I! Cleaner!

The most critical moment has arrived!

Not only the Minister of Finance and Joshua were on edge—when Leon mentioned the "personnel adjustment proposal sent by the military," everyone in the large main hall who knew about how, three days ago, the princess was blocked by a large number of officers at the Prime Minister's residence held their breath.

Regarding Princess Veronica's reforms in recent years, although they have put the old nobility at a disadvantage, most of them can only be considered as "indirect hits" and "minor skirmishes," not really damaging the roots.

But this time's officer replacement order is different. This proposal, although it does not directly uproot or deny the legality of noble status, if passed, it would be like kicking the old nobility in the knee, leaving them to hobble on one leg and significantly lose their voice before the royal family.

According to the legislative process in the Kingdom's bicameral parliament, the Upper House has a very high weight in "legislation." If this proposal is passed in the Upper House, then the Lower House can only make detailed revisions, no matter how much they delay, it will get implemented bit by bit without any room for maneuver.

Therefore, what the acting Speaker is about to say next almost determines the future of the old noble groups and even the entire Kingdom. It is the most important proposal in nearly a hundred years of the Kingdom, perhaps with nothing comparable!

"Haha, it seems everyone knows what I'm going to say next."

Under the gaze of nearly a thousand pairs of eyes, some tense, some expectant, some anxious, and some excited, Leon first looked around the main hall, then slightly curled his lips and suddenly raised his voice!

"Today, the first proposal that requires a vote from all members is the military's gate guard abolition order! Those opposing it can speak!"

"I oppose!"

Just as Leon's words were halfway through, the middle-aged man who had recently stood up second to denounce the princess's reforms as a betrayal of the Kingdom's laws stood up abruptly, his face flushed red, and roared:

"This is absolute madness! The military's gate guard must not be... Gate guard?"

"Yes, the gate guard."

Leon on the main stage nodded, smiling as he replied:

"The first proposal requiring a vote from all of you is the proposal to abolish the military's gate guard bureau.

The Minister of Defense believes that the military has enough officers and patrol guards, and there's no need to establish a separate gate guard bureau, intending to abolish it to save costs... Is there anyone else like Lord Morton who opposes the military's gate guard abolition?"

"..."

Huh? Isn't the vote for the officer replacement order?

Hearing the acting Speaker's words, the members in the main hall were all stunned, then hurriedly started flipping through the proposal forms on their desks.

Sure enough, among the thick pile of proposals marked with military insignia, there was indeed a page... or a sixth of a page mentioning this gate guard abolition order.

However, because the matter is so trivial, so small that it doesn't deserve an entire page, it was mixed into the "other miscellaneous" section with just two lines, leading most to not even remember it.

But thinking carefully, this trivial gate guard abolition order does count as a personnel adjustment proposal submitted by the military, so the acting Speaker wasn't lying.

Just that...

...

"Pfft..."

Seeing Lord Morton, who was about to lead the charge against the officer replacement order, standing up from his seat, fully prepared and filled with anger but ending up with a blank face, a muffled laugh resounded from the sidelines of the main stage.

Those who had a grudge against Lord Morton and the adjunct members who only had the right to listen in burst into laughter, filling the entire hall with an atmosphere of amusement.

"No one else expressing opinions? It seems that only Lord Morton sees the military's gate guard as critical and opposed to its abolition."

After the members laughed enough, Leon picked up a small silver hammer on the main stage, struck a small golden bell with a clang, and said with a grin:

"One hundred and sixty-seven to one, the proposal to abolish the military's gate guard bureau is passed. This proposal will be sent to the Lower House later for detailed amendments and execution... Lord Morton, please sit down."

"..."

Fooled!

In the laughter around him, whether restrained or wanton, the middle-aged member's face, already red from tension, flushed two shades darker, almost purple.

Once Lord Morton's face was as red as a pig's liver, Leon nodded to the members before, under Lord Morton's deadly gaze, smilingly saying:

"I'm sorry, I just played a little joke with all of you, now let's get to the main topic."

Saying this, Leon's expression slightly solemn, then he hit the small golden bell with a hammer, sincerely stating:

"Next, the one that requires your voting is the most important among the military-submitted proposals this time.

Whether the replacement can proceed this time determines the military's and even the entire Kingdom's future, deciding if many officers can still wear their original outfits."

It seems that this time it is the officer replacement order for real.

Seeing Leon's incredibly solemn expression, the members also became serious, sitting upright waiting to vote.

"I declare."

Sardonically glancing at Lord Morton sitting to his right, who looked ready to bounce up any second, Leon loudly announced under countless stares:

"Today, the second proposal under review is the military officer uniform replacement order! Please vote!"

Hearing the keywords "military," "officer," and "replacement order," Lord Morton, who had just failed to charge and metaphorically crashed into a ditch, stood up with a start and then...

Plopped back into his seat with a thud.

"Pffft"

"Ahahaha!"

Although Lord Morton's reaction was much quicker this time as he sat back down without saying anything, still, although he said nothing, he also seemed to have said everything.

Facing the same trick twice, with Lord Morton bouncing in his chair like a spring, even those on his side couldn't help but laugh.

"Mr. Speaker!"

After biting down on his cheek to hold back a smile, the Minister of Finance standing at the side of the main stage stood up, seriously requesting:

"One joke is enough. Today's schedule is exceptionally tight, so please set aside these unimportant issues and handle the more crucial proposals first!"

"Mm-hmm."

Leon responded perfunctorily, picked up the hammer, knocked the small bell, and cheerfully said to the members below:

"Then let's proceed to the third vote. This time we will vote on another proposal submitted by the military.

This proposal still affects many officers, deciding whether they can still have the same cup of rice to eat, and like the previous two proposals, it has a profound impact on the Kingdom's future..."

Understood, another trick on us.

Hearing this familiarly vague description, the members below naturally wouldn't be fooled a third time, and they started flipping through the files at hand.

Sure enough, three lines under the "Gate Guard Abolition Proposal" was the "Meal Budget Expansion Proposal," with the description matching exactly, hundred percent still nonsense.

As the saying goes, once or twice but not thrice or fourth.

Facing this practically blatant riddle, even the most impatient Lord Morton didn't bother any longer, instead, crossing his arms and gloomily watching Leon on stage, ready for more nonsense. However...

"Officer replacement order, please vote... eight seven six five four three two one."

Taking just 0.35 seconds to count down, Leon, amidst the baffled expressions of the members, slammed down the little golden bell next to him.

"No opposition, officer replacement order passed."