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Vol 03 Chapter 104: Strike

The arguments made by those who refused our call to military service were as follows:

「In war, no matter how hard we try, the only ones who end up gaining land and slaves are the king and the patricians, right? Isn’t that strange? After all, we’re the ones putting in the most effort. I hate it, I hate it. I absolutely don’t want to go to war.」

Indeed… that makes sense.

「What are you talking about? This is a serious matter!」

Hey, Raymond, don’t shout. I’m the king, remember?

「Probably, a sense of solidarity between them has been formed over a long time of working together on construction projects. And now, due to this war, they believe they are absolutely necessary for the country in this crisis. They think that even demands that wouldn’t normally be accepted will definitely pass now. They’ve thought it through well.」

In other words, it’s not that they don’t want to go to war. They want to profit from it.

「What should we do, my king?」

「There’s not much we can do but to make concessions. We can’t send a suppression force against them.」

That means we have no choice but to pay them either land and slaves, or a salary equivalent to that. However, once we acknowledge their demands, we will have to continue recognizing them forever.

There’s plenty of land in the literal sense, but they don’t want wasteland. Arable land is limited. Moreover, they already have their own land.

Even if they were given land far away, they couldn’t manage it. Therefore, they won’t accept land. Slaves and money are even more limited than land, making it impossible.

And they must understand this much as well. So…

「The only thing we can give them is tax reduction.」

Raymond looked annoyed.

In this case, the issue isn’t the reduction of income.

If we concede tax reduction to these three thousand people, it means we must also concede it to all the plebeians in the entire country, including those living in the patricians’ territories. Essentially, we need to reduce taxes across the board, regardless of whether the lands are directly controlled by the king or owned by patricians.

This situation cannot merely be dismissed as a nuisance. The reason is that the patricians obey the country primarily for the protection of their own interests.

Patricians extremely dislike any interference from the country in their own lands.

Currently, among the main patricians of the country, 57 out of 84 are present in the council. If we can quickly get their approval, the matter could be resolved but…

「What do you think?」

I decided to ask for now.

One of the patricians spoke up.

「…I support the tax reduction.」

Surprising… to have a proposal for agreement come first.

「More than fifty laborers have been sent from my territory. Once people learn to rebel, it becomes easy for them to do it a second time. If fifty instigators return to my territory, I would inevitably have to make concessions anyway. It’s better to remove their fangs now.」

However, many patricians immediately expressed their opposition.

「I, I am against it!! My territory’s finances are already in poverty! If the taxes are reduced further…」

「That’s right! Furthermore, to allow the decision of the council of patricians to affect all the territories of the patricians… it’s an interference in internal affairs.」

「But what do we do? The country will be ruined if we continue like this.」

The patricians began to argue noisily. Shouts occasionally flew across the room.

This is problematic… If among them, someone starts thinking that 「It might be better to switch allegiance to Kin Evile’s Country or King Belvedire’s Country, to protect my family’s interests」…

But there’s no way through this other than a tax reduction. Damn it, now that it has come to this…

「I believe there’s no other way but to reduce taxes!」

I raised my voice. The gazes of the patricians focused on me.

「Suppose we manage to get through this without conceding to the plebeians’ demands this time… What are we going to do when they protest again?」

This is the same point another patrician had raised. Those who learn to rebel once will find it easier to revolt a second time.

「This time it’s still manageable. It’s only three thousand people, and their demands are relatively mild. If we don’t settle this now, it will become a bigger problem later. Remember, those opposing us are soldiers.」

In this country, the plebeians are basically all soldiers. If they decide to rebel, it would be easy for them to kill us. Considering this, one can see how terrifying and, at the same time, fortunate our current situation is.

「This isn’t just about the survival of King Rosais’ Country. This incident can shake our positions, yours and mine… In the Kirisian countries, there used to be monarchies like our own. But they revolted against exploitative kings and patricians, killed them, and took over the governance themselves.」

I threatened the patricians with actual history. Even if our country perishes and you survive, it would only be a temporary life extension.

…Actually, this history is slightly altered. To be precise, it was ‘the plebeians and some patricians who killed the oppressive kings.’ Then those patricians became aristocrats and started aristocratic governance. Afterward, the plebeians seized the political power from the aristocracy.

As much as it has become easier to revolt, it is impossible to overthrow a king without a unifying core. However, most of the patricians in Adernia are not well-versed in the history of Kirisia.

