Chapter 251 Complex World Conference

The world conference, which is held every four years, not only makes a comprehensive summary of the world's development in the past four years, but also adjusts and changes the government's major strategies for the next few years.

Every world conference is an important node in the development of history.

However, most of the important decisions made at the World Conference are not made by the royal families of the participating countries. They do have the right to vote at the legal level, but in reality, the people who decide whether or not a policy should be implemented and how it should be implemented are the Five Elders, or more precisely, Im.

However, in the eyes of the world, the royal family at the World Conference undoubtedly has enormous power——

"What do you think about increasing naval spending?"

Without any further ado, Lex directly asked for everyone's opinions.

Before anyone else could respond, one of the Five Elders, Mars, sneered:

"Haha, Lex, are you stupid? Do you think these people can decide the changes in the navy's military expenditure? Who do you think pays for the navy's military expenditure every year? It's the member states that paid the sky-high gold! Not the countries you invited!"

Although Old Mars doesn't have much brains, what he said still makes sense.

The wool comes from the sheep. Instead of seeking advice from the member states that have truly paid the money from heaven, we seek advice from these new world countries, which are not even member states. Isn't this a joke?

For example, Pentles proposed to increase the naval expenditure by 20% of the gold from heaven, but the problem is that Pentles never paid the gold from heaven. If you ask the countries around the world to follow this proposal without knowing what is going on, isn't that cheating people? Isn't it even suspected of forced buying and selling?

Of course Lex knew it, he laughed:

"Well, what Saint Maz said is absolutely right. So how about we just stop with the issue of increasing the navy's military budget?"

After hearing this, Old Mars became even more angry:

"Absolutely not! The navy has just completed the world conscription, and the personnel expansion has reached an unprecedented scale. How can we maintain such a large navy without increasing military spending?!~"

Lex was not angry, but just said lightly:

"Oh, what Mazsheng said is absolutely right. Then, please continue to give your opinions on naval expenditures."

Old Mars became even more furious. After talking for a long time, the problem was back to the starting point.

How could these crooked and rotten countries, the thug-like countries in the New World, and even the evil reactionary forces like Elbaf and Wano Country, come up with constructive suggestions?

It was obvious that Lex was deliberately fooling the Five Elders.

Mars was so angry that he wanted to stand up and scold Lex for being shameless, but was stopped by Mercury and Jupiter, who signaled him not to act rashly: "Let's wait and see how Lex handles it first."

At the round table meeting:

Everyone began to offer their opinions:

"Prime Minister Lex, I think the increase in naval spending is necessary. After the World Conscription, the navy has added a new batch of blood, many of whom are talented. Their training, armaments, management, and even military pay are all considerable expenses. The past part of the naval spending alone is definitely not enough."

Hearing this, the Five Elders couldn't help but look sideways, wondering who could come up with such a constructive suggestion?

"It's actually Rowling?!"

The Five Elders were secretly amazed.

You know, Rowling is not only the sister of the 'dream maker' Roy, but also the queen of the new world superpower Dandes Empire. To put it bluntly, she is one of Lex's die-hard supporters.

However, when it comes to increasing naval spending, Rowling's opinion coincides with that of the Five Elders, which is indeed something to be happy about.

Everyone couldn't help but secretly ponder Rowling's words. The first person to speak often has the effect of throwing out new ideas, and if said well, it can even set the tone for a discussion, which is what Rowling's speech just now was like.

After hearing what Rowling said, everyone couldn't help but start thinking about how to increase military spending for the navy. Do they really need more gold from the sky?

Li Ce, the king of the Flower Kingdom, the strongest country in the West Sea, had an idea:

"Prime Minister Lex, I think it is probably not feasible to directly increase the amount of Heavenly Gold to supplement the navy's military expenditure."

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the Five Elder Stars darkened, and Old Mars stared at Li Ce sinisterly, as if he wanted him to shut up.

Li Ce was unaware of this and continued to speak loudly:

"Although our Flower Country is not very powerful, we have been honored as the strongest country in the West Sea for many years. However, every time we have to pay the Heavenly Gold, the whole country has a hard time. We often have to rob Peter to pay Paul. The people often complain about the high Heavenly Gold, which makes our Flower Country exhausted. Imagine those countries that are not as strong as our Flower Country? How can they survive? How can they collect the high Heavenly Gold?"

