In the Name of the Queen

For so many years, this is the first time that Walder feels so refreshed.

He never stops smiling.

On the first night after Sif returned to the imperial capital, she did not accompany her lover, but came to the old man's house, which shows her respect for her teacher.

After two years of not seeing each other, Sif is even more beautiful, and she has lost her immaturity and is more calm.

She has really grown up.

She is no longer the little fool who panicked and asked the teacher for help, and even fantasized about returning to the Earldom of Tyrone and not asking about foreign affairs.

Walder even felt that Sophia was not that scary, and Sif could win.

It took Sif more than two hours to finish telling what happened overseas.

Walder had heard a lot of things, but after all, it was just hearsay, which was far worse than the oral narration of the parties involved.

Conquering the Sirens, raiding Helen, fighting the warlords, expanding the territory, fighting for Val, until finally going deep into the seabed to bring back the news of the old emperor.

The return of more than 3,000 survivors of the Fourth Fleet made the whole country boil.

In the eyes of ordinary people, Sif is an emperor who can create miracles, completely different from the old emperor who hides and doesn't go home.

Ordinary people certainly don't know that the old emperor can't go home because of Sif. They just think that the queen is a hundred times better than the old emperor.

After telling the story, Sif took a few sips of tea, moistened her throat, and said softly:

"Teacher, I still need your wisdom and guidance on some things."

Walder laughed and touched his beard, but his tone was particularly humble.

"Sif, you can already be independent, I have nothing to teach you."

"Teacher, your experience and experience are still precious wealth." Sif's tone was gentle, but his attitude was very firm.

Walder's smile gradually subsided, and his expression was a little solemn.

It's not polite, is there really something wrong?

Roland is now Sif's most trusted person. If there is something, you can discuss it with him, unless Roland can't solve it, then he will find someone else.

Is it really that serious?

Looking at Teacher Walder's particularly nervous look, Sif guessed that he might have thought too much.

She did not explain, but pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Teacher, are you willing to be the prime minister?"

"If I were ten years younger, or if there was no rising star like Roland, I would certainly be willing."

Wald smiled, shook his head and sighed: "Sif, the new emperor's accession to the throne requires a new atmosphere. Changing a new prime minister is also an attitude, which means that your era has officially begun."

Sif did not speak. Of course, she had thought about what the teacher said, so she hoped that Roland would be the prime minister.

It's a pity that Roland didn't want to be too busy.

She understood Roland's refusal.

Sophia is a more terrifying existence than the entire Vladimir Empire.

Even facing Vladimir's million-strong army, Sif has a way to deal with it. However, facing Sophia's sword, anyone would have a headache.

Roland needs quiet time and space, and so does she.

When the government is on the right track, she will delegate the right to handle daily affairs to the cabinet. In addition to steering the helm of the empire's giant ship, she will also work hard to improve her strength.

She had guessed that the teacher would not be the prime minister. After all, he was old, and she was reluctant to keep him busy.

Although she was mentally prepared, Walder's clear refusal still made Sif feel a little disappointed.

The candlelight was warm and the light was soft. Sif sat there quietly and yawned, just like when she dozed off when she was studying with her teacher.

I'm back, I'm back.

That innocent little girl is here, talking quietly to the teacher.

But only here.

When she walked out of the teacher's house, she was the queen of the super empire that ruled over 35 provinces.

Walder looked at Sif's long eyelashes and felt a little complicated.

Sif was sincere in wanting him to be the prime minister.

It's a pity that time is so cruel, taking away his health and energy, and he really couldn't handle the heavy government affairs.

If it was a matter of life and death for the country, he would not retreat even if he risked his life.

But it's not the case now.

The young people have grown up, and the future of the empire belongs to them. Let them fly freely.

Perhaps because he felt that this topic was a bit sentimental, Wald calmly changed the subject.

"Do you have a better candidate in mind? William is actually not bad, but his governing philosophy is a bit too conservative and he can't accept new things. Alben is also capable, but he is too deep and has been in the legal system before, so it is difficult to convince the public."

"Actually, apart from being younger, I think Roland is the most suitable."

Wald sighed.

Sif's eyebrows suddenly raised. The teacher's recognition made her feel good. The corners of her lips also raised a beautiful arc, with a bit of smile.

"I also think he is the most suitable."

The smile lasted only a few seconds and disappeared.

The most suitable, and the least suitable.

