The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

From then on, they would be loyal to His Majesty the Emperor, turn against their former colleagues, and become a force under the Emperor's direct control.

That's enough.

Because in the army, the nobles can freely command their private armies, and the proportion of infected people is only a small part. The rest are all ordinary people.

They are not kind, but they are not villains either.

As long as they remain neutral, the military will transform from Grand Duke Nicholas's private domain into a "new parliament" where the emperor and nobles tug at the middle ground.

Correspondingly, the military's combat effectiveness will be as high as the parliament's decision-making efficiency.

From then on, it flowed rapidly.

The magnificent sight known as Ursus will once again vanish like a mirage.

"Damn it... these traitors who succumb to power and money!"

His face was contorted with rage; anyone who knew Yegor would find it hard to believe that this man would display such an expression or use such words to describe His Majesty and the Speaker.

After a long while, the man finally calmed down and composed himself.

He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, a look of indescribable desolation on his face.

“Over the years… I have struggled to find a way out for the people in my department—because these people may be the last legacy His Majesty Vladimir left for this country.”

"You want to carry on His Majesty Vladimir's legacy?"

“I really wish I had the ability to assist the new emperor in doing this, but realistically speaking—I’m simply not cut out for it.”

Yegor was very calm.

"Just keeping this position is already exhausting. If I were to climb higher and face more and more cunning nobles and officials, I would probably be exposed for who I really am. So I choose to stay in this position."

“Mr. Qiao Yelan… I don’t know whether I should squander the legacy His Majesty left me in this matter, but I know that if this happens, then the Ministry of Labor will have no reason to exist.”

Qiao Yelan now understood why this remnant of the previous era had chosen to cooperate with him.

It wasn't because he trusted him, but because Yegor knew that Anatoly's plan would destroy everything he cherished, and the situation he had been struggling to maintain would vanish in an instant.

"Since you've come to me, you must be trying to leak this information through me beforehand, right? And then use the overwhelming public opinion to stop the implementation of this policy."

Qiao Yelan shook his head slightly, which made Yegor frown.

"Public opinion can stop politicians, but can it stop the aristocracy? Not to mention, this policy is being implemented by the military—will they give up because of the pressure from protests and demonstrations?"

The man's face grew increasingly gloomy.

Of course not.

The military is the largest institution of violence, responsible for protecting the people, but if the ruler gives the order, it can also be a sharp blade wielded against the people.

“His Majesty the Emperor’s approach is correct—I would not have intervened at all if he hadn’t intended to sacrifice the lives of countless infected individuals.”

Qiao Yelan told the lie without changing his expression, as if he had truly started the whole thing out of a sense of justice.

“We can follow his plan exactly, but we need to bring forward the implementation time—before the policy is even implemented.”

Yegor recalled what Qiao Yelan had described earlier: if the step of allowing the massacre to proceed were removed, and if they had also stood up to oppose it, then the next step would be—

“I can let everyone in the Department of Labor know the truth, but I need evidence, and I don’t have enough credibility. Just talking will only be seen as a false accusation.”

“I understand. The next step is to find people to support us and tell them that what we are talking about is an inevitable future, and that they have no other choice but to resist.”

Qiao Yelan nodded.

"Who are you going to find?"

"The Emperor's Judge".

"Them? They won't get involved in the affairs of the common people. Don't be fooled by Oleg's vehement opposition into thinking they can be won over. In reality, he opposes Anatoly only because the latter is trampling on the laws he wrote."

Qiao Yelan realized the problem with Yegor.

This person is far too hostile to classes other than the common people.

After both the Speaker and the new Emperor showed signs of regression, he no longer trusted anyone else. His attitude towards everyone indicated that he considered everyone his enemy.

"Yegor Terekin, do you know how many laws His Majesty Vladimir changed or revised during his reign?"

The man was taken aback by the unexpected question.

"...a few hundred, I guess?"

"Yes—all of them."

