Beating Instances through Words Left by the Dead

Chapter 817: Chapter 357: The Unpopular Prime Minister Ron (Part 2)

Erin grabbed Wu Chang’s sleeve and looked at him with shining eyes, whispering:

”I want to see the source of everything clearly, I won’t interfere with your actions.”

Wu Chang sighed, Erin had said this much, what else could he do.

Of course, whatever she wants to do, let her do it.

In the end, if it all fails, just push through it.

The Demon-Breaking Bullet from the Steam Phantom Plane is indeed strong, but it’s not the Demon-Breaking Crossbow Arrow that can injure a God. With Erin’s power as a Principal Angel, unless there was a Plane Son, there’s nothing that could harm her.

Raventon turned back and asked:

”Do we need to adjust the route?”

Wu Chang shook his head and said, ”No need, just follow your original plan.”

Raventon tentatively asked, ”What’s going on with Miss Erin?”

Anyhow, given Erin’s disposition, she’ll reveal it herself sooner or later, so he said:

”My wife is a believer of the Church and is very sensitive to those in trouble, she’s not quite used to Grimland.”

”Saint Bishop?” Raventon asked softly, as Saint Bishop is not popular in Grimland.

Wu Chang said, ”It’s an outside religion called the Eternal Light Sect.”

Raventon recalled for a moment and then shook his head, saying: ”This is the first time I’ve heard of it.”

After the brief episode, the three continued their journey.

The carriage passed through the city area, and Raventon resumed the rhythm from before, introducing the surroundings to Wu Chang.

”Most of those here are New Nobility, who have earned considerable wealth through free trade. Many have accumulated more wealth in just four or five years than the Old Nobility with centuries of family assets.”

”As the richest people in the world, they are the biggest supporters of the Liberal Party and have considerable influence in the Lower House.”

In Stilan’s political scene, it is mainly divided into two major parties, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party.

The Conservative Party is primarily composed of Land Nobility, while the Liberal Party is composed mostly of New Nobility and mid-tier classes arising from industrial and economic development.

Wu Chang asked, ”I remember you said Prime Minister Ron supports the repeal of the grain laws and advocates free trade, he must have a lot of support from these New Nobility.”

Raventon denied, ”On the contrary, they don’t like Prime Minister Ron.”

Wu Chang curiously asked, ”Why?”

Raventon said, ”Although Prime Minister Ron’s stance conflicts with most members of the Conservative Party, he remains a staunch Conservative, refusing multiple times to join the Liberal Party.”

”Given Prime Minister Ron’s influence in Stilan, if he reforms the Conservative Party to be less conservative, the Liberal Party’s days would be tough.”

Wu Chang, chin in hand, said, ”Prime Minister Ron is seen as a traitor by the Conservative Party, yet doesn’t join the Liberal Party, making him feared by the Liberal Party. It seems he’s made enemies of everyone except Her Majesty the Queen.”

Raventon chuckled, hinting:

”As a member of the Secret Magic Knight Order, I have absolute loyalty to the Queen, but frankly speaking, compared to the former King, Her Majesty the Queen’s power has been mostly divided by Parliament.”

”All that power divided away is essentially in the Prime Minister’s hands.”

Wu Chang understood Raventon’s meaning; nominally, the Prime Minister exercises the King’s powers on behalf of the Queen.

But power, more intimate than a partner, hardly has a notion of being exercised on behalf of someone.

Any ambitious Monarch is naturally at odds with the Prime Minister.

And Olivia, her ambitions are definitely not small.

”Well, it seems our Prime Minister Ron really has no friends left.”

Coming out from several core areas of Grimland, Wu Chang began to understand why Raventon previously mentioned he’d yearn for the clean Hills River.

Leaving the western area, factories billowing black smoke started appearing by the riverside, and steamships carrying goods began to populate the river, busy with activity.

As a price, the water of Hills River started to turn murky, giving off a foul odor.

Raventon’s chosen route passed by the docks, where huge shipyards could be seen docked nearby.

Transitioning from the political and economic center to the commercial district, both the city’s environment and people’s living standards visibly declined.

Moreover, groups of protesters were seen on the streets from time to time.

Judging by their flags and slogans, the protests were against the grain laws.

Wu Chang thought of something and said:

”I recall you mentioned the grain laws significantly impact industrial development, and the main force opposing the grain laws are the New Nobility who own factories and the lower-class citizens, with Prime Minister Ron being the primary advocate for opposing the grain laws.”

”Then these New Nobility owning factories must support Prime Minister Ron.”

Raventon was silent for a moment, then said, ”Actually, they don’t support Prime Minister Ron either.”

Wu Chang slowly formed a question mark, ”What’s the reason this time.”

He couldn’t believe Prime Minister Ron could be disliked to such an extent; it had to be Raventon deliberately targeting him.

Raventon saw Wu Chang’s thoughts and said:

”There are many reasons; Prime Minister Ron opposes the grain laws now, but years ago, he was a staunch supporter, assisting the Old Nobility in suppressing the New Nobility, so there’s been longstanding resentment.”

”Early last year, Prime Minister Ron also pushed for the establishment of the Factory Technique, legislating 9-13 year-old child workers to work no more than 9 hours a day.”

”How much?” Wu Chang scratched his ears, doubting he was hearing things.

Raventon said, ”It’s quite shocking, right? Before the Factory Technique, child workers had working hours comparable to adult workers, averaging 14 hours a day.”