MTL - The King-Chapter 347 The collision of old and new nobles
Chapter 347 Collision of old and new nobles
The proposal of the military budget has passed, which does not mean that today's meeting is over. The huge debt is still the biggest problem plaguing the Alpha Kingdom.
According to past practice, after the end of each invasion, the creditors will routinely announce that part of the kingdom's debts will be reduced.
The rest of the money, although it was still difficult to pay back, was still within the kingdom's financial ability to pay.
But with the decline of the orc empire, this kind of good debt relief will naturally come to an end.
The war has ended for more than a year, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has communicated and negotiated with the creditors many times, but in the end it all ended without a problem.
Not to mention reducing the principal of the debt, even the interest on the funds, that is not a penny less.
"Last year's autumn tax was a bond issued by the kingdom. Everyone sitting here should know better than me what the quality of this year's spring tax is.
There are only two months left before the interest settlement time for the next batch of war bonds. Now the treasury is empty and the budget deficit is appalling.
It is estimated that the kingdom's fiscal deficit this year will exceed 10 million gold coins.
Regardless of whether it is increasing income and reducing expenditure, or everyone subscribed for bonds mixed into tax payments, the problem must be solved today! "
Finance Minister Marquis Delgado's almost rascal words made everyone lose their temper.
The kingdom has a huge financial deficit, and the biggest problem is that everyone uses war bonds to offset taxes. After solving this problem, although the deficit still exists, the numbers are within a controllable range.
"Use these methods together!
Everyone knows the financial situation of the kingdom. With our current fiscal revenue, at most, it is enough to pay interest on funds.
If we keep procrastinating like this, what will we have to pay back when the bond redemption period is reached?
When the run on tide breaks out and the kingdom's finances are overwhelmed by debts, everyone knows how serious the consequences will be.
I think it is necessary to formulate a reasonable repayment plan, recover the issued war bonds year by year, and reduce the total debt of the kingdom. "
Marquis Zuel said angrily.
As the oldest existence in the venue, the Marquis of Zuel most dislikes the irresponsible practice of only looking at the present and ignoring the future of the kingdom.
Although before this, the Alam family also took a bunch of war bonds to offset taxes, but that was just a means to fight for their own interests, and it did not mean that he wanted to bankrupt the kingdom.
If the kingdom really goes bankrupt, all those with vested interests present will most likely have to pay a heavy price. Especially nobles whose nests are located in frontier provinces are the most vulnerable.
No matter how strong their own strength is, they are only a big noble family after all. Once out of the protection of the kingdom, there is a high probability that they will not be able to keep their existing interests.
"The old Marquis is right. The debt problem must be resolved. I think we should set a repayment target from now on. This year, we will first repay the principal of 6 million gold coins, and then increase it year by year.
The source of funds is also simple, first reduce expenditure, and you can count as much as you can reduce expenses. If the share is insufficient, the big deal is to imitate the Principality of Moxi and levy a repayment tax.
As for the war bonds that appear in the tax, they can be apportioned directly to the provinces for processing. Whoever collects the bonds will be responsible for digesting them.
The little nobles have weak families, so there is no way to use war bonds to deduct taxes. Could it be that we can't stand it?
Everyone will hold fewer banquets and engage in some fancy activities, and save money.
If you don’t have this awareness, you can go out now, the kingdom doesn’t need irresponsible nobles! "
Earl Pierce's domineering words made Hudson slightly taken aback. It seemed that these proposals were all for the kingdom, but he always felt that they were aimed at his own family.
Recently, the Koslow family has been spending money like water. It is engaged in resettlement and relocation, and it is engaged in large-scale construction projects.
From the end of the war to the present, the total fiscal deficit of the mountainous area is as high as two million gold coins.
As local snakes, the Dalton family planted a few spies in the mountain territory to obtain this almost public information, which is a matter of course.
