The Assyrians once again launched a war against the Europa Empire, and the Belis also invaded Europa from the northwest border.
The troops gathered in the north by the Europa Empire lost 200,000 troops in seven days, but this time they failed to allow the enemy to easily break through the defense line. But this situation made knowledgeable people very uneasy.
On the vast ocean, the Imperial Navy has just begun to counterattack.
This time, everyone has truly seen the doomsday weather. Prices are soaring, the state is becoming increasingly poor, and the people are suffering. Many northern provinces have begun compulsory military conscription.
In view of the bad situation, Prime Minister Cuarón submitted a report unknown to the outside world when he met with Carlos II:
"The form of war and the deterioration of the financial situation force us to implement a more unified, more equal and fair tax policy. Only in this case can His Majesty reduce the people's burden while increasing revenue... Taxation should
Equal apportionment in proportion and no avoidance of privileges and immunities is the first article of wartime policy..."
"In order to save the country, partial measures are no longer possible. In order to prevent the building from collapsing, it is necessary to rectify its foundation... We can no longer continue with disastrous loans. The only measure that can be taken now is to rebuild the fiscal order. When the situation
In such difficult times, this approach is not excessive..."
“We must bypass those privileged court aristocrats and convene a meeting of dignitaries—expanding the discussion list as much as possible to seek the greatest consensus!”
The Prime Minister used the extremely sensitive term "the building will collapse".
It was against this background that after much hesitation, Carlos II announced that he would convene a Conference of Notables in February 1834 to replace the original Parliament of Nobles.
Even His Majesty the noble Emperor realizes that the Parliament of Nobles cannot represent all subjects, and if we expand taxation at all costs, it is likely to mess everything up.
"In the name of the country!"
This is a public opinion campaign launched by some newspapers in the Holy City supported by the emperor and the cabinet, who are trying to set the tone for future meetings of dignitaries:
Anyone who opposes the emperor and the cabinet is a traitor.
Just as people from all walks of life were discussing the meeting list that was still being drafted, the Genoese welcomed a distinguished guest - Court Count Michael Torres.
The time is the end of December 1833.
Torres went south by land. From Fort Putnam, he boarded a train that went directly to Poitou. This railway line had just been opened and was still in the trial operation stage.
Anyone who travels by train for the first time will be excited and curious, and Torres is no exception.
Although he had read relevant reports in newspapers, the count was still shocked when he saw such a huge thing as the train.
Along the way, the count paid close attention to the state of the Genoese people and found that the people here seemed not to feel the coming of war. Their busy figures could be seen everywhere, and even beggars were rare.
In the prosperous Holy City, many homeless people freeze to death every winter.
He even used the time when the train stopped to add coal and water to ask his servant to get off the train to visit, and the conclusion he got was consistent with his own judgment.
The overall tax burden here is not lighter than that in the north. Because of the 1/20 tax, the rich bear more taxes than people of the same class in the north. But the farmers, craftsmen and workers here bear relatively less, and because
There are job opportunities everywhere, and civilians can always earn income as long as they are not lazy.
What we saw in Genoa seemed to indicate that this was the original intention of the emperor and prime minister in convening a meeting of dignitaries.
The count only saw the increase in taxes and the generosity of the rich, but did not expect the important pulling effect played by the large-scale investment by Genoa's local government and private individuals. The cake was made so big that everyone could share it even according to the inherent distribution method.
to more than before.
The train brought Torres and his entourage, who were in a complicated mood, to Poitou safely, smoothly and quickly.
On the platform of the train station, Governor Byrne and others had been waiting there for a long time.
In fact, Torres was just one of the many imperial envoys who went south on behalf of the emperor. Through these people, the emperor needed to get to know the powerful people in various places and test their voices.
Torres's title of count was not hereditary, it was a reward for being a person around the emperor.
However, few people with similar titles were born into the common people, and many nobles were keen to send their children to the court to serve as attendants of the emperor and the royal family as a way to advance to the imperial court.
Torres was also born into a noble family. Contrary to what he expected, he was a northerner who was short in stature but quite impressive. He had five large suitcases of clothing and seventeen clerks and servants.
Carlos II sent this close minister to Genoa to show his respect for Genoa. Apparently Genoa had left a deep impression on the emperor in recent years - its rapidly growing tax revenue.
The tax revenue of a mere southern province in 1833 was actually almost the same as that of the wealthy Gyeonggi Province. First, it was because of the unconventional income from the auction of mining rights. Second, it was because the 1/20 tax was collected in Genoa. Third, it was because economic development drove other industries and commerce.
Increase in tax revenue.
