106 – Episode 105
“Why?”
I say this while looking at Theodora, who paused for a moment at my words.
“Just a moment.”
As I said that, I took out a cigar from my pocket.
This is the item that will save me.
I know the original work and know how much Theodora hates cigarettes.
Especially… Cigars.
I heard that Valorant loved cigars and always hated the smell of cigars on his body, right?
“Huh?”
Seeing Theodora looking puzzled at my actions, I tried to control my excitement and cut the end of the cigar.
-Sapttuk
“Did you… Smoke?”
When Theodora spoke with her pretty forehead frowning, I answered.
“I didn’t smoke originally. “Savinelli gave me a cigar as a gift, so I decided to smoke one to relax.”
With that being said, I put a cigar in my mouth and hope that this gamble pays off.
She actually hates cigarettes, so it would be better to say she hates them.
Creates a flame using magic and sets the cigar on fire.
“Write…”
A savory yet rich scent.
It’s been a long time since I felt a strong aroma and deep body.
“Haa…”
I think as I exhale the smoke in my mouth.
Now that I think about it, you’ve quit smoking for quite some time, right?
I started quitting smoking because it was bad for my health.
I feel like I need to smoke again.
If you were to say the reason… Would it be to survive?
You start smoking unhealthy cigarettes again just to survive.
How ironic is this situation?
Theodora frowns greatly at her actions, covers her nose, and screams.
“You! Do you want to smoke in this atmosphere?! “If you’re going to smoke, go outside and smoke!”
I act while watching Theodora stubbornly pushing me to the terrace.
“Now… let’s just smoke this for a moment and then finish.”
I try to make a pitiful expression, but she doesn’t care and pushes my shoulder.
“No! What are you doing?! “You have no manners!”
I say that as if I feel unfair.
“No. “What did I do wrong?”
-Tuk-tuk!
“Who gets to smoke freely in the newlywed room?! “Can’t we just get out?!”
He tapped my shoulder and ended up…
-Squeak!
“Smoke as much as you want there!”
-Snap!
I was kicked out.
“Haa…”
That’s how I burn the cigar in my hand.
How much did it burn? I feel dizzy.
“Is it because it’s been a while since I published it? “I’m a little dizzy.”
But this is how I survived. What…
Let’s smoke moderately, cut off the end of the cigar, put out the light, and try to open the window.
-Click, click!
“Huh?”
Locked windows.
He said while knocking on the tightly closed window.
“Theodora! “What if I lock the window?”
“Hmph, I don’t know! “Smoke as much as you want there and die quickly!”
After fighting for a while, I was finally able to fall asleep.
That too on the sofa.
***
The next morning.
I called neutral figures to my office early in the morning.
This is a natural order as it is necessary to include neutrals for tax reform.
That way it will be passed by the Imperial Diet.
“Okay. What did you say you wanted to see? Grandee?”
Member Pompey.
“I can’t believe you called me here when I’m busy. “It’s a hassle.”
Mongke, the representative of Bairen city.
“Huh, the shameless Grand Duke is calling me?”
And… Chairman Charles, who hates me.
From Noble mtl dot com
In this way, three neutrals were called.
“I need to pass a bill through the National Assembly this time, but I think I’ll need some help.”
Pompey and Charles frown at my words.
“You could just team up with that proud emperor faction and get over it. “Why did you call us, who are marginalized?”
I say that with embarrassment.
“I guess that’s because the issue is an issue. “I think there will be a lot of opposition from the imperial faction.”
In fact, it is an imperial faction comprised of large, medium, and small nobles. Even if Ioanes holds the position of leader, it is difficult to exceed half the number unless Epirus and Ezip vote.
“Are you planning something weird again?”
I say those words with a gentle smile.
“First, look at this. “This is probably a bill that everyone here will like.”
As I put three bundles of paper on the table, Pompey stands up and says:
“Won, I think it would be better to play with my grandchildren at home rather than listen to the Grand Duke.”
I sigh and say at that sight.
“It’s good to play with your grandchildren, but please look after them for a while for the sake of the empire’s development.”
Pompey snorts at my words.
“I have no intention of wasting my precious time like this, so please excuse me.”
Rep. Mongke catches him trying to leave like that.
“hehehe, you came here. You are not performing your duties as a member of the National Assembly. “That is unbecoming of Senator Pompey.”
Pompey spoke with an angry expression.
“Is it the duty of a member of the National Assembly to discuss national affairs with such a dirty dog?!”
