Yes, Madam Prime Minister

Page 164

Chapter 374 Key Points: Onboarding and Special Training Methods

The following day at noon, at the Princess's residence.

"Ah, nothing happened between you and Isabel?" Ambrina asked in surprise, having given her ample opportunity.

Ronan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Anli, is this what we should be focusing on?"

"Is that Alice's sister?" Ambrina asked, looking completely bewildered, though it was unclear whether she was doing it on purpose.

“I’m talking about Villa and Weyland,” Ronan said. “We’ll feint and then march on the Rhine region of the Will Empire.”

Around the same time, the Spanish Armada of another timeline launched its first expedition against Britain, which, of course, ended in failure. Subsequent expeditions, for various reasons, also failed to achieve any significant results.

Because of the existence of magicians in this world, the outcome is hard to predict. However, it will be more difficult for Villa to overthrow the regime in Wieland than in Ronan's original timeline, because Wieland is an island, not three islands, and its coastline is farther from the western continent.

Ambrina nodded. "Oh, I'll have a good talk with the Foreign Minister and the Military Staff when I have time."

"Mm," Ronan responded.

Once the strategic goals are set, that's enough. As for the specifics, neither diplomacy nor military affairs are his areas of expertise. After all, Ronan was a low-level civil servant in his previous life, and at most, as an engineering student, he had some understanding of technology. In this life, he has accumulated some experience in domestic affairs, but diplomacy and military affairs are practically nonexistent for him.

Ronan said, "I won't be home for the next couple of days. I need to discuss the training for the Ministry of the Interior's Security Bureau with Dinia, and I also need to give the Prime Minister a heads-up."

"The Prime Minister?" Ambrina asked.

Ronan explained, "I have an agreement with the Prime Minister that involves the rules and regulations of the Ministry of the Interior, and I need to communicate with him in advance."

He didn't want to have a conflict with the Prime Minister. In fact, it was precisely because of Ronan's friendly attitude that the Prime Minister, the head of the civil service, had not used his power to fight him. The previous encounters could not be considered political struggles.

Because once a real political struggle begins, there is never any compromise.

Throughout history and across the world, political struggles have ranged from taking your power to taking your life. For some bureaucrats, power and life are essentially the same thing, which is called compromise.

A day later, the training began at the Security Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior.

Currently, the Security Bureau still does not have a director; the highest-ranking official is Agustina, the head of the Operations Division.

There weren't many people receiving training, only about a dozen, all of whom were rank-one magicians, and most of them had joined recently.

It must be acknowledged that Stefan, the seventh-tier mage, was the one who made this decision. It was his statement that deterred some mage organizations from causing further trouble. The lower-level mages under these organizations, especially those whose magic was more combat-oriented, saw that their organizations were failing and did not want to actually go down the path of illegality and crime. So they had no choice but to come to the Security Bureau to see if they could "serve the citizens."

The Security Bureau's top echelon naturally consists of Isabel and her henchman Ashley.

Although Isabel is only a second-tier cultivator, her spatial magic is both offensive and defensive, and includes rapid teleportation that ignores physical obstacles. Ashley can move freely in the shadows, and she is adept at both real and feigned infiltration.

The second tier includes Golan, a second-tier elementalist. She is a rare dual-elementalist in both water and fire, and is currently progressing towards the third tier.

The sisters had a huge argument about Golan joining the Security Bureau. If Ronan hadn't intervened and Ambrina hadn't released the anti-magic field, the two of them would definitely have fought.

In a real fight, the outcome would be hard to predict. In terms of magic, technique, and firepower, Grand is undoubtedly stronger. However, Grand is a standard academic, while Alice has practical combat experience. As a second-tier player, her summoned gun is more powerful, has a higher rate of fire, and is more maneuverable. Furthermore, it can combine with other parts of her body, allowing any part of her to become the gun barrel.

In the end, they didn't fight. Alice couldn't win against her younger sister, who had always been at odds with her since childhood.

