As usual, after enjoying several dark fighting matches in the evening that involved fistfights and bloodshed, there was a knock on the door of Ling's box.
The person who walked in was one of Leonidas' team captains. He respectfully handed a gilded invitation letter to Ling's hand.
"Brother Rosie asked Brother Leo to give this to you, eldest sister."
"I can tell it's Rubach's style."
I looked through the invitation letter with the hot stamping process. It recorded the location where the imperial members of the Crossbell Parliament held a salon.
It was obvious that Marconi and Garcia were in the box next door, but they would not come over in person. Big bosses rarely showed up in person. This is also a common handling pattern.
The location of the salon is the high-end club Noe Brown. If Ling remembers correctly, that shop seems to be run by a red-haired family. Do you want to go?
As far as Ling knows, Maria Belcorois has also been invited many times but she has declined. On the one hand, she has no interest in socializing, and on the other hand, as Crossbell
The acting president of the International Bank needs to maintain an impartial and neutral position, at least on the surface, and cannot sway to either the imperialist or the republican faction. This is just like Irina on Luray's side within the Lineforte Group.
The situation of not being able to fall to the reformists or the aristocrats is similar.
But Ling thought about her arrangements for Crossbell and thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to go to the salon to meet people she would deal with frequently in the future.
Basically, the top executives of large companies have to deal with politicians. Ling planned to show her face there, so that she would officially join forces.
In fact, although she was born in the Crossbell Autonomous Prefecture, she has already been a true Erebonia Empire member, not to mention that Crossbell has been a sacred and indivisible part of the Erebonia Empire since ancient times.
In addition, she currently shares a common interest with the empire's eldest prince, Oribat Lezeanor.
Let’s talk specifically about the situation at the upper levels of Kezhou.
Politically speaking, the Erebonia Empire is a dual monarchy, the Republic of Kalvad is a presidential republic, and the Crossbell Autonomous Prefecture is a parliamentary democracy. Democracy may not be the best, but at least it is the least
Bad system.
Parliamentary democracy, also known as parliamentary system, is a democratic political system characterized by the fact that the head of government needs the support of the parliament in order to work, and this support is generally reflected through a vote of confidence. Therefore, when adopting this
In a country with a political system, the legislative system and the administrative system are not completely separated.
The Parliament of Crossbell is the only legislative body in the state of Crosby. As the spire of the superstructure, it controls the overall situation. The Parliament makes decisions, while various administrative departments implement them.
The government of a parliamentary democracy generally has multiple parties, and the head of government is separate from the head of state.
The mayor of Crossbell is responsible for administration, and the Speaker of the Crossbell Autonomous Prefecture Assembly is responsible for diplomacy. As for the military... Crosbourne does not have an army. The garrison and police station are directly responsible to the parliament, so the speaker has slightly greater influence.
Some. Both the mayor and the speaker are elected by Kezhou people themselves, but the election methods are somewhat different.
Let’s talk about the mayor first: Citizens of Crossbell who are over twenty years old and have permanent settlement rights have the right to vote for the next mayor. About 200,000 of the 530,000 people resident in Crossbell City will
Participate in the general election held every four years. The mayoral nomination can be submitted to the parliament by members, or they can nominate themselves, but no one has done this for a long time. Although Crossbell is an election held every four years, there is no one
There is a limit to how many times a person can be elected. The current mayor, Henry McDowell, has been reelected for more than twenty years and has a huge reputation in this small country. McDowell can work until he dies of old age if he wants to. However, Mike
Doyle is an old man after all. He has already stated in an interview with the "Cross Bell Times" that he has no plans to participate in the next mayoral election after his term ends in May next year. Therefore, the next mayor's
The position is full of suspense. Many congressmen are gearing up for this position.
As for the Speaker: The Speaker is not directly elected by the citizens, but elected by the members of the Parliament.
According to Ling’s understanding, members of the Crossbell Autonomous Prefecture Assembly are aligned with at least four factions:
Imperialist (Hartmann)
Republican (Campbell)
Stability maintenance faction (McDowell)
Kezhou Independent Faction (Dita)
The imperialist faction and the republican faction are both very strong. Together, the two parties account for more than 90% of the total number of members. The stability maintenance faction and the Kezhou independent faction are a minority. To be precise, the Kezhou independent faction is not even an independent party, because
Dita, who is qualified to become the leader of the party, has not yet the slightest intention to participate in politics. It can be said that the Kezhou independent faction has not yet formed a party. Most of them are members of the stability maintenance faction (swing faction) regarded by the imperialist and republican factions.
