At that moment, Lampard's words traveled into the archdukes' ears like a cold and threatening blade.
"A long time ago, Constellation set up a qualification test, stipulating what kind of person could become a specific official and become the king's right-hand man.
"They used their titles, privileges, status, and honor to attract low-grade nobles of low status, or commoners who could not be promoted to nobility. They entrusted power to these officials who were born in poverty, allowing them to enter the forbidden zone of the kingdom that only belonged to bloodline and family."
Lampard's voice was like a working anvil, ringing in the archdukes' hearts again and again. "Just like that, thousands upon thousands of professional officials of different backgrounds, but with clear responsibilities and clear division of labor, stand together to form a suffocating, sturdy carriage, carrying the ancient nation that has been passed down from the Ancient Empire, speeding forward.
"What's more terrifying is that in order to obtain such a promotion, many low-grade nobles, merchants, and even rural villagers were willing to become the king's lackeys and loyal subjects."
Almost all four archdukes furrowed their brows as they carefully mulled over the meaning behind these words.
Lampard's gaze was as cold as steel. "First of all, the tax collectors. The merchants and accountants obtained official positions through qualification training and examinations. They made records in Renaissance Palace and became the king's professional and loyal servants. They collected taxes for him in the territories directly under his jurisdiction. They fulfilled their duties and formed a system and routine. Every tax collector was directly responsible to the Chief of Finance and his subordinates. They strictly abided by the rules, were skilled in calculation, and had sharp eyes and ears. They would not miss a single copper or conceal any accounts.
"Therefore, the taxes in the king's hands were more and more detailed than when he sent his trusted nobles to collect taxes based on the standards of loyalty, relationships, and relationships. The taxes increased year after year. Did you think that the Jadestar Royal Family's wealth was so simple because the tyrant increased taxes?"
'Do you know what this means?' Lampard added silently in his heart.
'Short-sighted and dull archdukes.'
"And what about us in Eckstedt?"
Lampard's tone changed. His eyes, which were as sharp as blades, glared at the four dumbfounded archdukes. "In order to ensure that their interests are not harmed and their authority is not shaken, the archdukes and nobles will only send their trusted aides and subordinates as tax collectors. With swords and spears, they will use their connections and relationships with the lords to collect taxes from various castles and villages. They will act like tyrants, deceive their superiors and subordinates, exploit layer by layer, and fill their own pockets!"
"Every year, if the taxes handed over to the lord by the vassals can reach 50% of the planned amount, it can be said that everyone is happy and loyal."
Archduke Olsius lowered his head. His expression was solemn, and he did not speak another word.
Lampard continued, "In many cities in Constellation, there is a position called police officer, which can only be obtained through assessment and training. The police station directly under the garrison officer is in charge of the city's security and order. It is clearly separated from the city defense team, which is the standing private army of the city, and is strictly prohibited from interfering with each other."
"What about us?" The Archduke of Black Sand Region gritted his teeth. His expression was horrified. "For so many years, Eckstedt has been in a slump in business, and goods are scarce. Other than the filthy Camians, who have ulterior motives, half of the merchants would rather do business in Constellation than in Eckstedt. Is it really because the products in the south are more abundant? "
"No!" Lampard's gaze was solemn.
"That's because all the merchants know that in Constellation, at the very least, the rules and order of transactions are written clearly. At the very least, there are professional officials and departments that they can appeal to. At the very least, the police station and police officers maintain the order of the market on the surface. At the very least, they don't have to wrangle with unreasonable armies or deal with influential people who are connected to them." Lampard remembered something and clenched his fists.
"And in Eckstedt, a small disciplinary officer in charge of the patrol team can use his connections to engage in large-scale smuggling of weapons and force away merchants who are not pleasing to the eye, as long as the higher-ups turn a blind eye!"
Archduke Trentida pursed his lips. His lively eyes were fixed on one spot, and he only blinked occasionally.
