I'm in Terra

"The speed is not slow, but in the next stage I still suggest you try it little by little."

After a quick inspection, Kasheina nodded. The black mist emerging from Victoria's body was exactly the same as hers.

"After all, you're different from me. Your soul power is limited. Although human consciousness can slowly recover over time, the speed is quite slow. I don't recommend splitting your soul in half right away. One-tenth... No, one-twentieth. I suggest you start with one-twentieth. Also, don't worry about finding a body. I will help you find a suitable and excellent one."

"Oh? Then I'll wait and see." Victoria nodded and continued to study the government affairs in his hands.

Within a month, Luxembourg's internal infrastructure was nearly complete. Although it was just a few prefabricated houses that could barely provide shelter from the wind and rain, it was a welcome relief for the destitute victims.

At the same time, the reclamation plan in the southern part of Luxembourg has been implemented. Although the time for spring plowing has been missed, in order to avoid starvation this winter, a large number of unemployed people and even the military have been arranged to reclaim wasteland.

Luxembourg is located in the northern plains, where the soil is poor and temperatures are extremely low. Although local rye can be harvested twice a year, the yield is extremely low and it cannot survive the winter. Farmers generally plant in early spring after the snow melts and harvest in early summer. They then plant again in the summer and harvest again before the end of autumn.

Although we missed the spring plowing this year, fortunately the newly reclaimed farmland is relatively fertile. If we can take good care of the soil for a month or two, we can plant a full crop of rye before summer.

Victor naturally attached great importance to the issue of grain production. A large amount of food was needed whether for marching and fighting or for keeping the people safe during the winter. When he was in Norvinsk, he was able to develop rapidly with the help of the infected people. Essentially, it was because he had stored a large amount of food in advance.

Now that he was Governor, he could do things without hiding them. He reorganized the population, recruited idle laborers, hired experts to formulate fertilizers tailored to the local conditions, and strived to make the most of every farming season.

His plans didn't stop there. Under his orders, Norvinsk had already expedited the construction of factories and mines, but it would take another month or two for them to be officially completed. So, Victoria openly recruited the infected people who had been recruited under the special zone system as laborers, promising that those who excelled would be prioritized for promotion to management positions.

They're just sitting around doing nothing anyway, so instead of letting them sit idle and go to jail, it's better to pull them out and put them to good use. As for building a city factory, it's better to leave it to a professional construction team.

Thus, the entire Luxembourg, from officials and soldiers to civilians infected with the virus, was mobilized under Victor's orders. As a result, this city, which had just experienced the baptism of war, was unusually busy.

Wine and meat: 16 Expand your wealth

In the second week of the Western Township Reunion Plan, hundreds of heavily armed soldiers in troop carriers surrounded four towns, dropping leaflets along the way. With Luxembourg's reconstruction imminent, Victor had no intention of playing cozy with these wealthy locals.

Arresting people, confiscating properties, beheading people in public, under the governor's order, even those who have nothing to do will be charged with supporting the rebellion, not to mention that each of them is guilty of a lot of crimes?

"Mercy, mercy! Governor, please give me another chance! I will definitely raise enough funds for you this time!!!"

Only when a sword is placed on their necks will these people who have been corrupted by money and interests wake up, but this awakening is meaningless to Victoria, it just adds some disturbing noise.

As they watched the bloated tycoons being dragged onto the makeshift beheading platform, the ragged civilians below cheered. Most of them had personally experienced the oppression of these scumbags, and Victory's actions undoubtedly vented their anger.

"Ursus lacks everything: money, resources, technology, connections, and perhaps even working people. But the only thing they have is the nobility, and they have it all they want."

Looking at the figures on the stage who were either begging for mercy or cursing, Victoria waved his hand emotionlessly.

This country is sick, sick from top to bottom. The sudden death of the previous emperor and the failure of foreign wars have left the entire aristocracy, like a wild horse, completely out of control. If the country wants to be reborn, the best way is to completely eliminate the entire aristocracy.

