Chapter 592 Constituent Assembly (Part 2)
"Census survey, I don’t think this is necessary, right?" An old earl from a mountain county spoke with a thick accent and quickly glanced at Meliati , and quickly lowered his head.
"Yes, yes." The other nobles echoed, "Isn't the census just a reskin of the land registration? Even if it needs to be mentioned again, it will have to wait until next year."
< br>There is no reason why they should not object, because the population survey and the land survey are almost the same thing.
They finally persuaded Patriarch Horn to veto the Land Registration Act, and paid the price of abolishing the dead-hand tax. Only two weeks later, the old matter was brought up again.
Are you two joining forces to play tricks on us?
"It's not necessary, that's good." Opening the account book, Meliati cleared her throat, "According to statistics from my financial director, Lanfranc, the expected expenditures this year are in the following categories.< br>
The repayment and interest to the Norn Lords is 27,000 gold pounds. Because of our independence from the Kingdom of Leia, we need to rebuild 6 buildings in the border areas. The total cost of the bastion and 11 outposts is 35,000 gold pounds, and 18,000 gold pounds is needed to repair the previous damage to water conservancy facilities caused by floods and wars..."
In fact, this number is the result of reduction. If it is to repair the castle plus Without mortar and alchemist priests, let alone doubling the cost, there is a question of whether it can be built in two years.
The Holy Hammer Monastery's fixed price for each bastion is 5,000 gold pounds. Taking into account the transportation and labor costs, the profit is quite slim and almost no money is made.
But Melia's plan to resist the war pressure from the Kingdom of Leia in the northern Hotam County, Upper River County, and North Mound County is considered a transfer payment.
“…So, according to the pre-war promise that each of the 4,500 extraordinary knights would have a manor of at least 1,500 acres and an annuity of 10 gold pounds, they would have to spend 45,000 gold pounds.
In order to resist Leia Kingdom's attack, in the second half of this year, I have appointed Andre as the commander, imitating the Salvation Army, using mercenary prisoners as candidates in Hotam County , to expand the army by 4,500 gold pounds, it will cost 30,000 gold pounds, plus administrative expenses of 7,000 gold pounds. Plus some miscellaneous expenses, the total expenditure is about 172,000 gold pounds. This is the necessary tax this year. "
"170,000 gold pounds, why is it so much?" A mountain county earl couldn't help but screamed.
That’s 170,000 gold pounds!
Qianhe River Valley only pays a total of 150,000 gold pounds in tribute to the royal family and the Pope a year, but this year it actually spent 170,000 gold pounds.
They originally thought that by driving away the royal family and the pope, their taxes would be reduced, but instead they increased.
"We have to face the attack of the Kingdom of Leia, and we need to expand the army, and it is a standing army, so it will naturally cost money." Horn stood up and explained to Meliati.
Count Sampoli stood up and said: "But Your Highness the Patriarch, we don't need so many standing armies at all. Our Qianhe Valley is not that rich yet."
"If you don't rely on a standing army, who should you rely on?" Meliati stared at Count Sampoli expressionlessly.
"We nobles are on your side. We are all on your side. The knights of Qianhe Valley can also serve you."
"Hahahaha." Meliati laughed, "Who do you think our enemy is?" Who are you? 9 imperial companies can’t hold our heads up. How can you defend against 32 imperial companies?”
The lecture hall that was still noisy immediately became quiet. The joy of the meeting was immediately diluted by the dark clouds of war.
They are quarreling over the legislation now, but the war has consumed a large number of Qianhe Valley knights and nobles.
Moreover, they also expelled the church's priests. At that time, they would have no help, and they would not be allowed to be manipulated by the church and the royal family?
Although the Kingdom of Leia is currently undergoing a civil war, we cannot expect that the civil war will continue forever.
The two royal dukes have arrived at the doorstep of the new king, and the civil war in the Kingdom of Leia is on the eve of ending.
