1885, I came to save Greece

Constantine's laughter echoed in the drawing room, sharp, unrestrained, and with an almost absurd pleasure.

The laughter stunned the angry Greek officials.

The British secretaries were dumbfounded.

This left Sir Harding with a bellyful of prepared words stuck in his throat, turning into a cold lump.

He had imagined Constantine would be furious, would overturn the table, and would use the most humiliating words to denounce the hypocrisy of the British Empire.

He even prepared how to deal with all of this, how to use the other party's anger to gain more leverage for himself.

But he never expected that the other person would laugh.

The laughter was so hearty, so... jarring.

Finally, the laughter subsided.

Constantine wiped his eyes, a hint of a smile still lingering in his blue eyes, but that smile, when seen by Hardin, sent chills down his spine more than any anger.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the crown prince's next reaction.

Should they tear up the agreement? Or simply walk away?

However, Constantine simply looked calmly at Sir Harding and slowly uttered two words.

I accept.

The words fell.

The entire reception room was deathly silent.

It was as if an invisible hand had gripped everyone's necks.

"Your Highness!" The Chancellor of the Exchequer was the first to react, exclaiming in horror, "You...what did you say? You can't accept this! This is a treasonous treaty!"

"Yes, Your Highness! This will turn us into complete puppets of the British!"

"Please think it over! We'd rather not have this money!"

Greek officials were in an uproar, unable to believe their ears, and rushed forward to try to dissuade the crown prince, whom they had just begun to trust.

In their eyes, Constantine must have gone mad! He's been blinded by this enormous victory and hasn't seen the deadly poison hidden in the terms!

"Shut up, all of you!"

Constantine's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority that instantly silenced all the noise.

He waved to stop the agitated officials, then turned his gaze back to Sir Harding, whose expression was shifting, a meaningful smile on his face.

"Why shouldn't I accept it?"

Constantine countered with a calm tone, as if explaining a very simple truth.

"Gentlemen, we must face reality. Sir Harding's words may be unpleasant to hear, but they are the truth."

He looked around at his ministers and spoke slowly.

"Isn't Greece's finances a complete mess? Aren't our tax system riddled with loopholes? Aren't many of our officials lining their own pockets with state funds?"

This series of rhetorical questions caused all the Greek officials present to lower their heads and look ashamed.

Constantine continued, "Since we can't handle it ourselves, what's wrong with having professionals from advanced countries guide us and help us sort out this mess?"

"I fully understand and support London's prudence. This money is hard-earned, and we must ensure it is used in the right places. Our British friends are willing to send top experts, which is responsible to Greece and to their own taxpayers."

His reasonable words left the Greek officials speechless.

The logic is sound, but it just sounds so awkward.

Meanwhile, Sir Harding's intense unease had reached its peak.

Not right.

Something's really wrong!

Things took a completely unexpected turn from what he had planned!

He wasn't afraid of Constantine's anger, but rather of Constantine's "reasonableness."

Behind this calm, there must be a trap he hasn't seen through.

But where is the trap?

He accepted all the terms, including the core "veto power," which is exactly what Britain wanted.

Harding felt like a boxer who punched cotton, his strength was useless and he felt frustrated and anxious.

Constantine ignored the crowd and strolled slowly to the huge French windows, looking out at the cityscape of Athens.

His voice carried a sense of longing and anticipation for the future.

"It is an honor for Greece that the British Empire is willing to send top experts in finance, taxation and engineering. We must be 200% committed to ensuring that these valuable experts, their talents and energy, are used in the most critical and effective ways."

His upright posture made him appear unfathomable to others.

But at this moment, Constantine was inwardly sneering.

"Trying to shackle me with an advisory board? Naive!"

"You think these are shackles to control me, but in my eyes, they are the dragon-slaying sword I've longed for!"

"The oligarchs control the national economy, the parliamentarians are corrupt and decadent, and the conservatives are deeply entrenched... As the crown prince, I can neither touch nor control them."

"But you can!"

"You are the representatives of the British Empire! Behind you are the cannons of the Royal Navy and the banks of London!"

"You think you're here to oversee the project, but I'll turn you into battering rams to clear all obstacles in my territory! I'll use you as weapons to cut down those whom even the king couldn't cut!"

Constantine slowly turned around.

With a sincere, humble, and even slightly ingratiating smile on his face, he looked at Sir Harding once more.

"Jazz."

"Hmm? Your Highness, please speak." Harding perked up, fully alert.

Constantine rubbed his hands together, seemingly a little embarrassed, and began to speak:

"Since the British side has been so generous and thoughtful in considering our needs... I also have a small request, or rather, a small suggestion, that I hope will receive your support."

Harding's heart skipped a beat.

coming!

He knew that this was the other party's real purpose!

"Your Highness, please speak freely," he replied calmly, preparing to respond to any challenge.

Constantine's smile grew even more genuine.

"In order to help the gentlemen on the advisory team get familiar with the situation as soon as possible and start working efficiently, I think we should set a clear and prioritized work goal for them."

He paused, observing Harding's expression, before offering his "suggestion."

"I suggest that during the first year of the advisory group's stay in Athens, all their work should revolve around one thing—"

"Conduct a thorough, comprehensive, and complete financial audit of all industries within the Kingdom of Greece that enjoy 'state monopolies,' as well as the largest landowners and shipping families!"

Constantine's voice echoed clearly in the drawing room.

"These industries and families are the most stubborn cancers in our national finances! Only by removing these cancers can Greece's finances truly become healthy!"

"I believe that with the expertise and impartiality of British experts, they will definitely be able to help us expose all these treacherous elements hiding in the shadows, one by one!"

"Sir, what do you think of my suggestion?"