Chapter 74: Ninth Episode: Chapter 1 (1/2)
Chapter 74: Ninth Episode: Chapter 1
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Year 791, 21st day of the 10th month on Titan Empire’s divine Light Calendar, a fire beacon suddenly ignited in the southern territory of this ancient Empire. However, the Capital’s Military were having problems trying to verify the enemies’ identities, not the Farans, more so not the Italians who had just been utterly defeated. It was strangely quiet at the Empire’s national border; there was no trace of suffering from an enemy invasion. Then how did the fire beacon light up?
A rebellion? A riot? Aside from these, there were no other possible explanations. Enemies had appeared from within the Empire; they are to one’s surprise, those farmers, hunters, merchants and craftsmen in various workshops.
Why would the southern mountain region become Titan Empire’s most populated and affluent region? Following the shift in the mainland’s economic terrain, the merchants and various businessmen started to concentrate along the coastal areas. We know that Titan Empire did not set out to sea, but yet it had the largest consumer groups of Westland. As an ancient nation, it occupied the mainland’s first place in terms of the number of Titan nobles and wealth that they possessed. When the Persians cut off the trading route in the East, there was a change in the supply and demand of the luxury goods.
As nobles, they needed a standard method that allowed them to continuously add to their wealth. However, the luxurious goods were dwindling, and the prices were soaring. Thus, the increase in the buying power also determines the noble class’ exploitation strength.
In Titan, there were two forms of address of the people. Those who had their own lands and property were collectively called the free people while those who had nothing and had to serve in the nobles’ territories were called tenants. This was the foundation of Titan Empire’s governing and also the cornerstone for producing wealth. Nobles were a social class that reaped without sowing; they possessed territories and various properties. Furthermore, the Empire’s government will grant an annuity to the nobles according to the class of their titles.
To the nobles, the very existence of the governing foundation was entirely for them. The wealth that the free people created was private property that received the protection of the gods. The nobles of Titan admitted this, but they could use the nation’s power to plunder and taxation was undoubtedly the best channel. Titan’s taxation had already reached the degree of one over twelve for tax in the sixth century. This was at that time the highest among the Western Kingdoms. However, this situation worsened further in the seventh century, taxation of one over tenth, and taxation for one over nine appeared one after another. In certain private territories in a vast region, taxations with the standard of one to five appeared in succession. Just like this, the wealth generated by the free people declined because after the riches entered the state treasury, their value deteriorated.
As for the tenants, only god knows how they continue to survive! The number of tenants that the Titan noble class possessed should be seven tenth and above, of the entire population. Other classes were the citizen class, the free people, and another half were the families with Military merits and the aristocratic families of the knights, while only the remaining small portions are the nobles themselves.
The nobles were extremely cruel with regards to the tenants’ deprivation. Exploitation of the tenants’ labor for free had become a tradition. There was nothing to be said regarding this, the nobles’ principles were built on this tradition. However, the tenants’ situation not only stopped at losing the fruits of their labor; if the nobles disliked the name tenant, then mules or cattle were more suited for these lowly low class people. The nobles had complete authority over the tenants in their territories; if this did not count, then the old Lords of Titan had methods of abuse or one could say, methods of having fun that were newer and more cruel.
Speaking of it would greatly offend the God of Light; so let’s forget about it, we only need to know that the Lords of Titan slept on a gold mountain that was compact with skeletons.
Although an overwhelming majority of Titan’s people were already insensitive to the views of the Vatican and the cruel poisoning by the rulers, but a nationality would forever have a group of people brimming with bravery. When their wives or daughters were seized, when their lands were robed, when survival became a dream for them, the people rose and rebelled. In year 571 on Titan’s Church’s Calendar, an uprising erupted with the Tanz peoples’ opposition against the new taxation laws, in year 612, ”The Farmers’ Uprising” erupted, year 617, the ”Great Southern Uprising” in opposition of the Vatican’s one to eleven taxation erupted, year 629, the ”Uprising of the Guilds” erupted in the area of Dulin, in year 677, ”Uprising of the Ranchers” erupted in the southern plains, in year 680, ”Uprising of the Forest Workers” erupted in the northern forest area in opposition of tyranny.
