Chapter 516: Spring Thunder Operation

Like all state-level religions, the influence of the Sigmar Cult is immense. They do not submit to the Emperor—on the contrary, it is the Elector Counts who must obtain their approval to become Emperor; these bald men hold three electoral votes in their hands.

Before Teclis helped establish the Empire Magic Academy, they were the only supernatural power the ruler could rely on, aside from the north where the Cult of the White Wolf was active. Even in the End Times, Wokema could still refuse to cooperate with the Magic Academy, campaigning against Sylvania alone and burying himself and his army there.

Sinuoli's trust in William III is based on his trust in his descendants, while his trust in Akama is based on the man himself. Like all high-ranking priests, he started from the lowest level of acolyte, stepping on the heads of all sorts of Chaos riffraff to rise to a high position; he is generally considered one of the most powerful mortals in the Old World.

"There is nothing more to say, I support it. I will sign the edict first thing tomorrow morning."

Although it is their first meeting, Sinuoli and Akama are old pen pals. The support he provides includes, but is not limited to, appointing new Grand Lectors in the Southlands, assigning the Silver Hammer Church and the Order of the Purifying Flame to join the great battle to protect Itza, and so on.

"Boom—!"

"No problem, but to be honest, I cannot guarantee how much effectiveness such specific government decrees will have once they leave the Reikland."

The thunder outside the window helped William hide the unease on his face—to what extent had the relationship between these two reached? If they obtained the full support of the Sigmar Cult, the Dwarf Demigod's authority in the Empire would become completely uncontrollable.

"Your attitude can reduce a lot of resistance. Hmm, we can also come up with a fitting name—Spring Thunder Operation, how about that!"

The abundant raindrops heralded a good year, and Sinuoli felt secretly happy. Fortunately, the Dwarf population base is not large, otherwise he would have to worry about the food pressure brought by population growth.

"It's rare that we meet, so leaving just like this seems to do a disservice to this fine wine. Shall we chat about something else? About future development, about Sylvania, or other places."

"I have given up drinking. Hot tea, thank you."

The spread of information in the human world has a certain delay. In various towns, gossip about large-scale crackdowns on organized crime spread by word of mouth, and those with ulterior motives could not help but secretly restrain themselves; it seemed everything was waiting for that clap of spring thunder.

"Clatter, clatter, clatter!"

"Another messenger? What on earth are the masters trying to do? The last time there was such a big commotion was when they turned over the sewers to catch rats!"

"My cousin's daughter works as a maid in the City Lord's mansion; she said His Majesty the Emperor sent an envoy, maybe they are going to take action against Boss Laubai!"

In Greenleaf Town, a small town on the edge of the Mootland, the continuous drizzle made the tavern even livelier than usual. Although the Mootland is famous for producing fine food, the local toughs still favor Dwarf taverns more.

In most small places, besides strong beer, high-calorie communal meals, and warm bunks, taverns also serve more functions. A strong and promise-keeping owner and bartender can provide a cheap and reliable information exchange center for the underworld.

"You brat, how much malt ale from the short ones have you drunk? Laubai is only considered a figure in our town; the big shots in the city don't even know who he is! And you're talking about the Emperor?"

"Hey, Pangbo, another round of ale. You Dwarfs are, are doing well now! Why don't you go to the South, Southlands to make money? Could it be that Nasnuoli thinks you, thinks you are too fat and are wasting rations?"

"Hahaha!"

"Hush, aren't you afraid of being struck dead by a bolt of thunder for calling his full name? It is said that he himself..."

"Duang!"

Pangbo-Barrelbelly squeezed out from behind the bar, pushed aside a crowd of drinkers, walked to the notice board, grabbed the head of the loudmouth like a hammer, and slammed a gold-traced notice onto it.

"Bounty, Laubai's head—100 gold coins, the Four Heavenly Kings—25, the rest 10."

"What does this mean?"

"Literal meaning. What, is this your first time in a bar, human cub?"

Pangbo puffed out his barrel-like belly, and his eyes, squeezed into mere slits by the fat on his cheeks, flashed with fanatical light. Similar things were happening in every corner of the Old World, only the light and shadow were different.

"Spring Thunder Operation 2447, no leniency for cracking down on vice and crime!"

On the night of the Plowing Festival, the power Sinuoli had coordinated finally reached the moment of eruption. With the simultaneous strikes of the secular armies of the Empire of Man, church militias, the Dwarfs themselves, and underworld figures lured by heavy rewards, the dark streets and alleys were instantly turned upside down.

"Little Beards! In the name of the great Demigod, swing your axes for the Revival Era!"

At Hemujiade Yaosai, the new elder stood fully armored in front of the settlement gate and called out loudly. This is the holy land where the Ancestor Chosen fought; batches of compatriots rushed to the Southlands, but the zeal in the hearts of the clansmen who stayed behind for various reasons was no less.

Other realms also used a multi-pronged approach. Forces influenced by the Qunshan came forward to lobby rulers and order-based religions. Large settlements contributed directly—no matter what industry they were in, Dwarfs would keep their family-inherited armor and weapons; small villages and towns with only two or three households adopted the method of using bounties to borrow strength.

"As I expected, the reason the black-gray forces are black-gray is that they rarely have any sense of honor. When they have nothing to do, they think about insubordination, let alone when we promise them heavy profits."

Without staying too long in Altdorf, Sinuoli listened to the reports from the telegraph team on the sailboat heading south. To coordinate the overall situation, he had pulled together a group of professional talents to summarize information from all directions.

"Your Majesty, forgive my shallowness. The faith in Ranald has indeed suffered a huge impact, but as you previously judged, the thirst for more wealth and resources is something intelligent beings can never avoid. Once the spring thunder ceases, those cultists will grow as vigorously as the crops under the mountain."

Young Noli was promoted from a confidential telegraph operator to a secretary, but it takes time to cultivate the ability to understand things intuitively like Balin. Sinuoli never minded civil servants raising valuable questions.

"I wrote about it in the materials for the Karak Gold Bank, in the chapter on bank runs; the theory is the same. That is a difficult hurdle, especially for organizations with insufficient principal."

"I was wondering along the way, how come no blind fools came over to such a lonely sailboat?"

"Exalted God, the Knight Kingdom has also responded to your call. The steam sailboat fleet of Bordeleaux has been fully dispatched, and they didn't stop until they drove the pirates to the Graveyard of Sunken Ships!"

Stepping onto the soft beach of Sartosa, Sinuoli could smell the mixture of blood and rum. Duoluomao had been waiting for a long time, and standing beside him was a capable middle-aged man wearing a tricorn hat.

"Offering you my highest respect and my eternal loyalty! Conqueror of the Dreadfleet."

"Hmm, one can never have too many talents like you. How is the situation now? Have you used the things I gave you?"

"This way, please. Sigh, I was targeted while at sea; if it weren't for Luosi providing cover, I might have been swallowed by Mannan'en. That treasure, you wouldn't believe the expressions on the faces of that large group of guys who emerged from the shadows when they discovered I had suddenly disappeared!"