Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste-Chapter 669 - 626: The Empress’s Persuasion

The development of things did not surpass Perfikot's expectations. The prime minister and cabinet system, which was conducive to the concentration of power and could escape the shackles of the parliament, was like a tempting bait hung in front of those aspiring to obtain greater power.

Even knowing that swallowing it would lead to their throat being pierced by a fishhook, they still eagerly swallowed it.

The system quickly gained approval in the council meeting and it was decided that the first prime minister election would be held after the reorganization of the National Assembly was complete.

Perfikot was not surprised by this news at all. She even thought it remarkable that they could endure the reorganization before electing the prime minister, showing significant patience.

"I had assumed they would hastily elect a prime minister and cabinet and then use it to manipulate the parliament! It's unexpected that they even had the patience to organize the assembly first." Inside a lavish mansion in Beloburg, Perfikot was having tea with the Empress, voicing her views on the matter.

The Empress's health was deteriorating day by day, and she herself was refusing treatment, worsening the situation continuously.

Even now, Perfikot could only use the argument that "Eldest Princess Annie is not yet ready; if the Empress dies, it will destabilize the Empire" as a reason to delay the Empress.

However, even so, having afternoon tea with Perfikot while discussing the major events happening in the Empire was still manageable for the Empress.

The Empress's energy now was far less compared to before. Most times she only listened without responding.

But when Perfikot mentioned the cabinet and prime minister, the Empress nodded approvingly and affirmed, "With the arrival of a new era, the knowledge and ability required to manage a country are getting higher and higher. It's impossible for the monarch to handle everything and manage a country as in the past.

Establishing specialized management institutions and letting specialized people handle specialized tasks is inevitable. The centralized royal power will disperse again, but it is also a kind of development of the times.

The era when a king personally handled various affairs and the country was governed by various lords is ultimately going to be a thing of the past. Perhaps giving power to the people like France would also be good. What do you think, little Perfikot?"

"The system is not a marker of advancement. Feudalism or democracy, it's merely a form. The critical point is whether this set of policies can be effectively implemented." Perfikot shook her head, avoiding the topic thrown by the Empress.

With her insight, she already understood that the parliamentary system would largely become a pitfall, and democratic elections even more so.

But she chose not to discuss these issues with the Empress, considering they're matters from two hundred years later even in the original world, an advanced system for the current Empire, and the elected are still relatively elite, not like the ultimate political animals rampant later on.

The Empress was unconcerned with Perfikot's attitude, realizing that some matters are beyond Perfikot's mere desires.

So she didn't continue on that topic, instead asking Perfikot: "Little Perfikot, will you run for the Empire's first prime minister? You have the capability and the prestige; if you are willing, I can express royal support for you."

To the Empress, supporting Perfikot was a beneficial and non-costly action with multiple gains.

She was distinctly aware of Perfikot's disinterest in politics, also knowing Perfikot truly has the ability to improve the country.

However, the unique circumstances of the Northern Territory's produce are, in a sense, not beneficial for the entire Empire.

Currently, the Empire is riddled with various intertwined issues. The Empress was long aware of the burgeoning bourgeoisie and aristocracy conflict, their entangled interests becoming the primary problem the Empire must face.

If she were young with enough energy and determination, perhaps she could slowly resolve these issues.

But now she is nearing death, her groomed heir, though not incompetent, also lacks the necessary maturity.

If the Empire's external environment were stable, it wouldn't matter much to the Empress, given the Empire's numerous nobles; despite plentiful parasites, loyalists are plentifully dutiful, allowing the Empire to still overpass difficulties relying on them.

Yet, facing the world's twilight, the Empire faces a particularly severe test.

Under such circumstances, the best way to resolve these various issues is undoubtedly placing Perfikot in the prime minister role, using the position to ensure she doesn't split the Northern Territory from the Empire.

After all, she's the prime minister holding the Empire's power; to intentionally separate the Northern Territory would be unbecoming.

Moreover, the Empress is intimately aware that Perfikot doesn't harbor such ambitions. This maneuver isn't merely to prevent such possibilities but crucially to stifle the emergence of such ideas within the Northern Faction.

The Empress clearly understands that sometimes, once a notion arises below and becomes a trend, it will inevitably sweep others, even leaders together toward that trajectory, leading many issues astray from their original paths.

So to avert such possibilities and leverage Perfikot's talent to see the Empire through these difficult times, placing Perfikot in the prime minister position is the best move presently.

Only to Perfikot, there's simply no desire to bear the burdensome prime minister post.

She shook her head telling the Empress: "Let's just forget it. Such labor-intensive yet unfruitful positions are better left for those truly aspiring to be prime ministers! I don't have the energy or mood to bother with trivial matters amidst a swarm of pests daily."

"If you don't wish to govern this country alongside pests, then replace them. When you become prime minister, you possess that authority, don't you?" The Empress's smile bore slight mischief, lovingly looking at Perfikot: "Pursue what you wish, turn this country into your ideal vision. Isn't this the essence of what power exists for?

Why others covet this position is precisely to imprint their will onto this country and fashion it into their ideal vision.

Rather than others doing it, why not you? Others will certainly hold conflicting opinions with you at times."

"If I truly take that position, then the emperor of the Empire becomes just a figurehead?" Perfikot retorted.

"If making the country better necessitates the emperor becoming a figurehead, then turn him into the most splendid figurehead," the Empress's voice was weak but her words were full of resolute firmness.