The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

"This is the record of all the proceedings in the Ursus Council since you left—this one is about the movements of the nobles, and these are all the commercial groups or other front companies that have been found under the civil service."

"Okay, I'll observe slowly. During this time, your people shouldn't do anything. There will be many eyes watching us, and any flaw could expose our plan."

Qiao Yelan took the document and said without looking up.

"Understood, please enjoy your meal—if you require anything, please ring the bell."

Yefim pushed the food cart and left Qiao Yelan's suite.

After Yefim left, a phantom black shadow emerged from Qiao Yelan's body.

"Is it really necessary to go this far? If I remember correctly, didn't you already lay the groundwork last time you came? Can't we just execute your plan this time?"

Kosichello asked listlessly, as she was currently in a state of blind trust in Qiao Yelan's abilities.

Since witnessing firsthand how Qiao Yelan stirred up trouble between Ursus, Letania, and Kazimierz in Kazimierz, she had essentially given up trying to guess Qiao Yelan's intentions.

Being taken along by someone and experiencing every scene, just when you think the other party has finally set up every piece and laid the groundwork, and is about to start—you find that it's actually over.

You might think they're playing chess, but they're actually just doing a jigsaw puzzle.

This isn't even a game anymore, how are we supposed to play it?

"What did I foreshadow? I just got out of bed and heard that you were kicked out of the Dragon Gate by two young men. Then I asked around and found out that the Lord of Chernobog had torn up the treaty, Vladimir had died of illness, and there was infighting in Ursus."

Qiao Yelan said irritably.

“Last time I was here for more than a month, including twenty days of travel and a week watching the dogs fight in parliament—tell me, what groundwork did I lay?”

Kosichello blinked.

“Uh—that Imperial Judge.”

"You said you're a judge, can't you see that I took advantage of his sense of justice last time? Do you think someone with such a strong sense of justice is easy to use?"

"And that labor foreman."

"That guy has no background and no power. He should be grateful that his head is still on his neck. Do you think he can stir up any trouble by himself without those judges?"

"...Where is Nikolai?"

“This time, I applied directly to Speaker Witt, that B. Yefim even had to disguise himself as the hotel manager to see me. Do you think he could have gotten involved in this?”

Qiao Yelan's question made Kosichrie realize a problem: it seemed that the people Qiao Yelan had recruited last time were pawns who could only play a role in specific circumstances—they really couldn't help Qiao Yelan with what he was trying to do now.

"Then what are you doing now?"

"Put the bait in, and then wait for the fish to react."

"what?"

Qiao Yelan tapped the thick mahogany table helplessly.

"This place, the Bellemont Hotel, is known for its high-end luxury consumption and powerful background. Now, an outsider has ostentatiously booked the entire place, and for a long time. People outside who don't know the situation will definitely try to find out who is staying here."

Kosiché nodded; she could understand it.

"Next, we just need to wait for the other fish to gather over, and also wait for Speaker Witt's reaction."

"His reaction? It'll either be to see you immediately, or to delay seeing you for a while, right?"

“You’re right—if he immediately accepts my request to meet, it means he’s in a very bad situation and desperately needs new external forces to break the deadlock. He may not even care about the source of that force or the cost.”

The dark figure tumbled over and then let out a sound of sudden realization.

"That's right. Since this guy desperately needs help, your actions are like providing charcoal in snowy weather. Naturally, you'll get his cooperation and also gain a favor..."

Seeing Qiao Yelan's disappointed expression, Kosichek's voice grew softer and softer.

"I've been with you for two months, and this is all you've learned?"

Kosichello was momentarily stunned.

Was there anything wrong with what she just said?

“This guy has been with Vladimir all the way. Apart from Fyodor, Vladimir probably has the highest expectations for him—because he hopes to weaken and suppress the current Ursus noble class through the Ursus Council led by Witt.”

"If I were to interfere halfway through and disrupt the level of trust between him and Fyodor, this guy could fall to the point of desperately needing an external source of power within a year—then he wouldn't be qualified to lead the Ursus Council anymore. I could just crush him and give Nikolai a bunch of gold coins."

what?

