Miss Wang Weina, even your cousin won't do!

After all, Victoria was simply establishing a branch of the "Victoria Royal Military Academy" within its own territory, only admitting Sarkaz students. It was akin to Colombia designating a specific area within its borders for demons and infected individuals; there was no question about its motives. This move might indeed attract a large number of Sarkaz talents to Victoria, but the Sarkaz resource is like a dense swarm of leeks—it grows back after each harvest, inexhaustible. No matter how powerful Victoria is, it can't devour the entire pie at once. Other countries will simply receive a smaller share; what they'll still have will remain. Any high-ranking official could understand that abandoning trade, cooperation, or even an alliance with Victoria for such a small gain would be unwise.

To put it another way, if anyone really wants to break through this barrier, then don't blame Victoria for tearing off her mask. We'll see who can't withstand the pressure first.

There's no way around it; this is hegemony, this is the confidence that comes with the strength of a powerful nation. No Terran nation has the ability to have a conversation with Victoria on equal footing based on its strength.

Wayne had to admit that this approach, brimming with American hegemony and power politics, was indeed infuriating, but it was also undeniably satisfying to use. Putting aside everything else, at least from the perspective of his own people, this tactic certainly boosted national pride and a sense of superiority.

"It's so dirty, we must use it less in the future!"

Wayne touched his conscience and admonished himself.

It's really fun, but I absolutely can't become the person I used to hate the most, Wayne!

Taking a deep breath to suppress the sinful pleasure in his heart, Wayne picked up the calligraphy brush he had specially found in Yan State from the table and wrote a classic couplet on the long strip of Xuan paper.

For promotions and wealth, look elsewhere.

Those who fear death should not enter this gate.

Horizontal scroll: [Patriots are coming]

Hmm~ That's right.

Wayne read the exquisite couplet with satisfaction, but it was a pity that his calligraphy was not very good and did not have the style of a master. However, it did not matter. In any case, not many people in Victoria understood Yan culture. No matter how ordinary his writing was, no one could tell. After all, his status was there, and no one would dare to say that his writing was ugly.

Don't you remember how those so-called "experts" and "masters" in the past swindled money in this way?

Wayne wasn't trying to scam money; he was just pursuing a sense of ritual, wanting to make this "military academy," established during a "time of crisis for the Kazdel nation" to "cultivate outstanding military talent," even more authentic.

As for the headmaster, Wayne had compromised and handed it over to him at Theresis's insistence. However, this did not mean that Victoria had relinquished control of the school. On the contrary, the newly formed seven-member board of directors included Wayne, Ernest, and Consul Arthur, with two highly respected military strategists and professors at the Royal Military Academy serving as deputies. This left only two seats for Headmaster Theresis. He took one of those seats himself, leaving only one remaining.

Victoria still holds absolute leadership within the academy, but she generally doesn't exercise this leadership, instead giving Principal Therese some autonomy in making choices.

As for the talents cultivated, they will naturally be given priority to join the Victorian Army and become Victorian citizens. If they refuse, they can apply to study at the Royal Military Academy or intern in the Victorian Army, and then choose again after three years. If they refuse again, Victoria will not interfere, and they can decide their own future and belonging.

Given Victoria's exceptionally favorable conditions in every aspect, if a qualified Sarkaz talent cannot be persuaded to join Victoria after seven years of education, it can only mean that this talent is truly not meant for Victoria. It's best to let go gracefully, since Theresis is always there to take over. At worst, the talent will fall into the hands of outsiders and become an enemy.

In this way, a complete talent industry chain was formed. Victoria provided venues and educational resources to cultivate Sarkaz talents and obtain priority selection rights to fill the military vacancies caused by the limited number of students in the Royal Military Academy, which was mostly composed of nobles. Those who were eliminated or gave up joining were selected again after a second round of screening. Finally, the remaining talents were handed over to Theresis, and so on.

Regardless, Victoria benefited the most from this, followed by Kazdel and Sarkaz. However, even if Kazdel benefited less than Victoria, it was still far better than handing over talent and getting nothing at all.

