Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One-Chapter 198: Second official reforms part-2 (Company rights)
Purana Qila, Council chamber, afternoon of 11th April 1557.
The grand council chamber buzzed with murmurs of anticipation as courtiers, nobles, and merchants gathered. Sunlight filtered through ornate windows, casting golden hues on the polished floors. At the far end, on a raised platform housed the golden throne where the Samrat Hemu sat conducting his court.
As the herald announced the finance minister name, Sayantika Sen stepped forward with the draft in hand, the sound of her soft footsteps echoing in the hall. She moved gracefully towards the center stage, bowing respectfully to Samrat Hem Chandra Bhargav, before addressing the assembly.
"For the glory of Samrajya," Sayantika began with clear and steady voice, "I present here the bill concerning company rights."
All eyes turned toward her as the weight of the moment settled over the room.
"Thanks to Imperial Prince Aditya," her words drawing respectful glances towards Aditya, who stood composed at the corner. She continued, "the council has observed that private mercenary armies, under the prince’s organized efforts, have proven their value both in military service and as protective escorts. Every action has been carefully documented, and we have seen firsthand the success of these ventures."
A few murmurs of approval stirred among the crowd.
"The profit generated by this organized sector," Sayantika announced, raising her parchment for emphasis, "has exceeded our expectations, amounting to three times the total land revenue collected across the Delhi capital alone. Trade and economy have flourished, not just within member kingdoms, but also with allied foreign realms."
Gasps of astonishment spread through the hall. Many nodded in agreement, recognizing the unprecedented growth.
"However," she pressed on, "such success has brought a new challenge to light. The scale has grown so large that the council feels it must be regulated to ensure order and sustainability."
Sayantika took a breath, letting the gravity of her statement settle in. The crowd’s curiosity deepened.
"This council proposes," she declared, "that with the burden of royal duties on Prince Aditya, it would be difficult for him to meet the empire’s growing needs alone. Thus, we suggest redistributing the rights to register more companies under trusted individuals, who will take on mercenary services and aid in fulfilling the empire’s demands."
The hall rippled with reactions. Many courtiers leaned forward in interest, while few exchanged worried glances.
"At first," Sayantika continued, "only individuals granted rights by the council will be eligible to establish organized companies. These individuals will be fully responsible for their company’s actions and will be rewarded or penalized accordingly. Companies providing mercenary services will be assigned a level, with a maximum of four levels."
She paused, letting the next part sink in.
"For Level One companies, the registration fee will be 10,000 gold mudra, with 25% of their share paid as taxes. These companies will be allowed to maintain up to 500 mercenary soldiers. For Level Two, the fee will be 100,000 mudra, and they will pay 30% in taxes, with a maximum of 2,000 soldiers."
Whispers broke out among the courtiers. The numbers were staggering.
"As for Levels Three and Four," she continued, raising her voice to capture the attention again, "these will be merit-based or determined by a minimum of five years of proven service. Taxes for these companies will be 35% and 40%, respectively. The soldier count for Level Three will cap at 5,000, and for Level Four, at 20,000."
The room fell into stunned silence. 5,000 and 20,000 soldiers were enormous figures, enough to rival some regional armies.
Among the crowd, the nobles from Agra and Jaunpur muttered furiously. One whispered, "With that many soldiers, one could take over entire regions."
Merchants from Bengal and Gujarat eyed each other nervously, their ambitions suddenly shrinking. However, Sayantika wasn’t finished.
"Additionally," she said, her tone growing sharper, "the merchant guilds without proper leadership will not be eligible to register companies. Only individuals of accountable stature will be considered. For non-mercenary companies, the regime will be more lenient. The registration fee will be 1,000 gold mudra, with a 20% tax on their earnings."
This declaration was like a blow to the merchant class. Gasps of disbelief spread across the hall. Many realized the implications as they lacked the individual wealth or standing to take advantage of these rights and even if they banned together it will be hard to trust to handover the ownership. They had been effectively sidelined, leaving power in the hands of the nobles and powerful elites.
In the midst of the uproar, Sayantika calmly delivered the final blow.
"Lastly, as per the emperor’s command," she said, turning toward Samrat Hemu, "Prince Aditya’s company has been promoted to a Level Four company. His exemplary service in both the Battle of Panipat and the Battle of Bawal has earned him this distinction. We look forward to hearing the assembly’s thoughts before the bill is passed by His Majesty."
A stunned silence followed her statement. Aditya’s rise was now official, and his influence had just multiplied. Whispers of envy, shock, and frustration rippled through the room.
In a shadowed corner, Sukhwindar Singh, the Public Welfare Minister, clenched his fists. His gaze was sharp, dark with resentment.
’This bill is a farce’, he thought. ’ Shrewed Vixen! Not only you changed my draft but also made it easier to strengthen Aditya’s hand but I wont let it go easy even if I have to dare..’