.
Although Crossbell is called an autonomous state, it is not completely independent. Moreover, the parliament is always divided into the imperialist faction and the republican faction, fighting each other. As long as one force is about to overwhelm the other, the other force will do whatever it takes to regain power, legally or illegally.
This land is actually a political stage for the tug-of-war between the two powerful countries of Erebonia and Calvard. Not only that, but because they are nominally unrelated third countries, both sides allow the secret war to proceed. The powerful countries are in
It is not a big deal to cause chaos in other people's courtyards, so the public security in Kezhou is really not very good, and it is normal for outsiders to regard it as a magical city.
Another point is the economic dependence on foreign countries. Crossbell has been a city prosperous in trade since ancient times. Some people even call it the crossroads of the continent of Samlia. Not only the two major powers, but also the Kingdom of Liberia, Leibel
The Principality of Mifelia and even countries in the far east also have trade exchanges.
While Mira brought people, goods, and wealth, it also brought darkness. There are many stolen goods and smuggled goods circulating in the underground market. Even if there are "righteous people" who want to ban it, they can't because the import volume is too large.
Checking one by one provided a lot of convenience for Ling's actions.
The value of Crossbell as a political stage is rising year by year. The geographical location with convenient transportation and the high-end hotels built during the economic boom are all very conducive to the conduct of espionage activities. These factors combined have made various countries choose this place countless times.
Secret talks were held here.
In the nearly seventy years since Crossbell gained formal "independence" from the Erebonian Empire, Crosby's political arena has developed a system oriented toward Mira and connections. Politicians all rely on Mira.
Build interpersonal relationships and build votes. Therefore, in the election of members of the Crossbell Autonomous Prefecture's parliament, what everyone compares is not the merits of policies and the public opinion. Instead, Mira's distribution determines the election results.
Mira decided to pursue an official career. Since Mira has become the decisive resource, it is not difficult to understand the ambiguous political and business relations in Kezhou, and the money-power politics was formed from this. "Money is the mother's milk of politics", this is a common saying in the Republic of Kalvad, and the same
Also used in Crossbell.
For state legislators, it is "common sense" to get paid to do things. Mayor Henry McDowell who works for nothing without getting paid is probably in the minority.
But also because of his noble style, both the Imperial and Republican factions believed that McDowell would not be bribed by the other side, so he was able to hold the position of mayor of Kezhou for decades.
However, this calm that has lasted for many years will come to an end when McDowell's term ends next year.
As soon as she walked into Noël Brown, Ling felt that something was wrong with the atmosphere. The depressive feeling was not what it should be like in a high-end club where people could relax. After all, Noël Brown was just a money laundering department, a hunter of the Red Constellation.
There's no reason to show up here with such fanfare, right?
When did they do it and through what channels... And at this time, Po Fengniao, who was working for Ling, didn't receive any news at all?
Although the salesmen in the club were all in suits and ties, they could not hide their bloody smell. What made Ling feel even more swollen was that there were three unique smells coming from the reserved dining room.
The aura of strength.
Seeing the red-haired young man standing guard at the door of the dining room like a bodyguard, Ling confirmed her suspicion.
"Hey, Ling. Our old classmates haven't seen each other for a long time."
The person who waved hello to her casually... was Lecter Alandel.
"We haven't seen each other for two years since the last time we got together. The clothes and appearance are so neat that they don't look like you. He always looks slovenly in Thorz's uniform. Even when he later changed into the uniform of the Imperial Army, he still looked the same.
Virtue.”
"That's my true nature, and it's more fashionable that way, right? Now this is just a business disguise, a disguise. Besides, what you're wearing... I don't really want to complain about it, but isn't it inappropriate to wear a white coat to a high-end club like this?
Take a ride?"
"Is there anything wrong with the white coat being the standard equipment for scholars?"
"No, pretend I didn't say..."
In fact, Ling's outfit is a little different from usual. Instead of using a black hairband to tie a small bow, she let down her knee-length hair, which she had not cut off for six years, and tied it into a bunch behind her back.
.If she wore a pair of flat-rimmed glasses, she might look more like a scholar. However, she left the glasses in Thorz's office and did not take them with her.
"...Okay, you'd better hurry in. You are also an invited guest. Please"
Accompanied by Rector as the guide, Ling walked into the luxurious dining room. Immediately, several pairs of eyes stared at the opening of the door.
