King-Chapter 1421 - 271, Prelude to Chaos_2

Using these nebulous potential revenues to exchange for the kingdom’s long-term development—many people would accept this trade.

The other reform measures related to them, such as local personnel appointments, have relatively limited effects.

Noble Lords are no easy group to manage; parachuted officials can’t hold their ground, and in the end, they still need to be sourced locally.

Unless two clans possess equal strength, the kingdom’s government must intervene; otherwise, power is always claimed by the stronger side.

In theory, the entire Emerging Aristocrat Group is up for negotiation.

Yet power determines discourse; the Old Nobility still dominates the kingdom’s authority, and even the Emerging Nobility stems from their familial offshoots.

Nominally detached from their original clans, in practice, they still remain under control.

After decades of nurturing loyalty, how could simple persuasion sway them?

If it truly comes to opposition, spies would be everywhere.

Working for reform with such teammates, you’d never know when you might get sold out.

Seeing Hudson unwilling to take the lead, the group felt deeply helpless.

In truth, this was also the greatest weakness of the kingdom’s Reformist camp.

Apart from Hudson and Caesar IV, the leaders of this reform were all elderly veterans.

While their experience was abundant, they lacked the youthful drive and determination to fight for their cause.

"Marshal, we can draft the specific reform measures, but we still need you to focus on dealing with the Noble Parliament!"

Caesar IV said with a hint of disappointment.

At this moment, his feelings were incredibly conflicted—he wanted Hudson to take the lead in this reform, yet simultaneously feared that Hudson might seize the opportunity to consolidate power.

Now that his request had been refused, Caesar retreated to second-best, assigning Hudson to handle the legal problems facing the reform itself.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured.

The momentum for reform has already been built up sufficiently; submitting proposals for immediate voting should have a very high chance of passing!"

Hudson promptly pledged his support.

As the leader of the reformists, he undoubtedly had to act. Rather than drafting concrete measures that attract animosity, he preferred sparring with Council members.

The reform had only just begun—aristocrats stationed overseas, upon receiving news, would still require time to weigh the costs and benefits.

Seizing this window before their decision-making process, persuading the younger generation of Noble Children to vote the proposals into law was undoubtedly the optimal course.

Among the kingdom’s younger generation, Hudson—successful and celebrated at an early age—was everyone’s idol.

...

On July 25, 99999, the Kingdom Noble Council passed "Caesar’s Six Principles" with an overwhelming seventy percent of the vote, marking the formal initiation of reform in the Alpha Kingdom.

Free from the constraints imposed by their elders, the young Noble Children in the Capital enthusiastically joined the Reformist Camp, becoming pioneers of change.

The Conservative Faction nobles were furious, stomping their feet in frustration!

Yet, with the previous Chancellor and Minister of Defense refusing to step forward, and no strong support bases in the local regions, they were forced to retreat again and again in the face of the Reformists’ aggressive advances.

Conservatives in the Capital began forming alliances, while local Conservative nobles staying behind quietly employed underhanded tactics to thwart the reform’s progress.

When the news reached the Papal State, it enraged a crowd of Governors and Prefectural Governors.

Aside from focusing on their side businesses, some dared to dream of a return to reclaim the homeland. The more hot-headed Lords even contemplated immediately marching their troops back.

But the idea was swiftly dissuaded by those around them.

Failing to solicit their opinion was indeed disrespectful, but whether to oppose reform would depend on how the situation unfolds further.

Reform is not something completed overnight; there’s time aplenty for returning home, but opportunities to make money cannot be missed.

Recalling their thin purses, the financially strapped Noble Lords quickly came to their senses.

Not returning doesn’t mean staying idle. After all, as Local Lords, they must express their stance on reform.

...

"Duke Beckett, with the situation as it stands, you cannot remain indifferent!"

Faced with the rallying cries of the Noble Lords, Duke Beckett secretly lamented his predicament.

A victim of his famed reputation, the title of the kingdom’s leading clan was both a source of pride for the Holy Family and a chain of obligations.

In recent years, he had adhered to a policy of low-profile management to avoid the repercussions of drawing too much attention.

Back then, the influence of the five major families in the Northland relied not just on their intrinsic strength but also on his family’s manipulation behind the scenes.

There was no choice—his family’s power was the closest rival to the Royal Family. Such latent threats could not escape the vigilance of any Monarch, resulting in implicit suppression across generations.

Having suffered their due, the Holy Family grew wiser.

Rather than directly opposing the Royal Family, they chose to push others to the forefront as a means to attract hostility, while quietly profiting in the shadows.

The results were evident—in recent years, although their public presence decreased, their family’s growth was hardly compromised.

Though the lands under Duke Beckett’s official jurisdiction remained unchanged, the number of minor and medium-tier nobles bearing the Holy Family surname continued swelling exponentially.

It seemed that this idyllic lifestyle was destined to be disrupted sooner rather than later.

Had Duke Beckett foreseen this, he certainly wouldn’t have personally led the recent expedition to the Papal State.

As the leader of the kingdom’s predominant clan, a naturally recognized figurehead for the Noble’s Camp, Duke Beckett had to make a stance now. Others could afford to wait and observe; he could not.

Between the Reformists and Conservatives—or rather, between the King and the Nobles—he had to make a choice.

"Everyone, don’t panic!

These reform provisions are nothing more than minor adjustments; they won’t reach the core of our foundation.

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