If Duque deposed the king from the start, it would undoubtedly maximize the effect of establishing dominance, but it would also bring about another consequence — the division of power in Stormwind.
Even if Duque put Andoine Wrynn on the throne, there would still be suspicions of "narrowing the emperor to order his vassals". If he maintained the status quo, it would not disturb the core Knights of Stormwind, nor would it alarm someone.
With Duque being so easy to talk to, those guys who were ready to make trouble had no choice but to stop. After all, with Duque's identity and status, with such a huge foundation and the support of external forces, even if Duque told the Wrynn family to get lost and he himself became the king of Stormwind, it would not be surprising.
Duque was advancing by retreating.
Since he had given up on the most crucial issue of royal power, he would definitely reap the benefits in other areas. This was something that the nobles with a little political knowledge would understand.
But no one would have thought that Duque's next bombshell would be so shocking.
Like the most passionate speaker, Duque's hands were raised high like a conductor of an orchestra, stirring the heartstrings of the nobles.
"Everyone! Are you satisfied? "
Satisfied? Satisfied with what?
"Living in a castle that looks magnificent on the outside, but is actually built on quicksand, enjoying prosperity that can be destroyed at any time, and the taxes of your subjects, even if you will die in a few years. Even so, are you satisfied?"
What?
Destroy?
Again!?
Most of the nobles' faces were covered with makeup, but now, under the heavy makeup, their faces were as pale as they looked.
Die? Die?
No! Of course not!
Death and the loss of inheritance were almost the things that the nobles feared the most.
"After experiencing three battles at the Dark Portal, is there anyone who still dreams of eternal peace? If there is, then let me give you a word of advice — don't be naive! The demons of the Burning Legion have already set their eyes on this beautiful planet. There may be peace, but every subsequent peace will be extremely short. If you do not wish to be destroyed, then bring out your drive, bring out your dignity as a noble, and prepare for war! "
"War? Where is the enemy? "As the leader of the knights, Bolvar stood up without hesitation.
Duque waved his hand to stop Bolvar. "No! There's no rush! This time, I'm here to tell everyone that the era of nobles being able to watch the soldiers fight on the frontline as if it had nothing to do with them as long as they send soldiers and pay them is over, while they safely have a party in the rear is over! "
When Duque said this, all the nobles in the meeting hall felt their hearts skip a beat. Obviously, Duque was going to use his ultimate move.
"I hereby formally request Stormwind to reform the tax system. In the future, all tax officials will be dispatched by the kingdom. Taxes are divided into national tax and local tax in proportion. The national tax would be paid directly to the state and controlled by the state. The land tax was collected by the lord and used for the lord's daily expenses as well as the construction of the territory. At the same time, all entrance fees and road tolls will be abolished. "
"In terms of military affairs, greatly reduce the number of private soldiers that nobles can legally possess. Grand Dukes can only have a thousand soldiers at most, and so on. The disbanded soldiers and those who pass the physical examination will all be incorporated into the country's regular army. The rest will be reorganized into local garrisons and supported by the country's finance. "
"In terms of armaments, all mines will be uniformly mined by the country. Every year, a guide price will be set based on the market price and economic returns will be given to the lords. At the same time, the lords have the obligation to allocate empty land near the main roads for the country to build various military facilities according to local conditions. "
In one breath, Duque threw out a combination of punches, directly shocking the nobles to the point of suffering internal injuries.
All the nobles felt like they were about to faint.
This was digging out the roots of the nobles!
In name, taxes did not increase, but which nobles did not have their own private coffers? Every year, the taxes would be ten thousand gold coins. At most, they would report three thousand gold coins, and then pay three thousand as taxes to the king. Now that even the tax officials had been changed to the country's, that private coffer would be the first to be destroyed.
In terms of military affairs, abolishing the private soldier system was equivalent to abolishing military power. In the future, any family's soldiers would only be at the level of a guard of honor and would not even be qualified to rebel.
In terms of armaments, the nobles who occupied the mountains as kings were forced into a dead end. In the past, those who had mines in their territories were like hens that laid golden eggs, practically earning money while lying down. There were even lords who secretly refined the mines themselves, forged them into weapons, and secretly sold them to the tribes …
Now, no one could play any tricks.
With such a reform, nominally, the territories still belonged to the lords, but there would be no profits or autonomy!
This was simply the biggest subversion of the aristocratic system!
A Marquis named La'Yunali exclaimed on the spot: "No! Even you, Grand Duke Marcus, do not have the right to announce the abolition of the aristocratic fiefdoms! This is the aristocratic norm set by Thoradin The Great! This is the cornerstone of the entire aristocratic world! "
Duque did not answer directly, but instead smiled strangely: "Sir Marquis, have you ever seen a big explosion that almost destroyed the world?"
"Uh … no …"
"I have seen it! I just went to the ancient war ten thousand years ago and saw how the ancient Kalimdor continent exploded, exploding into today's Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdom continent. Do you want me to show you some magic images? "
Although he said no, in fact, Duque had already started to show them with a wave of his hand.
"…"
"Well, I'm sorry to inform you that there will be similar catastrophes in the near future. Sir Marquis, even if Stormwind City is likely to be engulfed by lava, do you still want to tell me that the rules set by Thoradin The Great, which destroyed the empire two thousand years ago, cannot be changed? "
"…"
"Even if the Lava Lord Ragnaros, who is sleeping in the Burning Steppes, is about to awaken and turn the entire southern continent into a sea of fire purgatory, do you still dare to say that it has nothing to do with us?"
The aristocrats' faces turned green, but they did not know how to refute.
Duque's voice suddenly rose by an octave: "Everyone! The times have changed! Relying on the contributions of our ancestors to enjoy the glory and splendor for a thousand years is bound to be a dream! In the past twenty years, I, His Majesty Laing Wrynn, and His Excellency Anduin Lothar have done so much for this country, carried out so many reforms, and built Stormwind City so strong together with everyone, not to give you the capital to be corrupt. "
"Corrupt … is it?" Bolvar suddenly laughed bitterly. The kingdom had become extravagant, and it was not that he did not notice this change. But as a great aristocrat, he could not stop the aristocrats from indulging in gold every day, living the same luxurious life as before.
It was only at this moment that he realized how great Duque's reforms were.
"The world is facing destruction! We do not need vermin! Aristocrats who claim to be the elites of the kingdom! You have no choice. Either you keep up with the changes of the times, or you fall behind. "
At this point, Duque's face revealed a murderous look: "Of course! You can object! As long as you throw away the noble insignia on your chest and walk out of this door, your objection will take effect immediately! "
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