Old Mars said angrily:

"You don't have to pay the Heavenly Gold! Then just wait for the pirates to knock on the door of your Flower Country with cannons!"

The hidden meaning of this sentence is very simple. It means that paying the Tianshang Gold is also for your own good. After all, only by paying the Tianshang Gold can you get the protection of the government, obtain the qualification of the naval branch station, and have the navy to protect you.

Li Ce was not angry, his voice was calm:

"Saint Maz, there is no need to threaten me. Our Flower Country has the protection of Prime Minister Lex and will not be disturbed by pirates. On the contrary, there are many corrupt officials in the domestic naval bases who exploit the people of our Flower Country."

"Asshole!!~ Who the hell are you, Li Ce? How dare you disrespect this saint?!~ You are nothing but a dog of Lex!!~"

Li Ce's expression changed, while Lex glanced at Old Mars indifferently and said in a frivolous voice:

"Oh? Then whose dog are you, Mazisheng? Could it be Yi——"

"!!! How dare you! This Saint——"

Mercury looked a little tired and stopped the angry old Mars:

"Okay, Mazsheng, go back and rest. We don't need you here for the time being."

If we allow Old Mars to continue to complain about everything here, then this world conference will not be able to be held. We can only watch Old Mars and Lex perform crosstalk.

Old Mars looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to him, so he angrily left with a wave of his sleeves.

Lex didn't even look at Mars and continued to ask Li Ce:

"Oh? Since we can't directly increase the income of Tianshangjin? What do you think, Brother Li?"

"Prime Minister Lex, you are too kind. I don't deserve your advice, but I do have some ideas."

"please say."

"Since the ultimate goal of increasing the amount of Tianshangjin is to increase the navy's military expenditure, if we can directly solve the problem of increasing the navy's military expenditure, there is no need to go to great lengths to increase the amount of Tianshangjin."

Lex's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was in turmoil. According to his ability to 'read minds' and 'foresee the future', Li Ce's next words would cause an uproar.

Then I heard Li Ce slowly say:

"So how do we solve the problem of the navy's growing military expenditure? Here's what I think. Since the navy's mission is to protect the safety of member states from pirates, increasing military expenditure is also for the safety of member states. The Sky Gold handed over by our member states will be uniformly allocated by the World Government and distributed to the navy in the form of military expenditure. Only when the navy is stronger can it protect us."

Lex's expression remained unchanged, but he was somewhat happy inside, because Li Ce continued:

"But! It is difficult to judge specifically which member states are harassed by pirates. Some countries are harassed by pirates and oppressed by war, but some member states are prosperous and peaceful. So why should they hand over all the gold to the naval base? It would be better for each country to directly take out a portion of the gold, without going through the World Government, and hand it directly to the local naval base! In this way, the naval base can get the most suitable military expenditure for them, because no one knows better than the country itself how much military expenditure is needed to maintain stability!"

"And those peaceful or powerful countries that don't need naval protection can also pay less unnecessary sky money and reduce their economic burden."

The Five Elders listened to Li Ce's long speech. After he finished talking about this set of policies, they were shocked. They reacted for a moment, then stared at Li Ce angrily and shouted:

"Li Ce! You are dividing the government and the navy! You are rebelling! Rebellion~!"

Yes, Li Ce’s words were very intimidating and very dangerous.

According to Li Ce, the military expenses of the naval bases of each member country will be borne by the local member country in the future, and will have nothing to do with the government. If there are many pirates and the country is not peaceful, then the local leaders will naturally pay more military expenses to the naval base. If the country is peaceful and the people are safe, then it is enough to pay the most basic military expenses required by the government to maintain the daily expenses of the naval base, which can indeed make the most efficient use of this military expenditure.

But the problem is that the government and the navy, and even Marinford and local naval branches, have almost lost direct contact!

This is simply a huge conspiracy that is not concealed!

It is obvious that they want to turn the table with the government.

Jupiter's eyes were as sharp as torches. He first stared at Li Ce, then looked at Lex and asked:

"Li Ce, this wasn't your idea, was it?"

Li Ce's expression changed:

"Oh? Why do you say that, Lord Jupiter?"

Jupiter stood up confidently, looking confident:

"Haha, Li Ce, your idea is not bad, and it is indeed beneficial to your Flower Country. However, such benefits alone are not enough for you to be so presumptuous in front of the highest power in the world like us. You disregard your own life and property and propose such a rebellious policy. There must be someone behind you who is instructing you!"

