Chapter 96
##096
King Gong barely held it in to hide his pride.
I applaud the secretaries for their hard work in finding these documents.
A bigger round of applause for those who chose them.
“Unfortunately, it’s a debt piled up in the County of Leon.”
If it’s a debt, it’s a debt.
It is safe to say that there is no lord who perfectly executes vassal contracts, which have become more complex as time passes.
Furthermore.
“Even though the Torol Fortress was completed, the tax for it has not been received for the third generation. and.”
The fort was built under the direction of the king at the time and is subject to tax exemption.
Of course, at that time the count was also planning to build a fortress there, and the interests were aligned.
The problem was that we didn’t leave it as a document because we got along well.
Of course, it was customary to continue not to pay taxes.
Of course, because of the sudden succession, only the king could prepare a record of it.
“I heard that the Potupan slash-and-burn village is paying taxes to the county of Leon. With over 30 houses, of course it’s a formal village… … .”
Doing a detailed population survey was cumbersome and costly.
There are also ways to be determined and hide Young Ji-min.
If so, what is an easy way to investigate?
It’s just counting the number of houses.
However, the lord’s side is at a very disadvantage.
Even if there are 30 households, there may not be a few people living there. Because there are cases of lungs.
Demolition is all work, so if you tell the inspector in moderation, in most cases it will go over as a custom.
“It is reported that the capital of Count Leon has three bridges, but there are actually five. The former Earl Leon built two more… … .”
From nob le mt l. com
Just because the title is the same doesn’t mean that all lords are taxed the same.
For some counts may be as rich as dukes, and others as poor as barons.
Therefore, taxes were levied based on the quality and number of public facilities in the territory.
“I heard there is a trail that runs through Barek Mountain… There was no record of a report.”
In the same vein, there was also a road tax, which is good for everyone when there is a road, so you don’t have to pay it continuously, you just pay it once.
Of course, small roads such as trails were customarily skipped over.
Big roads are also duty-free if necessary.
“The number of troops is also higher than reported.”
The number of troops here is not the actual number of troops.
Inferring the number of armies is calculated by the number of military installations, such as the number of castles and forts.
The number of knights who could be appointed was decided in preparation for the scale, so the lord had no choice but to increase the military facilities by crying and eating mustard.
The funny thing is that there were many cases where there was no standing army of that size.
This is because the standing army only broke maintenance costs and was not very helpful in warfare.
Most lords moved towards hiring mercenaries.
“The former squadron sent 30 fewer soldiers.”
Among the basic duties of a vassal, besides paying taxes, there was also a military aspect.
When war broke out, the lords had to send some of the reported soldiers to the center.
Of course, the command authority belongs to the center.
The problem, like the previous problem, was that lords preferred mercenaries to standing armies, so they often replaced them with money.
“We haven’t paid for 30 people yet. Besides that… … .”
The Gong king endlessly repeated the points that Count Leon had not fulfilled his duties.
Lian, who had been listening to it quietly, the moment the king finished speaking.
“… So please take good care of me in the future.”
“I am truly ashamed. May I show the papers to my aunt?”
“Myeongsaek is now the biggest adult in Count Leon’s family, so of course it’s okay.”
Then the Countess arrived late.
Charlotte called her waiting outside.
“long time no see. Your Highness the King.”
“You’ve become prettier while I haven’t seen you. countess. I guess I age backwards.”
“Ho-ho-ho. It’s because I’ve been eating a lot of good things lately.”
“Let’s not eat alone, let’s share some. Heh heh heh.”
“It’s only good for women. That’s too bad.”
The countess smiled lightly and looked at Lian.
“Please arrange every little thing at maximum cost.”
“That means… … .”
She saw the corner of Lian’s mouth lift slightly.
It’s about knowing what you’re thinking.
“That’s not difficult.”
What about the customs? What is the size of the facility? There was no need for such negotiations, so the calculations were simplified.
You just have to pull out the maximum of that matter.
