Hogwarts: The Wizarding World's First Capitalist

In the face of Carl's jokes and compliments, old Crouch did not make any response.

The thin old man pulled a new stool from the side and sat down directly opposite Karl.

Then he took out a rolled unbranded cigarette from the cigarette box beside him and took the pure copper lighter placed beside him to light it.

Finally, he took the glass of wine that Carl poured for him, raised it high in his hand, and clinked glasses lightly with the other person.

Put the lit cigarette in your mouth and take a deep breath, then slowly exhale the smoke after it passes through your lungs, and at the same time drink the wine in the glass.

"It's amazing. Strong liquor plus thick smoke. You either think your remaining life is too long, or you have some doubts in your heart."

"Tell me what I can tell you about it."

Carl said slowly while sitting in his seat.

Old Crouch looked at the cigarette between his fingers and said calmly.

"Four questions. I don't have much time. After you finish asking, I have to leave."

"Please say!"

Karl didn’t say much. After all, after the other party drank the glass of wine he poured, he had made his position clear.

Even if they are in a hurry, at least it means that the other party really wants to do the work.

"The first question is, I thought about it all night last night and still couldn't figure it out. Why is that fellow Cornelius Fudge?"

"He would promote me to be the deputy chief judge of this trial. You know, this does not conform to the logic of his behavior."

"Shouldn't he be wary of me?"

Crouch Sr. said, taking a drag from the cigarette on his fingers.

"This is a very simple question. The reason you haven't figured it out is because of your level of education in politics."

"I'm afraid he's not even as good as a primary school student in a big country in the east of the Muggle world. The reason is simple. He has to do this."

"Before, because of his desire for power, he thought that you were secretly using my influence to seek the position of Minister of Magic."

"Now that you have arrested me personally, the premise of what I just said no longer exists."

"The political purge he had carried out in the Ministry of Magic had already caused the entire British Ministry of Magic to feel insecure and resentful."

"At this point, even the dumbest person would be able to infer that these things must be related to you."

"He can certainly use this opportunity to face you, the hero who has captured the most dangerous criminal in the history of the Ministry of Magic."

"Assigning you a position will both appease people and make clear the previous political purge."

"This is not an internal factional struggle at all. Why wouldn't he want to just put the fig leaf back on the table and kill two birds with one stone?"

"It seems that you anticipated this, so why did you choose the position of deputy chief judge?"

Old Crouch seemed to agree with what Carl said. He took another puff of the cigarette in his hand and asked the second question.

As usual, Carl didn't say anything else and started explaining directly.

"This question is even simpler, because he needs you and it really has nothing to do with me?"

"What?" Old Crouch was even more confused.

Carl sighed and said helplessly.

"Mr. Barty Crouch, it seems that you will need some tutoring in this area in the years ahead."

"There is one thing I said before that needs to be noted, and that is in political life."

"You can only think about problems with a political mindset. Now in the eyes of everyone, you and I are in opposition."

"You arrested me yourself, but that's not enough, Cornelius Fudge, you stupid pig, even though you lack intelligence."

"But in terms of political thinking, he is indeed much better than you. He appointed you as the deputy chief judge."

"It can not only place you under the nose of the presiding judge, so that he can monitor and control you, but also use this case to take advantage of you."

"It will completely turn you and I into an antagonistic relationship. After all, if you are found guilty, then you, as the deputy chief judge, will be in trouble."

"But you have to sign the conviction yourself. Once that signature is put down, there will be no room for any reconciliation between you and me no matter what."

"It seems that I underestimated him. Although this guy is as timid as a mouse, his IQ is indeed impressive when it comes to his power."

When old Crouch heard this, he couldn't help but sigh, shook his head and took another puff of his cigarette.

After a half second of silence, he continued to ask.

"The third question is, why did you agree to my taking the position of deputy chief judge? Don't deny it in a hurry."

"For someone like you, I don't believe you are unprepared. That idiot thought I fell into his trap."

"But in the final analysis, he and I are just the same. We are both pawns you use."

Carl clapped softly, the smile returning to his face.

"I take it back Mr. Barty Crouch, you are much smarter than I thought, you just haven't gotten used to this way of thinking yet."

"Don't worry. I am always patient with smart people and capable subordinates. The answer to this question is also very simple."

"That is, if something unexpected happens during the trial to the presiding judge, Mr. Cornelius Fudge."

"Then, as the first vice-president judge, you can legally and reasonably take over this position, including the significance of this position."

"You intend to eliminate Cornelius Fudge directly from the position of Minister of Magic in this operation?"

Old Crouch suddenly became excited, and with his fingers holding the cigarette he exerted force, squeezing the end of the cigarette flat.

Karl waved his hands and said.

"Don't talk nonsense. I didn't say that. I was just stating a possibility. What I said was just a legitimate speculation."

"And rest assured, I can't ask our dear Mr. Fudge to step down from the position of Minister of Magic so quickly."

"He still has a very important mission to complete."

Old Crouch was confused again, but he didn't dwell on Carl's words. He just asked his fourth question.

"I don't care what mission he has not completed. The only thing I want to know now is how big a fuss you want to make this."

"If, as you say, you want me to take over Mr. Fudge's position, then I must be prepared."

"Besides, judging from the current situation, although I have gained some supporters, I also have many opponents."

"The appointment and removal of the Minister of Magic requires a vote by the entire wizarding community in the United Kingdom."

Carl seemed very surprised to hear the other party's concerns. He looked at old Crouch in a strange way.

"How can you have such an idea? It seems that you still don't understand what politics is. Politics is the most complicated and simplest game in the world."

“It’s complex enough to require the most elite people in the world to play, but at the same time simple enough to be operated with simple methods.”

"Don't worry, there will be no problem with your vote. As for the opponents in your eyes, I don't intend to clear these obstacles for you."

"Then what should I do?" Old Crouch was even more confused.

Carl said with a happy smile.

"It's simple. Instead of elevating myself, I would rather belittle others. I have finally performed such a big show."

"The purpose is to completely ruin Mr. Fudge's reputation. How bad is it?"

"One day in the future, when you and he both stand on the election stage, your opponents will not vote for you just because they change their positions and support you."

"And they will vote for you because they hate the other candidate even more!!!"