The setting sun shines through the stone window, casting a long shadow on the discussion table, like a golden and black sword blade.
"Is there such a good thing?"
The Minister of Commerce and Trade of the Kingdom of Stars, Viscount Connie, put down the "Emerald City Replacement Petition" that had just been sent to the conference room with a suspicious look on his face.
"The owner of the iris."
Connie looked at his peers in the Royal Council:
"Duke Kevin Deere actually took the initiative to request tax-paying substitutes, reduce the number of levies in the Emerald City, and even supported the royal family to expand the standing army to fill the national defense tasks left by the levies?"
The ministers in the Imperial Council looked at each other.
Only the scarred man from the Kingdom's Secret Department, who had gone back and brought back this "Petition", stood aside calmly and said nothing.
"Putting aside his position, doesn't he know the risks of doing this?"
Viscount Connie squinted his eyes with a subtle expression:
"If the Emerald City really implements what the letter says, challenges traditions, and shakes interests... Ha, when every conscript in each level of fiefdom refuses to work and serve for the lord on this reason, Kevin Di
You will become a subordinate vassal, no, you will be the target of public criticism of the entire kingdom's aristocratic system."
"Not the entire system," military advisor Thordo Red said in high spirits, excited for the arrival of this letter:
"There are only those noble lords who are conservative, old-fashioned and backward, who insist on recruiting militia and are unwilling to accept taxes in lieu of service."
Viscount Conney put down the letter and said slyly:
"That's almost everyone except the royalists?"
As soon as this was said, there was a burst of laughter from the imperial meeting.
"This letter comes at the right time. It speaks out for us and relieves the pressure," Soduo said with a smile on his face.
"Whether it is the reduction of Bright Star's private army or the expansion of the standing army, we have received strong political support and support from foreign ministers, as well as the service tax paid by Emerald City. Qiu Ke, the budget issue you mentioned..."
But the Financial Controller rolled his eyes and remained noncommittal.
On the other side, Gilbert took the letter printed with iris paint from Connie's hand and read it carefully, refusing to let go of every word.
Even if this is the third time.
Finally, someone realized that the Foreign Secretary's face was extremely ugly, which was incompatible with the relaxed atmosphere of the meeting.
"this letter……"
Gilbert murmured: "What exactly is..."
"Old friend," Thordo noticed Gilbert's state and looked worried:
"Any questions?"
The silence of a few people at the meeting affected the atmosphere just now, and the Ballard Room gradually became quiet.
Gilbert didn't answer, he just took a deep breath, slowly raised his head, and looked straight at the end of the long table.
As if searching for some answer.
However, on the other side, the king's figure was hidden in the darkness and did not move for a long time.
Until another chubby hand stretched out from the side.
"What a coincidence. When we are thinking about how to reduce the conscripts without causing public outrage, and worrying about how to find the budget to expand the standing army..."
The host of the Royal Council, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom, Duke of Donghai Bob Cullen, with a rare expression of composure, accepted the "Petition".
"When we were still walking on thin ice, fearing that this incident would destabilize the country and trigger civil war, this letter came? Giving people and money and talking about it?"
Prime Minister Cullen's words made everyone in the Royal Council fall into deep thought.
Cullen's eyes left the beautiful and calm handwriting on the paper and glanced suspiciously at the scar-faced spy from the secret department on the other side.
But the man with the scarred face remained calm and respectful, turning a deaf ear and saying nothing.
The Duke moved his fat belly, shook the letter in his hand, and hummed softly:
"Where's Jenn himself?"
The scar-faced man seemed to have just come to his senses and replied respectfully: "It is reported that the Duke of Nan'an has left the royal capital and returned to the Emerald City to handle urgent matters."
"Urgent?"
Cullen looked at Zhan's handwriting again, looking at the end of the long table from time to time, and burst into uneasy laughter:
"Indeed, it's too urgent, too urgent..."
It was obviously good news, but the abnormal attitude of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister made the elites of the Royal Council feel suspicious and looked at the master of the room.
