The First Vampire

The horse-carriage stopped at the entrance of the Prime Minister’s residence. Colin stepped out of the carriage, but held back Vera who wanted to follow him.

“No need, you go back to the Phoenix Palace first. I will talk to the Prime Minister myself.”

“Alright.”

Despite being full of doubts, Vera had already grown accustomed to obeying Colin. She tiptoed to peck her husband’s lips lightly, then waved her hand to bid him farewell.

After announcing his identity, an attendant led Colin into the lounge.

After waiting for about five minutes, Baron Heidegger, the Prime Minister of the Empire, walked in.

“Good day, Viscount Angler!” remarked Baron Heidegger, looking slightly surprised to see Colin alone.

After all, Colin and Vera had been showing up together at all major public occasions recently.

“Good day, Prime Minister. I hope my abrupt visit hasn’t disrupted your affairs.”

“Of course not.” Baron Heidegger waved his hand to signal Colin to take a seat. He then rang a bell, and shortly after, several maids entered, carrying silver trays containing red wine and little cakes, placing them in front of them.

Colin knew that the last time Scholar Doan had visited, Baron Heidegger had served roasted sweet potatoes, implying that Colin’s current reception seemed more formal in comparison.

Nevertheless, Colin understood that in reality, Doan’s reception had been a gesture of hosting a true friend.

“Prime Minister, I’ve heard that you’ve profound views on governing a nation, so I wanted an opportunity to have a talk and learn from your experiences.”

“Viscount, you’re too kind.” Baron Heidegger said, smiling slightly without further comment, waiting for Colin’s next words.

Colin took a small sip of red wine, then in a relaxed tone said, “The thing is, Prime Minister, I have always had trouble understanding the existence of the Senate.

Naturally, I understand that the Senate was established to restrict the imperial power, to prevent the emperor from impulsively making wrong decisions.

But what I want to know is, if the Senate makes a wrong decision, who is there to restrict it?”

Baron Heidegger’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he laughed lightly: “Viscount, your doubt indeed makes sense. However, the Senate isn’t monolithic, but consists of one hundred seventeen members. The likelihood of the majority making a mistake is slim.”

“But these hundred or so senators are heavily influenced by the five governors. Thus, a majority of these five governors making a mistake could potentially lead the Senate in ushering the Empire into dangerous circumstances.”

Baron Heidegger seemed slightly interested, and in a laughing tone asked, “So you think the influence of the governors is too great, right?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a good solution?”

“I have a rather immature idea.”

“Please give us your thoughts.”

Colin swirled his wine glass, raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said leisurely, “I think, the root cause of the governors having too great an influence is due to the lifelong tenure of the position!

So, if we cancel the lifetime tenure of the governors and change to, let’s say, an election every three years, then the aforementioned problem wouldn’t arise.”

Baron Heidegger’s eyes flashed with disappointment, apparently Colin’s suggestion did not evoke his interest. He shook his head,

“Viscount, your idea is good. But you know that to abolish the lifetime tenure of the governor, we need to amend the Constitution of Glory, and to amend the constitution, we must get approval from His Majesty and must also receive an absolute majority vote in the Senate!

Your proposal may interest His Majesty, but it is absolutely impossible to pass through the Senate.”

Colin shook his head, leisurely saying, “Prime Minister, this may not be necessarily so.”

“Oh? What do you mean?”

“Do you know how I plan to elect this governor?”

“How to choose? Isn’t it a re-nomination by the five Holy Knight families, then followed by a vote in the Senate?” Baron Heidegger asked, puzzled.

But as soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to realize something, his expression abruptly turning serious.

Colin smiled faintly and continued to explain, “If we followed the method you mentioned of voting, it certainly wouldn’t pass the Senate. But what if we allowed every member of the Senate to have the same candidacy qualifications, to run for the governorship?”

“How can the governor not be someone from the Holy Knight Family? This is even less likely to pass the Senate, even the Emperor wouldn’t…” Heidegger couldn’t finish his sentence and fell silent.

He stood up abruptly, pacing back and forth in the lounge.

His face became increasingly animated and after a moment, he stopped, bursting into laughter, “Brilliant! What a wonderful idea!”

Heidegger finally realized the feasibility of Colin’s plan.

This utilized the biggest loophole in the Senate – the governor and ordinary elders each only have one vote!

While the governor holds great influence, they do not have special voting privileges. In fact, the passage of a proposal through the Senate still depends on the votes of over a hundred ordinary elders.

Of course, because the governor is a member of one of the five Holy Knight families and has the right to speak at Senate meetings, their stance heavily influences the ordinary elders.

But would elders still vote in line with the governor when their interests conflict with the governor’s?

Of course not.

Colin’s current proposal exploits this very fact.

The current governors would, of course, strongly oppose this reform, but what about the ordinary elders?

If Colin’s proposal is approved, the governor’s position will no longer be exclusive to the elders of the Holy Knight Family, even the ordinary elders will have a chance to become governors!

Faced with such temptation, the ordinary elders will undoubtedly vote in favor!

In this way, even if the current governors strongly oppose it, Colin’s proposal is bound to be passed by the Senate with an overwhelming majority vote!

Once the governorship is no longer a lifelong position, they won’t have the superior political status they now enjoy. They will become vulnerable and will start compromising, susceptible to persuasion, division, and threats.

In short, the governor’s status in the Senate would drop significantly.

More importantly, Colin would finally be able to remove that damn Sebastian St. Hilde!

Baron Heidegger looked deeply at Colin and praised, “Viscount, your wisdom amazes me! I must say, this idea is very workable!”

Colin chuckled modestly, and replied, “That’s good.”

Baron Heidegger, with a twinkle in his eye, suddenly laughed, “However, your proposal may infringe on the interests of certain individuals.”

“Of course,” Colin shrugged, not caring too much, “Every reform infringes on the interests of established interest groups, but as long as it benefits the Empire, it is worth implementing.”

Hearing Colin’s righteous words, Baron Heidegger laughingly said,

“Really? You propose this for the sake of the Empire’s interests? How come I heard that in the Senate meeting that just concluded, some people were clearly opposing Vera’s succession of the Northern Duke?”

Colin did not feel that his little scheme would conceal him from the Prime Minister of the Empire. He didn’t feel embarrassed when being called out, still speaking with righteousness:

“I am indeed thinking about the future of the Empire. Prime Minister, don’t you want to see a weakened Senate too?”

A glint of severity flashed across Baron Heidegger’s eyes, he nodded and said, “Correct, the Senate needs reform…”

But subsequently, the cunning smile returned to his face, he suddenly asked, “So, Viscount Angler, can you tell me why you asked Miss Vera to return to Phoenix Palace alone when we were at the door earlier?”

At this, the look on Colin’s face finally changed.