"Offering help in times of need depends on the recipient. Some people are just one step away from recovery and can then generate more value, while others are just trying to make a final struggle before they die, intending to go all in with all their chips."

Qiao Yelan sighed.

This snake looks like it's just copying what I've learned.

"So if Witt meets with you soon, you're planning to just kill him?"

"Correct."

"What if he chooses to wait?"

"That means the situation is still under his control—which means His Majesty Fyodor still desperately needs support, and the nobles' resentment and anger towards Witte are growing day by day."

The man's calm voice revealed the future path of Ursus.

"In the name of the Tower of Babel—we will meet all the needs of our customers."

Chapter 164 Even if it's just a little bit of capitalism.

"Doctor, this is all the invitations that have been sent to you up until today, inviting you to banquets and requesting visits—it's all here."

Ace, carrying a large stack of things, pushed open the door to Qiao Yelan's suite.

Since that private meeting with Alexander, Qiao Yelan has booked the hotel for five whole days, and starting from the second day, the quantity of these items has been increasing exponentially with each passing day.

It seems that everyone in the entire Saint Eagle Fortress is a kind person who wants to be friends with Qiao Yelan.

"Okay, has it been categorized yet?"

"Yes, they have all been sorted. They have all been divided into three parts according to your list."

Ace placed two large documents on Qiao Yelan's desk, while the third part consisted of only one letter.

Qiao Yelan raised an eyebrow, ignoring the other two large stacks, and directly picked up the lone letter.

It had a familiar signature on it.

Yegor Terekin, Minister of Labor of the Empire.

Upon opening it, one finds a long string of official statements that highlight the writer's humility and respect, and express the hope that the two sides can engage in a series of collaborations in the economic and commercial spheres in the future.

He looked at this meaningless nonsense and shook his head almost imperceptibly.

"Is this the only letter sent from the third part of the list?"

"Yes."

Qiao Yelan nodded, picked up all the invitations and visit requests, had Ace push him next to the fireplace, and then threw them into the fireplace while glancing at the names.

In the end, all that was left was the official invitation from Yegor.

"It seems the political situation in Ursus is much better than I thought; everyone is quite calm."

Qiao Yelan's voice revealed no emotion.

"So, no important figures have sent you invitations yet?"

Koschländer floated out of Qiao Yelan's body, and Ace's expression clearly showed that he had gotten used to it.

“Speaker Witt knows about my performance in front of Fyodor, but he is wary and suspicious of my arrival this time, so he is unwilling to meet me before he is fully prepared. Therefore, it is only natural that he would reveal my name and identity to other forces and let them act as pawns to test me.”

"The problem is that the information he provided was also inaccurate. All the nobles knew was that I had been Nicholas's intermediary and also yours, and that I was a political broker without principles who only cared about profit."

Qiao Yelan explained patiently.

“But this time I came not in your name, nor did I have any contact with Nicholas’s people. Instead, I met directly with Speaker Witte’s people. This will put the nobles in a dilemma. On the one hand, they are very wary and worried that it might be a trap deliberately set by Witte’s side. On the other hand, they are really eager to learn about the true situation of Witte’s side through me.”

Black Snake shook her head; she knew that every step Qiao Yelan took had its purpose.

"So, what are you going to do next?"

"Since everyone is very interested in me but can't figure out what I'm up to, it's only natural to let some word out."

Qiao Yelan handed the letter in her hand to Ace.

"According to the address above, have someone prepare an invitation to invite the Minister of Labor of the Empire to come over, and say that I am very interested in the cooperation he mentioned."

"Yes."

Only after Ace left did Kosichello turn his gaze away from the closed door.

"It's this Yegor again? You seem to think highly of him."

"A capable and loyal person should always receive the treatment he deserves."

Qiao Yelan answered the question casually.

"Last time, he was prepared to be pushed out as an explanation to the nobles, but he resolutely followed my plan and even made arrangements for his family's escape route."

"In return, I managed to make an impression on him with Fyodor, as a trump card for his survival—but now it seems that Fyodor only managed to save his life, without gaining his loyalty."

"Oh, how do you know that?"

Kosichrie also saw the invitation filled with official language, but she didn't understand what Qiao Yelan was talking about.