The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

"It's nothing, I've heard about it. The Great Yan has sent out another new Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies to pave the way for the issuance of the Lungmen Coin—if I seize this opportunity, I will definitely do my best to gain benefits for myself."

Kosiché seemed very easy to talk to. Even though she had a very good understanding of economics, she could tell from the example of a unified currency that there were huge benefits involved.

"Yes, after a trip to Victoria, it's basically settled. Letania and Lateran have also expressed their willingness to support us—now only Ursus and Kazimierz remain."

Qiao Yelan nodded.

"As for Kazimierz, whether it's the Tower of Babel or your status, things should be easy to handle there, right? On the other hand, in Ursus, the country lacks a decisive person, and the various parties are in a very fragmented state."

"Now, on the surface, the court in Ursus is already showing signs of splitting into four factions. The military and the nobles are naturally in separate camps. And after Fyodor took control of the First Army Group, a rift has developed between him and Speaker Witt. The two sides are starting to diverge."

Kosiché frowned as he spoke to Qiao Yelan about the current situation in Ursus.

“Grand Duke Nicholas is in the best position right now because although he proposed disarmament, he has been so lax in supervising the disarmament that he could flood the entire Northern Wasteland. So the nobles still give him face. The emperor has received the legions and positions he has paid tribute to, and Speaker Witte has already made a deal with him through your mediation.”

“That’s natural. Grand Duke Nicholas is the weakest in political maneuvering. If I don’t help him build good relationships with those around him beforehand, I’ll probably be attending his funeral next time I go to Ursus.”

Qiao Yelan wasn't particularly surprised.

The farce surrounding the "Infected Persons Act" allowed Nikolai to cut his losses and survive. By only giving up the position of police chief corrupted by the nobility, he gained enough political capital to squander for several years. If Nikolai could then turn against others again within a year, that would be a bit too outrageous.

"But you're wrong about one thing."

"what?"

Kosiché was somewhat puzzled.

"It's actually easier to persuade Ursus to support LMD, rather than those two countries."

Qiao Yelan smiled and shook her index finger, denying what Koschich had said earlier.

"But the hardest to persuade are actually those guys in Kazimierz who truly understand the workings of business—"

"Because in their eyes, watching others make money is more painful than losing money themselves."

Chapter 163 Witt: That sounds familiar

This time, Qiao Yelan did not pass through Trilintelme again, but went directly north from western Letania, entered Ursus territory, and took the route through Chernobog to reach the Ursus capital.

Now that the situation in Letania has stabilized and the twins are capable enough to stand on their own, Qiao Yelan will delegate as much authority to them as possible.

Although some of the guys might accidentally slip and kill themselves, or cause some trouble, Qiao Yelan is still just a human being—he has to prevent himself from being exhausted to death.

Therefore, apart from inspecting Sergei's work progress again when passing through Chernobog, Qiao Yelan led Kosichev to St. Eagle Castle without any hindrance.

It was springtime in 1079—of course, spring always comes late to Saint-Eagle Castle.

"Welcome back to Saint Eagle Castle, Mr. Qiao Yelan."

"Thank you for your hospitality—to be honest, I am quite flattered that Your Excellency the Speaker would send you to pick me up, Your Excellency Alexander."

Qiao Yelan smiled and shook hands with the man.

“You are His Highness Kosiché’s chief administrator. It would be a great disrespect to you if I were not here to greet you.”

Alexander Ivanov, the secretary-general to Speaker Witt, wore an extremely solemn expression.

What he didn't say was that when Speaker Witt assigned him this task, he solemnly told him to be careful with every word he said to the other party, and to say as little as possible.

"You're too kind—I've come to Saint Eagle Castle to discuss a deal with Speaker Witt. I wonder when Your Excellency would be willing to see me?"

"Your Excellency Speaker has been very busy lately. Please wait a few days, Mr. Qiao Yelan. I will go back and report to Mr. Witte to see if you can find the time to see me."

Qiao Yelan still had that same smiling face.

"I'm glad that the Speaker is willing to see me. I'll be waiting for your good news. I'll be staying at the Bellmond Hotel for the time being. Whenever the Speaker is free, please send a servant to deliver a message."

"Okay, which room do you want to stay in?"

"Which room? No, the one at the Bellemont Hotel—"

Qiao Yelan paused for a moment, then smiled and corrected him.

"I've already booked the entire hotel."

A barely perceptible look of surprise crossed Alexander's face.

