338: 269. Plato's conclusion on Greenwoods massacre.

269. Plato's conclusion on Greenwoods massacre.

Duke Norman spoke, "Yes, I better hurry up, both Prince Chad and Duke Longbonder have arrived already. So it won't be good to make them wait any longer. By the way, ensure that no one knows of Duke Longbonder's arrival here today, or our alliance may get detected quite early."2

***

Meanwhile, Prince Chad asked his Chief guard Gin, "Okay, tell me your thoughts regarding the current situation."

Chief Gin had a grim face as he understood Prince Chad's current emotions, He spoke, "To be very honest, it was unexpected and quite worse. Most of our predictions will have to change due to a complete discrepancy of Information when it comes to the Sky Kingdom and Lord John's power. He hid quite well, I guess we should have expected the same when he made Radiant Church his enemy because I am sure Vlad must have warned him of the consequences he may face due to their association, or else he wouldn't have confronted them. What we can do now is either be completely hostile to Prince Bidder and his backers or bring him to the forefront so that other Princes envy him so much that they take action against him while we fish in muddy waters."

Prince Chad tapped the table with his fingers slowly as he heard Gin's scheme with a smile and spoke, "After hearing you and also watching the results of our previous confrontation with Lord John and Duke Fredric, I think fighting like a bull head-on won't do us any good. It's better if I don't stay in the limelight and let others face the winds. Ok, so it's decided, we will scheme rather than fight head-on. We can lose as many battles as we want but what we have to ultimately pursue is the outcome of the war and our goals. Okay, we won't open multiple fronts for now, however, we can't be lax and let him have a good time. We can always go with small tricks. We have to repay him for the humiliation I faced this time around."

Chief guard Gin sighed with relief and spoke, "I am glad that your highness is taking decisions with a calm mind. I am sure that you will be the ultimate winner when it comes to taking the throne of Fire-abyss."

Hearing this, Prince Chad smiled and spoke, "Knowing you, You wouldn't have worked under me if I was impulsive like that brat Hector. Would you?"

Chief guard Gin made an awkward face as he answered Chad's question, "I decline to answer my lord."

Prince Chad didn't mind and spoke, "Anyway, let's prepare for this alliance to gain the most out of it. However, this time around, we can't drive our partners into a corner as we did to the Bluesea domain's elders who in turn supported Fredric."

Chief Gin nodded seriously and spoke, "I have kept that in mind. This time our main goal is access to the North Aelius market and make a good profit out of it. And the same is the goal of Norman added with security in times of crisis. But this crisis of theirs can be our opportunity to invade and occupy the areas that we need. And of course, we will abide by the contracts which we make with Duke Norman."

Both Gin and Chad laughed as they discussed further.

****

Plato was meeting with Prince Hector as he heard about the whole event which took place in Greenwoods Village.

Plato and the Imperial guard sighed as they heard about what transpired when Aelius invaded Sky domain. Plato looked at Prince Hector seriously and spoke, "Looks like you were truly manipulated by your brother. However, I can understand that this ordeal has also matured you quite a bit. Although our current positions are opposite of each other but this conversation is of mutual interest."

Prince Hector nodded with agreement and spoke seriously, "I am lucky that I have Alistair as my chief, or else I may have long gone astray. He has recorded all of my actions and conversations which took place during that war in this journal. You can confirm this with others. To repent for my previous actions I hope to improve my relationship with Sally and others."

Plato thought of his conversation with John when it came to Prince Charlie, 'It looks like his Majesty John's men have penetrated into Aelius more than what I initially thought. No wonder, He also requested to go after Prince Charlie for the massacre of Greenwoods village. Anyway, this will leave a way out for Prince Hector and also a way out for his Majesty to negotiate with Lord John. While Prince Hector still has malicious intentions. It is still better than nothing when he acted violently without controlling his emotions. I guess this confrontation with John has sharpened him politically.' 

Plato nodded and spoke, "I hope so. My current Investigation is over so I would like to apologize for my overbearing behavior."

Alistair smiled as he heard the results of the Investigation from Plato and thought, 'Looks like Prince Hector has escaped a calamity. It wouldn't have touched his life but it would have been a determinant for him politically. Now we need to rehaul the image of Prince Hector in front of Nobles at least so that they see him in a new light.'

