The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

“My uncle has no more affection for me. The remnants of the Witch King’s faction are worsening the security situation in various parts of the territory. In addition, there are troops that have been stationed on the border of Victoria. I have no bargaining chips left.”

He covered his face.

He dared not show this vulnerable side in front of anyone else, not even his wife.

But Warner knew that deep down he was still the spoiled brat who had always liked to escape since childhood, the second son who was pampered by his father and brother.

He is still able to hold on because he wants to carry on the will of his father and brother, and to protect his wife and children from the storms of life.

However, only half a year has passed—in just six months, he is already on the verge of being overwhelmed by the pressure.

Qiao Yelan listened quietly, knowing it wasn't his turn to speak yet.

He was certainly aware of Werner's current situation—after all, if Werner still had leverage, Qiao Yelan wouldn't have been the first to approach the Hochberg family.

The Tower of Babel is more than willing to be anyone's last straw.

"I want to ask you for a favor—please take my wife away from Shitongling."

The man's voice was tired, but calm.

“Take her to Trinitylme or even to Da Yan, that would be even better. In short, get them away from here and away from politics.”

“I don’t know how much longer I can hold on, or how much longer Shitongling can last, but I will continue to hold on—it’s just a matter of dying. Compared to being assassinated by someone with the same Hochberg surname, dying by the sword of the Duke of Wellington is not a bad thing.”

The emotions are there.

When a person has calmly made arrangements for the end of their own life, they will no longer care about any other additional benefits.

We're already at the bottom; whichever way we go, it's upwards, isn't it?

“Elector Werner Hochberg, things don’t seem to have reached that worst point yet—those forces opposing you can form so many allies, why don’t you try to form some alliances?”

Qiao Yelan's words did not elicit a response from Werner.

"Allies... the Hochberg family, or rather, the Shitong territory that I currently control, what allies do I have left?"

“The Duke of Wellington can sign defensive and offensive alliance treaties with other dukes in the surrounding area, so I think you are not the only elector who will be deterred – after all, there are more than one electoral districts that border Windermere and the Duchy of Wellington.”

Qiao Yelan began by offering a preliminary suggestion to elicit further discussion.

"You could start making connections now and get the electors on the Victorian border to sign a tit-for-tat alliance. That would at least make the other side a little wary."

"It's meaningless. The conflicts between the Electors are no less intense than those between the Grand Dukes of Victoria. These alliances are just pieces of paper. Those so-called 'allies' who signed them will not send troops or contribute their strength during wartime."

Walner wasn't satisfied with Qiao Yelan's empty promise; instead, he kindly began to explain the reasons to the other party.

"What the Duke of Wellington wants is the binding force of the alliance—because his own military strength is enough to crush us, as long as other forces remain neutral and do not stab him in the back when he sends troops."

“But we are different. We really need to unite to resist. This is something that a fake alliance cannot buy. So this won’t fool that old man on the other side.”

Qiao Yelan also sighed and nodded.

"You're right, I was indeed too presumptuous."

"The word 'ally' is not so easy to use, and I am now an outcast in the eyes of the electors—I hastily offered my loyalty before the emperor had demonstrated sufficient power, which is something they scorn."

"Hmph, they're nothing but cowardly dogs who bully the weak and fear the strong. Back when the Witch King was in power, they were the ones who fawned over the Emperor of Letania the most."

Qiao Yelan angrily uttered a remark—then his eyes lit up.

“It suddenly occurred to me, Your Excellency Walner, that you are not without allies—aren’t the Queens your best allies?”

Qiao Yelan's words startled the man, who lowered his hands and his mind resumed functioning.

“You were the first to stand up and support Her Majesty the Queens. At that time, outsiders didn’t know much about the inside story of my negotiations with you. They just thought that you chose to give up.”

"As the first elector to pledge allegiance to His Majesty and to publicly acknowledge the emperors—Her Majesty the Empress speaks highly of you. They will certainly not want to see their only staunch supporter fall."

Qiao Yelan said somewhat anxiously.

"Although I've been busy with the Lungmen Coin project and even managed to get a job in the Great Yan government, I still know about Trinitylme—it's completely stable there now, and Her Majesty the Queens are undertaking massive construction projects to provide enough industrial jobs. It's a thriving place."

"Having weathered the most turbulent period, the empresses now have the resources to intervene in affairs in other regions—why don't you try seeking help from Her Majesties?"

