Chapter 1101: A Harmonious Meeting (Part 2)

So far, so good.

Watching Li Ang pick up the proposals placed on the lectern and begin reading them out one by one with a beaming smile, the Minister of Finance, seated on the side of the main stage, breathed a sigh of relief, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

Even though he had repeatedly told Watching Watching Qiaoshuya not to worry, the Minister of Finance was clearly not as confident as he appeared regarding this Great Duke, who was notorious for his wanton and reckless behavior and whose style of conduct was the least "aristocratic" of them all.

He was, after all, the Acting Speaker of the Upper House and nominally the head of the old nobility; his influence in pushing through legislation that cut into the interests of the old nobility was too significant to be replaced by anyone else. Otherwise, he would never have chosen to take such a risk.

And now, although the mood of the Lionheart Duke on stage was inexplicably good, since he had shown a willingness to cooperate, this session of the Upper House was as good as a success—there shouldn't be any more problems.

Under the Minister of Finance's confident gaze, Li Ang picked up the small silver hammer on stage and tapped the golden bell twice, then announced with a beaming smile:

"Gentlemen, according to the agenda, the next item is the opening debate."

"The main topic of this session is a summary of the Kingdom's recent reform measures and an evaluation of the various reforms pushed by Princess Veronika... May I ask if any of the honorable members present feel that Princess Veronika's reforms have been a failure?"

"I do!"

As soon as Li Ang finished speaking, an elderly man in ornate robes sitting in the front row stood up, his eyes filled with resentment.

"I said it last year: Princess Veronika's reforms are absurd! The foundation of the Kingdom is the nobility! Yet the regulations she pushes are constantly aimed at suppressing the nobility! Her reforms are nothing but a mess!"

"Mhm, mhm."

Nodding in acknowledgment, Li Ang took out a charcoal pencil and a small notebook, placed them on the lectern, and squinted at the nameplate in front of the elderly man in robes.

Count Evans... noted, noted.

After jotting down the elderly man, Li Ang continued to scan the hall, asking with a beaming smile:

"Does anyone else hold a similar view?"

"My opinion is the same as Count Evans'."

A robust, middle-aged nobleman of about forty stood up, his face also twisted in anger.

"Princess Veronika talks about supporting industry and commerce, but she imposes strict restrictions on us, directly refuses noble participation in many projects, and even imposes heavy taxes! This is a betrayal of the Kingdom's Code!"

Marquis Moli, is it? Noted, noted.

"Anyone else?"

"Yes, I also believe Marquis Moli's point is valid."

A middle-aged woman stood up.

"I have always respected Princess Veronika, but I cannot agree with her biased actions. Her measures are digging up the roots of the Kingdom! If this continues, the country will cease to be a country!"

"Mhm, mhm, good momentum."

With two quick strokes, Li Ang jotted down the middle-aged woman's name as well, continuing to ask with a smile, feeling quite pleased:

"Is there anyone else?"

"..."

There are others... but what exactly are you trying to do?

Among the more than one hundred voting members present, half had complaints about the Princess's reforms. Yet, faced with Li Ang's beaming inquiry, no one else stood up to speak; they all looked at Li Ang on the main stage with suspicion.

According to the normal opening debate procedure, after one side stands up to speak, the presiding Speaker should ask if there are any members with opposing views and give both sides time to state their positions. But this newly appointed Acting Speaker was only asking the side opposing the Princess, and every time someone stood up, he would jot down two strokes, and every time another stood up, he would jot down two more.

Considering his marriage ties to Princess Veronika... if this isn't keeping a blacklist for retaliation later, I'll swallow the table in front of me right now!

"Only three who oppose?"

After scanning the hall, Li Ang nodded with satisfaction, then picked up the small silver hammer and tapped the golden bell beside him, announcing with a smile:

"Since it is 165 to 3, there is no need to continue the debate. The opening debate is concluded. Next is the proposal review phase."

???

No... is that even allowed?!

Faced with the Acting Speaker's operation, which couldn't be described as merely childish but rather completely absurd, the members were stunned. Count Evans, who had been the first to stand up against the Princess, slammed his hand on the table and roared at Li Ang on stage:

"You..."

Bow-to-me!

Li Ang, having pre-equipped the 【Traveler Thrush Prince】 badge, moved his lips quickly. Before Count Evans could stand up fully, he made him see his lip movements, silently conveying the command.

Immediately, the elderly man in ornate robes felt his knees snap straight, his buttocks thrust backward, and filled with terror, he bent over and performed a ninety-degree deep bow toward Li Ang.

Amidst the bewildered stares of the members, Count Evans, seemingly having lost his mind, slammed his head onto the table in front of him with a thud and passed out without a sound.

"Count Evans has committed suicide out of shame and anger!"

Seeing the old Count suddenly strike the table with his head, Li Ang on the main stage was "shocked," and hurriedly called for help:

"Guards! Guards! Save him!

My goodness... he's already at such an advanced age, yet his temper is still so fiery. If you can't win a debate, you can't win, but why would you want to throw your life away?"

After the old Count was carried away, Li Ang scanned the whispering members and shook his head, tapping the small bell beside him again.

"Gentlemen, although Count Evans is no longer with us, the Upper House session cannot stop. Let us continue to the next item.

I have the proposals submitted by everyone in advance, and on the tables in front of you are summaries of the main contents of these proposals. Next, I will read the titles of these proposals one by one, and you will vote to decide whether the proposal passes.

First, the proposal from the Military Department regarding personnel adjustments."

Here it comes!

Hearing Li Ang's words, both the Minister of Finance, seated on the side of the main stage, and Watching Watching Qiaoshuya, sitting on the throne behind Li Ang, were instantly energized.

Veronika had already arranged everything; this time, the Sergeant Replacement Order could basically pass with ease.

And once the Sergeant Replacement Order was passed under the "presiding" of Prince Watching Watching Qiaoshuya, it would be equivalent to successfully picking the sweetest fruit of all, and Watching Watching Qiaoshuya's position would be unshakable!

(End of Chapter)

Veronica has already arranged almost everything, this time the officer selection order can basically be passed easily.

And once the officer selection order is passed under the "presiding" of Prince Watching Watching Qiaoshuya, it is equivalent to successfully picking the sweetest fruit among all the fruits, and Watching Watching Qiaoshuya's position will be unshakable!

(End of chapter)