Chapter 1574: Chapter 60: The Season of Harvest
“Marshal, the Black Forest people have compromised!”
Hearing the good news right after waking up, even Hudson, who had mastered the art of keeping emotions in check, couldn’t help but smile.
The plans leading up to this were not in vain. It turns out that survival pressure is the most convincing force for people to abandon their bottom line.
Military pressure, financial pressure, and logistical pressure — all attacking simultaneously, forcing the Black Forest Kingdom to choose compromise.
“Are they agreeing to fully open up trade?”
Hudson asked.
Giving up the Hundred Mile Corridor was essential. Once the Alpha Kingdom deployed troops, they would inevitably occupy this place, which the Black Forest Kingdom was powerless to contest.
Fully opening up trade is completely different. This ans that the last barrier to trade between the two countries has been removed, paving the way for the Southeastern Province to gain wealth.
Unlike the noble and serf economy of the Alpha Kingdom, the Black Forest Kingdom has a large number of free citizens, resulting in a more vibrant internal economy.
In terms of economic systems, the Black Forest Kingdom has also progressed further, having achieved early tariff unification.
“Marshal, the Black Forest people agreed much more readily than we expected. Here’s the treaty docunt!”
Governor Piers said with great enthusiasm.
The planning was jointly formulated by the two, but the implentation was entirely managed by him.
Politics emphasizes legitimacy.
Although Hudson holds a prominent position, he is ultimately a military Commander. He does not have the authority to intervene in the internal affairs of other provinces, apart from a few military-controlled provinces.
The only representative for provincial matters is the provincial administrative head, and Hudson, who dislikes incorporating tasks, naturally passed the responsibility to Governor Piers.
To be precise, without authorization from the Kingdom, the local governnt has no power to conclude treaties externally. Thus, the legal validity of this treaty is quite limited.
The treaty was signed not by the Southeastern Province governnt, but by the Southeastern Province Aristocratic Council.
Legally speaking, this is a private trade agreent signed between a group of nobles in the Southeastern Province and the Black Forest Kingdom, and it has limited binding force.
As for the ownership of the Hundred Mile Corridor, the treaty does not ntion it; that’s the Departnt of Foreign Affairs’ task.
Once substantial occupation is achieved, the Kingdom Governnt will take responsibility for addressing any subsequent legal issues.
“The Black Forest people are in a hurry; it seems the Earth Core race is exerting significant pressure on them.”
Since the strategic goals have been achieved, let’s honor the treaty and prepare to deploy troops to the Black Stone Mountain Range in three days!”
After scanning the treaty, Hudson calmly said.
There aren’t many items listed in the treaty, but the contents are explosive. Although the tariffs aren’t directly abolished, the difference is negligible regarding the tax rate.
Theoretically, this treaty treats all nobles in the Southeastern Province equally, but the real beneficiaries are primarily two major families.
Especially significant for the Koslow Family!
In the past, the biggest obstacle to developing industry and comrce was the lack of a sales market. The market in the Black Forest Kingdom isn’t large, but it’s a good start.
Everything is hard at first; once you take the first step, everything else follows.
If the Black Forest people can sign such a treaty with the Southeastern Province, they can sign similar agreents with the Kingdom Governnt.
Soone took the lead, reducing difficulties by ninety percent when persuading the other three nations to join.
Ideally, the Five Nations Alliance would mutually open their markets, reduce or even eliminate tariffs, allow free flow of goods, and establish an economic commonwealth.
From today onward, Hudson is the Kingdom’s staunchest reformist, at least until the dostic tax rates are unified!
If this obstacle isn’t removed, establishing an economic commonwealth is just a joke.
The leader can take more, but basic fairness must be ensured.
Easing restrictions on market access is disadvantageous for the four nations with a higher proportion of free citizens; if excessive tolls are set everywhere, then it would be too bullying.
Not only must he be a reformist, but he must also pull more people into the fold.
For example, the present Governor Piers, who is still imrsed in the joy of signing the treaty, is completely unaware that he has passively joined the reformists.
Having tasted the benefits of free trade, even once he realizes it later, the acquired interests will propel him to contribute to the reformists.
The two major families in the province are reformists, and their subordinates have no choice but to be reformists too.
With the inclusion of a heavyweight province, the situation of the reformists will be entirely different. A balance of power with the Conservative Faction is achieved, if not surpassing them.
For Hudson, a balance of power is already sufficient. In a balanced power scenario, the Conservative Faction would not dare to overturn the table.
Even if tensions escalate, as long as he steps onto the battlefield, he can “persuade” people back to the negotiation table.
Preventing civil war ans only political problems remain.
…
Jade Palace.
Upon receiving Hudson’s letter, Caesar IV’s mind was buzzing.
The Continent is in chaos, yet his Marshal’s letter doesn’t request reinforcents, but rather urges quick action from the reformists.
“Marshal Hudson suggests: that the Kingdom Governnt completely abolish the tax farming system, accelerate the tax uniformity process, and aim to complete tax reform by next year.
What do you think are the risks of doing this now?”
Being open to asking questions when unsure and holding etings when uncertain are experiences Caesar IV has gathered since taking the throne.
Though his political achievents are not many, he’s never caused significant trouble.
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