If there was no threat of Sophia's death, Roland might not have to persist in becoming stronger, nor would he refuse.

Sif took a long breath, dispelled the low mood, and said calmly:

"I plan to let William and Alben serve as left and right prime ministers respectively."

"Left and right prime ministers, do you plan to let them supervise and check each other?" Wald's somewhat dim eyes lit up instantly.

"It is a solution. But there are many problems with the coexistence of the left and right ministers. Their serious opposition can easily lead to internal friction, and if they are too united, it will threaten the monarchy."

Wald was right.

The emperor was afraid that the ministers would not be united, but he was more afraid that the ministers would be united.

Although he was a little worried, Wald only reminded him and did not object.

Sif has already made a name for herself overseas and can calm the situation. Moreover, she is very young and can control the situation for a long time without losing control.

Although it is hard, it is not a big problem.

However, Sif's next words made him nervous again, "Teacher, I don't have much time to take care of specific affairs. I have to focus on studying the power of the stars."

Perhaps Sif is too much like a weak girl now, which makes Wald forget that she still has a battle that she can't avoid.

Sif has prestige, but if she is away for a long time, the ministers will inevitably have ideas.

William and Alben are not simple, and they will never let go of the power vacuum.

Wald had a slight headache and asked tentatively: "Where are the others?"

He just asked casually, but Sif took out a piece of paper and handed it to him directly.

"Teacher, this is the cabinet candidate I proposed, would you like to take a look first?"

Wald looked up at Sif.

The clear eyes seemed to have never changed. But the innocence in the eyes was replaced by calmness.

He took the list and his smile froze a little. His name was impressively at the first place.

Walder, Prime Minister (retired), Earl of Nottingham.

Sif explained softly: "Teacher, I know you want to retire, so I want you to retire as Prime Minister and Earl. The Earldom of Nottingham is about 100 kilometers south of Hansa City. It is not big, but it has developed trade and a pleasant climate. It is a good place."

Looking at Sif's firm eyes, Walder knew that this was the final decision and could not be questioned.

He worked hard for many years, and did not get a title with the old emperor, but he did not expect to achieve a leap in life with Sif.

All the territories that can be conferred in the native land have been conferred, the royal territories cannot be outflowed, the government's direct land cannot be reduced, and the new nobles can only be conferred outside.

In the past, the cabinet jumped out to oppose, but now Sif has the power alone. If she says it's okay, it's okay, even if someone opposes it, it won't be a big deal.

Except Walder, the other ministers are basically barons and royal knights.

Without Sif's explanation, Walder also knows that this is a difference between relatives and strangers.

Of course he will not refuse.

The hereditary title is the ultimate destination that a minister dreams of.

There are three main types of titles.

Wald's earldom is a reward.

Athos and others overseas were awarded for military merit.

And Roland was awarded for expanding territory.

Wald asked with some doubts: "What about Roland? He can't have been awarded."

"I was going to make him the Duke of York, but he said it was too exaggerated to make him a duke directly."

Sif's cheeks were slightly red.

The imperial royal family is the York family. The Duke of York has always been the emperor, and occasionally the empress's husband, in short, the emperor or a family member.

Wald's eyes lit up.

Sif finally got it, but it's a pity that there are not many.

If Roland was directly made the Duke of York, the court and the people would definitely be in an uproar.

Except for the special existence of the Grand Duke Plantagenet, the dukes in the empire are the top nobles. The Duke of York is the most noble among them.

Roland's rise to fame in one step would definitely make others jealous.

Sif's tone was full of regret, "Even if he is the emperor, he can't do whatever he wants. He can only make him suffer a little and be made the Earl of Suwig."

Wald was choked and speechless.

Do you think this is human language?

Roland is indeed an earl, but his earlhood is almost as valuable as that of a duke.

It is hereditary, and his descendants will always be earls as long as they do not betray the country or rebel.

Ordinary dukes will be demoted to earls after three generations.

Wald did not have this treatment.

His title was demoted to baron after three generations, and he could only maintain his rank if he made meritorious contributions or donated a lot of money to the royal family.

Fortunately, hereditary titles will not be demoted again once they are demoted, and no matter how miserable they are, they will not become civilians.

They are all earls, and the gap is too big.

Of course, Wald did not compete with Roland for favor, but he was still envious in his heart.

In addition to these earls, Sif also conferred titles on several ministers from overseas.

