be the first universal banknote in the Eternal Night World. It had been secretly designed and prototyped by the Arcane Society a year prior. After several revisions, its manufacturing process was quite mature.
Its anti-counterfeiting measures also incorporated many classic designs from modern banknotes.
In the Magical World, with alchemy, there naturally existed methods to identify illusions and deceptions. Therefore, the circulation of banknotes also presented the problem of counterfeiting.
In this regard, the Soul-Linking Bracelet, connected to the virtual world entrance of the Fearless Space and backed by the Imperial Central Bank’s database, would also serve the functions of currency verification and digital payment. Magical QR codes had also been successfully developed.
Frankenstein and Afu had implemented numerous encryption verification methods, spanning many professional fields beyond Roger’s comprehension limit.
However, it was generally confirmed that ordinary legendary spellcasters would not be able to easily break the multi-layered encryption used for Azurevine Coins and QR codes.
Of course, if these powerful individuals were willing to pay a substantial price, they might still find ways to forge them.
However, given their capabilities for wealth accumulation, the potential risks of doing so would far outweigh the profits gained through legitimate channels.
Thus, the empire now possessed the technical foundation and market demand to implement an innovative payment method.
However, Angelina, having grown up in an environment where transactions were conducted with gold coins, faced many uncertainties with the initial implementation of such a policy. There were also numerous new details encountered during this research that required consultation with Roger, the chief designer.
As it turned out, on the way here, she encountered Margaret, which infuriated her to the point of exploding and misunderstanding their relationship!
However, as Angelina walked from the entrance towards Roger’s study, her emotions gradually cooled. Margaret’s words echoed in her ears.
Did she truly understand Roger?
Angelina disliked Margaret, but if her brother genuinely chose to be with this little devil, and if it was a relationship of free will, then out of her inherent nature, she would ultimately accept it for her brother’s happiness.
Therefore, the fundamental reason for her breakdown was not the misunderstanding that “Roger and Margaret got together,” but rather the sentiment of “Margaret actually understands my little brother better than I do,” which pushed her emotions to the brink of collapse.
The person she loathed the most had accidentally gotten ahead of her, snatched away her treasure, and then flaunted it in her face. No matter how good-tempered a sister might be, she couldn’t endure that.
However, with Margaret not present, Angelina gradually calmed down, contemplating how to communicate with Roger next.
Directly opposing them could backfire, as children have their rebellious phases.
It would be best to bring it up casually, first gauging Roger’s true attitude, and then engaging in rational communication.
Given Roger’s current intelligence, he shouldn’t become Margaret’s sycophant and deceive her feelings for no reason, right?
What if there were hidden circumstances she was unaware of?
Her brother was grown now and had established his own career in the empire. He would surely care about his reputation.
How much authority did her sister’s status still hold? Angelina herself lacked confidence.
By the time she reached the entrance of Roger’s study, Angelina had regained her usual composure, wearing a faint, gentle smile, undetectable to anyone that she had just had a major argument with Margaret.
At least, if Margaret hadn’t sent advance notice, Roger certainly wouldn’t have noticed.
The more beautiful a woman, the more deceitful she can be. Even the empire’s Right Minister, known as Saint An, possessed such superb acting skills.
Otherwise, how could she maintain an accommodating smile towards someone she detested?
Of course, dealing with her own brother required such mental effort and consideration of communication techniques, rather than casual scolding or beatings. As a sister, she unconsciously felt a bit wronged.
But there was no help for it; he was her brother.
He now held a status comparable to her own, so they couldn’t interact as they used to.
Thus, she harbored a complex sentiment: anticipating his success yet wishing he were still a useless person, easier to control.
Taking a deep breath, Angelina instructed the servant to announce her arrival.
“Sister, you’re here.” Roger rose with a gentle smile to greet her, unsurprised by her current demeanor. Of course, he wouldn’t ask foolish questions like “Did you argue with the little devil?”
Unlike Margaret, who acted on impulse, her sister was a model of nobility. Even if she had come to accuse him, she would follow the proper procedure before speaking.
For instance, they would finish discussing the day’s important matters before casually bringing it up.
Although the siblings hadn’t communicated for some time, Roger understood Angelina well, both in and out of the game.
Roger respected her habits. While discussing the empire’s financial planning with Angelina, he simultaneously used the Soul-Linking Bracelet to send and receive messages, discreetly learning what had transpired between Angelina and Margaret.
The argument between the two Imperial Prime Ministers had occurred publicly at the entrance, witnessed by many servants of Maotai Villa, either directly or from a distance.
Although they hadn’t physically fought, the argument over Young Master Roger had startled many.
However, these household staff, having been sent from the palace or trained personally by Angelina, understood propriety. They knew not to discuss such matters randomly and would not speak of it unless Roger inquired.
