They don't want me to try anymore.

Alice isn't stupid, but how could she possibly outmaneuver her opponent in the capital, the enemy's stronghold?

We still have to stick to the farming/development strategy!

…………

……

Chapter 43 A Transmigrator's Unique Start: A Must-Try

You soon arrived in Alice's new territory, a port city called Normand.

Although it is a coastal city, Richard knew that in Vanderbilt, a country of thousands of islands located in the southern part of the continent, Normandy's geographical conditions were only considered above average.

But it's okay, this isn't the first time he's dealt with this kind of situation.

Moreover, compared to Connaught in the first simulation, Normand has the backing of the entire Vanderbilt and the appeal of Alice as a princess, so its development potential is only higher.

So what are you waiting for?

Let's do it!

To counter the central prince, financial resources are absolutely essential; therefore, you became Alice's advisor and proposed a comprehensive development plan.

[You have integrated the city's top resources, explored new avenues, empowered all citizens, seized upon market pain points, and launched a series of combined initiatives, forming an ecological closed loop from production to sales, thus achieving a devastating victory over surrounding competing cities.]

Specifically, the strategy remains the same: developing new technologies, building factories, and vigorously engaging in maritime trade.

However, these methods are not very effective...

Richard stroked his chin, suddenly remembering an idea he'd heard in a time-travel novel in his past life.

It's just stamp duty!

In traditional transactions, both parties sign contracts, agreements, or other legal documents to clarify their rights and obligations. However, these documents are not guaranteed and may not be binding on both parties.

Stamp duty refers to the government using its credibility to stamp documents to prove their legal validity and collect a tax in the process.

In this way, the rights of both parties in the transaction are protected, and even if there is a lawsuit, there is evidence to be found.

Compared to other taxes, the biggest advantage of stamp duty is that it encounters very little resistance, allowing for the most efficient transactions with minimal disruption—because many people crave government-guaranteed transactions.

Alice, as a member of the royal family, has the advantage of credibility...

There's something going on!

With Alice's endorsement, you successfully collected nearly half of the stamp duty from Vanderbilt—in this era where the outdated tax farming system still occasionally resurfaces, no one has the time to accuse you of disrupting the tax system.

After your initial success, you tried to combat corruption in the city and issue bonds, quickly raising your first round of development funds.

Combined with the mature business practices of technology processing plants, Romande City has accumulated enormous wealth.

very good!

Now that we have the money, the next step is to find a way to spend it all.

Richard pondered for a moment, then clicked on more options...

You continued to invest in industry and technology, establishing dedicated research centers and banks.

You reorganized the city's education system, implemented compulsory education on a small scale, and selected outstanding students to serve as grassroots clerks and security officers.

You discover that spies in this era are often disorganized and lack structure, with many even being temporary outsourced. So, you use your remaining money to establish a near-modern intelligence agency. Although it lacks professionalism at the beginning, its structure is relatively complete, and you expect it to play a greater role in the future.

[A few years have passed, and Normandy has undergone a complete transformation under your governance.]

On the other side, Alice was stunned.

Although she had long believed that Richard possessed the talent to govern a country, and therefore agreed to all of Richard's proposals and suppressed all objections... she never expected that this talent would be so comprehensive and so amazing!

Not to mention her various novel technical ideas, she was also adept at taxation. Not only did she collect more money, but it did not affect her reputation as a princess at all, which was completely different from other tax farmers who had angered the public!

So much so that when Alice wanted to revitalize the business, she didn't know what to do...

She couldn't get involved in what Richard was doing; she could only learn from him!

This...this isn't about me indulging in pleasure...

This man is just too capable!

Left with no other choice, Alice could only focus on her cultivation and wait until Richard was done with his work before sneaking out at night to see him and improve their mood.

Well, there's nothing we can do about it!

That evening, Alice secretly found you...

That evening, Alice secretly found you again...

That evening, Alice secretly found you once again...