But Victoria couldn't do it. Not only him, but no one in this country could do it. Even the immortal Black Snake couldn't control everything.

so......

"Climb up as hard as you can. If you don't want to be contaminated by this morbidity, then step on their corpses and climb to the top step by step." Looking at the filthy bloodstains on the stage, Kasheina guessed what Victoria was thinking.

"I'm planning a trip to Saint Castle." Victoria didn't answer, but instead told his plan:

"Whether it's the emperor who wants to win me over, or the nobles who try to control me, I need to meet them. Luxembourg is now back on track, but this is not enough, far from enough. An unprecedented storm is brewing in this country, and before we are officially swept into the center, no matter how thorough the preparations are, they are necessary."

"Don't forget how Akaski died." Kashena smiled helplessly and reminded softly.

"People are different, Kashena." Victoria pointed to the corpse on the stage:

"Although it may be offensive to say this, the fact is that my father is just an ordinary person, an ordinary person who is lucky enough and works hard enough. He will get hurt, bleed, get scared, and make mistakes. He can't predict everything, nor can he deal with sudden undercurrents. But I am different."

At this point, Victor paused slightly. He gazed into Kashena's eyes and declared word by word, "I'm different from him. I'm a monster, a monster whose intelligence and strength far surpass those of ordinary people. If even I can fail, then this country may truly have no chance of rising again."

"Monster...?" Kashena chewed on Victoria's words, but her heart was vaguely touched.

If Victoria was a monster, then wasn't she also one? She was the biggest monster in this snowy land, an immortal monster that wanted to own the world.

Kashena turned around and got into the car. "It's up to you. Go if you want. But don't forget, you have to come back in a month to join the Reunion Movement. My prepared body won't wait for you long."

"Don't worry, I won't fail." Victoria stared at Kashena's back, but he was thinking about another thing in his heart.

Ever since receiving the Emperor's letter of appointment, the entire Luxembourg had been recognized as his territory by the Merit System. Now, after a month of restructuring, the entire territory had begun to provide him with Merit Points as he wished.

Furthermore, now was a time of great need for reconstruction, and naturally, this was also the time when points were increasing at the fastest rate. In just less than a month and a half, Victoria had already earned hundreds of merits.

It can be predicted that when he officially sets out for Luxembourg, he will be able to draw another military general card. At that time, whether he chooses a military general to enhance the strength of an individual soldier or chooses a civil official to gamble on his intelligence and spell potential, it will be a good backup option.

Regardless, he had to go to Saint-Jean Castle. After all, he had already squeezed the entirety of Luxembourg's internal power, and plans for factories and commercial centers were in the works. If he could secure an ally or some sponsorship, Luxembourg's development would see a qualitative leap.

Only when Luxembourg becomes strong will he have the confidence to hold his ground in the coming storm and soar into the sky with the storm.

Unfortunately, none of the high-quality allies in this land are in Ursus. Whether it is Silver Gray (Kalan Trade) who made a fortune through trade or the self-employed individuals with huge funds (Emperor Duck Duke), they all avoid Ursus.

No, it wasn't just them. Almost all forces were not optimistic about Ursus's development potential. After all, the country's rottenness was obvious to all. Therefore, if Victoria wanted to develop rapidly, he had to rely on the power of those nobles.

Moreover, it must be the power of the nobility; even the emperor might not be able to use it.

As for who he wanted to "borrow power from," Victor already had a few targets in mind, which was one of the reasons he was so determined to go to Saint Castle. Without a concrete meeting and a chat, how could Victor convince them to surrender?

But speaking of allies, Victoria suddenly remembered something.

That was Rhodes Island's current ruler, his wife and daughter, Kal'tsit, who seemed to have once been a lord of Ursus. Although she and Rhodes Island both despised the country of Ursus, Kal'tsit seemed to have a habit of making backup plans everywhere?

Perhaps an unknown small clinic in Luxembourg is Rhodes Island's base here.

Recalling his little bodyguard Hunter Bee's experience on the island and his life experience, Victoria felt that the possibility of such a thing was not low.

