The atmosphere in the council chamber was a little strange, and it seemed that they were all tentative and waiting with their eyes. Although the Sardinia region has prospered, the actual problems are far from being as simple as they seem.

Donis and Corno sat there relaxedly, the main dish was clearly not for the two of them. Colin propped his round head in his hands, and his small eyes looked at the other people's expressions with interest. Rogett pinched the mustache on his chin and smiled, knowing full well that he didn't need to do anything about it.

Sure enough, Gassula's voice rang out first, breaking the boring silence. "Your Excellency, it seems that something is wrong with your measures. Since I am the Minister of Justice of the Imperial Front, I have the right to raise objections. He spread his hands and looked at Sirian with a serious face, "I have no problem if you want to increase the rent of tenant farmers in Sardinia, or even to levy fees for the use of pastures, woodlands, water mills, and even other tools of work. For the sake of the Lord God, you are talking about the revival of Sardinia, and at the same time you want to raise taxes on the merchants, don't you worry that Sardinia's prosperity today will be wiped out in the blink of an eye?"

"Lord Gasula, you and I know who stands behind Sardinia's prosperity. Sirian leaned forward slightly, and said-for-tat, "The overseas commodities of the Belém Province, the seafood of the Qianpu Province, the grain of the Tampon Province, the stone of the Black Rock Province, and even the iron ore of the Western Province are constantly transported to Sardinia City. Satin can't digest the remarks sold directly to elves, dwarves, orcs, and the tribes of sinners in the Forgotten Continent. ”

Sirian looked at the ministers present, and he wanted to tear the veil open. "Is there nothing else? No, my lord!" his gaze grew brighter and sharper, "transport, wine, inns, even brothels and casinos, tell me what is there that is not the hand of the nobles of the provinces? Are the people of Sardinia really rich? No, not at all. They were still the lowest miners, the cheapest coolies, and even if they earned a few copper plates, they would be scraped away again by the old men who paid them, the only difference was that they were replaced by a different person. ”

"My lord, is that why you want to raise taxes on the merchants?" Gassula's voice was a little suppressed, and her lips were tightly pursed, "Lord God, do you want us to do charity in Sardinia?

"Charity?!" Cyrian's voice suddenly raised, "What are we working in the province of Sardinia for ten years? Sardinia should be the home of the people who live there, not the carriage that transports boxes of gold to the pockets of the nobles!"

"Your Excellency, you can't deny that the peasants are in a much better position than they were ten years ago. Gasula stood up abruptly and insisted.

"I don't deny it. But who is the greatest beneficiary of Sardinia's prosperity today? You, you, and you!" Sirian pointed his finger at the ministers in front of him one by one, "It's you aristocrats like you!

"Don't forget, my lord, you're also the Duke of the River!" Gazula growled.

"Before that, I was the Imperial Prime Minister of this kingdom!" Cillian slammed his fist on the table, a loud thud echoing through the council chamber.

After a long silence, Gasula bowed stiffly. "I'm sorry, Lord Savaranti, I can't agree with what you're doing. With that, he turned to leave the chamber.

At that moment, the door to the council chamber was pushed open, and Aiden, who had been standing outside the door for a long time, walked in. "Good morning, gentlemen. Forgive me for being a little late, what are you discussing?" his gaze asked, looking at the people in the room.

The ministers stood up and saluted. "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has just proposed that the tax on the merchant houses be increased in the province of Sardinia," replied the former clerk Victor, "and this will not only ease the financial pressure on the kingdom, but will also enable the revival of Sardinia to proceed smoothly." ”

"Looks like this isn't going well......" Aiden said with a smile as he sat down on a square chair in the middle of the long table.

"I'm afraid so, my majesty," said Colin, who had returned to his chair, and then turned his gaze to Gassula, "the Prime Minister's intentions are good, but Lord Gassoula's opinion is not unreasonable, the kingdom has done enough for Satina. "He decided not to help each other, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was only responsible for estimating and paying, and as for how to get the money, he didn't want to come out.

Aiden looked at Cyrian sitting next to him and Gasula on the other side. "Colin, I suppose the treasury can still support this year's Sardinia budget, right?"

"Your Majesty, there is no problem, but I suggest that it is better to wait until after the autumn harvest," replied Colin, who knew more about the kingdom's belongings than anyone else, "and if you pay in advance, I am afraid it will affect the progress of the construction of the capital." ”

"So be it, no matter what, let's finish the expansion of Sardinia City first. Aiden patted the armrest and decided, "As for the tax increase, we'll continue to discuss it after the trial celebration is over." ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. Seeing that the king had made the final decision, everyone expressed their attitudes.