A lie told for a good purpose.

「But about the tax reduction… we must at least reduce it to below the level of the least taxed directly-controlled territories.」

「If we reduce it that much, my territory can’t sustain itself!」

One patrician shouted. Others also raised their voices in opposition echoing the same sentiment.

Patricians with small territories also have little tax revenue.

Therefore, they have no choice but to impose high taxes.

Indeed, patricians who possess a substantial amount of territory do not seem to be actively opposing. Although, they are not exactly in favor either.

「That’s a valid point. If your incomes decrease, so too will this country’s military strength. Therefore…」

It can’t be helped. I must make a decisive move. Before demanding others to bleed, I should bleed first.

「I will make public the methods for producing paper and various distilled spirits.」

The assembly fell silent in an instant. I could almost hear the patricians swallowing their breaths.

Their surprise is understandable. Both paper and distilled spirits are significant sources of wealth for the Rosais Family. The reason we can undertake large-scale constructions is because we earn foreign currency through paper and distilled spirits.

「My King! Are you in your right mind?!」

Raymond exclaimed with wide eyes. I stared back at him and replied.

「It’s necessary. We are asking the lords to make sacrifices. We too must make sacrifices.」

After I spoke, Raymond seemed like he wanted to say more but ultimately stepped back. Then, I surveyed the patricians and challenged them.

「Are there still any objections?」

「If you will teach us the methods for making paper and distilled spirits, indeed, our territories’ finances will hold. But it will need to be significantly…」

「Implement a sales tax. It’s a tax that doesn’t affect the majority of the plebeians. Even if it’s slightly raised, it should not be a problem.」

Raising taxes might cool down the economy somewhat, but the growth should exceed any slowdown. The sales tax is already rising dramatically each month.

「How about that?」

「…」

The patricians appeared deep in thought. After a while, one of the patricians who had been strongly opposed spoke up.

「If that’s the case, I will not oppose it. I agree.」

This began a cascade of agreement among the patricians, leading to a resolution for substantial tax reductions and the unification of the tax system.

The last of the patricians bowed and left the council. Now, only Raymond and I remained.

…

Hahaha, hahaha

「Hahaha! It went well, Raymond.」

「Yes, I never imagined it would go this smoothly. Your speech made a significant difference.」

That being said, your acting was quite good too, Raymond. I almost burst out laughing.

Let me explain. In this incident, the Rosais Family has not suffered any loss at all; in fact, we have only gained.

Will the supply increase and the prices drop by making the manufacturing methods public to the patricians? Indeed, the prices might drop slightly. But it will be just that, slight.

Both paper and distilled spirits are consumables, and their business is based on low profit margins and high volume. An increase in supply does not mean that prices will plummet dramatically.

I anticipate that the reduction in taxes in the directly controlled territories can be more than covered by the sales tax from merchants. Especially since Kirisian bronze, silver, and gold coins have started circulating more widely in our country.

Besides, it’s preferable for us to collect taxes in currency rather than in kind.

However, I am prepared for a significant drop in tax revenue.

And the gain we have secured this time…

「We’ve finally managed to touch the once sacrosanct territories of the patricians. And with tax reductions, we can drastically reduce their income.」

The first time is difficult, but the second time is easier.

This is something I’ve often said before, but it holds true even when dealing with the patricians.

A precedent has now been set where the decisions of the council of patricians impact the territories of the patricians themselves. This is a significant gain.

Moreover, the patricians seem to believe that the increased sales tax and revenues from paper and distilled spirits will sufficiently cover the tax reductions… but they are mistaken.

Merchants gravitate towards populous areas. Therefore, the flow of merchants to the directly controlled territories will remain unchanged. Sure, the number of merchants visiting patrician territories might increase slightly, but not enough to expect significant revenue from sales tax.

It appears the patricians, not being savvy in economics, haven’t quite grasped this concept.

In essence, this event has significantly weakened the power of the patricians.

However, why did things go so smoothly? Honestly, I thought it was over… That’s the truth.

It turned out well, but there was a real possibility that the conference could have become so contentious that war would have become a distant concern.

「It seems that lately, they have been captivated by Kirisian culture. They are buying Kirisian slave teachers to teach their children the Kirisian language and are also keen on acquiring artworks. Maybe they wanted the currency for that?」

「I see. Selling paper and distilled spirits indeed brings in much more than selling the wheat they paid as tribute.」

So, it was thanks to the business-minded Kirisians. Nice one, Kirisians.