Athos and others are still barons, and they were transferred from their native province of Tyrone to overseas, but their territories changed from single baronies to double baronies, which are much more valuable than ordinary barons.

William and Alban were also awarded barons, with small words behind their names.

William (mature and steady).

Alban (abandoning darkness and joining the light).

Walder couldn't help but laugh. Although Sif has grown up, she is still a young person after all, and it is inevitable that she is still a bit childish.

After reading this list, he was very tactful and didn't ask where Smith, Winston and others went.

Politics is like this. The end of political life often means the end of life.

Some people just disappear while walking.

The only person who puzzled him was Rupert.

"Sif, are you really going to let Rupert be the head of the intelligence agency? I'm not questioning your decision, nor do I doubt the loyalty of the Plantagenet family. It's just that he is too tactless and dares to talk nonsense about your father's affairs. You should think about it again."

"Teacher, are you talking about the special issue where the emperor doesn't love the country but loves beauty, lives in seclusion in the underwater city, and marries the sea witch?"

Wald nodded and couldn't help reminding: "There are earlier special issues. He is simply I admit that his ability to control intelligence is far better than that of Rice, the idiot, but he is too frivolous."

For a moment, he didn't know what words to use to describe Rupert.

If you say this guy is disloyal, the Plantagenet family is a die-hard royalist; if you say he is loyal, this guy often attracts attention to the royal family, and even makes jokes about sex.

And he has made fun of Sif and Roland more than once.

Just when Walder was thinking about how to persuade, Sif had already ended the topic.

"Teacher, he is very suitable."

Now that the Queen has expressed her stance, it would be rude to continue to pester.

Walder shrugged and said nothing.

This is not a default, but a reservation. Like an abstention, it is an objection without objection.

After solving the problem of cabinet selection, Sif couldn't help but sigh when she thought of Roland.

"Teacher, I still hope that Roland can join the cabinet, even if he is a sinecure."

"The cabinet does not support idlers. As long as one person is lazy, others will follow suit."

Walder smiled and teased: "Since you can't live without him, I have an idea."

"Speak quickly, tell me quickly. Teacher, you are really great. There is a way to do this."

Sif was not flattering, she really admired Walder. The fox is still as cunning as ever, and this kind of problem can be solved.

Walder enjoyed Sif's admiration very much, but unfortunately Sif was the queen now, so he had to clear his throat and did not continue to whet her appetite.

"During the Magic Empire, although the emperor was the head of state, he often hid in the magic tower to study various forbidden spells and rarely dealt with government affairs personally. In order to facilitate the management of the country, a supreme consul was set up, whose status was higher than other consuls. Lower than the Emperor.”

"The supreme consul has a detached status. He does not enter the cabinet and does not have to manage specific affairs. However, he can intervene in politics, military personnel, and finance. During the emperor's absence, he has to act as the emperor's responsibilities."

Walder thought for a while and gave the most accurate explanation.

"Probably the executive deputy emperor."

"Okay, let's do it!" Sif agreed without any hesitation.

She stood up happily, clapped her hands lightly, thought for a moment, and said with a smile:

"However, the title of Supreme Consul is not grand enough. During the Magic Empire, the deputy emperor had another title, which was also an honorary title."

Walder's face changed slightly.

Of course he knew the title of the deputy emperor.

Caesar.

He wanted to offer some advice, but quickly gave up.

Compared to giving the Duke of York to Roland, Caesar was nothing.

Seeing that Sif had no intention of sitting back, Walder stood up and said with a smile:

"It's late at night, and I'm a little sleepy. Alas, I can't stand it anymore when I'm older. I can't compare with young people like you."

"Then teacher, please go to bed early and don't need to send me off."

Sif said she didn't need to give it away because she felt sorry for the teacher. If Wald really didn't give it away, it would be a sign of shame.

He walked towards the door with a smile, "I'm not that old yet."

After sending Sif to the door, Walder remembered that Sif insisted on Rupert being the intelligence chief, and couldn't help but remind him:

"Sif, you can use Rupert, but you must beat him and don't talk nonsense."

Xif, who had already reached the door, stopped, looked back at the teacher, and said softly:

"Teacher, the special issue about Father and the Sea Witch was submitted by me."

Watching Sif's back disappear into the night, Walder stayed where he was until a cool sea breeze woke him up.

Sure enough, it is still

Old.