Chapter 9: I’m Not Asking Him for Advice!
In the icy grand library, Roger was on the verge of being driven mad by the Empress of Eternal Night.
Despite the torrent of complaints in his mind, he maintained an appearance of utmost gratitude and honor.
The Empress of Eternal Night was also keen to test him at this moment.
After all, he was someone who could see through the true identities of the Seven Gods.
She didn’t believe for a second when he claimed he was just coasting by, wanting to be a useless brother.
Before saying such things, could he explain his terrifying Mental Power first?
Such powerful Mental Power could absolutely not be achieved without arduous cultivation.
She began by discussing the frequent turmoil in the seventeen countries.
“They are all subordinates defeated by Your Majesty, mere skin-deep ailments, not worth worrying about,” Roger feigned being the Empress’s brainless fan.
【This should be the butterfly effect of the prohibition on the Seven Gods’ churches proselytizing. The foolish people of the seventeen countries are truly stupid, unknowingly being used as pawns by the gods!】
【Although they are a rabble, their unrest can still be troublesome. The empire is fending off the Seven Gods’ churches externally, and suppressing rebellions in the seventeen countries internally. Their military strength must be stretched thin, right?】
The Empress of Eternal Night’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, then she became somewhat annoyed.
This brat was indeed faking it with her!
As soon as she mentioned the turmoil in the seventeen countries, he immediately thought of the gods and analyzed the empire’s insufficient military strength.
Ordinary generals in the empire did not possess such a strategic overview.
Clearly, his feigned dissoluteness and uselessness were a facade; he was actually incredibly intelligent!
He had a brain but chose not to use it, opting to slack off instead, huh?
What was that term he used?
“Lying flat!”
The Empress’s mind conjured an image of Roger lying in bed, his eyes devoid of dreams…
It was truly vivid!
A mere eighteen-year-old boy, thinking only of lying flat and being lazy all day, was this reasonable?!
Even if he had to disguise himself, couldn’t they maintain a tacit understanding, secretly exchange information, and help me build the empire?
The gods were not omniscient or omnipotent!
With me holding them back, they absolutely wouldn’t notice a little fellow like you, why are you so cowardly?
The Empress of Eternal Night grew more and more agitated as she thought about it.
She had turned the tide, swept across the seventeen countries, rewarded and punished impartially, possessing strength, beauty, and wisdom; wasn’t she worthy of assistance?
But she had to suppress her anger to avoid exposing her secret of eavesdropping on Roger’s thoughts.
If she indulged her frustration and alerted Roger, she might not be able to hear his amusing complaints anymore.
With this in mind, the Empress of Eternal Night could only temporarily overlook Roger’s deliberate underperformance and, on the surface, continue to use him as a sounding board.
She recounted the benevolent governance policies proposed by Angelina and other ministers.
The Empress summarized, “Prime Minister Angelina cares deeply for the common people and suggests a gradual approach, but I always feel it’s too slow.”
Roger respectfully advised, “Your Majesty, haste makes waste. Governing a country cannot be accomplished overnight; you must not overexert yourself.”
The Empress did not rush to express her opinion.
Because she knew Roger’s inner thoughts were the key. Among his bursts of chaotic thinking, “sifting gold from excrement” was the most crucial part of this question:
【A gradual approach? Letting the seventeen countries appreciate the empire’s kindness and naturally submit? My foolish sister, go wash up and sleep, dreams are where anything is possible.】
【Besides, does the empire have time for you to take it slow? No matter how strong your internal affairs capabilities, you can’t conjure something from nothing and feed the citizens of those seventeen countries!】
【Using concessions to win superficial praise from the citizens of the seventeen countries. The day the empire truly needs them and imposes taxes and labor, they’ll immediately turn their backs on you and disown you!】
【Moreover, how would the native citizens of the Azurevine Empire feel if you treated the citizens of the seventeen countries so well? After fighting hard for ten years and conquering the world, they end up supporting foreign ancestors? Are our imperial citizens the lower class?】
His analyses, one after another, were earth-shattering, making the Empress of Eternal Night instantly understand many things!
She had been so focused on the seventeen countries that she had forgotten about her own citizens!
They had fought hard alongside her for ten years, only to receive worse treatment than those who had surrendered…
This was indeed unacceptable!
It couldn’t be that those who caused trouble got the benefits!