But still…

「The backlash from the plebeians came faster than expected.」

「Probably the Kirisians. They must be instilling various ideas along with promoting the monetary economy.」

It was something I was prepared for… But it’s still unsettling when things move faster than expected, though the spread of the monetary economy is also progressing faster than anticipated.

「Now, I’m going to meet with those who refused military service. I’ll go and talk them round.」

「I’ll accompany you, my king.」

◇

When I arrived at the site, the laborers surrounded me and began voicing their grievances about the hardships of construction work and their difficult lives. I’m no Prince Shōtoku1; I can’t respond when everyone talks to me like this, nor can I catch everything they’re saying.

I let the laborers speak until they seemed satisfied. Once I judged that they had expressed all their complaints, I spoke up.

「I understand your grievances!!」

I raised my voice as much as possible so that everyone could hear me. Then I looked around at the faces of the laborers, making sure to meet their eyes.

「I am willing to grant you land. However, what use would distant lands be to you? Slaves, salt, and money are finite, and there isn’t enough to distribute to everyone.」

I saw dissatisfaction flicker across the faces of the soldiers, but I did not stop.

「However, the fact remains that I want to reward you. Therefore… I propose to show my gratitude through tax reductions.」

Additionally, during labor and military service, the state will always provide the necessary food. All special taxes will be prohibited. The criminal penalties for the royal family, the patricians, and the plebeians will become the same. All the unjust confiscation of the plebeians’ property by the king or patricians will be prohibited.

etc…

I promised to address the grievances and potential grievances of the plebeians.

Gradually, expressions of surprise and joy began to appear on the faces of the plebeians. It was likely more than they had anticipated.

Just as planned. If concessions must be made, it’s better to offer them generously and straightforwardly rather than piecemeal, to create a better impression.

Finally, I concluded with a loud voice.

「I wish to be your guardian. As your king, I want to protect you. So, would you also protect me, and this country? This is my request to you as your king!」

Now, I was the one making a demand.

The area was dominated by silence. The silence was broken by one of the plebeians.

「Long live the King!」

Hearing one shout, the surrounding plebeians also began to yell.

「Long live the King!!」

The cheers of ‘Long live the King!’ gradually spread and eventually became a chorus that seemed to shake the atmosphere.

「Long live the King!!!」

… It was more than I imagined, but perhaps it was a great success?

◇

Supreme command, the right of veto in the Senate, the power of imperial dictatorship in emergencies, the supreme priesthood… The Romalian Emperor holds various authorities.

Where do these powers come from? Is it because the Emperor is a living god? Because he descends from the Divine Emperor? Because it was granted by Zelpia, Heno, Arne, Mares, and the other gods?

No.

The absolute authority of the Emperor stems from one fundamental duty.

That is the duty to protect the citizens.

The Emperor is permitted to exercise absolute authority when protecting the life, food, water, freedom, and property of the citizens. Moreover, the fundamental rights of us, the Romalian citizens, are rooted in our obligations to pay taxes and serve in the military, and in our absolute loyalty to the Emperor.

Emperor and citizen. As long as both parties continue to fulfill their duties, I believe the empire will be immortal.

Published in the 535th year of the Empire. Excerpt from ‘On the Emperor’.

Chapter 104´5

With a loud slap, the sound echoed around the yurt. It was Redus who had been struck, and it was Rakela who had hit him.

「Who’s going to be whose wife?」

「…If I wanted, I could violate you right here and now.」

Redus glared at Rakela. Rakela glared back just as fiercely.

「Fine. But if it comes to that, I’d rather bite my tongue and die. You can do whatever you want with my corpse.」

The medical technology of the Equus Tribe was primitive. Thus, biting her tongue would certainly lead to herdeath. Although, it would be a painfully agonizing way to die.

「…Fine, I won’t violate you. I’ll bring you Mutzio’s head soon. That way, there’ll be no need for you to keep your honor.」

「You cannot kill Mutzio. A coward like you couldn’t manage it.」

Rakela and Redus glared at each other for a while longer before turning their backs on each other.

TN1: Prince Shōtoku was a regent and politician of the Asuka period in Japan. He is famous for his wisdom and his ability to do multiple things at the same time. One of his most famous stories attributes him the ability to listen to ten people simultaneously, understand each of them, and promptly give them the correct solutions.