Besides Grandan, the other members of the second tier are also elemental mages.

It has to be said that elemental mages, who are the most numerous among magicians, are indeed experiencing a bit of infighting.

Then there's the third tier, which, apart from a few first-order elements, is a bunch of oddly shaped creatures.

For example, Scar, whom Ronan casually recruited in the Midnight Kitchen, is a first-tier Fate Magic Manifestation type. His manifested object is a box that he can control and move. Only he can open the box, and besides that, the box can also reflect magic.

He was the kind of fate mage who wasn't favored by destiny. He awakened in his twenties, experienced many ups and downs in his youth, but his magic power was insufficient, and the Book of Destiny never turned a page. As he grew older, he lived a peaceful and stable life. He had enough magic power, but he never encountered that moment of destiny. As a result, he is now in his thirties and is still only at the first rank.

Even so, these people were once the elite.

That's why Ronan had no intention of making any impassioned or inflammatory remarks. The people present were all seasoned veterans who had been through the ups and downs of society for many years and already held a certain social standing. They weren't young people, so no one was buying it.

"Have you noticed that prices haven't risen much in the last two years?"

Ronan's first words surprised everyone.

I thought we'd talk about honor, mission, or treatment and privileges, but what is this? Just chatting about everyday things?

However, upon closer reflection, it is quite surprising that prices haven't risen much.

Prices in the kingdom have been rising for the past few decades.

In fact, the entire Western Continent is like this. The influx of large amounts of silver is equivalent to annual monetary easing, so it's no wonder that prices are rising. The kingdom is considered to have experienced less inflation. Firstly, it is not the main force in silver mining, and secondly, it is a major agricultural country. In contrast, in countries like Bilia, the number one country in transporting silver, prices have skyrocketed, even causing the collapse of the country's semi-manual manufacturing industry.

"Because of excellent seeds and crop rotation, wheat and soybeans have had bumper harvests, resulting in a significant increase in grain and edible oil production, as well as feed. Consequently, the livestock industry has also flourished. In addition, Her Highness the Princess made some wise decisions and implemented some regulations. All of this can be supplied to the country while also being exported. Therefore, prices have basically not risen in the past two years, and have even fallen occasionally."

"Moreover, industry and commerce are also entering a period of rapid development, given the great development of agriculture. Have you thought about what the future will hold?"

Ronan suddenly asked a question.

Most of them were stunned. As low-level mages, they were stuck in a limbo, neither good enough for high positions nor good enough for low ones. Their only options were to improve their magic and make money; they had never thought of such things.

"Let's put that question aside for now and talk about mages. After hundreds of years of research, it's generally accepted that only about one percent of people have magical talent. The kingdom currently has 22 million people, so theoretically there should be 200,000 mages, or even more. This is because ordinary people die young from illness and overwork, and many don't live past fifty. Mages, on the other hand, are physically strong, don't go to the battlefield, and can easily live to seventy. But the actual number of mages is far less than the theoretical number."

"I think everyone knows why this is the case."

As magicians, they were well aware that this was because of poverty.

Chapter 375 Magic is Equal, Pay Attention in Class, Suddenly Falls Seriously Ill

Many people with magical talent will sense the presence of magic in their childhood, around the age of five or six. Some may even experience abnormalities, such as unconsciously gathering and manipulating magic to destroy things.

Of course, not everyone with magical talent reacts so strongly. Formal testing is the accurate way to determine if someone truly has magical talent. Take Agustina, for example. Her family was very wealthy when she was young and could afford the testing, but her reaction was so weak that she didn't even feel it herself. She only received a free test after she was older, her family went bankrupt, and she went abroad to stay with relatives. She accompanied them to the testing, where a magician recognized her talent and gave her a free trial.

The exceptions are destiny and ritual calling. Destiny is awakening, which may happen suddenly one day, while calling is hereditary, which one is born with.

Excluding these two categories of people, people with magical talent generally cannot realize their potential without guidance and relevant education. The best among the few exceptions is that they can only become novice magicians.

