The waves raised across the Terra continent by Lacey's coronation speech and the "Proclamation to the Talented of the World" did not stop at the level of public opinion.
Just as the Dukes of Victoria feared, the flames of the people's revolution were spreading outwards at an incredible speed.
And Lacey understood well the truth that "a single spark can start a prairie fire."
He cast his gaze toward Columbia, which bordered Leithanien—that land known for technology and freedom.
Unlike the arrogance of the Victorian nobility, Columbia's civilian technology organizations held a complex interest in the changes occurring in Leithanien.
Serafina, the newly appointed Minister of External Relations, established a covert and efficient communications network.
She established contact with independent researchers in Columbia who were marginalized by the military-industrial complex and exploited by mega-corporations.
In the Columbian border city of Boston, an underground technology organization named the "Society of Free Will" received a secret letter from Leithanien.
The letter was encrypted via telegraph and encoded personally by Serafina.
"If you are tired of designing toys for capitalists who only know how to make money, if you yearn for a paradise where you can freely explore the mysteries of technology, then please come to Leithanien."
"You will receive all the funding, resources, and freedom you need."
"His Majesty the Emperor promises that your research results will serve only the people."
The leader of the Society of Free Will, an engineer named Wright Black, looked at the letter and remained silent for a long time.
He had once worked for Columbia's largest military industrial enterprise, designing reconnaissance drones that were technologically far superior to contemporary products, yet they were rejected due to cost issues.
His team was subsequently disbanded, and their research findings were shelved.
Now, the invitation from Leithanien shone like a beam of light into his long-suppressed heart.
Wright's reply was quickly transmitted back to Trullinczentyr.
Serafina reported this to Lacey.
Lacey was not surprised in the least.
He believed that under the decaying systems of the old world, there were too many talented individuals whose abilities went unrecognized.
They did not lack love for their country; rather, they did not love a country held hostage by capital and nobility.
Leithanien would become their haven.
At Lacey's instruction, Serafina launched a month-long secret negotiation with Wright's team.
The negotiations covered technology transfer, personnel placement, and intellectual property protection.
Meklen Neum, the Minister of Economy who always meant business, also joined in.
He accurately assessed the commercial value of these technologies and proposed a series of cooperation models, ensuring that while Leithanien acquired the technology, it could also maximize the utilization of its commercial potential.
Ultimately, the two parties reached a secret agreement: the Society of Free Will would relocate entirely to Leithanien, bringing all their research findings, including the preliminary concepts for an "Originium-powered miniaturized platform," fundamental theories of fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, and several advanced material science formulas.
In return, Lacey promised to provide them with an independent research institute and set up a special research fund free from interference by any department.
On the night the agreement was signed, Serafina watched Lacey in his office.
She could perceive the turbulence within his heart.
She brought him a cup of hot tea and asked softly, "Your Majesty, what are you thinking?"
"I am thinking about the expressions those people will have when that day comes, when our warplanes soar over Trullinczentyr and our tanks rumble across the border."
Lacey's gaze was profound, as if he had already seen that scene.
Serafina smiled and did not reply.
...
After the cooperation with the Columbian technology organization made substantive progress, Lacey immediately convened a cabinet meeting.
He announced the designation of an area in the suburbs of Trullinczentyr for the establishment of the "Imperial Academy of Sciences" and the "Industrial Technology Research Institute."
Meklen Neum was given full authority over the allocation of funds and resources.
Meklen was overjoyed.
He needed to apply to Leinia, the Minister of Taxation, for a massive sum of money to build laboratories, purchase equipment, and settle the personnel.
Leinia listened to Meklen's grand plans during the meeting.
While Meklen spoke incessantly about "technological monopolies," "market potential," and "future returns," she simply took notes quietly.
After the meeting, Meklen excitedly went to Leinia's office.
He placed a thick budget report on her desk: "Minister Leinia, this is the first phase funding application I have drafted. Please take a look."
Leinia put on her glasses and turned through it page by page.
She examined every expenditure very carefully, from the purchase of experimental equipment to the salaries of the researchers.
Meklen waited nervously on the side; he knew this iron-willed Minister of Taxation was not easy to talk to.
Half an hour later, Leinia took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"Minister Meklen, there are three points in your budget that I do not understand."
Meklen's heart instantly jumped to his throat: "Please speak."
"First, why is the annual salary of the Columbian researchers thirty percent higher than that of the local researchers at the Imperial Academy of Sciences?"
Meklen explained: "This is because they bring their own technology and are international talents; this portion of the expenditure is to attract them."
"Second, why is the decoration budget for their laboratories three times higher than that of ordinary laboratories?"
"Well..." Meklen felt a bit guilty, "They requested independent ventilation systems and constant temperature equipment. These are necessary conditions to guarantee precision experiments."
"Third, why is the startup capital you applied for 12 million Imperial Marks, whereas by my rough estimate, 8 million would be the maximum needed?"
A trace of embarrassment flashed across Meklen's face, and he gave two dry coughs: "Minister Leinia, as you know, budgets often exceed expectations. I applied for a bit more to cope with emergencies."
...
Leinia did not speak, but simply looked at him quietly.
Meklen's heart was about to beat out of his chest.
"Minister Meklen." Leinia finally spoke. "I understand your concerns, but every penny in the national treasury comes from the blood and sweat of the Leithanien people."
"I will approve the funds you applied for, but there is an attached condition."
Meklen's eyes widened: "What condition?"
"The use of all funds must be subject to the strictest auditing by the Ministry of Taxation," Leinia's voice allowed for no doubt.
"Any excess expenditure, or any funds with unknown destinations, will be investigated."
The smile on Meklen's face froze.
He knew that Leinia was guarding against him.
He had originally intended to pad the budget with some "water" to skim some benefits for himself, but now it seemed that calculation had completely fallen through.
He resentfully put away the report and muttered, "Minister Leinia, you really are... too serious."
Leinia smiled and did not refute him.
Lacey watched this scene from a distance in the hallway.
He did not intervene.
What he needed was exactly this kind of cabinet—performing their respective duties while checking and balancing each other.
________________________________________
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