Suddenly someone in the crowd of onlookers roared at the same time. This roar was a signal.
In the sewer not far from the gallows, several dazzling flashes of light suddenly erupted, and the sound of gunpowder explosions came like a shadow. At the same time, black smoke spread out.
Above the giant mushroom-like smoke, there were severed human limbs flying in the air. Those gangsters who launched the prisoner abduction operation did not care about innocent people.
Everyone was stunned, and what followed was a huge chaos. People were crying, pushing and trampling each other, and the wave of people pushed the patrolman who was maintaining order to the ground.
In the smoke, more than a dozen figures jumped out from the chaotic crowd. They wore masks used at masquerades to hide their true faces. They pulled out daggers and slit the neck of the patrolman closest to them, and then jumped up to hang him.
Stand on the stage and shoot the stunned torturers one by one with a pistol.
The five rebels who were ready to be killed were picked up and ran away by these accomplices who suddenly appeared. They quickly ran to a street on the west side of the square, boarded several carriages disguised as mail trucks that were parked there, and then
Escape.
All this happened in just thirty seconds.
The rebels had placed explosives in the sewer next to the scaffold in advance. Taking advantage of the chaos and smoke caused by the explosion, they quickly eliminated the patrol policemen surrounding the scaffold and arranged transportation.
What is not well known is that several carriages traveled along pre-designed routes in complex civilian areas, stopped at a secluded corner, quietly dropped off the passengers, and were assisted by others.
The carriage then passed through at the fastest speed, and drove away before the patrol at the city gate received clear instructions. It was found abandoned in a woods two hours later.
This plan was bold and perfect, with better execution, and created the illusion that the rebels had fled Poitou, but were actually still hiding in a secret location in the city.
This is darkness under the light, and of course this is something Sean didn’t know until later.
Sean witnessed with his own eyes the feat of robbing people at the execution ground. The upper class people on the terrace of the Governor's Palace were still immersed in shock.
Mayor Stanley was incoherent because of anger, while Governor Byrne turned pale. This was really a shameful humiliation in front of everyone, and it was also a provocation and contempt for them, the rulers.
The governor's Qi-nurturing skills were obviously better. He quickly came to his senses and quickly ordered the patrol team to search the entire city while sending patrol police to pursue the rebels in the direction of their escape. But then he focused on the outside of the city.
"What slogans are they chanting?" Sean asked Viscount Lincoln quietly.
Viscount Lincoln said: "Long live the True God! They are members of the mysterious True God Party."
Seeing that Sean didn't quite understand, Lincoln explained:
"The True God Party is just one of the so-called chaotic parties. It is the most active and mysterious organization in the past twenty years. This party worships the Statue of Liberty - in folklore, this goddess represents freedom, justice, and goodness.
Wait for all the beautiful meanings, so they are worshiped as true gods. They believe that the hierarchy is the source of hindering all freedom. Specifically, the court, the government, the nobles and other privileged people are the thorn in their side. They claim that the purpose of the resistance is to establish a
A heaven without hierarchy and oppression.”
"I thought they committed the crime of murdering the tax collector?" Sean asked.
"This is not surprising. The most demagogic slogan of the True God Party is that no one pays taxes and does no labor." Lincoln looked around and whispered, "Civilians can no longer bear the increasing tax burden. Under the surface calm, everywhere
It’s all undercurrent.”
The exchange was simple and profound, but Lincoln only touched on it.
The rebels' resistance to taxes seems to have nothing to do with the nobility, because the tax is collected by the government, not the nobility, and the nobility will not receive a shilling share. But in the final analysis, this unequal system is the root cause.
The aristocracy is the participant and beneficiary of this decadent system, and is therefore the natural defender of this system. Although the aristocracy has lost its old feudal power and has also become disgusted with the government's increasingly powerful centralization, they still maintain
With the pride of their ancestors, even though they sometimes seek this kind of centralization of power, they are not opposed to imposing it on civilians.
Especially today, the True God Party's actions in full view of the public undoubtedly had a huge shocking effect and made them panic. This is a major challenge to the current system.
The privileged people on the terrace still did not disperse. They had a heated discussion, claiming that the current situation and public security situation had seriously threatened their livelihood, property and life. The governor must use iron means to eradicate the chaos, otherwise they would discuss annual reports to the government.
Where is the remaining tax money after the one-time payment from the court used?
In this case, Governor Byrne must take a stand:
"Everyone, just now, a serious rebellion took place in front of our eyes. I decided to follow the example of the Holy City and form a secret police organization specifically responsible for destroying all kinds of chaotic parties. I promise you that within a year, we will
Give you a satisfactory result."
The listeners were in an uproar. Everyone had heard about the secret police in the Holy City. They only knew that this organization was very mysterious and seemed to have great powers. It was often associated with torture, brutality and other words.
They had also heard about the wanton violations of the dignity of privileged people, including nobles, by the Holy City's secret police. The Holy City was so far away that they, the southerners, had no personal experience.
This Governor, who has only arrived less than half a year ago, gave people the impression that he was just following the officials. There was no news in advance. Now he is taking this opportunity to establish such a powerful organization in Genoa. This cannot help but surprise everyone present.