Prince Hector smiled as he heard Plato and spoke, "No, you shouldn't apologize, In a way, this trial has been beneficial for me mentally and politically as I was quite naive previously as I thought I can do anything if I am the son of a king. I guess that was not the case."

"Lord Plato, I heard that we will be setting up a Joint venture business with the Sky Kingdom when it comes to healthcare. Is that correct?"

Plato smiled as he thought, 'Looks like he also got some news from the group that traveled with me to Sky.' 

Plato nodded and spoke, "It is not a joint venture. Details are being finalized but we will mostly be buying medicines directly from their State company Sky Pharma Limited. The royal family is going to set up a company and invite Nobles to fund and create a joint holding company so that interests can be divided without any disputes so that medicines could be distributed all over the Aelius domain. Cheap distribution of Medicines will be the state policy to resist the influence Radiant Church. It will be helpful to you since it will dwindle resources of Felix. But I have heard that even Felix will be investing a bit to hedge his bets. Also, I have to remind you that this may become a risky bet as there will be a lot of terms and conditions so I am not sure if the company will generate profits as part i.e about 30% of the profits may get diverted due to a proposal by Duke Norman who wants to create a research institute by the proceeds of this company. But the thing is, His majesty Lionheart is quite impressed by the plans of Duke Norman and wants to create the Research Institute like the one in Sky for national security reasons."

Prince Hector and Alistair frowned as they heard Plato. Prince Hector thought a bit and spoke, "Now this may become a problem. Maybe I can lobby with other Dukes to quash the proposal or we can create an Institute without any connection with the new company."

Plato smiled as he had discussed this with ministers and his Majesty Lionheart and spoke, "I wish it was that easy. The thing is this research Institute will be a Money eating Pit that will require long-term investment with no sight to results. Meanwhile, his Majesty thinks that the problem of Money can be solved by connecting both companies. One will generate enormous profits while the other can continue research and create a path for our own Medicine companies. If it gets good results then we might as well eat up the market of Radiant Church with fewer death in our domain. And this will inevitably increase the productivity of the Kingdom. And hence the complicated relationship."

Both Hector and Alistair understood the crux of the matter and sighed regretfully. Alistair meanwhile thought a bit and spoke, "Your Highness, I think it is not bad as I think this new company won't face any problems in any domain and can generate good enough profits even if it gives away 30% of its profits for research. Here we can lobby for subsidies with all the dukes in the form of low taxes for about 10 years. And to appease the Crown for its losses I suggest that we pass a bill which taxes donations after a certain threshold if it is not regulated by the government."

Both Plato and Hector looked at Alistair with meaningful looks and spoke, "Now that is feasible. If others are sacrificing something then the Crown too can sacrifice some of the taxes to promote their main policies." 

Plato nodded and spoke, "Yes, this seems possible. I will notify you when the company is set up by the royal family after the proposed bills are passed. But you shouldn't expect too many shares. All 4 dukes will have a share of 10% while the royal family will take 20%. The rest of the stake will be distributed as per the money presented. Of course, the Dukes and the Royal family will inject the initial sum which would be a great amount. Anyway, everyone will have to fight out for the rest 40% of the stake with these conditions."

Hector nodded and spoke cunningly, "Fair enough, the Dukes and the Royal family will provide the market plus favorable business and political climate along with their credibility so it's only fair that they take their pie first. Minister Plato I am sorry that I couldn't entertain you this time around as today's appointment was quite abrupt and a little bit uncomfortable at the start but since it is all solved for now I hope to have a new start. So I will requite the help of elders like you."

Plato didn't mind as he and his guards bid their farewell and documented the minutes of today's meeting.

Plato smiled and thought as he left, 'Though cunning but not good enough to hide his killing intent. I guess he has improved from the last time I met him. As far as the Greenwoods massacre is concerned, it looks like he was simply manipulated by Charlie. So Charlie can't be blamed. Orders were directly given by Hector himself. Now this will muddy the waters. The only thing in favor of him is his birth identity which is higher than Charlie's.' 

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