Qiao Yelan solemnly gave his answer.

"His Majesty Vladimir revised all the laws of Ursus since the founding of the Empire, not just the Serfs Amendment Law—the Ministry of Justice was once larger than any other government department, just so that every town in the Empire would have a judge to explain the rights that the people possess."

Yegor was stunned.

He is only in his thirties this year. He entered politics after the Tenth Uka War because he admired His Majesty Vladimir, so he is not very clear about the past.

But he recalled a conversation.

A conversation he had before arriving at Saint-Eagle Castle—

"Your Honor, I am just a commoner. Am I entitled to be an official like the noble lords?"

“Of course, Yegor—because this is the right that our holy Emperor Vladimir has won back for us.”

Chapter Forty-Eight: Justice

"But... how could you know? I didn't experience this myself, and I haven't even heard about it from any other source. You're younger than me..."

"Grand Duke Kosiché will always stand on the side of the Empire."

Qiao Yelan did not answer the question directly.

Seeing that the other party was unwilling to talk more, Yegor did not dwell on the matter and instead turned to ask about the plan.

Will the Department of Justice really stand by us?

"I will pay a visit in person."

Qiao Yelan answered calmly.

"if......"

“There are no ifs. I always plan my projects according to the worst-case scenario—in other words, I’ve even considered your rejection.”

Yegor stared at Qiao Yelan, whose composure and confidence gave him the illusion that even if he were alone, he could stop this.

"I will be prepared. I will get the personnel, communications, and channels in place as quickly as possible."

"And your family—they'd better leave before the plan begins, first to the territory of the Grand Duke of Cosice, and then I'll arrange for them to go abroad, either to the Great Yan or Colombia, both are good places."

"Alright, let my widow choose then."

Yegor nodded.

Qiao Yelan reached out and shook hands tightly with the other person.

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

Not at all pleased with winning over Yegor, their next destination was the Smirnov family mansion.

When Qiao Yelan came to visit, he was received by Judge Oleg's wife. He was wondering why Oleg was also working overtime when Qiao Yelan saw the judge follow a dignified old man into the reception room.

He blinked to make sure he wasn't mistaken—the man with the bright red handprint on his left cheek was Judge Oleg Smirnov, who had attended the meeting with him at noon.

“I am Yevgeny Smirnov, this man’s father—in the Smirnov family, there are no deals that are made behind closed doors. Mr. Joe, please speak plainly.”

Qiao Yelan was caught off guard by this sudden situation. He originally thought it would be difficult to persuade Oleg, but seeing the old man's current momentum, it seemed that things might take a turn for the better.

"I've come to discuss matters related to the meeting at noon today with Judge Oleg."

What is your opinion?

"We must stop this from happening."

Qiao Yelan's tone was resolute.

"This should not happen, either legally or morally. The empire's progress may require sacrifices from the people, but it should never be driven by their blood and flesh!"

The old man nodded approvingly, then glanced at Oleg, who was standing to the side with his head down.

“Speak up—they’ve come to discuss something with you!”

"...I refuse."

"you--!"

Yevgeny almost jumped up. Only then did Qiao Yelan realize that what the old man was leaning on was not a cane at all, but a long sword with a scabbard.

“Father! I told you, this wasn’t something Anatoly wanted to push, not even Grand Duke Nicholas, not even the nobles wanted to push, but everyone—everyone was expecting this to happen!”

"Oleg said painfully."

"Your Majesty, the Speaker, and Grand Duke Nicholas—the three top decision-makers of the Empire have all chosen this policy. When this meeting was convened, it already demonstrated that no one could stop it!"

“I’m sorry, Mr. Oleg, not everyone—at least Grand Duke Kosice doesn’t want this to happen.”

Qiao Yelan was still trying to flatter Black Snake, who was watching the live stream at the time.

"Then why doesn't His Excellency the Grand Duke come to Holy Eagle Castle in person?"