Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste

Chapter 948 164: Seeds Sown in the Old World (Part 2)

-----------------After hours of intense discussion, the cabinet finally reached a consensus: fully support the Perfikot plan and mobilize resources immediately to execute it.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs notified the Lord of the North Territory that notices would be posted in towns across the Northern Territory, promoting the generous terms for voluntary immigration, while the Alchemist Association and the Ministry of Industry would jointly screen technical talents to ensure that the craftsmen dispatched can undertake the reconstruction work of the Old World.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance also started inventorying stock in major warehouses in the Northern Territory, prioritizing the transport of construction tools, alchemy materials, medical supplies, and hardy crop seeds to the Old World.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not idle either, as they selected skilled diplomatic personnel to form a mixed mission, carrying the New God's gospel and the Empire's technology, heading to friendly countries still existing in the Old World to offer assistance.

After the meeting ended, the cabinet organized the resolution into text and submitted it to the Empress.

The Empress wrote her approval: "Granted. Also, send a message to Lady Perfikot in my name — the Empire will be her firmest support, and may the light of the New God soon illuminate the cold winter of the Old World."

The messenger boarded the airship again, carrying the cabinet's resolution and the Empress's handwritten letter, braving the biting cold wind, flying towards Perfikot in the desert.

Political turmoil in the Northern Territory was once again stirred by Perfikot's plan and the cabinet's resolution.

In the Parliament building, the three major parties were fiercely debating the "Fire Seed of Civilization" plan.

These so-called three major parties were reorganized based on the original political factions in the National Assembly, one of which was the Workers' Party reorganized from the original Workers' Federation, currently gaining momentum because of Kallen's achievements during her term as Deputy Prime Minister in the previous cabinet.

Incidentally, the Northern Faction has now also reorganized, forming a new party, the Democratic and Freedom Party, abbreviated as the Dem-Free Party.

The Conservative and Monarchist factions have joined forces, establishing a party called the Conservative Party, standing in opposition to the other two parties.

The three sides each occupy certain seats in the National Assembly, but overall, the Dem-Free Party still holds the majority of seats, accounting for around forty percent of the total, thanks to the achievements of the Prime Minister in the first term.

The Conservative Party is slightly weaker, holding only around thirty percent of the seats.

Though the Workers' Party performed well in the previous term and expanded its influence, it remains at a disadvantage, controlling only around twenty percent of the seats in the National Assembly.

The remaining ten percent of the seats are held by non-partisan individuals maintaining neutrality.

Under such a political landscape, the Workers' Party naturally seeks more political space to expand its influence while trying to escape the impact of the Dem-Free Party, making Kallen's independent candidacy inevitable.

However, they are aware that even if they mobilize a sufficient number of workers to vote, controlling only twenty percent of the parliamentary seats makes it difficult to push Kallen into the position of Prime Minister.

So in this election, Kallen and the Workers' Party are more focused on gaining enough experience while expanding their influence so that in the next election, they can secure victory.

After all, since Wellington was re-elected, he can only serve one more term and cannot run in the next election.

Without Wellington running, Kallen's chances of being elected are very high.

However, having lost the election, she has resigned from all her government positions, now serving only as the Workers' Party leader.

Regarding the cabinet's resolution, the members of the three major parties hold differing views and are competing for their respective party's interests.

A Dem-Free Party member stood at the podium, the silver-gray streaks in his hair shining coldly under the lights: "Ladies and gentlemen! This is a strategic plan to continue the Empire's glory! Resurgence seeds lie hidden amidst the ruins of the Old World!"

His voice echoed under the dome of the Parliament Hall, prompting thunderous applause from his fellow party members.

The Conservative Party representative immediately rose to counter, heavily tapping the floor with an ivory cane: "Investing valuable resources into that cursed land? This is simply gambling with the future of the Northern Territory!"

More than thirty Conservative Party members behind him echoed in unison, forming a massive wave of opposition.

The representative of the Workers' Party seized the opportunity, steering the topic towards "Protection of workers' rights in the new colonies," which garnered strong support from many Workers' Party member-originated legislators and even some non-partisan lawmakers expressing support.

The three sides debated and argued continuously, taking turns to hold the stage, and the tumultuous sounds even reached the parliamentary square outside, attracting a large crowd of onlookers.

Kallen stood by the window of the top floor office of the Workers' Party headquarters, overlooking the gathered crowd in the square.

At present, Kallen was no longer the Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet; she participated in the second Prime Minister election held earlier this year as an independent candidate, no longer maintaining cooperation with Prime Minister Wellington.

This was mainly due to the political needs of the Workers' Federation, now reorganized as the Workers' Party, requiring a sharper political stance than before.

Though they were aware that continued cooperation and joint election efforts with Wellington, the Prime Minister, would benefit both sides, the Workers' Party felt they ought to distinctly represent their class interests and stance, winning the election purely as representatives of the working class instead of relying on Wellington, representing the Northern Faction.

As the leader of the Workers' Party, she keenly recognized this as a rare opportunity—not only to fight for more voice in the parliament but also to lay the groundwork for the election five years later.

"Leader, the latest poll shows 67% of workers support participating in the Old World's reconstruction." The secretary handed over a document, "But they are more concerned about the salary and safety of immigrants."

Kallen accepted the document, a knowing smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. This was precisely the breakthrough she had been waiting for. Walking towards her desk, the crisp sound of her high heels striking the marble floor filled the air. "Notify the publicity department to start a tour of speeches in worker communities across the territory starting tomorrow with the theme 'New Continent, New Opportunity'."

After completing the task assignment, she left the Workers' Party headquarters, driving towards the Northern Lord's mansion.

When Kallen arrived at the Lord's mansion, the winter sunlight gilded the ancient stone walls with a layer of gold. The old butler, Foster, was as courteous and respectful as usual, though a hint of doubt flickered in his murky eyes—this former Deputy Prime Minister had visited rather frequently recently.

"Regrettably, there have been no personal letters returned, Miss." Foster's response was identical to last week's.

"Then, I have a letter to send to the Regent!" Kallen elegantly nodded, pulling a heavy letter from her bosom.

When handing over the envelope, Kallen's fingertips trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Apart from routine greetings, the envelope contained a draft of the Workers' Party's latest proposed "Colonial Labor Protection Regulations."

This was a political bargaining chip she had carefully crafted—if Perfikot adopted these clauses, the Workers' Party could legitimately intervene in the implementation of the plan.

Of course, if Perfikot read this draft in a special manner, she could decipher another private letter Kallen had written to her.

Upon leaving the Lord's mansion, Kallen's carriage passed by the Finance Minister's car.

Through the window, she saw him anxiously scrutinizing a stack of documents, presumably fraught with budget allocation concerns.

This discovery put her in a cheerful mood as she leaned back into the plush velvet seat—the cabinet's dilemma was precisely the Workers' Party's opportunity.

At the party meeting that evening, Kallen stood before the large map of the Old World, tapping the location of Seven Hills City with a baton: "We must fight for at least three labor representative seats for the colonies." Her voice was particularly clear in the candlelight.

Outside, the first snow of the Northern Territory gently fell. Meanwhile, on the political blueprint Kallen meticulously crafted, the Workers' Party's flag was staking out patches of frozen ground awaiting cultivation. The prime ministership five years later might very well hinge on the seeds sown today in the Old World.