However, King Kessel sat in his original position, motionless.
Only the setting sun behind him cast countless golden beams of light through the window, enveloping him. From a distance, he looked like a sword protecting the throne.
Or prison bars.
"Prime Minister, your lord?" Viscount Conney asked tentatively.
However, Cullen just raised his finger slightly with an interesting expression.
"Thodoro, I thought at first..."
Prime Minister Cullen's words are like the evening bell of the monastery, with a deep tone and profound meaning:
"Today you reported the war situation in the north in great detail and talked about Exeter's lessons. You just wanted to show your kindness to Prince Thales and praise his little lover from Longxiao City..."
The military advisor, Thordo Red, was suddenly stunned.
"And you exaggerate the accident at the Blade Tooth Camp, blindly belittle the conscripts, and advocate the expansion of the standing army. This is just a pretense. At most, you can ask for a sky-high price and then pay back the money..."
The Financial Controller, Juke Mann, raised his lips.
"But now, look at this letter..."
Prime Minister Cullen glanced at the fleur-de-lis coat of arms on the letter, then turned in the direction of the king, tutting and shaking his head:
"Your Majesty, you are well prepared for today's meeting."
Kaiser V's brows moved slightly.
The Prime Minister put the "Petition" together and smiled slowly:
"Just like before, the standing army of the royal family went to the Western Wasteland to clean up the desert and greet His Highness the Prince. Did they also go prepared?"
This statement meant something, and all the ministers in front of the imperial court frowned.
Among the crowd, Gilbert trembled slightly.
He stared at the king from afar, his eyes bitter.
However, the next sentence of the Prime Minister was incomprehensible:
"Is it the 'Sand King'? Or the 'Whisper'? Or both?"
Sand King?
Whisper?
At that moment, the ministers in the Imperial Council looked at each other in confusion.
Outside the long table, the scarred man's sleeves moved invisibly.
But the ministers soon noticed that at the end of the long table, the king's eyes were fixed on Duke Cullen, ignoring him.
"Don't be surprised, Your Majesty, Midir even asked for my opinion."
Prime Minister Cullen didn't seem to care whether anyone answered. He just sighed and talked to himself.
"At that time, although I had gained weight, at least I was still a fat man in the prime of life."
The old Duke's words were filled with emotion and loneliness.
"Now, if I lower my head again, I can no longer see the tips of my toes."
Duke Cullen raised his head:
"and you?"
In confusion, everyone subconsciously looked towards the end of the long table, towards the majestic figure who was motionless and silent like a stone statue.
"Bob."
After a few seconds of silence, the Iron-Fisted King spoke expressionlessly.
"You're not just fat."
At that moment, the light of the setting sun merged into countless golden sword blades, spanning between the two people.
The Prime Minister seemed not to notice anything and remained calm.
"old."
The Iron Fist King's voice changed from the thick and powerful voice before, and actually had a sharpness as sharp as a guillotine:
"Still tired."
The eyes of King Kessel and Duke Cullen crossed the long table and met in the air.
All the ministers frowned.
"Yeah, I'm tired."
A few seconds later, Cullen avoided King Kessel's eyes and said slowly:
"No more prosperous than a kingdom, its wheels are rolling forward."
The Duke of Donghai lowered his head slowly and hummed indifferently, looking like an ordinary old man who was almost 70 years old and relieved.
"It's either this one or that one. Anyway, you have to choose a horse to pull the cart, right?"
King Kessel's eyes were cold and he did not answer.
"But you are not him." Cullen said the last sentence and closed his eyes tiredly:
"not him."
King Kessel remained silent.
At that moment, the atmosphere in the Ballard Room was no longer relaxed. Facing the obscure confrontation between the king and the duke, everyone was very confused, but they did not dare to say anything.
Except one person.
"His Majesty."
Gilbert raised his head with complicated eyes and became the next person to break the silence:
"Please forgive me for overstepping my bounds."
He held up Zhan's handwriting steadily and showed the fleur-de-lis emblem on it:
"But when was this petition written?"