Especially after the hatching of the Warcraft cubs was completed, Hudson sent out more than 20 cubs one after another to offset the compensation for relocation.
This kind of self-destructive practice fell into the eyes of Earl Pierce, who mistakenly regarded it as a manifestation of lack of financial resources, which seemed reasonable.
After all, in the eyes of veteran nobles, warcraft cubs are a strategic resource, no matter how many types there are.
Even if it is not suitable for forming a Warcraft Legion, it can also be distributed to the clan members to cultivate individually to enhance the strength of the family.
There are so many members of the Koslow family, and the family alone is not enough. If it is not financially tight, how can it be outflowed?
As a competitor, since the other party is short of money, he must make up for it, making the other party even more short of money!
Now that he has the opportunity to consume the financial resources of the Koslow family under the banner of righteousness, Earl Pierce has absolutely no reason to refuse.
After all, the Dalton family is a rich man. Not only does it occupy the most affluent land in the southeast province, but it also monopolizes the sale of salt and ocean trade in the province.
Adding a little amortization is nothing to them. Even during the war, Hudson slapped him hard, but he still couldn't make this veteran nobleman really hurt.
However, this kind of golden egg attack, which does not distinguish between the enemy and the enemy, is not only affected by the mountain territories. It's okay for a veteran aristocrat with a solid family background to survive by cutting down on daily expenses.
However, for a group of emerging nobles who lack financial resources, apportioning an extra amount of debt repayment funds every year is a very terrible thing.
Realizing this, Hudson simply didn't bother to pay attention, and directly became a melon eater in his position.
"Dear Earl Pierce, the suggestion to repay the debt in advance is indeed a good idea, but we must consider practical issues.
Just went through a war, and the kingdom is in the recovery period. Especially the seven northern provinces who have just returned to the embrace of the kingdom, I am afraid they will not be able to share the cost! "
The Earl of Oran bit the bullet and retorted.
As undeveloped land, taxation naturally does not exist. Normal taxes do not need to be borne, and taxes that are not equivalent to repaying debts do not need to be apportioned.
There are no clear regulations on these temporary special taxes. However, according to past practice, there is a high probability that you will still have to pay.
The fiefdom is in vain, and it is all supported by its old capital. No matter how deep the family background is, it must be frugal at this time.
If it is done according to Earl Pierce's proposal, they will need to bear part of the amortization in the southeastern province, and they will still bear a corresponding share in the amortization in the north.
After adding them all together, it is estimated that the Holliser family needs to bear more than the Koslow family.
What is even more deceitful is that the money has to be spent every year, and there is a high probability that it will still increase every year.
A large amount of funds have been withdrawn, and territorial development and immigration relocation work will definitely be affected.
"Count Oran, you are wrong to say that. For a long time, the kingdom has followed the principle of fairness, and the emphasis is on the equality of rights and obligations.
Since you are sitting here, you must bear corresponding responsibilities. We are all complaining of suffering and tiredness, what about the people below?
Earl Pierce's proposal just now is good. These debts will be repaid sooner or later, and they will eventually be repaid. By recovering part of the war bonds in advance, we can also save part of the interest on the funds.
If it is really delayed for a few years, when the debt payment period comes, and everyone needs to raise nearly 100 million yuan at once, I am afraid that there is really no way! "
Count Carles said with a smile.
Seeing this scene, a sneer appeared on the corner of Hudson's mouth. It seems that they are inseparable from righteousness, but in fact it is a means for established nobles to suppress emerging nobles.
Once the proposal is approved, they can use legal means to take the opportunity to consume the financial resources of the emerging nobles and delay everyone's development progress.
If something happens in the middle of this, maybe the newly emerged nobles will be beaten back to their original forms.
Similar things are not uncommon in the continent of Aslante. More than half of the new great aristocrats will decline within a few decades.
Facing the eager gazes of a group of emerging aristocrats, Hudson knew that at this time, it was time to stand out.
