Listening to Lin Qi discuss his speculations about the future situation, the Small Earl could not help asking a question that concerned him.
"Why not win them over? Wouldn't that be better?"
"That would strengthen the Imperial Family while weakening the aristocratic faction. With one side rising and the other falling, the gap between them would narrow considerably."
That was also what most people thought, which explained why politicians—or statesmen, if you preferred—were never "most people."
Lin Qi shook his head. "You still don't understand. This is a war, not a game."
"Your Majesty the Emperor won't trust any noble who once wanted to overthrow the Imperial Family, much less let those people stand behind him. He won't do that if he still has his senses."
"Just wait. You'll understand soon enough."
The Small Earl had a mysterious faith in Lin Qi's judgment. He nodded, committing those words to memory, then immediately asked, "What should we do now?"
That was the question in most people's minds here as well: What should they do next?
Lin Qi chuckled twice. "Do nothing. Keep yourselves under control, keep your families under control, and wait."
"We have extensive industries in Amelia. After two years, our reach has spread into every aspect of Amelia. That is our greatest advantage."
"If the Emperor or the Prime Minister wants to move against us, the first thing they'll have to face is the possibility of making the Amelia Governor feel threatened."
"Making a governor feel threatened is a terrifying thing!"
A governor was practically a local emperor, wielding tremendous power over both the military and civil administration. If he declared independence now, even Gefra would be powerless against him.
Moreover, the key positions in the local government were occupied by the governor's trusted aides. If he truly wanted