"Your Majesty, regarding this disaster in the Northern Territory, I have a few points I'd like to discuss."

The speaker stood up from the corner of the long table, a slender middle-aged noble dressed modestly yet neatly.

He bore no emblem of the old nobility, nor the dragon-patterned epaulettes of military generals, only adorned with a newly minted gold rose insignia, the shared symbol among a batch of council nobles appointed in the Imperial Capital in the past decade.

He was Marquis Collins, not of noble birth, yet he frequently surfaced in various affairs within the Empire, known for "reconciliation, compromise, rationality," regarded by many veteran councilors as a harmless newcomer.

But now he stood at the most sensitive juncture.

Sitting on the left side of the long table, Eleanor slowly bowed her head.

This was actually an undercover seed planted by the Calvin Clan for years, and the words he was about to speak were a draft written by Duke Calvin.

Of course, if Collins could not win the opening of this discourse, she would lose most of her means.

The people in the hall looked towards the frail marquis, with expressions of inquiry, contempt, or indifference, seemingly unconcerned about the gravity of what he might say next.

Yet Collins lightly bowed, his voice not loud but exceedingly clear due to the echo array in the Imperial Hall:

"First point, I believe the nature of this war is no longer within the realm of a normal war. Neither the mutation of the Insect Tide nor the so-called 'Doomsday Nest' are things that mere mortals can predict or control."

Marquis Collins' words pierced through what many had chosen to avoid discussing.

"To blame this disaster on a tactical error by a certain general would divert from the main point. We're using human flesh and blood to block an inhuman disaster; this isn't a mistake, it's a sacrifice, the limit of what can be done."

He paused and continued: "Second point, although Duke Edmund couldn't hold the entire Northern Territory, he used his private army to steadfastly defend the Red Tide Defense Line, keeping the Nest contained within the Northern Territory to prevent the disaster from spilling into the interior.

He suffered heavy losses but withstood the pressure. If such a leader is held accountable in the end, who would dare guard the border in the future? Who would dare sacrifice for the Empire?"

Upon these words, several nobles who had been flipping through documents lifted their heads.

Seeing this, Collins shifted his point:

"Therefore, I propose the third point—to establish the 'Northern Territory Disaster Reconstruction Authority.'

He glanced at Mei Si, then at General Brutus, finally fixing his gaze towards the high throne.

"Allow the remaining local nobility in the Northern Territory to organize the reconstruction. They know the land, have people and resources, and have family buried there; they know where to begin.

Of course, the Imperial Capital can send inspectors to jointly oversee the accounts to ensure fairness, but should not interfere with their basic authority."

He lowered his voice, steady in tone:

"This way, it prevents exploitation and disorder amid chaos and avoids treating the Northern Territory as a heap of dead bodies to restart anew. At least the Northern Lords can hold onto a bit of their foundation, leaving a road for reconstruction."

The Imperial Hall fell silent for a moment, with attendees contemplating whether to refute or support.

In the next instant: "Buzz."

Behind the throne, a dull heavy sound resonated.

Not a human strike but a barely perceptible rhythm emitted by the shining throne.

The Emperor moved.

Even the subtle shift of an inch in his posture was enough to stir the atmosphere.

Everyone instinctively held their breath.

Collins remained standing straight, his expression unchanged.

Sitting beside him, Eleanor's eyes trembled slightly, a barely noticeable hint of joy passing through her gaze.

That sound indicated the Emperor was not displeased.

Possibly even… intrigued.

And this marked the beginning of a reversal in the situation.

Of course, the other nobles were not fools; representatives of several old families exchanged glances, perceiving this might be the direction the Emperor was attempting to guide.

As usual, the Emperor would not express a direct stance.

He merely offered a hint, leaving the rest for them to debate, negotiate, probe boundaries.

While he sat in the higher position, allowing them to gauge each other under his shadow, gradually and cautiously approaching his intent.

Yet once a direction was established, discussions were easier to conduct.

On one side of the council table, some nobles who had maintained silence began to show willingness.

Several lords from the West and Southern Territories nodded slightly, engaging in quiet discussions, showing some support for the idea of "local nobility in charge."

Although they cared little for the fate of the Northern Territory, if reconstruction power was entirely controlled by the Imperial Capital, today it was the Northern Territory, tomorrow it might be their doorstep.

However, some displayed traces of suspicion, realizing Collins had a complex background.

"... A newly appointed marquis, how dare he make presumptions in the Dragon Throne meeting?"

"Could it be some old fox is behind this? Is he part of Edmund's faction?"

"But since the Emperor nodded... this direction can't be opposed too rigidly."

At this moment, Mei Si stood up.

The chief envoy of the Inspectorate still maintained a calm demeanor, adjusting his glasses: "Marquis Collins' words do have merit. Post-disaster, local cooperation is common sense."

He paused, his tone subtly shifted: "However, it must be noted that financial management after the disaster, resource allocation for reconstruction, prioritization of steps...

These must be under the regulation of the Imperial Capital. The Inspectorate and the Ministry of Finance must hold key positions within the 'Reconstruction Authority,' with rights of audit and veto."

What seemed supplementary was actually another delineation of power, where the Northern Lords could participate but the leadership remained with the three departments of the Imperial Capital.

The entire hall fell silent.

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