Everyone has their own circle. Facing the suppression of the old nobles, a group of emerging nobles also secretly formed a group.
It's just that this emerging political group is too loose inside, and it doesn't even count as an alliance.
Facing a group of veteran nobles, there are really not many people who dare to take the lead. The famous Hudson easily gained the right to speak in the small group.
"Count Carles, you are very right. The overall situation of the kingdom is very important to everyone here, but practical issues are equally important!
To formulate a policy, we must conduct an in-depth investigation first, and only after understanding the actual situation can we make the most reasonable decision.
You probably know what the newly recovered seven northern provinces are like. If you want to develop it, it can't be done overnight.
Letting a group of aristocratic lords who can’t make ends meet bear the debts of the kingdom, this is not an obligation, but their lives!
It’s all about raising money anyway, so why not do it another way?
Instead of directly distributing according to the fiefdom, it is better to distribute it to the lucrative industry taxes such as salt, tea, spices, vehicles, entertainment, etc.! "
As soon as Hudson's voice fell, the veteran nobles frowned instantly. Allocating debt service funds to industry tax looks like taking money from businessmen, but in fact it is cutting their flesh.
The bustling commercial areas are all in the territory of the old nobles. Now that taxes are imposed on profiteering industries, they are also getting money from their territories.
If you study carefully, you will find that behind almost all the profiteering industries, they are the veteran nobles.
"Earl Hudson, it seems that you have missed some industries, such as: weapons and equipment, iron products, and trading of Warcraft cubs. The profits of these industries are also not low!"
Earl Martinez said with a smile.
Only when the meat is cut on oneself will it feel pain. In his view, Hudson is simply standing and talking without back pain.
Welcoming the eyes of a group of veteran nobles who seemed to be smiling but not smiling, Hudson greeted him with a nonchalant smile.
"Count Martinez's reminder is very necessary, but there are so many profiteering industries, it is too embarrassing for me to finish it in one breath.
How about this, list all the profiteering industries that everyone thinks, and let's participate in the discussion together.
Of course, there is no need to mention outdated news.
For example: weapons and equipment.
The war has just ended for more than a year, and everyone has a large backlog of weapons, and there is no market for them in the kingdom.
By the way, it seems that the current iron products market is also in a depression. It is estimated that most practitioners are persisting at a loss.
As for the trade of Warcraft cubs, Earl Martinez thinks there are huge profits in it, so let's list it!
Unfortunately, judging from the current situation, it seems that it is very difficult for the kingdom to encounter several trades of Warcraft cubs a year.
Even if someone sold it, it was at an auction. Instead of looking for it all over the world, it is more convenient and quicker to directly increase the tax on the auction house.
Your Excellency, don’t you want to set up a Warcraft breeding base and tax the major forces in the Northern Continent participating in the cooperation?
If Count Martinez can convince everyone to agree, I have no problem at all. But if you get into trouble, it's best not to implicate the kingdom! "
Since he dared to raise taxes on profiteering industries, Hudson naturally made a plan. Although the current mountainous areas are not poor and white, there are still no profiteering industries.
There is no way to do arms trading, and the breeding industry of Warcraft cubs has involved many powerful forces.
Even the Alpha Kingdom at its peak was unable to collect taxes from so many powerful forces, let alone now.
If you can't collect taxes without discrimination, don't expect Master Hudson to pay taxes alone. At worst, the cubs of magical beasts would appear suddenly and die suddenly, and some lucky nobles happened to pick up the cubs of magical beasts on the road.
"Earl Hudson, don't be so nervous. I'm just a small suggestion. If you really decide to levy the levy on the cubs of magical beasts, you can only be responsible for the contract!
But for the sake of the kingdom, I think you can consider giving it a try. If the negotiation is successful, the Kingdom may be able to increase its income by hundreds of thousands of gold coins every year. "
He said it beautifully, but in his heart, Earl Martinez secretly complained: Hudson is tough!
