The Shift in Attitude

When Lin Qi left the imperial palace, a victorious smile spread across his face, and the Small Nobles all breathed sighs of relief.

"Everything went perfectly. His Majesty the Emperor agreed to our plan, and he also agreed to have the governor and the various levels of government cooperate with us..."

Before anyone else could ask, Lin Qi took the initiative and announced the outcome of his meeting with His Majesty the Emperor.

The Emperor had approved all his plans, which allowed everyone around him to breathe a sigh of relief. Their money was safe.

Although they would still have to spend that money through various means in the short term, at least it remained in their hands. It had merely taken on another form and continued accompanying them instead of leaving them behind.

This was the best possible outcome. When they had first heard that the Prime Minister intended to use them as targets, many of them had already worn looks of despair.

They had never expected that, with matters having reached this point, there would still be room for a turnaround. Their gazes toward Lin Qi now held varying degrees of admiration.

Not everyone could have accomplished this. At the very least, when they asked themselves honestly, they knew they could not have done it.

Everyone's mood lightened at once, and smiles returned to their faces. Lin Qi added a few more words about related matters, including the minor request he had made... the cooperation of the various levels of government.

Lin Qi had given His Majesty the Emperor what he wanted most, so naturally, His Majesty had to be sensible and give Lin Qi what he wanted in return. That was politics, compromise, and a transaction.

Politics had never necessarily been harsh, nor necessarily bright and righteous.