The next day, Sean and others continued to accompany Philip on the visit.
That night, the Koval family also held a welcome ball. This time, more upper-class people gathered in Poitou. Everyone wanted to use this opportunity to establish friendship with important members of the royal family, and at the same time, to show that they belonged to Genoa's upper class.
Philip seemed to be full of energy. He fully contacted and communicated with people from various groups and classes in Genoa to understand the true thoughts revealed in their speeches.
The Genoese did not want to draw a clear line with the empire. What they were dissatisfied with was the empire's economic policies. What they needed was to share more of the empire's power and for Genoese goods to travel freely throughout the empire. The latter was more important, in other words.
In other words, we hope to gain economic freedom and equality.
The Genoese were very dissatisfied with the trade barriers of the state within the state, as well as the deformed tax system with repeated taxes and regional differences. They did not want to challenge the authority of the empire, but they just hoped that the empire could eliminate the beggar-thy-neighbor policy among various parts of the country and implement a unified tax system.
and economic policy.
When these demands were not met, the Genoese instinctively erected a barrier between themselves and the north.
Thinking about it this way, the establishment of the National Army is not a difficult thing to understand. Of course, nobles like Viscount Brandon are staunch patriots. This gave Philip hope.
In view of Genoa's opposition to wartime economic policies, and the fact that they had already done so, such as withholding increased taxes, Philip followed suit and publicly stated that he would cancel the implementation of wartime policies in Genoa, and on behalf of the emperor and cabinet agreed to the Genoese in accordance with 1834
The amount of tax paid is the tax for 1836.
The premise was that the Genoese promised to supply the north with all the supplies it could provide at reasonable prices, especially grain, cooking oil, cloth, sugar, gunpowder and steel.
Philip's promise made the Genoese people so excited that they even shouted "long live the empire" and encouraged the national army to march north immediately.
Sure enough, real benefits will make people forget all the unpleasantness of the past.
The compromising nature of a certain class was clearly presented in front of Sean. Although Viscount Brandon was also a beneficiary, he privately called these people shameless villains.
Following Torres' suggestion, people donated generously to the Imperial Army. Among them, Cardinal Shakri was the most enthusiastic, and he donated 5 million on behalf of the Genoese Church.
The church is already very wealthy, not to mention that the Genoa church holds a large amount of land. Due to the skyrocketing food prices in the past two years, it has made huge profits. Five million is just a slightly larger number. Some good people estimate that the cash held by the Genoa church alone is as high as
One hundred million.
Rumors say that there is a vacancy for a red archbishop in the Holy City, and Xia Keli is determined to get it, and the royal family has great influence over this position.
The three earl families of Sean, Rowanborg and Koval each donated 500,000, while financial groups and industrial and commercial groups donated 2 million, and other small nobles donated ranging from 10,000 to 50,000.
Therefore, His Royal Highness Philip received nearly 10 million in donations from his trip to Genoa alone.
At the same time, this also strongly proves the strong economic strength of the Genoese people. In the past six years, the wealth of the wealthy Genoese people has more than tripled.
On the surface, the royal family gave in, but in fact, the royal family gained both face and advantage. Philip's move impressed Sean with admiration, and fully demonstrated the prince's gentle approach, which was different from that of the emperor.
Witnessed by His Royal Highness Philip, after the Genoa Estates-General unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the National Army to march north to fight against the enemy, Philip asked his entourage to pack their bags.
He never mentioned Elizabeth to Sean from beginning to end, because he didn't want his great achievements in going south to be damaged in any way.
Black smoke was rising from the Kliman's huge chimney, and the sailors were heating the boilers.
"Sean, my friend, I hope to receive good news from the National Army as soon as possible." Philip said.
Being able to prompt the National Army to march north is another achievement achieved by His Highness, even more important than the 10 million donation.
Apparently he was very satisfied with Sean's performance and promised to order the Military Command to provide necessary cooperation and intelligence support to the National Army.
"Your Highness, I dare not say how invincible a group of new recruits can be, but we will do our best." Sean said, "For the empire!"
"For the Empire!" Philip's eyes contained deep meaning, "Sean, the Empire has not promoted nobles for many years, but you are a special case. In view of your contribution to the Empire, His Majesty has promoted your title from Viscount to Viscount.
Hereditary earl, this is a wise move by your majesty. I hope that I will have the opportunity to personally issue an edict of promotion for you in the future, Marquis of Rocky Mountain!"
"That would be my greatest honor." Sean said in a daze.
Philip smiled and turned around to board the Kliman.
Soon, the Kliman slowly left the dock, then sailed out of the harbor, drawing a beautiful ripple on the calm water.
The people seeing him off dispersed.
Sean asked Major, "What does he mean?"
"If I heard correctly, it means literally." Major said, "His Highness seems to be hinting at a major secret, which may not be a blessing to the world."
"But our fake show turned out to be true, and the authority of the royal family is still deeply rooted in the hearts of the people." Sean sighed, "Those who usually scold the royal family the most fiercely are the ones who flatter the royal family the most. They want to have the opportunity to face the prince.
After racking his brains after talking to each other, Count Torres made a fortune by arranging seats next to the prince. Some even dressed up their unmarried daughters beautifully, hoping to attract the prince's attention."
"Doesn't this mean that our previous analysis is correct? You have stood on the side of morality and authority in advance. In my opinion, His Royal Highness Philip respects your position in Genoa very much. He seems to want to win over you and regard you as a royal family.
At least that's what he seems to think in the future as spokesperson in Genoa." Major said, "Especially if it involves disputes within the royal family in the future. Which side do you stand on, the Crown Prince or His Highness?"
"I'm on the Emperor's side," Sean replied, "no matter who he is!"
"Hmm, great answer!"
The prince has left, but the people of Genoa will long continue to talk about his highness's knowledge, manners and good manners as a courteous servant.
They would even comment on the prince's clothes on a certain occasion, and ask their family's tailor to make themselves a suit in the same style, and then brag about it, claiming that it is a royal style.
In this atmosphere, the Genoese National Army prepared to move north.
Sean spent a charming night in Rowan Castle.
Audrey's joy and gentle voice beneath him made him proud and intoxicated.
"Audrey, marry me." Sean made this request again.
"What you need is a wife who can give birth to an offspring for you. This person is not me." Audrey's slender finger pointed at Sean's strong chest.
This is a sensitive topic.
Sean is not trying hard, but this is obviously a serious problem, and it is even a topic that he deliberately avoids.
"You need to find a woman to try your skills with, and Rose would be great."