“see… … !”
She quickly transferred scattered information to a single piece of paper and calculated it.
As a merchant’s daughter, she was certainly born in this way.
The secretaries who were watching it were even more surprised.
“here. It’s shorter than I thought. I don’t know why he didn’t pay this on time. Ho ho ho.”
Here he was referring to Lian’s father, now deceased.
However, the amount accumulated over several generations never seemed small.
372,567 pennies.
It was equivalent to two years’ income of a small countess.
There are many really poor county families who earn less than 100,000 pennies a year.
Of course, this is a principality, and the level has fallen a lot compared to the normal kingdoms or imperial counts.
“I never thought there would be that many. I haven’t officially taken office yet, so I wonder if I’m putting too much pressure on you.”
The King shuddered.
I’m sure you’ll never pay that money back.
Of course, what would happen if he used the count’s private wealth, but after that, he would have to suffer in poverty for a long time.
Running a county house is full of places where money goes out even if you breathe.
Of course, the Duke overlooked the Countess’ last words, ‘It’s not long.’
“Little mother. Go to Uncle Sebas and get the cost. I think a generous 400,000 pennies will suffice.”
“Is that so?”
She got up, bowed her head to the king, and went outside.
The King had no idea what the two of them were talking about.
“west… no way… ! Are you going to pay it all back?”
The cost was by no means small even for the king.
I felt dumbfounded at the thought of money coming in.
The plate that should give the secretary a bonus.
little. little.
Soon after, a box full of money arrived.
“I apologize on behalf of the previous mistake. Your Highness the Gong. I prepared 400,000 pennies, including a small sincerity.”
“Are you really paying for it? really?!!”
Ordinary fiefdoms customarily piled up debts of this magnitude.
No, I wish there were more. it won’t be small.
It is to see that what is good for each other is good.
“Please sign here instead.”
Lian held the paper the former Countess had written earlier to the Duke.
“That is not difficult. Since you are giving it in good faith, I will not refuse it.”
“Nothing. I apologize again for my previous mistakes. majesty.”
Ryan again apologized politely. The King happily signed the autograph.
‘Just accept this. It’s more poopy than I thought.’
Ryan shook his head inwardly.
Although he was a public king who was not bad at managing state affairs, he had the characteristics of extravagance, gluttony, and women.
“ah. And can you get a right of passage for a floating ship?”
“Of course. You are definitely a member of our principality.”
“Thank you very much for your generous decision. then. I’m busy with Yeongji’s work, so can I step back? majesty.”
“Yes, yes. You can’t hold on to a busy person for long. take a look Count Leon.”
From nob le mt l. com
Just like that, Lian took a piece of paper and left.
Of course, the Gongwang had one eye sold for money.
Free money that can be used exclusively for extravagance.
When you are fantasizing about what to do.
“majesty. Isn’t that a bit strange?”
Secretary 1 asked a question.
“what. Did you say Ahh. Did he ask for it back because he thought he might use it later? It’s already too late. To pay off such a useless debt by beating a child.”
Money that I honestly don’t have to pay back.
Most lords and vassals had this level of debt.
“Because you made me study hard. I have to pay for this kind of tutoring.”
A count is also a lord when he goes to his own domain and rules over his vassals.
“That’s not it. There was also a former countess next to me, and it was strange to give money so obediently.”
“huh? Come to think of it, I heard that she was a merchant’s daughter… joy. There is no way that a merchant nubler would have taught his daughter about royal studies.”
Then Secretary 1 seemed to think of something.
“That’s it!!!”
“It’s a surprise. what did you mean What I want more than that… … .”
“That’s not important. The reason we presented those documents in the first place is important!!”
It was only then that the Gongwang felt something of a struggle.
* * *
Returning to the Going Missha, Lian immediately prepared for departure.
“Hriamin. What about the boat?”
“I moved expensive items to the flagship Going Missha. I also paid the docking fee to the port manager.”
