The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

At this time, Lind was unaware that his empire had been "forced" into a three-way power struggle, and that Castile, from the neighboring continent, was eyeing his colony.

After approving the funds for the adventurers' voyages, Linde put the documents aside.

When do you plan to look me in the eye?

It was Isa who spoke. Isa was sitting at Lind's desk, waiting for Lind's reply.

Compared to before, Isabella appears much more composed. Her silver hair is combed back, and her improved nun's habit makes her look more capable. Compared to Reina, who is already a wife but still occasionally acts silly, Isabella is much more mature.

To be honest, Linde was reluctant, or rather, lacked the courage, to face Isha. After all, Isha was indeed the chosen successor of 550C. Even if Linde, even if this heroine, were to leave the original timeline, Isha would probably still be able to stir up a storm. Linde could tell everyone that he had made the world take a big step forward, but he couldn't do that to Isha, because Linde had described a better world to Isha.

This has nothing to do with the facts; it's just a feeling of guilt.

"I know what you're thinking."

"But the world still needs you."

Isa placed her report on Lind's desk.

To be honest, Linde hadn't expected Isha to comfort him in the opposite way. Isha's ideals were lofty, but her actions were quite pragmatic. She didn't seem to expect to reach the utopian world Linde described in one step, but she was still moving forward step by step. After a slight sigh, Linde finally picked up the report that Isha had submitted.

Contrary to Lind's expectations, Isa did not mention any of the more pointed issues in her report. Instead, she wrote that the employment of child laborers in Anjou was a serious problem, that nobles still enjoyed most of their privileges and were fighting against imperial officials, and that she hoped to go to Anjou to see how this phenomenon could be curbed.

After reading it, Linde tapped the table. Child labor is an inevitable phenomenon in the process of capital development. Cleaning chimneys is only the most basic use of child labor. Child labor is even more common in factories and mines.

However, since the North and the former Cape lands have always been under Lind's control, and Lind is truly capable of killing, no one dares to violate the laws established by Lind.

In the areas under Linde's control, the cost of hiring child labor could far outweigh the paltry profits it brings. Under such circumstances, even if someone wanted to outwardly comply but inwardly defy the rules, they would have to consider whether they would be reported by their competitors and lose everything.

Let me repeat myself: this emperor is truly ruthless and doesn't care about the emperor being far away. If you hire child laborers today, the sheriff might be in your face the next day.

However, the situation in Anjou is different. Although the handover was peaceful, most of Anjou is still controlled by local nobles. Precisely because of the peaceful handover, the troubles and conflicts are more numerous than expected.

Even the rural nobles on Capet's side weren't all killed, let alone the nobles on Anjou's side.

Moreover, although there are communication devices, the railways in Anjou are all still under construction, so it is very possible that Anjou is in a situation where the emperor is far away and the country is far from the capital.

Anjou was allowed to employ child labor, so should you use Linde's law or Anjou's original law? The answer is whichever law is more favorable to them. The Anjou nobles will use whichever law is more favorable to them. The resistance to implementing the new law in Anjou is extraordinary.

It seems that not enough were killed. The peaceful handover gave the nobles there a false sense of security, making them think that they could still get away with things as before.

Issa's report provides a detailed picture of the current chaotic state of Anjou, even employing analytical methods to conduct a thorough analysis of Anjou's social situation. Linde speculates that even if Issa herself hasn't been there, she must have sent her subordinates to conduct a detailed investigation.

Isa really needs a knife now, she needs Lind's strength to help her correct these mistakes.

The weapon of criticism cannot replace the criticism of weapons. When things really come to this, having power in your hands is the best solution.

“I understand. I will grant you the status of a special envoy, arrange some guards and manpower for you, and have the Church of the God of War over there assist you.”

In the real Industrial Revolution, the situation of child laborers was even more tragic than it is today, especially in the morally bankrupt British Empire. When its neighbor reflected on why it could not compete with Britain during the Industrial Revolution, one reason was that its child laborers could live two years longer than their British counterparts. Compared to Britain, it was still too humane.

But for Linde, there was no need to exploit the people without any bottom line like Dai Ying did. After all, there were no powerful external enemies now, and there was enough time for Linde to sort out domestic affairs. The productivity and production machinery were also much stronger than before.

Kids should be obediently thrown into school to attend classes and be tormented by endless homework and exams, instead of being thrown into chimneys, factories, or mines to work.

"The new law is also being revised, and it will be implemented throughout the country, as for the nobles of Anjou."

Linde leaned back and said, "Killing them is fine, just let me know after you're done."

Only Isa and Linde dared to grant this power so readily, acting first and informing later. It was time to send someone to carry out the reform of the noble system in Anjou.

A rebellion? Linde would love for the Anjou nobles to stage a major rebellion so he could reap a huge harvest. After all, according to his agreement with Alberto, Linde had protected both the Anjou royal family and the common people, preventing them from suffering the ravages of war again. Linde was confident he could end the rebellion before the Anjou people could even react.

Rather, even if those nobles didn't rebel, Lind would still have selected a group of them as examples, and then they would lose the land they used to exploit the people below.

Seeing the grand arrangements Linde had made for her, Isa said, "There's no need for such a big fuss. If we go like this, Anjou might be on guard. I think I'll just pack up and take a few people with me to Anjou. The goddess will protect me."

After Linde helped with the repairs, 550C seemed to communicate much more smoothly than before. 550C valued Isa highly, so when Linde heard that Isa had received 550C's protection, he nodded and said, "Do as you wish."

Sending Issa to Anjou to play the fool and outsmart the enemy is a good option.

After discussing with Isa how to abolish the original aristocratic system, Linde saw Isa off. At this moment, Rosalyn, who had been waiting for a long time, followed strict etiquette and walked almost step by step to Linde.

"Your Majesty the Emperor, on behalf of Castile, I extend my sincerest greetings to you."

Rosalyn's voice was clear but trembled slightly.

Looking at the nervous little princess in front of him, Linde tried his best to appear more gentle and asked, "What is it?"

“Castilla begs for your mercy and assistance. I wish to board your expedition ship and return to Castile.”