Aside from summoning magic, magical talent is fair and doesn't consider your family background.

This has resulted in most children with magical talent coming from poor families. A lucky few can receive financial assistance at a cost, but most cannot even afford the testing fees.

But if the government can afford to pay for education, then it's a different story.

Even if the child can only become a novice mage, there is still a good chance of becoming a police officer. A mere police officer is nothing to someone like Ronan, let alone to a local minor nobleman. But for the common people, a police officer is someone they need to curry favor with.

If I'm lucky enough to reach the regular level, then there's nothing more to say.

Currently, there are only a few thousand people in the entire Kingdom of Fas. As long as they are not involved in power struggles in the capital, they are absolute lords in the countryside.

Currently, overall wealth is on the rise, and as long as Ronan controls the distribution, he can use this money for subsidies and loans.

Living allowances and student loans.

Ronan never intended to make the lower classes rich and let them pay for their children's education, because even if the lower classes became wealthy, they would be plundered by the powerful and capitalists through political and economic means, or even outright robbed by shady characters.

In short, the money should only be in the hands of the state, or rather, the state, and should not be given to ordinary people at the bottom of society.

If I really have to give it to you, then it will be in the future.

When Ma Zi dealt with Master Huang, he first distributed guns to the people of Goose City before giving them money, so that the money wouldn't be taken away. Ronan naturally also kept the money in his own hands first, distributed "guns" to them, and then considered giving them money.

"Damn it, I've really been corrupted by that woman Dinia. I'm becoming less and less like a reactionary." At this moment, Ronan couldn't help but sigh in his heart, realizing that his heart was becoming less and less wicked.

More mages, plus weapons that could pose a threat to first and second-tier mages.

In the future, those first and second-tier mages who gained status and wealth through personal force will not only see their advantage in force diminish, but also be replaced by a large group of mages who may become the rightful rulers at any time.

Their path is difficult.

Seeing the anxiety on everyone's faces, Ronan said, "It seems you've realized it too." To deal with knowledgeable people in a precarious social position, you can't offer platitudes; you have to sell them anxiety.

A silence fell over the crowd.

"So you should be glad, because getting into the National Security Bureau in the future will be much more difficult than it is now, and with this identity, your social status will be preserved."

"From now on, the Security Bureau's status will be your status."

"But there is a prerequisite: respect."

Ronan mentioned the word "respect".

For a moment, the group was confused. What did this have to do with respect?

"It's hard for magicians to respect others. After all, they are superior to humans in terms of intelligence, physical strength, and everything else. Magicians don't even care about this country. After all, where can't a magician go? Does the state of the country affect a magician?"

"However, the Security Bureau and even the Ministry of the Interior are part of the country. Only when the country and society are doing well can this department do well, and only when the department is doing well can you do well. Therefore, as a member of the Security Bureau, you may not love it, but you must respect this country and this society."

"In this place, when you respect the country and society, the country and society must also respect you in return."

"Don't think that respect is something difficult to achieve. In the future, many people might have to kneel before they could even get that kind of help."

“If you don’t respect this country and society, then you will certainly not be respected by others. I think that’s what’s truly upsetting, isn’t it?”

"Remember, the guiding principle of the National Security Bureau is respect."

At that moment, someone laughed.

Ronan ignored him, and then two more people joined in the laughter, while the others remained silent.

The situation was somewhat better than he had expected.

"Alright, that concludes the first training session." With that, the session ended.

The next day, everyone learned that the first session did not actually end when Ronan called it over.

Because the person who laughed first died, and the two who laughed after him also died.

The Ministry of Magic's investigation concluded that it was most likely a revenge killing, and the killer is still under investigation.

The subsequent training courses were conducted by "Bai Bian," who was King Lucien's personal independent intelligence agent. He had multiple identities, and no one knew which one was the real him.