Bathed in the peasants’ smoke of war, the Titan Empire underwent a bumpy ride to finally arrive in Church’s year 791. The beacons ignited for survival once again sprang up and spread across the southern territories, but this time it had a different nature than the previous peasant conflicts. A completely new class played the role of leader of the uprising, they poured in new energy and new meaning for the war to crusade against the nobles.
The south was just as that of Alfa III’s understanding. This was Titan’s merchant class and the new nobles’ roots. Geographically, we could see that the mountain area was Titan’s region that was closest to the coastal Kingdoms. Although transport was inconvenient and the annual trading period was greatly affected by the weather, but this still became the distribution center for the exchange and distribution of goods with the coastal Kingdom. The merchants’ activities spurred the economic development of the whole region while some of the merchants were even conferred with noble titles due to their contribution to Titan’s Imperial household. The status of these new nobles were lowly, they even did not have the right to join the region’s House of Lords.
Thus, the contradiction became prominent; the merchants possessed financial resources more solid than that of the noble class, but they however had no influence at all in the National policy and the nobles could still make use of the privilege in their grasp to exploit. The new nobles who were differentiated out from among the merchants also started to express intense unease for their situation; they not only had to pay tribute to the country but also had to endure taxations like the merchants and the progressively unreasonable commerce policies.
Hence, in Light’s year 791, after the dialogue between the merchant class and the new nobles with the local government fell through, they already lost their patience to continue to compromise with the ruling class. An unprecedented scale of an armed battle slowly came into being; a conspiracy aimed at Titan’s highest ruling authorities slowly came to surface. When Titan’s Southern Region was occupied with conducting an assault on Italia, the insurgents who were hiding in various farms and workshops received their arms in succession. Finally, when the empty southern mountain region was immersed in a jubilant mood over their victorious battle against Italia, the insurgents removed their disguises, flashed their swords and attacked the cities and villages in the mountain area madly. The nobles who had once stepped all over them had became lowly prisoners overnight. The insurgents put on leg chains and iron clamps onto these Lords. As for those who were the most treacherous and evil among them, the guillotines and gallows were their belonging.
”Freedom!” ”Equality!” The nobles heard the insurgents’ cheering before they were executed, but they still could not make sense of the meaning of these two unfamiliar words until their death.
This was the most fundamental difference between the southern uprising in year 791 and any of the other peasant wars in history. The rising merchant class had already done adequate mental preparations for the uprising. When the poor and miserable tenants took up their hoes, the propagandists informed them, we do not only fight for survival, but more so, we fight for equality and liberty. The eyes of the people shone with a look that they never had before. Perhaps they would be impaled and crucified by the soldiers of the Lords who came to suppress them, but at least they would earn an opportunity for their future generations!
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”So? As the ruler of this Empire! Don’t tell me that I don’t have any means?” Alfa III sat upright in his throne, having not slept the whole night.
”Victory? How ridiculous our victory is! Our victory actually ruined ourselves!” The Emperor gazed at the obedient cabinet ministers beneath his throne, unable to refrain from thundering at them.
”The Tower of Heroes has already been lighted the whole night and my army has actually yet to obtain any useful information, while my secret service, hahaha!” The Emperor instead laughed in his rage.
”Count Rudolf Hoss, have you been staying too long in Dulin? Do you want to return to the younger days when you trained everywhere? Tell me! When I asked you about the Secret Service’s investigation in the South, how did you answer me? In the presence of these cabinet ministers, tell me!”
”Your Majesty!” Rudolf Hoss was a little nervous, but he still had on an emboldened look. ”The special case officer in charged of the incident of His Imperial Highness Prince and Her Imperial Highness Princess’ encounter with the assassins had gone missing, we are unable to determine whether he is alive or dead, but there is another possibility that cannot be ruled out, this officer may have betrayed and fled to...”
”That’s enough!” The Emperor’s roar reverberated throughout the palace. ”I...I did not expect the secret service that is in charged of managing the Empire’s secret missions had already fallen to this plight! We would have had a very clear grasp on the armed rebellion once upon a time, but now, we have even lost contact with the South!”
