When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 864 - 815: The Expansion of Advisory Council Powers and the Pope’s Ten-Thousand-Vote Act

"One of the main reasons for the conflict between the nobles and the commoners is the unfair disparity between them..."

"Clatter clatter—"

"From today onwards, regardless of whether one is noble or commoner, everyone is a believer of the Holy Alliance and not two different groups..."

"Clatter clatter—"

"For example, surnames and clothing previously exclusive to nobles are no longer restricted, and titles such as 'Your Excellency' or 'Master' are no longer allowed..."

"Clatter clatter—"

Inside the Constitution Hall of Baihua Cathedral, waves of continuous applause could be heard.

Sitting behind the long table in the center of the altar, Horn was flanked by Madlan and Catherine.

These two were in charge of the Pope's Palace and the Advisory Council, the former being the executive body of the Holy Alliance, and the latter soon to become its representative body.

In an era without railways and telegraphs, if one wanted to efficiently generate revenue, the representative institution was a crucial link.

Almost every minute, after Horn finished speaking a piece, Madlan and Catherine would take the lead standing up and clapping.

The representatives seated in a semi-circle on the listener's benches stood up to applaud and sat down, like performing squats, again and again…

"Regarding the qualification election, after everyone's discussion, His Holiness the Pope has decided to pass the 'Educated Citizens Electoral Law' that better suits the current situation."

Once again, Madlan and Catherine led the representatives to stand up and clap in unison.

Although everyone stood up to applaud, the noble representatives and merchant representatives were visibly disappointed.

Neither the landed voting system proposed by the nobles nor the property voting system proposed by the merchants were approved.

But on the other hand, they were also relieved that the other side's bill did not pass.

Even though they couldn't take the biggest slice, fortunately, their competitors didn't get the entire pie either.

Although the 'Educated Citizens Electoral Law' is most beneficial to city dwellers, both nobles and merchants weren't completely excluded from the Advisory Council.

This law stipulates that all educated adult citizens can have the right to vote or be elected.

The so-called "educated adult citizens" essentially need to meet the following criteria to have voting qualifications:

Firstly, having obtained a diploma certificate recognized by the Holy Alliance from primary school or higher, or having passed the Holy Alliance's annual literacy test.

Secondly, being a registered citizen over the age of sixteen.

As for the eligibility to be elected, in addition to the above two criteria, the nomination and approval of the local Priestly Order are also required.

Although the Hundred Households District system has been implemented, due to a shortage of manpower, Horn does not have the mental capacity.

While the old noble forces have been cleared from the upper echelons, the old notions of nobles and noble representatives still persist like a stubborn disease among the lower-level Hundred Households Captains and Wandering Cultivators.

Many citizens' hearts still hold inertia from the era.

Compared to blacksmiths, they are still more willing to give their votes to the "more reliable" bankers, nobles, or scholars.

It is foreseeable that in the future, nobles and wealthy merchants will still occupy a place in the Advisory Council.

After all, matters like waging war still rely on their financial and physical contributions.

Therefore, during an internal meeting of the Saint Father's Association, Horn specifically mentioned, "Reform is like sawing wood, sometimes advancing and sometimes retreating, but the cut gets deeper and deeper."

"Alright, most of the matters have been resolved." Horn closed the agenda booklet in his hand, "From now on, the Advisory Council will be chaired by Speaker Catherine, while the affairs of the Pope's Palace will be managed by Chief Cardinal Madlan."

Madlan and Catherine appropriately stood up, slightly bowing to the representatives present.

This time, the representatives offered their applause while sitting down.

"Neither Monk Madlan nor Lady Catherine meet the current rules due to holding multiple positions simultaneously," Horn said to the two, as well as to the other representatives present, "But given the wartime status, the two of you will have to bear extra responsibilities."

"No, no."

"Of course not."

Both shook their hands repeatedly, making a humble gesture.

"Furthermore, since Lady Catherine is not suitable to hold central and local offices concurrently, the election and appointment process for the Mayor and County Governor of Rapids City will also commence.

I hope you will supervise this process, ensuring fairness, justice, and transparency. I have expanded your authority, so I hope you use it responsibly."

Holding a white porcelain teacup in his hand, Horn looked meaningfully at those representatives present.

The representatives were even eager to jump up to express their loyalty.

"We will never betray His Holiness's trust."

"Absolutely fair and open!"

Since the advisory council is still temporary due to the ongoing state of war.

Once the war ends and the situation stabilizes, lifting the wartime status, the advisory council will be dissolved for re-election.

The current advisory council is very different from before, with much-expanded powers.

After eliminating most of the feudal remnants, Horn officially expanded the council's functions to oversee monk administration and elect Supreme Court members.

Simply put, the council originally could only advise, suggesting Horn to remove a monk's duty or appoint a Supreme Court judge.

But now, they can directly remove or elect positions, with Horn holding the ten-thousand-vote veto power.

Don't underestimate the shift from approving to vetoing; it's a huge step for the council's power.

Because this means their previous direct investigation or resource mobilization were non-compliant, which was Horn's responsibility.

After the council's power expansion, this now becomes a fully legitimate act.

They have gained the right to know.

This is essentially the same as the 'Educated Citizens Electoral Law', both aiming to curb the old merchants and nobles by involving the citizenry.

Nobles, needless to say, after expelling the noble forces, merchants, originally allies, also made it to Horn's list.

Unlike the emerging merchants in industry and commerce, this refers specifically to merchants relying on guild monopolies and family workshops.

Horn, however, supports entrepreneurs dependent on manufactory/factory production and new technologies.

At the moment, his role is only suppressive, as guild merchants remain an indispensable part of the production process.

Representatives with expanded powers reciprocated by passing the 'Pope's Ten Thousand Votes Bill'.

This bill stipulates that in any situation requiring a voting decision, Horn, as the Pope, holds a hundred thousand votes.

This also exemplifies the absolutism inherent in the Holy Alliance as a state - the ruler's power overwhelming the representative institution.

Sitting in the high seat, Horn surveyed the surroundings, yet felt an indescribable feeling inside.

Three years since the founding of Thousand River Valley, though the Thousand River Valley Monarch Country itself vanished, the Holy Alliance successfully morphed into the nation of Horn's vision.

If the three-year-old Thousand River Valley was its infancy, then now it might be like a seven or eight-year-old child.

The moment it truly becomes an adult will be the moment the Holy Alliance truly stands firm, and when it genuinely becomes a nation.

The war against the Leia people is a battle for statehood.

The Nederlanders once fought an eighty-year war against the Spaniards to establish a nation.

War is the best means to strengthen national character, implying that such violent actions can make people quickly distinguish between reality and friend or foe.

Judging from the current anxious public opinion in Thousand River Valley, this method seems effective.

If one doesn't recognize Leia as the enemy, why be anxious?

"In the upcoming period, I will focus my attention on military affairs. Administrative duties will be entrusted to you." Horn stood up first, glancing around, "Anyone else have questions?"

The representatives shook their heads one by one, offering sycophantic smiles.

"So then..." Standing as well, Catherine tapped the table with a small wooden mallet, "Meeting adjourned!"