This is only the first step in Wayne's plan. Once this group of military talents officially joins the Victoria and Kazdel camp, as beneficiaries of the alliance, they will be the most steadfast supporters of the Victoria-Kazdel alliance. And an individual's influence cannot be confined to the military; once they begin to extend to other areas, Wayne will have ample reason to start building other schools in Kazdel, then factories, and then large corporations. Until finally, Kazdel and Victoria are completely integrated.

This is why "mergers are a higher form of alliances".

At that time, those talented individuals who originally insisted on staying in Kazdel instead of joining Victoria will eventually belong to Victoria.

But that's a story for another time. Right now, Wayne wants to give this precious couplet to his dear friend, Mr. Therese.

The couplets were packed in a box, and a card with the words "School Foundation Gift - by Wayne" written in Victorian was attached to it. Finally, a waiter was called over, and the gift box was handed over to Therese. Wayne stood by the window with satisfaction, watching the royal courier gallop away from the palace. He nodded, raised his coffee cup, and revealed a wicked smile.

Chairman, Principal, the buffs are ready. Can your body handle it?

Although I can't make you show your health bar in this lifetime, it's okay. There are plenty of ways to mess with you!

"May Chairman Therese enjoy good health and a long life."

Chapter 114 The Shareholder is Dead! (Just kidding)

Victoria, Lentinium, western suburbs.

While looking at the navigation app in her hand, Saria waved to the taxi driver and said:

"This is it."

"here?"

The taxi driver paused, glancing out the window as if to confirm, before giving the vaivam woman in the back seat a complicated look in the rearview mirror and asking:

Are you sure this is the place?

Saria frowned: "What's wrong here?"

Taxi drivers are known for their talkativeness in any country, especially those in Lentinium. Because they frequently serve tourists, taxi drivers are quite eloquent, and many have even learned several foreign languages.

Upon hearing Saria's question, the driver seemed to have opened a floodgate of words, immediately launching into a long and detailed explanation:

"It's nothing, it's just that no one has lived here for a long time. Little girl..."

Upon hearing this title, Saria subconsciously frowned, but considering that this was Victoria's territory, Vayvan, who was known as "Diamond" within Rhine Labs, held back.

I have to say, it feels quite subtle to be called a little girl.

The driver's voice continued:

“Little girl, do you know where you are? This is the West District of Lantinem, the former residence of the Duke of Lancaster.”

"The Duke of Lancaster?"

Seria didn't know much about Victoria's history, and was completely ignorant of this family that had vanished into history. Suddenly hearing the driver speak of this unfamiliar name so earnestly, and given his claim that this was his base, Seria, adhering to the principle that more information about the shareholder would make things easier to manage, continued to ask:

"Is this Grand Duke of Lancaster you mentioned any powerful?"

The driver waved his hand, stopped the car, and turned to the side from the driver's seat, saying:

"It's not that he's not good enough. He's really the kind of person, the kind of person..."

As he spoke, a look of reminiscence crossed his face, and he gestured with his arms:

"The Grand Duke doesn't often appear before the citizens of Londinium, but every citizen of Londinium has heard of his name. Do you know why? Because right in the heart of this amazing city, the magnificent [Londinium Core City] is the property of the Grand Duke of Lancaster! The Duke is truly a Victorian business genius!"

Londinium Core City! Seria couldn't possibly be unfamiliar with this name. Controlling the financial lifeline of all Terra, home to the largest stock exchange on the continent, every elite hailing from there is a highly sought-after figure by numerous large Colombian corporations. It's said that the advisory team from Londinium Core City played a crucial role in Citibank's current dominance in the Colombian banking industry.

Rhine Life also tried to recruit a talent from the core city to leverage his network and grow stronger, but unfortunately, Rhine Life was too weak at the time, and the other party simply looked down on this emerging biotechnology company and refused to cooperate.

The talents of just one core city are already that proud, let alone the Grand Duke who is in charge of the core city.

Since this is his residence, and the shareholder has arranged to meet her here, could it be that the major shareholder who provided the Rhine Life with a huge sum of 200 million Lateran gold coins during its most difficult period is the Grand Duke of Lancaster?!

Seria felt a surge of excitement; she thought this was highly likely. The shareholder was very mysterious, never attending shareholder meetings or appearing before the people of Rhine Life, which perfectly matched Grand Duke Victoria's need to conceal her identity.

