The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

The last time in Kazimir...

【noble?】

"Yes, they are nobles."

What can the nobles do now? And can I gain their trust now?

Kosiché was clearly still somewhat unsure of what he was supposed to do.

At this point, it's only natural that the understanding and caring Qiao Yelan would help her solve her problems.

"Do you think the current aristocracy would welcome my industrial reform plan?"

[Impossible. Putting aside the fact that your reform plan offers them no benefit, the fact that it was proposed jointly by Witte and Fyodor alone will definitely lead them to oppose it.]

The industries controlled by the nobles were mostly the result of Vladimir's first industrial reforms. Apart from a large amount of mining and primary processing, most of the remaining industries were related to the military.

This means that when the Ursus Empire began the second half of its plan, shifting industrial development towards civilian industries, these nobles were unable to keep up.

“That’s right, but they will find that they can’t control it—because they don’t have enough power on their own and they need to find more support.”

Qiao Yelan's expression remained kind and amiable.

So, they'll ask me for help?

"why not?"

What can I do to help them? I almost never make a public appearance at St. Eagle Castle, and of course, no one would think I'd help them hold off Fyodor. I think they're more likely to go to Nicola—do you want me to send Nicola another letter?

Kosichello shared her own understanding.

"No, they won't go looking for Nikolai."

【why? 】

"Because it was Nikolai who proposed the disarmament plan."

This statement confused Kosiché, and she couldn't immediately connect the two things.

Seeing that Kosichek remained silent, Qiao Yelan suddenly realized that this was an economic issue, and that he had jumped through too many steps at once, confusing Black Snake.

"You know about the nobles' businesses. The reason they've been able to keep making money and maintaining their power is because they've been raking in huge profits from special government procurement funds. And most of these special funds actually come from military orders."

“Ursus’ military spending has always been quite extravagant, and most of that money has been earned by the nobles. Therefore, the direction of the second round of industrial reform is light industry—the goal is to earn back the money from those nobles through products and create circulation.”

Qiao Yelan's explanation made the black snake suddenly understand.

This industrial reform plan, divided into two parts, aimed to channel Ursus's tax revenue to the nobility through the strengthening of heavy industry, allowing them to become wealthy first and maintain sufficient investment confidence in Vladimir's Ursus, thus enabling them to support their war effort.

The development of heavy industry can rapidly enhance the military's combat capabilities, making Ursus's military strength abnormally strong relative to its national power, thus enabling it to plunder neighboring countries through war.

Then, relying on the wealth plundered, they built their own light industrial system, extracted wealth from the cellars of those nobles and wealthy people, formed a new circulation within the country, shifted the country's focus away from military affairs, and gradually transformed war wealth into the domestic economy by adding an extra cycle.

Of course, this can also be understood as the rich helping the poor, but it can only be achieved with the help of Vladimir's powerful hand.

Therefore, once the second half of the light industry reform plan stalled, that extra cycle was lost, and the wealth within Ursus was frantically accumulating in the hands of the nobles, but it couldn't flow back to the people of Ursus at all.

That's why Qiao Yelan had Nikolai submit a letter in advance, saying that he wanted to reduce the number of troops.

Because it was already too late, the wealth plundered from the war had already been absorbed by the nobles during this time. Even if Qiao Yelan could exploit Kazimir to build a light industry for Ursus, it would be difficult to start with an additional economic cycle. Instead, he would have to directly target the gold in the hands of the nobles.

Therefore, Qiao Yelan had to cut off the flow of wealth to the nobles from the very beginning.

Disarmament is undoubtedly the most reasonable approach.

Therefore, from the moment Nicholas proposed disarmament, he and the nobles were bound to fall into a situation of mutual distrust. Thus, regardless of whether Nicholas would become muddleheaded or greedy in the future, he could never turn back.

“A year has passed, and with the decline in procurement, most of the nobles have realized this, so they will not go to Grand Duke Nicholas.”

That doesn't necessarily mean they'll contact me.

"Yes, this plan was bound to be implemented anyway. And after the nobles realize that they cannot stop this in parliament, they will realize that the only way they can express their protest and resistance is to play some tricks during the whole process after the policy is implemented."

Kosichello understood Qiao Yelan's logic, but he still didn't understand what he could do.

You mean they want to restrict the movement and buying and selling of serfs and free people?

"That's only part of it. The more important part is that they have to find a buyer for their excess capacity."

Qiao Yelan sneered.

Ursus will not fall into a Great Depression, but the nobles of Ursus may not.