It can be expected that the tea tax will be levied next year, which will be a huge number. This performance is particularly conspicuous under the increasingly difficult situation of the national finance.
Not to mention the industrial representatives of Genoa - trains and ironclads. The emperor did not notice the former, but the latter was what the emperor must see from the naval battle reports every day. He was pleased to see that the situation at sea was changing for the better.
.
In other words, the emperor felt that the Genoese people were loyal to the country and considerate of the country's financial difficulties. This loyalty must be rewarded.
"This is Viscount Connery!" Governor Byrne introduced Count Torres to Sean. Sean and other upper-class figures in Poitou were all present at the arrival of this important person.
Torres' eyes lit up. In fact, he had already noticed that among a group of young people who were generally over 40 years old, they stood out:
"The name of the Viscount has been known to me for a long time. He deserves to be the pearl of Genoa."
"What is this?" Byrne asked curiously.
"This is what His Royal Highness Philip said to me personally. He said that Viscount Connally is a very wise nobleman. He hopes that when I arrive in Poitou, I will listen to Viscount Connally's opinions on the current situation."
Torres said loudly and deliberately to the people around him.
What surprised the count was that the Poitou people didn't have any unexpected thoughts about this. Looking at their expressions, it seemed like it was a matter of course.
This reminded him of the advice Count Koval gave him when he left the Holy City. Count Koval reminded him that Sean had great influence in Genoa.
Now it seems that this statement is true.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness Philip's compliment makes me feel frightened. Loyalty and love for the royal family is also the position of all Genoese people."
Sean's decent answer satisfied the count very much. He really needed this kind of public statement, even if it was verbal.
As one of his political achievements, Byrne enthusiastically led the distinguished guests to visit the train station.
The guests also politely praised this new thing, the railway, and believed that this convenient mode of transportation would be popular throughout the empire.
After taking a short rest, Count Torres proposed to visit the construction of the ironclad ship.
As of December 20, 1833, the first batch of 10 Shark-class ironclads had been built, and seven of them had been delivered to the navy. They had already shown their talents in the war against the fish monsters.
"Viscount, frankly speaking, the construction speed of ironclads is too slow. At the same time, your northern counterparts are still building wooden sailing ships, but they have armored the ships. Now it is difficult to obtain even giant wood." Count Torres said,
"There are still many giant trees in the Black Forest area, but transporting these woods to the Osela River is not an easy task in itself. Moreover, the wood cannot be used immediately. The navy cannot afford to wait."
Before Sean could answer, General Manager and Chief Engineer Johnson said disdainfully:
"I heard that those shipyards were blatantly infringing on our propeller patent, which was open robbery. When I used the money I earned from my part-time job to trial-build a steamboat, they laughed at me in the most vicious terms!"
Infringement is inevitable. When the Bess was anchored on the Osela River outside the Holy City, many people boarded it in the name of condolences to the naval officers and soldiers, including many shipyard owners.
Therefore, imitations soon appeared.
Among other things, the arms dealer Bess has fought countless lawsuits over the patents related to rifled guns and bullets. He has spent countless time, energy and money, and has fattened a group of lawyers. Just wrangling is a headache.
, we cannot expect capitalists to be morally noble.
Now that Bess has almost given up the patent, he has this time to waste, so he might as well urge his subordinates to speed up the production of artillery for the ironclads.
But Sean heard another meaning in Count Torres's words.
The patent and monopoly of propellers has attracted the attention of the emperor. The imperial navy needs more ironclads, so Kang's Shipbuilding Company is not allowed to produce them step by step and enjoy excess profits exclusively.
Those northern shipyards are imitating, but they can't find the trick yet. The overall level of the imitation ironclads is far behind Kang's.
Seeing Sean's thoughtful expression, Count Torres knew that Sean heard what he couldn't say in this public place.
However, Sean simply said:
"We cannot give up the patent, but it is also feasible to provide the two key components of marine steam engines and propellers to our northern counterparts, which can speed up the construction of ironclads. Your Majesty, we are not very familiar with our northern counterparts, so we need a northern
The general agent is responsible for recommending our parts to Northern Shipyards, and we will give the general agent a reasonable base price."
Sean's words gave Torres another way of thinking. As for this general agent, Torres thought that his family seemed more suitable.
So Torres said:
"I personally think that the title of Viscount is not suitable. In view of your great contribution to the maritime security of the empire, you are worthy of the title of a hereditary earl."
This is an exchange of interests.
Sean did not lose anything, on the contrary, he gained greatly, and even won himself the title of a hereditary earl.
Besides, considering Sean's contribution, the emperor canonizing him as an earl is not a big deal.
Sean was busy making a gesture of gratitude: "I'm really scared!"