Chapter 79

The method of managing a nation…

Ultimately, the most important aspect of what is referred to as politics is ‘production’ and ‘distribution’.

From wheat, barley, fruits, livestock, alcohol, textiles, ores, to people.

The first concern is how to increase the quantity of various products.

To achieve this, the state endeavors to develop agricultural lands, explore mines, and transfer technologies through policy.

However, no matter how much effort the state puts in, there are limits to technological advancement, and hence there are restrictions on increasing production.

Until something revolutionary is developed, production cannot exceed a certain level.

Moreover, any decline in production caused by calamities such as droughts or floods that regularly occur is something even the most outstanding ruler cannot prevent.

That is why, alongside production, the element of politics that is critically evaluated…

Or perhaps even more sensitive and significant due to the greater human touch involved, is ‘distribution’.

Despite pouring all efforts into production, resources are always insufficient.

Those who have nothing struggle to survive,

while those who have seek to satisfy their desire.

Thus, resources are always lacking,

and how to distribute limited resources with minimal dissatisfaction and maximum satisfaction becomes the decisive difference between a successful leader and a failure.

Ultimately, running a city or a state hinges on how well one manages distribution.

In this regard, the current king, Louis…

Is the ultimate decision-maker responsible for the distribution of resources.

In other words, she can be deemed a perfect failure as a ‘lord’.

The fundamental principle of distribution is incredibly simple yet challenging.

To collect more from those who have and distribute to those who have not.

Suppressing the powerful few and working for the many weak is the grand principle of distribution… and politics, and the more challenging the state’s situation, the more important it is to implement policies based on such principles.

However, the current structure of the Kingdom of Frantz is the complete opposite.

It’s a situation where they don’t collect from the wealthy and instead take away from the needy.

The high-ranking clergy and nobles, comprising merely 2% of the total population.

However, the land they own comprises 40% of the kingdom, and along with that, it is prohibited or allowed to collect very minimal tax from them as per national law.

On the other hand, the 98% of commoners are subjected to paying over 50% of their already scarce produce as tax, and in the process, due to deficiencies in the administrative system, they are often robbed of more than the legally stipulated amounts.

Yet, during the reign of the previous absolute monarch, such situations didn’t emerge as a major risk.

While the clergy and nobility legally enjoyed tax-exempt privileges, the late king and his capable chancellor, Eli, collected taxes by suppressing nobles based on absolute royal power, effectively ‘offering’ their wealth.

Though the method was complicated, it was an unavoidable choice at the time to reduce unnecessary noise by upholding the dignity of the nobles who opposed it vehemently.

Furthermore, based on the enormous sums collected in this manner, the late king and the chancellor rolled out various policies for the benefit of the people.

They helped the impoverished, reclaimed lands, and deployed hunters to prevent the rampage of thieves and demon races, establishing several systems that are still highly regarded today.

Even during an unprecedented great famine in the history of the Kingdom of Frantz, almost no one starved to death, and rather the state’s power increased due to these underlying factors.

However.

Once the late king died and a new ruler ascended to the throne, Queen Louis could not utilize such methods.

Despite inheriting immense power from her father, she lacked the resolve to suppress the nobles due to her timid nature.

Instead, she merely displayed signs of being dragged by a few powerful nobles.

Moreover, after the assassination of Chancellor Eli, who was desperately trying to support the nation, King Louis completely lost interest in politics.

Ultimately, she became a powerless figure caught up in the nobles’ manipulation, focused solely on banquets.

Thus, as the funds collected based on the absolute royal power established by the late king and the chancellor vanished, the national finances rapidly deteriorated, forcing an inevitable increase in taxes paid by the commoners.

Consequently, prices skyrocketed, and unable to endure, countless commoners fell into ruin, leading to a decrease in production.

Coupled with famine, the situation of the country… especially in Pare, which had to consume a disproportionately large quantity compared to other regions, deteriorated rapidly.

In this manner, the institution based on the absolute royal power solidified by the late king and the chancellor lost its brilliance.

Alongside the tragic sight of people starving to death in the very heart of the capital, Pare…

*

“This is the current situation our Kingdom of Frantz… this place, Pare, is in. Due to an incompetent king, nobles continue to accumulate wealth while the lives of the common people worsen day by day.”

