The words of Hachisuka Xiaoliu made the atmosphere in the room suddenly tense. The four people all looked at Yu Qiuping with solemn expressions, with wary and fearful eyes.
"Don't worry." Yu Qiuping sighed, "We are old friends and have cooperated for so many years. Even if you don't agree, I will maintain the status quo. There is no friendship before the transaction is concluded." Yu Qiuping said, holding on to his arms.
He took out the ribs from the bag and put it on the table, showing that he had no evil intentions. His sincere move reassured the four people who were a little nervous at first. Everyone sighed, looked at Yu Qiuping, and waited.
What he said afterwards.
"Let me tell you my plan first, putting the unpleasant things first." Yu Qiuping paused and continued: "Do you still remember the territorial lease agreement on the north bank of the Kiso River that we signed before? I leased it from you.
The right to use and manage the territory adjacent to the Kiso River.”
"Remember, of course I remember." Hara Norifu nodded repeatedly, "So His Highness is not planning to annex us, but is planning to lease all of our territory?"
"Yes, I will sign a similar agreement with you. The time limit is ten years. The ownership of the territory is still yours. There is no doubt about it. Don't worry. It's just the right to use and manage it. I want to take it back to the Yuqiu family.
Everything, including taxation power, judicial power, military power, and the training and command power of the troops recruited from the territory, are in the hands of Yu Qiuping." Yu Qiuping nodded, "If you are not satisfied with this after ten years,
With this system, you can terminate the contract and restore everything to its original state. Whether you sign it or not depends on your volition."
Although Yu Qiuping made a promise in this way, the faces of the four wealthy family governors are still clouded. Everyone has been through ups and downs for many years, and everyone understands that in troubled times, the most unreliable things are promises and covenants.
. Those big names and dignitaries, who have not broken their promises and covenants like a play. If they really give this land to Yu Qiuping for ten years to manage, how easy will it be for them to come back? If Yu Qiuping doesn't give it, what can they do?
?The military power is all in the hands of Yu Qiuping. They are just fat sheep to be slaughtered. Leasing territory is not as simple as seeking skin from a tiger, but lending a piece of fat to the tiger for ten years? When will the tiger return it?
Will he spit it out?
The only thing that gave them some comfort was that Yu Qiuping kept his word and kept his promise. In the nearly ten years since his rise to prominence, His Highness has suffered countless losses in order to maintain his promises, but he has never broken his promise. If
The person who made the promise in front of them was not Amakihei but Oda Nobunaga. They probably didn't even hesitate, but simply refused.
"I know what you are thinking." Yu Qiuping gave a bitter smile, "You are worried that I will break the contract. After all, it involves territory and military power. This is a big matter. Even if I have a reputation for making promises, you will not be willing to give up the territory.
Well - any normal person would not dare to do this! This is treating the whole family like child's play."
"What are you saying, Your Highness? How can we not trust His Highness?" Although Hara Laifang was polite, the expression on his face proved that Yu Qiuping had expected it to be true.
"Whether I believe it or not and whether I want to do it are two different things." Yu Qiuping shook his head and said, "Even if I firmly believe that I will not breach the contract, you still believe in my character, but you have to convince the courtiers at home, right? It's empty words.
Damn, I won't let you give up my territory in vain without giving you any benefits."
"It's like this. Although I will bring all your territory under the jurisdiction of the Yuqiu family, tax officials and judicial judges will be sent by me. Your existing army will also be broken up and reorganized according to my idea.
Enter Tojo Panbei and hand it over to the Yuqiu family for unified training." Yuqiuping paused and said in a low voice: "But the administrative power of your territory, that is, the governance power, I am still prepared to leave it to you. Because His Highness Oda does not
You will allow me to annex your territory, so formally I will let the four of you manage your territory as a show. I will incorporate your current territory management methods into the governance system of our Yuqiu family, and try to let the four of you
All the warriors in the family who manage the territory will remain in office to ensure a stable foundation. Although the warriors of the four families have lost the direct income from the territory, I will also distribute their salaries uniformly, and the income will be much higher than before."
"In that case, I would like to thank you, Your Highness." Kato Mitsuo heard this and nodded repeatedly to express his thanks.
"I haven't finished speaking yet. How can these be called compensation?" Yu Qiuping laughed twice, coughed twice, and threw out his long-planned plan, "The compensation I really give you is called
House of Lords".
"Go to...the House of Representatives?" Haizuka Xiaoliu was stunned when he heard the words, and reluctantly repeated the strange sound. It seems that this is a new vocabulary, which has never appeared in Japanese.
"It's specially designed for you four." Yu Qiuping chuckled, "Although your warriors also have fiefs, they don't have many fiefs and they don't have many soldiers. I guess it's enough to compensate them with enough salary.
If they want to join the Tokiwa Prefecture, they will join the army. If they want to stay in the territory, I will appoint them as administrators to govern the territory, and the positions will be solved."
"But the four of you are different." Yu Qiuping changed the topic and raised his head to stare at the four people beside him, "The four of you are all big lords with thousands of stones of territory, with high income and great power. Even if I
The generous salary given to you is far from compensating for the loss of power in your territory. Generally, leaders of wealthy families who submit to their master's family will be entrusted with the position of commanding the old territory and old tribes. But your territory has been taken back by me to the Yuqiu family, so
Your positions are very problematic because I can't help you arrange positions with sufficient power within the Yuqiu family! Firstly, my old subordinates may not be convinced, and secondly, there is no position that is particularly suitable for you. Therefore, I
The establishment of this House of Lords guarantees your status and gives you sufficient power."