With Roger’s analysis, Angelina’s proposed policy was directly rejected by the Empress.
And because Roger referred to Angelina as his “foolish sister,” the Empress of Eternal Night let out a knowing smile.
It was comforting to have someone scolding alongside her!
This boy’s inner thoughts were truly audacious and unrestrained, not even sparing his own sister.
“Lord Roger’s words are most accurate; I have gained some insight!”
The Empress was quite satisfied and prepared to return to her palace to announce the implementation of Marguerite’s tyrannical policies!
“I bid Your Majesty farewell. Please visit often!” Roger put on a reluctant expression.
【Finally managed to coax this jinx away. Starting tomorrow, I’m never entering this room again.】
The Empress of Eternal Night snorted.
This boy was two-faced, his words and thoughts never aligning, never speaking a single truth, truly dishonest!
However, he was indeed intelligent and had a comprehensive perspective on issues.
Perhaps she should ask him what he thought of the policies proposed by Marguerite?
The Empress of Eternal Night actually had many reservations and concerns about these policies herself, which was why they couldn’t reach a conclusion.
But if she asked for this brat’s opinion on everything, wouldn’t it make her seem incompetent?
If she didn’t ask, she felt quite uneasy…
The Empress, usually decisive, was uncharacteristically conflicted.
Glancing up, she saw Roger huddled up, shivering from the cold, and her eyes suddenly lit up:
I’m not asking him for advice.
I’m just finding an excuse to keep him here longer, to punish him for his disrespect in his heart!
Yes, that’s it!
The Empress of Eternal Night gave herself a compliment for her own cleverness.
So, the Empress of Eternal Night, who had started to stand up, sat back down and said softly,
“Lord Roger, what do you think of shaving heads and changing clothes, and classifying the citizens of the seventeen countries?”
“Ah… is this Marguerite’s idea?”
“Precisely, and here are the supplementary plans…”
The Empress of Eternal Night spoke eloquently.
Roger shivered, his mind in disarray:
【No, why isn’t this woman leaving again?】
【Could she be getting a chill in her legs after only this short while?】
【My heavens, she’s starting to chat again. Women are truly verbose creatures! I don’t want to hear what the little oscillating fan has planned!】
【Shaving heads and changing clothes? Isn’t that the sorcery of the Manchus entering the Pass? It’s certainly simple and direct, but it’s too late to implement it now!】
【The empire’s first three years were geared towards leniency. Sudden implementation of such harsh tyranny will only make it seem like the orders are arbitrary and lack deterrent force!】
【Furthermore, there are still remnants of the seventeen countries and the encouragement of the Seven Gods’ churches. Implementing such iron-fisted policies will likely exacerbate contradictions and double the turmoil in the seventeen countries!】
【Most importantly, the empire currently lacks sufficient military strength and is in a phase of recuperation, unable to forcefully suppress the seventeen countries!】
Roger thought of a lot of jumbled things in his mind, and also thoroughly ranted about Marguerite’s policies.
However, with his mouth, he was brief and to the point, “Your Majesty’s plan is wise and yields immediate results. Suppressing the seventeen countries by force, that’s brilliant, truly brilliant!”
The Empress of Eternal Night was accustomed to his style.
When this boy spoke, it was like farting, without any substantial content.
It was enough to listen to his inner monologue.
As one could see, Marguerite’s policies were also riddled with flaws, making them impossible to implement.
What should be done next to resolve the issue of the seventeen countries?
The Empress of Eternal Night couldn’t help but sigh softly, “Is there no way in this world to make the seventeen countries permanently submit to the empire?”
“I am but a mediocre talent and have no idea how to win back the hearts of the rebellious people of the seventeen countries! But I believe that by searching slowly, there will eventually be a way…”
As Roger spoke platitudes, he unconsciously thought:
【Her cultural level is too low. Doesn’t she even know about “unifying the tracks, standardizing writings, and harmonizing the conduct”?】
Instantly, the Empress of Eternal Night perked up, her beautiful eyes fixed on Roger.
Unifying the tracks, standardizing writings, and harmonizing the conduct?
Nine words, yet they contained supreme philosophy!
The Empress of Eternal Night keenly grasped something, unwilling to miss a single word…
Quick, quick, keep thinking!
Lord Roger, what are you doing, don’t stop!
Let me hear your good ideas!
