"Long live the true gods!"

Someone in the crowd of onlookers suddenly roared at the same time, and this roar was a signal.

The sewer not far from the gallows suddenly erupted into several dazzling flashes, and the sound of gunpowder explosions followed me, and at the same time, black smoke spread out.

Above the giant mushroom-like smoke, severed human limbs flew in midair. The rebels who launched the prisoner robbery operation are innocent.

Everyone was stunned, and a huge chaos ensued. People cried and shouted, pushed and trampled on each other, and the crowd pushed the patrol officers who maintained order to the ground.

In the smoke, more than a dozen figures leaped out of the chaotic crowd, wearing masks used at the masquerade ball, hiding their true faces, pulling out daggers and slitting the neck of the nearest patrolman, and then jumped onto the gallows and shot the stupid torturers one by one with their pistols.

The five rebels who were about to be killed were picked up and run away by these sudden comrades, and they ran quickly to the west side of the square, boarded several carriages disguised as mail cars, which had been parked there, and then slipped away.

All of this happened in just thirty seconds.

The rebels placed explosives in the sewer next to the gallows in advance, and took advantage of the chaos and smoke caused by the explosion to quickly deal with the patrolmen gathered around the execution table, and also arranged for transportation.

What is not known is that several horse-drawn carriages travel along a pre-designed route in a complex civilian area, stopping at a secluded bend to quietly drop off their passengers and be answered.

The carriage then proceeded as fast as it could, and before the patrol officers at the gates could receive a clear order, it was found abandoned in a grove of trees two hours later.

The plan was bold and perfect, executed even better, and created the illusion that the rebels had fled Poitou, and were still hiding in a secret location in the city.

This is what it is dark under the lights, and of course this is something that Sean only learned about later.

Sean witnessed the feat of robbery in the chaotic party's court, and the upper echelons on the terrace of the Governor's Mansion were still immersed in shock.

Mayor Stanley was incoherent with rage, and Governor Byrne turned pale, a great disgrace in front of everyone, and a provocation and contempt for those in power.

The Governor, who was apparently more skillful in cultivating his spirits, quickly came to his senses and quickly ordered the patrol regiment to search the whole city while sending the patrol to pursue the rebels in the direction of the fleeing party, but then he focused on the outside of the city.

"What slogans are they shouting?" asked Shawn quietly, Viscount Lincoln.

Viscount Lincoln said, "Long live the true gods! ”

Seeing that Sean didn't quite understand, Lincoln explained:

"The True God Party is just one of the so-called chaotic parties, the most active and mysterious organization in the past twenty years. This party worships the goddess of liberty, who, in folklore, represents freedom, justice, goodness, and all other good meanings, so she is worshipped as the true god. They saw hierarchy as the source of all freedoms, specifically the court, the government, and the aristocracy. They claimed that the purpose of the struggle was to establish a kingdom of heaven free from hierarchy and oppression. ”

"I think I've heard that they're committing the murder of a tax collector?" asked Sean.

It is not surprising that the most demagogic slogan of the True God Party is that everyone does not pay taxes and does not serve hard labor. Lincoln looked around and whispered, "The common people can't stand the ever-heavier tax burden, and there are undercurrents everywhere under the surface calm." ”

Lincoln just got to the point.

The rebels' resistance to taxes seems to have nothing to do with the aristocracy, because the tax is collected by the government, not by the aristocracy, and the aristocracy will not get a share of the shilling. But in the final analysis, it is this system of inequality that is the root cause.

The aristocracy was the participant and beneficiary of this decadent system, and therefore the natural defender of it. Although the aristocracy, having lost their old feudal power, had also become disgusted with the increasing centralization of government, they retained the pride of their ancestors, and even if they sometimes sought such centralization, they did not object to its imposition on the plebeians.

Especially today, the actions of the True God Party in full view of the public undoubtedly have a huge shocking effect, and they feel panicked. This is a major challenge to the current system.

The privileged on the terrace still did not disperse, and they discussed enthusiastically, claiming that the present situation and the law and order situation had seriously threatened the peace and security of the people and their lives, and that the governor must show an iron hand to eradicate the rebels, or they would discuss what would be used for the remaining taxes after the annual lump sum payment to the imperial court.

In this case, Governor Byrne must state:

"Ladies and gentlemen, just now there was a serious rebellion before our eyes. I decided to follow the example of the Holy City and form a secret police organization to be responsible for exterminating all kinds of rebels. I promise you a satisfactory result within one year. ”

Everyone had heard of the secret police in the Holy City, but they knew that this organization was very mysterious and seemed to have great powers, and was often associated with words such as torture and brutality.

They had also heard of the wanton encroachment of the Holy City's secret police on the dignity of privileged people, including nobles. The Holy City was far away, and they southerners had no personal experience.

His Excellency, who had only been in office for less than half a year, had previously given the impression that he was nothing more than a follower, and had not revealed anything in advance, but now he had taken this opportunity to establish such a powerful organization in Genoa, which could not but surprise and chill those present.

