The Versailles' blind box strategy was highly successful, smoothly pacifying the four major conglomerates.
So, while this idea seemed incredibly foolish to outsiders, like passing water through a pair of trousers, it solved no practical problems and didn't increase the overall quantity of Taiyin spiritual energy. Yet, it miraculously ended the conflict among the four major conglomerates, preventing further disruptions.
The most significant reason for this was that the four major conglomerates had been locked in a fierce, mind-numbing struggle. The conflict during this period had nearly destroyed the nation's entire system and severely shaken its credibility.
Other countries around the world watched this nation as if observing a spectacle. After all, witnessing the demise of three leaders within half a year was a rare sight, not seen even once in a century, especially from the world's most developed nation.
However, the most crucial reason was the severe losses incurred by the four major conglomerates due to their infighting, which also led to widespread dissatisfaction from the public. Furthermore, the conglomerates themselves no longer wished to continue the fight.
They actually yearned to return to the previous state of peaceful cooperation, where the four conglomerates tacitly divided the nation and even the world. But the issue of lifespan was something no one could remain calm about. Who wouldn't want to live a few months longer, and live with quality and youthfulness?
Therefore, the Taiyin spiritual energy became an unavoidable issue. All four major conglomerates had to obtain their satisfactory share of Taiyin spiritual energy.
Beyond the aforementioned point, the four major conglomerates also valued their reputation. Why should they receive less if someone else got more? They actually preferred an equal distribution. However, with only ten bottles of Taiyin spiritual energy in total, an equal division among the four major conglomerates was impossible.
Thus, with the advent of the blind box, this problem was smoothly resolved. The distribution issue was settled through a relatively fair method, and naturally, the conflict among the four major conglomerates ceased.
With the cessation of conflict, the four major conglomerates had to reconsider how to revive national prestige.
Therefore, the four major conglomerates did not really care about the country's overall well-being, as long as the country remained the world's hegemon and possessed the greatest deterrence globally. Otherwise, the profits they obtained from other countries through almost overbearing means would be difficult to secure.
And how does a nation maintain its hegemony? By continuously suppressing the second-place contender, of course.
As long as the second-place nation couldn't rise, the leader's position would be unshakeable.
This theory itself wasn't inherently flawed, but the country's response was too late. By then, it had been nearly half a year since the second-place nation had reclaimed what it had lost.
Through a series of swift and decisive actions, this small nation quickly stabilized, and its surrounding environment also became very calm. The second-place nation even set off many firecrackers in the vicinity.
Of course, this nation would certainly not consider these matters. Their first instinct was to immediately resort to force to resolve the problem.
However, the new leader was currently taking drastic measures against the country's military, conducting a thorough screening of the entire armed forces.
The reason given was perfectly legitimate. After all, the previous leader had died during an inspection of the military. Some investigation reports suggested it was merely a minor accidental discharge.
But it was utterly outrageous for live ammunition to be loaded into weapons during a leader's inspection. Therefore, Versailles strongly demanded that the entire unit conduct self-inspection and self-investigation, which then escalated into a large-scale investigation encompassing the entire army.
Although no mastermind was found, many corrupt officials were apprehended and directly handed over to the military court.
This conduct naturally caused widespread unrest throughout the military. When the four major conglomerates wanted to use their might, they found that this might was now somewhat difficult to control.
Versailles herself strongly opposed, stating that if the army were deployed at this moment, it might lead to dangerous situations upon their return. Therefore, the army absolutely could not be deployed now; it must wait until her rectification was complete.
Considering that Madame Versailles was mainly targeting mid to lower-level officers and did not significantly harm top-tier interests, the four major conglomerates turned a blind eye and let it pass.
But the inability to use force was a major problem. The only remaining solution was economic means.
Then followed all the well-known methods, the kind that appear in news reports but cannot be written about here. Madame Versailles also cooperated fully with these measures.
Another country, naturally, was highly uncooperative. There was no need to elaborate on the various struggles and responses; the key was that they would never yield.
At this point, Madame Versailles proactively proposed a highly tempting suggestion to the four major conglomerates: to directly divide the businesses of Jiangnan Group.
Thus, although Jiangnan Group had largely withdrawn, some businesses remained.
Undoubtedly, the most valuable among these were the assets of the United States Super Vacuum Pipeline Railway Company and some shares in the reorganized Western Wild Horse Fund, totaling nearly a trillion US dollars.
The four major conglomerates enthusiastically supported this, and through special means during a special period, they easily absorbed these shares. People in other countries around the world lamented that Boss Huang had lost greatly and might even fall from his position as the world's richest man.
Boss Huang himself lodged a strong protest, but it was of no use. What had been consumed could not be regurgitated.
It is worth mentioning that the United States Priority Fund benefited the most. The four major conglomerates took almost all the shares, while the United States Priority Fund took the operating rights of these industries. Both parties received their desired benefits and cooperated very harmoniously.
By dividing the wealth of Jiangnan Group and resolving the distribution issue, Madame Versailles' position as leader became even more stable.
However, as is widely known, Madame Versailles is a saint who loves her Black compatriots and speaks out for countless impoverished citizens.
After firmly consolidating power, Madame Versailles began to implement her series of reform measures.
For example, she mandated that higher education institutions must admit students based on racial quotas, with 40% for White individuals and 40% for Black individuals, leaving the remaining 20% for other ethnic groups. The allocation for Chinese Americans was a meager 3.2%.
Additionally, considering that difficult exam questions might disadvantage Black applicants, she required a significant reduction in the difficulty of university entrance exams, aiming for a level where most Black individuals could pass.
Furthermore, all government agencies were required to recruit Black individuals according to corresponding proportions, as were all enterprises. Even films had to feature a certain proportion of Black characters.
While these policies seemed absurd to people in other countries, many in the United States considered them extremely correct. Countless Black individuals hailed Madame Versailles as a true saint.
In addition to these direct measures favoring Black individuals, Madame Versailles also introduced new policies targeting the impoverished: a national welfare subsidy program.
This program stipulated that a fixed amount of nearly $800 per month would be allocated from the national treasury to individuals with no income, with direct payments to each impoverished recipient.
These policies naturally drew widespread cheers from the lower strata of the population.
But the most sensational development was Madame Versailles' unprecedented proposal for universal free healthcare, aimed at allowing all citizens to receive medical treatment free of charge, showcasing the United States as the world's most exceptional nation.
Whether for minor ailments, illnesses, or severe, terminal diseases, citizens should receive free quality care. As for the source of these treatment costs, Madame Versailles generously declared that the entire amount would be borne by the national treasury.
In any case, Madame Versailles introduced one outrageous policy after another, leaving elites both domestically and internationally stunned, marveling if this Madame Versailles had truly lost her mind.
However, the citizens of the United States were naturally extremely supportive, and Madame Versailles' popularity continued to soar. Yet, these proposed policies could not obtain permission from the relevant legislative bodies.
These individuals were well aware that the country's economy would be completely depleted.
In any event, Madame Versailles was constantly preoccupied with these matters, but her efforts yielded no results. Instead, the country was embroiled in arguments over these livelihood issues, which, in turn, led to less focus on foreign affairs.
Many of the original restrictive policies targeting a particular country were also inadvertently overlooked. From a global perspective, aside from the rather dire situation within the United States, other regions appeared prosperous and exceptionally beautiful.