People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"The World Summit, the first grand gathering in Terra's history to bring together all nations to structure and divide the entire land!"

"What a pity that such a grand event wasn't hosted by Ursus!"

Fyodor Vladimirovich, Emperor of Ursus, Saint-Germain, and all Ursus, let out a long sigh. The impassioned tenor aria he had just sung seemed to have vanished, leaving only the sighs of those with gloomy faces.

No one understood better than Fyodor that it was a pity the "Universal Summit" could not be hosted by Ursus.

Perhaps in the eyes of other countries, the World Summit is the glue that holds together the fragmented land of Terra, a tea party where the nations of Terra, who have been fighting for tens of thousands of years, are finally tired and willing to sit down and chat. But only Fyodor knows the importance of the World Summit to Ursus.

Because of the great power chauvinism, extreme militarism, and foreign expansion strategies pursued by the late emperor, Ursus's current diplomatic situation can hardly be described as thriving; at the very least, it can be described as barren.

Of the neighboring countries, Kazimir? They're still at war. Sami? They don't even have a proper central government. Even now, most of the upper echelons of the Ursus Empire, and almost all the army warlords, don't consider Sami a country. As for Yan? When has it ever had any diplomatic relations with them?

Do you even understand the significance of excluding Yan Country from any ranking of countries in Terra? This country is like the Sword God of Shili Slope; if you don't deal with him, he'll probably only think about coming out of seclusion when the world ends.

As for the countries that are relatively far away, such as Victoria and Letania, Ursus should theoretically have a good relationship with them. After all, no matter what, they fought together, filled in the lines together, and fought together. They are comrades-in-arms. Even after they retire, they should get together for a veterans' barbecue.

Unfortunately, this is only in theory.

The War of the Four Emperors resulted in the fall of Gaul, and the unequal distribution of spoils directly led to the subsequent Great Conquest launched by the first emperor of the Ursus Empire. As a prince forged in the bloodshed of the War of the Four Emperors, it is easy to imagine the immense resentment that the first emperor, Vladimir Ivanovich, harbored towards Victoria and Letania, the two nations that had initially enjoyed the spoils but left Ursus with only a meager share.

Aside from Kazimierz, their arch-enemy, these two were the first ones I drew.

Then Lateran came to mediate, and they all got slapped! Sargon's Immortal Army, Iberian Judgment Army, Eastern Warriors, and even the passing Fanged Beasts all got a slap!

It can be said that on this land, there is nothing Ursus hasn't offended, only things Ursus doesn't know!

In the past, when Ursus was still powerful, such a record would have been considered invincible and would have gone down in history! But now Ursus is weak!

The state could no longer afford to support the army, so the army had to fend for itself. Once the army became independent, it was no longer subject to anyone and transformed into warlords. And when these warlords started causing trouble...

Ursus can host its own international summit, and the number of participating countries may not be less than that of the international summit hosted by Sherag.

Then, he'll still be the "Emperor of All Ursus"? Mayor of St. Martin's Keep! Mayor of Blackryll Village, outside St. Martin's Keep!

Domestic affairs were a complete mess, diplomacy was practically nonexistent, social contradictions were sharp, and warlordism was frequent. Fyodor thought that the idea of ​​the "International Summit" was just a sudden inspiration from one of his ministers, and that he would then push for its implementation. By then, if he could not sweep away all the ills and bring about a complete transformation of Ursus, at least he, as emperor, could accumulate some prestige, do more things, and not be constantly hampered by others!

Perhaps, he could even become a leader who revitalizes the nation!

Looking at His Majesty the Emperor, who was lost in thought, a hint of helplessness appeared on Islam Witt's face.

It's not a bad thing for a boss to have dreams, but it's not a good thing for a boss to have dreams every day.

Putting everything else aside, would anyone actually attend the Ursus International Summit?

Who on this land doesn't know the name of Ursus? We've been fighting for so long. When we were strong, no one dared to mess with us, and they could only endure being beaten by us. Now that we're weak, we should be grateful if they don't kick us while we're down. And now we're just setting up a table and a few chairs, thinking we can get everyone to sit down and talk?

What can we talk about? It seems the only thing we can discuss is which style of death Your Majesty would like to choose.

I don't recommend the Victoria Lion King version. Hanging is quite painful, especially for us old Ursus people. They get red in the face and their necks turn black. They don't die for a while after being hung up. It's really awful.

The Gauls are a more respectable bunch. As your loyal minister, I assure you that when the allied forces invade Ursus, I will give you ample opportunity and time to sacrifice yourself for your country.

"Ahem, Your Majesty?"

Seeing that Fyodor seemed unlikely to wake up anytime soon, Witt had no choice but to speak up and remind him.

"So, according to your suggestion, we should send someone to this international summit?"

Fyodor snapped out of his reverie and nodded firmly: "Clothes..."

