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(Updated to make up for the lack of … … And, there's more!)
Chapter 571 "Palace Strife"
It must be said that the Empire has been through a lot of crises up until now, including the invasion of the Sinners.
However, ever since the reign of Augustine the Sixth, the old Emperor, who was fond of grandiose achievements, countless wars, big or small, were launched. Regardless of the outcome, although it consumed the nation's resources, at least one thing was very successful. He made the people of the Empire accustomed to one idea: toughness!
Whether it's the prairie people or the Nanyang people, there's only one word to describe it: Fight!
It can be said that even when the Empire is weak, the majority of the Empire's upper echelons are still hawks!
As for the Minister of Etiquette, this type of official doesn't have much say or power in national affairs. This is because there's only one Empire in the mainland: the Roland Empire.
There are no neighboring countries around, so the daily work of "diplomatic etiquette" is basically a blank slate. As for the prairie people, they're just barbarians in a corner of the country.
Therefore, the ceremonial minister of the Empire didn't have any real power in normal days. He would only be given something to do during some national celebrations and festivals.
Therefore, although he's a high official in name, most of the time, he's just an empty shell.
Today, there's a rare opportunity to show off his value, so this old official is more than willing to give it his all.
The military also expressed their opposition. To the Navy, the Nanyang people? They're just a bunch of natives! Since when did these natives have the qualifications to send a messenger to the Imperial Capital and enter the palace as guests?
Bah!! What do you want? Can't you just take a sword and a warship?!
Both the military and the Minister of Etiquette have spoken, but Prince Son still hasn't said anything. Little Emperor Charlie, who was beside him, seemed to be eager to give it a try, and there was some excitement in his eyes.
Although he's already the Emperor, he rarely has the opportunity to participate in the discussion of national affairs. Most of the time, although he's already crowned as the Emperor, his life is not much different from the life of a prince. Every day, he's still learning from the court teachers and riding horses in his spare time.
The only difference is that the maids and messengers around him no longer call him "His Highness", but "Your Majesty".
But … this … seemed to … seemed to make the young Charlie's heart feel a little empty. There was a faint feeling of dissatisfaction!
Today! Today is the right day!
Sitting on the high throne, he watched these powerful ministers of the empire arguing with each other. Each of them was like a peacock spreading its tail, trying their best to show off their eloquence in front of him, trying their best to show off their eloquence and performance! As for why they were fighting so hard, wasn't it all for the sake of obtaining the judgment of the person sitting high up on the throne?
This … The feeling of "control" filled Little Charlie's heart with unprecedented joy and satisfaction.
This is an emperor!! With the ultimate authority in hand, no matter how the ministers argued, in the end … a single word from him could decide their fate!!
Thinking of this, Charlie's little face flushed with excitement. He immediately glanced at his father beside him …
This glance instantly dimmed the fervor in Charlie's heart.
He told himself: It wasn't me! Their faces are flushed with anger now, but the right to decide is still not in my hands!
These fellows were like peacocks spreading their tails, but the target of their utmost effort was … their own fathers!
It's not my turn yet … It's not my turn yet …
A subtle and strange feeling of discomfort caused Charlie to be at a loss …
This dark emotion was quietly growing inside him.
Prince Son's face was very calm. As a monarch, he knows the way of a monarch. He won't easily take a stand and will only let his ministers do their best to understand each and every one of them!
He won't easily take a stand because he knows that if he shows his attitude too early, then many of those who are trying to flatter him will go along with his words. In fact, there may even be other good suggestions that would be deliberately suppressed.
Being in a high position, one must remain clear-headed and be able to see through the thoughts of those below. Otherwise, once one's eyes and ears are covered, then … …
Prince Son glanced at his son.
Today, it was he who allowed Charlie to participate in this meeting. He intends to gradually train this son of his. Although he's still young, allowing him to occasionally participate in this kind of meeting. Even if he doesn't have to speak or make a decision, he should still be able to gain a lot just by listening from the sidelines. This kind of close observation of national affairs is far more intuitive than listening to the explanations of those court teachers in the palace.
Unfortunately … … Even someone as wise as Prince Son didn't notice the subtle emotions in his son's heart.
Seeing that the "Eagle" faction has finished speaking, Prince Son still didn't speak. The ministers, who were familiar with the habits of the Prince Regent, understood: Obviously, His Highness had not heard enough, and he wanted to hear more different opinions.
Thus, the finance minister stepped forward.
"Fellow ministers." The Finance Minister bowed to his colleagues around him. His tone was calm and sincere. This old man usually wanted to roll up his sleeves and fight to the death with the other ministers when he spoke in meetings. Today, he was so calm that it made the others feel a little strange.
"Let me first say … … My loyalty to the Empire is unquestionable. Therefore, what I'm going to say next is only from the financial perspective of the Empire's finance minister. "
No one interrupted the finance minister's speech.
Recently, the status of the finance minister has increased a bit compared to before. Especially since the younger brother of the Duke of the Tulip Family has come of age and the finance minister's granddaughter is about to become the wife of the new Earl of the Rowling family. This is tantamount to forming a blood bond between the finance minister and the most powerful family in the Empire, the Tulip Family!
Even the finance minister's former political enemies have to give face to the Duke of the Tulip Family and show some respect to this old man.
