Chapter 580: New Things
In just an afternoon, the Mishan Family was annihilated under Shea’s Blood and Iron Policy, the Mishan Family’s surname was banished, all their properties were confiscated, and a series of members led by Angley were beheaded.
The positions and market vacancies left by the Mishan Family were quickly replaced by the rest of the elder families. There were various signs that the empress’ decision this time was supported by all the families.
Less than 1 month after Shea ascended to the throne, she uprooted a powerful elder family. This Iron and Blood tactic made the people full of awe. There were many things that people didn’t know, including the emergency internal meeting of elder families and the lineup changes of the upper-level forces after the courtyard incident..
Many families had guessed that the Princess Villa incident was a plot carefully laid out by Her Majesty Empress. The entire layout was bold, ingenious and interlocking. The millet wine of the Princess Villa and the envoy were just an introduction which resolved the prey, Mishan Family. The deeper intention was to use the Mishan Family as a warning to deter the elder families and to truly control the decision-making power.
Shea’s method was not killing blindly. First, she made the Boll Family take the initiative to surrender and the Leif Family gave in, then she gave out the huge benefits of the Night Chamber of Commerce and the Princess Villa to win over the various families, tightly tying the royal families and several important elder families to her own side. Speaking of which, Celine became the empress’ most powerful use of chips in this incident.
In Obsidian’s era, there was a “fundraising scandal” event that shook the empire. Not only the large and small estates, even the capital’s royal families and major elder families also suffered huge economic losses. When Shea gave up the Mishan Family’s shares in the Night Chamber of Commerce and made the royal family and the 2 elder families the shareholders of the Princess Retail Store, it was tantamount to selling a large amount of interest which was an irresistible temptation for all families.
In fact, the real initiator was not Shea, but “Ms. Dark Demon”. Now Ms. Secret Intelligence of the secret intelligence department was in the palace hall in front of her boss, Her Majesty Empress. There was no third person in the hall.
“What does this mean?” Shea looked at a piece of paper in her hand.
Isabella spread her hand, “It’s just a letter of resignation.”
Shea’s gaze was a little odd as she turned the paper over to Isabella, “You won’t write a few more words?”
There were only 3 words on the paper, ‘Letter of Resignation’, and nothing else. If Chen Rui was present, he would definitely give the praise of “the most domineering resignation of the year”.
“Is there a need to write more?”
“Maybe not, but I need an explanation.”
“Just need an explanation?” Isabella asked with interest, “Then I can leave? I will not be killed or something?”
“What do you think?” Shea asked rhetorically. In this hall where there were no other people. The conversation between both of them was not like the boss-subordinate relations.h.i.+p between the empress and the head of the secret intelligence department. Instead, it was more like 2 women with a subtle relations.h.i.+p.
“Can I really explain it? Without any scruples?”
“Say it.”
“Then I will explain.” Isabella smiled charmingly. She said it was an explanation, but then she asked, “Shouldn’t Alice be the best candidate for lord of the Dark Moon?”
Shea suddenly showed a slight coldness in her eyes while looking at Isabella. Isabella’s blue eyes stared directly at her without avoiding.
The 2 looked at each other for a while, then Shea squinted slightly. She replied inconspicuously, “Your reason for resignation is not sufficient, so I reject it.”
Isabella shrugged, “Since this is the case, then I’ll go ahead with my business. I don’t have much free time to stay here for too long.”
She sounded justified.
Ms. Secret Intelligence turned her back, waved her hand, and walked out unscrupulously. After taking a few steps, she stopped again, “Your Majesty Empress, don’t you have a summary or a comment?”
Shea lowered her head slightly, “Perhaps you are right. I will remind myself not to repeat Stiller’s mistakes. But I hope there is no next time for some matters.”
“Understood.” Isabella understood that Shea was talking about using Alice. She didn’t stop her pace this time and went straight out.
Shea gently opened the palm of her hand which was holding an egg-sized crystal. This crystal loomed in black and white. Its light was dim because all the power in it had been absorbed. Shea quietly stared at this crystal stone that had lost its value as if it was the most precious treasure in the world. A touch of tenderness appeared in her purple eyes.
In the capital.
While the Mishan Family was being punished, many soldiers carried thick piles of items and distributed them from house to house. This was the lowest grade magic paper that could display animated content with limited time. The cost was very low and it was not uncommon. People were surprised at the content on this magic paper.
There were 2 contents. The first was a detailed list of the various crimes of the Mishan Family, including Patriarch Angley. Mishan’s dejected close-up. Below the “animation” was a kill order signed by Her Majesty Empress. She ordered the capital residents not to cover the remnants of the empire’s traitors. Those who provide the garrison guard department with the intel of the remnants would be rewarded.
The second content was also eye-catching. It was about a battle ball game. A battle ball game named Flame Cup will be held in the arena tonight. The opponents of the game were the imperial guards team vs. the capital coalition team.
The imperial guard team was previously Shea’s Red Blood Legion when she was in Dark Moon Estate. The birthplace of the battle ball was the Dark Moon. The strength of the imperial guard team was among the best in the Demon Realm. The capital coalition team was a joint team composed of several famous battle ball teams in the capital, and each position was a celebrity player familiar to the public. This game was a spectacular match which was a matchup of the highest level. For many fans of the battle ball, it was no different than a feast.