"Of course, of course."

His expression and tone made it seem as if he would fight anyone who tried to stop him.

I wonder which old man scoffed at the World's Fair back then.

As a subject of the domineering Ursus Emperor, Witte naturally couldn't point out the emperor's faults to his face; he could only obediently act as his submissive wife: Lu

"Your Majesty, have you specified any candidates for diplomats?"

"Can't I go myself?"

Fyodor raised his head, silk

"The Emperor of Ursus personally graced the snowy landscape of Sherag to participate in the first Terran Summit of Nations. Such a grand honor should be enough to soothe Ernst's neglected heart, shouldn't it?"

"What?" Speaker Witt was momentarily stunned.

Fyodor explained, "It's because Ursus was absent from the last World's Fair."

Witt opened his mouth.

Ah, this:

Ernst was sidelined? Really?

The last exposition was quite successful, wasn't it? My messenger reported that Prime Minister Ernst was inundated with visitors every day, and it took several days to get an appointment to meet him.

He developed a good habit of internally criticizing while outwardly flattering others, as Witte said:

"Prime Minister Ernst will certainly be honored by His Majesty's courtesy, but it is a pity that His Majesty cannot attend in person."

"Why?"

"Well, that's because if you go in person, you might not be able to return."

It may not be His Majesty anymore.

There are many who covet the throne in Ursus, and you have many relatives and friends as well. The domestic situation is already turbulent. If you go there in person, and a warlord takes this opportunity to rise up and act on behalf of Heaven—no, I should say, to establish a new emperor and usurp the throne—the loyalists who lack the central command of Saint-Stronghold might not be able to defeat you.

Whether Ernst will be honored by your visit is unknown, but you will most likely be "glorious".

Fyodor's face flushed and then turned purple, clearly understanding what Witte meant, and he couldn't help but sigh again.

"If only the International Summit could be held in Ursus!"

There's another reason: he can participate in person.

“Your Majesty!” Witt raised his voice slightly.

Fyodor stopped sighing and looked at his minister:

"And what brilliant idea does Lord Witte have?"

“I’ll go,” Witt replied.

“You?” Fyodor stared at him. “It’s not that I doubt your abilities, Lord Witt, but you are, after all, a key minister of the state. This country can do without me as emperor, but it cannot do without you as minister.”

"If you go, what will happen to Ursus?"

"Do whatever you can."

Witt said coldly,

"Your Majesty, you understand."

Fyodor was stunned.

I understand? What do I understand?

Witte knelt on one knee, bowed deeply, and solemnly offered his advice:

"In matters of the court, no matter how small, kill if you can. In matters of the state, no matter how small, endure if you can."

It's not about killing when you should, but about killing when you can; it's not about tolerating when you should, but about tolerating when you can!

This is the difference.

Killing those who deserve it means killing those who shouldn't be killed; this is about considering the overall situation. But killing those who can be killed means there's nothing that can't be killed; this is using absolute violence and extraordinary measures!

If you must endure something, then you must endure everything. Power may fall into the wrong hands, the army may act alone, but to prevent the country from being plunged into war, there is nothing that shouldn't be endured; this is also for the sake of the overall situation. If you can endure something, then there are things you cannot endure, things that will incur the emperor's wrath, resulting in millions of corpses and rivers of blood.

For a moment, Fyodor thought Witte had it backwards.

Normally, shouldn't advice be given in a positive light? For the sake of the bigger picture, shouldn't we at least ask the emperor to be more patient?

On the contrary, Witte's advice seems to highlight only the word "reckless".

The murderous aura was so intense that even Fyodor, the emperor who was used to being a coward, was somewhat terrified.

But when Fyodor turned his questioning gaze to Witte, Witte did not change his answer as Fyodor had expected.

He returned with an even more determined gaze!

"Why?"

"Fyodor asked."

Witt sighed slightly, somewhat disappointed.

He was afraid that Fyodor would ask him "why".

This means that Fyodor did not trust him enough, nor did he heed his advice.

If he leaves and Fyodor doesn't completely follow his orders, Ursus could really run into problems.

But what can he do? Complain?

Complaining is useless. The fact that he has come this far, becoming a true close advisor to the emperor, and being able to spend time with the emperor in the same room during this afternoon's rest to discuss matters of state, is all thanks to Fyodor's favor.

He had to be loyal to the emperor and the country until his last breath.

Even if this statement is too offensive, it is also too far removed from his political stance over the decades and Fyodor's political goals.

"Your Majesty, because..."

He swallowed hard, and said with a look of grim determination,

"Because Ursus can accept a tyrannical ruler, but cannot tolerate a mediocre one!"

Chapter 561 Great Yan: In the Name of the True Dragon!

Yan, Bai Zao.

Although there were no explicit regulations, the Great Yan Dynasty court was mostly divided into the inner court and the outer court.