”So...” Alfa III gripped the stack of documents in his hands tightly, he knew that he had to make a firm resolution; the reorganization of the secret service had already been settled conclusively.
”All of you get back to your posts! Especially you!” The Emperor pointed at Hoss.
”Marshal Alan! Please accompany for a while.” The Emperor suddenly issued an invitation to the Empire’s Military Affairs Chancellor just when the crowd of cabinet ministers was about to exit the doors of the palace hall.
The absolutely empty main halls no longer bear the clamor and noise of the previous night. Glasses and dishes were in disarray on the tabletop even the overturned and tilted sofa had not been put back in order. The Emperor seemed to have aged a lot, he stooped down with his eyes trained at who knows where for a very long time, until the Marshal placed a cup of steaming hot black tea.
”Your Majesty! It’s still best if you go rest a while! The military has veterans and as for the Secret Service, although Your Majesty’s anger is relevant, but as long as Count Hoss truly throw in his efforts, I believe that there will not be much of a problem.”
”Thank you!” The Emperor took the teacup; he once again stared at the dark black liquid, lost in thought.
”Your Majesty!” The old Marshal really felt that this was not the time to remain silent, ”I believe the staff officers and combat divisions have now already issued out a corresponding deployment against the unrest that suddenly broke out in the South. Although the situation is still unclear, but as long as the counterinsurgency troops arrive at their positions, there should...”
”Marshal! This I am still not that worried about! Those who initiated the revolt are nothing more than the underclass who are like worms.” The Emperor shook his head. ”Do you know? I am worried about a different issue. My daughter, little Alanis, she mentioned this when she was speaking about the time she encountered assassins in the mountains, ‘If the ones who came up with this conspiracy are the people within the Empire, then I have reason to believe that there is a change in the loyalty and belief of the Empire’s subjects towards the Imperial Household.’ Now this, is the most dangerous!”
The Marshal nodded his head lightly. To the Morisette Dynasty, the people were the foundation of their rule. Once this foundation started to crumble from within, then it will not be long before the days of an interregnum.
”You Majesty, your worries are yet to be proved, perhaps...”
”No!” Alfa III once again denied the Marshal’s words, ”Just last night, my son-in-law and I were having a secret talk. He mentioned of an official of the Secret service operation in Rylie province. This secret service official already developed doubts and fear over the enormous power of the Merchant class, so... the fire beacon came just at the right time!”
The Emperor finished drinking his tea, ”using assassins to cripple the southern government and military body, and some more, taking advantage of the Empire’s attack of Italia to deplete the southern military force, and initiating a riot the eve before their victory, using the fastest speed to seize all the significant territories in the south. My Military Affairs Chancellor...” The Emperor suddenly broke into a sinister laugh.
”If my speculations really come to stand, then this means that we have been played into the hands of others! Can you accept this kind of arrangements?”
Alan’s expression altered again and again. When he saw the fire beacon, many thoughts ran through his mind. However, when he personally voiced them, the feeling of shame would surge in like a tide, perhaps... the people had already forgotten about the Silver Fox’s cunning and terror?
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”Your Majesty! The military is awaiting your command” The old Marshal stood up respectfully.
”For the rebels, show absolutely no tolerance! For those who sympathize, they are guilty as for treason! For those who are on the fence, their crimes are as their associates! For the counterinsurgents that fails, their military office and titles will be questioned!”
”We will abide to the Emperor’s command!” The old Marshal bowed deeply.
”My Marshal!” The Emperor helped Alan up; ”I really do not know what will become of the Empire if it loses you.”
Alan had already passed the emotional age, but he still accepted the Emperor’s compliment gladly, ”Your Majesty, the efforts of my fellow military colleagues also speak for themselves.”
”Let’s not talk about this anymore!” The Emperor was suddenly impatient, he waved his hand in annoyance and shame, ”I still do not know just what kind of people those who manage the nation for me are. They rely on the benevolence of their forefathers and run amok, just like Rudolf’s secret service, aside from embezzling the public funds, there is nothing else that they are good at!”
Without a word, Alan stood down, the secret service were not something he could simply appraise.