With a sharp step, Sukhwindar strode forward, his voice cutting through the silence with clarity.
"Your Majesty," he began, bowing respectfully to Samrat Hem Chandra before turning to address the court. "I must object to this bill. It not only imposes steep financial barriers on merchants but also effectively creates a monopoly for the prince’s company. This is blatant favouritism. Despite not being officially declared as the heir, Prince Aditya is positioned to wield immense control and influence. Should the samrat choose to marry again, or if there is ever a clash between the prince and the emperor, it will be a challenge to manage such concentrated power. The reason we all stand here today is to ensure that power is distributed, not centralized in the hands of a select few—even if that person is the prince."
A low murmur of agreement rippled through the assembly.
Sukhwindar’s words were sharp and calculated. He knew that many courtiers harbored concerns about Aditya’s growing influence, and he was ready to exploit that fear.
Sayantika stepped being composed counterargued, "The empire rewards merit, Minister Sukhwindar, and Prince Aditya has more than earned his position through his service. This bill promotes accountability and ensures order. The council is confident in its fairness, as it seeks to balance opportunity with responsibility."
Sukhwindar responded sharply with frustration. "Accountability, Minister? Are we truly speaking of accountability when we’re granting a single man the power to command 20,000 soldiers? There are entire kingdoms that don’t even boast that strength in their standing armies! I originally set the limits to 500 and 2,000 soldiers to maintain balance, but this new draft, this version of the bill.. completely undermines that. The scale you’ve introduced changes the entire dynamic."
Even Samrat Hem Chandra’s expression darkened, and the courtiers murmured amongst themselves, realizing the gravity of Sukhwindar’s revelation. The room buzzed with unease as whispers of protest began circulating.
Sayantika raised a brow and mockingly replied, "Oh, Minister, are you suggesting that I seek personal gain by supporting Prince Aditya, who is already the likely successor and a hero to this empire for his valorous deeds? What is there to fear when the prince commands only auxiliary forces? Do not forget that this forces will be needed if the channel is vast."
Sukhwindar grinned slyly, sensing an opening. "Auxiliary forces? Minister, Prince Aditya has been quite clever in fooling us all. His so-called ’daggers’ are nothing but bayonets attached to muskets, turning them into spears. And as for cavalry, have there not been reports of his troops effectively managing cavalry units on the field? Can we even imagine the disaster that might unfold if this power is left unchecked?"
The tension in the room intensified as Sukhwindar’s words sowed seeds of doubt and intrigue.
Taking a deep breath, Sukhwindar continued, "I do not suggest we distrust the prince or his honorable deeds. But unchecked power has corrupted even the noblest of souls. And while Prince Aditya has not yet been named the official heir, granting him such authority could lead to decisions that diverge from the empire’s best interests. Our ancestors built systems to preserve balance, and this reform endangers the stability they fought to create. I propose we repeal this version of the bill and instead reconsider the original draft I submitted."
Sayantika frowned, preparing to retort, but before she could speak, Prince Aditya intervened. His calm voice silenced the murmurs as he addressed the court.
"Since the debate revolves around matters concerning my involvement, I feel it is only right that I share my thoughts."
Aditya approached the center of the chamber, bowing respectfully to Samrat Hemu before continuing. "To be honest, I am surprised by the draft presented to the council today, and I agree with some of Minister Sukhwindar’s points."
The entire court fell into stunned silence. No one had expected Aditya to align himself, even partially, with his critic. What kind of prince would oppose his own power?
Aditya continued, "However, I firmly reject the notion that I have fooled the council. I promised to utilize daggers for close-quarters combat, and I have done so. If I found a way to improve upon the existing system, using tactics that none of my ancestors before me had considered, how is that my fault?"
Sukhwindar was caught off guard. Aditya’s response was sharp, indirectly mocking his earlier statement.
"But," Aditya added, "I must say that I am against the very idea of private armies for mercenary services, and I do not support this bill, especially not in its current form."
A ripple of shock spread through the assembly. The courtiers exchanged bewildered glances, unable to believe that the prince would reject a bill that justified him so much power and boldly claim for the monopoly.
Sukhwindar, sensing an opportunity, grinned. "So, the prince admits that he seeks to maintain absolute power and monopoly in this sector? If so, I ask him to clarify his true intentions."
Believing he had trapped the prince, Sukhwindar inwardly celebrated, confident that Aditya’s inexperience would lead to further missteps.
Aditya remained unfazed, his voice clear and direct. "I would like to remind the council that the company was granted to me as a reward, and the inclusion of mercenary soldiers was part of that reward. Both are inseparable.
The idea was entirely my own, and I am not required to justify my monopoly or share it just like that when I have its legitimised ownership...."
