The imperial meeting fell into silence.

"That's enough, everyone."

Just when the participants were at a loss, another voice sounded at the right time. It was resolute and decisive, breaking the dullness:

"No matter how this letter came, now that it's here, we can't let it go to waste."

Military Advisor, Thordo Red stared angrily:

"Whether it's voluntary or involuntary, whether it's compensation or a transaction, since Duke Kevin Deere's 'kindness' sacrifices his own reputation and interests at the expense of a thousand people, he still wants to write to His Majesty, pay taxes, and share the political burden for us.

Pressure, cheering for the Fuxing Palace..."

"He didn't."

Thordor Red turned his head in shock, but Gilbert still had his eyes closed and was rubbing his forehead.

"Feel sorry?"

Gilbert took a deep breath.

"As far as I know, as early as the end of the reign of the late King Eddie, under the rule of the former Guardian Duke of the South Bank, Leinster Kelvindill, the regular military service system in the Emerald City had been broken and loose, and even existed in name only."

At the imperial meeting, the ministers who did not understand Nan'an Territory were all stunned.

Prime Minister Cullen, on the other hand, frowned.

"So that's how it is, the future life is terrible."

"The South Bank is not the Western Wilderness after all." The Prime Minister of the Kingdom laughed dumbly.

Others were still puzzled, until Gilbert sighed.

"After the Bloody Years, due to the depression in the territory, and in order to mend the wounds, the old Duke of Leinster even allowed some of his vassals not to respond to compulsory conscription and not to contribute prime-age soldiers, but to pay surrogates instead, so that he could hire

Professional mercenaries to deal with large-scale wars such as bandit suppression."

Gilbert explained patiently, slowly returning to his role as an adviser advising the king:

"To this day, the military service system under the jurisdiction of Emerald City is no longer complete and sound - exceptions have gradually become routine, and are extended layer by layer. Even when the military conscription order comes, every family can be exempted from military service as long as they pay enough bribes, and the conscription system has become

This is a loophole in the law that allows military recruiters to plunder civilians and line their own pockets by relying on the draft book."

Military advisor Thordor Red mused.

The expressions of everyone present slowly changed.

King Kessel listened quietly to the foreign minister's explanation, not knowing what he was thinking.

"I remembered the state meeting six years ago, when everyone was making plans to send troops..."

Prime Minister Cullen shook his head and seemed to gain something:

"It seems that Zhan wasn't completely lying at that time."

Gilbert nodded, worried.

"In other words, this seemingly costly petition is nothing more than a favor."

"The Duke of Southbank described the established situation of the Emerald City as his own sacrifice and loyalty, brought the tacit convention to the table and turned it into a black and white decree, and claimed that this was the need of the king and the standing army."

"He doesn't have to pay anything."

Gilbert pushed the "Petition for Replacement" to the center of the discussion table:

"Even if this order is approved by His Majesty, Kevin Deere will not suffer any actual losses. It may also be able to eliminate corruption and inefficient government, standardize the chaos of tax payment, and let the people who have been working hard for a long time applaud and praise.

The Duke of Iris for the people.”

On the other side, "Money Bag" Qiu Ke snorted and added:

"You can also use all the dirty money collected by the people below during the recruitment to enrich yourself - of course, in the name of His Majesty Kessel and the Royal Standing Army."

The Financial Controller rubbed his hands jealously:

"Kevin Deere has been rich for many years and he really has a way."

Gilbert said with a cold face:

"Also, as Master Cullen said, the next time there is a war, the South Coast Territory will be able to refute it at the national meeting with full reason: they have the king's permission to pay taxes and serve as slaves, and do not need to send troops."

The fat prime minister nodded kindly.

Gilbert turned to Advisor Sodol who looked surprised:

"As for what you said, Soduo, Iris stands in line with the Fuxing Palace, providing political support and solidarity..."

Gilbert paused.

"Don't forget, Zhan submitted the "Petition" to His Majesty only after His Highness Thales publicly accused him of being the mastermind behind the banquet."

Prime Minister Cullen took over Gilbert's words, shook his head, and seemed to be in a good mood:

"If the news comes out, as long as it is run properly, it will not be a symbol of Iris siding with the royal family, but just a helpless move by Kevin Deere under pressure from the Renaissance Palace. Not only will the Emerald City not be blamed

Although he was not responsible, he could receive sympathy from his vassals and even the majority of lords in the country - 'The king must have forced him to do it'."

The Prime Minister winked intriguingly:

"Yeah?"

No one answered him.

"It's Fuxing Palace instead."

Gilbert's voice sounded, becoming unhurried, gentle and long again:

"This matter is inherently sensitive. If we are accused of 'forcing the vassals', whether it is reducing levies or expanding the standing army, the pressure we will face will only be greater..."

He didn't say any more, but the atmosphere in the imperial meeting became a little heavier.

"pity."

Chief Financial Officer Qiu Ke slapped his thigh in annoyance:

"It would be great if His Highness Thales didn't howl at Kevin Dill after finding out the truth, but instead suppressed his temper and quietly reported to His Majesty."

"So," Cullen said intentionally or unintentionally, looking at the end of the long table:

"Young man, don't do things in a hurry."

Gilbert's analysis completely wiped out the excitement that the Imperial Council gained from the letter, leaving not a single cent.

Everyone was already tired, and now they were even more disappointed.

"But, everyone."

The military advisor took a deep breath, regained his composure, and raised his hand to attract the attention of the Imperial Council:

"Maybe Iris has her own agenda, but it doesn't affect our choice."

Thordo tried his best to convince everyone:

"The most important thing is, if what this letter says comes true, we will have the replacement taxes that Kevin Deere will pay to expand the standing army..."

But he was interrupted.

"I'm not throwing cold water on you, soldier."

The familiar sarcastic tone of the Financial Controller came again, making Sodo frown severely:

"However, it sounds very good to exempt each level of lords from the obligation to recruit troops to assist in the war, and replace it with special tax items. The money collected can be used to expand the standing army, and then in turn fill in the defense of the disbanded levies and maintain public order..."

Manager Qiu Ke tilted his cheeks with a sly smile and said:

"However, I have to deal with those profiteer lords in Emerald City every quarter. Believe me, they can't do anything else. Every time they collect taxes..."

Soduo snorted angrily:

"How dare they evade taxes?"

"Worse."

Qiu Ke narrowed his eyes:

"They can do the accounting."

Soduo was stunned:

"What?"

Many people frowned, and Prime Minister Cullen glanced at Gilbert with a "Sure enough" look on his face.

Qiu Ke shook his head disdainfully:

"I said that the skills of their accountants are no less than those of the Conmas people. The tax accounts are clear and there is nothing hidden. However, regardless of the calculation of tax rates, the selection of tax items, and the flow of taxes, it is extremely complicated...

"

"Can you believe it? Even though the Emerald City is extremely rich, its sea and land trade business has been growing year after year, and the total floating funds are enough to buy several small principalities, but their book figures are still losing money! And our tax collectors went through their books

I can’t even find a single wrong number in the ledger, there’s nowhere to scrape money, and there may be tax refunds…”

The Financial Controller opened the "Petition", stared at it with disgust, and then threw it down:
To be continued...