I decided that before going to Saint Jun Castle, I would check all the clinics and hospitals in my area.

Of course, Victor didn't want to arrest the people of Rhodes Island to do bad things, but he was in great need of investment now. Even medical assistance from Rhodes Island could have a great effect in Luxembourg, a place that reused infected people.

After all, who wouldn't want to live two more days if they were infected? A medical aid package could easily be worth several months or even years' salary to an infected person.

Wine and Meat: 17 On the Eve of Leaving

Victoria realized that he was overthinking.

Considering the presence of Black Snake and spies sent by various forces around him, Victoria did not make a big fuss to search for possible Rhodes Island branches in his territory.

He could only use his limited time to pretend to go out and relax, and stroll around regularly under the pretext of getting to know the city.

But until Victoria was about to leave for Castle Saint, he had not found any images of the Tower of Babel or Rhodes Island in the clinic in his territory.

However, Victoria did not take this matter too seriously. The probability of a Rhodes Island base existing in his territory was extremely low, and he was just trying his luck.

It's normal not to encounter it.

The failure to find foreign aid did not affect Victoria's remediation plan. After using iron-blooded methods to clean up those termites in western Luxembourg, the work efficiency within the entire Luxembourg was visibly improved.

Victor also knew that carrot and stick were always the best ways to improve the motivation of his officials. Therefore, after the entire Luxembourg entered a unified plan, Victor quietly put a plan to increase the salaries and benefits of officials from all over the country on the agenda.

This meant that the idea of aristocracy holding power was gradually fading from view within Luxembourg. Instead, the idea of succession based on performance and talent, as promoted by Victor in Norvinsk, was gradually brought to the fore.

Although Luxembourg was part of the old aristocratic faction, Victor did not intend to allow the aristocratic system to interfere too much in the management of his territory.

But doing so also carries risks.

Although this move could greatly enhance the purity of Luxembourg and even improve his own evaluation in front of the emperor, it also meant that he stood on the edge of the aristocratic faction.

Eating, drinking, having fun, and indulging in pleasure may deceive people, but the structure of power cannot. Even if Victoria can use the lack of nobles as management after the war as an excuse, this will greatly increase the difficulty of obtaining sponsorship from various nobles.

Unless Victoria is willing to accept the appointment of minor nobles by the nobles to come to Luxembourg to serve as mayor, as before, to divide and monitor the power of the entire Luxembourg.

But wouldn't all of Victory's previous hard work be in vain? He had put so much effort into making Luxembourg his own one-man show, so how could he allow those idiots to insult his achievements?

Therefore, he had to go to Saint Jun Castle no matter what. Only by meeting those termites at the top would he have a chance to get what he wanted.

While pondering possible countermeasures, Victoria walked back to his villa as usual, but today seemed destined to be different. In front of his house, a middle-aged man in simple clothes stood smiling, obviously waiting for him for a long time.

"The caravan alliance in Woden Town has been initially completed, and the first few trial caravans have already departed."

"You're so leisurely that you even come to inform me in person." Victoria nodded, a gentle smile appearing on his face: "Have you had dinner, Mr. Malfoy?"

"I've already eaten. A shipment of goods needs to be shipped out of Luxembourg this afternoon, so I had nothing better to do, so I decided to go out and relax." After gently shaking hands with Victoria, Malfoy pulled out a cigar and held it between his lips. "Those merchants have been integrated, but the support policies you promised us haven't been confirmed yet. Many are feeling a little uncertain, and they need me to give them a shot in the arm."

"So this is what you came for?" Victoria laughed when he heard that. It is said that businessmen will not do anything without profit, but he did not expect that those businessmen would be more anxious than him, the governor.

"Then, sir, you can give them a definite answer when you return. Luxembourg currently has three aid plans in place. First, the military will directly contract out Woden Town's urban management, public order maintenance, and trade route security. The contracting method is tentatively set to rotate troops every quarter. The specific price can be negotiated directly between the Commercial Alliance and the military leaders. Of course, the negotiation records will be backed up in Luxembourg to serve as a basis for evaluating the capabilities of each troop commander."