Of course, if Roger asked, they would not conceal anything; they clearly understood who their master was.
The matter was not complicated, and Roger soon grasped the full story – it was merely a misunderstanding caused by Margaret’s careless words.
This was easily explained, as he and Margaret had no substantial relationship.
He just needed to explain the tasks they had accomplished together and their daily interactions. He believed that, with Angelina’s rationality, the misunderstanding would surely be resolved.
However, Roger also realized Angelina’s underlying psychological reaction to the argument.
While this incident was easily explained, similar misunderstandings in the future might not be so fortunate.
Therefore, Roger subtly devised a plan tailored to Angelina’s personality, preparing to solidify their sibling relationship for the long term.
“Stage a fake attack on Maotai Villa by impersonating some Sea God cultists. Await my signal,” Roger commanded the Dark Night Guard’s Golden Sleeve on duty in Auster.
Having quietly made the arrangements, Roger and Angelina had nearly finished their discussion.
The issuance of Azurevine Coins had been deliberated countless times at various levels, and simulations for various scenarios had been conducted.
During this meeting, they merely made minor adjustments based on Angelina’s recent research, with no significant changes.
Angelina rose to pack her documents and casually mentioned, “Oh, right. I met Margaret at the entrance of your manor when I arrived. How are things between you two?”
Roger deliberately paused for half a second, feigning observation of his elder sister’s expression, before replying, “…We’re sort of friends, I guess?”
“That’s quite a surprise. How did you become acquainted?”
“Because of the war with the Sea Kingdom and intelligence operations against neighboring countries, the Dark Night Guards and the military have had many interactions.”
“Why would you discuss these things at home?”
“Just chatting casually over breakfast… Is there something you wanted to know, Sister?”
Roger deliberately feigned ignorance, while simultaneously signaling his subordinates to act.
Angelina’s expression was hesitant. Roger spoke about Margaret very naturally, without any nervousness or sweet expressions.
It was as if they were just ordinary friends?
Could that Margaret have deliberately fabricated something to anger her?
She wasn’t that petty, was she?
Angelina quickly found a definitive answer, confirming that Margaret was indeed that petty and vengeful, capable of employing all sorts of means to anger someone.
So, after a few sentences, Angelina began to suspect she had misunderstood.
If Margaret and Roger were indeed discussing matters that could damage international relations, that would undoubtedly be a military secret, and even she, as Right Minister, would typically not inquire about it.
“No, I was just curious about the unusual guest at your manor.”
“She’s not unusual; she’s accustomed to coming and going.” Roger spread his hands, smiling, then his expression suddenly turned serious. “If you’re not busy, Sister, I have some official matters I’d like your advice on.”
“Of course, I’d be happy to!”
A barely perceptible flicker of joy crossed Angelina’s eyes.
She didn’t fear trouble; she feared losing her value to those she cared about. Thus, she was delighted that Roger still sought her advice.
“It’s about the order for magic crystal equipment…”
Roger had only spoken half the sentence when the entire room began to shake. Furnishings on tables and cabinets, as well as murals on the walls, fell down. Then, a loud explosion echoed from not far away.
“Enemy attack! You damned fanatics!”
Furious alarms blared from outside, along with the shouts of guards.
Roger and Angelina had strong personal guards, but the enemy seemed even more formidable, quickly breaking through to the inner courtyard.
A guard sprinted in, urging the two adults to take refuge in the Safe Room via a secret passage.
“I don’t believe a few mere believers can cause such a commotion in the empire’s capital!” Roger feigned disdain and glanced outside.
“A’Jie, safety first.”
Angelina advised Roger and pulled him towards the secret passage.
Roger remained rooted to the spot. Angelina tugged him several times. Unable to resist her pleading gaze, he finally turned to head towards the secret passage, his expression still reluctant.
At that moment, a holy light projectile, seemingly unintercepted, flew towards their study.
“Watch out!”
Angelina caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of her eye and quickly pushed Roger down. She, however, was blown several meters away by the residual blast, landing heavily on the ground.
Of course, the scene looked terrifying, but this divine spell had been precisely calculated and would never genuinely injure Angelina.
She only sustained some abrasions on her hands and legs and felt dizzy.
“Sister, Sister, are you alright!?” Roger, terrified, rolled over and rushed to check on Angelina.
“I’m fine. Let’s go into the secret passage immediately…”
“Okay, entering. This is entering.”
Roger, with an expression of guilt, embraced Angelina and they both hid in the secret passage.
Angelina, clutching the corner of his outer robe, whispered, “Don’t worry, Sister is really fine, and I won’t blame you.”
“Sister, you’re so kind.”
A hero saving the damsel?
No, to deal with Angelina, he needed to give her a chance to save him!
P.S. Progress on typo corrections (4/14)