Chapter 256 The dust has settled

However, this article does not end here, the following content is the highlight! Rita spent a lot of space to introduce Albania's natural scenery and specialties, such as magic materials, potion materials, minerals, etc., and also listed in detail the value of these resources...

To be honest, this description confuses most ordinary readers. It is very abrupt and they don't get the point at all. However, in the eyes of many knowledgeable people and masters of pure-blood families, it is completely different. Those are huge sums of gold Galleons!

So, the group of people who had been denouncing Fudge and Umbridge the day before rushed into the Ministry of Magic without hesitation the next day, demanding that the Ministry of Magic must fully support the Albanian expedition; yes, the wise guys have already named this action the "Albanian Expedition", aiming to use this war to restore the former glory of wizards and obtain huge war dividends...

"Everyone, please listen to me. We can't do this. This will make our British wizarding community the target of public criticism. What will wizards from other countries think of us?"

"Don't say those useless things! We are here to eliminate the evil organization that is causing trouble to the British wizarding world. This logic makes sense everywhere." Hector Parkinson has never been a good-tempered person. Especially now that interests are at stake, he is even more daring and aggressive: "Hey, Fudge? I'm wondering, why do you always shirk responsibility in this matter? Are you really in collusion with the other party?"

Not only Hector, but many petitioners looked at Fudge with strong suspicion and even hostility.

Fudge was ready to make a move, but seeing the reactions of the people around him, he decisively chose to keep quiet. It is said that "with 30% profit, people will take risks; with 100% profit, they will trample on human conscience; with 300% profit, they will risk being hanged." Isn't this scene the best interpretation?

The current situation is that blocking someone's financial path is like killing their parents. These gentlemen united together, they can at least represent 40% of the public opinion in the wizarding world. If they are really offended to death because of this matter, how should I deal with myself in the future?

After figuring out the whole thing, Fudge was upset and said nothing...

He was silent, but the many visitors obviously would not let Fudge off so easily. Lucius spoke first, "Minister Fudge, everyone still recognizes your past achievements. But this matter now concerns the safety of everyone in the wizarding world, and this is an unavoidable fact. Please do not stand against all wizards. If you really find this matter difficult to decide, then Mr. Barty Crouch will be the best person to coordinate this operation."

"That's right, Minister Fudge. Since you care so much about the security of our homeland, then just exercise your authority in the Ministry of Magic. Let old Barty take over this mission. But let us be frank in advance. This matter concerns the personal safety of all our wizards, so please do not interfere at will during preparations. Otherwise, don't blame us for being rude!" The Greengrass family has always been a non-partisan family, but Heyman's stern statement this time also shocked everyone.

"You...you guys..." Faced with the pressure from everyone, Fudge was so angry that he couldn't speak; he had no doubt that no matter who won or lost the war, he would lose control of the Ministry of Magic.

Just when he was in despair, a loud shout suddenly came from the door: "Dumbledore is here!"

Everyone looked towards the door after hearing this, and Fudge was ecstatic. At the critical moment, perhaps only this old man could turn the tide? Although he and the old headmaster had just parted ways unhappily because of the evil organization a few days ago; but compared to the radicalism and ambition of old Barty Crouch, Dumbledore still preferred himself as a moderate. With this thought, Fudge could not help but look towards the door with hope...

Dumbledore smiled and waved to everyone, while leisurely walking into the Minister's office. Looking at those expressions of vigilance, defense, or hesitation, Dumbledore just smiled. He walked calmly to Fudge, patted him on the shoulder and said: "Cornelly, I hope you understand that the situation this time is extremely serious. Think about your position. Don't make a decision that you will regret, and don't do things that will be reviled by future generations..."

This was the first time Dumbledore had said such harsh words to him! At this moment, Fudge finally gave up all his fantasies and was completely awake.

But Fudge shook his head heavily, and then said sincerely: "Everyone, I do have selfish motives in this matter, but it is definitely not what you imagine! The black-robed wizards were rampant before, and the clues also pointed to the Muggle government. So, I urgently launched the highest-level meeting..."

Fudge described the content of the meeting in detail, and finally explained: "I have always believed that only when our homeland can recuperate and slowly recover its vitality, will we have the strength to confront the other side. Now we have not yet walked out of the shadow of the Dark Lord. But it was not until I saw the reports these days that I saw the crisis. I can only say that maybe my policy is a bit conservative, but I can guarantee on my reputation as Cornelius Fudge that I have never sold out the interests of the wizarding world, let alone colluded with them."

Fudge certainly knew what kind of blow to his reputation would be caused by saying these words today. But he had to say it...

"Cornelly, I believe you." Dumbledore patted Fudge's shoulder with satisfaction and said sincerely.

Seeing this, everyone nodded in relief and did not dwell on the matter any more. After all, with Dumbledore's presence, it was impossible to completely sideline Fudge today; moreover, Fudge's speech just now was indeed in line with his style of doing things.

Seeing that everyone was no longer strongly opposing Fudge, Dumbledore finally spoke again: "You are still qualified to be a minister, at least I think so. But this foreign operation should be handed over to old Barty, he has rich experience in war and will coordinate everything properly. Of course, Minister Fudge's task is also heavy. On the one hand, you have to defend the homeland; on the other hand, you have to raise enough supplies for this expedition. As long as we work together, there is no reason to lose this war."

The people around him were all cheered up after hearing this. Only the Minister had a bitter look on his face.

"Okay, Fudge, don't be disappointed. Everyone has their own strengths, right?" Dumbledore patted the Minister's shoulder again, and Fudge finally sighed helplessly. Although he was unwilling, he was powerless to change the situation after all...