"Secondly, any caravan participating in Luxembourg's internal circulation will be exempt from customs duties and a small amount of taxes when conducting commercial activities within the internal circulation. Of course, this is not free. Participating caravans must ensure that the price increase of their goods during the circulation process is controlled within the range permitted by imperial law. Otherwise..."

"Third, for those chambers of commerce involved in external trade, tariffs and various taxes will be reduced this year. At the same time, foreign trade chambers of commerce will be allowed to directly hire some troops as guards. Of course, please negotiate the price with the minister of the season. This is all the plan I have listed in the Council Chamber for now. If Mr. Malfoy has other opinions, please feel free to raise them."

"No, no thanks. These are enough." Malfoy shook his head repeatedly after hearing this. Military support and tax reductions are the treatments that every businessman dreams of. Although this treatment requires them to pay some price, Malfoy believes that no fool would refuse the implementation of these policies.

Unless he wants to rebel.

"With your words, I will be able to carry out my next work more smoothly." Malfoy lit his cigar and took a few puffs.

With firsthand information from Victor, his reputation within the Chamber of Commerce and his control over his caravans could steadily improve. Malfoy knew that Victor wanted to push him to become the leader of the Chamber of Commerce, and didn't he have the same ambition?

The Bush family was about to become the second noble family in Luxembourg, which was a great honor, but it was not enough. Malfoy believed in his own and Paul's abilities, and also believed that Victoria's potential would definitely not stop there.

The title of Lord is just the beginning.

"By the way, speaking of starting work, please spend more time on Norvinsk recently." Seeing Malfoy savoring his cigar while thinking carefully, Victoria casually reminded him:

"I plan to increase the efforts of the Norvinsk Border Chamber of Commerce, but I'm a little worried without you and Tao there. Paul is already quite capable, but he may still be a little immature when it comes to some of the details of business."

"Leave it to me." Malfoy nodded. "Once the business alliance is officially on track, I will suspend some of my business and concentrate on dealing with the Border Chamber of Commerce. But what do you mean by increasing efforts? Increasing the sales of our products?"

"No, it's about changing our sales target." Victor shook his head and solemnly instructed, "I want you to help sell Norvinsk's products to Longmen."

Wine Pond and Meat Forest: 18 Holy Castle, Holy Castle!

Saint-Jun Castle, an ancient and magnificent city. The industrialization sixty years ago not only perfectly preserved the soul of this ancient capital, but also completely renovated it with modern technology.

After completing the layoffs in the western town, Victoria left Luxembourg with Miss Assassin and twenty members of the Flying Bear Army. Their destination was naturally the capital of Ursus, a super city that was both ancient and modern.

The towering city walls, the majestic reliefs, and the neatly arranged cannons all evoke an indescribable sense of solemnity and history at first glance.

Compared with here, Luxembourg looks small and ridiculous, like a child who is still immature looking up at the strong man who protects him from the wind and rain.

Including Victoria, all the accompanying soldiers were conquered by this city in a second. This huge and majestic city is definitely every man's dream lover.

"Are you stunned? Almost everyone who arrives at Saint Castle for the first time will stop here." Just when everyone was mesmerized by the majestic city, a cold voice woke everyone up.

The assassin, dressed in a maid outfit, brought Victoria a cup of hot tea and then, smiling, began to introduce the city. "Sixty years ago, the late emperor, against all odds, decided to industrialize the capital. Despite widespread opposition, the move was pushed forward at the emperor's insistence. And when the new Saint Castle was completed, all opposition turned to praise, and all doubts vanished the moment he laid eyes on the city walls."

"You can judge a man by his shadow, and measure him by his possessions." Victoria smacked his lips, the surprise in his eyes gradually fading. "To see how broad a man's mind is, you can tell by looking at his shadow. To see how broad a man's mind is, you can tell by looking at the things he likes. The late emperor... was truly a great man."