"Last night? Early morning?"
Gilbert's eyes were directed towards the throne.
At that moment, Xingchen Cunning Fox, who had always been gentle, had sharp eyes, even a little aggressive.
Prime Minister Cullen snorted softly and added intentionally or unintentionally:
"Or just now?"
There were low whispers among the ministers.
After a few seconds, the king slowly turned his head and shifted his focus to the foreign minister he once trusted most.
His gaze pierced the setting sun, like a solid ice covering the top, instantly dissipating the warmth.
King Kessel stared at Gilbert closely, but said nothing.
The atmosphere of the imperial meeting became increasingly solemn and suffocating, until someone couldn't bear it anymore and interrupted.
"Is it because of the royal banquet?"
On the other side, the kingdom’s financial controller, Juke Man, swallowed his saliva and asked cautiously.
He knew what was at stake, and he no longer looked like the scoundrel he was before:
"I left early at the banquet, but later I heard that the Duke of Xinghu and the Duke of Nan'an had some minor... unpleasantness during the banquet?"
Duke of Star Lake, Duke of South Bank, royal banquet.
As soon as these words came out, there was once again a murmur around the discussion table.
unhappy.
Yes, if you go to a meeting with a sword, assist assassins, kidnap guests, or threaten the prince, it can be considered a "little unpleasantness".
The king snorted coldly, interrupting the royal murmur.
"A little misunderstanding."
King Kessel's words were like the final word, sonorous and powerful.
"already solved."
solved.
Gilbert's heart sank when he heard this.
At the discussion table, no one was stupid enough to ask "how to solve it."
Viscount Connie and the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Lord Clapham, looked at each other and interrupted the current embarrassment: "Very good, then the Duke of South Bank still hopes to mend relations with us, unlike the one-eyed dragon in Cliffland..."
"that's all?"
But Gilbert's voice sounded again, interrupting their efforts.
"Just because he attacked Prince Thales behind the scenes, you held the bargaining chip?"
Uncharacteristically, Gilbert continued to ask questions in a stern and urgent tone:
"That's why I got this letter?"
Everyone felt that the tension between the king and the foreign minister could no longer be ignored, more so than the confrontation between the former and the prime minister.
Gilbert has always been very popular. Military adviser Thordo gave him a wink, Archdeacon Stylianides quietly tapped the table, and even Financial Controller Juke pretended to cough and soothe his cheeks.
"Zhan is a smart kid," finally, the Iron Fist King spoke slowly and calmly: "It's easy to understand."
"Whenever he does something wrong, he knows how to make up for it."
Many people looked at the "Petition" in Gilbert's hand, thoughtfully.
"make up?"
At that moment, Gilbert looked at the king quietly, and the feeling was indescribable.
"Really," Xingchen Sly Fox said in a tired tone.
"Six years ago, after His Highness Thales's mission to the north was attacked by vampires in the birch forest, you and him 'resolved' and 'made amends' in this way, right?"
The subjects who did not know this story were suddenly shocked.
six years ago.
vampire.
"Even if you know that Duke Kevin Dill is related to the attacker?" Gilbert's tone was almost pressing.
No one dared to speak.
This time, the King of Stars at the end of the long table was silent for a long time.
"The essence of politics, my friend," King Kessel said slowly:
"It's a bundle of interests."
Hearing this name, Duke Cullen frowned slightly.
Gilbert's expression became increasingly bitter:
"Yes, I remember that these were the exact words of His Highness Midir."
Hearing this name, everyone shuddered.
"So, Gilbert, my friend, if you want to be happy with your grudges, repay them directly..."
The Iron Fist King snorted coldly, and his tone suddenly changed.
"You might as well read more knight novels."
Facing the king's merciless words, Gilbert's expression darkened.
"Very good, that's right, Your Majesty."
The Foreign Secretary lowered the letter in his hand and closed his eyes.
"but."
Gilbert's voice was as weak as a mosquito:
"His Royal Highness Thales, does he know?"