If this patron is indeed His Excellency the Grand Duke, then the help to Rhine Lab will be enormous!

Saria immediately asked, "Where is the Grand Duke now? I think the person I'm looking for is very likely him."

Upon hearing this, the driver immediately stopped talking, looked at Saria with a suspicious gaze, and only after confirming that he was not joking did he sigh softly, his eyes turning to pity.

Poor little girl.

He replied, "The Grand Duke no longer lives here."

"Hmm? He moved?" Saria frowned, but the contact address listed on the letter was indeed in this area. Just in case, she continued, "Do you know where he lives now? Money is no object, please take me there."

“I know that…” the driver pursed his lips and said, “But even if you go, you won’t see him.”

"No, no, you can take me there. I have his letter of introduction, and I'm sure I'll be able to meet you."

As she spoke, Seria suddenly remembered something. Her limited emotional intelligence prompted her to open her handbag, hand it to her, and instruct her to grab all the "tips" given according to Victorian tradition, stuffing them into the driver's hand, saying:

"Consider this your payment. Take me there."

The driver glanced at the Victoria silver coin in his hand, then at Seria's serious expression. He swallowed the words he was about to say. At that moment, a wicked thought crossed his mind, and adhering to the principle that "a fool wouldn't take advantage of a free lunch," he said:

"...But you're the one who told me to go."

The car made a U-turn in the western suburbs and drove in the opposite direction.

..........

Half an hour later, standing in front of the gate of the Victoria Noble Cemetery, Seria silently took out her phone, suppressing her grief, and called the commander-in-chief thousands of miles away.

The commander's voice sounded tired, clearly overwhelmed by dealing with the Pulitzer reporter who might appear at any moment, or even who might have already infiltrated Rhine Lab. Even so, upon hearing Saria's voice, she forced herself to stay alert and asked:

"Hmm, is that Saria? What happened? Did you see the shareholder?"

"I saw him..."

Seria glanced at the two Victoria Mounted Police officers blocking the cemetery entrance, watching him warily, then paused and added:

"But I didn't see it completely."

The commander-in-chief was taken aback: "What do you mean? Are you reciting a tongue twister to me?"

"No, Commander, listen to me. Do you know that our shareholder is very likely the Duke of Lancaster of Victoria! The richest man in Victoria!"

Saria said, and the commander on the other end of the microphone seemed to freeze for a moment, his exhaustion vanishing instantly. He hurriedly asked, "Are you serious? Then why haven't you seen him? What happened?"

"Uh...it's a big problem. The problem is, the shareholder is dead. The Grand Duke was hanged more than a decade ago for treason."

"......ha?"

The commander-in-chief's expression froze for a few seconds, then anger surged within him, his blood pressure spiked, and he cursed:

Are you kidding me? Is the person dead?

Saria nodded seriously and said with certainty, "The person is dead."

The commander-in-chief, furious, laughed and said, "Then who sent us the email? A ghost?"

Saria suddenly realized: "Oh, right, who sent us that letter? A ghost?"

"I think I can apply for mental guardianship for you. Seriously, Saria, you not only have a problem with your emotional intelligence, but your way of thinking is also as one-dimensional and rigid as your emotional intelligence. Is everything in your body straight except your gut?!"

"You mean, you're not dead?"

"Does it matter whether he's dead or not? What matters is that you see the shareholder, protect him, and bring him back!"

The commander sighed wearily, glancing at his watch.

“It’s almost seven o’clock now. If I remember correctly, the letter says the meeting time is between three o’clock in the afternoon and eight o’clock in the evening. You have one hour to find our shareholders, Seria. Don’t let the company down!”

"understand!"

Saria nodded, blushing with embarrassment as she hung up the phone.

I've made a huge blunder.

Moreover, she'd messed up. To miss such an important meeting like that—even she knew it would leave a bad impression.

We must get back to the meeting place in the western suburbs immediately!

And that taxi driver, how dare he try to scam me! I hope he doesn't get caught!

As Saria pondered this, she reached out to flag down a car. When a car stopped in front of her, she looked at the driver, suddenly remembered something, and touched her pocket.