A middle-aged man with dyed brown hair, a giant man with one eye and red hair, and another red-haired man who is shorter than the two but has trained his body to the extreme.
Gillias, Sigmund, Baldr...it looks like a big battle. If I had known about it, I wouldn't have come. Ling also thought so.
"Let me introduce to you, this is..." Some of the imperial congressmen had come into contact with Ling in the underground arena. Just as he was about to introduce her to the guests, Osborn waved his hand.
"Long time greetings, Dr. Astray."
"Uncle, too. I haven't seen him for half a year since the signing of the Non-War Pact."
The two chatted familiarly for a few words, talking about the follow-up matters of Libel's mutation and the plan for the new air force, which made the imperial congressmen look at each other. Originally, Ling was sent an invitation letter through Lubacher to come here.
He wanted to win her over to the side of the imperial faction, but looking at the situation now, it is clear that she is much more familiar with Osborne than the imperial faction members. But this is also a good thing.
Although it is a salon for imperial MPs, it is obvious that the protagonist this time is Osborne.
Haltmann mentioned something like the recent inflow of funds from the Republic, which caused the Imperial faction to become somewhat less hostile to the opposing forces.
The Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau has already had countermeasures for this. The Black Moon Trading Company, which the Republic originally planned to enter this year, was held back by the Red Constellation. In fact, it was hired by Osborn. Sigmund and Balder appeared.
The problem can best be explained here.
In addition, arrangements for next year's mayoral election must also begin. Osborne does not mind who will be the new mayor of the state, but he requires that no Republican congressman be allowed to become the new mayor. In this regard
, and they did not hesitate to use various means, including the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau, and the Kremlin parliamentarians headed by Haltmann patted their chests to ensure this.
"Speaking of which, Ling-kun, have we met before?"
After Osborne left the meeting with two red-haired middle-aged people, the imperial congressmen were officially unveiled. Many congressmen did not even dare to speak out loud before, and only a few people such as Haltmann could calmly and calmly.
The iron-blooded prime minister exchanged official business.
Haltmann walked up to Ling and handed her a glass of low-alcohol fruit wine.
"I probably saw it at the Black Auction at the beginning of the month." Ling replied after taking a sip.
"No, I mean earlier..."
"Sa, who knows. But don't we know each other now?"
"That's right, haha. In fact, I have a grandson about the same age as you. If there is a chance in the future..."
After finishing the meal mechanically, the main purpose of her coming here had been completed in the conversation that followed.
With her acquaintance with Osborne as a starting point, no matter which congressman was polite to her, they all happily accepted the "charity plan" (political donation) proposed by Ling.
Each person has a card worth ten million mira, which is not a small amount for these congressmen, and the one given to Haltmann is thirty million mira. In order to avoid leaving anything behind for the police
After searching the clues noticed by the Second Section, Ling used the digital currency circulating within the Rainbow Group as a method of supply. Anyway, those famous bags, watches, ties, and perfumes can be exchanged for them in the prize exchange area of the underground arena. Ling
They are supplied directly from the original factory through the member companies of the Underground Arena Commercial Fighting Competition, and there is no difference in quality from those placed in specialty stores.
In return, everyone expressed their willingness to support the business tax and personal income tax amendment bill proposed by Ling and discuss it as a bill next month.
Although the Kezhou market is already one of the best in the mainland, Ling still feels that the cake is not big enough. She hopes to use advantageous business policies to attract more companies to enter Kezhou. The red constellation cannot stop the black moon forever.
What Osborne means is that as long as we seize the critical year, we can make the situation develop in the empire's favor.
The current law in Kezhou is that the more a company records, the more it pays taxes, and the same goes for individuals. Crossbell companies with a monthly turnover of more than one million millas even need to pay 20% of their profits to the autonomous prefecture government as business tax.
.
But the content of this amendment is that everyone receives the same proportion of taxes. The basis is the slogan "democracy, freedom, equality" since the birth of the Republic, which is derived from "everyone is equal." Either increase taxes on the poor, or
The real intention of reducing taxes for the rich is to give vested interests a better experience, reflecting the trend of thought that "the gap between the rich and the poor is an affirmation of the strong".
The bottom line is that big companies don't want to pay taxes.
Compared with the weak approach of falsifying accounts, directly interfering with the legislative body to amend local laws is the best solution for Rainbow Group.
Black gold is not exclusive to Lubacher. Anyone can play it as long as he has Mira.
As for who becomes whose backer, it is not up to these autonomous prefecture legislators to decide.