Rep. Mongke says those words with a sly expression.
“Don’t you know that it is your duty to negotiate even with the devil for the sake of the people of the empire and the citizens of your constituency?”
A spoiled dog, a devil.
This must be referring to me, right?
With those words, Pompey sits down.
“Damn it. “If it’s a bill that doesn’t make sense, it will make me regret wasting my precious time.”
With that said, I look at the bill.
I know that only negative things are attached to my image, such as that of a devil, a strongman, or a treacherous spirit…
A spoiled dog… Isn’t that too much?
When I was thinking like that.
“Are you… Trying to implement tax reform?”
Mongke speaks without taking his eyes off the bill.
“Yes. “I think we need to stop the nobles who are blocking the development of the empire.”
There is silence for a moment.
Noticing that everyone is silent as they look at the bill, he gets up and walks over to the cigar box.
-Sapttuk
Cut off the end of the cigar, put it in your mouth and light it.
“Haa…”
It tastes good.
As time passed, enjoying the scent of cigars and coffee…
“Grand Duke… Do you really intend to pass this bill through Parliament?”
Pompey speaks as if he is not trustworthy.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Do you know that if this is done wrong, a civil war could break out?”
I nod my head at those words.
“I know.”
If the great nobles oppose this bill, a civil war will begin immediately.
Ioanes, you have decided to help me get the bill passed this time, but it is clear that the other imperialists will foam at the mouth and protest.
“But… Why are you doing such a reckless thing?”
Charles asks with a look of disbelief.
“That’s it. “Literally, the tax is too excessive, so we are going to put an upper limit on it.”
The Free City imposes reasonable tax rates, but most nobles are being taxed exorbitantly under ridiculous grounds.
The people who suffer the most from this will be the people of the empire who live under that noble.
People with some money or those who can read and write will run away to the Free City, but most of those who do not will live their whole lives in their territory.
If you don’t have the ability to go to a better place, and you have a family, it’s even more impossible, so you’d have to live a life of conformity.
Of course, this reason is nominal and in reality it is for the promotion of commerce.
One of the reasons for abnormal prices throughout the empire is the difficulty in distribution…
It makes no sense to tax 10% of the goods you have every time you pass through a gateway, castle, or city.
“The intention is good, but it is too dangerous. It’s not that we left the tax system alone because we didn’t know about it. If you do something wrong, the empire will inevitably fall into civil war. That’s just the way it is.”
I shrug my shoulders at those words.
“There will be no civil war. “I assure you.”
When a bill is voted on in parliament.
Ioanes will secretly reveal that he ate Epirus and Ejib.
So, does the imperial faction handle the taxes, or does it watch as Ioannes devours the imperial faction? You’ll have to choose one of the two.
Then what… Will they attack me or Ioannes?
If you are not a fool, you will go to war against Ioannes.
“How… Can you guarantee that?”
I answer those words with a smile.
“Aren’t you saying that there is a way for me to pass this bill without thinking about a civil war?”
It is not for nothing that I did not submit the bill to the National Assembly even after it came out.
There are some delays due to careful checking, but the more important thing is.
Time.
I don’t know whether the great nobles will like it or not.
I think you might like it, but…
Because, just in case, they might not respond and start a war.
That’s why we prepare safety devices like this.
I was just trying to pass this bill at the right time.
If a civil war breaks out soon after Ioannes conquers Epirus and Egypt, it will collapse without any help…
In a situation where a civil war is about to occur, Ioannis and the emperor faction fight and weaken each other.
And I think it would be a good idea for me to devour them both when they both lose their strength.
-Clap clap!
“Good. Cancer! “If you’re a man, you have to do what you have to do.”
Rep. Mongke claps his hands and says.
“Certainly the current tax system is unreasonable for the Free City and the people of the Empire. “The old man was impressed by the Archduke’s intention to fix it.”
“Representative Mongke, don’t you know that this is not a very light matter?”
Pompey speaks in an absurd tone…
“But wasn’t it something that had to be done someday? “I will do my best to help pass this bill through the National Assembly.”
I express my gratitude for those words.
“Thank you for saying that.”
Rep. Mongke smiles softly at my words.
“The Grand Duke is different from the rumors that always circulate. “I only realized it today.”
Pompey appears to be dissatisfied with the situation and stands up with a bill.
“I’ll think about it a little more first and decide whether or not to seek support from my friends.”
I think to myself as I see Pompey leaving like that.
This isn’t that bad…