This match spread to the capital a few days ago. Even Her Majesty Empress and the Dark Shadow Empire’s envoys would go to the stadium to watch in person. The ticket price was hyped to an astonis.h.i.+ng height. It was hard to get even 1 ticket.
The capital was not like other estates. There were so many rich and powerful people. In most battle ball games, before the ticket sales to the public started, many tickets were internally reserved by default and could not be bought at high prices. This time it was the same.
Ordinary spectators were often disappointed about not having tickets, and they sometimes even caused trouble by blocking outside the arena.
It was clearly written on the magic paper that fans who didn’t have the tickets could wait at the Central Plaza and several main streets. Her Majesty Empress would have a surprise for everyone by then.
As night fell, the Central Plaza and several main streets were already full of people. Teams of guard soldiers maintained the order on the scene. The vendors who had seen the opportunity rushed among the crowd, earning a lot of money.
It was about time that the Flame Cup in the arena started. Many people were waiting in wonder. At this moment, the huge black crystal board at the Central Plaza suddenly emitted a bright light to show projections of an activity. It was very clear, and everyone’s eyes were immediately attracted to it. Then it turned into cheers, and those projections were the battle ball game. Judging from the personnel and costumes of both sides, it was exactly the game at the arena today!
The match that they couldn’t watch even if they paid a high price, yet they could watch it for free at this place. Although it was not as merry as the atmosphere on the scene, it was definitely a timely help for those impatient fans!
Not only were there images on the screen, but the sound was also quite synchronized. In addition to the cheers and whistles at the scene, there was also an unfamiliar voice that introduced the lineup of both sides in detail and interspersed with comments. This was the first time that fans have heard this novel commentary. The provocative language seemed to make everyone immersed in the scene. Especially when it was close to the goal, almost everyone’s emotions rose to the climax and cheered excitedly.
After celebrating, people finally realized that the crystal boards set up by Her Majesty Empress long ago at the plaza and the main street were actually not decorations, but magic items that could broadcast the match! The function of this item was somewhat similar to the magic communication talisman, but the difference was that the communication talisman or communication tower had a time limit whereas this kind of item seemed infinite; it could broadcast forever.
At the end of the game, people still stayed on the crystal board and did not want to leave for a long time. There was another line of eye-catching characters on the crystal board: Tomorrow night at the same time, a battle ball match in Dark Moon Estate arena will be livestreamed.
People were even more surprised. Not only the capital, but even the matches far away in the Dark Moon can be “livestreamed”? If that’s the case, can we watch the matches from all the other places in the future?
A voice took the lead to call out “Long live the Empress”, then countless voices sounded in unison.
The next day, the soldiers began to distribute the animated magic paper again. People also knew that the name of this thing was called the “newspaper”, which mainly recorded the latest major and new events happening in the capital and the estate; each issue would not be repeated. The first 10 issues were completely free. Then onward, it could be purchased with a very small amount of white crystal coin in the future.
3 things were recorded in the second issue of the ‘Empire Daily’.
The most striking thing was that Empress Shea led the officials to solemnly take an oath to the people of the empire. The content of the oath was to unite as one and do everything possible to lead the entire empire toward prosperity and strength. She swore to defend the glory of the empire till death. She also officially announced a series of measures that would benefit the residents, such as lowering tax rates, strengthening public security, rewarding production innovation, and so on. There was also an image of the empress and the ministers taking an oath in front of the Sword of Fallen Angel artifact.
This public oath inspired the minds of everyone in the capital. The newspaper also grandly introduced the magic crystal board that broadcasted live compet.i.tions as “television” and attached a program list. In addition to the Dark Moon’s battle ball match that fans were looking forward to at night, there were also 2 programs during the day. The first was a lecture on how to maintain weapons and armors launched by the Mechanic a.s.sociation, and the second was Lilu from the Princess Retail Store introducing some skincare tips for the females.
The third thing was also good news. The Princess Villa was temporarily unavailable during reconstruction. In order to meet the needs of the customers, the aromatic millet wine would be sold in limited quant.i.ties in the Princess Retail Store.
In the Royal Hotel, Crawford looked at the newspaper he had just obtained. His dignified expression was the same as Celine on the side.
“General, what did you see?”
“What I see is the strong bond and fighting spirit of the Fallen Angel Empire which is far exceeding our expectations. From the latest intel, Shea seems to have completely controlled the voice of the upper cla.s.s. From the Dark Moon to the capital, it’s been less than a month! This is unbelievable!”
Celine replied, “I have different views from general. What I see is the terrifying power brought by new things like television, newspapers, and millet wine, as well as countless business opportunities and benefits! Today is the negotiation deadline given by Her Majesty. Should we…”
“Now that the situation has changed far beyond our expectation, we must report to Her Majesty immediately!” Crawford said decisively, but he sighed, “This time, I’m afraid Her Majesty’s plan…”
TL: Will fail? Are the bargaining chips enough?