ch 15; Preparation (4)
Before we delve deep into the matter at hand, allow me to briefly describe the current system of the Ministry of Treasury.
Born at, allegedly, my grandfather's time, this particular ministry was more of a continuation of its predecessor, Bureau of Treasure Management. In those times, the Bureau of Treasure Management's work was simple. It was to manage the sovereign wealth which belongs to the dynasty's family, and that's practically it.
But ever since they take the form of a ministry, the once simple, singular work slowly transformed into an amalgamation of everything that involves money. Merchantry, local trade market, export and import, and of course, taxes. While their original work of managing sovereign wealth was tossed into the new ministry at that time, the Ministry of Interior.
Then, in my premature father's time, he tried to prune the bloated ministry. While the entire process didn't yield much, at least some of the critical things like their monopoly of the market of all goods was abolished and some of its responsibity were diverted to another ministry.
But the market—and widely speaking, the entire economic system—, at its core, was like a wild hare.
You need to regularly manage it, and it will still retain its wild and unpredictable nature.
Additionally, there are many things to consider, many things you can't take your eyes off. One wrong slip, and you will dangerously fall off the slop. And while consequences rarely rise in one night, the snowball effect ensures that your future is definitely screwed.
I could entirely symphatized with my father who pioneered the reorganization—or at least, tried to, before getting dethroned—, and the fact that the snowball effect only reaches this much is infinitely better. Not perfect, but admirable. If there was one oversight, it's just that heaven didn't like our royal family that much.
The incomplete reorganization, which was supposed to be continued to the next generation which is my time, ultimately didn't reach the light outside. I mean of course.
I skimmed the history my foster parents drilled into me when I was young, so I didn't learn much, but it is said that the discontent plus the raging ambition of the previous king was too overwhelming. The result was history.
Coup happened, the previous government colluded with the coup leaders, and everyone benefited except for my father, few loyalists, and me, the unlucky reincarnator.
Anyway,
The point being; it was a skewed structure from its inception. And the role for patching it up goes to us the descendants. And among the agenda, the most critical to touch is obviously taxes.
Why? Because it involves the entire country's wallet.
Taxes are the easiest form of monarch and ruling class to gather money. For national projects, or private money, regarding who took control. And for the citizens, it was a two-faced coin of obligation and burden. Normally, the role of drafting law regarding taxes should be delegated to the Ministry of Justice, as the de facto legislative branches of this country.
The matter of execution could be done by the Interior, or Treasury or better yet, an independent bureau specially created for it. Yet, all three of legislative, judiciary and executives, all rolled into a single ministry, forming an extreme polarization of power. For a post-war country, especially one that should quickly heal their interior so they could officially partake on a bigger stage, such concentration of power could be dangerous.
No, it was fatal.
The snowball could sweep the entire future Triple Entente.
Instead of a clear, one leader direction where I collaborate with the Empire to execute the plan, worse case scenario, the cliche which would be formed by collective interest and headed by someone who could sabotage taxation in this country with a snap could be born.
At that point, you see, it's all over.
My plan relies entirely on the concentration of power. An absolute center with a bit of totalitarianism so this country could essentially function as one giant machine, piloted by me.
If there's even a little fracture, a little dividend of power, opportunists could slip in and further widen the fracture, which would easily cause chaos.
In that position, forget about the Empire, I'd be too paranoid to lose my head to focus on the plan.
"First and foremost, Treasury, you understand that your ministry holds too much sway, right?"
By no means I intended to antagonize the duke on this occasion, but I dislike wording around too much in critical situations like this.
"...yes, I also believe so."
"Good. Then," shuffling to the next page, I issued a new order. "Open page 27, section 8." the sound of paper rustling reverberated through the room instantly.
"Let me summarize.
The critical concern over this matter of taxes is that the concentration of legal power is too much for one ministry to hold. Look; the ministry could both decide the matter of law regarding taxes, and hold a separate court for this matter exclusively. Such concentration of power is prone to misuse, correct? Even if you've done nothing wrong personally, duke, the system itself is highly sensitive. And not only that," once again, I shuffle the paper, "let's open page 28."
