Section 113 Ambition

"Athor, how is our Count Ashrufat?"

"Still in good spirits?" replied Thor.

"Great," the other said with a hippie smile. "It's been four days and four nights. ”

"Almost. Ator replied.

"Still grading the report, not lying on the table to catch up on sleep?" asked one of the older grades.

"No, I've read every document seriously. Everyone looks at it, and there are corresponding instructions on each one......"

......

"Athor, how is our Count of Ashrufat?"

"I'm still in good spirits,"

"I'm really surprised, it's been six days and six nights......

......

"How is Count Ashrufat doing today?"

"His face still looks normal, not tired. ”

"It's been nine days and nine nights......"

......

"How did Count Ashrufat ......"

"Today, like the other day, I am in good spirits, and I still have the leisure to play a song. Bounced brilliantly. ”

......

Conversations like this happen every day. At first, everyone spoke of the self-indulgent Count of Ashrufat in a slightly sarcastic tone. But as time passed, the mockery slowly faded and was replaced by exclamation, but then the exclamation also disappeared, and all that remained was fear.

If I am not mistaken, the Count of Ashrufat has not slept for twenty-one whole days. And he still looked the same as he had on the first day: refreshed, not sleepy at all. Was this man human, or was he made of steel? At first, everyone thought that the Count of Ashrufat was just a power maniac, a fool or a madman who was blinded by the power at his disposal. But now...... Things seem to be ...... More than anyone could have imagined.

To this day, Ashrufat's instructions on the document are accurate and insightful, indicating that he is very mentally strong. Legend has it that this Count Ashrufat was a mercenary who had no experience in politics before being canonized by the queen as an earl. But the reality clearly shows that this rumor is not credible: this Ashrufat undoubtedly has a wealth of experience in domination. He knew almost every little trick that his subordinates were trying to pull off.

......

"Your Majesty, Count Ashrufat has asked to see you. ”

"Let him in. ”

The little girl looked at Ashrufat who came in from outside. Outwardly, Ashruphat was no different from him usually, just like when the two of them first met. But she knew one thing, and that was that Ashrufat hadn't slept for a long time since all this time.

In fact, the whole court (or the whole mansion) was quietly discussing this matter. Even if the little girl is not well-informed, she still knows about this matter.

The maid withdrew, and closed the door as she went out. Ashruphat came to the table as he had done before, and waited for the little girl to let him take his seat.

"Ashrufat...... You...... Recent...... How are you doing?" asked the little girl.

"Ah, there's a lot of stuff, but it's nothing. Ashrufat replied casually. However, the little girl's voice trembled a little, which made him feel a little strange. However, according to the requirements of etiquette, since the little girl has not let him sit down, he can only stand there.

"But Your Majesty, you must be present tomorrow. Ashrufat pulled out a list from his hand. "This is the list of appointments I propose...... Of course, just my personal proposal. During this time, these people have done a great job and I want to take on these positions. ”

The little girl took the list, but put it aside without looking at it. The thought of Ashrufat dragging his tired body and barely pretending to report to her as if nothing had happened, made her feel an indescribable pain in her heart.

"Your Majesty...... Are you unwell. Ashrufat said. "Please pay attention to the body, tomorrow you are attending the meeting for the first time. ”

"Go down and rest. The little girl endured it and said.

"Okay, I'm quitting. Ashrufat replied.

"Wait...... Can you tell me that we are in financial shortfall right now...... How big?" the little girl asked suddenly.

"Ah, I don't want to hide it," Ashrufat hesitated. According to the latest statistics...... Within this year, we will have to repay more than 13 million Quioli in debt. ”

"How is that possible?!" even the little girl was taken aback by this number. "So our income ...... How many?"

"This year, not much. Ashrufat said. "All the cash was taken away by Byron, and after the rectification, I think I would get it on average every month...... About 100,000 Quioli's income. He paused, "A lot of taxes have been 'pre-collected' by Byron, and they will not be restored until next year, or even the year after." Compared to this income, we only spend the Guards Corps...... Food, grass and military salaries, and daily equipment changes, plus the necessary preparations for war...... Every month, it costs about 130,000 Kioli. If there is a real war, the consumption will be increased more than three times. ”

The little girl was speechless, she really didn't know that the situation would be so bad.