They will take action against Qianhe River Valley in two years at the earliest and three years at the latest.
Now they are sitting on neat seats. Three years later, maybe their heads will be neatly stacked on the carriage.
The heads of Prince Condé and Barnifus were still placed at the back of the Central Palace, staring at them every day!
"Boom——"
After a thunder, the light of lightning illuminated everyone's face white, and the rain slapped on the windows, reminding them of their overestimation. "The Kingdom of Leia has lost a quarter of its command companies, and it still has to defend the Kingdom of Fran in the south. It is impossible to dispatch the remaining 32 command companies at once." A mountain earl said uncertainly.
“Even if they only send half of them, the 16 imperial companies are 1,600 imperial knights and 3,200 extraordinary knights. This does not include the troops of nobles and vassals who accompanied the attack. "Where are the mercenary infantry?" Meliati said loudly, "You manor knights are no match for the castle knights, and the guards are no match for the servants of the country."
The so-called manor knights are fief knights or country knights. They have a fixed fief and are called to participate in wars every year. In addition to military affairs, they are also responsible for territory management.
The castle knights are similar to the Nicossacks, the Imperial Company, and the mountain knights. The fiefdom is under the jurisdiction of a dedicated person, and there is an annuity allocated from the finance every year. They also spend a lot of time in the castle for military training and polishing their martial arts. knight.
Castle knights are obviously better than manor knights, but the problem is that they cost more.
Without efficient taxation and stable financial resources, it is obviously impossible to raise an army of infantry and cavalry that can fight against the Kingdom of Leia.
“But...”
"But what? In the past, you nobles and knights were required to defend against the enemy, so I gave you these preferential treatment. Now you are no longer needed. I will protect you!" Meliaty slammed the account book on the table with a muffled sound, " You share 20,000 of my money, and I only share 10,000. Do you still want me to thank you?”
The noble representatives were silent.
The representatives of the nobles and landowners in the right seat are obviously divided into two categories according to their political stance. One is the mountain nobles or the Kush nobles, and the other is the Qianhe Valley nobles or the foreign nobles.
The Kush nobles are the main supporters of Meliati and the main victims after the Thousand Valleys were brought under the rule of the church.
As for the foreign nobles who were collaborators of the church, they did not suffer much persecution, but they could not stand the chaos of Prince Condai and had to turn around under the situation.
After betraying Prince Condai for their lives, they were all blacklisted by the church, and then entered the Council of Ministers, the central system of the Holy Monarchy of the Thousand Valleys.
The Kush nobles in the Council of Ministers are more numerous and less powerful, but they have the support of the highest decision-makers, while the plain nobles are small in number but powerful, but they have no one behind them and must rely on Meliati.
So in essence, there are internal conflicts among the nobles, but they are all grasshoppers on the same rope. Their fundamental interests are the same, which is survival.
With Meliati's tough statement, these nobles gradually understood what she meant.
In other words, Meliati exchanged central administrative power for local administrative power in the hands of the nobles, and exempted herself from military obligations in exchange for financial revenue.
It seems fair, but in fact it requires the nobles to give up their tax autonomy, judicial power and military autonomy, and at the same time give up all civil wars and claims among lords, and can only acquire new territories through inheritance and noble courts.
Although the central position is good and has greater power than local power, not every noble can get it, while local power is deprived of part of it by every noble.
The representatives in the right seat were whispering, but Meliati could clearly feel that their noisy voices were gradually becoming unified - compromise.
During peace, even if the nobles agree with Meliati's policy, they may not support her implementation.
It is nothing more than making small moves under the table, either excessive expansion or formalism.
But things are different now. The Kingdom of Leia is facing a powerful enemy. If these prices are not paid, the existing power may not be preserved.
There is no other way except compromise.
"Your Highness..." The old earl who raised the objection before stood up and said with a grimace, "We are willing to pay more taxes, but the number of 170,000 is too overwhelming."< br>
(End of this chapter)