”The very existence of the Empire has already received threats from within, the prestige of the Imperial household has also been contradicted by the ruling foundation. It seems... The reorganization of the secret service department and the corresponding autocratic sector is required!” The Emperor expressed while opening the files that had always been in his hands.
”Your Majesty! You are saying that...” Alan did not conceal the joy on his face.
”That’s right!” The Emperor gazed resolutely at the old Marshal, ”I will secretly assemble the main Imperial Household members and the external influential families to conduct a coordination conference soon and then during the House of Lords Annual Meeting that comes then after, haha!”
The Emperor suddenly paused, his expression was as if he wanted to pick someone to devour!
”I will like to put forth a proposal to establish a cabinet in the Ministry of Senior Nobility, reorganize the Secret Service Department, the Justice Department, and the Military Affairs Department!”
”Your Majesty!” Alan stood up abruptly. ”The Ministry of Senior Nobility will never approve of this proposal that severely sways the authority and benefits of the noble class! They will oppose it vehemently, so... I feel that they may not even spare a thought and also will not consent to your proposition of reform.”
”Of course they will not agree!” Alfa III chuckled, ”how can those men give up the authority that they had held in their hands for all these years easily? However... Count Hoss’ office desk is already piled up with quite a lot of filthy charges. The trading of the nations’ interest, the embezzlement of the country’s wealth, the illegal acquisition of gold, smuggling, theft, adultery, incest... My distinguished marshal, truly, I cannot continue on; if I were to list out every charge, it will at least take until the later half of the night today. These damned fools! If all these wretched men were to go to hell... I believe that a quarter of the seats in the Ministry of Senior Nobility will be vacant. When the time comes... Do you still think that my proposal will be overruled?”
Alan had already tried his best to appear composed, but he still could not help but to shudder mildly. If His Majesty the Emperor really planned to carry out the things that he just heard, then... this would undoubtedly be the largest purging operation in the whole few hundred years history of the Titan Empire.
”Your Majesty, are you certain? You should know, I will absolutely show no compassion to those nobles who willingly went corrupt; I would just like to remind you, although your way of handling things will be able to achieve the objective of reorganizing the government smoothly, but... but the resentment and fear of the noble class towards you will accumulate to a certain extent.”
”I understand this reasoning!” The Emperor appeared unconcerned, ”Let them fear! Let them hate! Their authority will be taken over by the new generation that is far more loyal than them; the departments that have been corrupted by them will be reconstructed by new policies and when everything has settled down, who would care about those who dug their own graves!”
Alan fell silent, he was aware that the matter would absolutely not be as optimistic as the Emperor made it out to be.
”So... Your distinguished Marshal.” The Emperor indicated the files in his hands, ”The Military Intelligence Bureau, hehe! Why say that the fire beacons arrived right on time? It has truly allowed me to understand the value of existing in this world. If this completely new Secret Service Department really forms as you say, then the Empire’s military affairs will take a huge leap forwards, I can even foresee that Titan will no longer be hampered by sudden military incidents! Isn’t that right?”
Alan nodded his head, ”Your Majesty, these are just what my fellow-workers and I are striving for.”
”Make it happen!” The Emperor placed the files into the old Marshal’s hands. ”I understand that this will be a long process, but please do not doubt my resolve!”
”Wise and great Majesty Alfa III!” Marshal Alan gave an exceptionally respectful salute, ”you will see the great divine Titan once again rise and soar in under your lead!”
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This was a very chaotic tussle; this was a war between men and woman. The intertwining of limbs and the exchange of bodily fluids could not explain the meaning within; even a man’s exploration of a woman’s naked body could not reveal the difference between the reproductive organs, while a female could not obtain redemption and spiritual solace from the male’s resurgence.
The youngster’s desire came fiercely and swiftly and the loss of energy and release came so fast left him in awe.
”Fenrar!” Did you claw my back rotten?” Oscar caressed the female body beside him.
”Mmm...”
The youngster pushed the trainee doctor that had no marks, lightly to the side. He surveyed the surroundings. That’s right! This was his bedroom in Kenshin Palace. Here, there was his polar bear sofa, Annie, Fenrar and his mother’s spirit.