Yes, Madam Prime Minister

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Chapter 907 The gentry eat "people," this is clearly a rebellion, Your Excellency is in grave danger.

“I’m helpless too,” Ronan sighed, glancing at Dinia. “My wife is too career-oriented, and I’m afraid of her, so I have to give in to her?”

The three of them wanted to laugh for a moment, thinking it was all bullshit.

That's all for now, time to eat.

After lunch, Ronan suddenly fell silent, and Dinia began to explain their plans.

The first step was to establish banks, extract funds from major investors, and use them for construction and agricultural development.

That's right. While Guangdong's agricultural conditions aren't particularly good, they're not bad either. Given the level of development at this time, there's still a lot of potential to be tapped.

Only when agriculture is large enough can it truly be commercialized, and only with the commercialization of agriculture can industry be further developed.

For the time being, Guangdong cannot rely too heavily on other places, so it can only generate its own revenue first, which means developing its agriculture.

Lu Jianling, a soldier, knew that the key to agriculture was land, fertilizer, water, and seeds. Currently, Luo Nan had barely managed to get fertilizer and seeds sorted out, but land required more people, and water required a lot of funds.

“The people are those who are not registered in the local household registration system, and they come from Jiangxi. The money comes from loans provided by the bank we established,” Diniya said.

Dinia had read some information; damn it, some villages hadn't seen a population increase or decrease for decades, while others had simply disappeared.

It can only be said that soldiers receiving salaries without working is incredibly weak; the gentry, on the other hand, were taking money from people who didn't even exist.

In addition, Jiangxi is also a province with a very large population, with more than 10 million people, just like Zhejiang. However, life is much more difficult for people in Jiangxi than for people in Zhejiang.

“As long as there’s enough food, we can get by no matter what,” Dinia added.

This sentence really struck a chord with the three Seres.

Lu Delin, Xu Tianci, and Wang Sizheng were already considered good officials. Although they were corrupt and oppressive like other bureaucrats, and their views were similar to most superhuman beings in power, believing that ordinary people with a good background and education were human beings, while those without education were merely high-level livestock, they at least felt that livestock should be fed, have a place to live, and preferably some clothes so that people wouldn't feel uncomfortable looking at them. They didn't have the idea that "livestock being able to eat is a blessing from the country" or "livestock starving to death shouldn't cause trouble for the country."

The world is a world of competing to be the worst, and bureaucrats are also bureaucrats who compete to be the worst.

"...We hope that the three of you will support such a beneficial undertaking for the country and its people." Dinia then outlined a comprehensive plan, expressing her stance.

"Well, you asked me if I support it or not, of course I do. But you... well, I think you understand," Lu Delin said. His meaning couldn't be simpler: if Ronan wanted to develop agricultural economy on a large scale in Guangdong, the government would provide all the support except for assistance.

In short, they turn a blind eye to everything. Once the deal is done, they want a share of the profits, both fame and fortune. If problems arise, it's none of their business.

“Since Lord Lü has said so, I, as an unrelated person, will not say anything more,” Xu Tianci said. As the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, he was in charge of the judiciary, but to say that he was unrelated was nonsense. It’s not easy for the judiciary to interfere in commerce. Farmers can avoid lawsuits, but can businessmen do the same?

“I agree,” Wang Sizheng stated.

To get things done, you still need his approval. As the person in charge of managing superhumans, he can't directly sabotage your plans like Xu Tianci, but he can get rid of you indirectly. Otherwise, why would the Inspector of Education be the fifth-highest-ranking official in the provincial government?

“Thank you all, sirs,” Dinia said, then added, “Now for something even more important.”

Next is the point.

Ronan and Dinah must persuade the three to join the rebellion.

This was not easy. Lü Delin came from a wealthy family and lacked ambition. Xu Tianci was from Hebei and did not like the economic model of the South. Wang Sizheng had some ideas, but he was a rather conservative person.

Dinia explained their plan: in short, to deal with the war, they would set up a military defense committee. The three of them, along with government officials, naval personnel, and even some local celebrities would be recruited. Most alarmingly, Ronan and his group would also be included.

Furthermore, this committee is ready to expand at any time, potentially extending to Guangxi and even Fujian.

It was said to be for the purpose of unifying forces and protecting oneself in the chaos of war and the future, and it was by no means a rebellion.