Feeling surprised and creepy.
Even Mayor Stanley looked very surprised. For thousands of years, the South has always surrendered to the North and has always shouldered the heaviest tax burden. However, southerners always have a feeling of disobedience to the king. They have no regard for the secret police.
The existence of such a powerful organization is very sensitive.
"What authority does such an organization have?" Viscount Brandon asked.
"Catch the rebels." Governor Byrne also knew that his move was difficult to accept, and patiently explained, "I guarantee that they are only responsible for activities related to suppressing the rebels. They have no right to offend privileged people, even if they are really privileged.
If you are a member of the chaotic party, you must be publicly interrogated. Are you a rebel?"
"Of course not!" Everyone shook their heads in unison, of course they would not kill themselves.
"That's no problem. Catching the rebels is in your immediate interests." Governor Byrne showed a mysterious smile, as if the conspiracy had succeeded.
Percy Robinson was the first to stand up and express his opinion: "Your Majesty the Governor, on behalf of the Robinson family, I support your move. I believe that under your leadership, the rebels will die without a burial place."
"Thank you Mr. Robinson for your support." Governor Byrne nodded in praise, "I have long heard that the Robinson family is the mainstay of Genoa, and the late Earl Robinson was also a widely praised nobleman. It is a pity that he died young, but I believe there are
As an outstanding talent of the Robinson family, the Robinson family will definitely become more prosperous."
There was some hint in Governor Byrne's words that could only be understood, which made Percy Robinson very excited. Hear Governor Byrne say again:
"His Excellency Count Covar, who is far away in the Holy City, once wrote to me. He said that although he went to the Holy City because of his duties and served as a member of the Parliament of Nobles, he still cared about every plant and tree in Genoa. The count said that the rebellious party was
The only obstacle to Genoa's prosperity, he believed that Genoa must use iron means to maintain stability."
Everyone's expressions changed again. Count Nacovar was born in Poitou and represented the province of Genoa as a member of the Parliament of Nobles. He had a very important position. His words obviously had great influence on everyone present.
"I support His Excellency the Governor in establishing a secret police." Viscount Brandon said. He is a traditional aristocrat who is keen on current affairs and extremely hates any behavior that resists the hierarchy.
Viscount Lincoln was very hesitant: "I hope the secret police will not abuse their power."
"As you wish, Your Majesty the Viscount." Governor Byrne said, his eyes turning to Sean.
"Your Majesty the Governor, I have a question, I don't know whether I should answer it or not." Sean said.
"Please Viscount Connery for advice." Governor Byrne said pleasantly. At least half of his purpose had been accomplished.
"In my opinion, chaotic parties are like weeds. Wildfires cannot burn them out, but spring breezes blow and they grow again." Sean said, "No matter what strong measures are taken, we cannot ignore the root cause of all this. Why are there chaotic parties?"
existence? Of course there will be some people who are crazy and have fanatical ambitions. But what is the soil in which they live? Who supports them? If the soil where they exist can be removed, then no weeds will grow, and there will be no such thing as a chaotic party.
.”
"Viscount Connelly, you just want to say that the tax burden on the common people is too heavy. How much tax should be collected is not decided by His Excellency the Governor. You must know that without these gangsters, those farmers and common people who are trying to evade taxes will set off
There won't be any trouble." Percy Robinson interjected, "Just say it bluntly, do you support or oppose it?"
Sean glanced at the other person: "I support the establishment of a secret police, but I support tax cuts even more!"
It was impossible for Sean to object, otherwise he would have betrayed the class and would not be able to survive, but his words were more constructive and attracted the approval of quite a few people.
"The economy has been bad these past few years. It would be appropriate to collect less taxes from farmers, but in this case, we will have to collect more taxes from urban capitalists." Viscount Lincoln said, "Otherwise we will not be able to complete the handover to the Holy City.
The task of taxation.”
"So this problem is difficult to solve." Percy Robinson mocked, "Maybe the wealthy Viscount Connery is willing to donate generously to the farmers."
"No, no, if the farmers go bankrupt, I will soon become a big landowner." Sean automatically ignored his sarcasm.
Sean's words made everyone smile. They were all privileged people. Almost all of them owned land in the countryside. Where did this land come from? Wasn't it obtained from farmers?
Byrne took a deep look at Sean. Unlike everyone present, he was a bureaucrat with a civilian background and had a profound understanding of land-related issues.
If the land is concentrated in the hands of the nobility, church or urban bourgeoisie, not only will the peasants become refugees and become the source of riots, but more importantly, who will the government turn to to collect taxes in the future? Peasants or civilians are the source of the court's tax revenue.
It is paradoxical that those at the top of the privilege pyramid have always struggled with privilege. This is an unsolvable problem.
The 1/20 tax is a clear example. The original intention of the design is to tax according to property income, and even the royal family must take the lead in paying taxes. In Sean's view, this can be regarded as a top-down reform, but in the current situation of the empire
Under the system, this is difficult to do.
Governor Byrne said in a deep voice:
"Viscount Connelly's view is very constructive. All taxes allocated in the second half of this year will be reduced by 10%. If you have no objections, just follow this. As for how to make up for the taxes paid, we will figure out a way later.