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Chapter 1286 - 1286 229 Trade Shrinkage

1286: Chapter 229: Trade Shrinkage 1286: Chapter 229: Trade Shrinkage A contract appeared before everyone, and the expressions on their faces turned grim.

This blatant mistrust made everyone extremely uncomfortable.

Perhaps sensing everyone’s apprehension, the Lord of Darkness explained sincerely:

“Sorry, for the safety of all, I must be cautious!

If word leaks out, I’m afraid our forces won’t have time to assemble before being wiped out by nobles everywhere.”

This was a realistic problem; compared to the Noble Consortium, the Cultist Group’s strength was truly too meager.

The reasoning was sound, but no one dared to let down their guard; everyone stepped forward to check the contract for any issues.

Clearly, this mistrust was not isolated.

Among the representatives of the cult organizations present, no one trusted anyone else.

The contract was signed, but the seeds of discord had been planted.

The upcoming alliance was destined to be guided by each party’s own interests.

…

In the Falcon Kingdom, at the Opili Manor.

Representatives of the emerging nobility from all over the kingdom gathered together, with Viscount Catalino, the initiator of the meeting, speaking first:

“Ladies and gentlemen, the topic of our discussion today is somewhat grave.

Presumably, everyone has felt the hostility from the established nobility that controls the kingdom government.

In the latest revision of the kingdom’s laws, there again appears clauses for raising tariffs.

Once the bill is passed, nearly all industries will be severely impacted.

We occupy less than one-fifth of the seats in parliament, and once a proposal enters the decision-making process there, its passage is almost inevitable!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room became tense.

As an island nation, the development of the Falcon Kingdom is inevitably tied to the sea.

The established nobility owns eighty percent of the kingdom’s land and, due to self-imposed isolation, missed the development boon of maritime trade, leaving the opportunity to the emerging nobility.

Without any surprises, the Emerging Aristocrat Group that benefited from the maritime trade boom rose rapidly within just a few decades.

Feeling their power and status threatened, the established Nobles Consortium naturally would not just sit back and do nothing.

On one hand, they actively engaged in maritime trade, and on the other, they used their power to set up developmental obstacles for the emerging nobility.

Against this backdrop, conflict between the two quickly arose.

Unwilling to relinquish their hold on interests, the Emerging Nobility first launched blockades at sea, causing heavy losses to the established nobility.

Then, they engaged the old Nobles Consortium in the political arena.

From everyone’s expressions, it was clear they were at a disadvantage in the political struggle.

“Honorable Viscount Catalino, what is the King’s stance now?”

Baron Miklos asked with concern.

In the face-off between the emerging and established noble factions, the King’s position is crucial.

In fact, the initial conflict was sparked by the King himself.

However, the power of the Falcon Royal Family is limited; they have the ability to provoke opposition between the two factions, but lack the ability to control the subsequent course of events.

The contradiction between the new and old nobility is not an overnight matter.

What is being fought over now are only the most representative issues; the essence of the conflict is still rooted in the clash of production modes.

The established nobility relies heavily on agricultural production, whereas the Emerging Nobility is dominated by commerce.

For the Emerging Nobility to gain a larger market for goods, they must topple the traditional mode of production, somewhat akin to a bourgeois revolution.

The difference is that the strength of the Falcon Kingdom’s noble groups is too enormous; from the birth of capital, it has been dependent on the nobility, and to some extent, the two have merged.

“Your Majesty has always been trying to keep things balanced.

It’s nearly impossible for him to come out and support us!”

Viscount Catalino shook his head and said.

The Emerging Aristocrat Group was fostered by the former King, but the current King ascended to the throne with the support of the old nobility.

The lack of a clear stance is already considered support for them.

Unfortunately, for the Emerging Aristocrat Group, this bit of support is utterly insufficient.

To close the political gap with the old nobility, nothing less than the King’s full support would suffice.

“Let’s not make things difficult for the King; his position is inherently illegitimate.

By relying on the support of the old nobility, he surpassed the second in line to the throne; how could he possibly stand with us?

The enemy’s sword has already reached our chests, the best choice now is to take swift and thunderous action in retaliation.

The longer we delay, the situation will only become less favorable for us!”

Viscount Frolov said with a cold laugh from the side.

As part of the younger faction among the Emerging Nobility, he detested the ways of the old nobility and had long wanted to overturn these established beneficiaries.

However, within the Emerging Nobility, many were wary of the old nobility’s deep roots and dared not act rashly.

The situation is now different; the old nobility have forced their way to their doorstep and are touching everyone’s interests.

Each copper coin added to the tariffs is like blood being drawn from them.

Clearly, the old nobility, seeing they can’t get a piece of the action, want to overturn the table and reshuffle the deck.

“Viscount Frolov, our strength doesn’t have much of a chance against the old nobility.

We’ve developed for too short a time; maybe we surpass the old nobility in middle and lower forces, but we still fall short in numbers of experts.

If it really comes to that point, we might face complete annihilation!”

Baron Obestan said pensively.

This was the view of the majority of the Emerging Nobility; if they had overwhelming strength, they would have taken action long ago.