98. Tax Reform (2)

Edward had been staying up for several nights, discussing tax reform with his aides. But in the end, they always returned to square one.

“So being cautious means we can’t accomplish anything,” Edward said irritably, putting down the documents he was holding on the desk and walking to the window. The main palace garden was shrouded in darkness. The problem with no visible solution was coiled tightly in his mind. The dark garden seemed just like his mind. How could he lift this dark curtain?

‘Larael…’

“My resolution is needed, right?”

As he thought of Larael, his mind, which had been filled with darkness, cleared as if a lamp had been lit.

“Bring out the first draft we wrote,” Edward said, turning his head to his aides.

Edward returned to the conference table. In front of him lay the initial draft of the tax reform plan that he had first written.

“I will proceed with this as is.”

“Your Majesty!!!!”

The aides unanimously tried to dissuade Edward.

The initial draft of the tax reform plan that Edward had first written and brought was radical.

It proposed that tax items and rates be uniformly standardized by the Emperor, not the lords, and that taxes paid to the Emperor also be fixed at a set rate. It would abolish the agricultural cultivation tax, which was the biggest burden on farmers, and impose a land ownership tax on those who owned farmland. To prevent landowners from passing taxes on to tenant farmers, a system would be established where complaints could be reported directly to the Emperor. Additionally, regions affected by disasters such as drought would receive tax exemptions during the disaster period—these were the main points.

For days, they had been having tedious discussions about tax reform without proper sleep. The initial draft that Edward had brought had been revised dozens of times, almost losing its original form. Everyone was enduring the night-long discussions through sheer mental strength. Of course, Emperor Edward was no exception. Edward—no, everyone—needed rest.

“Your Majesty, perhaps we should get some proper sleep first and then continue the discussion…”

“Are you suggesting that I’m talking nonsense in my sleep?”

“No!!! How dare I…”

At Edward’s stern rebuke, the aide who had made the suggestion quickly apologized. Despite his haggard eyes, Edward’s gaze had turned fierce.

“I’ve been listening to nobles like you and missing the most fundamental point—that the foundation of the country is not the nobility but the people.”

He missed Marquis Argen, who had joined the investigation team to lead the inquiry as the uprising in Count Briznay’s domain grew due to the relief food issue. If he had been by his side, he wouldn’t have opposed without valid reasons. Edward could only sigh seeing how the so-called aides were eager to secure their own interests.

“Convene a meeting of the nobles as soon as day breaks. And bring me the mining report on the magic stone mine.”

Edward said this and turned the first page of the document on the table.

***

For Edward, today was like a war.

For him, it would have been easier to go to a battlefield and fight.

As expected, most of the nobles with territories opposed the tax reform plan he had brought. It was already absurd that the country would determine tax items and rates, but they were outraged at the idea of imposing an ownership tax on those who owned territories. The addition of a reporting system to prevent passing these taxes on to farmers was like declaring war on the nobility.

“There has never been such a tyrant.”

Duke Anderman, who had been frowning without saying a word and making no effort to hide his discomfort, finally spoke.

“This will cause enormous damage to the empire.”

“Why exactly is it damaging? I anticipated your opposition, but I didn’t expect you to be so vehement, even daring to call me a tyrant to my face.”

Edward’s cold eyes swept across the meeting hall and landed on Duke Anderman. The Duke cleared his throat and avoided his gaze.

Having already made up his mind, Edward was firm. He had no intention of backing down. If he retreated here, he would become more ridiculous and would be controlled by the nobles in the future.

“Do you know why I like the battlefield?”

Silence fell over the meeting hall.

“There is an unspoken permission to kill people there. No one blames me or holds me accountable for cutting down those who harm the Kazel Empire. Rather, they praise me as a hero. What if this were a battlefield? As you said, if I were a tyrant, what should I do?”

Edward smiled elegantly. But contrary to the smile on his face, the hand holding the pen trembled slightly. Edward looked at his hand, put down the pen, and interlaced his fingers.

A heavy atmosphere settled in the meeting hall.

“Then let’s do this. You all know about the magic stones discovered in the Kayaneuman Mountains. We still don’t know how much is buried there. The amount already mined is substantial. I have no intention of exporting it to other countries or allowing individuals to own it. Just possessing it strengthens our national power. However, I will give you the right to purchase these magic stones at a low price.”

The nobles’ eyes widened, knowing the value of even a small magic stone. Complex calculations were already taking place in their minds.

“Your Majesty! May I call my aide for a moment?”

“As you wish…”

Edward watched the busy nobles expressionlessly, tapping the desk regularly with the tip of his pen as if measuring time. This was the last chance Edward was giving to the nobles. If they rejected this opportunity, he was considering becoming the tyrant Duke Anderman had called him. He would just have to think of this place as a battlefield. All he needed to do was declare those who opposed his opinion as enemies of the Kazel Empire.

Duke Anderman sat observing the entire situation with disapproval. What was so special about magic stones that they caused such a commotion? He had several magical tools using magic stones in his mansion. But he had lived comfortably without them. He was very displeased. If he yielded to the Emperor here, he would have no choice but to follow him in the future.

“I think I’ve given enough time. Have you all decided?”

“My opinion hasn’t changed at all. I absolutely cannot comply.”

Duke Anderman spoke first, before other nobles could open their mouths. If someone agreed, those blinded by magic stones would follow suit.

Edward nodded slowly, as if he had expected this.

Silence fell over the meeting hall after Duke Anderman’s words. Only the sound of someone clearing their throat could be heard.

“Does everyone share the same opinion?”

“No.”

Dean raised his hand.

“Count Winters…”

A faint smile appeared on Edward’s face as he looked at him.

“I will follow Your Majesty’s reform plan.”

When Dean, who had been watching everything with interest, expressed his support, nobles from here and there began to voice their agreement. And in succession, those who firmly opposed also expressed their opinions vehemently.

“So what shall we do?”

Edward asked as the situation became evenly divided between support and opposition.

It was still quite an encouraging result. More nobles than expected had expressed their support. Edward looked at Dean with gratitude, amazed that the magic stone mine had become such a powerful asset to him.

Dean cringed at Edward’s burdensome gaze. He wanted to make it clear that he hadn’t done it for Edward’s sake. But unable to reveal the truth, Dean turned his head and slightly furrowed his brow.

“We will implement this on a trial basis in ten regions, including Count Briznay’s domain where the uprising occurred. And gradually increase the regions. I’m giving you sufficient time to think. I will accept applications for territories to implement this first. I’ll give you a week.”

The meeting hall became noisy. Duke Anderman continued to mutter something while frowning. Edward just wanted to leave the meeting hall as soon as possible.

Edward needed comfort.

Larael was his comfort. He wanted to see her. But due to the meetings that had lasted all day, outside was covered in darkness.

“Trix, would it be rude to go to Abella Palace at this hour?”

“Who would dare call it rude to Your Majesty within this imperial palace? If Your Majesty wishes, you can do as you please. Shall we go to Abella Palace?”

“I thought so too. No, I won’t go.”

Edward gazed at the quiet garden of the main palace, shrouded in darkness, for a while before heading to his bedroom.