Do they think the imperial court is stupid? This is clearly a rebellion.

“I cannot agree to this.” Lü Delin was resolute. Although he was a lazy official, he was not so foolish as to expect anyone to rebel.

“Scholar Luo, this is something we really can’t do carelessly,” Xu Tianci said, his tone very serious.

“Brother Luo, we can’t do this,” Wang Sizheng said. Like many others, he knew that Luo Nan was going to participate in the rebellion, but this was too obvious. Couldn’t they have fired the first shot quietly?

The three men's reactions were exactly what Ronan had expected.

It would be a miracle if they agreed outright.

But since he was already there, Ronan came prepared. Difficulties? There are always more solutions than problems.

Ronan let out a long sigh of relief. "Alas, Lord Lü, you're in deep trouble."

Lu Delin was taken aback, then teased, "Mr. Luo, have you been watching too many plays? Are you trying to imitate the strategists in those plays, starting with 'Your Excellency is in danger'?"

"I felt guilty when I punched you three times, so I told you the truth: your hometown is about to rebel, and your family might be too. Will you be able to escape unscathed?" Ronan's words were shocking.

“Mr. Luo, you’re joking. My hometown is wealthy. What’s the point of rebellion in a wealthy place? Not only is it wealthy, but it also has many scholars and warriors. Who would dare to rebel? Who would dare to rebel?” Lu Delin asked Luo Nan with a relaxed expression.

"Our dynasty's founding emperor was originally from Henan. He went to Jiangnan to serve as an official and then raised the banner of rebellion. At that time, Jiangnan was not wealthy, and there were not many extraordinary people." Ronan directly used the founding emperor of the Seris dynasty as an example.

"That's because the previous dynasty's rulers were weak and powerless externally, and tyrannical and cruel internally, wantonly exploiting the gentry, merchants, and common people in Jiangnan. That's why people with lofty ideals publicly elected the founding emperor and raised the banner of righteousness," said Lü Delin, referring to an official conclusion.

Ronan sighed. "You're an official yourself. Do you believe what officials say?"

"In fact, in the eyes of the current representatives of the people in Jiangnan, the imperial court is exploiting them, not only through taxes, but more importantly through the system in the north. Collective villages and large manors have extremely strong bargaining power, which seriously hinders their development."

Ronan put it very bluntly.

The current agricultural model in the North and Central Plains is really inconvenient for southern capital to exploit. Instead of allowing them to exploit, they are subjected to heavy taxes. Where is justice?

"This..." Lu Delin was at a loss for words, because his relatives and friends had indeed thought the same way since he was a child.

"So, Lord Lü, you're about to be branded a traitor," Ronan said. The charge of treason implicates others; a traitor's relatives and friends are also considered traitors.

"Moreover, in the eyes of the imperial court, Guangdong and the Jiangnan region are birds of a feather."

Chapter 908: If others rebel but you don't, whoever wins will be your "patron of the emperor"—the spirit of internationalism.

Guangdong also wants to rebel, and that's the key point.

“Master Luo, you’re exaggerating. The imperial court isn’t the court of the northerners. On the contrary, there are more southerners,” Xu Tianci said. “No matter what, southerners are now richer and more powerful. If they still feel that the imperial court is unfair, then that’s going too far.”

Ronan slapped his thigh dramatically, "That's right! Aren't there more Southerners in the court now? If there were no inside agents in the court, would those people dare to rebel? Lord Xu, some of the things I said were only because I considered you my half-brother. If those people rebel, they will definitely label you Northerners as traitors. At that time, you might also be considered a traitor."

Without waiting for a response, Ronan continued, "My lords, if you object, fine. I, a foreigner, can leave at any time. But can you change public opinion? Many people in Guangzhou know my ideas. What is their attitude? If they have no objection to the court's policies, am I, a foreigner, to coerce them with violence? In the two years I've been here, apart from acting in self-defense, have you ever seen me use violence?" Ronan's series of questions made his meaning clear: the objection was to the will of the people, and the will of the people could not be defied. If the three of them did not agree, the objection would still be made, and the situation they would face then might be very ugly.

“Brother Luo, why press us so hard? We have our own difficulties too,” Wang Sizheng advised.

"Brother Wang, your life is in danger!" Ronan shouted, his expression like he was mourning a death.