The nature of the outer court is quite simple: either they discuss things that are not troublesome and that everyone agrees on, such as providing disaster relief to areas affected by natural disasters this year, the annual large-scale civil service examinations, or support for the northern demon front and the southern maritime front; or they discuss things that are troublesome and will definitely not yield any results, such as the Great Yan government's designated topic of conversation shifting, the pressure-relieving artifact, and the problem of the Year Beast, the scapegoat of this world.

The inner court was different. Those who could participate in the inner court were either high-ranking officials or the emperor's confidants. This was the place that truly determined the future direction of the empire, and only here could the emperor hear his ministers say things he wouldn't normally hear, and put forward bold suggestions that might cause controversy.

Fortunately, the country has been relatively peaceful and harmonious these days, with few issues causing disputes within the court, and most opinions can be quickly reached.

Except for one.

Having just returned to his residence after the day's court session, the Grand Tutor was greeted by the young official who had been waiting there.

“Minister Ning, I just saw your grandfather, and now you’ve come to my house looking for me. Does the Ning family take this matter so seriously?”

The Grand Tutor sat steadily in the armchair, glanced sideways at Ning Ciqiu beside him, and asked slowly and deliberately.

Zero need not elaborate on what this matter is. Currently, on the continent of Tailula, there are only two things that could attract the attention of the Great Yan: first, the siege of Sarkaz by the Dukes' alliance in Lentinium, and the sudden assassination of the Duke of Wellington, whose current situation is unknown; second, the All-Union Summit in Sherag.

Last time, when the Great Yan accepted the invitation to attend the World's Fair in Shelag, it was actually out of respect for Pope Ivangelista XI of Lateran. After all, although the Great Yan was closed off from the world and didn't care much about the conflicts between the other nations, it was still a part of this land. Lateran was known as a benevolent country, and there was a saying in the Great Yan: "One doesn't hit a smiling face." So, after some deliberation, the court decided to send Ning Ciqiu.

Yes, the only person sent by the Great Yan last time was Miss Ning Ciqiu, the Vice Minister of Rites. The Grand Tutor, who supported her participation in the World's Fair, initially did not intend to go in person. It was only after King Ivangelista XI intentionally or unintentionally brought up the issue of the giant beasts of Kjerag that the Grand Tutor began to consider it and made the trip himself.

In the end, it was indeed a worthwhile trip.

With the fruitful results from the last event, the internal opposition within the Great Yan Dynasty to participating in the World Summit was naturally much weaker this time.

Laymen might see it as a spectacle, but many lower-ranking officials believed that this was a manifestation of His Majesty the True Dragon's desire to change the national policy of the Great Yan Dynasty and to completely resolve the problem of the Year Beast in this generation.

Those in the know understand the situation. High-ranking officials like the Grand Tutor, Grand Commandant, and Ning Ciqiu's grandfather clearly understand that it's not that the true dragon wants to change things, but that things have no choice but to change. Sui's activity level is increasing day by day, and beneath the prosperous Baizao, there are undercurrents. Da Yan urgently needs a plausible method to perfectly deal with this problem and "pacifier" that has existed for thousands of years.

The World Summit, or rather, the Prime Minister Ernst of Scherrager and the behemoth standing behind him, offered a good solution.

“The Ministry of Rites has the responsibility of foreign exchanges. As the Vice Minister of Rites, and with his grandfather being the Minister of Rites, Ciqiu would naturally care about this matter.”

Ning Ciqiu answered calmly, clarifying the Grand Tutor's doubts.

The concern about this matter was not the concern of a prominent family like the Ning family, but rather a duty that an official of the Ministry of Rites should fulfill.

Grand Tutor Ling smiled slightly and nodded.

Half a year has passed, and the Ning family's girl has grown quite a bit. Such obvious veiled meaning in her words could no longer escape her notice.

That's right, that's more like the behavior of a Da Yan official. What Ning Ciqiu lacks most right now is probably the experience of going down to the grassroots level on his own.

Indeed, in the Great Yan Dynasty, official positions have always been held by those of virtue, and the inheritance of family bloodlines is a taboo subject! But the Grand Tutor also knows very well that, given the current situation of Baizhao and the challenges that the Great Yan Dynasty will face in the next five to ten years, it is extremely valuable to have a grown and trustworthy successor who can hold the fort after their generation retires.

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and, having finished his thought, calmly began to speak:

"I am very pleased that Minister Ning has such a deep love for the country. As for the World Summit, although His Majesty the Dragon has not yet made a decision on his own, he probably already has someone in mind."

"Minister Ning, why don't you guess who it is that represents our Great Yan in this upheaval?"

Of course, he couldn't say it directly. Having reached this position, the Grand Tutor wouldn't leave any handle on himself through his words, not even in front of people he trusted.