Jupiter instantly looked at Lex who was in the first position, and then slowly said:

"But don't be afraid, Li Ce. As long as you tell us who's behind you now, we will forgive you. The Flower Kingdom is still the most powerful country in the West Sea, and you, Li Ce, are still the king of the Flower Kingdom... However, if you insist on following the person behind you, don't blame us for being ruthless."

After Jupiter's words, the entire hall fell silent.

What was originally an ordinary world conference concealed unimaginable waves. These waves made the Flower Kingdom, the most powerful country in the West Sea, just a pawn.

Li Ce's expression remained unchanged, and he said calmly:

"Lord Jupiter, I don't know what you mean. These are just my humble opinions. Putting them forward does not mean they will be implemented. You all have the right to vote. Why do you suspect that someone is behind me? I just want to--"

"Humph!"

Jupiter snorted coldly, interrupting Li Ce. Just as he was about to speak, a gentle and indifferent voice echoed in the hall:

"I think what Li Ce said is an exaggeration. If we allow the local member states to provide military funds for the navy, then what is the difference between the naval base and the kingdom's army? The so-called navy will lose its unified dispatchability."

Jupiter looked suspicious and looked at Lex in disbelief. This guy actually opposed it? Wasn't he the one behind Li Ce? Then why was he singing the opposite tune here? Was he singing a double act? Jupiter was suspicious, and so were the other five elders.

Lex continued:

"However, although Li Ce's statement is too radical, it does make sense. If it is moderated appropriately, it may not be impossible to implement."

Sure enough! Jupiter was certain in his heart, and instantly understood Lex's conspiracy.

This guy and Li Ce had agreed in advance to work together at the World Conference, with Li Ce first proposing a more radical idea, and then Lex coming out to smooth things over and allow this policy to be implemented.

Jupiter suddenly felt that he saw through everything. When he was about to speak eloquently, he heard Lex say:

"Let's put Li Ce's idea aside for now and discuss it later. Today's World Conference ends here. Everyone, take a rest first. If there is anything else, we will discuss it tomorrow."

Without giving anyone room to speak, Lex instantly disappeared in the hall, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.

Seeing this, Li Ce, Rowling, Camus and others also stood up and left.

-

-

The Five Elders returned to the realm of power.

"What do you think this guy is planning? Is Li Ce his man?"

Mercury asked.

Jupiter appears quite confident:

"Li Ce must be a puppet supported by Lex. I'm afraid the entire Flower Kingdom has secretly surrendered to him. However, we must stop the policy Li Ce mentioned and never allow it to be implemented. If the military expenses of naval bases in various places are borne by the local governments, then our government will be in name only and collapse in an instant."

"That's natural. What Li Ce said is impossible to implement. I'm just afraid that Lex will use other means to implement this policy in disguise. After all, he has been trying to undermine the government for a long time."

"..."

The Five Elders fell silent.

"Alas, why did Lord Yimu let Lex preside over this world conference? Isn't this inviting a wolf into the house?"

"..."

-

-

At this time, Lex came to the depths of Pangu City.

Between the Flowers——

Lex looked at the slender figure with his back to him:

"Grandfather, I'm in a meeting right now. Can't you wait until I finish today's World Conference to discuss anything?"

Yes, Lex suddenly ended today's world meeting and flashed away from the hall because of Im deep among the flowers.

With Im's level of observation Haki, he can naturally easily have a mental conversation with the "Bluetooth" on Rex's face.

"Mum, I do not agree with the Flower Kingdom's proposal. I warn you not to infiltrate the Flower Kingdom."

Im seems to have some special feelings for the Kingdom of Flowers. Perhaps the fact that many of the flowers in this huge flower room come from the Kingdom of Flowers is a good proof of this.

Lex smiled helplessly:

"Oh, ancestor, if I say that there is no other connection between Li Ce and me, and I did not deliberately infiltrate the Kingdom of Flowers, would you believe it?"

"..."

Lex touched the back of his head:

"It's up to you whether you believe it or not. However, it was never my intention to host the World Conference, so I'm not sure what will happen in the end. But you know I've always been law-abiding."

"..."

Yim was silent for a while:

"I gave you the power, not for you to overthrow me. Take care of yourself."

After saying that, Yim walked deeper into the flowers and gradually disappeared.

Lex curled his lips slightly, and with a flash of blue light around him, he disappeared on the spot.