"Your Highness, can you tell me more specifically?" Yukinari Nonomura whispered in confusion, "I am a rough man and don't understand what the House of Lords does?"
"Of course you don't understand, because this is coming from Europa." Yu Qiuping nodded as he should, "The House of Lords is a bit similar to Japan's Joint Meeting of Important Ministers. And you are all members of the House of Lords.
.Of course, you can also choose other people in your family to serve as members, because the seat in this House is for your family and not for a specific person."
"As for what the House of Lords does, let me help you explain. It is somewhat different from the Joint Meeting of Important Ministers." Yu Qiuping paused and whispered: "In short, it is what our Yuqiu family does.
When a decision on a major matter is made, it must be approved by the House of Lords. If the House of Lords does not approve it, the decision will be invalid. As for whether the House of Lords approves it or not, it will be decided by the four of you. The minority shall obey the majority. If there is a tie vote, the decision will be made.
Invalid. As for major matters, for example, the Yuqiu family wants to enact new laws, or wants to impose additional taxes, or wants to send troops, or build large projects, these are all major matters!"
As soon as Yu Qiupei's words came out, Nonomura Yukinaki had already exclaimed. Haesuga Koroku, Hara Yorifusa and Kato Mitsuto also all looked shocked - this subtle power is a little too much. The master made
The decision can be directly vetoed by the House of Lords? This is simply more tyrannical than the Joint Council of Ministers! The Saito family’s collegial system of ministers does not have such great power!
Those who do not follow common sense should be cautious.
This was the thought that flashed through the minds of the four of them.
How could Yu Qiuping leave such a powerful authority alone? Could this be just a bait to trick them into handing over their territory?
"Of course, his power only ends here." Yu Qiuping saw the nervous expressions of the four people and laughed, "It's not as exaggerated as you think. It is different from the Joint Meeting of Important Ministers. You only have the power to approve, not the power.
Make policies and discuss major issues yourself."
Yu Qiuping's words made everyone feel relieved for a while. However, even such a House of Lords has great power.
"But Your Highness... Akira doesn't speak secretly, so I will speak out. Don't blame Your Highness." After Hesuka Xiaoliu hesitated for a moment, he still said it bravely. After receiving Yu Qiuping's nod of approval, he said in a deep voice.
: "Even so, the power in our hands is still not guaranteed. We have no soldiers and no generals. His Highness wants to cancel the House of Lords with just one sentence. How can we dare to veto the Yuqiu family's decision?
"
These words of Haizuka Xiaoliu made Yu Qiuping feel happy - this was actually his purpose. In the history of his previous life, the noble houses of various countries were basically reduced to decorations. However, after it was established
In the early stages, it still had certain effects - such as a demonstration effect.
"I will publicly swear to the entire territory to ensure that the power of the House of Lords will not be deprived, and I will also make a written statement. I will use my reputation to make a promise." Yu Qiuping whispered, and then smiled, "I know you may
I still feel that it is not safe, because these fictitious things are not as good as the real army. Although it is a bit strange to say these words from my perspective, I still help you explain the truth clearly."
Yu Qiuping stood up slowly, looked out the window, and said as if muttering to himself: "The Oda family has aspirations for the world, and the future is limitless. The Yuqiu family will not stop at this 7,000-stone lord, and will definitely follow the Weda family.
The Tian family is growing bigger and stronger. When that time comes, I will definitely encounter many situations like today. There are many small wealthy families whose territories need to be taken back to the Yuqiu family, because I cannot tolerate inefficiency.
.”
"So, you, the first batch of members of the House of Lords, are actually the role models set by me, Yu Qiuping. I want to ensure your status and power to prove that I am indeed true to my promise, so that the future small wealthy families can feel at ease. They see you
If you have a prominent position and guaranteed power, you will trust me and lease the territory to the Yuqiu family with confidence. I will not risk my reputation or the tens of thousands of stones I will rent in the future just to covet your territory.
Territory of ten thousand stones, or even hundreds of thousands of stones. I can still clearly distinguish what is light and what is important! So you can rest assured that I will never treat you badly!"
"Of course, you also have the right to refuse to join the House of Lords and refuse to lease territory." Yu Qiuping slowly lowered his head and stared at the four people with warlike expressions. "I will follow Japan's practice and let you continue to keep the old territory and the old headquarters.
But this also means that you are excluded from the Yuqiu family's system. I will promote water power construction or welfare construction in the territory, and will not take care of your territory during economic development. Every time I go on an expedition, I will definitely not
Bring your troops with low combat effectiveness, but only lead the uniformly trained Tokiwa Bei. Therefore, you will not be able to share all the battle achievements. If the Yuqiu family becomes bigger and stronger, you will always only have a few thousand stones of barrenness on the Kiso River.
Territory. At that time, I hope you will not envy those people who have become members of the extremely powerful Yuqiu family’s upper house and have great power."
After saying these words, Yu Qiuping slowly sat down holding the table and looked at the four people in front of him with intriguing eyes.