As the most prestigious hotel in Ursus, the Fortress of the Eagles is so renowned that booking the entire place requires not only an astronomical check but also extensive connections.

And this is the price for each day.

Because this hotel is a favorite place for high-ranking officials and nobles to stay and hold banquets, booking it for one more day means offending one more person.

Judging from Qiao Yelan's tone, he clearly intended to keep the money until he left Shengjun Eagle Castle.

"I understand. Is there anything else?"

"No, please convey my greetings to His Excellency the Speaker."

"I will."

After saying goodbye, the two got into their cars and drove off in different directions.

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"You mean, that guy booked the entire Bellemont Hotel?"

"Yes."

"Didn't he say he wanted to see me soon?"

"No."

"And then he left?"

"Yes."

After a brief exchange, Speaker Witt frowned.

What exactly does this guy surnamed Qiao want to do?

With the title of Grand Duke Kosiché, booking a hotel for a few days shouldn't be a problem. After all, this Grand Duke is known for his lack of desire, and nobody is interested in provoking an immortal being who is also the highest-ranking noble in Ursus.

However, the price for booking a hotel for these few days is something that the impoverished Grand Duchy of Cosice could not afford.

Witt hadn't forgotten that he had given Qiao Yelan a large sum of money before, and the other party had reciprocated by helping to set up a smuggling route with Kazimierz. Although it was a bit roundabout, it was incredibly stable.

Given the current chaotic and unpredictable situation in Ursus, a stable source of income is more important than anything else.

Clearly, Qiao Yelan is a money-grubbing scoundrel, and the so-called "Chief Administrator of the Siberian Vice-Kingdom" is just a title on his extensive business card. Kosiché and Qiao Yelan are probably just business partners, not superiors and subordinates.

Such a person with connections and influence suddenly arriving at Saint-Germain Castle and so ostentatiously booking out what is widely recognized as the most luxurious hotel in high society must have something on his mind.

"Your Excellency Speaker, do you intend to see him now, or...?"

Alexander noticed Speaker Witt's hesitation.

"No rush, let him wait a few days—a few more days. I met him last time, and he's very sensitive about money. He's unwilling to give up even a penny of the benefits that are rightfully his to others, but conversely, he doesn't mind serving anyone if it brings him profit."

The speaker waved his hand.

His usual practice was to plan carefully before making a decision. Before he could figure out Qiao Yelan's intentions and the other party's true plans, he still intended to remain unchanged in the face of all changes.

“Now, every day spent in a hotel is a drain on money. As a political broker, he cannot tolerate such unprofitable expenditures—so he will be anxious and naturally take action.”

The secretary-general nodded slightly.

Any action taken will inevitably reveal flaws.

“We’re not in a hurry. Although His Majesty Fyodor has been somewhat biased towards the military lately, he still needs to rely on us when it comes to dealing with the nobles. That guy Nicholas is good at commanding troops, but it’s better to give him a knife and let him go and chop people directly than to let him get involved in political infighting.”

Witte calmly delivered his final proposal.

"Have someone monitor that hotel, see where his men go, and see who else wants to get in."

----------------------------------------------------------

"Mr. Qiao Yelan."

A man dressed as a butler bowed respectfully to Qiao Yelan.

"Yefim—Grand Duke Nicholas actually decided to let you come here?"

Qiao Yelan was somewhat surprised.

Isn't this the nanny that Nikolai assigned to his son?

"His Excellency Anatoly is busy rebuilding the new Sixth Army. His Majesty the Grand Duke said that this task, from logistics to training, must be handled by His Excellency Anatoly. This is a punishment and a test for him—so I'm quite free lately."

Yefim explained.

“I have always been in charge of administrative matters, so after receiving the secret letter personally delivered by Grand Duke Cosice, His Excellency ordered me to fully cooperate with your actions.”

It would be strange if a hotel that could become famous in the Ursus capital didn't have a powerful backer, but the one behind it was rather chilling—the Ursus Empire Security Committee.

Perhaps his other name is more familiar to people.

Special Committee for the Suppression of Counter-Revolutionaries.

What place could be better for intelligence gathering than a hotel favored by the nobility?

If they can't even conceal the background of a hotel, then they don't deserve to be feared by all the surrounding countries, or even by the people of Ursus.

"Where's what I want?"

Yefim lifted the curtain of the dining car that was being pushed in and took out a stack of documents from underneath.