Chapter 431

Princess Veronica’s reforms in recent years have indeed caused some losses to the old nobility, but most of them could only be considered as “indirect” or “minor,” without touching the fundamentals.

But this time, the officer replacement order is different. Although this proposal does not directly uproot the legitimacy of the noble identity, if it gets passed, for many old nobles, it would be like having their legs broken and hopping around on one foot from now on, losing a significant portion of their influence before the royal family.

Following the procedures of the kingdom’s two parliamentary houses, the Upper House has an extremely high weight in “legislation.” Once this proposal passes in the Upper House, the Lower House can only make detailed revisions, and no matter how much they drag it out, it will gradually be implemented with no room for maneuvering.

So what Mr. Proxy Speaker is about to say next almost decides the future of the old noble group, even the entire kingdom. It’s one of the most important proposals in nearly a hundred years within the kingdom, maybe even the most important!

“Hehe, it seems everyone knows what I’m about to say.”

Under the gaze of nearly a thousand pairs of eyes filled with tension, anticipation, worry, or excitement, Leon first looked around the main hall, then slightly curled his lips, and suddenly raised his voice! “Today, the first proposal that needs the vote of all members is the dismissal order of the military department’s gatekeepers! Those who oppose may speak!”

“I oppose!”

Before Leon had finished speaking, the middle-aged man who had just stood up second and criticized Princess Veronica’s reform as a betrayal of the kingdom’s code immediately stood up, his face flushed red as he roared: “This is absolutely a chaotic order! The military department’s gatekeepers must not… gatekeepers?”

“Yes, gatekeepers.”

Leon nodded on the main platform, smiling as he replied:

“The first proposal for all members to vote on is the dismissal proposal of the military department’s gatekeeper office.

The Minister of Defense believes that the military department has officers and patrol guards, so there is no need to establish a separate gatekeeper office. He wants to dismiss it to save expenses… Are there others who agree with Mr. Mori, opposing the dismissal of the military department’s gatekeepers?”

“…”

Ah? Isn’t the officer replacement order to be voted on? After hearing the words of the proxy speaker, the members in the main hall all got confused at once, then hurriedly began flipping through the proposal forms on their tables.

Sure enough, in the thick stack of proposals marked with the military department’s insignia, there was indeed one… six-sixths of a page mentioning the gatekeeper dismissal order.

However, because the matter was truly too trivial, too small to even deserve its own page, it was just mixed in two lines under “other miscellaneous items,” causing everyone to barely remember it.

But upon careful thought, this insignificant gatekeeper dismissal order is indeed part of the personnel adjustment proposals submitted by the military department, so the proxy speaker wasn’t lying.

But…

…

“Poof…”

Seeing Lord Mori stand up from his seat with righteous indignation, ready to lead the charge against the officer replacement order, only to find himself burning incense instead of venting his anger, low chuckles couldn’t help but rise from the member seats on both sides of the main platform.

And those who had grudges against Lord Mori, along with the unofficial members who only had listening rights, burst out laughing outright. For a moment, joyous air filled the entire main hall.

“No other opinions? It seems the only person who thinks the military department’s gatekeepers are crucial and cannot be dismissed is Mr. Mori.”

After the members laughed enough, Leon picked up the small silver hammer on the main platform, ding, struck the little golden bell, and smiled sweetly, saying: “167 to 1, the dismissal proposal of the military department’s gatekeeper office has passed. This proposal will soon be sent down to the lower house, where the lower house will supplement details and execute specifically… Please sit down, Mr. Mori.”

“…”

Fooled!

Amidst the laughter surrounding him, either concealed with great effort or unrestrained, the middle-aged member’s already flushed face instantly darkened two more shades, looking almost purple.

When Lord Mori’s face turned liver-colored and he sat back down, Leon nodded to him, then smiled while being watched by the latter’s death glare, and said:

“Sorry, just played a little joke on everyone earlier. Now let’s get serious.”

Whether this replacement can proceed further determines the future of the military department, even the entire kingdom, and whether many officers can still wear their original uniforms.”

It seems this time it’s really the officer replacement order.

Seeing Leon’s expression was extremely solemn, the expressions of the members also became serious, sitting upright waiting to participate in the vote.

“I announce.”

After teasingly glancing at Lord Mori sitting to his right, who seemed ready to jump up any moment, Leon loudly declared under the watchful eyes of countless members:

“The second proposal to be reviewed today is the uniform replacement order of the military department’s officers! Please vote!”

Upon hearing the keywords “military department”, “officers”, and “replacement order”, Lord Mori, who failed in leading the charge earlier and plunged into the ditch, stood up again…

Then sat back down with a thud.

“Pfft”

“Ahahahaha!”

Not a single mistake, one after another, the content is on 69 Book Bar!

Although Lord Mori’s reaction was much faster than last time, sitting back down before even opening his mouth, although he didn’t say anything, it felt like he said everything.

Facing Lord Mori, who fell for the same trick twice and bounced up and down like a spring on his chair, this time even those on his own side couldn’t hold back their laughter.

“Mr. Proxy Speaker!”

After biting his cheek hard and using the pain to suppress the laughter on his face, the Minister of Finance standing on the side of the main platform seriously requested: “One joke is enough. Today’s agenda is very tight. These unimportant issues, please set aside first and deal with the more critical proposals!”

“Hmm hmm.”

Leon casually responded, then picked up the hammer and tapped the little bell, smiling at the members below:

“Then let’s move on to the third vote. The item we’re voting on this time is also a proposal submitted by the military department.

This proposal also concerns many officers, deciding whether they can still eat from their previous bowls, and like the previous two proposals, it profoundly impacts the kingdom’s future…”

Understood, you’re fooling us again.

Hearing this exceptionally familiar vague description, the members below naturally wouldn’t fall for it a third time and started flipping through the documents at hand.

Sure enough, three lines below the “gatekeeper dismissal proposal,” there was the “food budget expansion proposal,” with descriptions of impact perfectly matching, completely nonsense.

As the saying goes, once is fine, twice is okay, but not three or four times.

Faced with such an obvious answer right in front of their faces, even Lord Mori with the shortest temper didn’t bother holding back anymore, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair, glaring at Leon on the main platform, preparing to wait for his continued nonsense. However…

“Officer replacement order, please vote… eight seven six five four three two one.”

In just 0.35 seconds, the countdown was done hastily, and amidst the stunned expressions of the members, Leon swung the little silver hammer forcefully, smashing the nearby golden bell, drowning all attempts to block it in the bell’s sound.

“No opposition, the officer replacement order has passed.”

(End of Chapter)