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Chapter 736 - 736 29 Power Transition _2

736: Chapter 29, Power Transition _2 736: Chapter 29, Power Transition _2 To secure a marriage alliance with the Koslow Family after Hudson’s rise, one must have some substantial assets.

Modest nobility without any funds simply cannot attract the attention of such major nobles.

Currently, those who genuinely need financial assistance are only a small part of those known to us who’ve had bad luck.

For various reasons, they perfectly missed the rise of Hudson and weren’t able to benefit from it at all.

…

“Count, are we just going to let the Governor do whatever he likes?”

A familiar voice rang in his ear, interrupting Hudson’s train of thought.

“Katelai, you’re too impatient.

The game has just begun, why the rush?

This time around, we may not necessarily be at a disadvantage.

Everyone had to chip in more money, but the Dalton Family had to contribute the most gold coins among all the nobility in the province.

The old major nobles indeed have substantial wealth, but that wealth was accumulated over countless years by their ancestors.

With the way Earl Piers is squandering this wealth, it’s impossible that there aren’t any objections within the Dalton Family.

A few losses can be tolerated for the sake of the bigger picture, but if the losses pile up, things become very problematic.

However, you have a point.

If we remain completely idle, everyone might think that we’re scared of him.

Here’s an idea: let’s spread a rumor that Earl Piers is aware of everyone’s plight, and those who have run out of money can borrow from the Dalton Family!”

Hudson said, smirking coldly.

“Count, a single rumor probably won’t have much effect.

The Dalton Family is deeply rooted in the Southeastern Province, and the minor nobles wouldn’t dare provoke them.

Unless we orchestrate it subtly, rallying the nobility of the province against them, refusing to pay the repayment tax.

However, that carries a serious risk; if the matter escalates it will undoubtedly alert the Kingdom.

To assemble funds to repay the debt, all internal forces in the country will likely require us to continue to fulfil our tax obligations!”

Baron Katelai said fretfully.

Looking at his subordinate before him, Hudson was beginning to wonder if he had pampered him too much, before an understanding dawned on him.

Katelai was indeed skilled, but a series of setbacks had eroded all his confidence, leaving none of his former pride and determination.

If he were starting his own enterprise, this change would be disastrous.

But as a subordinate, perhaps it was better for him not to be too ambitious.

“What you’re describing is the typical scenario.

Humans are the most complex beings.

When pushed to the brink, they are capable of anything.

We don’t need them to wage war against the Dalton Family, we just need to gather a group of bankrupt or near-bankrupt minor nobles to protest at the gates of the Governor’s Mansion during critical moments.

When in trouble, they should turn to the Governor; it’s all official business.

Our Governor Piers is a responsible noble; if everyone’s struggling because of him, he can’t just ignore it, right?”

Hudson said with a mocking tone.

These might be insignificant tactics, but they could throw Earl Piers into chaos at the crucial moment.

Refusing to help would tarnish his reputation; helping would not only cost money and effort, but also block the path for many others.

To woo a group of destitute nobles and offend the influential factions in the province at the same time was a clear loss no matter how you looked at it.

…

In the capital, as soon as he had seen off the nobility from within the Kingdom, a worn-out Caesar III lay down.

Originally, there was another task for this gathering – to officially confer titles to the meritorious vassals stemming from the war.

Unfortunately, Caesar III’s health failed to hold up, and he was unable to preside over the ceremony.

So he simply used the Kingdom’s system as an excuse: nobles were to be conferred titles once every five years.

Counting the days, it was less than half a year shy of five years since the last title conferment.

Normally, such things would be combined to save everyone a trip.

However, rules can be changed; after all, the actual benefits have already been reaped, and all we lack now is a ceremony.

Nobody wanted to argue with the King over such a trivial issue.

After all, a dying man isn’t easy to provoke!

No one could guarantee that Caesar III would remain rational.

If someone accidentally upset him and he decided to drag the instigator to meet the Lord of the Dawn, disregarding his own reputation, wouldn’t that be a tragedy?

“Little Caesar, from now on, the affairs of the kingdom are all in your hands.

Since our ancestors founded the Alpha Kingdom, it has been passed down for over three hundred years, during which we have withstood countless trials and tribulations.

The Alpha Kingdom you are taking over now is at once the best and the worst it has ever been.

Without the threat of the Orcs, we can fully develop and try to catch up with the powerful countries of the South Continent; but because of this, unity within the kingdom is no longer a reality.

The current strife is only the beginning.

As time goes by, internal conflicts in the kingdom will become increasingly fierce.

Remember one principle: stability above all else.

Based on this, you also need to vigorously develop the royal estate and maintain a balance among the major forces within the kingdom.

The major nobles are the cornerstone of the kingdom, but it is the minor nobles who form the foundation of the royal family.

No matter how the situation develops, they cannot be allowed to merge their lands.

I have laid out the path for you, how you walk it now depends on you.

What I can do now is to hold on for a few more days and buy you some last time.

Little…

Caesar…you…must…”

At the end of his speech, Caesar III could barely connect his sentences.

The sight of him struggling to voice his thoughts moved everyone to tears.

Crown Prince Caesar, standing by the bed, broke down in tears.

However, he kept reassuring his father until Caesar III finally lost consciousness and fell into a coma on his bed.

The priest and magician standing guard nearby hurriedly came forward, pouring a mysterious potion into Caesar III’s mouth.

“Alright, Little Caesar.

Your Majesty is tired, he needs to rest.

You’re a grown-up now, you have to learn to face things on your own.

Looking at the condition of His Majesty’s body, he can only hold on for three more months at most.

You must take control of the court within these three months, to ensure a seamless transition of power!”

The Archbishop Tyron said sorrowfully.

The most outstanding monarch of the Alpha Kingdom is nearing the end of his life.

What will the next era bring?

No one knows for certain.

The people now present in the ward are all members of the royal family.

They are all team players, sharing weal and woe together.

“Is there any way to extend my father’s life?

No matter what it costs, no matter what treasures are needed, I will work hard to find them!”

Crown Prince Caesar said excitedly.

A father’s love is like a mountain, which one may not appreciate until the moment of life and death arrives and its absence suddenly becomes evident.

All the moments, even the times he was punished for causing trouble, are now precious memories in his mind.

“Alright, Little Caesar.

You are the next monarch of the kingdom, stop behaving like a little girl.

His Majesty’s candle is nearly spent, do not distress him further.

What you need to do is to take control of the court as soon as possible so he can rest peacefully.”

The words of Archbishop Tyron put out Crown Prince Caesar’s last hope.

Without his father to shelter him from the storm, he is now lost and bewildered.

After a long while, he finally nodded solemnly.

“Chancellor, my father repeatedly instructed me to consult you on political issues.

Where should I start?”

It was clear that Crown Prince Caesar had matured, albeit at a heavy price.

“Your Highness, the central government has been operating under our royal family for hundreds of years, and most of the core positions are in the hands of the royal family, so there will not be much chaos.

The real trouble you need to face now is on the local level.

Apart from the jurisdiction of the royal family, each of the other provinces is under the control of local major nobles.

There isn’t much room for us to intervene.

The biggest problem in every transfer of royal power has always been the land annexation carried out by the major nobles.

Now that the power of domestic major nobles has become so strong, we cannot let their power continue to expand unchecked.

In fact, His Majesty has left a countermeasure for you, which is to use the mutual checks and balances among the nobles to maintain the balance of the kingdom.

In the coming days, whoever dares to annex land will be the one we clamp down on!”

…