1885, I came to save Greece

In the top-floor command center of the port building, all the curtains were drawn, cutting off all outside light.

Only a kerosene lamp was lit in the room, and under its dim light, three figures were clearly distinguishable.

The highest-level secret meeting in the history of the Kingdom of Greece is underway.

There were only three participants.

Crown Prince Constantine.

Royal economic advisor Andreas.

Royal Tax Police Commander Costas.

The report detailing the Skopelos family's treason lay quietly in the center of the table, its parchment cover gleaming dimly under the lamplight.

It's like a Pandora's box; once opened, it will unleash a terrifying storm capable of upending the entire Greek political landscape.

"Your Highness, we should act immediately!" Kostas's voice was laced with suppressed excitement. He slammed his fist on the table, causing the kerosene lamp flame to flicker. "If we just throw this evidence in the faces of Parliament and the newspapers, the Skopelos family will be wiped out instantly! Prime Minister Zaimis, as their political ally, will also be implicated! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Professor Andreas nodded in agreement, his face flushed with excitement: "Yes, Your Highness! Treason! It's a capital offense that no one can deny! The will of the people of all Greece is on our side!"

However, Constantine simply looked at them calmly and slowly shook his head.

He held up two fingers and pressed them against the report.

"This evidence cannot be used right now."

His voice was soft, yet it was like a bucket of ice water poured over the burning hearts of Kostas and Andreas.

"Why?!" Kostas practically roared, unable to comprehend it. "Your Highness, we've gone through so much trouble just for this moment!!"

"Kostas," Constantine's gaze shifted to him, his eyes sharp as knives, "a decisive trump card can only be played at the most crucial moment of the game. Reveal your hand now, what do you think will happen?"

Before Kostas could answer, Constantine answered his own question.

"The Skopelos family is finished. But what about Stretter, Sigros, and all the other oligarchs? What will they think?"

"They will see that I hold a knife in my hand, a knife that can arbitrarily convict them of 'treason'! They will realize that this is no longer a matter of money, but a matter of life and death!"

"At that point, they will no longer fight amongst themselves, nor will they stand by and watch. They will immediately band together and use all their political, economic, and even their relations with the great powers to completely strangle us at all costs!"

Constantine's voice echoed in the silent room, each word striking a chord in their hearts.

The excitement on Kostas's face gradually faded, replaced by a cold sweat.

He only thought about how to kill with one blow, but never considered what kind of crazy backlash this blow would bring.

Constantine watched as they finally calmed down before issuing new instructions.

"Professor Andreas."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"You immediately take men and completely seal up all the evidence of this treason, including that leather ledger. Classify it as a top secret of the Kingdom of Greece. From now on, only the three of us will know of its existence."

"Then," Constantine's tone shifted, "you prepare another report, a 'clean' report."

"A clean report?" Andreas asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Yes, clean.” Constantine’s fingers tapped lightly on the table. “This report must not contain any words related to ‘treason,’ ‘arms,’ or ‘Ottoman.’ Only list evidence of the Skopelos family’s evasion of customs duties, falsification of invoices, and bribery of officials.”

"This report must be flawless. Every figure, every transaction, must be supported by irrefutable evidence. The charges should fall under the category of economic crimes. They should be serious, but not fatal."

Kostas and Andreas exchanged a glance, both seeing a deeper confusion in each other's eyes.

Constantine stood up and walked to the map.

"This is a two-step war."

He picked up a pen and drew a huge X on the map at the point representing the "Scopelos family".

"The first step is to make an example of them. We'll use this 'clean' economic crime report to bring down the Skopelos family."

"There are three purposes for doing this. First, it will allow us to give an account to Parliament and the people, and win this gamble. Second, it will give us a legitimate reason to confiscate all their assets, and this huge sum will become the first pot of gold for our subsequent reforms. Third, and most importantly—"

Constantine turned around, his gaze sweeping over the two men's faces.

"It will give other oligarchs a fatal illusion. They will think that the Skopelos family's downfall was only because they went too far, only because they were unlucky. They will think that as long as they are willing to spend money, they can 'avoid disaster by spending money' and reach some kind of compromise with me. As a result, they will lower their guard."

Kostas and Andreas felt a chill run down their spines.

This is no longer a war; this is a psychological attack!

"So, what's the second step?" Andreas couldn't help but ask.

Constantine's lips curled into a sinister smile.

His gaze fell on the sealed, "dirty" report.

"The second step is the real killer move."

"That hidden evidence of treason will become an invisible sword of Damocles hanging over Prime Minister Zaymis's head."

He looked at his two trusted confidants, his eyes flashing with a chilling glint of calculation.

"Zaimis's relationship with the Skopelos family is common knowledge. This evidence is enough to ruin his reputation."

"I won't kill him right away. I'll wait until the most crucial, the most unexpected moment, take this sword, walk up to him, and force him in the council to do something he least wants to do for me."

"For example, by passing a thorough land reform bill."

"For example, approving a huge budget that could completely transform the Navy."

Andreas and Kostas were completely stunned.

Only at this moment did they truly understand how terrifying this young crown prince was.

His target was never just the Skopelos family.

It's not even just about winning the bet that tariffs will double.

He was planning from the very beginning.

A massive, astonishingly large chess game, capable of dividing and conquering the entire intricately entrenched oligopoly, uprooting it completely!

Looking at the tall young man before them, their admiration instantly transformed into a near-fearful awe.

This is no longer a matter of great talent and ambition.

This is a divine or demonic act!

Constantine ignored their shock and pushed the "clean" report in front of Andreas.

"Go, Professor. Sharpen this tempered dagger even sharper."

"Tomorrow, I will use it to present a great gift to all of Athens."