Facing Fang Zheng's question, Speaker McDowell remained silent for a long time, while Ellie looked at her grandfather anxiously. Fang Zheng stood in front of the window, looking at the scenery outside with a smile, as if he didn't care at all.

Finally, Speaker McDowell spoke.

"Why...why did you do this?"

"It's simple. I need a piece of land."

"……Why?"

Perhaps Fang Zheng's answer was too direct, so Speaker McDowell was unable to react for a moment.

"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean..."

"What I mean is that I need a piece of land to implement my next plan. However, the sphere of influence of the continent of Semria has been determined. I can't find a piece of wild land even if I want to. At this time, I suddenly found that there is a piece of Crossbell... Then I came here, investigated the history of this land, and communicated with the people here. Then I found that this place is very suitable for me to implement my plan, so I want to help Crossbell become independent."

"So, you mean, you want this land?"

"Yes, that's about it."

Fang Zheng nodded.

"I want this land, to turn it into an independent kingdom like Liberl. It's really interesting. Liberl's land area is not much larger than Crossbell's, but it has been recognized by the Empire and the Republic and stands on this continent as an independent country. On the other hand, Crossbell is like this. I think this is why you, Ellie, went to study in Liberl."

“…Ah, um…”

Hearing Fang Zheng's question, Ellie was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

"So did you get your answer?"

"I……"

Ellie lowered her head and clenched her teeth.

"I think I know the answer. Liberl was also invaded by the Empire, but when talking about the Hundred Days War, the people of Liberl were full of pride and pride. They were proud of their ability to defeat the invasion of the Empire and protect their territory. Although there were sacrifices in the process, they resolutely protected their homeland..."

At this point, Ellie couldn't continue. Or rather, she had already seen the gap between Crossbell and Liberl.

"…Although Crossbell is more prosperous than Liberl and has a more important position, we lack such spirit…Grandfather, we don't have any pride at all. We only talk about how rich we are and how much attention we get. However, we don't have the pride that the people of Liberl have, the kind of pride that everyone from the nobles and high-ranking officials to the most ordinary civilians have."

"And this kind of thing cannot be begged for."

Fang Zheng put his hands behind his back and looked at the old man.

"You can use money to buy land, honor, beauty, and even life, but you can never buy pride. Because pride is not something that can be expressed with words. It needs to be defended with blood, with an indomitable spirit and a belief that never gives up - and at the cost of blood and corpses. And the latter is the most important."

“But I can’t do that.”

Speaker McDowell slowly shook his head.

"We want to protect the people of Crossbell. We don't want them to fall into conflict and destruction."

“That’s why I say this.”

Fang Zheng snorted softly.

"Look, in the final analysis, this is Crossbell. He is afraid of death and destruction, and therefore chooses to bow his head and become a slave to others. Since we are all slaves, then it doesn't matter whose slave you are. At least I can guarantee that I will be a better master than the Empire and the Republic."

“…”

Speaker McDowell clenched his teeth and clenched his hands into fists on the desk.

"So, you want to be a king, a dictator. This anti-democratic approach is wrong!"

"Democracy? I'm surprised you have the nerve to talk about democracy?"

Fang Zheng chuckled.

"For the sake of your immediate prosperity, you allowed the atrocities of the Empire and the Republic to happen, and innocent people of Crossbell suffered in the process. You just lowered your heads like ostriches and said, 'It can't be helped', and you used their suffering to buy peace in Crossbell. Now you're talking to me about democracy? About mistakes?"

"This is what most of the people of Crossbell are..."

"That's just the tyranny of the majority."

Fang Zheng interrupted Speaker McDowell coldly.

"If the top beam is crooked, the bottom beam will be crooked. You leaders close your eyes and pretend to be blind all day long. What else can the people below do except pretend to be blind like you? Can they rise up and overthrow your rule? Speaker McDowell, what you want to do is one thing, and what you do is another. Unfortunately, I only judge a person by what he does."

Having said that, Fang Zheng picked up the teacup again and shook it towards Ellie. The latter hurriedly picked up the teapot and poured another cup of tea for Fang Zheng.

"Do you know why I'm here and telling you this, Speaker McDowell?"

“…I’m confused too.”

Speaker McDowell seemed to have gradually regained his composure. He raised his head and looked at Fang Zheng.

"With your ambition and power, you can wait until you become a member of the Crossbell Parliament before doing all this. I don't understand why you are saying this at this moment. Aren't you afraid that I will stop you from becoming a member of the Parliament, and that I will tell everyone else everything you said?"

"hehe……"

Fang Zheng took another sip of red tea and looked at the night view outside the window.

"It's simple. I'm not afraid."

"……Why?"

"Speaker McDowell, do you know that after IBC was acquired by Starlight Technology, the financial circulation of the entire Crossbell area is completely in the hands of Starlight Technology. In addition, our tourism and food processing projects in Almorica Village and the secondary development of the mining town in Mainz have been completed. Now the residents of these two places are almost all working for Starlight Technology. We have also funded the guard team and the Crossbell Police Department. It can be said that as long as I give an order, all work and activities in the entire Crossbell will come to a standstill tomorrow."

Having said that, Fang Zheng turned around and looked at Speaker McDowell.

"In this case, does it matter to me whether I am a member of parliament or not?"

"You, you actually..."