Wang Si frowned, thinking to himself, "Are you fucking done yet? Are you never going to stop?"

"So, Brother Wang, do you also think I'm exaggerating?" Ronan asked rhetorically, then became serious. "Do you think that if someone in Guangdong really started a disturbance, and when it comes to disturbances, it's always a bunch of students rushing to the front, who would they target first? Lord Lü, who's in charge of civil affairs and finance, or Lord Xu, who's in charge of justice and oversight?"

No, the first thing to do is to establish Wang Sizheng as the supervisor of all academies and martial arts schools, who will have the authority to oversee the extraordinary individuals.

Although Guangdong doesn't have a huge population, it has a lot of students, including many from Guangxi, Fujian, and Hunan. If things get chaotic, it will be a real problem.

After hearing this, all three of them were speechless.

Ronan's point is simple: even if they don't participate, they can't remain uninvolved.

Having successfully made the three of them worry about the future, Ronan should strike while the iron is hot and point out the direction.

In fact, Ronan's tactics are exactly the same as those that seem old-fashioned, even a bit stupid, in plays: first make people feel that they are in deep danger, and then he comes out and points out a way out.

“Lord Lü, only if you rebel too, will your relatives and friends not be easily harmed. Only in this way can the peaceful life you dream of come true.”

Persuading someone like Lü Delin, who lacks ambition, may seem difficult, but it's actually the easiest thing to do.

"Lord Xu, I know you don't agree with the practices of many places and people in the South right now, but that's precisely why you should join us. Otherwise, if those people really win, they will completely destroy the existing system in the Central Plains, turning the agricultural products, people, and other resources of the North into their own food, and growing into a monster. On the contrary, by joining us, you can become a part of planning the future."

Xu Tianci was very ambitious, but he did not want to see the system in the North disintegrate, and the right path was the best way to persuade him.

"Old Wang, let's take a gamble."

Wang Sizheng was a very traditional bureaucrat who valued wealth, status, and his descendants the most.

Lu Delin wavered, but still hesitated, so he asked, "What's the first thing to do after this committee is established?"

“Control the ports, and the customs,” Ronan replied directly.

"Scholar Luo, this will attract direct repercussions from the imperial court." Xu Tianci was dumbfounded, thinking to himself, does Luo Nan even understand what rebellion is? The so-called rebellion is about waiting for others to take the lead, developing yourself first, and then reaping the rewards.

Customs duties from Guangdong are a major source of revenue for the imperial court. If you take them, won't the court go crazy?

“I had someone check it out. Last year, there were all sorts of miscellaneous fees for exports and imports. The customs collected a total of 11,310,567 taels of silver. This year it will be less, but it will still be at least 10 million. We won’t take more, 3 million will be enough. We’ll report to the court and say that the war has broken out and business is impossible.”

"Compared to the extent we intercept tax revenue, some places in Jiangnan are much more ruthless, aren't they?"

Ronan said.

What he said was true. The reason why Ronan was so certain that Jiangnan was going to rebel was because in the eyes of the court, they had already rebelled. Not paying taxes properly was tantamount to treason.

Must hit hard!

Although Guangdong had this customs office, it was a place with only about five million people. Its overall output was far inferior to that of the Jiangnan region, the imperial court's primary source of tax revenue. Jiangnan had a large population, and the poll tax alone was an enormous sum. It was also famous for its developed textile industry, as well as salt, iron, tea, porcelain, and various other industries.

Therefore, it's really nothing that they intercepted millions from customs. In the Jiangnan region, even a tiny amount intercepted would amount to that number.

The reason why the imperial court suddenly ran out of money was ultimately because the tax revenue from the Jiangnan region had not been collected.

"Damn it, we'll teach these Jiangnan rebels a lesson for the country sooner or later!" Ronan said indignantly.

Judging from his voice alone, anyone who didn't know him would think he was a native of the Central Plains. However, he was just a foreign devil who had been living in the South.

For a moment, Lü Delin, Xu Tianci, and Wang Sizheng were all at a loss for words.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot. Regarding our committee, I personally think that Admiral Pei should serve as the chairman for the time being, and the heads of the other units can be elected internally after we are all here."

At this moment, Ronan revealed the true core of the matter.