Even Mayor Stanley looked surprised. For thousands of years, the South has always been subservient to the North and has always borne the heaviest taxes, but the Southerners have always had a sense of disobedience to the king, and they are very sensitive to the existence of such a powerful organization as the secret police.

"What authority does such an organization have?" asked Viscount Brandon.

"Arrest the rebels. Governor Byrne knew that his move would be unacceptable, and patiently explained, "I pledge that they are only responsible for activities related to the extermination of the rebels, and that they have no right to offend privileged persons, and even if they are indeed rebels, they will be subject to public interrogation." Are you going to be a rebel?"

"Of course not!" everyone shook their heads in unison, of course they would not change their lives.

"Then there is no problem, it is in your vital interests to arrest the rebels. Governor Byrne smiled mysteriously, and there was a sense that the plot had succeeded.

Percy Robinson was the first to stand up and say, "Your Excellency, on behalf of the Robinson family, I support your initiative. I believe that under your leadership, there will be no place for the rebels. ”

"Thank you, Mr. Robinson, for your support. Governor Byrne nodded in approval, "I have heard that the Robinson family is the mainstay of Genoa, and the late Earl Robinson was also a widely praised nobleman. It is a pity that he died young, but I believe that with you, the outstanding talent of the Robinson family, the Robinson family will be more prosperous. ”

There was something in Governor Byrne's words that could only be understood, which made Percy Robinson very excited. But Governor Byrne said:

"His Excellency Count Koval, who is far away in the Holy City, has written to me that he has gone to the Holy City to serve as a member of the noble council by virtue of his duties, and he is still concerned about every plant and tree in Genoa. The Count said that the rebellion was the only obstacle to Genoa's prosperity, and he believed that Genoa must come up with iron means to maintain stability. ”

The expressions of the people changed again, the Count of Nakoval was born in Poitou, and represented the province of Genoa as a member of the noble council, and his position was very important, and his words were obviously extremely influential to everyone present.

"I support the establishment of a secret police by His Excellency the Governor. Viscount Brandon said. He was a traditional aristocrat, keen on current politics and extremely hostile to all rebellion against the hierarchy.

Viscount Lincoln was hesitant: "I hope the secret police will not abuse their power." ”

"As you wish, Your Excellency. Governor Byrne said, his gaze turning to Sean.

"Your Excellency, I have a question, and I don't know whether to say it or not. Sean said.

"Viscount Connery, please. Governor Byrne said with a pleasant face that his purpose was at least half accomplished.

"In my opinion, the chaotic party is like a weed, the wildfire cannot be burned, and the spring breeze blows and grows again. "No matter what kind of forceful measures are taken, we can't ignore the root cause of all this. Why do there exist chaotic parties? Of course, there will be some people who are mad and have fanatical ambitions. But what is the soil in which they live? Who is supporting them? If the soil in which they exist can be removed, then weeds will not grow, and it will not matter what kind of chaos there is. ”

"Viscount Connelly, you just want to say that the tax burden of the common people is too heavy, and how much tax should be collected, this is not up to His Excellency the Governor to decide. You must know that without these chaotic parties, those farmers and civilians who tried to evade taxes would not have been able to make any waves. Percy Robinson chimed in, "Just say it, are you for it or against?"

Sean glanced at the other party: "I support the establishment of a secret police, but I am more in favor of tax cuts!"

Sean couldn't have objected, otherwise he would have betrayed the class and wouldn't be able to get along, but his words were more constructive and aroused the approval of quite a few people.

"In the past few years, the year has not been good, and it is also necessary to collect less taxes from the peasants, but in this way, we will have to collect more taxes from the urban bourgeoisie. Viscount Lincoln said, "Otherwise, we won't be able to complete the task of paying the Holy City's taxes." ”

"So it's a hard question. Percy Robinson scoffed, "Perhaps the wealthy Viscount Connelly was willing to give generously to the peasants." ”

"No, no, if the peasants go bankrupt, I will soon be a big landowner. Sean automatically ignored his taunt.

Sean's words made everyone smile, all of them were privileged, almost all of them owned land in the countryside, where did this land come from, didn't it come from the farmers?

Byrne gave Sean a deep look, and unlike everyone present, he was a commoner-born bureaucrat with a deep understanding of land issues.

If the land was concentrated in the hands of the aristocracy, the church, or the urban bourgeoisie, not only would the peasants become vagrants and become the source of riots, but more importantly, who would the government turn to collect taxes in the future? The peasants or commoners would be the source of the imperial court's taxes.

Paradoxically, those at the top of the pyramid of privilege have been struggling with privilege. This is an unsolvable problem.

The 1/20 tax is a striking example, designed to be taxed according to property income, and even the royal family has to take the lead in paying taxes. In Sean's view, this can be seen as a top-down reform, but under the current system of the empire, this is difficult to do.

Governor Byrne said in a deep voice:

"Viscount Connelly's view is very constructive, that all the apportionments of taxes for the second half of this year will be reduced by one percent. If you have no objections, we will follow suit, and as for how to make up the taxes paid, we will figure out how to do it later. ”

Sean immediately said, "The Governor is wise!"