1885, I came to save Greece

Chapter 175 The Parliamentary Quagmire

Parliamentary debates have entered their second week.

The National Land Redemption and Distribution Act is facing significant obstacles.

Beneath its golden dome, this temple, a symbol of the Greek people's will, has been transformed into a massive quagmire.

The oligarchic members of parliament took turns, like a group of well-trained gladiators, skillfully exploiting every loophole in the parliamentary rules.

A member of parliament could deliver a three-hour-long speech on the topic of "anti-counterfeiting technology in the printing of land bonds." His speech was full of references, from ancient Roman currency to Bank of England banknotes, but the content was empty and tedious, and its only purpose was to kill time.

Another legislator raised serious concerns about the format of the farmer loan application form. He insisted that the line spacing was too narrow, making it difficult for elderly farmers with poor eyesight to fill out the form, which he considered a "disrespect" of human rights. Therefore, he demanded that the bill be returned and the form redesigned.

The lawmakers who supported the reforms were all furious, their faces turning pale.

They stood up time and again, trying to steer the debate back to the core of the bill, but their voices were always ruthlessly interrupted by the speaker on the grounds that it was "not in accordance with parliamentary procedure" or "please respect the previous speaker's topic."

Everything was "legal and compliant".

The oligarchs don't even need to get involved themselves; their hired legal experts and silver-tongued politicians are enough to turn the entire parliament into a mess.

Outside of parliament, a new round of information warfare has quietly begun.

The newspapers controlled by the oligarchs, which had previously reported positively on Constantine, began to attack the bill itself in a seemingly "objective" and "rational" tone.

"Shocking! A renowned economist predicts that the land bill will empty the national treasury, and Greece may face a second bankruptcy!"

In-depth analysis: Behind land bonds lies a high-stakes gamble that could jeopardize the nation's future!

"Farmers, take note! You're not applying for a loan, you're applying for thirty years of shackles!"

These newspapers no longer attacked the Crown Prince's character, but cleverly targeted the "risks" that the bill might bring. They invited some so-called "experts and scholars" to use complex financial models and alarmist predictions in their columns to instill the idea in the public that the bill's original intention was good, but its implementation would be a disaster.

They are trying to undermine public opinion and destroy Constantine's strongest support base.

The citizens of Athens, who were initially enthusiastic and excited about the bill, gradually became anxious and uneasy.

Every day, tens of thousands of people gather in Constitution Square outside Parliament. They listen to the tedious, trivial arguments that drift from the parliament hall, but see no hope of the bill passing.

Anger began to spread among the crowd.

"What are they doing? They're discussing the color of the bond certificates! Our children are still starving!"

"These vampires! They're trying to drag us down with them!"

Workers from the "Greek Workers' Welfare Association" repeatedly lost control of their emotions and attempted to storm the parliament's security perimeter, but were firmly stopped by Stavros, who had a limp.

"Calm down, all of you!" Stavros roared at his brothers, his face flushed. "No one is allowed to move without His Highness's order! Trust His Highness!"

His prestige temporarily quelled the workers' anger. But everyone knew that this suppression wouldn't last long.

Inside the parliament hall, an even more dramatic conflict erupted.

A civilian member of parliament, recently elected from the Thessaly region, finally had a precious opportunity to speak. He hadn't prepared any prepared remarks; he simply walked onto the podium and, in a trembling voice, described the scene in his hometown.

"Gentlemen, while you are here discussing the row spacing of a form, my fellow countrymen are measuring the land they have longed for all their lives with their own hands."

"They wait at the village entrance every day, waiting for news from Athens. They ask me, 'Sir, when will we be able to get our own land deeds?'"

As he spoke, tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.

"I don't know how to answer them! I beg you, look out the window! Listen to the voice of the people! They can't wait any longer!"

His speech was like a heavy hammer blow, striking the hearts of every person with a conscience.

However, the speaker's cold voice interrupted him.

"Watch your words, Mr. Congressman!" De Lagasses struck the gavel expressionlessly. "This is Parliament, not a rural funeral procession. Your emotions are too agitated and unbecoming of parliamentary procedure. Your speaking time is over."

The civilian legislator stared at the speaker, mouth agape, incredulous. Finally, he closed his eyes in anguish and, amidst a chorus of laughter, stepped down from the podium.

This scene was quickly reported throughout Athens by reporters in the gallery.

It was like a needle, deeply piercing the hearts of all those who were concerned about the parliamentary process.

Faced with all this, Constantine, the prince who had stirred up the entire storm, remained unusually silent.

He never set foot in Parliament again.

He carried out royal duties as usual, received foreign envoys, discussed the training plan for the new army with Metaxas, and even accompanied Sofia with great interest to visit a newly opened art gallery.

He seemed completely unconcerned about the deadlock in parliament or the surging public opinion outside.

His silence puzzled his allies. Prime Minister Tricoupis requested an audience several times, only to be told that "His Highness is dealing with important matters."

His silence also instilled a strange unease in his enemies. Although De la Gascese and his cronies were winning victory after victory in Parliament, they always felt that a pair of eyes were coldly watching them from behind the scenes, sending chills down their spines.

They couldn't fathom what the young prince was really up to.

The calm before the storm is the most agonizing.

During a break in parliament, in the royal study.

Alexandros respectfully placed a thick list on Constantine's table.

"Your Highness, all the fish have left the arena." His voice was low. "From the start of the bill debate until today, we have meticulously documented the names of every member of parliament who used procedural delays or publicly opposed the details of the bill. A total of forty-seven people."

Constantine did not speak.

His slender fingertips glided slowly across the list, as if caressing a work of art.

Deragace, Gunaris... familiar names flowed from his fingertips.

There were no lights in the study, only the moonlight from the window, which shone on half of his face, highlighting its chiseled features.

Alexandros stood with his hands at his sides, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Finally, Constantine's finger stopped at the end of the list.

"very good."

He uttered two words, his voice very soft, yet the air temperature in the study plummeted.

"Let them perform for one more day."

Constantine stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of the Parliament building, which resembled a silent behemoth in the night.

"Tomorrow, the second act will begin."