by Dorifera
"And now, please welcome—" "Trusted Comrade of Prime Minister Salazar, Founder of the Portuguese Model, First Executive Commissioner of the National Construction Corps, Chief Commissioner of the National Assets and Economic Planning Commission, Mastermind of WWII Far East Trade, and the first recipient of the Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry..." "Let us give our warmest applause to His Excellency João Fernandes at this 20th Anniversary National Day Television Tea Party!" Under the spotlight, João Fernandes adjusted his collar with a faint smile, giving the camera a slight nod. "Mr. Fernandes, some have called you a demon." "Yes. To my enemies, and to those who defy Prime Minister Salazar, I am." "Joseph Stalin once remarked that you were a 'clever scoundrel'... He said you should be kept alive as a cautionary tale." "A pity he became the cautionary tale first. Wouldn't you say?" "Others say you are the most dangerous yet most successful diplomat of this era—that even your allies are thoroughly satisfied with you." "No, no, no. I am merely an honest merchant who happened to offer a price they could not refuse." "But you have safeguarded the territorial integrity of the Portuguese Empire, ensuring our nation remains a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. A monumental achievement!" "All credit belongs to the great Prime Minister Salazar." What to Expect: · A Kingdom Building novel wrapped in Alternate History and Political Thriller exteriors · A protagonist who relies on intelligence, the pen, and economic strategy—not violence—to shape his fate · System building, institutional design, and power games explored in depth, not glossed over · A slow-burn, detail-rich narrative pace for readers who enjoy immersive storytelling · Multiple perspectives: from unemployed workers in Lisbon to frontier settlers in Angola · Occasional humor and slice-of-life moments that will appear later, balancing the weight of the main storyline Where to Start: · If you prefer Political Thriller, start from Chapter 1 · If you prefer Kingdom Building, start from Chapter 13 Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday (UTC+8) （This is a work of alternate history fiction, not an endorsement of authoritarianism. The author supports democratic values and human rights.）