Walner was now sitting up straight, no longer looking as dejected as before.

"Lord Qiao Yelan, I remember you were once an advisor to those two emperors?"

“That’s right. At that time, I was in charge of the trade between Da Yan and Letania. In order to stabilize the situation, I chose to pledge allegiance to the twin emperors. Now Da Yan needs me to do other things, so I got this title.”

Volner nodded knowingly. Given the situation of Trinity at the time, Qiao Yelan, a merchant with the background of the Great Yan, certainly did not want Letania to continue to be in turmoil. Therefore, it was perfectly reasonable for him to go to the Twins' command, settle some things for them, help them secure their position, and continue this trade.

"Are you sure that His Majesty and the others can really spare some resources to help me right now?"

"That's natural. When I was on a mission before, I also passed through Trinitylme. It was just after the New Year, but the whole city already looked quite new. The ruins had been almost completely cleared up, and there were construction sites in many places. Large areas of land were being renovated."

Qiao Yelan said confidently.

“Well, Lord Volner, if you are so inclined, I will pass through Trilintelme again on my return to the Great Yan – I would be happy to act as your secret messenger.”

Walner was once again swayed by Qiao Yelan's words.

What he lacks most right now is a mobile force—Wolner has already played all his cards and is locked in a stalemate with all the opposing forces. In this balanced situation, any new force could immediately break the deadlock.

As long as the empresses send an army to help him quickly quell the dissent within Shitongling, and then rely on the funds from the Tower of Babel to stabilize public sentiment, he can overcome this difficulty and rebuild Shitongling into a unified entity!

"Your Excellency Qiao Yelan, this matter must be kept secret, so I have no choice but to ask you for help."

The man bowed deeply to Qiao Yelan.

"If this succeeds, Hochberg will forever remember this kindness and will never betray it!"

Alright, another pawn has something to thank Qiao Yelan for allowing it to become a pawn—

Although he didn't know he was a pawn.

But it doesn't matter, the other electors don't know either.

Chapter 128 Graduation

"Long time no see, teacher."

"Hmm? Helena, why are you looking for me? Where is Ivignad?"

Qiao Yelan looked at the Black Sheep Empress in front of her with some surprise.

"Does the teacher prefer to see Ivignad?"

Herlinmat's voice was devoid of any discernible emotion.

“How could that be? You are both my students, and I like both of you equally. It’s just that last time it was Ivignad who came to see me, and I thought that when I visited Triinttelme again this time, it would be her again.”

Qiao Yelan waved his hand.

Helena then smiled.

“Ivignad has been busy with official duties recently, so I am here to receive you and listen to your teachings.”

Yes, it was her last time, so this time it's my turn.

"I see... That makes sense. After all, everything is back on track now, it's certainly not an easy task."

Qiao Yelan didn't think too much about it; the other party's reasons were quite valid.

"Teacher, how long will you be staying here on your way back this time?"

"Three days. This is just a detour on the way back. It's not a formal visit. After a few polite greetings, we will set off back to Da Yan."

"Oh......"

The Empress was somewhat disappointed.

"After I finish dealing with the matters of the Great Yan, I will go back to Letania for a while to take a good look at Trinitylme for you, and also help you deal with the issues in Syracuse."

"Okay, then I will definitely prepare in advance."

Herlinmatt's droopy ears perked up again.

Qiao Yelan subconsciously reached out and touched it. The Empress's face flushed slightly, but she quickly suppressed her emotions and quietly let her teacher continue touching her ear.

"Ahem, sorry, Helena Mat, just now suddenly—uh..."

He suddenly realized that the person opposite him wasn't Kal'tsit, but his student. He tried to come up with an excuse, but couldn't manage to come up with one for a while.

"It's okay, teacher, please touch it a little longer."

Herlinmat gripped Qiao Yelan's hand, which was halfway back, and forcefully pressed it against her ear.

“Uh, no need, Helena Mat, I was being very rude—”

"Touch it a little longer."

"Really not—"

"Touch it a little longer."

"......it is good."

Qiao Yelan finally couldn't resist his student's request and touched the soft ear for a while longer.

My own students are better; they only ask me to touch their ears, unlike my previous self.

He thought to himself with satisfaction.

What? I knew my students couldn't possibly have problems—that guy must have been out of his mind before, choosing such students.