“Hmm…”

Since it was vaguely described in the original work, I had merely brushed over it.

Hearing it explained in more detail through Robes Fiora, I slowly nodded, but…

To be honest, I lacked significant interest.

Whether it’s the Ancien Régime or the Henri Réal.

After all, I’m not a citizen of this country,

so how many nobles are committing wrongdoing or how many are starving matters little to me.

However, separate from this political backdrop, there was one ‘target’ they were aiming for that I couldn’t help but be interested in.

“To break this situation, we are planning a revolution in alliance with General Rafael.”

“To overthrow the wicked oppressors, Duke Ocleang and King, and make this land a country of freedom… transforming it into a nation led by the people, unlike a single incompetent king, much like the United States of Amerigo across the sea… that’s the revolution we’re talking about.”

With grand discussions from Napoleona and Robes Fiora,

the practical conclusion was quite straightforward.

To kill Duke Ocleang and his cronies, who have brought death to the Kingdom of Frantz.

In the process, taking the king’s power and giving it to the citizens was merely an added bonus.

After all, my ultimate goal was to rescue Ambasha, who would be dragged somewhere after we beat Duke Ocleang, so I merely had to play along with their plans for now.

What would happen afterward was a matter for the revolution and those involved to sort out, so there was no need for me to worry about it.

With that, after the situation was laid out, we proceeded to discuss the most critical part.

“So, when and how do you plan to execute the operation?”

“We are looking at the Three Estates Meeting as the starting point. It’s one of the few moments when commoners like us can face the nobility. After infiltrating there, we wait. General Rafael will take the opportunity of Duke Ocleang’s impeachment due to the failure of this pirate king hunting operation.”

With her eyes sparkling, Robes Fiora enthusiastically spoke,

and Napoleona continued her explanation.

“When the impeachment proceeds and the atmosphere becomes chaotic, under the pretext of a conflict, we’ll launch into full-scale combat. Killing Duke Ocleang and overpowering the remaining nobles and the king will result in a successful revolution.”

“Considering that Duke Ocleang’s military capabilities have significantly weakened after this disastrous failure, coupled with the Pirate King joining the fray, there’s no way we can lose.”

“I understand. I’ll move to that rhythm.”

Though it was a coup, it was quite a credible plan with its rationale secured.

I nodded in agreement, but…

To be honest, I didn’t believe things would proceed that smoothly.

According to the original work, this part serves as a background explanation of past events, so I didn’t know the detailed matters.

However, the character presumed to be Duke Ocleang.

If that’s the case, he would likely know the general flow of the original work, anticipate what would happen, and be well-prepared.

“In the original, this revolution is said to succeed in the end, but someone who knows the future won’t just stand by and let that happen. He’ll definitely pull some tricks.”

This place is the enemy’s lair, so secure countermeasures wouldn’t be easy.

However, it’s not like I could just enter without any plans and fall flat on my face.

Thus, I decided to play along with their plan while also devising an additional strategy.

*

“A Three Estates Meeting? Am I, a noble, really supposed to share a seat with such peasants?”

“Please, Duke. Regardless, it is the king’s command.”

“Additionally, I’ve been told this meeting is vital for state management. Even if you aren’t pleased, please attend and grace us with your presence.”

The subservient nobles did their utmost to persuade the Duke.

Knowing that the purpose of the meeting was to shift the burden of taxes onto the commoners, they understood that by not attending, they were only losing out.

However, the Duke, who was uninterested due to his position and power, was not bothered by this.

“By the way… what happened to those who went to hunt the Pirate King? Why haven’t I heard anything yet? Damn it. At the very least, I wanted to get a hold of that Ambasha before the Three Estates Meeting…”

While tangled in such thoughts of personal desire during this situation, Duke Ocleang was pondering.

At that moment…

“Duke, a guest has arrived.”

“A guest? Who could possibly be here at this hour?”

An individual who arrived rather late.

Duke Ocleang displayed confusion,

and before him stood one of the people he had been thinking of, respectfully bowing.

“I apologize for the intrusion, Duke.”

“It’s you… General Garden?”