Chapter 430

Looking all smiles as Leon, standing on the single-person podium, picked up the proposal laid there and began to read it one after another, the Minister of Finance downstairs couldn’t help but let out a slight sigh of relief, his face breaking into a satisfied smile.

Even though he had repeatedly told Joshua not to worry, for the noble on stage known for his reckless behavior and least “noble” conduct, the Minister of Finance’s heart was clearly not as confident as his outward appearance suggested.

It’s only because this person is the Proxy Speaker of the Upper House and also nominally the head of the old nobility that their support for policies cutting back on the privileges of the old nobility is too crucial—no one else could replace him. Otherwise, he would never have chosen to take such a risk.

And now, even though the mood of the Lionheart Duke on stage seems inexplicably good, since he has shown a willingness to cooperate, this session of the Upper House Parliament already counts as 99% successful, with no more problems expected.

With the Minister of Finance looking on confidently, Leon on the platform picked up a small silver hammer and tapped the golden bell twice, then said with a beaming smile:

“Everyone, according to the agenda, our next step will be the opening debate.

The main topic of this parliament session is to summarize the kingdom’s recent reform measures and evaluate all the reform measures promoted by Princess Veronica… Is there anyone among the honorable members present who believes Princess Veronica’s reforms have failed?”

“Yes!”

As soon as Leon finished speaking, an elegantly dressed old man in the first row stood up eagerly, his eyes full of resentment: “I said last year that Princess Veronica’s reforms were utterly absurd! The foundation of the kingdom is the nobility! But her decrees keep suppressing the nobles! Her reforms are completely nonsense!”

“Hmm hmm.”

After nodding in acknowledgment, Leon took out a charcoal pencil and a small notebook, placed it on the single-person podium, and squinted at the nameplate in front of the elegantly dressed old man’s seat.

Evans Earl… noted noted.

After jotting down the elegantly dressed old man’s name, Leon continued to look around the venue, smiling warmly and asked:

“Is there anyone else with similar views?”

“My opinion is the same as Evans Earl’s.”

A robust middle-aged nobleman about forty years old stood up, similarly with an angry expression:

“Princess Veronica says she supports commerce and industry, but she imposes strict restrictions on us, outright refusing noble participation in many projects and even imposing heavy taxes instead! This is a betrayal of the kingdom’s code!”

Mori Marquis, huh… noted noted.

“Anyone else?”

“I do, I think what Mori said makes sense.”

Another middle-aged woman stood up and said:

“I’ve always respected Princess Veronica, but I can’t agree with her biased actions. Her measures are equivalent to digging the roots of the kingdom! If this continues, the country will cease to exist!”

“Hmm hmm, quite spirited.”

After quickly jotting down the middle-aged woman’s name, Leon continued to smile and asked: “Is there anyone else with similar views?”

“…”

There are indeed… but what exactly do you plan to do? Among the more than a hundred attending members, half have quite a few complaints about the princess’ reforms. However, facing Leon’s warm inquiry, no one dared to stand up and speak for a moment, all staring uncertainly at Leon on the main platform.

According to the normal opening debate process, after one side stands up to speak, the presiding speaker should ask if there are any opposing opinions and give both sides time to state their own views.

Considering that the other party still has a marriage contract with Princess Veronica… unless he’s keeping records for post-debate retaliation, I’ll eat the table in front of me right now!

“Only three objections?”

After looking around below, Leon nodded satisfactorily, then picked up the small silver hammer and tapped the golden bell beside him, announcing with a smile: ‘Since it’s 165 to 3, there’s no need to continue debating. The opening debate ends here, and we move on to the proposal review phase.’

???

Wait… Can you really do this?? Facing the rather frivolous operation of the Proxy Speaker, the group of members couldn’t hold back. Evans Earl, who first stood up against the princess, immediately slammed the table and pointed at Leon angrily: “You…”

Pay-respect-to-me! Leon, who had pre-installed the Travel Thrush Prince badge, moved his lips quickly and silently transmitted these words before Evans Earl fully stood up.

Next, the knees of the well-dressed old man straightened with a snap, his buttocks suddenly jutted backward, his eyes full of fear as he bent over and gave Leon a deep bow of ninety degrees.

Amidst the stunned expressions of the members, Evans Earl didn’t know what madness struck him, but with a loud bang, he smashed his head against the table in front of him, passed out without making a sound.

“Evans Earl committed suicide out of shame!”

Seeing the old earl suddenly smashing his head on the table, Leon on the main platform immediately “looked greatly shocked” and called out for help:

No mistakes, the content is at 69 book bar for reading!

“Soldiers! Soldiers! Save him!

Really… At this age, how can one still have such a temper? If you lose the debate, just accept it, why go so far as to think it’s the end of the world?”

…

Thanks to the timely rescue call from the Proxy Speaker, fortunately, Old Earl Evans only fainted, with no serious injuries, but the blow was pretty hard, even cracking the solid wood desk. It wasn’t entirely unscathed.

The old earl, woken up in a flurry by the members, saw double and stepped like a butterfly, still constantly stepping in “S” lines even while supported by two soldiers on either side, obviously needing to leave early.

“Ah… Why bother?”

Watching the old earl being carried away, the Proxy Speaker looked around at the whispering members inside, shook his head, and knocked the little bell beside him again with the hammer.

“Everyone, although Earl Evans is gone, the Upper House Parliament cannot stop. Let’s continue with the next phase.

I have the proposals submitted by everyone in advance, and the summaries of the main contents of these proposals are also on your tables. Next, I will read out the names of these proposals one by one, and everyone will vote to decide whether the proposal should pass.

First, there is a proposal from the Military Department regarding personnel adjustments.”

Here it comes!

After hearing Leon’s words, both the Minister of Finance seated on the side of the main platform and Joshua behind Leon instantly perked up.

Veronica has arranged everything, and the officer replacement order should pass easily this time.

And once the officer replacement order passes under Prince Joshua’s “supervision,” it’s equivalent to successfully picking the sweetest fruit, and no one will be able to shake Joshua’s position!

(End of Chapter)