Opening a Back Door

Franz's concerns were well understood by both Qin and Derek.

Power was a formidable thing. It could corrupt the heart and alter one's original intentions.

So rather than testing someone else's moral limits, it was better to prepare in advance.

Although List wielded considerable power, checks on him existed everywhere.

Leaving aside the Governor's Mansion's control over forces such as the militia and Garrison Legion, he did not directly command combat units at the division level.

Without a direct chain of command, there could naturally be no collusion.

He did directly command the recruits of eight divisions, but some of their officers came from the homeland while others were trained locally. There certainly would not be many who chose to side with List.

Most importantly, telegrams now transmitted information far too quickly. The spies planted by the royal family could easily report the military's situation back to the homeland.

If List had the ability to lead eight recruit divisions in rebellion and then crush the Empire's suppression legions all the way through, Derek ought to abdicate and yield his position to the more capable man.

Nonsense. If one of his sons possessed such overwhelming ability, then he was either cheating or the chosen son of destiny.

That sort of strength was enough to overturn primogeniture, enough to erase every disadvantage. Why bother talking about worldly rules?

But clearly, none of that was possible. Thus, granting him such immense power was an expression of love from his father and elder brother.

For List, it carried a special meaning as well.

No matter how much maneuvering and calculation lay hidden behind it, at least at this moment, he felt the weight of familial affection.

After all, not everyone could be entrusted with such enormous power.

Even Guard Commander Sergei, once he arrived