At this time, a palace attendant came to report that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance had arrived.
When the Emperor and Count Koval arrived at a luxurious restaurant, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance were talking with the Second Prince.
"Your Majesty... has arrived!"
Prime Minister Caron is a tall man, while Finance Minister Nevar is a chubby man with sharp eyes. These two are His Majesty the Emperor's confidants, and they are also the two most powerful people in the empire besides the Emperor.
As for the second prince Philip, he has just been engaged and is the daughter of a duke. He has grown a beard in the past two years, which makes him look much more mature.
The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister both praised Count Koval for free, but they had never looked at him in the past.
These two ministers never expected that the 1/20 tax they had always wanted to collect would be accomplished by the Genoese. Not to mention that they were the best ministers, even His Majesty the Emperor could collect these without even thinking about tax collection.
Years around the 1/20 tax, I don’t know how many ministers were ousted, and I don’t know how many wars of words and political attacks took place.
But now, the Genoese have opened a gap. How can this not make the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance happy?
Under the bright crystal lamp, there is a luxurious rectangular dining table covered with exquisite tablecloth. The palace servants provide extremely high-quality and delicate service. Even their postures when serving food and pouring wine are very particular.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer were very talkative, and His Royal Highness Philippe also interjected a word or two very appropriately. The Emperor now returned to his usual demeanor, but he did not pretend to be profound.
In contrast, Count Koval suddenly felt that he could not fit in, even if the Prime Minister only talked about trivial matters unrelated to government affairs and finance. As if sensing the change in Count Koval's mood, His Royal Highness Philip suddenly asked:
"Earl, what is Viscount Sean Connery busy with recently?"
This confirmed what Count Koval had always suspected, that the countryman whom he did not know at all should not be taken lightly.
"Your Highness, I heard that Viscount Connelly invested in building a shipyard." Count Koval said.
"Oh, it's an ironclad ship using a steam engine, right? I've seen the introduction in the newspaper. I'm afraid this is the first ship in the world." Philip was so excited that he danced around with his knife and fork, "Sorry, Count, this is a project.
Remarkable scientific progress. As the honorary president of the Royal Scientific Society, I am honored to see Viscount Connery's breakthrough."
"I am also honored and proud of it." Count Koval said this, but he disagreed in his heart.
Because he learned from his wife's letter that it was just a small boat. According to his wife's description, it was an iron shell that would capsize in slightly stronger winds and waves.
The conversation between the second prince and Count Koval successfully attracted the attention of the two ministers. Finance Minister Neval said:
"I heard that rich iron ore and coal deposits were discovered in the north of Genoa. Apart from Viscount Connelly, the Koval family has obtained the largest mining rights. This is a good investment, but..."
The implication is that this investment was made at the wrong time. Count Koval believed that, and now those mineral deposits have become a problem. Although it will not drag down the family, it has seriously affected the family's economic situation.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel angry at his wife's "motive", and then vented his anger on Sean, but he would never tell the top figures in the empire present that Sean established the 1/20 tax as a universal tax
What role did it play in this major event?
"Well, this is indeed a bit tricky. My family mistakenly followed Viscount Connery's propaganda and thought it was an excellent investment. Now it has become a problem. The interest paid back to the bank every year alone is a huge
Numbers." Count Koval complained while giving eye drops to those present.
"You are indeed young. I have heard of this young man. If I remember correctly, he also made considerable contributions when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suppressed the rebellion last year?" the Prime Minister asked.
"It is indeed a great contribution." The second prince said. He quietly looked at his father, and sure enough, His Majesty the Emperor's face looked a little unhappy - because he had another quarrel with his eldest son recently.
The emperor threw down the tableware and said to his second son: "Philip, I still have political affairs to deal with. Please entertain my guests for me."
"Excuse me, everyone." The emperor nodded to the three guests and left the restaurant expressionlessly.
Count Koval was a little confused, while the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of Finance sat comfortably in their seats and continued to enjoy the palace delicacies.
"Prime Minister, why do you have to mention my brother?" the second prince said dissatisfied.
"Your Highness, has your brother's name become a forbidden word?" The Prime Minister raised his wine glass and took a big sip. "In fact, I don't like the Crown Prince either, but no one can erase his contribution, right?
"
"The tense relationship between the Crown Prince and His Majesty is not a blessing to the empire." The Finance Minister also said, "I heard that northern Xinjiang is unstable recently. It is not impossible to send the Crown Prince there to take charge, but it will inevitably lead to people's imagination.
"
This kind of matter was very sensitive, especially for the second prince. He had to deliberately change the topic, especially when Count Koval was present, because anything said in the palace would not reach the palace.
The appearance will soon be out of shape and become beyond recognition.
"If the earl returns to his hometown during the vacation of the noble council, please send my regards to Viscount Connery on my behalf," the second prince said.
"Definitely, definitely." Koval was still thinking about the incident that had happened, and it took him a while to react.
The second prince added: "Actually, I admire Viscount Connery very much. He has rich personal experience. He was born as an adopted son, went to the battlefield, and was lucky enough to become a noble. He is also quite financially savvy. His life experience is a history of struggle.
.”
The second prince spoke highly of Sean, which made Count Koval both shocked and envious. He secretly decided not to deliberately become an enemy of Sean.
"Is he engaged? I think a young, rich and courageous nobleman like him must be very popular with southern girls in Genoa!" the second prince asked again.
"That might disappoint His Highness. I heard that he is pursuing a widow." Count Koval said calmly, but he didn't lie anyway.
"That must be an extremely wealthy widow." The finance minister joked, "My Earl, you know, in the Holy City or Gyeonggi, such widows are the most popular, and the older they get, the more popular they become."
"Why do you become more popular as you get older?" Count Koval asked deliberately.
"Because once the suitor succeeds, he can count the days to give his old wife a happy ending without delaying marrying a young, beautiful and noble person, especially after he inherits his wife's property. Haha!" Prime Minister!
replied.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer had drunk a little too much and were laughing unbridled.
Count Koval suddenly felt a little bored.
Looking at His Highness the Second Prince, he was staring at the glass filled with wine in front of him, wondering what he was thinking.