Lampard sneered. "In the cities of Constellation, all the officials in the city hall, from the clerk to the scribe, from the signer to the judge, are all people who have passed the qualification test. They have a clear division of labor and are familiar with the rules. They convey messages from the top to the bottom, carry out orders, and only recognize warrants and seals.
"During the Bloody Year, all of them, from the supreme king to the prince, entered Hell's River. Foreign enemies eyed them covetously, and the nobles were terrified and uneasy! However, relying on the prime minister and the professional officials under him to follow the rules, Eternal Star City, which was in imminent danger, still operated steadily for more than ten days! Until the last prince returned, compromised with the nobles, and was crowned! "
"What about us?"
Lampard hit his chest hard. "Today, it has been less than a few hours since the death of the Born King whose might shook Northland. Because of the loss of his prestige, Dragon Clouds City is in a mess. Chaos, rumors, conflicts, and contradictions are endless. The people are terrified and uneasy. I reckon that Lisban has been hesitating for a long time about whether to overstep his authority and use the patrol team. He is used to asking for Nuven's permission.
"I led the army and rampaged through the city for a few hours! Only when we took down the First Gatehouse, only when I stood here, so close that I could spit at all of you, did the dignified prime minister lead his troops here, confused. "
Archduke Roknee's expression darkened. He exhaled a long breath, and his gaze was hesitant.
Lampard paused for a whole ten seconds.
During this long period of time, no archduke made a sound.
Finally, Lampard exhaled a helpless and laborious breath. Fatigue and pain appeared on his face.
"I know that your territory is far away from Constellation, and that you have only cared about the game with Dragon Clouds City over the past few years, but …
"But I have already said this much. Can't you feel it?"
At that moment, Lampard gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and broke out in cold sweat. It was as if he was facing a terrifying beast that he had never seen before.
"Some soul-stirring, unprecedented, dreadful changes …"
"It is happening quietly in Constellation, behind the country that is a remnant of the Empire and has been fighting against us for years."
The archdukes' expressions changed slightly.
"This change …" Trembling slightly, Lampard continued with his chilling words, "is as tranquil as the surging of an undercurrent, as calm as dripping water piercing through a stone.
"But please believe me, this is a terrifying situation that not even the powerful Ancient Empire has seen in the past thousands of years." Lampard felt his hair stand on end. It was as if there was a chill in his chest that went straight into his heart. "Constellation, our opponent for the past six hundred years, is undergoing an unprecedented transformation."
The four archdukes looked at each other in pairs. In their disbelief, hesitation, and earth-shattering shock, they could not advance or retreat.
But Lampard continued, "Through direct contact with the war, I saw the tip of the iceberg of this terrifying transformation.
"It's like the faint vibration that comes from within the cocoon on the eve of its transformation.
"It's inconspicuous, but extremely important."
Lampard suddenly raised his head. His gaze was as sharp as a sword, and his gaze was threatening as he stared at the four archdukes.
"Everyone, please open your eyes." The Archduke of Black Sand Region gritted his teeth. His voice was hoarse, but his tone was firm. "Where exactly is our greatest threat?"
The archdukes did not seem to have reacted.
But at that moment, Archduke Lecco's expression was unprecedentedly unpleasant. He slowly raised his head and looked at Lampard.
The old archduke spoke wearily, his voice hoarse and unpleasant, "Mindis the Third?"
The expressions of the other three archdukes changed.
Lampard's gaze softened as he looked at the old archduke.
His gaze became gloomy.
"Yes," Lampard said quietly and sat down again. "This is the current situation after one hundred and fifty years. The comparison between us and Constellation."
Archduke Olsius raised his head in shock.
"One hundred and fifty years? Could it be … "
Lampard nodded weakly.
"Yes," he said with certainty.
"What I told you just now," Lampard said flatly. His eyes were once again filled with dread and solemnity. "Everything.
"It all originated from one hundred and fifty years ago …
"From the Supreme King of Constellation, who was almost ignored by everyone.
"Mindis the Third."