"Ahem, everyone." The finance minister smiled and slowly said: "The first word I want to say is … … cost. Haha, this interesting word is not something I came up with, it was the Duke of the Tulip Family who first used it. Let's first talk about the letter of credence brought by the emissary from Nanyang. "
As he spoke, he took out a piece of paper from his bosom. "This is the copy that I obtained. I will read out the list of offerings that they are willing to make. Note that the contents of this list are the offerings that they will make to the Empire every year. Every year!"
Then, the finance minister read aloud in a cadence: "Two thousand kilograms of Nanyang spices, various Nanyang specialty gems. According to the Empire's official price, the offerings are worth about three hundred thousand gold coins per year. Moreover, the price of the gems is according to the Empire's market price. In other words, the value is set by us! Even if the gems are worth three hundred thousand gold coins, if we say they are only worth thirty thousand gold coins, it is also up to us! Also, ten boxes of high-quality pearls, twenty boxes of mid-quality pearls. Five hundred ivory. Three hundred sets of high-quality sea shark skin … … "
When the finance minister read aloud, there was a hint of pride in his voice. Finally, after reading the list, the finance minister announced: "According to this list, I asked the subordinates to calculate that the offerings they make are worth about 2.5 million gold coins per year. This is just a preliminary conservative estimate. And their request is that our Empire's Navy stop plundering Nanyang. This is the so-called spending money to buy peace. "
"2.5 million gold coins, so what?" A military general said disdainfully: "As long as our fleet arrives at their doorstep, we can take as much as we want! Humph! If we are willing! "
The finance minister was not angry and smiled faintly: "You are right … In theory, this is indeed the case, but only in theory."
He took out another list from his bosom. "This is what I've calculated … the military expenses of our expedition to Nanyang! The manufacturing of ships — Oh, of course, the size of the existing Navy fleet is enough, so even if we don't need to build new ships. But when the fleet goes out to sea for an expedition, the repair and maintenance costs of the entire fleet are many times higher than when the fleet is docked at the port! Especially when it is a Nanyang expedition, this kind of long-distance voyage! The salaries of the soldiers when they go out to war are also higher than in peacetime. The subsidies for officers, the consumption of food, the renewal and repair of military equipment, the maintenance and renewal of weapons, and the time we spend … … and so on. I calculated, even if this Nanyang expedition fleet is controlled to a very small scale, for example, only about one-third of the scale of our previous Nanyang expeditions. But the military expenses each time are at least 500,000 gold coins! This number can't be reduced any more!
Moreover, everyone, I will give another number. I have the settlement of our last three Nanyang expeditions — Uh, after deducting the military expenses and other expenses, the final result is: 360,000 gold coins, 210,000 gold coins, and 130,000 gold coins. "
"Impossible!!" As soon as the finance minister reported the numbers, the military generals immediately boiled!
There were even people with explosive tempers who immediately shouted at the finance minister without caring about anything: "Corruption! Naked corruption!! "
"The soldiers are bleeding at the front!! We have conquered the entire Nanyang and returned with a full harvest every time. How can it be so little!! "
In the face of everyone's accusations, the finance minister's face was calm. He quietly waited for the cursing voices to gradually die down. Then, he turned around and bowed to the high and mighty Prince Regent and Little Charlie.
"Your Highness, Your Majesty." The finance minister said indifferently: "Not to mention … … I have held the position of finance minister for less than 15 years. As for the results of these three Nanyang expeditions, the earliest one was 15 years ago, the one led by the late Rowling family's predecessor, Earl Raymond! At that time … … I was still not the finance minister! If you want to say that I am corrupt, at that time, you can't pin it on me! "
His voice was calm: "I am the finance minister of the empire. The carriage I am riding now was bestowed to me by His Highness the Prince Regent a few years ago. And the carriage I was riding before was an old one that I have been using for 23 years. The house I am living in now was bestowed to me by His Highness the Prince Regent two years ago. And before … … my house only had 4 courtyards and less than 10 servants! My granddaughter is about to get married, but I am still worried about the dowry. Among the many ministers of the empire, my life can be said to be the most shabby … … Excuse me, if I am corrupt, then where did the money I embezzled go?! "
The finance minister's face was full of righteousness. His eyes swept around, and everyone who met his eyes couldn't help but turn their heads sideways.
Even the reckless general who just accused him of corruption couldn't help but blush. Because the house he lived in was six times bigger than the finance minister's, and there were nearly 100 servants in the house.
The Prince Regent finally opened his mouth. He looked at the finance minister and said warmly: "No need to be like this, I know your hard work is great! If you are corrupt, then in the entire empire, there is no one who is incorruptible! You don't have to be angry about this … … "
After saying that, the Prince Regent's eyes swept over the military. His tone was somewhat dissatisfied as he said lightly: "Generals, be careful with your words!!"
Several generals hurriedly stood up and bowed to the finance minister to apologize.
The old man smiled and bowed to them one by one. Then he continued: "I know that everyone has some doubts about the figures I reported … … But I said that those figures were calculated after deducting the military expenses and other expenses … … In other words, the 'cost' is deducted."
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(Previously, I owe everyone a total of 3 chapters. This is the first chapter to make up for it! There will be an update later!
Although tonight's update is delayed, it is late. But in order to express my sincerity, I will write until midnight and write another chapter!
Of course, brothers, you don't have to stay up with me. Why don't you all go to sleep first? It won't be too late to read it tomorrow.
— — Dance
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