xymnovel Chapter 97 The King's Decision
Chapter 97 The King's Decision
Dead silence.
A long, deathly silence enveloped the royal chambers.
George I's fingers tapped lightly on the smooth mahogany table, producing a soft "tap, tap" sound. This sound, like the beat of a drum, resonated in everyone's heart.
He fell into a long period of deep thought.
As a monarch who grew up in the Danish court, his core ideology was conservative. Constantine's remarks about "buying off a class" were too radical for him, even carrying a dangerous revolutionary undertone.
The power of the monarchy has always been built upon the nobility, the military, and the church. Directly currying favor with the lowest-ranking people, and even regarding them as the "cornerstone of power," completely overturned his decades-long political understanding.
However, the recent treason case involving Zaimis was like a poisonous thorn, deeply embedded in his heart.
Those powerful bankers and landowners he once relied on, those oligarchs who were usually so obsequious to him, betrayed him without hesitation when faced with the prospect of personal gain. This made him realize how fragile and unreliable alliances built on monetary interests truly are.
The old foundation has already developed cracks.
So, is it really necessary to find a new, more solid foundation?
Constantine waited quietly, knowing that any unnecessary words at this moment might backfire. He had laid out his logic completely; the rest was up to the king to weigh and digest.
"Father," Constantine broke the silence at this moment, using a more pragmatic tone, "the railway construction we are about to begin, the port expansion, and the arsenals and shipyards that may be built in the future will all require tens of thousands of industrial workers with basic skills."
He didn't mention grand terms like "power" or "loyalty" again, but instead brought the topic back to the most practical level.
"If these workers are dissatisfied with their lives and resentful of the monarchy and the government, then any spark could ignite an uncontrollable strike or even a riot. In that case, our industrialization process would be forced to a halt, and the entire country would descend into chaos."
He paused, his voice becoming even more soothing yet incredibly seductive.
"Now, with just a small, one-time welfare payment, we can earn their gratitude towards the monarchy. We can plant a seed in their hearts that says, 'The King is with us.' This seed will provide the strongest guarantee for the stability of Greek industry for decades to come."
"The losses from a strike could far exceed 500,000 drachmas. With that money, we can buy decades of industrial peace. Father, this is an incredibly worthwhile deal."
"Industrial stability" and "decades of peace".
These two words struck a chord deep within George I's heart. As the monarch of a small nation, his lifelong pursuit was to maintain the stability and development of his country amidst the pressures of powerful nations.
Constantine's words painted a very attractive prospect for him.
Just as the king's expression began to soften, that gentle voice rang out again.
"Your Highness," Alexius Mavrokodatos readjusted his stance. He knew that he could no longer stop Constantine from a moral or economic standpoint, so he cleverly changed his approach, attempting to use "procedures" to create obstacles.
"Your vision is admirable. However, even if this benevolent policy is to be implemented, shouldn't it follow the constitutional procedures of our country?"
His tone was respectful, but the questions he asked were extremely tricky.
"Such a significant welfare policy should be proposed by the cabinet, fully discussed and voted on by parliament, and ultimately implemented by the government. If the royal family intervenes directly, bypassing parliament and the cabinet, it may be seen as 'interference in government affairs.' This would not only become a pretext for republicans to attack the royal family, but would also undermine the fundamental principles of constitutional monarchy."
This is a sinister and deadly move.
He was trying to drag Constantine's plan into the endless debates and wrangling in Parliament. Given the influence of oligarchs and conservatives in Parliament, even if the plan wasn't rejected, it would at least be delayed for a year or two, eventually becoming unrecognizable.
In that case, Constantine's promise to the workers would become a joke, and the royal family's credibility would be completely ruined.
Even more maliciously, he also mentioned "republicans." Once the monarchy is labeled as "undermining constitutionalism," those lurking enemies will swarm in like sharks smelling blood.
Everyone looked at Constantine, wondering how he would handle this procedural deadlock.
Constantine's reaction was a cold laugh.
He slowly turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing straight at Alexius.
"Mr. Mavrokodatos."
