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Chapter 431: The Harmonious Meeting (Part 2)
Chapter 431: The Harmonious Meeting (Part 2)
The most crucial moment had arrived!
Tension filled the air, not just for the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Joshua, but also for everyone who knew that three days ago, the Princess had been blocked by a large group of sergeants at the Prime Minister's Residence. As Lyon mentioned the "personnel adjustment proposal from the Military Department," everyone in the vast main hall who was aware of this incident held their breath.
Regarding Princess Veronica's reforms in recent years, although they had caused some losses for the old nobility, they were mostly just "indirect attacks" and "minor inconveniences," not affecting their fundamental interests.
However, this Officer Replacement Order was different. This proposal, while not directly challenging the legitimacy of the nobility, would effectively cripple the old nobility if passed. They would lose a significant portion of their influence in front of the Royal Family.
According to the procedures of the Kingdom's Two-Chamber Parliament, the Upper House had a significant role in legislation. Once this proposal passed the Upper House, the Lower House could only make minor revisions, and there would be no room for further delay.
Therefore, what the Acting Speaker was about to say would almost determine the future of the old nobility and even the entire Kingdom. It was one of the most important proposals in nearly a century, perhaps the only one of its kind!
"Hehe, it seems everyone knows what I'm about to say."
Under the gaze of a thousand eyes, filled with tension, anticipation, worry, and excitement, Lyon looked around the main hall, then slightly raised the corners of his mouth and abruptly raised his voice!
"The first proposal for the members of parliament to vote on today is the Military Guard Abolition Order! Those who oppose may speak!"
"I object!"
Lyon had barely finished speaking when the middle-aged man who had just stood up to denounce the Princess's reforms as an abandonment of the Kingdom Codex rose to his feet, his face turning red with rage.
"This is absolute chaos! The Military Department's guards must not be abolished... Guards?"
"Yes, guards."
Lyon nodded and smiled, responding from the main podium:
"The first proposal for the members of parliament to vote on is the abolition of the Military Guard Bureau.
The Minister of Defense believes that the Military Department already has sergeants and patrol guards, making a separate guard bureau unnecessary. He proposes to abolish it to reduce expenses... Is there anyone else who opposes the abolition of the Military Guard Bureau, like Marquis Morley?"
"..."
Huh? Wasn't the Officer Replacement Order the proposal to be voted on?
After hearing the Deputy Speaker's words, the members of parliament in the main hall were all taken aback and immediately began flipping through the proposal sheets on their desks.
Indeed, within the thick stack of proposals marked with the Military Department's symbol, there was one... a sixth of a page that mentioned this guard abolition order.
However, because the matter was so insignificant, it didn't even warrant a separate sheet of paper. It was merely mentioned in two lines under "Other Miscellaneous Matters," so much so that everyone had barely any recollection of it.
But upon closer inspection, this seemingly trivial guard abolition order was indeed a proposal submitted by the Military Department regarding personnel adjustments. The Deputy Speaker hadn't lied.
However...
...
"Pfft..."
Marquis Morley, who had stood up from his seat, ready to lead the opposition against the Officer Replacement Order, only to find his anger misplaced, caused a low murmur of laughter among the members of parliament on both sides of the main podium.
Those who had a grudge against Marquis Morley, as well as the observers who were not officially seated and only had listening rights, laughed out loud. For a moment, the entire main hall was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
"Is there no one else who feels that the Military Guard Bureau is crucial and must not be abolished? It seems only Marquis Morley holds this view."
After the members of parliament had their laugh, Lyon lifted the small silver hammer and struck the small golden bell with a 'ding.' With a smile, he said:
"One hundred sixty-seven to one, the proposal to abolish the Military Guard Bureau is passed. This bill will be sent to the Lower House later, where they will add details and implement it specifically... Please take your seat, Marquis Morley.
"..."
Tricked!
Amidst the stifled laughter and blatant amusement around him, the middle-aged parliamentarian's face, already flushed with tension, deepened into a purplish hue.
By the time Marquis Morley, whose face had turned the color of pig's liver, sat down, Leon nodded courteously to him. Then, amidst the murderous glares from his opponent, he began to speak with a playful smile.
"My apologies, I just wanted to have a little fun with everyone. Now, let's get down to business."
As he spoke, Leon's expression turned solemn, and he picked up the small silver hammer and gently tapped the little golden bell. With a sincere look on his face, he said, "The next item that requires your vote is the most crucial proposal submitted by the Military Department.
Whether this replacement can be carried out will determine the future of the Military Department and even the entire kingdom. It will decide whether many non-commissioned officers can still wear their original uniforms."
It seemed that this time, it was indeed the non-commissioned officer replacement order.
Seeing Leon's solemn expression, the members of the House of Representatives also became serious, sitting upright as they awaited the vote.
"I hereby announce."
Leon glanced playfully at Marquis Morley, who was sitting to his right and looked like he might jump up at any moment. Then, amidst the gaze of countless parliamentarians, he declared, "The second item for review today is the Non-Commissioned Officer Uniform Replacement Order! Please vote!"
Upon hearing the keywords "Military Department," "Non-Commissioned Officers," and "Replacement Order," Marquis Morley, who had just led a failed charge and fallen into a ditch, stood up once again, but...
He sat back down with a loud thud.
"Pft!"
"Hahaha!"
Although the Marquis's reaction was much faster than the last time, as he sat back down without even opening his mouth, he seemed to have said everything and nothing at the same time.
Facing the same trick twice, Marquis Morley, who had bounced back like a spring on his chair, couldn't help but elicit laughter even from those in his own camp.
"Your Excellency, the Deputy Speaker!"
Biting his cheek to suppress his laughter, the Chancellor of Finance, sitting beside the main podium, stood up and sternly requested, "One joke is enough. Today's agenda is very tight, so please set aside these unimportant matters and deal with the more critical proposals first!"
"Mmm-hmm," Leon responded nonchalantly. Then, he tapped the small bell with the hammer and smiled at the members of the House of Representatives below.
"Next, we will proceed with the third vote. This time, we will be voting on another proposal submitted by the Military Department.
This proposal also concerns many non-commissioned officers and determines whether they can still eat their original meals. Like the previous two proposals, it also has a profound impact on the kingdom's future..."
Got it, he's playing us again.
Hearing this all-too-familiar vague description, the members of the House of Representatives naturally wouldn't fall for it a third time. They immediately started flipping through the documents in front of them.
As expected, right below the "Military Guard Abolition Order," separated by three lines, was the "Food Budget Expansion Proposal." The description of its impact was completely misleading, and it was clear that it was all nonsense.
As the saying goes, you can fool someone once or twice, but not a third or fourth time.
Facing this puzzle laid out before them, even the hot-tempered Marquis Morley couldn't maintain his composure. Instead, he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, glaring at Leon on the main podium. He was prepared to wait for Leon to continue his nonsense, but..."
"Non-Commissioned Officer Replacement Order, please vote... eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."
In just 0.35 seconds, Leon counted down in a rapid-fire manner, leaving the members of the House of Representatives bewildered. He then swung the small silver hammer and struck the little golden bell, drowning out any attempts to object with the sound of the bell.
"No objections, the Non-Commissioned Officer Replacement Order is passed."
(End of Chapter)
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