"What? Are you feeling the urge to win?" Miss Assassin glanced at Victoria and found that there was no fear in his eyes, only admiration and ambition.

Victoria didn't answer, but smiled and changed the subject: "How should we go next?"

"The first stop is naturally the palace." Miss Assassin replied with a smile. As the only person in the team who had been to Saint Jun Castle, she was naturally responsible for the tour guide and itinerary arrangements.

"Officers above the rank of general are permitted to bring a guard of approximately fifty men when entering the capital. However, our entry into Saint Fortress is not for a meeting or the Emperor's order, so for the sake of courtesy and to avoid misunderstandings, we will only bring half the required number."

As she spoke, the assassin pointed at the guards at the city gate. "After we inform the city defense forces, we'll be taken to a special post station. Meanwhile, news of our visit will be passed on to the emperor. What we need to do is simple. Stay at the post station for a day or two. If the emperor wishes to see you, he will send an attendant to invite you to the palace."

"What if the emperor doesn't want to see me or forgets to see me?" Victoria raised his eyebrows and asked curiously.

The assassin replied, "The post station sends a list of incoming visitors to the emperor every day for his review. If there is no summons for three consecutive days, it means that the emperor does not want to see you. At that time, you can move freely or prepare to return."

"It sounds interesting, let's go." After figuring out the rules, Victoria waved his hand, signaling everyone to enter the city.

The walls of Fort Saint are huge yet flexible. Each wall has sixteen main roads, and each passage is wide enough for two trucks to run side by side. Even though it is already New Year, Victoria can still see cars coming and going on half of the passages.

You mean the other half of the passage? The other half is only open during holidays or military operations.

Under the guidance of Miss Assassin, Victoria and his group took the avenue reserved for nobles. It is worth mentioning that the avenue reserved for nobles was also very busy and even as crowded as the adjacent civilian lane.

Of course, there are still differences between the two. At least the cars on the nobles' exclusive passage are obviously much more luxurious, and there are troop carriers similar to Victoria and his men interspersed in the group of cars from time to time.

Despite the large flow of people, the efficiency was also extremely high. Victoria and the others only waited for less than half an hour before arriving at the checkpoint. "Ulla, good afternoon everyone. Please show your identification and explain your purpose."

The assassin rolled down the window and handed Victor the badge he had received when he received his appointment letter. "The Governor of Luxembourg, Major General Count Victor Kalashnikov, is visiting. I hope you could inform him."

"Hurrah!" When the sentry first saw Miss Assassin dressed in a maid outfit, he naturally took the medal. However, he found out that it was actually a general's medal. The sentry was so frightened that he immediately stood at attention and saluted Miss Assassin with a big gesture.

"Please wait a moment, I will report it immediately!!!"

Soon, the sentry came with several guards in formal attire, and led everyone to the door of a luxury hotel as Miss Assassin had introduced.

Just by looking at the team of sentries standing guard at the door, one can understand that this is a hotel specially prepared for the noble officers who do not have real estate inside the Saint Jun Castle.

"The rooms have been arranged. General, please rest for a while with your colleagues. If you need anything, please contact the hotel manager. I will inform you of your visit as soon as possible. Also, if you wish to go out for sightseeing, please ask the hotel manager to arrange a guide and bring your own communication equipment."

After expertly arranging food, clothing, housing, and transportation for Victoria and his group, the officer, dressed as a ceremonial guard, quickly left the hotel. Victoria was in no hurry, and after sending his subordinates off to their own devices, he returned to the room with the assassin lady.

With the assassin lady as a guide, Victor didn't have to worry about the process at all. So after making sure that he wouldn't be able to see the emperor in a short time, Victor took the assassin lady into the hotel room to do something private.

Of course, the so-called private matters were not the obscene things that everyone imagined, but the power he had learned from the immortal black snake during his hard training. The art of soul separation was not difficult to accomplish with the help of power, but the technique of occupying another's body required the help of the black snake to complete Victoria.