His voice was cold and devoid of any emotion.
"I want to remind you of something. Where did this money, these five hundred thousand drachmas, come from?"
Alexius was taken aback.
Constantine took a step forward, exuding an imposing aura.
"This money came from the illicit gains seized from traitors like Zaimis! It was extracted from the mouths of those parasites by my Royal Tax Police, who risked their lives! Legally, it is the spoils of the Royal Special Investigations Bureau, special funds directly under the control of the Royal Family!"
He enunciated each word with extreme force, as if a hammer were striking a steel plate.
"I use royal funds to win people's hearts and minds and consolidate the foundation of my royal rule. How can that be considered interfering in cabinet affairs?"
Constantine's lips curled into a sneer.
"Or does Mr. Mavrokodatos believe that Zaimis and others are not traitors? Or do you think that this ill-gotten money should be returned to the families of those traitors?"
"I..." Alexius's face turned deathly pale instantly, and cold sweat seeped from his forehead.
That's such a hurtful statement!
If he dares to utter even half a word of "yes," he will be openly exonerating traitors and making an enemy of the entire royal family!
Constantine's forceful and unreasonable rebuttal instantly blocked all of Alexius's escape routes. He used the most direct and brutal method to declare absolute control over the money.
Yes, this is money the Crown Prince "earned" himself. How he wants to spend it is none of his business. The so-called "parliamentary process" is utterly fragile in the face of such absolute legal principles and power.
In the meeting room, no one dared to utter a single dissenting voice.
Finally, George I's steady voice broke the oppressive silence.
He looked deeply at his son, his eyes filled with complex emotions—gratification, worry, but above all, an unprecedented resolve.
"Connie."
He nodded, his voice tinged with weariness, yet unusually firm.
"We'll do as you say."
He paused for a moment, then added, "However, the scale must be kept under control. I don't want this to cause panic and envy among other social classes."
"Yes, Father." Constantine bowed and accepted the order.
Authorization granted!
End of the meeting.
Constantine walked out of the conference room, where his trusted aide-de-camp had been waiting for some time.
The sharp edge he had displayed in the conference room was gone from Constantine's face; in its place was a calm and chilling expression.
As he walked, he issued orders in an unquestionable tone:
"Notify Professor Andreas's accounting team to immediately calculate the list and information of all registered workers in the port of Piraeus. Five hundred thousand drachmas, not a penny less and not a penny more."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Notify the Royal Special Investigations Bureau to assign a company of Royal Tax Police to be responsible for security at the ceremony in three days. Ensure absolute safety."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Finally, Constantine stopped in the palace corridor, where the winter sun shone through the high windows, casting a long shadow on him.
He looked out the window toward Athens, his voice not loud, but carrying a sense of declaration.
"Issue another announcement to inform the entire port of Piraeus. Three days from now, I will personally go there to hold the first awarding ceremony for the 'Royal Loyalty Medal and Welfare Fund'."
The attendant was taken aback for a moment, then understood the prince's intention.
Constantine curled the corners of his lips into a cold smile.
"I want all the workers of Athens, no, all of Greece, to open their eyes and see clearly."
"While the gentlemen in parliament are arguing endlessly over their ridiculous procedures, while those so-called 'representatives' turn a blind eye to their suffering..."
"Who, in the end, is their true, their only support?"
As the crowd dispersed, only Alexius Mavrokodatos remained standing, his stiff smile long gone, replaced by a deep, cold contemplation.
"Sir, are we just going to let him go like this..." A trusted councilor approached, his face full of resentment.
Alexius slowly raised his hand, stopping him. He looked in the direction Constantine had left, and muttered to himself, his voice so soft it was almost a whisper: "I underestimated him. He doesn't want fame, he doesn't want wealth... he's forging a brand new crown, with the flesh and bones of those peasants."
A glint of excitement mixed with danger flashed in his eyes: "Interesting, very interesting. However, if the flood can be used to his advantage, then it can also... breach the dam. Go, contact our friends at the University of Athens, and have them talk to the students more about 'abuse of royal power' and 'republican spirit'..."