Many people's eyes moved.
King Kessel was silent for a moment.
His eyes glanced at the scar-faced spy from the secret department, intentionally or unintentionally:
"He knows now."
Gilbert leaned back and said nothing.
Dusk has arrived, and the color of the sun gradually increases, changing from golden to dark red.
At that moment, the Supreme King, bathed in the sunset, even looked a little red.
Only his face was still dim and unclear under the backlight.
The imperial meeting fell into silence.
"That's enough, everyone."
Just when the participants were at a loss, another voice sounded at the right time. It was resolute and decisive, breaking the dullness:
"No matter how this letter came, now that it's here, we can't let it go to waste."
Military Advisor, Thordo Red stared angrily:
"Whether it's voluntary or involuntary, whether it's compensation or a transaction, since Duke Kevin Deere's 'kindness' sacrifices his own reputation and interests at the expense of a thousand people, he still wants to write to His Majesty, pay taxes, and share the political burden for us.
Pressure, cheering for the Fuxing Palace..."
"He didn't."
Thordor Red turned his head in shock, but Gilbert still had his eyes closed and was rubbing his forehead.
"Feel sorry?"
Gilbert took a deep breath.
"As far as I know, as early as the end of the reign of the late King Eddie, under the rule of the former Guardian Duke of the South Bank, Leinster Kelvindill, the regular military service system in the Emerald City had been broken and loose, and even existed in name only."
At the imperial meeting, the ministers who did not understand Nan'an Territory were all stunned.
Prime Minister Cullen, on the other hand, frowned.
"So that's how it is, the future life is terrible."
"The South Bank is not the Western Wilderness after all." The Prime Minister of the Kingdom laughed dumbly.
Others were still puzzled, until Gilbert sighed.
"After the Bloody Years, due to the depression in the territory, and in order to mend the wounds, the old Duke of Leinster even allowed some of his vassals not to respond to compulsory conscription and not to contribute prime-age soldiers, but to pay surrogates instead, so that he could hire
Professional mercenaries to deal with large-scale wars such as bandit suppression."
Gilbert explained patiently, slowly returning to his role as an adviser advising the king:
"To this day, the military service system under the jurisdiction of Emerald City is no longer complete and sound - exceptions have gradually become routine, and are extended layer by layer. Even when the military conscription order comes, every family can be exempted from military service as long as they pay enough bribes, and the conscription system has become
This is a loophole in the law that allows military recruiters to plunder civilians and line their own pockets by relying on the draft book."
Military advisor Thordor Red mused.
The expressions of everyone present slowly changed.
King Kessel listened quietly to the foreign minister's explanation, not knowing what he was thinking.
"I remembered the state meeting six years ago, when everyone was making plans to send troops..."
Prime Minister Cullen shook his head and seemed to gain something:
"It seems that Zhan wasn't completely lying at that time."
Gilbert nodded, worried.
"In other words, this seemingly costly petition is nothing more than a favor."
"The Duke of Southbank described the established situation of the Emerald City as his own sacrifice and loyalty, brought the tacit convention to the table and turned it into a black and white decree, and claimed that this was the need of the king and the standing army."
"He doesn't have to pay anything."
Gilbert pushed the "Petition for Replacement" to the center of the discussion table:
"Even if this order is approved by His Majesty, Kevin Deere will not suffer any actual losses. It may also be able to eliminate corruption and inefficient government, standardize the chaos of tax payment, and let the people who have been working hard for a long time applaud and praise.
The Duke of Iris for the people.”
On the other side, "Money Bag" Qiu Ke snorted and added:
"You can also use all the dirty money collected by the people below during the recruitment to enrich yourself - of course, in the name of His Majesty Kessel and the Royal Standing Army."
The Financial Controller rubbed his hands jealously:
"Kevin Deere has been rich for many years and he really has a way."
Gilbert said with a cold face:
"Also, as Master Cullen said, the next time there is a war, the South Coast Territory will be able to refute it at the national meeting with full reason: they have the king's permission to pay taxes and serve as slaves, and do not need to send troops."