As the Ursus army expanded, the resulting national orders had already made these nobles extremely wealthy, and factory capacity was being expanded again and again.

Now, as Ursus's army shrinks significantly and the national treasury prepares to rid itself of these bloodsucking parasites, the nobles will realize that something is terribly wrong.

"This is your chance."

【Chance?】

Seeing that the black snake still didn't get it, Qiao Yelan sighed again.

Never mind, let's continue teaching.

"Once these guys realize that Ursus can't absorb this production capacity internally, they'll definitely turn their attention to the outside world—but I've already blocked Ursus's foreign trade channels. I control all smuggling routes. Who do they think they are?"

【Huh? You mean... I'm going to help them smuggle goods?】

"Yes."

[Where else can we smuggle these weapons? The nobles' factories are outdated; these weapons are only usable now, they can't keep up with the latest technology in each country.]

“Some countries can use it.”

[Which one? Only a major power can absorb this level of production capacity on this land. Which major power today is closed off from the outside world, engaged in internal strife, and unable to even advance its technological development?]

Qiao Yelan looked at the black snake with a meaningful expression.

...It seems there really is one.

You mean... Letania?

"Look, during the reign of the Witch King, the country was closed off from the outside world and engaged in infighting at home. The Electors' power was not as great as that of the Grand Duke of Victoria, and there were also minor nobles who hindered them. The idea that sorcerers were omnipotent was deeply rooted in people's minds. Who cared about the military technology of the army?"

But the roads are difficult to travel on now, aren't they? The bodies in the Hayden-Schwell region are barely cold.

"First of all, the Electors aren't that shameless. Secondly, we can just take a detour; we can go through Kazdel and then turn into Syracuse to enter the Letania region."

Qiao Yelan smiled.

"I had already taken care of everything, both the mode of transport and the route along the way."

Chapter 177 Don't Hinder the Doctor from Making Money.jpg

[From Ursus... then through Kazdel, then Syracuse, and finally into Letania...]

“Yes, I’ve already arranged all the routes outside Ursus. You only need to be responsible for the routes within Ursus—I think we both remember the route from Ursus to Kazdel Wastes very well, right?”

Qiao Yelan laughed, and the black snake also trembled, revealing a cold smile.

That road is so memorable.

Ursus had to pass through a city that left a deep impression on her on this journey to Kazdel.

—Chernoberg.

“I told you, I can’t give you my intelligence network in Chernobog, but if you want to take revenge yourself, I will create an opportunity for you to punish all those who betrayed you.”

Qiao Yelan said gently.

[I understand, thank you, Qiao Yelan.]

While Kosiche still follows Qiao Yelan's lead in economic matters, Black Snake is quite capable when it comes to political issues.

Qiao Yelan not only left her with the profits from trading with the nobles, but also pointed out the current situation—in fact, the nobles also had to rely on trading with Kosich to get out of the predicament they faced.

In other words, now it is the nobles who are in need of Kosicé.

Of course, it would be a waste to use this deal against a lord of Chernobog—but the nobles wouldn't mind "casually" punishing a mere marquis in order to get a gift to visit and curry favor with Grand Duke Kosice, who could bring them orders during this procurement winter.

As for other benefits, Kosiché was already calculating how to gain enough support to help him take over Lungmen.

So much so that she had even forgotten that Qiao Yelan had actually promised to provide her with additional support.

However, Dr. Joe was happy not to mention it, since who would mind paying less in costs?

Although it originally cost zero.

Are you still in Ursus?

"Of course, it's best to let the situation in Kazimierz continue to develop for a while, and we also need to do some preliminary work in Ursus, so I will stay in Ursus for the time being."

[Alright, I need to leave temporarily. I'll use Kosiché's body to send out a few intelligence reports and messages. During this time, have your guards keep a close watch and don't let those nobles have any opportunity to take advantage—those despicable fellows don't care how dirty their methods are.]

"Is this someone who cares about me?"

The black mist that emerged took the form of a human, glared at Qiao Yelan, and then left through the window, not forgetting to close the window for her as it did so.

After all, it is the Saint-Eagle Castle, and the spring breeze is still chilly.

Watching Kosichello leave excitedly, Qiao Yelan shook his head and took out the remaining four checks from his pocket.

Witt signed five checks for him in total, and it was foreseeable that he would send more checks in the future, so Qiao Yelan would be much more generous when dividing the money.

Anyway, this time it was Kosicé himself who didn't want it.