The three were naturally opposed to Pei Jinghai becoming the chairman. What kind of military officer leads a team? That would be ridiculous. But considering that the committee is now called the Military Defense Committee, it would be acceptable to let him serve as chairman for the time being.

"A genuine internal election?" Xu Tianci asked tentatively.

"Of course it's true. Besides the people I personally suggested, other committee members can also recommend some people. Of course, we can't just put people in randomly. And we can't be as casual as we are now. Everything has to be done according to the rules. As for the rules, we'll discuss them after the committee is officially established."

Ronan said a lot of things, but the most important point was that he, this foreigner, would not dominate the committee, which was also the answer Xu Tianci wanted.

"I think this is a good idea," Wang Sizheng said, expressing his support.

Lu Delin, the second-in-command who always slacked off, still hesitated for a moment. "Mr. Luo, if you're serious, then what have you been doing all this for?"

"Heh, you can all see it clearly. This committee is just setting up a separate leadership team. If they succeed in seizing power in the future, this will be the new ruling body. Do you think I, a foreigner, would be the leader of Seris? As for why, it's very simple. We hope that this world can get rid of the old and move into a new era."

Chapter 909 Criticism, Exploitation, and the Myriad Bizarre Aspects of Party Factionality?

The day after successfully persuading the three highest-ranking officials in the provincial government—Lu, Xu, and Wang—a small meeting began at Ronan's home after dinner.

In the room, Ambrina lay half-reclined on Ronan's chaise lounge, reading an illustrated novel while eating potato chips. Her Chinese proficiency had improved dramatically in the past two years, to the point where she could read vernacular novels. In such a world with extraordinary powers, supernatural novels had little market among intellectuals, but novels about unsolved mysteries and strange cases in the streets and those that revealed human nature were very popular among "literati".

While Ambrina was idle, Isabelle and Dinia were not.

Isabel was very dissatisfied with the list of committee members that Ronan had proposed.

They're either officials or rich; is this some kind of revolution? It's more like a feudal restoration.

"You've disappointed me so much, Ronan. You're a dog that can't change its nature." Isabel's Chinese is getting better and better, but she's not very good at manners or politeness.

“Isa, I often eat you, do you mean…” Ronan chuckled.

Isabel slammed her hand on the coffee table. "Be serious, this is a public denunciation meeting!"

Ronan shrugged. "So what do you want?"

“Add some more people. There are quite a few knowledgeable and ambitious scholars in Guangdong. Although they are ordinary people, they are much better than those scoundrels and good-for-nothings in the government,” Isabel said. In her opinion, most of the people in the government were really too bad, including the three that Ronan had to persuade. Ultimately, it was because in Seris, as long as you were a superhuman, you would have a title and honor, and even the worst person could live off the emperor.

Of course, she was also someone who had been in the political arena for decades, and she understood that this was an attempt to co-opt people with united front value and to maintain stability.

"Yes, there are quite a few outstanding young mortal officials in the government."

Ronan said.

Government officials also have tasks to perform, and they can't do without diligent and hardworking people. Therefore, whether in the West or the East, ordinary people can become officials.

Isabel still had a lot of complaints, saying, "The government offices are full of lackeys."

"Then who are those people you're talking about?" Ronan asked.

"People who want to be slaves but can't, and start to wonder if there's something wrong with this world," Isabel replied.

"That's all?" Ronan said with a hint of disdain.

“There are still people who are genuinely planning to do something, at least for now,” Isabel said. In the decades she had spent in the Kingdom of Phos, she had seen countless passionate young people fall into corruption and decay in just a few years, turning from reform leaders into scourges. Ronan was constantly carrying out reforms, killing people and promoting others. In the past twenty years, the people who died the most were not old men who blocked his way, but rather former ambitious young people.

Ronan got up to pour tea, saying, "If we forcibly promote the mortals you favor, it will only make other comrades feel that we are seizing power."

"What comrades? How could those people understand our ideals?" Isabel said irritably.

Ronan poured tea for himself, Isa, and Didi, then sat back down. "So, what do you want?"

Isabel was increasingly losing her princess demeanor, taking a large gulp of water. "Since some people think they're not qualified, why not just make them superhumans? They're quite knowledgeable, and since they'll be involved in a lot of business and industry here, they at least have a foundation in mathematics, so they'll quickly master the basics of magic."