This time, I'm not rushing to explain things like before. Just let them read a bit before I summarize everything. I'm sure even the duke, who already understands it is a necessity and thus will be a hundred percent compliant to secure my trust, will further cement his decision after reading the material I painstakingly prepared.
"Having the law making decisions for taxes, a special authority to open an exclusive court for taxes, and now, collection of taxes is also included? I'm more worried about the chaos than the excessive authority. If this continues, one wrong move, one wrong step would crumble every tax-related issue of our country, don't you agree? Enemies just need to touch this delicate system to paralyze our taxes."
Hmm, from their face, it seems some are still unconvinced by my passionate lecture. But well, not like I cared much. If they can't understand much after I spoon feed them with this kind of sophisticated information, that's their fault.
Ugh… once again I'm reminded of how rare a talent is in this country.
Knowledge could be teached, but a natural aptitude for quick and accurate assesment are in the realm of innate.
"And so, this will be non-negotiable."
Of course.
The ministries know it too—how critical this issue is. So even the usual opposition didn't as much as chirping on this occasion. More importantly, the duke himself was eagerly nodded to everything I've said. Basically, giving a green light to this matter entirely.
"Then, let me make it brief for this one." we've been running our mouths nonstop for hours straight. It's both physically and mentally draining. Even I wasn't immune to fatigue. "1. From now on, law making regarding taxes had to include the Ministry of Justice, which handles court, or better yet, just create a new bureau with a mix of these two ministries, solely for tax law making. Any new passing law will be discussed in the court.
"2. The Ministry of Treasury and Ministry of Interior will create a new joint bureau solely for land survey and general survey which will later be used in maximizing taxes law. This bureau will also be responsible for catching any tax related crime and collecting taxes. The figurehead of this bureau will be me.
"3. Needless to say, I will also abolish the special privilege of exclusive court for taxes and instead delegate all authority of the judicial system to the Ministry of Justice, as they are more fit for this task."
After rattling all that direction, my mouth instantly felt dry, damn. Lifting the glass on the desk, my eyes darted around stealthily to the ministries to see if there was any discontent. But surprisingly, they didn't make any fuss. Everyone nodded passively which means either they know barking now would be useless, or they understand the necessity of this move.
Well, there's also a slim chance that they can't make heads or tails on why's but either way, it's good things are in order.
Honestly, I've hoped things would continue to be like this. Hearing them barking, tearing out the pandora box of secrets on their own to undermine their interlocutor was frankly tiring to hear.
Most of them are just ad hominem, attacking the person rather than approaching the subjective from an analytical standpoint, instead bringing out petty scandals with mistresses and the likes. Worse yet, some of their rumors are actually pretty interesting for me, who lives in a past-life full of dopamine rush.
If not for the official setting, I would've already brought out the tea for them.
Haaa… suddenly, I felt heavily exhausted. There are several agenda left but well, life work balance, right? It won't hurt to lay down and take my regular sugar intake for a bit. Without them I'd be nothing but husk.
Thank god this world isn't strictly medieval, or I won't be able to taste sweet from sugar or salty food.
Let's take a break for a bit. 30 minutes will do.
"Intermission. 30 minutes."
A collective sigh sounded in every corner.
***
Vedora Kingdom, Unknown location
A group of masked men sat around in what could be seen as an underground cellar, with darkness covering the place safe for a single candle in the middle of the table. Upon counting, it looks like there's seven heads. They stand around the table, with attire no less mysterious than their existence.
"We've had the schedule. Three days from now, on this place," the man speaks while his hands show them a paper. On it, written in the name of a place.
All of them, without an exception, wore a plain white mask with no mouth and only eyes. And every single one of them had eyes gleaming with burning ambition. Thrills coursing through their veins upon imagining the success of their long planned operation.
"Everything will be decided in this place." the man said solemnly. But he, like any other, had eyes dripped with naked ambition.
"We will succeed." and thus, he vowes.
For if the operation failed and Philip's alive, every one of them in this room won't be spared. It was all or nothing.