The fat prime minister nodded kindly.
Gilbert turned to Advisor Sodol who looked surprised:
"As for what you said, Soduo, Iris stands in line with the Fuxing Palace, providing political support and solidarity..."
Gilbert paused.
"Don't forget, Zhan submitted the "Petition" to His Majesty only after His Highness Thales publicly accused him of being the mastermind behind the banquet."
Prime Minister Cullen took over Gilbert's words, shook his head, and seemed to be in a good mood:
"If the news comes out, as long as it is run properly, it will not be a symbol of Iris siding with the royal family, but just a helpless move by Kevin Deere under pressure from the Renaissance Palace. Not only will the Emerald City not be blamed
Although he was not responsible, he could receive sympathy from his vassals and even the majority of lords in the country - 'The king must have forced him to do it'."
The Prime Minister winked intriguingly:
"Yeah?"
No one answered him.
"It's Fuxing Palace instead."
Gilbert's voice sounded, becoming unhurried, gentle and long again:
"This matter is inherently sensitive. If we are accused of 'forcing the vassals', whether it is reducing levies or expanding the standing army, the pressure we will face will only be greater..."
He didn't say any more, but the atmosphere in the imperial meeting became a little heavier.
"pity."
Chief Financial Officer Qiu Ke slapped his thigh in annoyance:
"It would be great if His Highness Thales didn't howl at Kevin Dill after finding out the truth, but instead suppressed his temper and quietly reported to His Majesty."
"So," Cullen said intentionally or unintentionally, looking at the end of the long table:
"Young man, don't do things in a hurry."
Gilbert's analysis completely wiped out the excitement that the Imperial Council gained from the letter, leaving not a single cent.
Everyone was already tired, and now they were even more disappointed.
"But, everyone."
The military advisor took a deep breath, regained his composure, and raised his hand to attract the attention of the Imperial Council:
"Maybe Iris has her own agenda, but it doesn't affect our choice."
Thordo tried his best to convince everyone:
"The most important thing is, if what this letter says comes true, we will have the replacement taxes that Kevin Deere will pay to expand the standing army..."
But he was interrupted.
"I'm not throwing cold water on you, soldier."
The familiar sarcastic tone of the Financial Controller came again, making Sodo frown severely:
"However, it sounds very good to exempt each level of lords from the obligation to recruit troops to assist in the war, and replace it with special tax items. The money collected can be used to expand the standing army, and then in turn fill in the defense of the disbanded levies and maintain public order..."
Manager Qiu Ke tilted his cheeks with a sly smile and said:
"However, I have to deal with those profiteer lords in Emerald City every quarter. Believe me, they can't do anything else. Every time they collect taxes..."
Soduo snorted angrily:
"How dare they evade taxes?"
"Worse."
Qiu Ke narrowed his eyes:
"They can do the accounting."
Soduo was stunned:
"What?"
Many people frowned, and Prime Minister Cullen glanced at Gilbert with a "Sure enough" look on his face.
Qiu Ke shook his head disdainfully:
"I said that the skills of their accountants are no less than those of the Conmas people. The tax accounts are clear and there is nothing hidden. However, regardless of the calculation of tax rates, the selection of tax items, and the flow of taxes, it is extremely complicated...
"
"Can you believe it? Even though the Emerald City is extremely rich, its sea and land trade business has been growing year after year, and the total floating funds are enough to buy several small principalities, but their book figures are still losing money! And our tax collectors went through their books
I can’t even find a single wrong number in the ledger, there’s nowhere to scrape money, and there may be tax refunds…”
The Financial Controller opened the "Petition", stared at it with disgust, and then threw it down:
"As for the tax payment mentioned here, tell me, Thordo, do you think they will find out this time and give you a large sum of money out of thin air?"
Soduo's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe that there was such a thing in the world.
Qiu Ke turned to the king and his tone became more respectful.
"If this is the 'budget' you are waiting for, Your Majesty, Thordo."