"Plus the salaries of officials...... Your Majesty's own expenses...... There were also various expenses for maintaining the normal functioning of the court...... All in all, we will probably incur a deficit of at least 100,000 gold o'clock every month. By the way, if you add the nobles who live in Eagle Falcon City, those who enjoy a lifetime of income...... Those who spend money...... The number could double again. ”

"How...... What should I do?" the little girl panicked for a moment. She really didn't know that the situation was so bad.

"But one thing, according to the archives I have found, there is evidence that many lords everywhere have not paid their taxes for several years. If you can get this money, then things will be much better. ”

"What if they won't, Ashrufat?" asked the little girl.

"Then they have violated their obligations as a retainer, and you can not hesitate to order them to be stripped of their titles, as well as confiscate their lands and property. ”

"But this time...... Is it useful?" Although the little girl is still young, she already knows that all she actually controls is Wangcheng and the circle around Wangcheng. It doesn't make any sense, at least for now, to give such a punishment order to these lords in power in the distance.

It's the same as when she declares Byron a rebel. Despite her announcement, Byron was doing well.

"Yes, these people who have been unfaithful to you will never have a chance to hide in your court. Ashrufat replied, smiling, but I don't know what it was about to make the little girl feel a panic for no reason. "There is no need for such rebels and thieves in your land. ”

The little girl couldn't understand Ashrufat's logic for a moment. The situation is so bad, according to the book, shouldn't this time try to win over the supporters as much as possible? Although they have a sense of disobedience, doing so at this time will only push all these people to the enemy, from temporary neutrals to enemies.

"For ...... For what?" asked the little girl. She began to wonder if Ashrufat was tired and confused.

"Do you want me to be honest?"

"Of course!" cried the little girl.

"If I have to say, now is a great opportunity. Ashrufat said. "The country created by Garunas, the sage of the wilderness...... If he started building Eagle Falcon City, it took only nineteen years, and if he completely pacified every piece of the country, then it took a total of twenty-seven years. Although he was a true sage, he was ...... in such a short period of time The Gruni he built was not a true American degree. ”

"No matter how good a sculptor is, if he is in a hurry, he will not be able to carve a good work. That's the case in our country. Byron, our former regent," Ashrufat smirked mockingly at the mention of the name. "He owns a territory of his own, and in that territory he has the right to rule, to pay taxes, to have an army, to the law, and so on. What is the difference between him and a king, except that he does not have a crown on his head? And not just one Byron, but in this country, there are dozens of similar Byrons, large and small, combined. These dozens of Byrons, plus some small and medium-sized noble lords, and some other messy people...... It currently occupies about three-quarters of the land of Gruny, including many major transportation arteries and many important towns. And the territory that really belongs to the royal family...... but it is divided and broken. ”

Ashrufat came to a map hanging on the wall of his room, a detailed map of Gruni's country.

"Your Majesty, you can see that there is too much power in this land. Worse...... These forces have no reverence for you. In the past, they fabricated all kinds of famines that did not exist at all, and now they dare to openly refuse to fulfill their obligations. This is certainly justified, and this is because they have enough army and wealth...... Once they are united, they have the strength to stand up to the royal family. It is precisely because of this that they dare to be so unscrupulous. In the time of Garunas, no one dared to stand up to the king, but people like Garunas were hard to come by, and their power and strength would be passed down from generation to generation. Now, thinking that they had found an opportunity, they immediately revealed their ambitions and bargained with us. ”

"You...... Have you talked to them?"

"Yes, letters come and go. Ashruphat laughed. "I demanded that they fulfill their obligations, and they bargained. They kept silent about their obligations in the first place, and instead demanded more, demanding more land, sovereignty over cities in key locations, court positions, and so on. In that case......"

Ashrufat paused, his eyes looking at the little girl.

"For you...... They don't have any value in existence. ”