At this point, Richard no longer cared about Alice's "offline lord system".

He can handle domestic affairs; the princess only needs to establish a reputation and then happily focus on improving her strength!

Several more years have passed. Alice has focused on her magical training and is only one step away from becoming a Gold Saint, while you, limited by your talent, remain a Silver Saint, yet you have managed Normand exceptionally well.

[At the end of the year, your rudimentary intelligence agency brought you news that Alice's uncle, Prince Ferdinand, is finally ready to stage a coup!]

Just waiting for you!

Richard immediately became excited.

For many years, he had known that Ferdinand would cause trouble (he even remembered the timing and methods clearly), so he made a lot of targeted preparations!

This included cultivating relationships with powerful generals, bribing the capital's imperial guards, and strengthening the local army in Normandy...

Because Richard had ample financial resources and a permanent intelligence agency, and because Ferdinand had lowered his guard after Alice left the central government, the above measures were very effective!

To put it bluntly, Richard now knows what Ferdinand eats for breakfast before Ferdinand does, much like how MI6 is transparent to the KGB!

[You immediately and Alice publicly announce that you are going on a trip, but secretly lead your trusted confidants to ambush near the capital.]

[Several days later, at night, you learned that Prince Ferdinand had begun his operation.]

Without hesitation, you contacted the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, who was already one of your own, and led your trusted men into the city.

At this moment, Prince Ferdinand had just completed the siege of the palace and had not yet captured the old emperor, but he was completely thwarted by your mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

[You and Alice win big!]

Seeing this, Richard finally breathed a sigh of relief.

What's next...

[At your urging, Alice did not return power to her father, who was not firmly in his position. Instead, she took the opportunity to honor him as the Retired Emperor, while simultaneously controlling her brothers and sisters, and ascended the throne herself, becoming the third female emperor in Vanderbilt's history.]

A new era has arrived...

However, when you finally place your beloved on the throne and begin to survey the world, you discover a huge problem.

Problems were something I had anticipated...

Richard sighed, recalling the descriptions of Vanderbilt he had seen during the last simulation.

This country is extravagant and corrupt, and its people are living in misery...

While the Roland Empire might not be much better, at least their martial spirit is off the charts!

On one side is the free-spirited, art-loving archipelago nation, and on the other is the authoritarian, semi-militaristic mainland. If a war were to break out, Van Dan's prospects are not very optimistic.

Moreover, if Richard remembered correctly, in the first simulation, he recalled that the Empire did indeed wage war against Vanderbilt many years later, but at that time he did not have much interest in Vanderbilt, so he did not pay attention to it.

Therefore, if he wants Vanderbilt to protect Connaught in the future, he must strengthen its national power!

The only way...

It's all about reform!

However, when you proposed reforms and expressed your vigilance against the Roland Empire at the Imperial Council, you were met with strong opposition.

Some conservative noble ministers even made sarcastic remarks, saying that you are an advisor from a foreign land, and your stance is uncertain; you have no right to decide Vanderni's fate.

Richard narrowed his eyes and understood.

Alice rose to power because of her father's long-standing unreliability and the opportunities created by her uncle's failed coup, rather than through her own hard work and battles.

Therefore, many forces, both within and outside the Vatican, were not entirely loyal; they did not care who the emperor was, they simply wanted things to remain the same.

Under such circumstances, reforms will be very difficult...

At this moment, Alice suddenly spoke up, interrupting the meeting.

She publicly announced that you were not a foreigner, but her lover, the husband of the Vatican Queen, and the new prime minister of Vatican!

You'll be getting married next month!

Anyone who disrespects you is disrespecting her!

Chapter Forty-Four: A Curse to the Nation and the People, A Wicked Empress in a Chaotic World

Alice's sudden statement provided you with strong support, allowing you to safely navigate the Imperial Council meeting.

One month later, on an auspicious day, you and Alice walked down the aisle and officially became husband and wife.