"Alright, let’s talk about what we need to do next."
After breakfast, Fang Zheng found a place to start discussing the current situation with Princess Mira. Compared to her reputation in Japan, Princess Mira’s reputation was noticeably higher in her own country, so she changed her outfit to resemble a tourist. At this moment, she and Fang Zheng looked like a couple visiting Visbania, chatting with laughter on the park bench.
"Your idea is that Duke Gilad murdered your mother and elder brother, and his target is the throne, correct?"
"That’s right."
Princess Mira nodded vigorously, while Fang Zheng smiled and patted her head.
"Hehehe, a simple thought, but unfortunately, reality isn’t that simple."
"Huh? It’s not? As long as Duke Gilad kills us, he can inherit the throne."
Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Mira was quite surprised, and Fang Zheng chuckled.
"Theoretically, yes, but I have a few questions to ask you."
"What questions?"
"Who controls the army in this country?"
"It’s General Skare."
"How is his relationship with your mother?"
"Of course, it’s very good. General Skare has always had a good relationship with our royal family."
"So that’s where the issue lies."
Fang Zheng snapped his fingers.
"Do you think if Duke Gilad really killed your mother, your elder brother, and then killed you, he could just happily sit on the throne without causing problems?"
"...Problem?"
"Exactly."
At this point, Fang Zheng lowered his voice.
"Military coup."
Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Mira gasped in shock.
"Mil... Military coup?"
"Only through the barrel of a gun can a regime be established. A regime without control over the army essentially has no value. According to your idea, Duke Gilad isn’t particularly prominent domestically, so if the queen’s entire family suddenly ’accidentally’ dies, wouldn’t the army react? So, there are two possibilities now. One is that General Skare has been bought by Duke Gilad, and there won’t be any problems. The other is that General Skare is loyal to the royal family, so once Duke Gilad ascends, he might launch a military coup—after all, if things are indeed as you described, and he has always had a good relationship with your royal family, I think he definitely wouldn’t allow an usurper like that to come to power."
Right now, Fang Zheng was tutoring Mira; Mira was a queen candidate who was a bit of a latecomer, while Fang Zheng had been an emperor for centuries. Although he wasn’t very good at detective work, Fang Zheng was quite knowledgeable about political matters.
"I think Duke Gilad also understands this point. In fact, you’re all blinded by habitual thinking. To gain power, he doesn’t necessarily have to be king. And as I said earlier, what Duke Gilad is doing actually carries great risk. If he hasn’t bought the army, the day he comes to power is the day the army cleans him up. Even if he’s bought the army, there’s no guarantee that they won’t stab him in the back—as I mentioned earlier, only through the barrel of a gun can a regime be established; moreover, Duke Gilad isn’t a harmless little white rabbit. If someone is intent, they could completely forge evidence accusing him of murdering the queen, and then kill him to become king themselves."
"........"
Upon hearing this, Mira was astonished; she never expected there could be so much behind what she thought was obvious.
"Mr. Fang Zheng, you seem to understand these things very well."
"Of course, I’ve been an emperor for hundreds of years. Although I’m not very proficient in detective work, when it comes to politics, a hundred detectives together wouldn’t know as much as I do... Alright, let’s continue."
"Okay."
Mira nodded, and she immediately thought of another issue.
"But if things go as Fang Zheng said, then even if Duke Gilad kills me, he can’t ascend the throne. According to what you said, it seems very risky."
"That’s true, just as you thought. So, Duke Gilad also came up with his own solution... Didn’t you say earlier that after you issued your declaration to inherit the throne, people have been protesting in front of the royal palace every day, demanding reform?"
"Um..."
When this was mentioned, Mira was instantly angry.
"Those guys have no idea; I don’t care about whether or not I inherit the throne. Obviously, the death of my mother and elder brother is more important, but... wait."
Speaking of this, Mira suddenly paused.
"Are you saying those people are in cahoots with Duke Gilad?"
"Yes, that’s very likely."
Fang Zheng nodded.
"As I said before, the risk for Duke Gilad to ascend directly is too great. However, if reform is involved, it’s different. Based on my speculation, this Duke’s script should be like this: if he kills you, he might publicly announce that the royal inheritance system is outdated and risky, and instead ’follow public opinion’ by adopting an electoral system to choose a new ruler."
At this point, Fang Zheng spread his hands.
"The memory of the majority of the populace is no better than that of a water flea, especially when it comes to major events like reform. Once the media covers it extensively, I bet it won’t take half a month for them to forget about your deaths almost entirely."
"But... but..."
Mira was now completely stunned.
"But even in a reformed election, Duke Gilad isn’t likely to come to power; his reputation isn’t great domestically..."
