CHAPTER 173: CHAPTER 171 NEGOTIATION

Once again arriving at the parliament building, Perfikot actually felt quite sentimental.

Because the last time she came, it was very unpleasant, almost making her want to tear it down and hang all the noble pests who dared to mock her on the street lamps outside.

However, considering there weren’t enough street lamps outside the parliament building, Perfikot eventually gave up on this tempting idea.

For now, no one in the Noble Council dares to mock her face to face.

Firstly, it’s because of her status as the Northern Guardian and Count of Exploration. Mocking a noble orphan who has yet to inherit her family title is one thing; mocking an influential noble with true power in the Empire is quite another.

Both are Counts, but Perfikot indeed commands a true military force.

If anyone did mock Perfikot, there wouldn’t be a need for her to say anything; the Steam Knights of the White Bear Knight Order would throw a white glove in the opponent’s face and kill him with their steam-powered might.

As for another reason, now as the host of the Northern Territory development plan, the de facto Northern Guardian, and the real executor of the Empire’s end-time plan, there are far too many informed nobles hoping to obtain a ticket to the Northern Territory through her.

The news of abandoning homeland hasn’t leaked, but for those qualified to know about it, making advance preparations is only natural.

Last year, Perfikot hadn’t made any achievements in the Northern Territory yet, and she had always stayed there. These people had no channel to invest in and ally with her, only when someone, seeing an opportunity early, donated some money during the fundraiser at Windsor Castle.

But this merely allowed them to show their face before Perfikot; trying to make a deep impression on her was a mere fantasy.

Under such circumstances, these nobles can barely ingratiate and ally with her; how could they dare offend her?

Those unaware of the doomsday crisis equally dared not offend Perfikot, for she had just ended a war, killed millions, and demolished three cities, feats enough to leave a mark in history; Perfikot was indeed the hottest figure in Langton.

The military wished to raise Perfikot high above; who dared offend her would presumably be testing the military’s iron fist.

Thus, when Perfikot walked into the parliament building again, those who had mocked her, despised her, and made things difficult for her now showed servile obsequiousness or wore flattering smiles in front of her.

The saying indeed came true: when you have power and influence, there are no bad people by your side.

Perfikot didn’t care about these people; she simply went to the Commerce Minister’s office, already booked at yesterday’s Privy Council meeting, to discuss matters regarding the construction in the Northern Territory.

The reason for consulting with the Commerce Minister mainly stemmed from the fact that the Empire’s industrial production fell under the management of the Commerce Minister.

"Sir McIntock, I need to establish a complete industrial production system in the Northern Territory. I’ve already found a local steel company from the colony to handle the steel production, but I hope to set up the framework for other aspects by the end of the year." Perfikot, after driving away any unrelated personnel, looked at the Commerce Minister and got straight to the point: "You and I both know that the Empire doesn’t have much time left; to execute the end-time plan, a complete industrial production system in the Northern Territory is essential."

Sir McIntock nodded affirmatively, "Rest assured, Count Brandelis. Everyone reached a consensus at yesterday’s Privy Council meeting. I will coordinate domestic factories to provide you with the relevant equipment and coordinate a batch of worthwhile factories and enterprises to move to the Northern Territory for investment and open branches.

They will bring sufficient industrial capacity and related technical talents to the Northern Territory, though in this regard still requires your support, Count, and granting them the relevant permissions."

This matter was already agreed upon at yesterday’s Privy Council meeting; the Commerce Minister has informed some large factories and enterprises domestically, urging them to invest and set up factories in the Northern Territory.

Not transferring all of the domestic industrial capacity, but at least some production lines and technical workers need to be relocated.

But this not only requires cooperation on the domestic side but also Perfikot’s coordination in the Northern Territory.

Perfikot came today largely to connect on this matter.

Though the details don’t necessitate personal negotiation by two high-ranking imperial ministers, determining some general framework issues required Sir McIntock’s personal confirmation with Perfikot.

"No problem with that, I will open the Northern Territory to them. In fact, in my plan, the Northern Territory is intended to build an industrial city specifically for production." Perfikot disclosed some of her plans to Sir McIntock: "If these factories are willing to construct their facilities in the Northern Territory within the year, the favorable policies can be discussed, although they might not need them."

"I think they do require them; after all, even if the Empire abandons the homeland, under the threat of doomsday, everyone relocating to the Northern Territory cannot evade the taxes that need to be paid." Although Sir McIntock wasn’t a tax official, he maintained his stance on imposing taxes.

Perfikot nodded with satisfaction; indeed, this aspect, the interest problem, doesn’t involve much but a matter of respecting her position as Lord of the Northern Territory.

After all, strictly speaking, the Northern Territory is now her fief, and even if the Empire’s domestic forces, along with the Royal Family, migrated there, this aspect would not change, nor could it be changed.

If such a change could easily occur, the Empire’s legal and legitimate governance would be utterly obliterated.

Of course, more importantly, Perfikot, wielding the Steam Knights, has enough strength to ensure she can safeguard all of this.

While the Thermobaric Bomb on someone else’s head is the Empire’s national mystical artifact if thrown on oneself, it becomes a horror tale.

The Empire’s trendiest affairs were all invented by Perfikot; no one wishes to offend a vastly powerful genius at such a critical juncture.

Who knows, if she gets displeased, what amazing stuff she might pull from her pocket.

"Let’s host a reception together under our joint name to invite representatives from vital factories and enterprises that the Empire cannot afford to lose. Inform and guide them appropriately, urging them to voluntarily move to the Northern Territory for investment and factory establishment." Perfikot thought for a moment and suggested to Sir McIntock.