His specialty is not assassination, but intelligence gathering and analysis. Of course, he gathers intelligence using his unique transformation magic. Ronan didn't intend for him to teach him this, nor did he need to. Those who can enter the Security Bureau are all people with experience in both dry and wet work, and they have some experience in intelligence gathering.

Ronan wanted him to teach intelligence analysis skills and compile them into teaching materials for future generations.

The Security Bureau is still in its early stages, and Ronan doesn't expect it to play any significant role for the time being.

For a period of time afterward, Ronan would come over intermittently to give some ideological lectures, but he devoted his main energy to his Bureau of Industry and Commerce Security, since the Bureau of Security Security would also be involved in the drafting of the new law and the sale of assets under the Royal Chamber of Commerce.

However, on the eve of the New Year, King Lucien's condition suddenly worsened, and he urgently summoned Ronan and Ambrina.

Upon arriving at the bedchamber, Ronan looked at Lucien, who was half-lying on the bed. His aged face was unusually energetic, and he was even eating, gnawing on a large pig's trotter.

Lucien put down the pig's trotter. "This is the first and last time I've ever eaten pig's trotters. It's just a pity that I really don't think they're delicious."

The Freige family's ancestors were "Germans," but they have been in "France" for three hundred years, and their food and clothing have long lost their German flavor.

"I won't see the sun next year," Lucien lamented, his eyes completely unfocused, indicating he was likely blind.

Ambrina covered her mouth and nose with one hand, trying her best to stop sobbing.

Ronan gently grasped Ambrina's hand with one hand, and slowly raised his other hand.

Chapter 376 Not an Apology, Not a Warning, A Dignified Departure

Ambrina took a deep breath and managed to calm herself down.

She didn't have a deep affection for her father. She went to a church school when she was very young, and after her father ascended the throne when she was a little older, she was basically left to her own devices and rarely saw him. But it has to be said that her father was really good to her. She may be the only princess in the entire Western Continent in hundreds of years who chose her marriage partner according to her own wishes.

Ronan raised his hand to wipe away the tiny tear from the corner of his eye. He had absolutely no affection for his father-in-law, but he was grateful. Even though their relationship was one of mutual exploitation, it didn't stop Ronan from feeling grateful.

“I can say that I have accomplished nothing in my life. I was a complete dissolute scoundrel when I was young.” In the past, when talking about this foolish period of his youth, whether to Dinia or Ronan, Lucien spoke with a tone of pride. But at this moment, he had changed. “Even after I married your mother and had you, I was still the same. I have wronged her and I have wronged you.”

Ambrina sniffed but didn't say anything.

“If I hadn’t acted that way back then, perhaps your mother wouldn’t have ended up like that, and you and Isa wouldn’t be where you are now.”

Lucien's tone was full of regret.

Even after Ambrina was born, he was still often away from home. Ambrina's mother spent money recklessly and took it out on Ambrina. This is why Ambrina was later sent to a not-so-good church school and studied with ordinary people.

Later, Ambrina's mother wanted to have a son, but instead, a girl was born, Isabel. So, when Isabel was still very young, she began to force her to learn how to be a noble lady and forcibly instilled all kinds of knowledge in the hope that this daughter could be sold for a good price.

Marianne was born after Lucien ascended the throne, when Lucien wanted to have a son to inherit the throne.

Unfortunately, it backfired.

Later, Lucien contracted a strange illness and became unable to have children.

"I'm so sorry." Lucien raised his hand to touch Ambrina's cheek, but being blind, he couldn't reach her at all.

Ambrina grabbed her father's hand and placed it on her face.

Lucien sighed easily, "Ronan."

“I’m here,” Ronan replied.

“I’m sorry, your mother and brother, I was the one who arranged for them to…” Lucien didn’t finish his sentence, knowing Ronan understood.

“I know,” Ronan replied.

“Ah, if only you were my son,” Lucien said again, this time with utmost sincerity. “In short, I entrust the system I envisioned to you. Only in this way can I, a king with no achievements, leave a mark on history.”