The boats driven by Hriamin could not operate on land.
Therefore, it had to be anchored for a certain period of time.
“good! Then let’s hurry up.”
“hmm? Why are you in such a hurry, kid?”
Ryan smiled.
“That’s because it’s difficult if the king comes to return the money. hehehehe.”
“huh?! why the money Even thinking about it now makes me sick to my stomach. Why the hell did you give me that money? Why have you come now when the previous counts didn’t pay?”
Even the pirate vice-captain thought it strange.
“freedom.”
“What do you mean all of a sudden?”
“It means you don’t have to be bound by the king. A horse is a lord and a vassal, and after a long time, the legitimacy of the domain belongs to the family.”
Originally, land is bestowed, and in return, the vassal fulfills its duties.
Of course, in the early days, the grace of granting the land greatly affects the work, but after a little time, it is nothing more than a contractual relationship.
In other words.
“The previous kings made debts like that to build a just cause. It’s not just about money.”
“ah… … !”
The vice-captain seemed to understand now.
Now, if the king wants Lian to do something, he has to make a request, not an order.
If the tax and mobilization order is issued, it is enough to pay soldiers (possible in money) according to the size of the military facility.
“The principality didn’t have to directly participate in the war. hehehehe.”
Even in wartime, as long as you pay the cost of the mercenary, you do not have to participate in the war.
In ancient times, when wars were frequent, the lord had to be a powerful knight, but as time passed, the monarch’s virtue changed from nothingness to rule.
Long ago, the duty to directly participate in the war disappeared, as the principality preferred to receive money rather than lesser lords.
“That’s not a great battle either. Since it’s an article… … .”
“If you just pay, it’s no different from an independent country. Since it is a county, can we call it a county?”
“There is no name like that. kuhh ruler! I’m leaving~”
As time passes, even if you try to return the money, the justification disappears.
After accepting it in the past, why are you doing this now? If you say so, it’s too late.
Tsutsutsutsu!!!
The Going Missha hurriedly left the pier.
Of course, the king, who noticed this belatedly, hurriedly ordered the knights to delay the departure of the Going Misha.
Shaaa!
The ship had already left.
“Gazuaaa~”
The Going Missha hurriedly went along the land route for the floating ship prepared on the other side of the port.
* * *
The Countess of Leon is a mess.
In the succession war, the most likely candidates for succession had already died, and the baton was touched by the younger brothers who were about 10 years old.
“Commander. The other side requested a rotation after 5 days. If you drag out time, the county will be more devastated, so let’s end the fight quickly.”
“joy! Great. In the meantime, you’ve been avoiding fights like a rat.”
“Isn’t it strange that he suddenly came out of there?!”
At the adjutant’s words, the commander snorted.
“joy! Let’s see. Our power is not all that can be seen with the naked eye.”
“but. The boy’s mother’s family, who had enemies in the Thrang Empire, gave full support.”
Having a top rank in the empire means having more money than most lords of the kingdom.
Since the lords’ wars were being fought by mercenaries rather than conscripts, in a way, the merchants were more reliable than any lord.
“Rather than that, where is my sister and what is she doing? Did he really flirt with the knight commander and run away at night?”
Everyone was nervous in anticipation of the arrival of the originally scheduled successor, Lian Leon.
I was rolling my head hard on how to get rid of it.
– I have all my thoughts, so leave it to me.
And just like that, the only remaining countess disappeared.
The problem is that the knight leader, Baron Kerician, whom she took with her, has also gone missing.
“Looking at Master Rian not coming, I don’t think that’s the case. Wouldn’t that make things longer?”
“sh*t. Even if only Captain Carrisian returned! Things wouldn’t have turned out this way.”
Maybe the civil war never happened.
The knight commander’s breath is stronger than I thought.
“Just avoid turning and wait a little longer… … .”
“it’s okay. Pressing with force at this time is not bad for running the territory in the future. We also need to show our strength. go and tell See you on the plains of Jorgeon.”