"Please don't make it sound like I'm up to something."

Looking at Speaker McDowell's red face, Fang Zheng sighed.

"I'm not that idiot like Dita. I don't have to plot something secretly. Every investment made by Starlight Technology in Crossbell has been reviewed and approved by the City Council, and has your signature, Speaker McDowell. Your memory can't be that bad."

Having said this, Fang Zheng looked at Ellie.

"Ellie, you have to remember that a political entity must never allow capital to interfere in the political field, otherwise it will become like this. That's me. To be honest, if a despicable and shameless guy came and asked you to be his lover, I guess your grandfather would only nod and agree. Are you wondering now why the Crossbell Council didn't think of this?"

“Ah…mmm!!!”

Ellie was also confused at the moment. Listening to Fang Zheng's question, she nodded subconsciously, and Fang Zheng shrugged his shoulders.

"It's simple. They don't have this awareness at all. Everyone is thinking about how to make a profit from it. After all, you see, every investment of Starlight Technology can not only solve Crossbell's urgent needs, but also bring a large amount of tax revenue and profits to the city council. Naturally, they have no reason to disagree. But that's it. They don't care to what extent a huge capital entity will control Crossbell. Guess why?"

"Uh... this..."

Ellie now felt as if she were standing in the classroom again, being asked a question by Fang Zheng in public, but facing this question, Ellie seemed to have no answer for a moment. However, at this moment, Ellie suddenly thought of something, and her eyes lit up.

"Could it be... the Empire and the Republic?"

"Correct answer, extra 10 points."

Fang Zheng snapped his fingers.

"Like you said, Crossbell is an autonomous state in name, but in the final analysis it is still a slave of the Empire and the Republic. Their idea is that no matter what, this land is also managed by the Empire and the Republic, so even if Starlight Technology does something out of line, they don't have to do anything, the Empire and the Republic will take action to suppress us. By that time, they might even be able to cheer on the sidelines and get a piece of the pie."

At this point, Fang Zheng couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha, it's very interesting, isn't it? On the one hand, they don't want to be slaves, but on the other hand, they expect the master to make decisions for them. Maybe they think they are very smart and can play with the Empire and the Republic at the same time. So I say that this group of people is really hopeless... Hahaha..."

Hearing Fang Zheng's words and merciless ridicule, Ellie's face turned pale with anger. She turned her head and looked at Speaker McDowell.

"Grandfather, is it really as Mr. Fang Zheng said? Is this the reason why the Crossbell Council did nothing?"

"……Why……"

Speaker McDowell could choose not to answer Fang Zheng, but he could not choose not to answer his granddaughter. He sighed deeply and nodded.

"That's right, but what can we do? We don't have the powerful guidance technology like Liberl, and the Republic and the Empire are so powerful. Even if we want to change something, we can't do it..."

"That's true."

Fang Zheng put down the teacup and nodded.

"If you lack strength, you can only bow your head. Once you do it once, you will do it again. In the end, you will become a slave who nods and bows, and you can no longer stand up straight."

"That's easy for you to say. You know how powerful the Empire and the Republic are..."

"So in the final analysis, those with the bigger fists have the say."

Fang Zheng waved his hand, interrupting Speaker McDowell again.

"I am not a fool. Since I dare to say that I want Crossbell, I naturally have the power to confront the Empire and the Republic. I can assure you that the power I have is enough to protect the entire Crossbell. Otherwise, I would not be standing here and telling you this, Speaker McDowell."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng looked at McDowell again.

"A ruler is supposed to protect his territory and his people, isn't it?"

"……I have no idea."

Speaker McDowell sighed deeply and slumped in his chair. The conversation with Fang Zheng made him very tired. It was a brainstorming session. Everything Fang Zheng said was wrong in McDowell's opinion. He wanted to become a dictatorial ruler and rule this land. In McDowell's opinion, this was unacceptable.

But... he had to admit that what Fang Zheng said made sense. After all, Crossbell was also being interfered with by the Republic and the Empire. Moreover, if Fang Zheng really had enough power to fight against these two countries...

"And what is your decision, Chancellor McDowell?"

"I...can't make a decision."

"I guess so. After all, I'm getting older and I think a lot."

Fang Zheng was not surprised by Speaker McDowell's answer.

"But fortunately, there are still young people. Maybe you old people think that this is how your life will end, but for young people, they still have the right to look forward to the future."

Having said this, Fang Zheng looked at Ellie.

"Ellie, I will stay in Crossbell starting tomorrow to prepare for my next plan. If you are interested, you can come and take a look."

"Why?"

Upon hearing Fang Zheng's invitation, Ellie was stunned.

"Really? Mr. Fang Zheng? I can't guarantee what I will say..."

"Haha, I'm not doing anything shameful. Although I won't advertise it everywhere, since I've said it in front of Speaker McDowell, it means I'm not afraid of others knowing. I'm not that idiot like Dita, who has to hide things and pretend to be smart. But in the final analysis, isn't it because of lack of strength?"

Fang Zheng put down his teacup and nodded at the two of them.

"Well, it's getting late, so I'll take my leave now. You guys should think about it. By the way, Ally, the tea is very well brewed."

After saying this, Fang Zheng turned and left the study, leaving Ellie and Speaker McDowell alone, staring at each other in silence.