Chapter 1650 Factional Decisions
The Raijun Faction had come across this shocking information in the three months since Rui had made his offer to the Martial Prince. They had, for the time being, decided to keep it under wraps.
They certainly had no intention of divulging it. Regardless of where it came from, regardless of how fishy its source, information was information. It was power. On top of that, whoever was responsible for manipulating the Kandrian Burea to collect information on Rui without anybody knowing was clearly hell-bent on it remaining that way: unknown.
"If they have the power to manipulate the bureau to such a degree without anybody knowing, while also erasing any and all incriminating information, then they possess an immense amount of power within the bureau, then this person is undoubtedly extremely powerful. Not even the director of the Kandrian Intelligence Bureau possesses the power to do what we see is being done. It would constitute treason, even," Another of his personal advisors told Prince Raijun. "Yet these documents were clearly inside the system, not outside. This leaves us with two possibilities."
The Martial Prince narrowed his eyes.
"The first is that this is someone who has deeply infiltrated the Kandrian Intelligence Bureau and has compromised it, allowing them to manipulate it in whatever way they wish, including harnessing its intelligence capabilities to do something like this," One of his advisors told him. "Minister Grances has already launched a formal investigation into the matter, and this possibility has neither been refuted nor proven. It will take some time for the results to come back. As for the second possibility…"
His advisors glanced in his direction. "It is possible that someone from the Royal Family orchestrated this. Intelligence and military are the two parts of the government that are directly under the control of the Royal Family while also being answerable to the executive government. The orders of the Royal Family, of course, trump that of the executive government."
Prince Raijun nodded, heaving a sigh. It was a long road ahead of him.
"The Kandrian Throne War is still in its nascency," Prince Raijun heaved a sigh. "Most of the government and most players in the game have yet to be roped in by one of the seven of us. That's a good thing for me since it means that the impact that I will make when I do become a Squire will be quite substantial."
East Panama had essentially become a market for all princes and princesses aiming for the throne, but especially the seven prime candidates. There were many powerful forces who were interested in the power of the throne of the Kandrian Empire. The seven princes and princesses had essentially been shopping throughout the Kandrian Empire and beyond for entities with a vested interest in the throne's power. "Princess Ranea has been the most aggressive with international funding," One of his personal advisors informed him, passing him a report. "The Ranea Foundation has received two billion gold coins in total from a number of its international patrons, including but not limited to the Bradt Distribution Services, the International Naval Association, the Panamic Cartographer's Guild, and the Derschek Union."
"Tsk," Prince Raijun tutted as his eyebrows furrowed with disdain. "If she loves the ocean that much, she should jump into it."
"She has been gaining a lot of momentum into her idea of turning the Kandrian Empire into a nation that pedestalizes seafare industries and maritime sectors," His personal advisor warned him. "However, there are those who do not wish to see the government funnel hundreds of billions of gold worth of subsidies into the seafaring industry, including several sects of the Martial Union that are yet to commit to any one prince. We can use her momentum to win them over should they want to avoid seeing the Kandrian Empire become nothing more than a glorified port for the rest of the world to use. It is a shame that we can no longer act against her, though."
Prince Raijun winced. It was indeed quite painful.
"However, we can harness dissenting and grudging powers against her.
Prince Raijun nodded. "The best part about any of my competitors gaining momentum is that we use those who are dissented to them from joining our camp."
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