"Let's change the subject of pleasantness, for the sake of the Lord God, the Imperial Council can't be any easier?......" Aiden suggested to his men, and it must be admitted that Aiden was a moderate king many times, "How's the preparation for this year's trial of order? ”

"Rest assured, the Holy See is ready and waiting for the lively boys. With all due respect, Your Majesty, it's good to be young, and I really regret spending all my time with women......" Rogoth said with a wry smile, as if with great grievance.

His words caused everyone to laugh, and even Donis couldn't help but say, "Rogett, you might as well say that you plan to spend your life on women." ”

"That's right, it's ...... now," Corno said, closing the big book, "and you've got enough lace news to go down in the history books." ”

"I'd love to go down in history with this skill, my lord,......" Rogett stood up and saluted to Corneau. His earnestness stunned everyone, and then burst into even louder laughter.

"Lord God, Rogett, you're good enough...... Aiden shook his shoulders and pointed at his Minister of Civil Affairs, "Well, let me see, what kind of good news you have brought?"

Rogett straightened his clothes and sat back in his chair. "Tournaments, cocktail parties, balls, cooks, carpenters, waitresses, singers, jugglers, troubadours......" he said quickly, as if he were a treasure, "the triennial celebration of trials, believe me, Your Majesty, this year will be bigger than any in previous years!"

"I'll see. Aiden said with a smile that he would not doubt Rogett's ability. "Colin, come to me directly if you have any difficulties, and I'll figure it out. ”

"There is no difficulty, Your Majesty," Colin shook his round head, "this money has already been set aside, gold, enough!" He was well aware of the importance of this celebration, not just the trial of order for the Holy See to select the Knights of Order. What's more, His Royal Highness Prince Sovereign Konderbach, the heir to the Kingdom of Orem and the only son of Aiden, is also on the list of trials.

There was nothing more important than this, and even Colin, who wanted to be stingy financially, did not dare to be stingy in this trial celebration. Of course, who would have trouble with the future King and His Majesty?

"It's rare that Colin is also generous...... Aiden is happy, "Alright, my lords, let's stop for today." I'll talk about that next time. He said with emotion, "Hey, seriously, counting the trial celebration that will be held soon, the Imperial Council can be suspended for two weeks, and I suddenly feel a lot more relaxed. ”

With Aiden's teasing, the Imperial Ministers got up with a smile and left the chamber after signaling to His Majesty. Although the beginning of the meeting was somewhat unpleasant, the courtiers were satisfied with being able to take a break for a while. After all, no one wants to think about boring state affairs every day.

Sirian didn't go, just now Aiden patted him lightly on the leg twice, he knew that His Majesty might have something to say to himself, and likewise, himself.

Soon, the two of them were left in the chamber.

"Your Majesty......" Sirian was just about to speak, when he saw Aiden's stopping gaze, so he changed his words, "Aiden, I know you want to ask why you ...... so suddenly"

Aiden interrupted Cyrian, he looked at the brother beside him, his most cherished friend, the former prime minister who had always supported him for ten years, and said sincerely: "I have no objection to Sardinia's tax increase, we have also talked about this issue together before. Again, the Sardinia Rehabilitation Plan is the most effective way to settle down there forever. ”

Aiden looked around at the empty seats in the council chamber. "But they won't easily agree," he said with a tight frown, "and if it is enforced, I am afraid it will cause a violent backlash." ”

"I admit it, but Aiden, the current situation leaves us with no choice," Cilian looked at his best friend, "and as the current situation continues, I believe that it will not be long before the nobles of the provinces will replace Sardinia as the new enemies of the kingdom." Our finances will be crippled, and they, who only want to make money but pay nothing, will become the biggest financiers in the kingdom. After that, it only takes one contingency for careerists to provoke a war to divide the country, and the kingdom of Olam will be wiped out......"

"So you want to leave me alone and announce this measure directly in your personal name at today's Imperial Council?" Aiden closed his eyes, he knew where the fundamental contradiction between the royal power and the vassals was, it was just the original sin of stability and turmoil. "Do you know, my brother, even if you succeed, pressure from the nobles will force me to remove you from the post of Prime Minister......"

"I'm ......," Ciri paused, his eyes shining with determination. "I'd rather so. ”

The two men sat there in silence and did not speak again. The sunlight outside the window shines in, illuminating the oak crown emblem on the long table.