leonardwarren Chapter 400: Persuasion
Chapter 400: Persuasion
Chapter 400: Persuasion
TL: Etude
In February of the year 1994 of the holy calendar, the lords of Alda, Baylding, Portry, Lanaka, and Marltz once again gathered in Lakeheart Town.
Soon after, a joint statement from the five lords spread throughout the surrounding lands—the Northwestern Customs Union was established.
According to the statement, the purposes behind the establishment of the Union were to promote trade development among the member territories and to combat foreign goods in order to protect the burgeoning manufacturing industry in the northwestern region.
The lords pledged to gradually reduce and eventually eliminate tolls between their lands and adopt a unified tax policy against external entities. The tariffs collected would serve as public funds for the Union and be distributed reasonably.
Once the declaration was made, it quickly stirred up considerable controversy in the northwestern lands of the Kingdom of Ordo.
The content of the statement was not limited to the establishment of the Northwestern Customs Union. It included:
First, the abolition of the widely existing tax farming system, with taxes to be paid directly to the respective lords;
Second, all local knights and gentry estate owners were forbidden from restricting the freedom of movement of peasants (including serfs) on their lands, allowing them to migrate between villages and towns;
Third, the prohibition of private punishment, the abolition of private civilian courts, with all cases, big and small, to be tried by judicial officers appointed by their respective lords.
“This is outrageous, inhumane, and the lords are unsympathetic to their subjects”—this was the unanimous sentiment among the local gentry.
Aside from the Customs Union, which was a longstanding issue, the other three measures in the statement were also unacceptable to them.
Abolish the tax farming system?
“Our families have served the lords diligently for hundreds of years. Aren’t all the taxes they eat, drink, and use collected by us? Who takes the trouble to go house to house to collect taxes? It’s us! Who gets cursed as bloodsuckers and bears the brunt of the peasants’ resentment on behalf of the lords? It’s us!”
With such hard work and blame, why shouldn’t they keep a little money as a reward? Wasn’t that fair?
Disallow restricting the freedom of movement of the peasants? “Do the lords understand firmly that the only thing ensuring their positions is because we prevent them from conspiring and uniting against us? If all the peasants go off to work in the cities, who will tend the farms? Will we all be left to the mercy of the winds?”
Prohibit private execution? “Without the power to punish the peasants, what’s the point of being a lord? Won’t the Northwest be thrown into chaos immediately?”
In short, whether shaking heads or stamping feet, everyone agreed that these were disastrous policies.
As expected by Paul, it didn’t take long before people came to remonstrate with him.
A week later, the five great lords once again gathered in Lakeheart Town, and after a brief discussion, they dispersed just as quickly.
Subsequently, each lord announced that they would suspend certain measures from the previous statement.
In the case of Alda and Baylding, for example:
The tax farming system would remain unchanged;
The freedom of movement for farmers was suspended, except for those with family members in the military, whose relocation would not be restricted;
Private punishment was still upheld, but if a family had a member serving in the military, they must be turned over to the lord’s court for trials.
However, the establishment of the Customs Union remained as part of the decisions upheld by all five lords.
Thus, most people heaved a sigh of relief.
In the estate of the esteemed gentleman Valen, the local landlords gathered again.
Old Valen spoke grimly, “This is a strategy. The count is taking a step back only to move forward later. We must find a way to thwart the Customs Union as well.”
“Watch your tone, remember your status,” Fergus immediately opposed. “Repealing newly issued decrees entirely would be dishonorable for the count. His willingness to compromise this much is already not easy; we should be considerate of Lord Grayman. Besides, this also involves the other four counts and the great Duke of the Northwest; how should we defy five lords?”
“Yes, yes, ultimately we are his subjects; it’s not right to pressure the lord like this.”
Baden, Eldo, and others agreed with Fergus, content with the count’s concessions.
“Hmph, I’m afraid that if the count steps back today, he may advance two steps tomorrow. Remember my words, when everything you hold is taken away, I wonder if you’ll still be able to feel relieved.”
Old Valen downed his drink in one gulp, a glint of deep dissatisfaction in his eyes.
“This...”
“Surely not...”
The people in attendance exchanged uneasy glances.