The seemingly simple dialogue is actually full of pitfalls. If you accidentally step on it, it will be difficult to climb out.
If he wasn't vigilant enough and didn't follow Hudson's words to refute, he might end up in a mess now.
Out of a mentality of revenge, he also planted a mine for Hudson.
Judging from the current situation, if Hudson is really greedy and wants to contract the Warcraft cub tax, there must be no problem.
As long as the tax amount is not too high, the major forces are willing to pay a sum of money to buy out the favors they owed before.
For the nobles, debts of favor are far more meaningful than gold coins. It doesn't matter if it is not useful at ordinary times, once it is used, it can save lives!
"Count Martinez's proposal is very good, but unfortunately, my ability is limited and I cannot undertake this important task.
If anyone has the ability to complete it, please stand up and take on this burden, I will definitely cooperate with all my strength! "
After finishing speaking, Hudson looked at everyone expectantly, as if he wanted to find a fool to take the blame.
It's a pity that everyone is very rational and has no interest in this kind of behavior of snatching food from the mouth of a tiger.
"Earl Hudson, the levy of industry tax seems good, but when it comes to the specific implementation stage, there are a lot of problems.
Most areas of the kingdom implement a tax package system, blindly increasing the collection target, and no one can guarantee that it will be completed.
What's more, high taxes will also impact the development of the industry. If it is not done well, it will not only fail to increase the financial revenue of the kingdom, but will reduce our income on the contrary!
Considering the difficulty of implementation, the easiest and quickest way to collect taxes is to directly distribute tasks to the provinces.
On this issue, we can actually consider giving proper care to economically poor provinces, and let other rich provinces bear the burden.
For example: The seven northern provinces that have just been recovered are still in the development stage, and it is difficult to undertake too heavy obligations in a short period of time, so they will not be assigned to them this year. "
Earl Pierce said with a look of concern for the country and the people.
If it wasn't for the tit-for-tat confrontation with Hudson earlier, maybe everyone would really believe it. It's a pity that everyone is not a fool, and this kind of blatant targeting can be seen at a glance.
In order to be able to achieve strategic goals, Earl Pierce would rather let the southeastern provinces bear heavier debt repayment obligations, but also reduce the financial resources of the Koslow family.
Calculated purely from direct economic losses, this is a typical "killing eight hundred enemies and self-defeating one thousand tactics".
After all, as the eldest, the Dalton family has the most fiefdoms, and naturally needs to bear the heaviest debt repayment obligations.
It's useless to see it, this is an overt conspiracy on the surface.
Abandoned the all-out attack plan, the newly emerging aristocratic group that was temporarily united because of interests suddenly fell apart.
Failed to implement a comprehensive suppression. Although the old nobles were unwilling, they could accept it considering that the southeastern province was willing to take on heavier obligations and be able to beat Hudson, the leader of the emerging nobles.
From the eyes of the crowd watching the excitement, Hudson noticed the pleasure of revenge from the eyes of many people.
I can only say "June's debt, pay it quickly."
Just messed up other people's disarmament plan, now it's time to pay the price.
If it weren't for the facts, Hudson couldn't believe that Earl Pierce would be so decisive.
Glancing at the emerging nobles who bowed their heads, it is obvious that this fragile group does not yet have the confidence to fight against the established nobles.
Perhaps out of the shame of retreating from the battle, I dare not look at him now.
"Everyone is watching what I do. Since Earl Pierce has such a high awareness, how can I hold everyone back at this time!"
Hudson pretended to grit his teeth and said.
After finishing speaking, he just sat on the seat without saying a word. It was as if he had made a difficult decision in order to maintain the dignity of the poor aristocrats due to the general situation.
There are also a few middle-class nobles in the southeastern province who also look bitter. A typical fight between the eldest and the second, accidentally injuring them, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth...
(end of this chapter)