"Hahaha, democracy, isn’t it just manipulating the votes?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng burst out laughing.
"What does a bad reputation matter? Duke Gilad has guts to reform, and he’ll definitely receive unanimous praise at home and abroad. As for whether there are any tricks during the election process, who cares? And under such circumstances, the army can’t recklessly move; otherwise, it might easily lead to foreign military intervention. Therefore, even if Duke Gilad manipulates the votes to ascend in the end, everyone can only watch with wide eyes, unable to do anything."
"How could it be like this..."
At this moment, Mira’s face was pale, and with Fang Zheng’s analysis, she realized the situation was far more severe than she had imagined.
"So now the only problem is you. If you don’t die, Duke Gilad’s plan can’t be implemented, which is why he’s trying every possible way to kill you."
Fang Zheng picked up the juice nearby, took a sip, and squinted his eyes.
"In fact, I can already guess this isn’t solely Duke Gilad’s idea. I’m very familiar with this method—the kind that overthrows the current regime under the guise of democracy and freedom to establish a puppet government, hmm... Miss Mira, your country doesn’t produce oil, does it."
"......"
Mira shook her head.
"So does your country have any special discoveries or resources?"
"Seems like not either......"
Faced with Fang Zheng’s question, Mira frowned, pondering for a moment.
Then suddenly, her eyes lit up.
"Oh, minerals!"
"Minerals?"
"Ah, I think I’ve heard Mother and Duke Gilad mention that a new mine was discovered in Visbania. It’s said to potentially change the landscape of warfare... Duke Gilad was pushing Mother to develop this mineral resource, but Mother refused due to environmental protection concerns. Duke was quite upset about it back then..."
"Minerals........"
Hearing this, Fang Zheng stroked his chin.
A mineral that could change the warfare landscape? Could it be uranium? Or rare earth?
These don’t seem worth it for America to overthrow the existing regime in Visbania, especially with America’s own turmoil and people lamenting. Plus, Fang Zheng offered conditions for America’s total demise, with several regions already planning to secede from the Federation to form independent governments. Another wave of civil war between the North and South is imminent. The U.S. Government has pulled back many aircraft carrier fleets. Do they have the time and mood to meddle in regime change in this godforsaken place?
There’s definitely a problem here.
But now it’s better to prioritize resolving the current trouble. As for the reason... we’ll ask after catching someone.
After all, he’s not a detective.
Having made the decision, Fang Zheng brought Princess Mira to the front of the Royal Palace, where a bunch of people were still gathered at the entrance. They held signs, loudly shouting slogans.
"Oppose Princess Mira’s succession!"
"Demand national reform!"
"These bastards........"
Seeing this, Mira was nearly ready to charge with her fists, but Fang Zheng quickly grabbed her.
"Wait, these people are just paid to protest. It’s not worth it to clash with them."
"Is, is that so?"
"If you don’t believe, look."
Speaking, Fang Zheng took Mira to the back of the crowd, patting the shoulder of a man enthusiastically waving the sign.
"Hey brother, what are you shouting about?"
"Who are you?"
The man turned around to look at Fang Zheng and Mira, curiously asked.
"Oh, I’m a reporter from Japan. Saw the lively scene here and came over to check... Are you protesting here?"
"That’s right!"
Upon saying this, the guy got excited.
"We demand national reform, implementation of democracy! You probably didn’t know, the Queen and Prince of this country died, but now they intend to let a little girl inherit the throne, isn’t that crazy!"
"Little girl?"
Fang Zheng quietly glanced at this man who seemed to be not much older than himself.
"How old is this little girl?"
"About seven or eight, can she inherit the throne?"
"........."
Meow meow meow?
Mira stood beside Fang Zheng, completely bewildered, not knowing what to say.
"Seven or eight is indeed a bit exaggerated......"
"Right, hence this system should be abolished soon. How can our country let a little girl govern? We should vote, elect the person most trusted by the populace to manage this country!"
At that, the person turned back, continuing to wave the sign. Fang Zheng pulled Mira, who was about to rush over to fight, leaving the scene with her.
"What the hell is this!!"
Only after reaching a deserted alley did Mira stomp her foot angrily.
"Who’s seven or eight, you’re seven or eight! I’m already nineteen, okay! You don’t even know my age, what are you opposing!!"
"That’s why I told you, these people are just paid to protest, normal people are busy living their lives, who would care about this."
Fang Zheng seemed calm, since he’d encountered such things often when he was Emperor.
Yes, more people died.
"What do we do next?"
"Wait here, you’ll collaborate with me in a show later."
After a while, the crowd gradually dispersed, Fang Zheng adjusted his clothes, gestured at Mira, then the two walked out from the alley, following one of the ordinary-dressed men.

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