The four archdukes cast their gazes at Lampard in that second.
Their emotions were complicated and their reactions varied.
The Archduke of Black Sand Region looked at their expressions and could not help but sneer.
"You said that he did not do anything big?"
Chapman Lampard snorted coldly, and it was hard for him to distinguish between praise and criticism.
"More than a hundred years ago, it was Mindis the Third who did not hesitate to offend the Jadestar Family's branch families, trusted aides, in-laws, and even direct vassals. He also strictly and precisely set up and separated countless official positions and departments — the City Hall, the Police Department, the Department of Finance … He also gave them his authority. He made clear regulations, trained them, and paid them salaries even if they had to borrow money to survive. He let these new officials manage the royal family's Central Territory and even the whole of Constellation.
"More than a hundred years have passed. Even the most remote and domineering vassals with power had no choice but to compromise with the rules of the game left behind by the Virtuous King and acknowledge the king's officials for the sake of taxes, efficiency, power, and even more so for the sake of effectively opposing the king." Lampard raised his head. His eyes were as cold as a blade.
"Relying on these people, Constellation's royal authority gradually penetrated into every corner of the kingdom. It controlled the entire country from top to bottom like never before.
"Do you think that luck and talent are the only things behind the Starlight Brigade?
"No, this steel carriage formed by countless professional officials began with Mindis the Third. It has long been in conflict and friction. During the years when we dominated the Western Peninsula, it quietly operated, worked together, and settled for more than a hundred years. It influenced us imperceptibly, took root, and sprouted!"
When he heard this, Archduke Roknee of the City of Faraway Prayers lowered his head deeply. There was a struggle in his eyes.
"Also," Lampard spoke again, his tone cold, "you said that he was weak and omnipotent, and compromised with the nobles?
"Forgive me for reminding all of you, but it was precisely because of the Higher Parliament and the National Conference that 'compromised with the nobles' …
"That Kessel the Fifth of our South turned the millions of Constellation's civilians into powerful tools for him to fight against the great vassals alone! In the past five years, he resisted the fierce opposition of almost all the vassals and unquestionably launched a country-wide war. He unstoppably appointed an heir to the royal family!
"This is his royal authority! For Constellation, this is already the norm! "
Lampard abruptly slammed his fist on the square table and said loudly with a face full of anger, "If King Nuven were to stand here and ask all of you to recruit troops within a month to follow him into the Great Desert, how many of you would do it without hesitation?"
Olsius and Trentida stared at each other in the air.
One of them looked hesitant and shook his head lightly. The other clenched his teeth and breathed rapidly.
"As for Mindis the Third, you said that he lived by borrowing money?" The Archduke of Black Sand Region raised his hand and waved it indifferently. "But what's more ironic?"
Lampard leaned forward and clenched his teeth. His expression was cold.
"More than a hundred years ago, Mindis the Third, who supported a large number of officials under him, was constantly borrowing money and never got tired of it. So, he ordered that all the debtors be gathered in one house, and with the royal franchise and even the next year's taxes as a guarantee, he wrote all the debtors a unified IOU.
"Today, more than a hundred years later, the house where countless merchants come and go has been expanded many times. It imitated the habits of the Camian city-states and changed its name." The Archduke of Black Sand Region's expression was unpleasant. His tone was hesitant, as though he wanted to narrate a strange situation that even he did not understand. "It's called the 'Royal Family Bank'."
The few archdukes cast doubtful glances at him.
Lampard clenched his teeth and shook his head. "Five years ago, King Kessel did not raise taxes or confiscate property. He only wrote an IOU to the so-called 'Royal Family Bank', which was formed by countless merchants. He took out a large sum of money, raised countless troops, and fought a costly Desert War. After he returned, he actually expanded the regular army!" Lampard clenched his teeth and shook his head.
"Can we imagine that, when we have to raise taxes every time we go to war?
"Do all of you still think that this war only relied on the Jadestar Royal Family's wealth?"
Silence again.
No one spoke.
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