King
Chapter 1305 - 1305 235 A Run on Banks_2

1305: Chapter 235: A Run on Banks_2 1305: Chapter 235: A Run on Banks_2 It’s impossible to agree!

Just by reducing the taxes, the Kingdom’s finances would suffer a heavy blow, not to mention allocating funds for disaster relief.

Moreover, the disaster-affected area is so vast, if we accept the requests from these thirteen provinces, it’s likely that other provinces will follow suit.

Such a financial gap could very well bankrupt the Kingdom’s coffers.

“Marquis Delgado, what’s your take on this matter?”

Caesar IV asked the Minister of Finance.

If he cannot be the bad guy himself, then he can only push the Minister of Finance to take the fall.

After all, most of the projects involving money that have been rejected in the past have been the doing of the Ministry of Finance.

Having offended people so many times, everybody seems to care less about it.

After all, how bad the Kingdom’s financial situation is a well-known fact.

“Your Majesty, this matter is somewhat complicated.

The range of the disaster this time is vast, a rarity in hundreds of years.

In theory, the Kingdom Government should reduce taxes and offer help to the local nobles.

However, we are in a fiscal situation where the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!”

Rhetorical artistry can’t change the outcome; lack of funds is always the ultimate killer.

Among all the ministers of the Kingdom, Marquis Delgado is the least afraid of being sent packing.

Everyone knows it’s a mess; no matter who takes over, it’s all about robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The worst part is being compared with one’s predecessor, and the slightest carelessness can lead to a barrage of curses.

If the Kingdom’s finances really do go bankrupt during his tenure, the Minister of Finance will become the biggest scapegoat.

Worse yet, heads might roll to quell public anger.

No one among the major nobles is really interested in this hot potato of a position.

There are some among the minor nobles who are eager to try, but no one dares to let them take the spot.

After all, putting a fool in the position of Minister of Finance is seen as the utmost irresponsibility to the Kingdom by those with vested interests.

“Chancellor, what do you think?”

Caesar IV continued to inquire.

Watching the King he had personally supported become more adept at the art of rulership, Prime Minister Duke Newfoundland felt a mix of joy and concern.

For the Royal Family, the more capable the King is, the better; but for the Chancellor, it’s quite the opposite.

After all, royal authority and the Chancellor’s power are inherently conflicting yet unified.

Whenever the King wields strong power, the Chancellor’s influence inevitably gets weakened.

Grand Duke Newfoundland, distinguished for his eminent services, has significant influence in the Court and is not someone Caesar IV can suppress easily.

The King’s maturing use of imperial strategies also signals that the Grand Duke’s tenure may not be far from its end.

“Your Majesty, all things should be done within our means!

I suggest tax relief only within the financial capacity and, as for disaster relief funds, distribute some based on the actual situation.”

Prime Minister Duke Newfoundland’s reply had a taste of playing both sides, but for the current situation of the Kingdom of Alpha, it was already the best option.

The biggest advantage of the tax farming system is this: no matter what happens, someone is always there to cover the tax revenue.

The Kingdom Government can choose to reduce taxes, but it is not obliged to do so.

Giving a symbolic gesture, in reality, is also taking care of everyone’s dignity.

Caesar IV’s brows slightly furrowed; this was clearly not the answer he wanted.

If possible, he would prefer to use this opportunity to push for tax reform in the Kingdom.

Unfortunately, the Chancellor did not understand his intentions.

Or perhaps he did but chose not to cooperate with his actions.

Without strong support within the government, relying solely on the wishful thinking of the Ministry of Finance along with his support as the King, the chances of success were indeed too low.

Considering the Kingdom’s past reforms, they were successful due to a strong push from the government and the support of some local authorities with real power.

The current situation is clearly different; tax reform actually means cutting into the Noble’s profits.

If the Kingdom Government takes more, the Noble Lords naturally get less.

Without money in their hands, how will they maintain their troops?

It should be noted that to expand the military for preparedness, the number of banquets held by the Kingdom has been greatly reduced in recent years.

Various extravagant hobbies that used to be popular in noble circles have now disappeared without a trace.

It’s not that their hearts have changed; it’s simply that the competition within the Noble Consortium has become too fierce.

The incompetents who lacked ability have mostly died off.

The current crop of Lords have, nine times out of ten, seen battlefields.

Having witnessed the bloodshed on the battlefields firsthand, they would be foolish not to realize the need for military expansion and preparedness.

Compared to the strengthening of the Kingdom’s military might, everyone would rather see their own armed forces grow stronger.

When it comes to the utilization rate of funds, money in the hands of the Kingdom Government isn’t necessarily more efficient than in the hands of the Noble Lords.

“Let’s proceed with that for now!”

Caesar IV said with noticeable disappointment.

Deep down, he reaffirmed his determination to strengthen royal authority.

…

The minor incident in the Capital was soon over.

The clash between the King and the Chancellor is a secret reserved for the highest echelon.

The disaster-stricken Noble Lords are currently busy organizing production and self-help efforts.

In many places, there appeared Noble Lords personally overseeing supervision and command on the front lines, an advantage of their usual well-trained state.

The trained serfs could basically understand and follow the Noble Lord’s commands.

The untrained serfs, on the other hand, are relatively slow to act.

But they knew to work along with their counterparts and could barely keep up.