"With all due respect, it didn't work out."
"As for the expansion of the standing army, let's look at the revenue in the next quarter."
The king said nothing.
Soduo clenched his fists tightly.
The words of the Financial Controller made the entire Imperial Council wake up and fell into a disappointed silence.
"So, this letter from Emerald City is just empty talk? I mean, if ours is really passed, then they will not lose anything, they will appear reasonable, and they will make a lot of money."
Lord Clapham, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, spoke tremblingly:
"On the contrary, we seemed to be getting an advantage, but we turned out to be bad guys and ended up losing our underwear?"
"Cunning Southerner." Viscount Coney threw down the "Petition" on the table and cursed unhappily:
"Do you think Iris is going to take action when things get tough, or is she ready for this move a long time ago and just waiting for this opportunity?"
All the ministers looked at each other with no answer.
Until the king's voice rings,
"This is certainly not the optimal solution."
King Kessel's tone was very calm, and he brought the topic back to the direction he wanted: "But this is the biggest concession that the Emerald City can give."
The Iron-Fisted King looked at the letter quietly.
"The sword at the banquet alone is not enough."
Gilbert could only sigh inwardly.
"Damn it, how come that Young Master of Xihuang at the banquet just kidnapped the guests?"
The military adviser slammed the table:
"It would be nice if he committed a bigger crime, such as assassinating the prince..."
Gilbert reacted and angrily said:
"Thordor!"
But Soduo just waved his hand indifferently:
"It doesn't matter, you know I didn't mean that..."
Soduo turned around, looked at the letter on the table, and sighed:
"Gilbert, if you think about it again, is there really no other way? This letter has finally solved our political and budget problems at the same time..."
Before the Foreign Minister could speak, Qiu Ke stabbed him coldly from the side:
"Didn't you pay attention in class, private? It won't solve anything."
Gilbert nodded tiredly.
"If Your Majesty approves the proposal in this petition, we will reform the military system starting from the Emerald City and take this controversial first step..."
He glanced in the king's direction with mixed emotions:
"Then the Fuxing Palace must swallow all the bitter fruits mentioned above. Apart from the hypocritical support of the Duke of Nan'an and the unaccounted tax money, the benefits are really limited."
"It's not even our turn to approve it," Duke Cullen looked in a good mood:
"Unlike a small fight like adapting the Bright Star private army, as long as this petition is made public through an official document or a warrant, the reform of the military system will inevitably trigger an uproar in the kingdom from top to bottom. We will stand at the forefront of the storm,
There is no way to retreat.”
In the darkness of the long table, the king's pupils gradually narrowed.
"After all, asking for high prices is just a means," Cullen looked at the lost Soduo and said with his tongue:
"It's enough to pay back the money when you land, but you can't really expect to sell it at a sky-high price."
This statement made the military adviser even more depressed.
Manager Qiu Ke yawned low-key, looked around, and tried to end the meeting:
"Then this letter..."
"Ignore it," Gilbert's tone was both helpless and decisive:
"Bury it into the countless official documents and letters that come out of Fuxing Palace every day. It will just disappear without making any waves."
At the imperial meeting, he was answered with an awkward silence.
Until the king's voice rings again.
"So," King Kessel chuckled again and again, but there was no smile at all, which made people shudder, "We have been sitting here all day..."
"And my son encountered an assassin at the banquet and almost died in a duel..."
At that moment, the face of the Iron-Fisted King emerged from the sunset, looking inexplicably strange:
"In exchange for...these?"
All the ministers in front of the imperial court lowered their heads, and no one dared to answer this question.
Only Cullen took a sip of tea with a calm expression and looked towards the end of the discussion table:
"It's a pity, Your Majesty, but this letter won't give you what you want."
"Yes, the wheels are rolling forward."
The Duke of Donghai put down his teacup, straightened his crooked belt, and was satisfied:
"But not by brute force."
At the end of the long table, King Kessel was silent under the setting sun.
Only a pair of eyes flickered slightly in the darkness.