King-Chapter 1427 - Two: Obedience in Public and Defiance in Private_2
Chapter 1427: Chapter Two: Obedience in Public and Defiance in Private_2
A colossal Empire is rising in the north, which is not good news for the countries on the South Continent.
...
The Allied Command of the Alpha Kingdom.
"Beckett, the kingdom’s reform has officially started. What do you think of the government’s reform initiative?"
Duke Richard’s probing question.
If the Holy Family is the premier family under the Royal Family, then the Taylor Family to which Richard belongs is the kingdom’s second leading family.
Because of their similar styles, the two families, who should have been rivals, have become friends in this generation.
To counter the Royal Family’s oppression, both families not only acted low-key but also each gathered a group of nobles to form alliances.
"The results should be promising; at least some of the reforms are bound to succeed. For example, Marshal Hudson’s agricultural reform.
This person is simply too cautious; in order to test everyone’s stance, he even initiated a small trial plot under the guise of promoting fertilizer.
Ultimately, coming from a small family background, even when occupying a high position, he doesn’t have a clear understanding of his own status.
In fact, Marshal Hudson is the most suitable person to be in charge of the tax system reform.
It takes a military strongman like him to possibly make everyone put the meat from their bowls back into the pot!"
Beckett said with a seemingly amused expression.
The tone was filled with deep disdain for Hudson; if this were spread around, it would surely cause a huge uproar within the kingdom.
It’s worth noting that Duke Beckett has publicly supported Hudson multiple times and was the first amongst the kingdom’s major nobles to bestow upon Hudson the title of "the Continent’s foremost general."
In the eyes of the outsiders, Beckett appears to be a fervent admirer of Hudson.
However, for nobles, statements made in public represent politics, while private ones represent their personal views.
Before Hudson’s rise, they were advocating for the five major families in Northland. These five major noble families with only military prowess and terrible economic strength were forcibly thrust into the number one faction seat of the kingdom.
But what’s fake is ultimately fake; after an unexpected event, the five major families lost the full support of the kingdom government and were instantly reverted to their original state.
It was at this moment that everyone realized: the impressive entity was not the five major families in Northland but the platform of the Alpha Kingdom.
Northland’s five major families, without national support, were just five ordinary major nobles who had no strength to dominate the kingdom.
One chess piece was knocked out, and immediately another was promoted. The now infamous Hudson appeared in their sights.
After a series of packaging and promotion, Hudson, originally renowned and distinguished, has leaped to become the kingdom’s most dazzling sensation, attracting most of the attention from the outside world.
The most crucial point is: in executing the diversion tactic, everything was done seamlessly and naturally, without any trace of deliberate scheming visible.
"Beckett, stop dreaming. If it weren’t for resolving the military provisions issue, Marshal Hudson probably wouldn’t have touched the agricultural reform.
You’re an old fox, and he’s a young fox. You two are the same kind of people, hardly calculable!
Right now, the person has already risen; scheming successfully is one thing, but if you’re discovered, you’ll be left without face!"
Duke Richard immediately teased.
He also participated in advocating for Hudson. They went to great lengths to create a lightning rod to attract the Royal Family’s attention.
The unfortunate result was their plan was half successful. Hudson indeed rose swiftly, becoming the kingdom’s most powerful figure, but this authoritative person had nothing to do with being arrogant and overbearing.
The person doesn’t attract hatred, and they can’t step in to help create animosity, otherwise, it would seem too intentional.
Ultimately, it’s a clandestine scheme; once exposed to the light of day, it would be like lifting a stone only to drop it on their own feet.
"Richard, save it!
After so many years of getting along, who doesn’t understand each other?
Trying to incite me is of no use here. Instead of doing this, you should go and sway some fools to take the lead.
I’m speaking sincerely; the kingdom’s Conservative Faction is quite powerful. For the government’s reform to succeed, it must be led by strong figures.
Expecting those old guys on the court who are always hesitant to complete the grand reform is simply a delusion.
Just watch, once they encounter strong resistance from the Conservative Faction, this hastily cobbled-together conservative camp will soon descend into chaos!"
Duke Beckett concluded directly.
After a brief exchange, the two silently reached a unified position and jointly decided to continue observing.
...
Canglan City.
As the curtain on the reform is raised, in the capital, there is joy for some and sorrow for others.
Countless bankrupt freemen, before they have time to find new jobs, have unwittingly found themselves on the migration list.
Protests are pointless; by the time they receive the news, the officers responsible for enforcing the forced relocation are already at their doors.
In the feudal era of monarchy, talking about freedom is pure nonsense. Freemen only have nominal freedom, and only have some personal liberty when everyone plays by the rules.
Now, with one command from the King, they pack their bags and head to the frontier for land reclamation within the specified time limit.
Fortunately, the proportion of freemen in the capital is not high, and bankrupt freemen are even fewer, so the impact on the social economy is not significant.
The agricultural reform, which had the least backlash, has already stirred up waves; the other reforms are even more so.
Government institutions need to be restructured, and there is a constant stream of people lobbying for positions, rendering Prime Minister Delgado a recluse in his own home, fearful of being cornered.
"Cutting redundant staff" is even worse; dismissed officials have not forcefully demanded the government retain them, but they’ve stood up to demand their salaries!
Having packed up and left, they can’t still be owed wages, can they?
After representatives from both sides engaged in heated discussions, only some of the older officials retired early, while the rest resumed their positions.
Of course, salaries certainly won’t be paid. What the Conservative Faction negotiated was the retention of the nominal title of an official; as for benefits, those are a far-off dream.
In fact, the cash-strapped kingdom government had long stopped paying salaries to this group of phantom staff.
Marquis Delgado was very embarrassed; under the guise of "cutting redundant staff," they ended up cutting nothing at all.
Fortunately, this is just a matter of appearances and doesn’t affect the overall reform, though it dampens the mood for a few days.
Compared to the tax reform, this is already considered lucky. Redundant staff who aren’t working now doesn’t mean they weren’t working at other times.
For example, during wartime, no one dared to shirk. Each would perform their duties quietly for fear of being relocated by the authorities.
"Chancellor, this work is impossible!
Nobles all over are being insincere; each agrees on the surface, but when it comes to specific actions, they resort to non-violent non-cooperation.
Those who show some courtesy find excuses, claiming: The Family Head is on the front lines fighting, involving territorial taxes over which they have no authority to decide.
Those who are blunt directly expel our people!"
Minister of Finance, Count Francis, complained to the Chancellor and discreetly reported the situation.
Unfortunately, all of this is useless because, besides gaining some sympathy, Prime Minister Delgado can scarcely do much for them.
"Take it slowly, Your Excellency the Count!
Reform is never completed smoothly; encountering occasional setbacks is quite normal."
Marquis Delgado comforted him.
It was already not the first wave; comforting words had been spoken several times over the last few days.
Almost every key official responsible for reform has privately sought consolation from him.
But the problem is, he’s always comforting others; who will comfort his wounded heart!
"Chancellor, this is not something that can be simplified as just a setback and resolved.
Involving personal interests, local nobles are not enthusiastic about cooperating. Truly, no more than one-fifth of the nobles have handed over tax authority.
These are mainly concentrated in the Near East Region. Their territories are in a thirty-year tax-free period, temporarily with no tax needs!"
Earl Rinnares added from the side.
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on fre(e)webnov(l).com
